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Glossary of association football terms

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A football pitch

Association football is a team sport played worldwide, more commonly known as football or soccer. The sport was first codified in 1863 in England, although games which involved the kicking of a ball took place considerably earlier than this.[1] As such, there are a number of specific terms used to describe aspects of the game and surrounding culture.

The evolution of the sport over time has been mirrored by changes in the terminology used. For instance, the roles of inside forwards and centre halves in variants of a 2–3–5 formation bear many parallels (but are nonetheless distinct) to the roles of attacking midfielders[2] and holding midfielders respectively, in modern formations such as the 4–2–3–1.[3]

In many cases, multiple terms exist for the same concept. One reason for this is the evolution of language over time. The sport itself, originally known as association football, is now more widely known by the shortened term football, or as soccer, an abbreviation of the word association.[4] Other duplicate terms can be attributed to the long-standing differences between various dialects of English. In Europe, where British English is prevalent, the achievement of not conceding a goal for an entire match is known as a clean sheet.[5] In North America, where American English is prominent, the same achievement is referred to as a shutout.[6]

On occasion, the actions of an individual have made their way into common football parlance. Two notable examples are Diego Maradona's goals in Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarter-final win against England. After the match, Maradona described his first goal—a handball that the referee missed—as having been scored "a little bit by the hand of God, another bit by the head of Maradona".[7] His second goal was subsequently voted in a 2002 FIFA poll as the Goal of the century. Both phrases are now widely understood to refer to the goals in that match.[8]


0–9

The 2–3–2–3, or Metodo formation, a variant of a 2–3–5.
12th man
an expression used to describe fans present at a football match, especially when the fans are in such large numbers, or make such noise, that it gives the team on the field increased motivation.[9]
2–3–5
A common 19th and early 20th century formation, which consists of two defensive players (previously known as full backs), three midfield players (half backs), and five forward players. Also known as the pyramid formation. Variations of this formation include the 2–3–2–3 (also known as the Metodo or WW formation), where the inside forwards take up deeper positions.[3]
39th game
See game 39.
4–4–2
a common modern formation used with four defenders, four midfielders and two attacking players. There are many variants of this formation, such as the 4–4–2 diamond, where the four midfielders are assembled in a diamond shape, without wide midfielders, and the 4–1–3–2, where one midfielder is expected to adopt a defensive position, allowing the other three to spend more time concentrating on attacking duties.[10]
4–5–1
a common modern formation used with four defenders, five midfielders and one striker. By pushing the wingers forward, this formation can be adapted into a 4–3–3; teams frequently play 4–3–3 when they have the ball, and revert to 4–5–1 when they lose possession.[11] Variants include the 4–4–1–1, where a striker drops deep or an attacking midfielder pushes forward to play in a supporting role to the main striker, and the 4–2–3–1, where two holding midfield players are used.[3]

A

An assistant referee
Academy
an element of a club where young players are employed under the youth system and trained to an acceptable standard, with the option for them to progress within the game.
Added time
see Stoppage time.
Advantage
applied when a team has a possible foul in their favour however play has "played-on" to allow them to gain advantage if the referee does not give the foul.[12]
AFC
either (1) an acronym for the Asian Football Confederation,[13] the governing body of the sport in Asia or (2) an acronym for "association football club", used by teams such as Sunderland.[14]
Aggregate
The added score of two matches between the same clubs in a knockout competition.[15]
Apertura and Clausura
league format employed by several football leagues in Latin America in which the traditional August–May season is divided into two separate league tournaments, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are Spanish words for "opening" and "closing".[16]
Armband
worn by a team's captain, to signify his role.[17] Black armbands are on occasion worn by the entire team, in commemoration of a death or tragic event.[18]
Assist
a pass that leads to a goal being scored.[19]
Assistant referee
one of a number of officials who assist the referee in controlling a match.[20]
Attacker
see Striker.
Away
see Home and away.
Away goals rule
a tie-break applied in some competitions with two-legged matches. In cases where the scores finish level on aggregate, the team that has scored more goals away from home is deemed the winner.[15]

B

A player attempting a bicycle kick
Back-pass rule
a rule introduced into the Laws of the Game in 1992 to help speed up the game, which specified that goalkeepers are not allowed to pick up the ball if it was kicked back to them by a teammate.[21]
Backheel
a pass between teammates in which the player uses his heel to propel the ball backwards, opposite the direction he is facing. Sometimes spelt back heel.[22]
Ball
spherical object which is normally kicked around by football players. Balls used in official matches are standardised for size, weight and material and manufactured to the specifications set in the Laws of the Game.[23]
Ball boy
one of several children, male or female, stationed around the edge of the pitch, whose job is to help retrieve balls for players when they go out of play.[24]
Ballon d'Or
also known as the European Footballer of the Year Award, one of the most prestigious awards in European football.[25]
Beach soccer
also known as beach football or beasal, is a variant of association football played on a beach or some form of sand.[26]
Behind closed doors
matches played where spectators are not allowed in the stadium. Serves as a form of sanction for clubs whose supporters had behaved inappropriately.[27] Matches can also be played in order to hasten a player's fitness.[28]
Bench
the area on the edge of the pitch where a team's substitutes and coaches sit, usually consisting an actual covered bench or a row of seats. More formally known as the substitutes' bench.[29] Also sometimes called a dugout.[30]
Bend
a skill attribute in which players strike the ball in a manner that applies spin, resulting in the flight of the ball curving, or bending, in mid-air. Players who are especially adept at achieving this will often be their team's designated freekick taker, as they are able to bend the ball around walls while taking shots at goal. The phrase "bend it like Beckham" stems from English player David Beckham's ability in this regard.[31]
Bicycle kick
a physical move made by a player with his back to the goal. The player throws his body into the air, makes a shearing movement with the legs to get one leg in front of the other, and attempts to play the ball backwards over his own head, all before he touches the ground. Also known as an overhead kick.[32]
Booking
the act of noting the offender in a cautionable offence, which results in either a yellow card, or in the case of a "second booking", a red card.[33]
Boot boy
an apprentice who, amongst other menial tasks, is usually expected to clean the boots of professional players.[34]
Bosman rule
a rule related to player transfers which allows professional football players in the European Union to move freely to another club at the end of their term of contract with their present team. Adopted in 1995, it also banned restrictions of foreign EU members within the national leagues. Named after a landmark court case involving Jean-Marc Bosman.[35]
Box
see Penalty area.
Break
an attacking manoeuvre in which a several members of a defending team gain possession of the ball and suddenly counter-attack into their opponent's half of the pitch, overwhelming their opponents' defence with greater numbers, usually as a result of the opponent's defenders being out of position having been supporting their attackers.[36]
Byline
the markings on the shortest side of pitch which run from the posts to the corners. Also known as the End line.[37]

