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Easy: Block

Easy: Block

Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

This episode is easy so we’re looking at common football words and phrases. Things you use and need to know to play the game.

Summary

Learn more football vocabulary with Premier Skills English. Each lesson in our Premier Vocabulary section looks at one football word or phrase. This lesson looks at the word block

You can find more lessons on the side of this page.

Transcript

Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to Premier Skills English - Premier Vocabulary.

Jack: Hi there! I’m Jack. We’re here to help you with your football English. Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. 

Rich: We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

Jack: This episode is easy so we’re looking at common football words and phrases; things you use and need to know to play the game.


Rich: The word we are looking at in this episode is: block.

Jack: Block can be a verb or a noun and it can be used to speak about things on and off the football pitch.

Rich: We’ll start with how block is used away from football and then we’ll look at how we use it to speak about football.

Jack: The most common way block is used as a verb is to speak about something that stops something from moving.

Rich: In my house last week I had a blocked pipe in the bathroom and there was water everywhere. I had to call a plumber. She arrived and sorted it out in two minutes.

Jack: What was the problem?

Rich: One of the kids had put a little toy down the sink and it had totally blocked the pipe. She unblocked it in .just a minute

Jack: Things other than pipes can get blocked or be blocked. Roads can be blocked because of bad weather or a traffic accident.

Rich: A new building might block a lovely view, a security guard or bouncer might block you from entering a venue for example.

Jack: Block usually means the same as stop. Something can be blocked from happening.

Rich: You might be blocked from accessing a specific programme or website on your computer.

Jack: Organisations, businesses and governments can block new laws, rules and proposals.


Rich: On the pitch when we use the word block it usually refers to stopping the ball.

Jack: Defenders block shots and block crosses.

Rich: Defenders block crosses and shots by putting themselves in front of the ball and stopping the ball from entering a dangerous area or going towards goal.

Jack: We can also say make a block. Some defenders make more blocks than others.

Rich: Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings made the most blocks in the Premier League last season. He blocked the ball 48 times.

Jack: We also talk about goalkeepers blocking the ball. It’s sometimes different to a save and happens when the player who shoots is very close to the keeper.

Rich: The keeper came off his line and blocked the ball with his feet.

Jack: Players also make block tackles.

Rich: A block tackle is when you try to take the ball off an opponent without sliding on the floor.


Jack: There is the final whistle!

Rich: We’ll be back soon with more Premier Vocabulary from Premier Skills English.

Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football. 

Comment

Discuss

What qualities does a defender need to make a lot of blocks?

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Komentar

KareemZain
10/08/2023
EG
383
points

I guess the defender needs to be physically strong and with quick response to make a lot of blocks.


KareemZain
10/08/2023 17:37
Egypt
Manchester City
383

I guess the defender needs to be physically strong and with quick response to make a lot of blocks.

Michaelsun
06/03/2022
CN
738
points

To be calm and precise are the qualities for a defender who need to make a lot of blocks.


Michaelsun
06/03/2022 15:36
China
Manchester United
738

To be calm and precise are the qualities for a defender who need to make a lot of blocks.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
21/05/2021
BR
1512
points

They got to be precise at timing, having quick feet and must be able to "read the game" before the attackers


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
21/05/2021 18:11
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

They got to be precise at timing, having quick feet and must be able to "read the game" before the attackers

hsn's picture
hsn
29/11/2020
TR
5525
points

Defender should know how to get right position in front of opponent player who is crossing or might shoot. Especially at the block tackle the ball must be followed not player. Because she/he could make an action to confuse defender. Like, ball can go opposite side from where crossing player looks at. Defender should guess probable movements of player. The ball could be upped over defender head.


hsn's picture
hsn
29/11/2020 17:55
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

Defender should know how to get right position in front of opponent player who is crossing or might shoot. Especially at the block tackle the ball must be followed not player. Because she/he could make an action to confuse defender. Like, ball can go opposite side from where crossing player looks at. Defender should guess probable movements of player. The ball could be upped over defender head.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
23/09/2020
UA
6278
points

For me an example of a perfect defender is Rostislav Potochnniak from Metallist Kharkov of the 70-80-ies. He was a top-flight stopper. It's amusing that he began his football career as a forward. 


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
23/09/2020 01:51
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

For me an example of a perfect defender is Rostislav Potochnniak from Metallist Kharkov of the 70-80-ies. He was a top-flight stopper. It's amusing that he began his football career as a forward. 

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
17/09/2020
UA
6278
points

A defender should be very flexible and prompt to block as many passes or crosses as possible. I like those who are: I myself always put a lot of pressure on attacking guys when in defense. Alas, it's usually not the case with other teammates: people are often understandably lazy and relaxed. :-)


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
17/09/2020 07:26
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

A defender should be very flexible and prompt to block as many passes or crosses as possible. I like those who are: I myself always put a lot of pressure on attacking guys when in defense. Alas, it's usually not the case with other teammates: people are often understandably lazy and relaxed. :-)

William
16/09/2020
CR
13
points

They need to be fast, for example David Luiz in his first seasons with Chelsea.


William
16/09/2020 17:35
Costa Rica
Chelsea
13

They need to be fast, for example David Luiz in his first seasons with Chelsea.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
16/09/2020
TR
6510
points

The defender must have quick reactions , tall , strong and dedicated to the team.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
16/09/2020 14:01
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

The defender must have quick reactions , tall , strong and dedicated to the team.

alejocaal92's picture
alejocaal92
16/09/2020
CO
81
points

The block defenders strategy it's also a requirement the team, to improve the result of play.


alejocaal92's picture
alejocaal92
16/09/2020 03:59
Colombia
Manchester United
81

The block defenders strategy it's also a requirement the team, to improve the result of play.

RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
16/09/2020
BR
663
points

For me a defender must be fast and strong. But it's necessary to have courage to stop a shot with the own body.


RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
16/09/2020 02:32
Brazil
Arsenal
663

For me a defender must be fast and strong. But it's necessary to have courage to stop a shot with the own body.

Amândio
15/09/2020
AO
9
points

Defender must be fast, tall and solid in there decision .


Amândio
15/09/2020 16:57
Angola
Manchester City
9

Defender must be fast, tall and solid in there decision .

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2Alex_from_Ukraine6278
3hsn5525
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Goals

Learn more football vocabulary.