Team sports are sports played in a team. They are used to talk about a group of players who face another team in a match or competition. The word collectif emphasizes cooperation: each player has a role and the result depends on the whole team. This vocabulary is used to talk about a club, a championship, a tournament or a simple weekend game. In everyday life, people also talk about team sports when they want to stress the idea of several players on the same side. To find this vocabulary in other contexts, see Activités and Sports de Plein Air.

The most common names are football, basket, rugby, volley and handball. Football designates the sport played with a ball and goals. Basket is very common orally for basket-ball. Volley is also a shortened form of volleyball. Handball is used as is. We also say to play football, to play basketball, to play rugby, to play volleyball and to play handball. These names are used to talk about a sport practiced regularly, a match on television or an activity in a club. The categories of Activités provide a useful frame for these words.

hockeyultimatebaseballfootballrugbysoftballhandballvolleywater polobasket

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Sport d équipe où l on renvoie un ballon au dessus d un filet. Au volley, il faut être rapide et bien placéSport d équipe de contact où l on avance avec le ballon vers l en but. Au rugby, la force et la solidarité comptent beaucoupSport d équipe qui se joue dans l eau avec un ballon. Au water polo, il faut nager sans arrêtSport d équipe où l on marque en envoyant un ballon dans un panier. Au basket, les joueurs courent beaucoup et sautent hautSport d équipe où l on fait avancer une balle ou un palet avec une crosse. Le hockey demande beaucoup d adresseSport d équipe où l on fait progresser un frisbee vers une zone de marque. L ultimate se joue souvent avec beaucoup d esprit d équipeSport d équipe où l on lance un ballon avec la main pour marquer dans un but. Au handball, les actions sont souvent très rapidesSport d équipe où l on frappe une balle et court entre des bases. Au baseball, chaque action peut changer le matchSport d équipe où l on cherche à faire entrer un ballon dans le but adverse. Le football se joue souvent devant des supporters très bruyantsSport d équipe proche du baseball avec une balle plus grande. Le softball est souvent très agréable à regarder

Vocabulary of major team sports

Word	Definition
football	Team sport where the aim is to get a ball into the opponent's goal. The football is often played in front of very loud supporters.
basket	Team sport where points are scored by sending a ball into a basket. In basketball, players run a lot and jump high.
rugby	Team contact sport where you advance with the ball toward the try line. In rugby, strength and solidarity matter a lot.
volley	Team sport where you return a ball over a net. In volleyball, you must be quick and well positioned.
handball	Team sport where you throw a ball with the hand to score in a goal. In handball, actions are often very fast.
hockey	Team sport where you move a ball or puck with a stick. Hockey requires a lot of skill.
water polo	Team sport played in water with a ball. In water polo, you must swim continuously.
ultimate	Team sport where you advance a frisbee toward the scoring zone. Ultimate is often played with a strong team spirit.
baseball	Team sport where you hit a ball and run between bases. In baseball, every action can change the game.
softball	Team sport similar to baseball with a larger ball. Softball is often very enjoyable to watch.

Scramble

In a team, players do not all have the same function. The goalkeeper protects the goal. The defender prevents the opposing team from advancing. The attacker aims to score. The playmaker organizes the game, especially in basketball. You also encounter midfield in some sports, for the player placed between defense and attack. We talk in plural about players when referring to the whole team on the field. These words are used to describe a player's position and responsibility during the match.

défenseurmilieucapitainepivotgardienremplaçantcoéquipierailierattaquantmeneur

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Joueur placé entre la défense et l attaque. Le milieu relie souvent toutes les actionsPersonne qui joue dans la même équipe. Un coéquipier aide les autres pendant toute la rencontreJoueur qui aide à protéger son camp. Un défenseur doit lire le jeu très viteJoueur qui attend sur le banc avant d entrer en jeu. Un remplaçant peut changer le rythme du matchJoueur placé sur le côté du terrain. Un ailier apporte souvent de la vitesseJoueur chargé de créer et de finir les occasions de but. Un attaquant cherche souvent l espace libreJoueur qui représente l équipe sur le terrain. Le capitaine encourage souvent tout le groupeJoueur qui organise le jeu de son équipe. Le meneur choisit souvent le bon moment pour passerJoueur placé près de la zone de marque pour recevoir et gêner la défense. Le pivot joue un rôle très utileJoueur qui protège le but et empêche l adversaire de marquer. Le gardien a parfois des réflexes incroyables

Vocabulary of players and positions

Word	Definition
gardien	Player who protects the goal and prevents the opponent from scoring. The goalie sometimes has incredible reflexes.
défenseur	Player who helps protect their defense. A defender must read the game very quickly.
attaquant	Player responsible for creating and finishing scoring chances. A forward often looks for open space.
milieu	Player placed between defense and attack. The midfielder often links all actions.
meneur	Player who organizes the team's play. The playmaker often chooses the right moment to pass.
ailier	Player placed on the side of the field. A winger often brings speed.
pivot	Player positioned near the scoring area to receive and hinder the defense. The center plays a very useful role.
capitaine	Player who represents the team on the field. The captain often encourages the whole group.
remplaçant	Player who sits on the bench before entering the game. A substitute can change the pace of the match.
coéquipier	Person who plays on the same team. A teammate helps others during the whole match.