C

A player standing by the corner flag, about to take a corner kick
Johan Cruyff, after whom the Cruyff turn is named
CAF
an acronym for the Confederation of African Football, the governing body of the sport in Africa.[13]
Cap
an appearance for a national team.[38]
Captain
the player chosen to lead a team during a match, and to participate in the coin toss before the start of play.[39] Also known as a skipper.[37]
Caretaker manager
a person chosen to perform managerial duties when no permanent manager is installed.[40]
Catenaccio
a tactical system which puts an emphasis on defence. In Italian catenaccio means "door-bolt", implying a highly organized and effective backline defense which is intended to prevent goals.[41]
Caution
see yellow card.
Centre circle
the 10-yard radius circle around the centre spot.[42]
Centre spot
the mark in the centre of the pitch from which play is started at the beginning of each half, and restarted following the scoring of a goal.[42]
Challenge
see tackle.
Channel
abstract areas broadly defined as strips of the playing pitch between the opposing goal line and towards the widest parts of the field in its middle section. Wide-playing strikers are said to operate "in the channels".[43]
Champions League
an annual confederation-wide tournament involving the champions and other successful teams from that confederation's domestic leagues. Can refer to the tournaments held in the AFC,[44] CAF,[45] CONCACAF,[46] OFC[47] or UEFA.[48] See also Copa Libertadores.
Chance
a situation where an attacker is through on goal and should score. Also known as an opportunity.[49]
Chip
a shot hit with the intention of the ball going over the goalkeeper and into the goal.[50]
Clausura
see Apertura and Clausura
Clean sheet
when a goalkeeper does not concede a goal during a match.[5]
Clearance
when a player kicks the ball strongly away from the goal they are defending, usually with the intent of putting a large distance between the ball and his goal.[37]
Club
A collective name for a football team, and the business that runs it. See also List of association football clubs.
CONCACAF
an acronym for the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, the governing body of the sport in North and Central America and the Caribbean; pronounced "kon-ka-kaff".[13]
CONMEBOL
an acronym for Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CSF), the governing body of the sport in South America; pronounced "kon-me-bol".[13]
Corner flag
flags are placed in each of the four corners of the pitch to designate the boundaries of the playing area.[42]
Corner kick
a kick taken from within a one-yard radius of the corner flag; a method of restarting play when a player puts the ball behind his own goal line without a goal being scored.[37]
Corridor of uncertainty
a cross or pass which is delivered into the area in front of the goalkeeper and behind the last line of defence.[51]
Cross
the delivery of the ball into the penalty area, usually from the area between the penalty box and the touchline, by the attacking team.[37]
Crossbar
the horizontal bar across the top of the goal.[52]
Cruyff turn
a move named after Dutchman Johan Cruyff designed to lose an opponent.[53]
Cuauhtemiña
a skill move attributed to Mexican player Cuauhtémoc Blanco,[54] which he performed notably at the 1998 World Cup.[55] When two or more players attempt to tackle him, he traps the ball between his feet and jumps through them, releasing the ball in the air and landing with it under control.[55]
Cup competition
a knockout competition in which teams compete for a trophy, the winners of each game eliminating the losers from the competition. A cup final sees the two remaining teams play a match, which can be two-legged, for the trophy.[56]
Cup tie
a match in a cup competition.[57]
Cup-tied
ineligible to play in a cup competition by having played for a different team earlier in the same competition.[58]
Custodian
a slang term used to describe a goalkeeper.[59][60]

D

A player dribbling the ball
D
the semi-circular arc at the edge of the penalty area used to indicate the portion of the 10-yard distance around the penalty spot that lies outside the penalty area. Referred to in the Laws of the Game as the penalty arc.[42]
Dead ball situation
any of a number of instances when the game is restarted with the ball stationary, e.g. a free kick.[61]
Debut
the first appearance of a newly acquired or promoted player in a particular team, league or tournament.[62]
Defender
one of the four main positions in football. Defenders are positioned in front of the goalkeeper and have the principal role of keeping the opposition away from their goal.[37]
Derby
a match between two, usually local, rivals.
Diego Maradona
along with Pelé, often regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He scored two of the most famous goals in football history – the Hand of God and Goal of the Century – in a single match for Argentina against England. He was jointly awarded FIFA Player of the Century in 2000 along with Pelé.
Dirty work
an unofficial term for the type of play undertaken by a defensive midfielder – such as making tackles in midfield, playing short pases to the wing, or breaking up opponents' attacking moves – which is necessary for a team to be successful, but rarely receives recognition or acclaim, and is not considered "glamorous".
Dissent
an illegal action whereby a player uses offensive language or gestures towards official(s). In extreme cases it can result in yellow or red cards being issued.[63]
Diving
a form of cheating, sometimes employed by an attacking player to win a free kick or penalty.[61] When being challenged for the ball by an opponent, the player will throw himself to the floor as though he has been fouled, in an attempt to deceive the referee into thinking a foul has been committed.[64] Also known as a flop.
Double
when a club wins both its country's domestic league and major cup competition in the same season.[61]
Dribble
when a player runs with the ball at his feet under close control, especially when the player successfully outmanoeuvres one or more opponents in close proximity without losing possession.[61]
Drop ball
a method used to restart a game, sometimes employed when a player has been injured accidentally and the game is stopped while the ball is still in play.[65]
Dugout
see bench.
Dummy
a skill move performed by a player receiving a pass from a teammate; the player receiving the ball will angle his body in such a way that the opponent thinks he is going to play the ball. The player will then intentionally allow the ball to run by him to a teammate close by without touching it, confusing the opponent as to which player has the ball.

