Definition

1. Noun:
   • A football kicker who drops the ball and kicks it just as it reaches the ground: A "dropkicker" is a player, typically in American or Canadian football, who specializes in a specific type of kick. The player drops the ball from their hands and kicks it at the precise moment it bounces off the ground.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The team's dropkicker scored three field goals in the game.
  • In the early days of football, the dropkicker was a more common specialist.

Advanced Usage

• The term "dropkicker" is highly specific to football (American/Canadian) and refers to a player who executes a "drop kick," a now-rare kicking technique.
• Historically, the dropkicker was a crucial player before the placekicker (who kicks a stationary ball held by a teammate) became the standard for field goals and extra points.

Variants and Related Words

• Drop kick (n): The act or technique of kicking a dropped ball as it hits the ground.
  • He attempted a drop kick for the extra point.
• Drop-kick (v): To perform a drop kick.
  • The player decided to drop-kick the ball.

Synonyms

• Kicker: A general term for a player who kicks the ball. (Note: "Kicker" is broader and does not specify the drop-kick technique.)
• Specialist kicker: A player specializing in kicking.

Related Phrases

• Execute a drop kick: To perform the drop-kick maneuver.
  • The quarterback surprised everyone by trying to execute a drop kick.

Noun

1. a football kicker who drops the ball and kicks it just as it reaches the ground