Scramble

The field is the space where the match is played. Depending on the sport, we speak of a stadium, a field or a gymnasium. The ball is the main object in most team sports. The goal is the target to reach in football and handball. The basket counts in basketball, and the net appears in volleyball. We say a match is played on a field, in a stadium or indoors. The equipment helps distinguish each sport and immediately understand which game it is.

ballonsiffletbutfiletligneterrainmaillotchaussurespaniertribune

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Petit instrument utilisé par l arbitre pour arrêter ou reprendre le jeu. Le sifflet coupe le silence d un coupOuverture où l on cherche à marquer. Le but fait exploser la joie dans les tribunesMarque tracée sur le sol pour délimiter le jeu. La ligne aide à savoir si la balle est sortieCercle où l on doit envoyer le ballon au basket. Le panier semble très haut pour les débutantsPaire portée pour jouer et courir sur le terrain. Les chaussures doivent être confortables et solidesObjet rond utilisé dans beaucoup de sports collectifs. Le ballon peut finir très loin après un tir puissantObstacle ou protection placée pour séparer les camps ou arrêter la balle. Le filet tremble quand le tir est fortVêtement porté par les joueurs pendant le match. Le maillot permet de reconnaître l équipeEspace où se déroule le match. Le terrain peut être en herbe, en salle ou en sablePartie du stade où s installent les spectateurs. La tribune devient parfois très bruyante

Vocabulary of the field and equipment

Word	Definition
ballon	Spherical object used in many team sports. The ball can end up very far after a powerful shot.
filet	Obstacle or barrier placed to separate teams or stop the ball. The net trembles when the shot is strong.
panier	Basket where the ball must be sent in basketball. The basket seems very high for beginners.
but	Opening where you try to score. The goal triggers joy in the stands.
terrain	Space where the match takes place. The field can be grass, indoor, or sand.
ligne	Mark drawn on the ground to delimit the game. The line helps know if the ball went out.
tribune	Part of the stadium where spectators sit. The stands sometimes become very loud.
maillot	Clothing worn by players during the match. The jersey helps identify the team.
sifflet	Small instrument used by the referee to stop or resume the game. The whistle cuts the silence with a blow.
chaussures	Pair worn to play and run on the field. The shoes must be comfortable and sturdy.

Scramble

A match pits two teams. Each team tries to win by scoring more points, more goals or more baskets than the other. We talk about half-time when the game is split into two parts. The score indicates the result during or after the encounter. A victory means one team won; a defeat means it lost. We can also talk about draw or tie when no team comes out on top. In match reports, these words are enough to say how the encounter unfolded.

équipespectateurscoredéfaitematchmi tempsprolongationnularbitrevictoire

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Personne qui fait respecter les règles du match. L arbitre doit rester juste et attentifRésultat positif quand une équipe gagne. La victoire donne souvent envie de chanterRésultat quand aucune équipe ne gagne. Un nul peut être frustrant ou rassurant selon le matchNombre de points ou de buts obtenus. Le score montre qui mène pendant la rencontrePersonne qui regarde le match sans jouer. Un spectateur peut encourager très fortMoment de pause au milieu du match. La mi temps permet de souffler et de discuterRencontre sportive entre deux équipes. Un match peut être très tendu jusqu à la finTemps supplémentaire ajouté quand il faut départager les équipes. La prolongation peut être très stressanteGroupe de joueurs qui jouent ensemble. Une équipe gagne quand elle coopère bienRésultat négatif quand une équipe perd. Une défaite peut aussi apprendre beaucoup

Vocabulary of the match and the score

Word	Definition
match	Sports contest between two teams. A match can be very tense until the end.
équipe	Group of players who play together. A team wins when it cooperates well.
mi temps	Break moment in the middle of the match. The halftime allows a rest and a discussion.
victoire	Positive result when a team wins. The victory often makes the bench want to sing.
défaite	Negative result when a team loses. A defeat can also teach a lot.
nul	Result when no team wins. A draw can be frustrating or reassuring depending on the match.
score	Number of points or goals obtained. The score shows who leads during the match.
prolongation	Extra time added to break the deadlock between teams. Overtime can be very stressful.
arbitre	Person who enforces the rules of the match. The referee must stay fair and attentive.
spectateur	Person who watches the match without playing. A spectator can cheer very loudly.