E

Edison Arantes do Nascimento
see Pelé.
El Clásico
the name given to matches between the leading Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona.[66] The term is sometimes applied to other derby fixtures in Spanish-speaking countries; such as Argentina,[67] and Mexico.[68]
Elevator team
see yo-yo club.
Equaliser
a goal that makes the score even.[37]
Exhibition match
see Friendly.
Extra time
an additional period, normally two halves of 15 minutes, used to determine the winner in some tied cup matches.[37]

F

Fans of Racing Club de Avellaneda, supporting their team before a match.
File:Резервный рефери.jpg
A fourth official holds up an electronic scoreboard indicating the amount of stoppage time to be played
A player commits a foul by tripping her opponent
FA Cup
the oldest cup competition in the world.[69]
Fan
a follower of a football team or someone who simply enjoys watching the game. Also known as supporter.
Fan park
an area away from grounds and often in city centres used to screen matches on large television screens for fans, normally for big tournaments such as the World Cup or important matches.
Fans' favourite
a player that is extremely popular with fans of a club or nation.[70]
Favourite
a team that is expected to win a particular match or tournament.[71] Opposite of underdog.
Feeder club
a club whose role is to provide first-team experience for younger players with a formal or informal agreement that successful ones can move on to the bigger club.
Feign injury
see play-acting
Field of play
see pitch.
FIFA
an acronym for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football), the world governing body of the sport; pronounced "fee-fa".[72]
FIFA (video games)
a football video game franchise created by EA Sports, featuring players and teams from many leagues around the world.
First team
the eleven players who, under normal circumstances, and barring injuries and suspensions, would be the ones usually chosen by the team's manager to start the game.
First touch
a skill attribute for a player which signifies his ability to bring the ball completely under his control immediately upon receiving it.
Flag
a piece of equipment used by an assistant referee to illustrate that he has seen a foul or other infraction take place, consisting of a small rectangular flag attached to a handle. One assistant referee's flag is a solid colour (often yellow), and his colleague's has a two-colour (often red and yellow) quartered pattern. Some sophisticated flags also have buttons in the hilt of the handle which, when pressed, will activate a vibrating armband worn by the referee to attract his attention.
Flagging
an action performed by an assistant referee to attract the attention of the main referee to indicate that a foul or other infraction has occurred; the assistant referee will stop running and either hold his flag in the air, or wave his flag vigorously, depending on the nature of the infraction.
Flat back four
a defensive positioning formation, in which the primary first position of each member of a four-man defense is in a straight line across the pitch; often used in conjunction with an offside trap.
Flick-on
when a player receives a pass from a teammate and, instead of controlling it, touches the ball with his head or foot while it is moving past him, with the intent of helping the ball reach another teammate.
Football
can refer either to the sport itself, or the ball used in a match.
Football League
English league competition founded in 1888, the oldest such competition in the world.
Football programme
also known as match programme; a booklet purchased by spectators prior to a football match containing information relevant to it, including lists of players, short articles penned by commentators and the like. Older programmes may have a considerable value as a collectable.
Formation
how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch.
Forward
see Striker.
Fourth official
additional assistant referee, who has various duties and can replace one of the other officials, in case of injury.
Fox in the box
see Goal poacher.
Foul
an illegal act as defined under the rules of the game, punished by a free-kick or penalty. Such acts can lead to yellow or red cards depending on their severity.[61]
FourFourTwo
a popular English-language football magazine with a number of international editions and named after the 4–4–2 formation.
France Football
French bi-weekly magazine established in 1946 containing football news from all over the world and one of the most reputable European sports publications. Awards the annual Ballon d'Or award for European Footballer of the Year.
Free kick
the result of a foul outside the penalty area, given against the offending team. Free kicks can be either direct (shot straight towards the goal) or indirect (the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored).[61]
Freestyle football
is the art of expressing yourself with a football, while performing various tricks with any part of the body. Similar in style to keepie uppie and kemari, it has become a widespread sport across the world and is practised by many people.
Friendly
a match arranged by two teams with no competitive value, such as a player's testimonial or a warm-up match before a season begins.[61]
Fullback
the position on either side of the defence, whose job is to try and prevent the opposing team attacking down the wings.
Futsal
variant of association football that is played on a smaller hard court surface and mainly played indoors. Involves two teams with five players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper, with an unlimited number of substitutes per permitted and is played in two periods each lasting 20 minutes. Similar, but not identical, to indoor soccer.

G

A goalkeeper taking a goal kick
A goalmouth scramble
Game of two halves
a cliché used by commentators to describe a close match where one team dominates each half.
Game 39
a proposed Premier League match played outside of the United Kingdom.[73]
Ghost goal
describes situations where a ball fairly crossed the goal line but did not result in a goal, as well as situations where a goal was awarded despite the ball not crossing the line.[74][75]
Giant-killing
a cliché used to describe a lower division team defeating another team from a much higher division in that country's league.[76][77]
Give-and-go
see One-two.
Goal
the only method of scoring in football; for a goal to be awarded the ball must pass completely over the goal line in the area between the posts and beneath the crossbar.
Goal average
the number of goals scored divided by the number of goals conceded. Used as a tie-breaking method before the introduction of goal difference.[78]
Goal difference
the net difference between goals scored and goals conceded.[37] Used to differentiate league positions when clubs are tied on points.
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper is the player closest to their own goal and has the job of preventing the opposition from scoring. They are the only player on the pitch that can handle the ball in open play, but only in their own penalty area.[37] Known informally as a keeper or a goalie.
Goal kick
the method of restarting play when the ball is played over the goal-line without a goal being scored.[37]
Goal poacher
a type of striker primarily known for excellent scoring ability and movement inside the penalty area. Also known as "fox in the box".
Goalmouth
the section of the pitch immediately in front of the goal.
Goalmouth scramble
when multiple players from both teams attempt to gain control of a loose ball in the goalmouth. This often results in a short period of chaotic play involving attackers shooting towards goal and defenders blocking shots, balls ricocheting around the goalmouth, and players falling over.
Goal of the century
usually used to refer to Diego Maradona's second goal against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.[8]
Golden Generation
a term used to describe an exceptionally talented set of players who are expected to achieve a high level of success. The term has been applied to such teams as Brazil (1958–1962), England (2001–2006) and Spain (2008–).
Golden goal
a method of determining the winner of a match which is a draw after 90 minutes of play. Up to an additional 30 minutes are played in two 15-minute halves, the first team to score wins and the match ends immediately. See also Silver goal.
Group of death
a group which is unusually competitive, because the number of strong competitors in the group is greater than the number of qualifying places available for the next phase of the tournament.

