Football Shout-out: Missing Chances
Football Shout-out: Missing Chances
Welcome to Football Shout-out from Premier Skills English, where we talk about the language you need when watching a match. Whether you are a super fan or an armchair supporter you won't be able to avoid football on TV this summer. In Football Shout-out, Jack and Rich present useful language to shout at the TV screen when watching a match with or without friends! In this episode, they look at some words and phrases that fans shout when an opposition player or someone on their own team misses a chance. Do you know what 'couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo' means?
Transcript
Jack: Hello and welcome to Premier Skills English - Football Shout-out
Rich: Football shoutout is the series that teaches you the language you need when you’re watching the game.
Jack: Hi everybody my name’s Jack
Rich: and my name’s Rich and welcome to our latest Football Shout-out where we talk about the English you need when you’re watching football.
Jack: If you listened to our last lesson, you will remember this:
Rich: Come on! We need to get the ball off them. Get stuck in!
Jack: That’s it! Good tackle. You’ve got time. Pass it. Pass it! Man on! Ohh. Straight into touch. Come on?!
Rich: We need to keep hold of the ball.
Jack: We need to get it in the box. There’s only a couple of minutes left.
Rich: That’s it. Down the line. Go on skin him. That’s it, go on ... cross it!
Jack: Go on. Have a pop! Goal!! Get in!!
…
Rich: We need to hold on to this. Here they come. Get rid of it!! Get it out!
Jack: That’s it. Take it to the corner. That should do. Referee! Come on! That’s got to be it (final whistle sounds - crowd cheers)
Rich: Our last lesson was all about what we shout at our own players when watching a game. If you haven’t heard the lesson, there is a link on the side of this page for you to go back and listen and learn lots of instructions that we scream at our own players during a match.
Jack: This lesson is all about what we shout when we see a player miss a chance.
Rich: You might have heard some expressions like What a miss! And that was close before. In this podcast, we’re going to look at some expressions that might be new for you.
Jack: The phrases and expressions we use often depend on whether it’s our player that has missed a chance or a player on the other side!
Rich: But more often we use the same phrases, we might just be a bit softer when it’s our own player. Listen to this:
Jack: Go on! Have a shot!
Rich: Unlucky! Against the post!
Jack: Hold on! He’s gone round the keeper. Oh no! What a sitter! I can’t believe he’s missed that.
Rich: My nan could do better than that and she’s 83!
Jack: He’s got to be putting chances like that away. That’s three he’s missed.
Rich: He couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo this afternoon!
Jack: Penalty!
Rich: Oh no. Look who’s taking it! He hit the last one straight at the keeper!
Jack: Here we go! Oh no! He’s skyed it.
Rich: I can’t believe he’s fluffed another one. That’s miles off target.
Jack: I think we might have to settle for a draw today. We couldn’t score in a month of Sundays.
Rich: We’ve definitely not got our scoring boots on today.
Jack: Every striker misses chances. Why do you think we are surprised when a player doesn’t score?
Rich: I don’t know. We expect our strikers to score every time, but they never do. Do you know who was the most clinical striker in the Premier League last season?
Jack: Nope.
Rich: It was West Ham’s Mexican striker, Javier Hernandez who scored with 27% of his shots.
Jack: So, everybody misses. In fact, players miss more often than they score or the goalkeeper makes a save.
Rich: And, sometimes players miss sitters, too.
Jack: A sitter. A really easy chance to score. When a player misses an easy chance you can say ‘What a sitter!’.
Rich: I guess we call a sitter a sitter because the chance or opportunity is so easy you could score while sitting on the floor.
Jack: You could also say ‘what a chance’ or ‘what a miss’ when a player misses an easy chance to score.
Rich: In the roleplay, Jack said I can’t believe he missed that.
Jack: This is when we get lots more expressions - talking about how you feel about the miss or the player that missed.
Rich: If it’s your player that has missed you might say something like ‘he’s got to be putting chances like that away’ or ‘he should have buried that’. Both of these mean he should have scored and show disappointment and frustration more than anything else.
Jack: But we use some phrases to insult or make fun of the player a little. Rich said my nan could do better than that - nan is an informal word for grandmother. He also said he couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo. Where did you hear that?
Rich: I can’t remember, but it’s funny. It means you can’t do something that is really easy to do - score a sitter. I’ve only ever heard this expression connected to football and strikers who miss chances.
Jack: It’s not only sitters that players miss though and there are other ways to describe misses.
Rich: A shot can be ‘miles off target’ or you can say ‘that’s nowhere near’ or ‘that’s well wide’.
Jack: You get lots of expressions when a player misses a penalty, too. If a player hits the ball over the crossbar you can say he’s skied it.
Rich: Or another two are that’s straight at the keeper or that’s straight down the keeper’s throat. This means that the player kicked the penalty down the middle to the goalkeeper.