Scramble

During the match, players pass the ball, shoot at goal, score a point or a goal, defend their side and attack to take the lead. Passing is used to send the ball to a teammate. Shooting is used when attempting to score. Scoring designates the act of registering a point, a basket or a goal. Defending and attacking organize the two main phases of the game. These verbs often appear with a plural subject: the players + verb + complement.

marquerdribblerattaquerencouragercourirrécupérerdéfendresauterpassertirer

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Se déplacer vite sur le terrain. On court pour se placer ou aider son équipeRéussir à inscrire un point ou un but. On marque quand la balle entre dans la cibleMontrer son soutien à son équipe. On encourage avec des mots et des gestesEmpêcher l adversaire d avancer ou de tirer. On défend avec attention et énergieReprendre le ballon à l adversaire. On récupère grâce à une bonne anticipationEnvoyer le ballon à un autre joueur. On passe souvent pour garder la possessionFaire avancer le ballon en le contrôlant près de soi. On dribble pour passer un adversaireSe lever brusquement dans l air. On saute souvent pour attraper ou frapper le ballonChercher à progresser vers le camp adverse. On attaque quand on veut créer une occasionEnvoyer le ballon vers le but ou le panier. On tire quand on veut marquer

Vocabulary of actions during the match

Word	Definition
passer	Send the ball to another player. We pass often to keep possession.
tirer	Send the ball toward the goal or basket. We shoot when we want to score.
marquer	Succeed in scoring a point or a goal. We score when the ball goes into the target.
défendre	Prevent the opponent from advancing or shooting. We defend with care and energy.
attaquer	Try to advance toward the opponent's side. We attack when we want to create a chance.
dribbler	Make the ball advance by controlling it close to you. We dribble to get past a defender.
sauter	Jump up in the air. We jump often to catch or strike the ball.
courir	Move quickly on the field. We run to position or help the team.
récupérer	Regain the ball from the opponent. We recover thanks to good anticipation.
encourager	Show support for your team. We encourage with words and gestures.

Scramble

To talk about the encounter, we say to play against another team. A team is part of the competition or a group of players. We say that a team beat another when it defeated them. To meet a team and to face a team are also common in sports language. These expressions help specify the opponent and the result without repeating the whole sentence. They often appear in newspapers, on the radio and in conversations about Sports de Plein Air or other Activités.

Expressions for talking about teams

Usage	Explanation
Talking about the opposition	We use playing against to say which team faces another during the match.
Talking about belonging	We use part of to say that someone belongs to a team or group.
Talking about winning	We use winning against to say that a team beats another in a match.
Talking about support	We use being for to show support for a team or player.
Talking about the local encounter	We use facing to say that a team meets another in a more sporting or intense context.
Talking about lineup	We use being composed of to say how many players or members make up a team.

A championship brings together several teams over a long period. A cup is often played as a knockout. A tournament brings together several matches in one event. The final is the last match. Around the stadium, the supporters cheer for their team. They are in the stands or in the bleachers, and the atmosphere can be very loud. The stadium is the venue of the match, while the stands are the public seating area. These words are used to talk about the event itself, not only the game on the field.

finalechampionnatambianceécharpesupporterstadetournoitribunecoupecoup d envoi

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Dernier match qui décide du vainqueur. La finale attire souvent le plus grand publicAtmosphère ressentie pendant un match. Une ambiance forte rend l événement encore plus vivantPartie du stade réservée aux spectateurs. La tribune résonne avec les applaudissementsGrand lieu où l on regarde un match. Le stade peut devenir impressionnant quand il est pleinPersonne qui encourage une équipe avec passion. Un supporter peut chanter pendant tout le matchCompétition organisée sur plusieurs matchs. Un championnat récompense l équipe la plus régulièreCompétition à élimination ou trophée remis au vainqueur. Une coupe attire souvent beaucoup d attentionSuite de matchs joués pour désigner un gagnant. Un tournoi rassemble souvent beaucoup d équipesMoment où le match commence. Le coup d envoi lance toute l énergie de la rencontreLong tissu porté par les supporters pour montrer leurs couleurs. Une écharpe peut devenir un vrai symbole

Vocabulary of competitions and atmosphere

Word	Definition
championnat	Competition organized over several matches. A championship rewards the most consistent team.
coupe	Elimination competition or trophy awarded to the winner. A cup often attracts a lot of attention.
tournoi	Sequence of matches played to designate a winner. A tournament often brings together many teams.
finale	Last match that decides the winner. The final often attracts the largest crowd.
supporter	Person who cheers for a team with passion. A supporter may sing throughout the match.
stade	Large venue where a match is watched. The stadium can be impressive when full.
tribune	Part of the stadium reserved for spectators. The stands resonate with applause.
ambiance	Atmosphere felt during a match. A strong ambiance makes the event even more lively.
écharpe	Long fabric worn by supporters to show their colors. A scarf can become a true symbol.
coup d envoi	Moment when the match starts. The kickoff brings all the energy of the encounter.

