Advantage law

A clause in the law that directs the referee to refrain from stopping play
for a foul if a stoppage would benefit the team that committed the
violation.

Advantages
Situations where a team has possession of the ball and outnumbers the
opposition near the opposing goal.

Angle of run
The angle at which a player runs, sometimes applied in relation to the ball
and sometimes in relation to the goal.

Angle, altering the angle and passing in one

movement
Applied to a player controlling the ball and moving it two or three yards to
the side and then passing on the second touch.

Angle, narrowing
Applied to defenders, especially the goalkeeper, moving nearer to the ball
in order to reduce passing or shooting angles.

Angle, passing
Applied to the line of the pass, i.e. angling the ball to the right or left of a
player.

Angle, widening
Usually applied to supporting players moving into a position where the
point of attack can be changed, thereby creating a better angle for
a forward pass.

Attacker
Any player on the team that has possession of the ball. 2. All players on
the team are attackers / attacker.
Attacking team
The team that has possession of the ball.

Back header
A player's use of his head to direct the ball backwards.

Balance
Positioning defenders away from the ball to protect the vital space behind
the defense.

Ball carrier
A player that has possession of the ball.

Ball watching
Player focuses solely on the ball and loses sight of the opponent he or she
is supposed to mark.

Beat
To get the ball through or around an opponent by dribbling or shooting.

Bicycle kick or scissors kick

When a player kicks the ball in mid-air backwards and over his/her own
head, usually making contact above waist level; an acrobaticshot.

Blind side
The opposite side of a defender to the ball.

Break
When a team quickly advances the ball down the field in an attempt to get
its players near the opponent's goal before the defendershave a chance to
retreat.

Breakaway
When an attacker with the ball approaches the goal undefended; this
exciting play pits a sole attacker against the goalkeeper in aone-on-one.

Carrying the ball

A foul called on a goalkeeper when he takes more than 7 seconds while
holding or bouncing the ball.

Center circle
A circular marking with a 10-yard radius in the center of the field from
which kickoffs are taken to start or restart the game.

Center pass
A pass from a player located near the sideline towards the middle of
the field; used to get the ball closer to the front of the goal.

Center spot
A small circular mark inside the center circle that denotes the center of
the field from which kickoffs are taken to start or restart the game.

Checking, run
Movement used to create space between the player with the ball and the
marking opponent.

Checking
Making a movement in one direction, stopping, and then moving off in the
opposite direction.

Chest trap
When a player uses his chest to slow down and control a ball in the air.

Chip pass
A pass lofted into the air from a player to a teammate.

Chip shot
A kick lofted into the air to try to sail the ball over the goalkeeper's head
and still make it under the crossbar into the goal.

Clearing
The act of moving the ball out from within scoring range. A defensive
measure.

Cleats
The metal, plastic or rubber points in the bottom of a soccer/football shoe
used to provide a player with traction.

Control, cushion
Control of the ball by withdrawing the surface in contact with the ball on
impact, e.g. the thigh.

Control, wedge
Control of the ball with the use of a rigid surface, e.g. the sole of the boot.

Controlling surface
The surface of the body in contact with the ball to bring the ball under
control.

Cool down
The portion of practice devoted to stretching muscles and returning body
functions to their normal state.

Corner arc
A quarter-circle with a radius of 1 yard located at each of the 4 corners of
the field.

Corner flag
The flag located at each of the 4 corners of the field.

Corner kick
A direct free kick taken by the attacking team from the one yard arc at
the corner of field.

Counter attack:
 

An attack launched by a defending team soon after it

regains possession of the ball.

Cover
1. Defensive support
2. To take a position close to your opponent so as to challenge his/her efforts

Cross, diagonal
Usually applied in the attacking third of the field to a pass played well
infield from the touch-line and diagonally forward from right to left or left
to right.

Cross, far-post
A pass made to the area, usually beyond the post, farthest from the point
from which the ball was kicked.

Cross, flank (wing)

A pass made from near to a touch-line, in the attacking third of the field,
to an area near to the goal.

Cross, headers
64% of all goals from crosses are scored by headers.

Cross, mid-goal
A pass made to the area directly in front of the goal and some six to
twelve yards from the goal-line.

Cross, near-post;
 
A pass made to the area four to six yards infield from the post nearest to
the point from which the ball was kicked.