H

A player being challenged by two defenders, attempting to make a header
Half-back
a position employed in a 2–3–5 formation, the half-back would play between the fullbacks and the outside forwards. Similar to the modern defensive midfielder.
Half-time
break between the two halves of the match, usually lasts 15 minutes.
Half-volley
a pass or shot in which the ball is struck just as, or just after, it touches the ground.
Handbags
a colloquialism, especially in the UK, used to describe an event when two or more players from opposing teams square up to each other in a threatening manner, or push and jostle each other in an attempt to assert themselves, without any actual violent conduct taking place.
Hand-ball
when a player other than a goalkeeper deliberately touches the ball with their hand in active play. A foul is given against the player if spotted.[79]
Hand of God
Diego Maradona's first goal against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.[80]
Hat-trick
when a player scores three goals in a single match.[81]
Header
using the head to pass, shoot, block, or otherwise control the ball.
High feet
the colloquial name for a certain type of foul, awarded when the referee determines that a player's foot has moved into a dangerous position while he is trying to play the ball, especially if the foot is in danger of coming into contact with an opponent's groin or head.
Hold up the ball
when a player, usually a forward, receives a long ball from a teammate, and controls and shields it from the opposition, with the intent of slowing the play down to allow teammates to join the attack.
Hole
the space on a pitch between the midfield and attack where attacking midfielders play. Sometimes known as "playing in the hole".[59]
Home and away
terms used to describe a team's own ground and their opponent's, respectively. See also Neutral ground.[82][83]
Hospital ball
sometimes referred to as hospital pass, when a player plays a slightly under-strength pass to a teammate, to such an extent that it becomes likely that both the teammate and an opposing player will come into contact with the ball simultaneously, therefore increasing the likelihood of one or both players suffering an injury while challenging for the ball.[84]

I

A indoor football facility
IFAB
the International Football Association Board is the body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football.[85]
Indirect free kick
a type of free kick. Unlike in a direct free kick, a goal may not be scored directly from the indirect kick.
Indoor soccer
also known as arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom. A variant of association football adapted for play in an arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or a skating rink. Unlike in futsal the playing field is surrounded by a wall instead of touch lines, resembling more of a hockey rink than a soccer pitch and the ball can be played directly off the wall, which eliminates many frequent stoppages that would normally result for throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks. Played by two teams with 6 players each.
Injury time
see stoppage time.
Inside forward
a position employed in a 2–3–5 formation. The inside forwards played just behind the centre forward, similar to the modern attacking midfielder or second striker.
Intercept
to prevent a pass from reaching its intended recipient.
Invincibles
name given to the Preston North End side of the 1888–89 season and the Arsenal team of 2003–04, which both went an entire English league season without defeat.[86]

J

Jabulani
the ball used for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[87]
Journeyman
a player who has represented many different clubs over his career.[88] Opposite of one-club man.
Jumpers for goalposts
an informal name for a version of street football where players lay down items of clothing to mark out the two goals.[89]

K

A man performing keepie uppie
Keepie uppie
the skill of juggling a football, keeping it off the ground using feet, shoulders, head etc.
Kicker
Germany's leading football magazine founded in 1920 and published twice a week.
Kick-off
the method of starting a match; the ball must be played forwards from the centre spot with all members of the opposing team at least ten yards from the ball. Also used to restart the match when a goal has been scored.
Kit
the football-specific clothing worn by players, consisting at the minimum of a shirt, shorts, socks, specialized footwear, and (for goalkeepers) specialized gloves. Also known as a uniform or a strip.
Kop
a British colloquial name for terraced stands in stadiums, especially those immediately behind the goals. Most commonly associated with Liverpool, they are so named due to their steep nature, which resembles a hill in South Africa that was the scene of the Battle of Spion Kop in January 1900 during the Second Boer War.

L

Last-man
a term used to describe a two-on-one situation where an attacker carries the ball towards the opposition goal with only one outfield defender nearby. If the defender commits a foul, a red card is usually shown.
Layoff
a short pass, usually lateral, played delicately into the space immediately in front of a teammate who is arriving at speed from behind the player making the pass; the player receiving the pass will then be able to take control of the ball without breaking stride, or (if he is close enough to the goal) attempt to score with a first-time shot.
Laws of the Game
the codified rules that help define association football. These laws are published by the sport's governing body FIFA, with the approval of the International Football Association Board, the body that writes and maintains the laws. The laws mention: the number of players a team should have, the game length, the size of the field and ball, the type and nature of fouls that referees may penalize, the frequently misinterpreted Offside law, and many other laws that define the sport.
League
have various acceptions. See Sports league.
Libero
see Sweeper.
Linesman
see Assistant referee.
Loan
when a player temporarily plays for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Such a loan may last from a few weeks to one or more seasons. This often occurs with young players who are commonly loaned to lower league clubs in order to gain valuable experience. The loaning club often takes over the responsibility of paying the player's wages so it can also occur when the originating club seeks to cut down expenses.
Long-ball
movement of the ball directly from defence to attack in a single movement. It is a tactic employed by teams at all levels of the game to speed up play and gain an advantage.