Scramble

The amateur sport is practiced without making it a career. The professional sport corresponds to a paid activity. A club brings together players, coaches and sometimes several teams of the same sport. The training is the session where one works on technique, endurance and automatism. We say that a player practices in a club or with their team. The vocabulary of level and practice allows talking about a child discovering a sport as well as a seasoned player in a professional setting.

amateurprofessionnelclublicencesélectionséanceentraînementcoachingniveauéchauffement

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Moment de pratique organisé avec un objectif précis. Une séance peut être courte mais intenseQui pratique un sport sans en faire son métier. Un amateur joue souvent pour le plaisirSéance de travail pour progresser dans un sport. Un entraînement sert à répéter les gestes utilesDegré de compétence dans une pratique. Le niveau peut être débutant ou avancéPréparation du corps avant l effort. L échauffement évite souvent les blessuresGroupe choisi parmi plusieurs joueurs. Une sélection récompense souvent les meilleurs élémentsConseil donné pour aider une équipe à progresser. Le coaching aide à corriger les erreursQui fait du sport comme métier. Un joueur professionnel suit un rythme très exigeantGroupe ou structure où l on pratique un sport. Un club accueille souvent des joueurs de tous les niveauxAutorisation ou inscription pour pratiquer dans un club. La licence confirme souvent l appartenance au club

Vocabulary of level and practice

Word	Definition
amateur	Person who practices a sport without making it their job. An amateur often plays for fun.
professionnel	Someone who does sport as a job. A professional player follows a very demanding schedule.
entraînement	Practice session to progress in a sport. A training session is used to repeat useful movements.
club	Group or structure where a sport is practiced. A club often welcomes players of all levels.
licence	Permission or registration to practice in a club. The membership often confirms belonging to the club.
coaching	Advice given to help a team progress. Coaching helps correct mistakes.
échauffement	Warm-up before effort. The warm-up often prevents injuries.
séance	Practice session organized with a specific goal. A session can be short but intense.
niveau	Level of skill in a practice. The level can be beginner or advanced.
sélection	Group chosen from several players. A selection often rewards the best players.

Scramble

The vocabulary of team sports changes sometimes depending on French-speaking countries. In France, football is the standard word, while soccer appears mainly in other regions to avoid confusion with other forms of football. In Canada, hockey is very common in the popular sport, while in other countries people talk more about the sports mentioned in the preceding sections. At school, some establishments use gym to talk about the gymnasium, and others prefer the full word. These differences mainly concern local usage; the basic words like match, team, ball, and club remain widely understood.

footballéquipe localesoccerbackcoachmatch amical

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En France, football est le mot le plus courant pour le sport joué avec les pieds et un ballonEn Suisse, coach est très courant pour parler de l entraîneur d une équipeAu Canada, soccer est très fréquent pour le même sport, surtout dans la langue couranteEn Belgique, back peut désigner un défenseur placé sur le côté dans certains contextes sportifsAu Maroc, match amical est très utilisé dans la presse et à l école pour parler d une rencontre sans enjeu officielAu Sénégal, équipe locale est une expression courante pour parler du club du quartier ou de la ville

Francophone variants of sports vocabulary

Region	Variant	Definition	Example
France	football	In France, football is the most common word for the sport played with the feet and a ball.	En France, on parle souvent de football à la récréation.In France, people often talk about football at recess.
Canada	soccer	In Canada, soccer is very common for the same sport, especially in everyday language.	Au Canada, mon frère joue au soccer le samedi.In Canada, my brother plays soccer on Saturdays.
Belgium	back	In Belgium, back can refer to a defender positioned on the side in certain sports contexts.	En Belgique, le back monte parfois aider l attaque.In Belgium, the back sometimes moves up to help the attack.
Switzerland	coach	In Switzerland, coach is very common to talk about the team's coach.	En Suisse, le coach prépare la tactique du match.In Switzerland, the coach prepares the match tactics.
Morocco	match amical	In Morocco, match amical is very used in press and school to refer to a non-official match.	Au Maroc, le match amical réunit les voisins du quartier.In Morocco, the friendly match brings neighbors together.
Senegal	équipe locale	In Senegal, local team is a common expression to talk about the neighborhood or city club.	Au Sénégal, l équipe locale attire beaucoup de monde.In Senegal, the local team draws a large crowd.

Scramble