Crossbar: The horizontal beam that forms the

top of a goal and sits on top of the two
posts; it is 24 feet long and supported 8 feet
above the ground.

Crosses, prime target area

4 out 5 goals are scored from crosses into the prime target area.

Cut down the angle

When the goalie comes out of the goal several feet to make himself closer
and larger to an attacker, leaving the attacker less net to shoot at.

Dangerous play
When a player attempts a play that the referee considers dangerous to
that player or others, such as trying to kick the ball out of the goalie's
hands, even if no contact is made.

Defender, committing the

Attracting the exclusive attention of a defender by moving towards him
with or without the ball.

Defenders:

1. The players on the team that does not have possession of the ball
2. All players on the team are defenders / defender.

Defending team
The team that does not have possession of the ball.

Defense, back of the

The space between the goalkeeper and the defender nearest to him.

Defense
A team's function of preventing the opposition from scoring.

Defensive pressure
When one or more defenders closely mark a ball carrier to harass him into
losing the ball.

Deflection
The ricochet of a ball after it hits a player.

Direct free kick
A restart situation that can be scored directly by the shooter.

Disguise
Concealing one's intentions by pretending to do one thing and then doing
something else.

Dive header;
 

Acrobatic skill used to score goals off low crosses in the goal area.

Draw
A game that ends with a tied score.

Dribble
Applied to an attacker taking the ball past an opponent.

Dribbler
A player who advances the ball while controlling it with his feet.

Dribbling
A way of moving the ball along the ground by using the feet while keeping
the ball under player's control.
Drop ball
A method of restarting a game where the referee drops the ball. The ball
must hit the ground.

Drop kick
When a goalie drops the ball from his hands and kicks it before it hits the
ground.

Dummy
Stepping over the ball and letting it roll past you to a teammate, or
applied in dribbling to feinting to move in one direction, to unbalancing an
opponent, before moving away in a different direction.

Far post
The goalpost more distant from the ball position.

Feints
Body movements designed to unbalance an opponent, or a deceptive
movement which can be applied with or without the ball, e.g. feinting to
kick the ball, or feinting to move in one direction.

Field
The rectangular area where football/soccer matches are played.

FIFA
Federation Internationale de Football Association - the official governing
body of international football since 1904 which established the World
Cup tournament; helps set and revise laws of the game.

Flank (wing), attacking third
Cross the ball early from the flank (wing) in to the prime target area.

Flank (wing)
The area of the field within fifteen yards or so of the touch-lines.
Flat front
Players attacking or defending in straight line across the field.

Flick header
A player's use of his head to deflect the ball.

Flight, line of
Applied to the trajectory of the ball.

Foot trap
A player's use of the bottom or sides of his/her shoe to control a rolling or
low-bouncing ball.

Football
Name for soccer everywhere in the world.

Formation
 3-3-4: a formation that consists of 3 defenders, 3 midfielders and 4
forwards
 4-2-4: a formation that consists of 4 defenders, 2 midfielders and 4
forwards
 4-3-3: a formation that consists of 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3
forwards
 4-4-2: a formation that consists of 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2
forwards
 5-3-2: a formation that consists of 5 defenders, 3 midfielders and 2
forwards

Forward passes
27% of all goals are from long forward passes.

Forward runs. (objective);

 

1. Make forward runs as direct and quick as possible

2. The attacker team must gain entry into the attacking third of the field with
each attack
 3. In the attacking third, retain the momentum by passing,
crossing, dribbling or shooting
4. In the attacking third, if there is an opportunity or if there is any doubt at
all, shoot!
5. Forward runs down the flank, if there is space to cross the ball, do so early
and preferably to the back of the defense

Foul
A violation of the laws for which an official assesses a free kick.

Free kick
A kick awarded to a players team for a foul committed by the opposition;
the player kicks a stationary ball without any opposing players within 10
yards of the ball.

Full volley
Shooting a ball directly out of the air.

Goal area
The rectangular area 20 yards wide by 6 yards deep in front of each goal.

Goal kick
A type of restart where the ball is kicked from inside the goal area;
awarded to the defending team when a ball that crossed the goal line was
last touched by a player on the attacking team.

Goal line
The field boundary running along its width at each end; also called the
end line; runs right across the front of the goal.

Goal side of the ball

A position between the ball and the goal one is defending.

Goal side position

Correct position of a defender when marking an opponent.
Goal, mid-goal area
An area in front of the goal and six to twelve yards out from the goal-line.