M

Memorial to the Mighty Magyars in Szeged
Man of the match
an award, often decided by pundits or sponsors, given to the best player in a game.
Man on!
a warning shout uttered by players (and fans) to a teammate with the ball to alert him of the presence of an opposing player behind him.
Man-to-man marking
a system of marking in which each player is responsible for an opposing player rather than an area of the pitch. Compare with zonal marking.
Maradona
see Diego Maradona
Match of the Day
an English language television programme broadcast on the BBC since the 1960s. It originally showed the highlights from just one game from the top division each week, but nowadays it features highlights of all Saturday and midweek Premier League games.
Mickey Mouse cup
pejorative term used to describe a cup, league, or other competition as being of a lower standard, importance or significance.
Midfielder
one of the four main positions in football. Midfielders are positioned between the defenders and strikers.
Mighty Magyars
also known as the Magical Magyars or Aranycsapat in Hungarian (literally Golden team); nickname given to the Hungary national football team squad of the early 1950s which dominated the game in international competitions.
Minnow
see underdog.
Moving ball
if the ball is in motion when a goal kick, corner kick, free kick or penalty kick is being taken, the referee may order the kick to be re-taken.
Multiball system
the use of several balls during a game, intended to reduce the amount of time the ball is not in play. Historically, the same ball was used throughout the entire game, and had to be retrieved every time it went out of play. Under the multiball system, as soon as the ball goes out of play, a new ball is passed to the player by a ball boy, who then retrieves the other ball while the game continues.

N

Near post/Far post
a notional concept relating to the positioning of the goalkeeper in relation to his goalposts during the game. If the goalkeeper is standing closer to his left hand post, that post becomes the "near post", and the right hand post becomes the "far post". If the goalkeeper is standing closer to his right hand post, the names of the posts are reversed. Therefore, if the goalkeeper is standing closer to his left hand post, and an attacker scores a goal by placing the ball between the goalkeeper and that post, he is said to have been "beaten at the near post".
Neutral ground
a venue for a match that belongs to neither team.[90] Most cup finals are played on neutral ground, unless they are played over two legs.
Nutmeg
when a player intentionally plays the ball between an opponent's legs, runs past the opponent, and collects his own pass.[59]

O

The blue forward on the left of the diagram is in an offside position as he is in front of both the second-to-last defender (marked by the dotted line) and the ball. Note that this does not necessarily mean he is committing an offside offence; it only becomes an offence if the ball were to be played to him at this moment, whether or not he is in an offside position when he receives the ball, as he could receive the ball in an onside position but he'd still have committed an offside offence.
The blue forward in the penalty box of the diagram is not in an offside position, as he is behind the ball, despite the fact that he is in front of all but one of his opponents.
Obstruction
an illegal defensive technique, in which a defensive player who does not have control of the ball positions his body between the ball and an attacking opponent, or otherwise blocks or checks an opponent, in order to prevent that opponent from reaching the ball. When the defensive player has control of the ball, this technique is known as shielding, and is permitted under the laws of the game.
OFC
an initialism for the Oceania Football Confederation, the governing body of the sport in Oceania.[13]
Offside
Law 11 of the laws of football, relating to the positioning of defending players in relation to attacking players when the ball is played to an attacking player by a teammate. In its most basic form, a player is offside if he is in his opponent's half of the field, and is closer to the goal line than both the second-last defender and the ball at the moment the ball is played to him by a teammate. [91]
Offside trap
a defensive formation maneuver, in which each member of a team's defense will simultaneously step forward as the ball is played forward to an opponent, in an attempt to put that opponent in an offside position. An unsuccessful performance of this maneuver results in the opponent "beating the offside trap", usually as a result of one of the defenders failing to step forward in time with his teammates.
Olympic goal
a goal scored directly from a corner kick.[92]
One touch
term used to describe a team's style of play in which the ball is passed around quickly using just one touch. See also Tiki-taka.
One-club man
a player who spends his entire professional career at one club.[93] Opposite of journeyman.
One-on-one
a circumstance in which an attacking player, having successfully moved past the opponents defensive line with the ball, is confronted with a situation where the only player in between him and an open goal is the opponent's goalkeeper.
One-two
a skill move between team mates to move the ball past an opponent. Player One passes the ball to Player Two and runs past the opponent, whereupon he immediately receives the ball back from Player Two, who has received, controlled, and passed the ball in one movement. Also known as a give-and-go.
Opportunity
see chance.
Outfield player
a term which can be used to describe any player other than the goalkeeper.
Outside forward
a position used in a 2–3–5 formation, in which they are the main attacking threat from the flanks. Similar to modern wingers.
Overhead kick
see Bicycle kick.
Overlap
a skill move between teammates in which Player One (who has the ball) is being shadowed by a single defender; Player Two (who does not have the ball) runs forward, past both his teammate and the defender, forcing the defender to make a choice between continuing to shadow Player One, or running with Player Two to stop him receiving a pass. As a result of Player Two overlapping, Player One will have the freedom to either pass the ball to Player Two or continue with the ball in his possession, depending on which decision the defender makes.
Over-the-top
a tackle, either deliberate or accidental, where one player makes contact with an opposition player rather than the ball.[94]
Own goal
where a player scores a goal against his own team, usually as the result of an error.[95]

