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.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Call to the rest of SocialSportHub.
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.
Go deeper with Call
Everywhere else on the platform that covers Call — assembled from what actually references it, so nothing here is a dead end.
Take it away
Open data and the whole-platform view of this subject.
How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
Evergreen, first-party explanation — it makes no claim that needs an external source. How we handle sources and reviews.