Jack: My favourite is more general and it’s the verb to fluff which means to make a mess of a chance. You can say oh no he’s fluffed another one if he’s your player or if he’s on the other side you might say he’s fluffed that up.
Rich: We’ll look at these phrases and a few more in the lesson which you can find below this podcast.
Jack: Listen again. Do you understand everything now?
Jack: Go on! Have a shot!
Rich: Unlucky! Against the post!
Jack: Hold on! He’s gone round the keeper. Oh no! What a sitter! I can’t believe he’s missed that.
Rich: My nan could do better than that and she’s 83!
Jack: He’s got to be putting chances like that away. That’s three he’s missed.
Rich: He couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo this afternoon!
Jack: Penalty!
Rich: Oh no. Look who’s taking it! He hit the last one straight at the keeper!
Jack: Here we go! Oh no! He’s skyed it.
Rich: I can’t believe he’s fluffed another one. That’s miles off target.
Jack: I think we might have to settle for a draw today. We couldn’t score in a month of Sundays.
Rich: We’ve definitely not got our scoring boots on today.
Jack: So, there are a few expressions you can use when a player misses a chance.
Rich: We’ve got some activities to help you remember the phrases that we’ve been speaking about in the lesson below this podcast.
Jack: We’ll be back soon with our next football English lesson, which will be about phrases football fans use when their team is losing.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.
Language
Missed Chances
Every striker misses chances. Why do you think we are surprised when a player doesn’t score? We expect our strikers to score every time, but they never do. The language we use to describe a missed chance depends on whether it was an easy chance to score, or if it was missed by a player on our team or missed by an opposition player. Take a look at these phrases from the podcast. Do you think we would use these about an opponent or our own player and do you think it was an easy or difficult chance that was missed?
Unlucky. Against the post!
What a sitter! I can't believe he's missed that!
That's miles off target!
My nan could do better than that!
Of course, all of the phrases can be used to speak about your own players and opponents, everything depends on the context of the match but some phrases are more supportive than others. You are much more likely to shout 'unlucky' to your own player than 'my nan could do better than that' which you might shout at an opponent who has missed an easy chance.
Words and Phrases
Easy Chances
In the listening, Rich and Jack spoke about the language we use when players miss a chance or opportunity to score. Sometimes players miss an easy chance to score and you heard Jack and Rich use these phrases:
He's got to be putting chances like that away. That's three he's missed.
What a sitter! I can't believe he's missed that!
He hit the last one straight at the keeper.
Oh no! He's skyed it!
He couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo!
All of these phrases are used to describe a player who has missed an easy chance to score. Let's look at each phrase in a bit more detail:
- to put a chance away = to score a goal
- what a sitter = a very easy chance, usually a chance that is very close to the goal
- straight at the keeper = a player that shoots the ball directly to the goalkeeper, often a penalty
- to sky it = to hit the ball over the crossbar, usually a penalty or a shot from close to the goal
- he couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo = to describe a striker who is having a bad day and missing lots of chances
Do you know any other phrases connected to missing easy chances?
Difficult Chances
Sometimes players miss more difficult chances to score. When a player misses a difficult chance, fans are probably more supportive if it's their own player. If it's an opponent, fans probably express relief that they didn't score. Here are some phrases that are used when a player misses a difficult chance:
Unlucky! Against the post.
That was close!
Good effort!
That could have gone anywhere!
All of these phrases are usually used to describe a player who has missed a more difficult chance to score. Let's look at each phrase in a bit more detail:
- Unlucky! = usuallly used to support a player that nearly scored a difficult chance but can also be used sarcastically to shout at an opponent
- That was close! = describes a shot that goes near the goal
- Good effort! = a good attempt at goal that deserved more
- That could have gone anywhere = a fortunate shot that nearly results in a goal; often used when a shot hits an opponent and the ball goes in a different direction (a deflection)
Do you know any other similar phrases?
Task
Instructions for players
You are watching your team either at the stadium or on TV. Look at the situations below. Decide what you would shout in each situation. Use some of the phrases that Rich and Jack used in the podcast.
- A player on your team goes around the goalkeeper but then hits the ball over the top of the goal.
- An opponent falls over the ball at the moment he is about to shoot into an empty net.
- An opponent hits a volley from 25 metres against the post.
- A player on your team goes past three defenders, hits the ball towards the top corner but the goalkeeper makes a good save.
Write your answers in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Can you think of any more situations to use the language in this podcast?
The answers to the quiz below are all words that Rich and Jack used in the roleplay. Can you remember what they said?
Quiz
Please login to take this quiz.
What do you think?
Were any of these phrases new for you?
Can you tell us any other phrases that you can shout at players who miss chances? Please keep it clean!