P

A penalty kick
Parachute payment
a series of payments made for four years, by the Premier League to every club relegated from that league.[96]
Paralympic football
consists of adaptations of the sport of association football for athletes with a disability. These sports are typically played using International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) rules, with modifications to the field of play, equipment, numbers of players, and other rules as required to make the game suitable for the athletes. The two most prominent versions of Paralympic football are Football 5-a-side, for athletes with visual impairments, and Football 7-a-side, for athletes with cerebral palsy.
"Parking the bus"
expression used when all the players on a team play defensively, usually when the team is winning by a narrow margin.[97] See also Catenaccio.
Pass
when a player kicks the ball to one of his teammates.
Passive offside
an exception to the offside rule, wherein play may continue if a player in an offside position makes no attempt to involve himself in the game at the moment an offside call would usually be made, and allows an onside player to win control of the ball instead.
Pelé
Brazilian footballer often acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time. He scored 1281 goals in 1363 appearances and was voted the "footballer of the century" by many organisations in 1999, and shared the honour of FIFA Player of the Century with Diego Maradona in 2000.
Penalty area
the rectangular area measuring 44 yards (40.2 metres) by 18 yards (16.5 metres) in front of each goal.
Penalty kick
a kick taken 12 yards (11 metres) from goal, awarded when a team commits a foul inside its own penalty area, and the infringement would usually be punishable by a direct free kick.
Penalty shootout
a method of deciding a match in a knockout competition which has ended in a draw after full time and extra-time. Players from each side take it in turns to attempt to score a penalty against the opposition goalkeeper. Sudden death is introduced if scores are level after five penalties have been taken by either side.
Perfect hat-trick
when a player scores three goals in a single match, one with the left foot, one with the right foot and one with a header.[98]
Phantom goal
see Ghost goal.
Phoenix club
term sometimes used for a club which was created following the demise of a pre-existing club. Phoenix clubs usually take on the same colours and fan base of the defunct club.
Pitch
the playing surface for the game, which is usually a specially-prepared grass field.
Pitch invasion
when a crowd of people who are watching run onto the pitch to celebrate, protest about an incident or confront opposition fans. Known as rushing the field in the United States.
Play-acting
similar to diving, play acting is deceiving the officials that a player is injured to try and gain an advantage or force the referee to punish the "aggressor". Also known as feigning injury or Diving.[99]
Play to the whistle
an informal phrase used to instruct players to keep on playing until the referee blows his whistle.
Player
all active participants in a football match other than the officials.
Playing advantage
see advantage.
Playmaker
an attacking player whose job it is to control the flow of his team's play.
Playoff
a series of matches towards the end of the season that determine clubs which are promoted and/or relegated, determine tied league positions or determine qualifiers for continental competitions.
Post
the vertical bars at either side of the goal.
Pre-season
expression used for the only time of the year when football is not competitively played apart from the winter break (in countries which have winter breaks). Usually spans the period between June and August when clubs are preparing for the upcoming season by playing various friendlies and signing new players.
Premier League
the official name for the top division of English football since 1992, formerly referred to as the Premiership. It can also be used generically or as a translation for leagues in other countries.
Premiership
see Premier League
Professional
a player who is engaged by a club under a professional contract and who is paid a wage by the club to focus on their sport in lieu of other employment. Not an Amateur.
Professional foul
a foul committed by a player who is aware that he is about to intentionally commit the foul, and who does so having calculated the risk, and determined that committing the foul and taking a yellow card or even a red card will be more beneficial to his team than if he allowed his opponent to continue unimpeded.
Promotion
when a club moves up to a higher division in the league hierarchy as a result of being one of the best teams in their division at the end of a season.

Q

Qualifier
a match or series of matches played to determine the teams competing in an event e.g. FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League etc.

R

A referee issuing a red card to a player
Rabona
a skill move, indicating a method of kicking the football whereby the kicking leg is wrapped around the back of the standing leg.
Red card
awarded to a player for either a single serious cautionable offence or following two yellow cards. The player receiving the red card is compelled to leave the game for the rest of its duration, and that player's team is not allowed to replace him with another player. A player receiving the red card is said to have been sent off or ejected.
Referee
the official who presides over a match, with the help of assistant referees and the fourth official.
Relegation
when a club moves down to a lower division in the league hierarchy as a result of gaining the least number of points in their division at the end of a season.
Reserve
a player who is under contract to a team, but who generally does not feature in first team games, except for when one or more first team players are suspended, injured, or otherwise unable to take their usual places in the starting lineup. Some clubs field a reserve team in non-competitive matches, or in a reserve league; the collective term reserves can refer to this team.
Retired number
a squad number which is no longer used as a form of recognising an individual player's loyal service to the club. Sometimes a number is retired as a memorial after their death.[100][101]
Round-robin tournament
or all-play-all tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".
Rounding the 'keeper
an attacking move in which a player finds himself in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper and, instead of shooting past the goalkeeper, attempts to dribble the ball around the goalkeeper, leaving himself with an open net in which to score a goal.
Route one
a direct, attacking style of football which generally involves taking the most direct route to goal.[102]
Roy of the Rovers stuff
an event during a game, or an entire game, in which a player or team is seen to have overcome some sort of extreme adversity prior to victory, or secured victory in an overtly spectacular or dramatic fashion, especially against a team generally considered to be "stronger".[103] The term originates from the long-running football-themed English comic strip Roy of the Rovers, in which such events were commonplace.[104]
Row Z
a cliche phrase used by commentators to describe the hypothetical destination of a forceful clearance, on the assumption that rows in which spectators are seated are ordered alphabetically so that row Z is the furthest from the pitch. Also used to describe a shot which goes a long way over the crossbar.[105]

