Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Varying in direction suddenly and frequently: Describes a path or movement that is not straight or predictable, characterized by abrupt and repeated changes in direction. This term is most commonly used in sports contexts, particularly American football, to describe a runner's evasive path through the opposing team.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The running back is known for his incredible broken-field running ability.
  • The quarterback avoided the tackle with a broken-field scramble.
  • Her broken-field sprint through the crowd was impressive.

Advanced Usage

• "broken-field runner": A player, especially in football or rugby, who is skilled at running with the ball while making sudden changes in direction to evade defenders.

  • He was the best broken-field runner the team had ever seen.

• "broken-field run": A specific instance of running with the ball in such an evasive manner.

  • His 80-yard broken-field run for a touchdown was the highlight of the game.

Variants and Related Words

• Open-field running (n): A similar term in sports for running in space away from the line of scrimmage, often involving evasive moves. While related, "open-field" emphasizes the available space, whereas "broken-field" emphasizes the erratic, changing path itself.

Synonyms

• Zigzagging: Moving in a line with sharp alternate right and left turns.
• Evasive: Tending to avoid capture or confrontation, often through clever movement.
• Unpredictable: Not able to be predicted; changing in a way that is not expected.

Related Phrases

• To run a broken field: The verbal phrase describing the action of moving in this manner.
  • The player had to run a broken field to reach the end zone.

Adjective

1. varying in direction suddenly and frequently
   • broken-field running