Write your answers in the comments section below and don't forget to write your answers to the task we have given you in the section above.
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Comentários
22/05/2019
points
they are all new with me
22/05/2019 11:00
Manchester City
822
they are all new with me
16/03/2019
points
Other phrases
Tough luck!
16/03/2019 10:12
Chelsea
1749
Other phrases
Tough luck!
30/11/2018
points
Peasy.
30/11/2018 14:19
Manchester United
823
Peasy.
03/09/2018
points
Most are new to me.
I can shout to you many things of encouragement.
03/09/2018 02:48
Tottenham Hotspur
256
Most are new to me.
I can shout to you many things of encouragement.
01/09/2018
points
Yes, many of these phrases are new to me.
01/09/2018 16:34
Arsenal
534
Yes, many of these phrases are new to me.
24/08/2018
points
There are some new pharases for me.
get in!
fifty fifty
24/08/2018 23:16
Manchester United
561
There are some new pharases for me.
get in!
fifty fifty
12/08/2018
points
TASK:
-Good effort.
-Unlucky.
-That's miles off target.
-That was close.
I already knew some phrases, but som of these were new to me too.
12/08/2018 23:40
Manchester United
672
TASK:
-Good effort.
-Unlucky.
-That's miles off target.
-That was close.
I already knew some phrases, but som of these were new to me too.
11/08/2018
points
Yes, for example
you can!
11/08/2018 02:54
Arsenal
644
Yes, for example
you can!
10/08/2018
points
Most are new to me.
I can shout to you many things of encouragement.
10/08/2018 21:22
Liverpool
-903
Most are new to me.
I can shout to you many things of encouragement.
10/08/2018
points
Several of them are new to me
Ohh, I do not know
10/08/2018 21:21
Liverpool
43
Several of them are new to me
Ohh, I do not know
10/08/2018
points
1. No, the phrases were familiar to me.
2. Unbelievable! How can you miss that? That was a piece of cake!
Task:
-He's been unlucky today! Against the post. Unbelievable!
-That was close! For sure.
10/08/2018 18:49
Liverpool
695
1. No, the phrases were familiar to me.
2. Unbelievable! How can you miss that? That was a piece of cake!
Task:
-He's been unlucky today! Against the post. Unbelievable!
-That was close! For sure.
10/08/2018
points
No new phrases here.
10/08/2018 05:15
Liverpool
471
No new phrases here.
10/08/2018
points
Super interesting
10/08/2018 03:21
Manchester United
512
Super interesting
10/08/2018
points
excellent test
10/08/2018 02:40
Manchester City
513
excellent test
10/08/2018
points
Task:
1. "That was close!"
2. "What a chance" or "What a sitter!"
3. I don't understand this situation, but I could say "miles off target" or "that’s nowhere near", I guess.
4. "Good effort!"
What do you think?
- Yes, the most of these phrases were new for me.
- No, I can't. I don't know any other phrases.
10/08/2018 00:30
Liverpool
829
Task:
1. "That was close!"
2. "What a chance" or "What a sitter!"
3. I don't understand this situation, but I could say "miles off target" or "that’s nowhere near", I guess.
4. "Good effort!"
What do you think?
- Yes, the most of these phrases were new for me.
- No, I can't. I don't know any other phrases.
09/08/2018
points
No new phrases for me.
09/08/2018 03:29
Newcastle United
462
No new phrases for me.
09/08/2018
points
All of this phrases was new for me.
09/08/2018 02:58
Wolverhampton Wanderers
693
All of this phrases was new for me.
09/08/2018
points
good test
09/08/2018 02:05
Chelsea
310
good test
09/08/2018
points
TASK:
1. That was close!
2. That could have gone anywhere!
3. Good effort!
4. That's miles off target!
WHAT DO YOU THINK:
1. Yes, many of these were new to me
2. No, I think there's no land for the players on my team.
09/08/2018 01:56
Manchester United
796
TASK:
1. That was close!
2. That could have gone anywhere!
3. Good effort!
4. That's miles off target!
WHAT DO YOU THINK:
1. Yes, many of these were new to me
2. No, I think there's no land for the players on my team.
09/08/2018
points
The majority.
It was close!
Great lesson.
09/08/2018 00:18
Chelsea
761
The majority.
It was close!
Great lesson.
09/08/2018
points
All the phrases were new for me.
I do not any other similar sentences.
09/08/2018 00:10
Manchester City
619
All the phrases were new for me.
I do not any other similar sentences.
08/08/2018
points
Yes, all the sentences were new to me.
I can not say more phrases because I really do not know any more.
TASK
1. Good effort.
2. Unlucky.
3. That's miles off target.
4. That was close!
08/08/2018 23:53
Manchester United
768
Yes, all the sentences were new to me.
I can not say more phrases because I really do not know any more.
