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Soccer Terms
This document provides a simple glossary of common terms used in the sport of soccer (also known as football).
General Terms- Pitch: The field of play.
- Goal: The net at each end of the pitch that a team tries to score in, as well as the act of scoring.
- Match/Game: A contest between two teams.
- Halftime: The interval between the two halves of a match.
- Extra Time/Stoppage Time: Time added to the end of each half to account for delays during the match (e.g., injuries, substitutions).
- Fixture: A scheduled match.
- Substitutions (Subs): Replacing a player on the pitch with another player from the bench.
- Tackling: Using the feet to take the ball away from an opponent.
Position | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
Goalkeeper | GK | Protects the goal; the only player who can use their hands within the penalty area. |
Defender | DEF | Plays primarily in front of the goalkeeper to prevent the opposing team from scoring. |
Midfielder | MID | Plays in the middle third of the pitch, linking defense and attack. |
Forward/Striker | FOR | Plays closest to the opponent's goal and is responsible for scoring. |
Center Back | CB | Central defender, often positioned in the middle of the defense. |
Fullback | FB | Defenders who play on the flanks (sides) of the pitch. |
- Dribbling: Moving the ball by taking short taps with the feet.
- Passing: Kicking the ball to a teammate.
- Heading: Hitting the ball with the head.
- Offside: A rule violation where an attacking player is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender (usually the last defender and the goalkeeper) when the ball is passed to them.
- Foul: An illegal action committed by a player that results in a free kick or penalty kick for the opposing team.
- Handball: A foul where a player touches the ball with their hand or arm, except for the goalkeeper inside their own penalty area.
- Penalty Kick (PK): A free shot taken from 12 yards out toward the goal, awarded for a foul committed within the penalty area.
- Free Kick: A kick awarded to a team when the opposing team commits a foul.
- Direct Free Kick: Can be scored directly into the goal.
- Indirect Free Kick: Must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.
These are restarts of play from a stationary ball:
Set Piece | Location/Situation |
|---|---|
Throw-in | Awarded when the ball goes out of bounds over the touchline (side line); taken with two hands over the head. |
Corner Kick | Awarded when the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line after being last touched by a defender; taken from the corner of the pitch. |
Goal Kick | Awarded when the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line after being last touched by an attacker; taken from the goal area. |
Penalty Shootout | A tie-breaking procedure where players from each team alternate taking penalty kicks against the opposing goalkeeper. |
Additional information about the team roster can be found in the official Team Roster File.
- Clean Sheet: When a team does not concede a goal in a match.
- Yellow Card: A caution given to a player for a less serious offense.
- Red Card: A dismissal from the match, given either for a serious foul or after receiving a second yellow card. The player's team must play with one less player.
- Venue: The stadium or facility where the match is played.
- Referee: The official in charge of enforcing the rules on the pitch.
