1
: a method of tripping a wrestling opponent by getting a foot behind the opponent's heel and pushing the body backward
also
: a throw made in this way
2
soccer
: a kick of the ball backward with the heel
She never makes the simple pass when she can get away with a backheel.—
Mia Hamm, quoted in ESPN, 28 June 1999
Mia Hamm, quoted in ESPN, 28 June 1999back-heel
2 of 2verb, transitive + intransitive
back-heeled; back-heeling; back-heels
1
transitive
: to trip (someone) by getting a foot behind the heel and pushing the body backward
He tried to push me off then but I stepped in fast and back-heeled him and he went down hard …—Louis L'Amour, Lando, 1962
Louis L'Amour, Lando, 19622
transitive + intransitive
: to strike (something) with the heel using a backward kick
He turned and back-heeled the door closed.—Robin Pilcher, An Ocean Apart, 1999
Robin Pilcher, An Ocean Apart, 1999
especially, soccer
: to kick (a ball) backward with the heel
… back-heeled the ball to his Brazilian countryman … —John Haydon, Washington Times, 19 Mar. 2008
John Haydon, Washington Times, 19 Mar. 2008 He took a touch before back-heeling for his Argentine strike partner … —Paul Fraser, Northern Echo, 29 Oct. 2007
Paul Fraser, Northern Echo, 29 Oct. 2007 Dictionary Entries Near backheel
Cite this Entry
“Backheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backheel. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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