Goal
When the ball passes completely over the goal line and under cross bar,
one point is scored per goal.

Goalkeeper, one-on-one
5% of all goals are one-on-one against the goalkeeper.

Half volley
1. Striking a dropping ball at the moment it hits ground
2. To kick the ball the instant after it touches the ground
3. Kicking the ball on the short hop

Halftime
The intermission between the 2 periods or halves of a game.

Hand ball
A foul where a player touches the ball with his hand or arm; the opposing
team is awarded a direct free kick.

Hat trick
3 or more goals scored in a game by a single player.

Header
The striking of a ball in the air by a player's head.

Headers
22% of all goals are from headers.

Heading
An act of directing the ball with any part of your forehead.
In bounds
When a ball is within the boundaries of the field, having not completely
crossed a sideline or goal line.

In play
When a ball is within the boundaries of the field and play has not been
stopped by the referee.

In the attacking third;
 

Once the team has the ball in the attacking third of the field,
the attacker must try and keep it there by making it as hard as possible
for the defenders to clear the ball.

Indirect free kick
A restart situation which will not score a goal unless touched or played by
one other player before going into the goal.

Injury time
Time added to the end of any period according to the referee's judgment
of time lost due to player injuries or intentional stalling by a team.

Instep drive
A straight shot taken with the instep of a player's foot; usually the most
powerful and accurate of shots.

Instep
The upper surface of the foot or boot, e.g. the laces.

Javelin throw
Method of goalkeeper distribution used to distribute the ball over
distances of 40 or more yards.

Jockey
A way of covering the man with the ball by feinting without committing
yourself.

Kickoff
The method of starting a game or restarting it after each goal.

Line of recovery
The path a defender takes when running back towards his/her goal to get
on the goal side of the ball.

Line of retreat
The path a defender takes when moving back towards his/her goal from a
position on the goal side of the ball.

Lofted drive
A powerful kick with the instep through the bottom half of the ball.

Long power shots (outside the penalty-area)

The shot may score direct or be deflected by a player into the goal. The
goalkeeper may not see the shot through a crowd of players. Even if the
goalkeeper makes a save, the goalkeeper may not be able to hold on to
the ball or push it out for a corner, and the attacker may have a simple
tap-in.

Mark
Adopt a position, in relation to an opponent, which enables a player either
to prevent the opponent from receiving the ball or, at least, to challenge
for the ball.

Marking, man-to-man
Marking a particular opponent in all the important defensive areas of
the field.

Match
A soccer/football game.
Midfield line or center line
A line that divides the field in half along its width.

Midfielder
A player who links the defenders with the attackers and contributes to
both attack and defense.

Moves that start in the attacking third

53% of all goals come from moves that start in the attacking third of
the field.

Near post
The goal post closer to the ball position.

Obstruction
When a defensive player, instead of going after the ball, uses his body to
prevent an offensive player from playing it.

Official game clock

The clock that the referee carries with him on the field so he can signal
when each half is over; does not stop during the game, even when play
does.

Officials
The referee and 2 assistant referees who work together to make sure the
game is played according to the laws of game; responsible for stopping
and restarting play, keeping track of the score and the time remaining
and citing violations of the laws, called fouls; they wear uniforms that
distinguish them from the players on both teams.

Off-side, can not be declared off-side

A player can not be declared off-side by the referee if he receives the ball
direct from a goal kick, a corner kick or a throw in.

Off-side
A situation in which an attacker positioned in the opponents' half of
the field does not have two opponents between him or herself and the
goal at the moment the ball is played to him or her.

On defense
Describes a team that does not have possession of the ball.

On offense
Describes a team in possession of the ball.

One touch soccer
Interpassing among teammates without stopping the ball.

One touch
72% of all goals are from one touch.

Out of bounds
When a ball is outside the boundaries of the field, having completely
crossed a sideline or goal line.

Out of play
When a ball is outside the boundaries of the field (pitch) or play has been
stopped by the referee.

Outside penalty area

16% of all goals are from outside the penalty area.

Overlap
A tactic used to move defenders and midfielders into attacking positions.

Pass, chip
A pass made by a stabbing action of the kicking foot to the bottom part of
the ball to achieve a steep trajectory and vicious back spin on the ball.
Pass, flick
A pass made by an outward rotation of the kicking foot, contact on the
ball being made with the outside of the foot.

