Soccer Terminology

"Send" or "Send It!"

A call to kick or pass the ball "long" to the open player.

Sweeper

A defensive back who is not required to mark anyone but instead is free to roam and take care of loose balls. He or she is usually the last line of defense before the goalkeeper.

Block tackle

A defensive skill used to gain possession of the ball; the player uses the inside of the foot to block the ball away from an opponent.

Wall

A defensive tactic where a line of two to six defending players join shoulder-to-shoulder in an attempt to protect their goal during a free kick.

Wings

A forward who stays wide to either side of the field and plays 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.

Free kick

A kick awarded to a player after an opponent commits a foul. The ball is set at the spot of the foul and the player kicks it without any opposing players within 10 yards of the ball. Also see direct free kick and indirect free kick

Penalty mark

A mark on the field from which penalty kicks are taken; also called the penalty spot. It is located 12 yards from the goal line, equally spaced between the goal posts.

Penalty arc

A marked arc, with a 10-yard radius, centered at the top of the penalty area. The arc designates the area opposing players are not allowed to enter before a penalty kick.

Center Circle

A marked circle with a 10-yard radius in the center of the field. Kickoffs are taken here to start or restart the game after halftime.

Corner kick

A method of putting the ball into play after it has crossed the end line and was last touched by a member of the defending team.

Shootout

A method used to break ties after overtime. Teams alternate taking penalty kicks. If the teams remain tied after five penalty kicks apiece, the shootout resumes until one team misses and the other scores.

Offside Trap

A play by the defense to catch the attacking team offsides. It is often used on restarts (short corner kicks, deep indirect free kicks and deep throw-ins). The sweeper usually calls out "Trap" as a signal for the fullbacks to pull up past the attackers as soon as the ball is put into play by an attacker.

Foul

A rules violation. In response to a foul, a referee calls for either a direct free kick or an indirect free kick.

Center spot

A small circular mark at the center of the center circle. This is the spot where the ball is placed to start or restart the game after halftime

W-M formation

A team shape used for years which forces attacking teams wide while maintaining strength in the midfield area. It provides for two sweepers and is a good defensive shape. It can be weak on the offensive end - especially if the other team is also playing a W-M. The general shape is usually a 3-2-3-2.

Legal Throw-in

A throw-in made with both hands. Hands must begin behind the head. The ball can not spin when thrown - must be thrown with equal force by both hands. Both feet must remain on the ground. Part of each foot must be on the touch line or behind it.

Zone defense

A type of defense that assigns each defender to a particular area in front of or around his or her team's goal. They are then responsible for marking any attacker that enters that zone. Often used in youth league games but rarely in professional competition.

Blind-side run

A type of running off-the-ball in which a player without the ball runs outside of the opponent's field of vision in order to receive a pass.

Offside

A violation is called when a player in an offside position receives a pass from a teammate. Offside is defined as occurring at the moment the ball is played by one of the attacking players to a teammate in a position if he/she is nearer to the opponents' goal line than the ball, unless: a) the player is in his/her own half of the field, or b) there are at least two opponents (one may be the goalkeeper) nearer the goal line than the player. An indirect free kick is awarded to the non-offending team. A player is penalized if he/she is in an offside position AND if, in the judgment of the referee, the player is: a) interfering with play or with an opponent, or b) seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position. A player is not declared offside (a) merely by being in an offside position; (b) if they receive the ball directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, a throw in, or a drop ball; or if the ball is last played by an opposing player.

Penalty

A violation of the rules that can lead to a penalty kick and the offending player receiving a red or yellow card.

Defender

Also called fullback. A player who functions primarily in the defensive third of the field and whose major role is to repel attacks on the goal by the opposing team.

Back Tackle

An attempt by a defender to take the ball away from a ball carrier by swinging the defender's leg in front of the ball from behind. This is an illegal tackle and could result in carding or a free kick.

Bicycle kick

An expert move, popularized by Brazilian great Pele that is made by throwing the body up into the air with the legs moving as if pedaling a bicycle. The player then kicks the ball backward over his head.

