Crossword Genius

One from the back training until team is knocked out (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

penultimate

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'one from the back' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'training until team is knocked out' is the wordplay.
'training' becomes 'PE' (Physical Education).
'is knocked out' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'until'+'team'='untilteam'
'untilteam' with letters rearranged gives 'nultimate'.
'pe'+'nultimate'='PENULTIMATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for penultimate that I've seen before include "not quite at the rear" , "Last but one" , "Next to last" , "Not quite the last" , "Last-but-one" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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