SOCCER TERMS GLOSSARy: essential definitions for beginners
The most common soccer terms every fan should know
Footy terms, definitions & slang at your finger tips
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Learn the words for soccer positions, rules, strategies, and more.
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Easy to read and understand for new fans of the beautiful game.
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A-C
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A pass from one player to another that directly leads to a goal. Assists are a key part of soccer statistics.
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A technique where a player passes or shoots the ball using the heel of their foot, often surprising opponents.
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An acrobatic move where a player kicks the ball backward over their head while in mid-air, often used to attempt a goal. It’s one of the most spectacular techniques in soccer.
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An appearance made by a player in an official match for their national team. Each appearance is called a “cap.”
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When a team’s goalkeeper and defense prevent the opposing team from scoring any goals during a match.
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A fast, attacking move by a team that has just regained possession, aiming to take advantage of the opponent’s unprepared defense.
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A pass from the side of the field aimed toward teammates in front of the opponent's goal, intended to create scoring chances.
D-F
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A player positioned near their own goal to help prevent the opposing team from scoring. Defenders include center backs, fullbacks, and sweepers.
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The skill of controlling and advancing the ball by keeping it close to the feet while moving around the field.
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A goal that ties the game’s score, bringing the teams to an even standing.
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A forward who drops deeper into midfield, creating space for other attackers by drawing defenders out of position, often confusing the defense.
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An attacking player positioned near the opponent's goal with the main responsibility of scoring. Forwards include strikers and wingers.
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A restart awarded to a team after a foul, taken from the location of the infraction. Free kicks can be direct or indirect.
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The Spanish term for soccer, commonly used in Latin America and Spain. It refers to the same game known as “soccer” in the United States and “football” elsewhere.
G-I
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The player who guards the goal and is the only one allowed to use their hands within the penalty area.
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A high-intensity style of play where a team immediately pressures the opposing team to regain possession right after losing the ball, often high up the pitch. Commonly associated with German and modern European soccer.
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The area on the field between the central and wide zones, located on either side of the pitch but just inside the sidelines. The half space allows players to create attacking angles that make it harder for defenders to intercept passes.
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A move where a player uses their head to redirect or pass the ball, often used for scoring or clearing the ball.
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A type of free kick in which the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.
j-l
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The shirt worn by players as part of their uniform, often displaying their team’s logo and colors.
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A Portuguese phrase meaning “Play Beautifully,” popularized in Brazilian soccer culture. It emphasizes skillful, creative, and entertaining play, with a focus on flair, elegance, and joy in the game. Joga Bonito celebrates the artistry of soccer, often associated with dribbling, tricks, and expressive moves that captivate fans.
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The start or restart of play from the center of the field, used at the beginning of each half and after a goal is scored.
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An assistant referee positioned on the sideline to signal offsides and other calls.
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A defensive strategy where a team positions most players near their own goal to reduce the space available to the opposing attackers. It’s often used to protect a lead or to counter stronger opponents.
M-O
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A versatile player who plays both offensively and defensively in the middle part of the field, linking the defense and attack.
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A balanced defensive strategy where players position themselves around the middle third of the pitch. This allows the team to disrupt the opposition’s build-up play while retaining flexibility to transition into attack.
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A skill move where a player passes the ball between an opponent’s legs and retrieves it on the other side, often as a feint.
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A rule violation when an attacking player is ahead of the second-last defender at the moment the ball is passed to them.
P-R
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A technique used in penalty kicks where the player lightly chips the ball straight down the middle, often to catch the goalkeeper off guard.
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A defensive tactic where a team commits most or all players to defensive positions, creating a tight, compact formation to block the opponent from scoring. This strategy is often used to protect a lead or secure a draw, making it difficult for the opposing team to break through the defense.
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A free shot taken from the penalty spot, awarded after a foul is committed in the penalty area by the defending team.
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A quick turn or spin move where a player rotates 360 degrees with the ball at their feet, often used to evade defenders and change direction. This skill is also known as the "Marseille Turn" or "Zidane Turn," named after famous player Zinedine Zidane.
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A defensive strategy where players apply immediate pressure to the opponent with the ball to disrupt their play and regain possession quickly.
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A flashy move where a player crosses one leg behind the other to kick the ball, often used for unexpected passes or shots.
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A card shown by the referee to eject a player from the game for serious fouls or two yellow cards, leading to the team playing with one fewer player.
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A Spanish term meaning “comeback,” referring to a team overcoming a significant deficit to win or tie the match. It’s especially popular for describing dramatic, unexpected turnarounds in important games.
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A tactic where players switch positions fluidly to create confusion for the opposing team. Rotations allow players to exploit space and keep their formation unpredictable, helping to maintain possession and control the game.
S-U
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A forward player whose main role is to score goals. Strikers are typically positioned closest to the opponent’s goal.
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A type of defender positioned behind the main defenders, responsible for “sweeping” up loose balls and covering the defensive line.
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A move where a player uses their feet to take the ball from an opponent in a controlled way, aiming to regain possession.
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A pass made to split defenders and allow a teammate to run onto the ball, often creating a scoring opportunity.
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A style of play focused on short, quick passes and maintaining possession to control the game, made famous by Spanish teams like FC Barcelona.
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A term commonly used in soccer (football) to describe a specific technique for striking the ball. It involves hitting the ball with the outside of the foot, resulting in a distinctive curve and spin. This technique is often employed to deliver precise passes or shots that can evade defenders and goalkeepers.
V-X
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A technology system used to review key referee decisions, such as goals, penalties, and red cards. VAR aims to ensure fairness by allowing referees to make informed decisions after viewing video replays.
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A technique where a player strikes the ball while it’s in the air before it touches the ground, commonly used in scoring.
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A passing technique where a player passes the ball to a nearby teammate, who then quickly passes it back to the original player as they move past an opponent. Often used to evade defenders, this move is also called a "give-and-go."
Y-Z
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A warning card given by the referee for unsportsmanlike behavior or minor fouls. Two yellow cards result in a red card and ejection.
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A defensive strategy where each player is responsible for covering a specific area of the field, rather than marking a particular opponent. Players guard their assigned zones and intercept any attackers who enter, making it a common approach for defending set pieces like corners and free kicks.