Dribbling

Basic skill of advancing and controlling the ball close to your feet while running.

Man-to-man

Form of defense in which each player is assigned to mark a player on the offensive team.

Goal Kick

Kick made from inside the goal area away from the goal. A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when a ball crosses the goal line that was last touched by a player on the attacking team.

Shoulder charge

Minimal shoulder-to-shoulder contact by a defender against a ball carrier. It is the only contact allowed by the rules unless a defender touches the ball first.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Rude and illegal behavior that is penalized by a yellow or red card, such as delay of game or using abrasive language.

Poke tackle

Stealing the ball from an opponent by toeing the ball away.

Bending the ball

Striking the ball with an off-center kick so that it travels in a curved path; also known as a banana kick.

"Mark" or "Mark Up", Marking

The defensive action to guard or shadow an opponent. This can be done tightly or loosely, depending on the team tactics. Guarding a player to prevent him from advancing the ball towards the net, making an easy pass or getting the ball from a teammate. Guarding or covering an opposing player (with or without the ball) when he/she moves into your area of play.

Goal line

The marked line running the width of the field at each end. The goal line, also called the end line, runs directly across the front of the goal. A ball must completely cross the line to be a goal.

Penalty area

The marked rectangular area, 44-yards wide and 18-yards deep, beginning at the goal line. Goalkeepers may use their hands to block or control the ball only within this box. Defensive fouls in this area such as a hand-ball or trip may result in a penalty shot.

Goalkeeper, Goalie, keeper

The player positioned directly in front of the goal whose purpose is to prevent shots from getting into the goal. The goalkeeper, or keeper, is the only player allowed to use his or her hands and arms, but only within the penalty area.

Linesmen

The two officials who assist the referee. Linesmen monitor the sidelines and goal lines and determine when a ball leaves the field of play or a goal is scored.

Hand-Ball

This term means deliberate handling of a ball by a player other than the goal-keeper in the Penalty Area. This is considered as a deliberate action by the player and is penalized normally if there is movement of the hand towards the ball. This is the opposite of Ball-to-Hand which means a movement of the ball into the player's hand, which is not deliberate. That action requires no penalty but not many referees can distinguish this!

Header

Using your head to pass or control the ball.

Red card

What the referee holds up to signal a player's ejection from the game. The offending player's team must play the rest of the game shorthanded (unless a player from the other team also is ejected). Red cards usually are given for unsportsmanlike conduct, violent play or multiple yellow cards (two yellow card violations earn the player a red card).

Own goal

When a defender accidentally scores in his goal

Dummy run

When a player without the ball makes a run toward the goal to draw defenders away from the dribbler or passer.

Clear

When the defending team kicks the ball away from the goal and out of the goal area.

"Down the line"

a cry heard in youth soccer during Throw-ins meaning to throw the ball close to the touch line toward your opponent's goal rather than toward the center of the field.

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; the most common formation used by teams.

4-4-2

a formation that consists of 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 forwards - also one of the most popular formations currently used by World Cup teams.

Carrying the ball

a foul called on a goalkeeper when he takes longer than 6 seconds before clearing the ball.

Direct Free Kick

a free kick that is awarded for fouls that involve physical contact such as tripping, holding, or pushing or for a hand ball by field players or for a hand ball by the goalkeeper when he is outside of the penalty area. Requires the other team to back off of the ball ten yards and allow a free striking of the ball.

Indirect Free Kick

a free kick that is awarded for other fouls that are judged to be not overtly serious. The player kicks a stationary ball without any opposing players within 10 metres of him; a goal can only be scored on this kick after the ball has touched another player. It is awarded for technical and minor infractions of the rules. Opposing players may stand on their own goal line between the goal posts, but the player taking the kick may do so without waiting if he/she wishes. The ball is not in play until it has traveled its own circumference. The ball must be stationary when kicked and the kicker may not touch the ball a second.