Pass, half-volley
A pass made by the kicking foot making contact with the ball at the
moment the ball touches the ground.

Pass, push
A pass made with the inside of the kicking foot.

Pass, swerve
A pass made by imparting spin to the ball, thereby causing it to swerve
from either right to left or left to right. Which way the ball swerves
depends on whether contact with the ball is made with the outside or the
inside of the kicking foot.

Pass, volley
A pass made before the ball touches the ground.

Passing
When a player kicks the ball to his teammate.

Penalty arc
A circular arc whose center is the penalty spot and extends from the top
of the penalty area; designates an area that opposing players are not
allowed to enter prior to a penalty kick.

Penalty area
At each end of the soccer field two lines are drawn at right angles to
the goal line, 18 yards from each goal post. Lines also extend into the field
of play for a distance of 18 yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel
with the goal post.

Penalty shot
The result of a direct foul committed by a defender within his or
her penalty area.

Penalty spot
The small circular spot located 12 yards in front of the center of the goal
line from which all penalty kicks are taken; positioned at the center of
the penalty arc.

Pitch
Soccer games are played on the pitch (field).

Play on
A term used by referees to indicate that no foul or stoppage is to be
called; used by referees when applying the Advantage Law.

Play, conditioned
Applying an artificial restriction, e.g. all players must pass the ball on the
first touch.

Play, cross-over
Applied to the movements of two attacking players moving in opposite
directions past each other. These movements are usually made with the
ball but can also be made without it.

Play, one-touch
Passing the ball first time, i.e. without controlling the ball.

Play, shadow
A method of coaching which allows players to create movements without
opposition.

Player, challenging
Applied to a defending player attempting to dispossess
an attacking player with the ball.
Player, covering
Applied to a defending player who is assisting the challenging player by
adopting a position which will enable him/her to challenge if the
challenger is beaten.

Player, supporting
Applied to an attacking player who has positioned to receive a pass from
the player in possession of the ball. Usually, but not always, the
supporting player is behind the ball.

Poke tackle
Method of tackling in which a player extends his or her leg and kicks the
ball away from an opponent.

Possession
Player or team having/in control of the ball.

Pressure training
A method of training players to perform a technique many times in rapid
succession for a limited period of time.

Prime scoring area

22% of all goals are from the area of the far post from the prime scoring
area.

Ready position
The goalkeeper's basic stance when the ball enters shooting range.

Recoil
To draw back part of body upon contact with the ball. This absorbs the
shock on impact.

Red card
A playing card-sized card that a referee holds up to signal a player's
removal from the game; the player's team must play the rest of the game
shorthanded; presented for violent behavior or multiple law infractions
(two yellow cards = one red card).

Referee
The chief official makes all final decisions, acts as timekeeper, calls
all fouls and starts and stops play.

Restarts (of the game)

Are from , corner kicks, drop balls, free kicks, goal kicks, penalty kick,
place kick, and throw-in.

Run with the ball

Movement with the ball without dribbling past an opponent.

Run, blind-side
A run by an attacker on the opposite side of a defender from the ball.

Run, cross-field
A run made side-to-side as opposed to end-to-end or diagonally.

Run, diagonal, inside-to-outside

A run made by an attacker, diagonally, from a central position towards
a touchline.

Run, diagonal, outside-to-inside

A run made by an attacker, diagonally, from a flank (wing) position
towards a central position.

Run, overlap
The movement of an attacking player from a position behind the ball,
outside the player with the ball and into a position ahead of the ball.

Running straight
Defenders will be much less worried about attacker who run straight up
and down the field than those who move across it. Running straight is not
likely to trouble the defenders, who will be able to mark players and space
as well as support one another.

Runs, split
Runs made usually by central forward players in opposite directions in
order to create space in central attacking positions.

Save
The act of a goalkeeper in blocking or stopping a shot that would have
gone into the goal without his intervention.

Score
To put the ball into the net for a goal; also, the tally of goals for each team
playing in a game.

Scorers
Players who score goals.

Scoring opportunity
A situation where a team stands a good chance of scoring a goal.

Set play
A planned strategy that a team uses when a game is restarted with a free
kick, penalty kick, corner kick, goal kick, throw-in or kickoff.

Set plays
40% of all goals are from set plays (free kicks, corners and throw-ins).

Shielding
Positioning between the ball and an opponent attempting to
gain possession.

