The term advancing the ball refers to the progression of the ball toward the opponent's goal in various sports. For example, in football (soccer), players advance the ball through dribbling or passing to move closer to scoring. In basketball, advancing the ball happens by dribbling or passing to evade defenders and set up plays. In general, the objective to advance the ball remains consistent across sports: to create scoring opportunities while maintaining possession and managing any defensive strategies put forth by the opposing team.