Soccer Glossary
Here is a partial list of soccer terms
you'll hear around the field.
Advantage Rule: A clause in the rules that directs the referee
to refrain from stopping play for a foul if a stoppage would benefit
the team that committed the violation.
Assist: The pass or passes which immediately precede a goal;
a maximum of two assists can be credited for one goal.
Attacking Midfielder: The most forward-playing midfielder, playing
right behind the forwards; he supports the offense by providing passes
to forwards to set up goals.
Attacker: Any player on the team that has possession of the ball.
1st Attacker: The player that has possession of the ball.
2nd Attacker: The player or players in immediate support of the 1st attacker.
3rd Attacker: The player or players further away from the ball
responsible for unbalancing the defense.
Attacking Team: The team that has possession of the ball.
Breakaway: The situation in a match when an attacker penetrates
the defense and is 1 vs. 1 with the goalkeeper.
Ball Watching: The tendency of inexperienced players to concentrate
on the activity in and around the ball they overlook their responsibilities.
Behind the Defender: The area between a defender and his goal.
Blind Side: The side of play opposite of where the play is. Also
known as weak side.
Breakaway: When an attacker with the ball approaches the goal
undefended; this exciting play pits a sole attacker against the goalkeeper
in a one-on-one showdown.
Center: 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; also called a cross or centering the ball.
Challenge: When a defender attempts to win the ball from an attacker.
Chest Trap: When a player uses his chest to slow down and control
a ball in the air.
Chip: A lofted pass or shot.
Cleats: The metal, plastic or rubber points in the bottom of
a soccer shoe used to provide a player with traction; term also used
to refer to the shoes themselves. Also known as boots.
Corner kick: A type of restart where the ball is kicked from
the corner arc in an attempt to score; awarded to an attacking team
when the ball crosses the goal line last touched by the defending team.
Counterattack: When the defending team wins the ball
from the opposition and moves onto attack.
Cover: Defensive support. When the 1st defender pressures the ball, his teammates provide support from behind. This is the role of
the 2nd defender(s).
Crossing: When the ball comes across the field from the sidelines
(flank) toward the goal. Also known as service.
Combination Play: An attacking play where 2 or more attackers
work in tandem to penetrate a defense. See: Give and go, Overlap, or
takeover.
Creating Space: When a player from the attacking team moves without
the ball to draw defenders away from the ball carrier and give him space.
Cut Down the Angle: When the goalkeeper comes out of the goal
several feet to make himself closer and larger to an attacker, leaving
the attacker less net to shoot at.
Cut Off: When a defensive player keeps his body between an attacker
and his own goal, forcing the attacker out towards the sidelines.
Defenders: The players that play closest to the goal they are
defending. Mostly responsible for defensive, but they are attackers
also.
1st Defender: The player(s) nearest to the 1st attacker responsible
for winning the ball back if possible. If not, they must delay the attack
and look to make the attack predictable by forcing the 1st attacker
in one direction. Note: the angle and distance the 1st defender pressures
the ball relates to how every other defender must play.
2nd Defender(s): The player or players that provide support or
cover for the 1st defender.
3rd Defender(s): The players remaining on defense. They are responsible
for balancing the defensive shape.
Defensive Pressure: When one or more defenders closely mark a
ball carrier to harass him into losing the ball.
Depth: A principle of both attack and defense. On offense it
refers to support both in advance and behind the ball. On defense it
refers to having players in position behind the ball.
Direct Kick: A free kick that can be scored directly from the
spot of the kick.
Down the Line: A phrase shouted when another player wants the
ball handler to pass the ball directly down the sideline to another
player
Dribble: A technique that allows a player to move the ball on
the ground using various surfaces of both feet.
End lines: The lines at each end of the field.
Fake or Feint: A move by a player meant to deceive an opposing
player; used by a ball carrier to make a defender think the ball carrier
is going to dribble, pass or shoot in a certain direction when he is
not.
Far Post: The goal post furthest from the ball.
Finishing: A technique that completes an attack with a goal using
any legal part of the body.
First Time Ball: A ball that is played without using a receiving
touch. Also known as a one-touch.
Fitness: One of the four components of the game. Relates directly
to all the physical elements of the game.
Flop: Intentionally fall to the ground in hopes of gaining advantage
from intervention of the referee.
Foot Trap: A player's use of his foot to control a rolling or
low-bouncing ball.
Forwards: The players who play closest to the goal they are attacking.
The 3 or 4 players on a team who are responsible for most of a team's
scoring; they play in front of the rest of their team where they can
take most of its shots.
Free Kick: A direct or indirect kick awarded to a team whose
opponents have committed a foul.
Full Volley: A technique of striking a ball out of mid air.
Give and Go Pass: A simple combination play where an attacking
player passes to a teammate then sprints past his defenders into open
space to receive a return pass. Also known as a wall pass or a one-two.
Goalkeeper: The player who plays closest to the goal his team
is defending. The keeper is the only player on the field that can use
his hands. He is only allowed to use his hands in the penalty box.
Goal Kick: A kick awarded to the defending team when the attackers
advance the ball over the end line.
Goal Lines: The lines at each end of the field, specifically
between the goalposts. Also known as end lines.
Goal side: A defensive term that refers to having players nearer
to the defending goal side related to where the ball is.
Got Your Back: Message from teammate indicating they have your
position covered so the player is free to leave their position to challenge
for the ball or cover the offense man to man.
Hacking: Kicking an opponent's legs.
Half Volley: A technique striking a ball at the moment just after
it has bounced.
Hand Ball: A foul where a player touches the ball with his hand
or his arm below the shoulder. The other team is awarded a direct free
kick. Covering up with hands is not usually called a hand ball unless
is results in a loss of a goal scoring opportunity.
