General
dummy
What does dummy mean?
A deception where a player shapes to receive or play the ball but instead lets it run past, wrong-footing the defence.
"He sold the defender a lovely dummy and let it roll to his striker."
Origin
British sporting slang; a feigned or 'dummy' action.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dummy in football?
It is a deception where a player pretends to receive or play the ball but instead lets it run through to a teammate, wrong-footing the defence.
What does 'sell a dummy' mean?
It means to fool an opponent with a dummy so convincingly that they commit to the wrong movement while the ball goes elsewhere.
Why is it called a dummy?
From the sporting sense of 'dummy' meaning a fake or feigned action designed to deceive.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
