(in sport) a backward movement of the bat or leg before playing a stroke or kicking the ball.
Example sentencesExamples
To be fair to the goalkeeper, there was virtually no backlift to his shot, so the power and accuracy was deceptive.
With maybe three paces, with half the customary backlift of a player intending to blast the ball, he guided it with his right instep.
Some 30 yards out, with little or no backlift, he half-volleyed a loose ball over the defence and inside the right-hand post, a strike so startling that even he didn't quite know how to celebrate.
He has a short backlift, reads the game well and never gives up.
His high swift backlift and prancing leap into the shot are instantly recognisable.