Shinguards
Pads that strap onto a player's lower leg to protect the shins should he or
she be kicked there.

Shooting on target (at the goal)

1. The average number of shots on target for each game is 6.5 shots.
2. The average number of shots to score 1 goal is 3.5 shots on target.
3. 10 shots on target in a game gives an 86% chance of winning.

Shooting
When a player kicks the ball at the opponent's net in an attempt
to score a goal.

Shot
A ball kicked or headed by a player at the opponent's net in an attempt
to score a goal.

Shoulder charge
Minimal shoulder-to-shoulder contact by a defender against a ball carrier;
the only contact allowed by the law unless a defender touches the ball
first.

Side tackle
An attempt by a defender to redirect the ball slightly with his foot away
from a ball carrier running in the same direction.

Skill
The application of the correct technique on demand.

Sliding tackle
An attempt by a defender to take the ball away from a ball carrier by
sliding on the ground feet-first into the ball.

Soccer games are won by taking advantage

of space
Before a team can take advantage of space, it must first create the space.
Space is created either by a single player or by coordinated team plays.
Space can be given away by mistakes of the defending
team. Attacker must always plan on the basis that the defender will give
away nothing.

Space, creating
Increasing the distance between, to the side, in front of, or behind
opponents.

Space, exploiting
Utilizing effectively in attack the space already created.

Square pass
A pass made by a player to a teammate running alongside him.

Steal
When a player takes the ball away from an opposing player.

Stopper
A central marking defender.

Striker
A front-running central attacker.

Substitution
Replacement of one player on the field with another player not on
the field.

Support, wide-angled
Support at a sufficiently wide angle to give the greatest possibility
for passing the ball forward.

Sweeper
The "free" player in defense who covers the marking defenders.

Swerve, in-swerve
A ball curling in towards the target, e.g. an in-swerve corner swerving
towards the goal.

Swerve, out-swerve
A ball curling away from the target, e.g. an out-swerve corner swerving
away from the goal.

Tackle
A challenge using the feet, to win the ball from an opponent.

Tackling
Taking the ball from your opponent by using the feet.

Take-over
A term sometimes used to describe a cross-over movement where the
player without the ball takes the ball from the dribbling player.

Taking players on
Applied to dribbling past opponents.

Technique
A single player performance, e.g. a good push pass, chest trap, turning,
jumping, etc.

Territory
The half of the field which a team defends.

The 8 points to spread out side-to-side.

1. The decision to spread out must (should) be taken early (at the time the
team gains possession) and the team must (should) cover the ground as
quickly as possible.
 2. Spreading out from side-to-side, means wide out to the side line (touch
line).
3. Runs must (should) be made at different angles into spaces, but not losing
sight of the ball.
4. Take up positions or spaces that makes it difficult
for defender to mark and have support.
5. Attacking player must (should) be in positions or spaces that give them
wider field of vision as possible to receive the ball.
6. The ball must (should) be played to a teammate that can take advantage
of forward play; not because your teammate is in the biggest space.
7. A pass should be delayed until a teammate is in position to receive it and
control it. A bad pass or poor control can destroy the space that has been
created.
8. The team must take advantage of the space that has been created
by forward play. If teammates insist on playing the ball square, or back,
possession might be retained. Then, the initiative and the opportunity to
take advantage of space will be lost.

Thigh trap
When a player uses his thigh to slow down and control a ball in the air.

Things to remember in defending,

Once the Defender is in position goal side of the ball, the Defender must
think about his/her line of recovery, marking and challenging an
opponent. The Defender has 5 options.

1. Track an Attacker who is making a run to the back of the defense.

2. Occupy important space goal side of the ball.
3. Mark an Attacker in the area of the ball.
4. Cover a teammate who is challenging the Attacker with the ball.
5. Challenge the Attacker with the ball.

Things to remember in passing

(best option first)

1. Pass the ball into space in back of the defense.

2. Pass the ball to feet of the most advanced attacker.
3. Pass the ball beyond at least one defender.
4. Pass the ball cross the field to switch the line of attack.
5. Pass the ball back to a supporting teammate.

Things to remember on free

kicks, corners and throw-ins
1. Move in to prearranged marking position quickly.
 2. Mark close in the area of the ball.
3. Mark in back of the attacker.
4. Mark the space in front of the attacker.
5. The goalkeeper be in the right position.
6. Seal off as much space as possible inside the penalty area.
7. Player in the wall line up, tallest on the outside (in line with ball and post)
and the shortest is on the inside.

