My perception is the commentator thinks the player is secured/consciencent of what he is doing in the match. So, I think it is an idiom. Or the player is really trying an unusual trick standing on the ball...
2022年4月13日
0
1
1
In the context of the recording it is an idiom, it means he handles the ball well.
A different idomatic meaning for "On the ball" when not used in a sports context is that the person pays attention or is prepared. Example Bill is always on the ball with his reports. They always get turned in before the deadline.
2022年4月13日
0
1
1
In football it's a literal idiom, "he's so composed when he's in possession of the ball". But the phrase is used elsewhere metaphorically to mean "alert". Example: "Don't try to trick that student, he's really on the ball."
2022年4月13日
0
1
0
It's usually an idiom, but here I think it's literal.