snathdag Jun 27, 2014:

I would say (with no evidence to back me up whatsoever) that “aerial battle” tends to be used when referring to a single challenge that is part of an ongoing series of “battles” between, say, a centre-forward and a centre-back throughout the same match. “Aerial challenge” on the other hand would be used more to refer to an isolated challenge between any two players.

James Greenfield Jun 27, 2014:

I agree, both could be used in this context, although aerial battle gives it a more dramatic accent. To be honest I think they are equally valid translations, and are both well used, it just depends which you'd prefer.

Charles Davis Jun 27, 2014:

The trouble is you can find examples for either. Here's an "old-fahioned aerial challenge" in which "Bobby Zamora (left) and Joleon Lescott go up for the ball", for example:
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/update/2012-09-01/old-fash...

I don't think "aerial battle" suggests more than two players. It's not that common for more than two players to go for the same ball. If they do, it means that more than one player from the same team is trying to play the same ball, and that's really not a good idea. It can happen, of course.

"Challenge" can mean tackle, of course, but "aerial challenge" is routinely used to describe two players from opposing teams trying to win (get their head to) a high ball. Of course you will find this described as an "aerial battle" as well, but my feeling is not so often.

Neil Ashby Jun 27, 2014:

An action of one player involving three.....if a player was aerially challenged on his own, wouldn't that be a polite way of saying he was small? Ha, ha, just kidding, I get your point.

Neil Ashby Jun 27, 2014:

That was my (unsaid) point in my last comment James G - the phrasal expressions suggested by James S, although very correct, don't fit it with the asker's needs. Noun forms such as our suggestions are what he/she is looking for.

gspcpt (asker) Jun 27, 2014:

I had no idea my simple questions were going to unlease a big debate! You guys are real "aficionados"!! Fantastic!

Neil Ashby Jun 27, 2014:

There is a plethora of options, but they are expressions not defining terms which is what the asker wants, I imagine. "X beat Y in the air", is very common, I like it ;@). But what is the noun for that event?

James Peel Jun 27, 2014:

In any case, we would normally expect to hear something more like "Cahill rose higher than Suarez at the far post" or, more likely as an England fan "Suarez beat Jagielka in the air" - the terms "aerial challenge" and "aerial battle" are fine but less common IMO

James Greenfield Jun 27, 2014:

Yes, definitely subjective :)

James Greenfield Jun 27, 2014:

While conceding that he felt Southampton’s chance to have won the game may have vanished after a save from goalkeeper Ian Lawlor, Stephens retained a shred of hope after emerging victorious in an aerial battle from a corner prior to his goal.
Read more at http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/stephens-selflessly-s...

Neil Ashby Jun 27, 2014:

Okay, okay, it is a subjective choice. As you say it depends on many things, the nature of the challenge.... ;@)

James Greenfield Jun 27, 2014:

Commentators like to heighten the drama, you hear things like, 'the defender won that particular aerial battle'. You hear both it just depends on myriad factors, such as who the commentator is, the nature of the challenge etc.

James Greenfield Jun 27, 2014:

Yes I understand your point, but I'm just imagining how a commentator would describe this kind of action. For my mind 'Cahill won the aerial battle at that corner' is more likely than 'Cahill won the aerial challenge at that corner'. I hear aerial battle far more often, in the context of a whole match and referring to specific moments in the game.

Neil Ashby Jun 27, 2014:

Yes of course you can, but in my opinion ( ;@) ), it suggests the confrontation throughout the course of the match - as per your Del Bosque reference, that refers to the fact that Ireland will play high, long balls throughout the whole match.

Neil Ashby Jun 27, 2014:

This really depends on more context, "they both went up for the ball", "they rose for the ball", "aerial challenge", "aerial battle" all work.....but in my opinion a 'battle' suggests the competition between two given players over the course of a match, "Cahill kept Balotelli very quiet today, he beat him in the aerial battle".

Just my tuppence....

James Greenfield Jun 27, 2014:

For example, at a corner you could say for example 'Mertesacker won the aerial battle with Giroud at that corner' if Mertesacker was able to rise above Giroud and head the ball away from the attacker.