Things to remember to gain more set plays

(best option first);

1. Pass the ball to the back of the defense.

2. Cross the ball to the back of the defense.
3. Dribbling in the attacking third of the field.
4. Pressuring defenders in the attacking third of the field.
5. Shooting at goal in the attacking third of the field.

Thirds of the field

Areas roughly 35 yards in length signifying the defending, the middle, and
the attacking thirds of the field.

Through pass
A pass sent to a teammate to get him/her the ball behind his defender;
used to penetrate a line of defenders.

Throw-in
A type of restart where a player throws the ball from behind his head with
two hands while standing with both feet on the ground behind a sideline;
taken by a player opposite the team that last touched the ball before it
went out of bounds across a sideline.

Tie game
When two teams have scored the same number of goals in a match; if the
game ends tied, it is a draw.

Timekeeper
The job of the referee, who keeps track of the official time.

Touchline
 1. Side boundary of the field. 2. The side lines of the field.

Trailing
Running behind another player.

Trap
When a player uses his body to slow down and control a moving ball, most
often using his chest, thighs or feet.

Tripping
1. One of nine offenses warranting a direct foul. 2. The act of stopping a ball
and bringing the ball under your control.

Turning one's opponent

Causing an opponent to turn, usually by playing the ball past him, or by
moving past him, or by both.

Turning with the ball;

The act of receiving the ball when facing one's goal and turning, with the
ball under control, to face the opponent's goal.

Turnover
The loss of possession of the ball.

Unsportsmanlike conduct
Rude behavior.

Volley, hook
A hooking or circular movement by the kicking leg where the leg is
parallel with the ground when contact is made on the ball.

Volley
Any ball kicked by a player when it is off the ground.
Volleys
17% of all goals are from volleys.

W Position
Position of the goalkeeper's hands when fielding a chest-high ball.

Wall pass
Give and go pass, or interpassing between two attacking players, where
the player acting as the wall plays the ball first time and off at a similar
angle at which the ball was received. The pass is usually made behind an
opponent.

Wall player
The player acting as the wall in a wall pass.

Wall
A line of 2 to 5 defending players pressed together shoulder-to-shoulder to
protect their goal against a close free kick; creates a more difficult shot by
reducing the amount of open goal area the kicker has to shoot at.

Warm up
Exercises that warm the muscles and prepare the body for vigorous
activity.

Weight of the pass

A term quite frequently used to describe the pace of a pass.

Wings or wingers
The outside forwards who play to the sides of the strikers and whose
primary task is to provide them with accurate crossing passes so they
can shoot at the goal; often the fastest players and best dribblers on a
team.

World Cup
 The international soccer competition held by FIFA every 4 years between
the top professional teams in the world, pitting nation against nation; the
most watched event in the world, attracting a television audience of over
3 billion viewers.

Yellow card
A playing card-sized card that a referee holds up to warn a player
for dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior; also called a caution; 2 yellow
cards in one game earns a player an automatic red card, signaling his
removal from the game.

Zone
A type of defense that assigns each defender to a particular area in front
of or around his team's goal in which he is responsible for marking
any attacker that enters.

Attacker: A player whose job is to play the ball forward towards the opponent's
goal area to create a scoring opportunity.

Back Heel: A ball kicked using the back (heel) of the foot.

Back Pass: A pass that a player makes back toward their own goal, usually made
back to the goalkeeper. This is often a defensive move to restart a new phase of
play.

Ball Carrier: The player in possession of the ball.

Bending the Ball: Striking the ball off-center so that it travels in a curved path,
ideally for shots at goal.

Bicycle Kick: A spectacular move in which a player jumps in the air in a backflip
motion, kicking the ball backward over their head. The name comes from action
which mimics their legs moving as if pedaling a bicycle.

Center Spot: The spot marked at the center of the field from which the kickoff is
made.

Confederation: Organization responsible for football in their region (see acronyms)

Corner Flag: The flag marking each of the four corners of the field.

Corner Kick: A free kick taken from the corner of the field by an attacker. The
corner kick is awarded when the ball has passed over the goal line after last
touching a defensive player. The shot is taken from the corner nearest to where the
ball went out.

Cross: A pass played across the face of a goal.

