Field
of play
Glossary
| bicycle kick: | Aerial kick done while jumping up and backward. Also called scissors. |
| center circle: | Circle at the center of the field with a radius of 10 yards from the center spot. |
| center line: | The line dividing the field in half. |
| center spot: | Spot at the center of the field from which kickoffs are taken. |
| chest trap: | Stopping the ball in the air by using the chest. |
| collecting: | Receiving and controlling a ball before putting it in play. |
| corner area: | Arc around each field's four corners from which corner kicks are taken. |
| corner kick: | Direct free kick from the corner area after the ball is played out of bound by the defending team and behind the goal line. |
| dangerous play: | Minor violation such as high kick that could cause injury to another player. |
| defense: | When the players move the ball away from their own goal. |
| direct free kick: |
Kick that can score without the ball being touch first by another player. Awarded after a major violation of the opposing team. |
| diving: | Used by goalkeepers to save a shot on goal. |
| diving header: | To hit the ball in an advanced move with the head. |
| dribbling: | Running while keeping the control of the ball with the feet. |
| forward: | Offense player position, goal scorers. |
| fullback: | Defense player position, works with the goalkeeper. |
| goal: | Area between the goalposts and the crossbar. The ball need to be completely inside to score. |
| goal area: | Area from which goal kicks are taken.(See field of play) |
| goalkeeper: | One of the team's 11 players, defender of the goal. He is the only player who can use his or her hand to play the ball except for a throw-in. |
| goal kick: | Free kick taken by the defending team after the ball goes out and was last touch by the opposing team. |
| handball: | A major violation, use of the hands to play by anyone other than the two goalkeepers. |
| header: | Play the ball by hitting it with the forehead. |
| heel pass: | The passer stops the ball and hits it back with his heel. |
| indirect free kick: | A free kick that cannot score without first touching another player. They are awarded when the opponent team commits minor violation. |
| instep: | Part of the foot covered by the shoelaces. Used for powerful kicks. |
| juggling: | Keeping the ball in the air by making little touches with the feet, thighs, chest and head. |
| kickoff: | Way to put the ball in play at the start of a game, after half-time, and after a goal. The ball is play from the center spot and must rotate one full turn before being touch by another player. |
| major violation: | Include handball, holding, pushing and tripping. The opposing team is awarded a free kick. |
| marking: | Defending by staying close to an opponent. |
| midfielder: | Between the forwards and fullbacks. Must play both offense and defense. |
| minor violation: | A foul as dangerous play, obstruction and offside. The opponent team is awarded a indirect free kick. |
| obstruction: | Deliberate attempt to block a player's movement instead of playing the ball. |
| offside: | The player is on the opponent's half of the field with only one opponent between the player and the goal when the ball is played. It is a minor violation. |
| passing: | Playing the ball to a teammate by kicking or heading. |
| penalty arc: | The arc connected to the penalty area, outside of which players must stand during a penalty kick. |
| penalty area: | In front of each goal(See field of play), the goalkeeper can use his hands to play only within this area. If a major violation is committed inside this area the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick. |
| penalty kick: | A direct free kick awarded after a major foul within the penalty area. The ball is placed on the penalty spot , all players must leave the area leaving only the goalie to defend. |
| penalty spot: | Spot located 12 yards in front the center of the goal. |
| punt: | One of the ways the goalkeeper may put the ball into play after making a save by an aerial kick with his or her laces. Punting enables the goalie to send the ball far downfield. |
| red card: | The referee's signal to inform a player that he or she is expelled. |
| shooting: | Attempt to score a goal. |
| shot on goal: | Attempt to score that require a save. |
| sliding tackle: | An advance defensive technique used to quickly take the ball away from an opponent by sliding. |
| support pass: | A pass to a teammate positioned behind the passer. |
| tackle: | Defensive technique used to take the ball away form an opponent. |
| throw-in: | Returning the ball into play after it has been played out of bound over the sideline by an opponent. |
| trapping: | Collecting,stopping and controlling the ball. |
| volley pass: | A one-touch pass made in the air. |
| wing: | Player in the outside forward position. |
| yellow card: | A referee's warning signal to a player to inform him or her that another misconduct will result in being expelled. |