S

A goalkeeper dives to make a save at the feet of a striker in the penalty area.
The rear of a football shirt displaying a squad number
Football boots with moulded studs
Save
when a goalkeeper prevents the football from crossing the goal line.
Scissor kick
see Bicycle kick.
Scorpion kick
an acrobatic kick of the type first notably performed as a save by René Higuita in 1995 while playing for Colombia at Wembley stadium against England.[106]
Scrimmage
a term used in early football reporting when a goal was scored from a goalmouth scramble, and the scorer could not be discerned.
Seal dribble
a type of dribble in which a player flicks the ball up from the ground onto his head and then proceeds to run past opponents whilst bouncing the ball on top of his forehead, somewhat imitating a seal.[107]
Season
a term used to describe the time period during which primary competitions in a certain country are played. In most European countries the season starts around September and ends in May, with a winter break in December and January. In other countries the season is played within a single calendar year. It is often customary to use the Super Cup to mark the beginning of a season while the Cup final usually marks its end.
Second season syndrome
phrase sometimes used by commentators in English football used to describe a downturn in fortunes for a football club two seasons after its promotion to the Premier League.[108]
Sending off
see red card.
Set piece
a dead ball routine that the attacking team has specifically practised, such as a free kick taken close to the D
Shielding
a defensive technique, in which a defensive player positions his body between the ball and an attacking opponent, in order to prevent that opponent from reaching the ball. At all times while shielding the ball the defender must maintain control of the ball within a nominal playing distance, otherwise the technique becomes obstruction, and a foul is called.
Shin pads
a mandatory piece of equipment, usually made of plastic or rubber, worn underneath the socks in order to protect the shins. Also known as shin guards.
Shoot
to propel the ball goalwards in an attempt to score.
Shootout
see penalty shootout.
Shot
an attempt to score a goal.
Shoulder charge
an aggressive, but legal, defensive play in which a player uses his shoulder and upper arm to make contact with an opponent's shoulder and upper arm, in an attempt to knock the opponent off-balance and lose control of the ball. This manoeuvre is legal only when the challenge is shoulder-to-shoulder; a player using his shoulder to make to make contact with another part of an opponent's body is committing a foul. Also known as a shoulder barge or shoulder challenge.
Shutout
see Clean sheet.
Side netting
the outside of the net part of the goal, which stretches back from the goalpost to the stanchion.
Silver goal
a rule which was briefly in use between 2002 and 2004 in some UEFA competitions when elimination matches happened to end in a draw. In extra time the team leading after the first fifteen minute half would win, but the game would not stop the instant a team scored, like with the golden goal. Any goals in the second half could then be counted as golden goals. Competitions that operated extra time were able to decide whether to use the golden goal, the silver goal, or neither procedure during extra time.
Six pointer
a game between two teams, often those competing for a title, promotion or relegation, whereby the relative difference between the two teams and between victory and defeat can be six points.
Skill
an action by a member of either side with the intention of fooling an opponent e.g. Step-over. Generically, accurate passing and shooting can be referred to as skilful play. Known by a variety of other terms, depending upon region and level e.g. the colloquial word tekkers.
Sliding tackle
a type of tackle where the defending player slides along the ground to tackle his opponent.
Soccer
an alternative word for the game of association football, used most commonly in countries where other codes of football are prominent, for instance American football in the United States, and Australian rules football in Australia.
Spion Kop
see Kop.
Squad numbers
numerical markings on players' shirts used to distinguish individual players in a game of football. First used in 1928 and initially assigned to distinguish positions in a formation, they gradually became associated with individual players, irrespective of where they are positioned on the pitch. This in turn gave rise to the custom of retiring numbers.
Squad rotation system
a coaching system whereby an entire squad of players – often consisting of 20 or more individuals – is used in first team games equally, with no preferred starting eleven specified.
Square ball
when a ball is passed between teammates laterally, across the field of play.
Stanchion
part of the framework of the goal which holds the upper rear part of the net in the air and away from the crossbar.
Stepover
a skill move performed by an attacking player in which the player with the ball will move his foot over the ball without making contact with it. The intent of the move is to trick the defender into thinking that the attacking player is moving with the ball in a certain direction; when the defender then changes direction to block the move, the attacker will quickly move the ball in the opposite direction, and move past the off-balance defender.
Stoppage time
an additional number of minutes at the end of each half, determined by the match officials, to compensate for time lost during the game. Informally known by various names, including injury time and added time.[37]
Spot-kick
see penalty-kick.
Squeaky bum time
a term coined by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to define the tense final stages of a league competition, especially from the point of view of the leaders or clubs facing promotion and relegation.[109]
Street football
The term encompasses a number of informal varieties of association football. These informal games do not necessarily utilise the requirements of a formal game of football, such as a large field, field markings, goal apparatus and corner flags, eleven players per team (with a minimum of seven per team), or match officials (referee and assistant referees).
Striker
one of the four main positions in football. Strikers are the players closest to the opposition goal, with the principal role of scoring goals. Also known as forward or attacker.[37]
Studs
small points on the underneath of a player's boots to help prevent slipping.
Studs up
an informal name for a challenge made with feet off the ground and studs visible to the opponent, usually punished by a foul.
Substitute
a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player.[37]
Sudden death
a feature of penalty shootouts. If scores are level after each side has taken five penalties, the shootout continues until one side misses.
Super Cup
a one-off game involving the winners of two different continent-wide club championships, for example the Supercopa Sudamericana.
Supporter
see fan.
Suspension
players are forced to miss their team's next game(s) if they pick up an alloted number of bookings in league or tournament matches, or are sent off in a previous fixture.
Sweeper
a defender whose role is to protect the space between the goalkeeper and the rest of the defence. Also referred to as libero.[41]

T

A player taking a throw in
Adidas Telstar
Fans waving flags and unfurling a large green and blue tifo behind a goal.
Seattle Sounders FC supporters displaying a tifo
Tackle
a method of a player winning the ball back from their opponent (see also slide tackle). Unfair tackles are punished by free kicks, penalties and red/yellow cards.
Target man
an attacking player, usually tall and with a strong build and with good heading ability, whose strength lies in controlling or attacking balls in the air. He usually partners with a smaller, more nimble player to give the forward line different options in how to attack the goal, and will often be used to hold up the ball and play layoff passes to his teammates.
Technical area
the area within which the manager must remain while coaching his team during a match.[110]
Telstar
match ball designed by Adidas for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. The first ball to use a truncated icosahedron design, with 12 black and 20 white patches intentionally used to improve visibility on black-and-white TV sets.[111] It became an iconic design and is often used in club crests and decorations even though modern match balls use a considerably different design. Also known as bubamara (ladybug) in countries where Serbo-Croatian is spoken.[112]
Tekkers
see skill.
Terrace
the traditional standing area of a stadium, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Consists of a series of concrete steps which are erected for spectators to stand on. Often occupied by ultras.
Testimonial match
an exhibition match organised in honour of a player before his retirement.[113]
Throw in
when a player throws the ball from behind a touchline after it has been kicked out by an opponent.
Tifo
originally the Italian word for the phenomenon of supporting a football team, today mainly used for any spectacular choreography displayed by supporters on the terraces of a stadium in connection with an association football match. Primarily arranged by ultras.
Tiki-taka
a style of play characterised by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels and maintaining possession. The style is primarily associated with Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. See also One touch.
Timewasting
a negative tactic employed by teams to run down the clock often when they are in a winning position and the game is close to finishing. Teams drawing can also utilise this tactic if they are content to see the game drawn rather than risk defeat. Common timewasting tactics include making last-minute substitutions, running the ball towards the corner flag and shielding it from opponents, passing the ball laterally along the line of defence while making no attempt to move the ball forwards, and diving and feigning injury such that the referee stops the game and has the medical staff enter the field to check on the "injured" player.[114]
Toe punt
a method of kicking the ball with the tip of the foot. Also known as a toe poke.
Too good to go down
belief, often misguided, that the ability within a team will preclude it from relegation.[115]
Top corner
the parts of the goal immediately below the two 90° angles where the crossbar and posts intersect. This part of the goal is generally considered the prime area in which to place the ball when attempting to score a goal, as it is the most difficult part of the goal for the goalkeeper to reach. Sometimes called the "angle", or the "upper 90", the latter especially in North American parlance.
Total Football
the label given to an influential tactical theory in which any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in a team. It was invented by the Dutch coach Rinus Michels and was popularised by AFC Ajax and the Netherlands national team in the early 1970s.
Touchline
the markings along the side of the pitch, indicating the boundaries of the playing area. Throw-ins are taken from behind this line.[42]
Tracksuit manager
a phrase used by commentators to describe a manager who has a hands-on approach, meaning that he has a tendency to work with players on the training ground and hence devotes significant amount of time concentrating on improving players' abilities
Transfer window
the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff.[116]
Trap
a skill performed by a player, whereupon the player uses his foot (or, less commonly, his chest or thigh) to bring an airborne or falling ball under control.
Travelling army
an expression used by commentators for any set of away fans – that is, fans who travelled to the match to support their team.[117] Often a team's travelling army are referred to as the 12th man.[118][119]
Treble
achieved by a club that wins three major trophies in a single season. Competitions generally considered as part of a treble include the top tier domestic league, domestic cup and continental cup.[120] Trebles achieved without winning a continental competition are known as domestic trebles.[121]
Trialist
a player who represents a club on a trial basis, most often to gain a contract with the club.
Two-footed
a challenge, normally an illegal one, where a player, often a defender, tackles his opponent with both feet.[122]

