shoot the ball at vs shoot the ball to

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Shoot the ball at' is used when referring to aiming or targeting something with the ball, while 'shoot the ball to' is used when indicating the direction or destination of the ball.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 772 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to aiming or targeting something with the ball.

"shoot the ball at"

This phrase is used when indicating the target or aim of the ball being shot. It implies that the ball is being directed towards a specific object or location.

Examples:

He shot the ball at the goal.
She shot the ball at the basket.
The player shot the ball at the opponent.
The goalkeeper saved the ball shot at him.
The basketball player shot the ball at the hoop.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 14, 2015 ... He needs to hear that we want him to be aggressive and shoot the ball at the right times. When he's off the ball, he becomes a scorer. It's my job ...
Dec 14, 2015 ... He needs to hear that we want him to be aggressive and shoot the ball at the right times. When he's off the ball, he becomes a scorer. It's my job ...
3D Net Blaze, Try to shoot the ball at the top of your jump!
Dec 14, 2015 ... He needs to hear that we want him to be aggressive and shoot the ball at the right times. When he's off the ball, he becomes a scorer. It's my job ...

Alternatives:

kick the ball at
throw the ball at
hit the ball at
aim the ball at
direct the ball at

This phrase is correct and commonly used when indicating the direction or destination of the ball being shot.

"shoot the ball to"

This phrase is used when specifying the direction in which the ball is being shot or the intended recipient of the ball. It implies that the ball is being sent towards a particular target.

Examples:

He shot the ball to his teammate.
She shot the ball to the corner of the net.
The player shot the ball to the far post.
The basketball player shot the ball to the open player.
The striker shot the ball to the top corner of the goal.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jan 27, 2016 ... Did a football fan shoot the ball to stop the opposition scoring? Plus: playing consecutively for most clubs on one train line (2); meeting the ...
With a whip motion you shoot the ball to one side or another. This shot is very hard to learn. The pull side is very natural, but the push is hard to learn. Now in ...
Power - Sometimes power can be enough to take the ball past the keeper: a strong shooter who can kick at speeds of 80 mph (~130 km/h) can shoot the ball to ...
As THE BALL visits more places over the years to come, we will continue to share our experience and aim towards bringing SHOOT THE BALL to a hoop near ...

Alternatives:

pass the ball to
kick the ball to
throw the ball to
send the ball to
direct the ball to

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shoot the ball at vs shoot the ball to

"shoot the ball at"

"shoot the ball to"

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