"Cross" or Crossing Pass

a kick into the middle of the goal box, a pass from an attacking player near the sideline to a teammate in the middle or opposite side of the field; used to give the teammate a good scoring opportunity. A pass in which the ball is kicked from one side of the field to the other side.

Penalty shot

a kick taken from the penalty spot by a player against the opposing goalie without any players closer than 10 yards away normally awarded for the most severe rule violations and those committed by the defense within its own penalty area.

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.

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.

Central Defender

a player who guards the area directly in front of his own goal in a zone defense; does not exist in a man-to-man defense.

Foot trap

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

Wall Pass/Give and Go

a series of passes where one player passes to nearby teammate and then sprints forward to receive pass that's returned. Similar to passing the ball off of a wall and then receiving the return ball.

Striker

a team's most powerful and best-scoring forward who plays towards the center of the field.

Yellow Card

a warning card issued by the referee for repeated or blatant fouls or abusive language. Anyone receiving two yellow cards in a single match is automatically ejected for the game and his team must play the remainder of the game shorthanded. They may not substitute for an ejected player.

Front Tackle

an attempt by a defender to kick the ball away from an attacker by approaching him from a head-on position.

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.

Passive offsides

being in an offside position but not being involved in or interfering with or gaining an advantage in the play.

"Sub" or "Substitution"

call by the Coach to request that the Referee allow for players to leave the pitch and substitutes to enter during a stoppage of play. All players must wait for indication from the Referee before proceeding on or off the field.

Keeper's in charge

coaches command to the keeper to remind him to communicate to all defenders on corner kicks and throw-ins deep in your own territory as to who is to mark which opponent. This is especially important when opponents overload the far post on corner kicks.

Legal slide tackle

most tackles where the defender gets all or most of the ball are considered legal. However, tackles from the front "cleats up" and almost any tackle from the rear are considered illegal by most referees.

Bending Runs

runs made by players on the team with the ball that are not straight. If you run straight down the field in front of a teammate you can not receive a pass since your back is to the passer. By making a bending run you are always in a position "open" to a pass.

Mid

short for midfielder - as in "He's playing center mid."

Midfielders

the 2, 3 or 4 players who link together the offensive and defensive functions of a team; they play behind their forwards. Player who functions primarily in the center (neutral) third of the field and whose principal job is to link the defense and the attack through ball control and passing.

Forward line

the 3 or 4 forwards who work together to try and score goals; consists of two wingers and 1 or 2 strikers.

Save

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

Tackling

the act of taking the ball away from a player by kicking or stopping it with one's feet; only a minimal amount of shoulder-to-shoulder contact, called a charge, is permitted to knock the ball carrier off balance. A method of gaining possession of the ball by use of the feet. Unnecessary roughness and use of the hands are not permitted.

Formation

the arrangement into positions of players on the field; When listed as numbers formations always leave the goalkeeper off and work from the defensive end to the offensive end.

Corner flag

the flag located at each of the 4 corners of the field, inside the corner area.

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.

Assist

the pass or passes that precede a goal. A maximum of two assists can be allocated for one goal

Defensive midfielder

the player positioned just in front of his team's defense; he is often assigned to mark the opposition's best offensive player; also called the midfield anchor.

Goal Area

the rectangular area 20 yards wide by 6 yards deep in front of each goal from which all goal kicks are taken; inside this area, it is illegal for opposing players to charge a goalie not holding the ball. Area(20 x 6 yd. on a full-size field) marked within the penalty area, and directly in front of goal, from which all goal kicks originate.

Midfield

the region of the field near the midfield line; the area controlled by the midfielders.

Nutmeg

to pass or dribble the ball through the legs of an opponent.

Charge

to run into an opponent; illegal against a player without the ball or even with the ball if from behind.

Trap

when a player uses his body to slow down and control a moving ball, most often using his chest, thighs or feet. Trap can also be the command yelled for an offside trap by the defense

Chest trap

when a player uses his chest to slow down and control a ball in the air.