U

Ultras in Poland
UEFA
an acronym for Union of European Football Associations, the governing body of the sport in Europe; pronounced "you-eh-fa".[13]
Underdog
the team who is not expected to win a particular game.[123]
Ultras
type of football fans predominantly found in Europe renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays at football matches. These displays often include the use of flares, vocal support in large groups, displays of banners at stadium terraces and other forms of tifo choreography.[124]
Upset
a game where the underdog defeats a higher ranked team.[125]
Utility player
a player who can be used in different positions or for different roles transcending the traditional division of outfield players into defenders, midfielders and strikers.[126]

V

Vuvuzela note
A 58 cm (1.90 ft) vuvuzela playing a single B♭ note.
Problems playing this file? See media help.
Video technology
a long-campaigned for method of determining close decisions, such as whether a ball crosses the goalline, using instant replays provided by television cameras. It is yet to be introduced by the world governing body FIFA.[127]
Volley
a pass or shot in which the ball is struck before it touches the ground.[59]
Vuvuzela
plastic horn-shaped instruments popularised by supporters at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.[128]

W

A referee ensuring a wall is correctly lined up
Wall
a row of defensive players who line up ten yards away from a free kick, covering a portion of the goal, with the intent making it more difficult for an attacking player to have a shot on goal direct from the free kick.[59]
Webster ruling
a 2006 court case which stipulated that players are able to unilaterally walk away from a contract after a fixed period, regardless of the duration of the contract itself. Named after Andy Webster.[129] Compare Bosman ruling.
Whistle
see play to the whistle.
Wing
the area of the pitch that runs parallel to the sidelines.[130]
Winger
a wide midfield player whose primary focus is to provide crosses into the penalty area.[59] Alternatively known as a wide midfielder.[130]
Wingless wonders
a term used to describe the formation deployed by England manager Sir Alf Ramsey in latter stages of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the basis for the modern 4–4–2 system.[131]
Winter break
the period between December and January in which competitive football is suspended and which cuts some national or continental seasons in half. Also known as "year-end" or "summer break" in the Southern Hemisphere.[132]
Woodwork
a common description of the posts and the crossbar, as in "the ball came back off the woodwork", meaning a shot at goal struck either the post or the crossbar and remained in play.[59] The expression is still widely used even though goals are no longer made of wood.[133]
World Cup
mostly associated with the men's FIFA World Cup.[134] FIFA also organises the FIFA Women's World Cup,[135] international tournaments for youth football (such as the FIFA U-20 World Cup),[136] and also the FIFA Club World Cup.[137]
World Soccer (magazine)
a monthly English language football magazine produced by IPC Media since 1950, offering a broad perspective on football news and events worldwide.
Wunderteam
nickname for the Austria national football team of the 1930s captained by Matthias Sindelar.[138]

X

X-rated challenge
slang term for a malicious tackle when a player has possible motivation to injure an opponent.[139]

Y

Yellow card
shown to a player who commits a cautionable offence. If a player commits two cautionable offences in a match, he is shown a second yellow card, followed by a red card, and is sent off.[140] Also known as a caution or a booking.[37]
Youth
a player (or team of players) contracted under the youth system, generally under the age of 18 and not playing professionally.[141]
Yo-yo club
a club that is regularly promoted and relegated between higher and lower league levels.[142] Also known in other languages as elevator team, for instance Fahrstuhlmannschaften in German.[143]

Z

Zonal marking
a system of marking in which each player is responsible for an area of the pitch, rather than an opposing player.[144] Compare with man-to-man marking.

See also

References

General
  • "Laws of the Game" (PDF). International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  • Glossary of Football Words and Expressions
Specific
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  13. ^ a b c d e f "Football confederations". FIFA. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
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  29. ^ Ogden, Mark (7 April 2010). "Manchester United v Bayern Munich: Wayne Rooney's 'return' could be all in the mind". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
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  34. ^ Mole, Giles (14 May 2008). "Kapo gives Birmingham boot boy his car". The Daily Telegraph.
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  40. ^ "Steve Davis steps in as caretaker manager at Burnley". BBC Sport. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  41. ^ a b Viner, Brian (13 July 2009). "Great sporting moments: Brazil 4 Italy 1, 1970 World Cup final". The Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  42. ^ a b c d e FIFA: Laws of the Game. p. 10.
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  44. ^ "AFC Champions League". ESPN. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  45. ^ "Cairo to host CAF Champions League play-off". FIFA. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
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