This is the 14282nd most frequent Russian word.
отбивают
"Отбивают" means "beat off," "repel," or "knock off," depending on context.
In this sentence, 'отбивают' refers to the action of striking or hitting back the ball, demonstrating its literal physical action meaning.
Они отбивают мяч на тренировке.
They are striking the ball during practice.
Here, 'отбивают' is used metaphorically to mean discouraging or deterring someone's desire or intention.
Отбивают желание продолжать разговор.
They discourage the desire to continue the conversation.
In this example, 'отбивают' conveys the idea of marking or beating time, particularly in a musical sense.