Holding the Ball
溜め（ため）
Holding the Ball — Holding the ball to make time and wait for team-mates to join.
1💬 In a nutshell
“The courage not to go — buying time until team-mates catch up.”
2🎬 See it move
An original tactics board (blue = the team in focus, red = the opponent; attacking left to right). The board animates on its own.
⚽ Open the interactive version (117 more terms, each with its own board)
3🔍 Why it matters — what to watch for
Fast attacks aren't always right. A counter with one man ahead and nobody supporting is pointless — so you hold it and wait for numbers. A player who can do this controls the team's breathing.
Analysts say“His skill is holding it here — he waits properly for support to arrive.”