Defender: A player whose job is to stop the opposition attacking players from goal
scoring.

Direct Free Kick: A free kick in which a goal may be scored by the player taking
the free kick.

Dribble: Keeping control of the ball while running.

Dummy Run: A run by a player without the ball, to lure defenders away from the
ball carrier.

Far Post: The goalpost farthest from the ball.

FIFA: The acronym used for the Federation Internationale de Football Association,

the world governing body for the game of association football, which is based in
Switzerland.

Football: The term used for soccer in Europe and other countries outside of North
America and Australia.

Foul: Any illegal play.

Free Kick: A kick awarded to an opposition player when an player has committed a
foul. Free kicks can be either direct or indirect.

Futsal: version of Fottball played indoors

Give and Go: (also known as a 1-2) When a player passes the ball to a teammate,
who immediately one-touch passes the ball back to the first player.

Goal Area: The rectangular area in front of the goal. It is also known as the 6-yard
box because of its dimensions.
Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball is played
over the goal line by the attacking team. It can taken by any player though it is
normally taken by the goalkeeper.

Goal Line: The two boundary lines located at each end of the field.

Goal Mouth: The area in front of the goal.

Goalkeeper: The specialized player who is the last line of defense, who is allowed
to control the ball with his hands when in the goal area.

Header: Using of the head to pass or control the ball.

Indirect Free Kick: A free kick awarded to a player from which a goal may not be
scored directly.

Inswinger: A kick that curves in toward the goal.

Kickoff: The kickoff is taken from the center spot at the start of play at the
beginning of each half and after a goal has been scored.

Man to Man Marking: A defensive system where defenders are designated one
attacking player to track continuously.

Midfielder: The playing position for players that are responsible for linking play
between attackers and defenders.

Nearpost: The goalpost nearest the ball.

Obstruction: Causing obstruction, which is blocking an opponent with the body, is

penalized by awarding an indirect free kick to the opposition.

Offside Trap: A technique used by defenders to put attacking players in an offside

position, by moving quickly away from their own goal to leave attackers offside.

Offside: A player is in an offside position if he is nearer to his opponent's goal line

than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent. This does not apply if the
players is is on their half of the field. An indirect free kick is awarded to the
opposing team at the place where the offside occurred.

One-Touch Pass: A pass in which the ball is played on with a player's first touch.

Out Swinger: A kick that swerves away from the goal.

Penalty Area: The rectangular area in front of the goal in which the goalkeeper
may handle the ball. It is also known as the 18-yard box because of its dimensions.

Penalty Spot: The marked spot 12 yards from the goal line from which a penalty
kick is taken.

Penalty: A penalty kick is awarded when a foul has been committed inside the
penalty area in front of the goal. A penalty is taken by one player opposed only by
the goal keeper.

Pitch: The soccer field of play.

Red Card: A red card is issued to a player when that player has committed a
serious infraction or has been issued with two yellow cards within the same game.
The red card held up by the referee to signal that a player is being sent off. The
player sent off cannot be replaced.

Referee: The official who is in charge of the game.

Shot: A kick, header, or any intended deflection of the ball toward a goal by a
player attempting to score a goal.

Sliding Tackle: A tackle in which the defender slides along the surface of the field
of play before making one-footed contact with the ball.

Striker: An attacking player whose job is to finish attacking plays by scoring a goal.

Sweeper: A defensive player whose job is to roam behind the other defenders.
A sweeper has no specific marking duties and is the last line of defense before the
goalkeeper.

Tackle: To take the ball away from the opponent using the feet.

Through Pass: A pass played past defenders into free space to allow a teammate
to run onto the ball.

Throw-In: The ball is thrown in after the ball has crossed the touch line. A player
taking a throw in must have both feet on or behind the touch line, must maintain
contact with the ground, and must use a two-handed throw made from behind the
head. A goal cannot be score directly from a throw-in.

Toe Poke: Use of the toe to strike the ball.

Touch Line: The line that defines the outer edge of the longer sides of the field of
play.

Trapping the Ball: Controlling the ball with the sole of the foot.

Volley: Striking the ball in mid-air with either foot.

Wingers: Attackers who play on the wings/flanks of the field.

Yellow Card: A yellow card is held up by a referee to signal a caution for a minor
infringement.

Zone Defense: A defensive system where defenders mark a designated area of the
field of play instead of tracking players across the field.