Call
A short verbal message between players during play, such as calling for the ball or warning a teammate.
Definition
A call is a brief spoken message players use to coordinate during a game — asking for a pass, warning of pressure, organising a defence or naming a set play. Good calling lets teammates share information instantly about things they cannot all see, and clear, early, loud calls are a hallmark of well-drilled teams. A louder or more urgent call is often described as a shout.
Calling is a coached skill: teams agree on standard words and on who has priority to call in shared situations, such as which player claims a high ball. It should not be confused with an official's call — the referee's or umpire's ruling on a point of play, such as a line call in racket and net sports deciding whether the ball landed in or out.
Where you’ll hear “call”
Sports that use this term:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Volleyball
A non-contact team sport of rallies, jumps and teamwork — indoors or on the beach.
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Cricket
A bat-and-ball team sport where sides take turns to bat and to bowl and field, scoring runs.
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Sports communication
- Calling for the ballLetting a teammate know you are open and want the pass — usually a short, clear call made at the right moment.
- Defensive communicationTalking and signalling on defence — organising who marks whom, calling switches and warning teammates — to stay coordinated without the ball.
- Signalling availabilityShowing a teammate you are open and ready to receive — often through movement, body position or a gesture rather than a shout.
- Active listeningGenuinely taking in what a teammate or coach is communicating — not just hearing it — so the message actually lands.
- Leadership communicationHow players who lead — captains or not — communicate to organise, encourage and give direction, drawing teammates into a shared plan.
Officiating
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
- Out-of-Bounds CallAn official's ruling that the ball or a player in possession has left the legal playing area, stopping play and handing a restart or possession to the opponent.
- Line JudgeA boundary-line official who calls whether the ball or player is in or out and flags foot faults, working under the head referee across many sports.
- Penalty SignalA standardized hand or flag signal an official uses to announce a foul, penalty, or restart so players, teammates, and spectators can read the call.
- UmpireA match official who rules on lines, serves and dismissals in racket, bat-and-ball and net sports such as tennis, cricket and baseball — and, in racket sports, also keeps the running score.
Player roles
- Ball-winnerA ball-winner is the player tasked with regaining possession through pressing, tackling and interceptions — a team's tireless defensive workhorse.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
- CaptainThe captain is a team's on-field leader who communicates, makes in-game decisions and sets standards — a role any player can hold, not a fixed position.
- Utility playerA dependable, versatile player who can competently fill several different positions as the team needs, rather than specialising in just one.
- Target playerA target player is a focal attacker who receives, holds up and links play for others, often physically strong and good in the air or with the hands.
Skills
- SettingThe volleyball skill of accurately placing the ball for a teammate to attack.
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- ThrowingThe skill of propelling the ball accurately and with control using the arm.
Equipment
- Hockey stickA curved-headed stick used to control, pass and shoot the ball or puck in hockey.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
Rules
- Touching the netA net-play rule that penalises a player for contacting the net during a rally in net-divided sports.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Two-bounce ruleA pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.