TASK
1. Good effort.
2. Unlucky.
3. That's miles off target.
4. That was close!
08/08/2018
points
1. Some of them are new to me.
2. Oh, come man! How you miss that one! Terrible.
Task:
-Unlucky! Against the post.
-That was close!
-Good effort!
08/08/2018 16:50
Liverpool
754
1. Some of them are new to me.
2. Oh, come man! How you miss that one! Terrible.
Task:
-Unlucky! Against the post.
-That was close!
-Good effort!
08/08/2018
points
some phrases but the great majority already knew them.
More concentration boy!
08/08/2018 03:36
Arsenal
732
some phrases but the great majority already knew them.
More concentration boy!
07/08/2018
points
1. Yes some, but not all.
2. It was close!
Good game and effort!
How unfortunate!
07/08/2018 23:37
Manchester United
732
1. Yes some, but not all.
2. It was close!
Good game and effort!
How unfortunate!
07/08/2018
points
they are all new to me but it is good to learn about soccer
07/08/2018 23:31
Liverpool
658
they are all new to me but it is good to learn about soccer
07/08/2018
points
good test
07/08/2018 04:39
Manchester City
268
good test
07/08/2018
points
There were a few words new for me
07/08/2018 03:29
Manchester United
352
There were a few words new for me
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 03:18
Stoke City
741
good quiz
07/08/2018
points
There were a few words new for me
07/08/2018 02:38
Manchester City
189
There were a few words new for me
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 02:23
Arsenal
375
good quiz
07/08/2018
points
super interesting the test
07/08/2018 01:37
Manchester City
348
super interesting the test
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 00:57
Chelsea
442
good quiz
07/08/2018
points
If most of these phrases knew them.
And then you could say: how did that put you compass.
07/08/2018 00:53
Chelsea
778
If most of these phrases knew them.
And then you could say: how did that put you compass.
06/08/2018
points
Good quiz
06/08/2018 23:54
Arsenal
636
Good quiz
06/08/2018
points
Ho guys
06/08/2018 23:52
Arsenal
533
Ho guys
06/08/2018
points
Funny activity
06/08/2018 06:03
Manchester City
343
Funny activity
06/08/2018
points
GOOD QUIZ
06/08/2018 02:33
Manchester United
567
GOOD QUIZ
06/08/2018
points
Good quiz
06/08/2018 01:49
Chelsea
362
Good quiz
06/08/2018
points
very good lesson
06/08/2018 00:50
Manchester City
641
very good lesson
05/08/2018
points
he most of the phrases were new for me.
Task:
1. Good effort!
2. Unlucky!
3. That's miles off target!
4. That was close!
05/08/2018 19:04
Liverpool
570
he most of the phrases were new for me.
Task:
1. Good effort!
2. Unlucky!
3. That's miles off target!
4. That was close!
05/08/2018
points
this lesson is about learning more about soccer culture
05/08/2018 19:04
Manchester United
725
this lesson is about learning more about soccer culture
05/08/2018
points
Is a really good test
05/08/2018 16:17
Liverpool
654
Is a really good test
05/08/2018
points
This lesson is all about what we shout when we see a player miss a chance.
05/08/2018 04:15
Chelsea
430
This lesson is all about what we shout when we see a player miss a chance.
05/08/2018
points
Good
05/08/2018 04:10
Manchester City
302
Good
05/08/2018
points
Hello.
All phrases are new for me, in this podcast everything it's ok.
No, I do not know anything now, I think everything is very complete.
1.What a sitter! I can't believe he's missed that!
2.My nan could do better than that!
3.Miles over the crossbar!
4.Good effort.
Bye, bye
Thanks for the lesson.
05/08/2018 02:35
Chelsea
635
Hello.
All phrases are new for me, in this podcast everything it's ok.
No, I do not know anything now, I think everything is very complete.
1.What a sitter! I can't believe he's missed that!
2.My nan could do better than that!
3.Miles over the crossbar!
4.Good effort.
Bye, bye
Thanks for the lesson.
05/08/2018
points
I already knew some phrases, but som of these were new to me too.
TASK:
-Good effort.
-Unlucky.
-That's miles off target.
-That was close.
05/08/2018 01:21
Manchester City
48
I already knew some phrases, but som of these were new to me too.
TASK:
-Good effort.
-Unlucky.
-That's miles off target.
-That was close.
05/08/2018
points
There were a few words new for me
05/08/2018 00:11
Chelsea
624
There were a few words new for me
04/08/2018
points
All these phrases were new for me
That's miles off target!
04/08/2018 22:52
Manchester City
881
All these phrases were new for me
That's miles off target!
04/08/2018
points
The most of the phrases were new for me.
04/08/2018 22:26
Manchester United
602
The most of the phrases were new for me.