> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://footballai.gitbook.io/football-ai-v2/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://footballai.gitbook.io/football-ai-v2/legal/glossary.md).

# Glossary

### Attacker <a href="#attacker" id="attacker"></a>

Any player on the team that has possession of the ball. 2. All players on the team are attackers / attacker.

### Attacking team <a href="#attackingteam" id="attackingteam"></a>

The team that has possession of the ball.

### Back header <a href="#backheader" id="backheader"></a>

A player's use of his head to direct the ball backwards.

### Balance <a href="#balance" id="balance"></a>

Positioning defenders away from the ball to protect the vital space behind the defense.

### Ball carrier <a href="#ballcarrier" id="ballcarrier"></a>

A player that has possession of the ball.

### Ball watching <a href="#ballwatching" id="ballwatching"></a>

Player focuses solely on the ball and loses sight of the opponent he or she is supposed to mark.

### Center circle <a href="#centercircle" id="centercircle"></a>

A circular marking with a 10-yard radius in the center of the field from which kickoffs are taken to start or restart the game.

### Center pass <a href="#centerpass" id="centerpass"></a>

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.

### Center spot <a href="#centerspot" id="centerspot"></a>

A small circular mark inside the center circle that denotes the center of the field from which kickoffs are taken to start or restart the game.

### Defending team <a href="#defendingteam" id="defendingteam"></a>

The team that does not have possession of the ball.

### Defense, back of the <a href="#defensebackofthe" id="defensebackofthe"></a>

The space between the goalkeeper and the defender nearest to him.

### Defense <a href="#defense" id="defense"></a>

A team's function of preventing the opposition from scoring.

### Field <a href="#field" id="field"></a>

The rectangular area where football/soccer matches are played.

### FIFA <a href="#fifa" id="fifa"></a>

Federation Internationale de Football Association - the official governing body of international football since 1904 which established the World Cup tournament; helps set and revise laws of the game.

### Flank (wing), attacking third <a href="#flankwingattackingthird" id="flankwingattackingthird"></a>

Cross the ball early from the flank (wing) in to the prime target area.

### Foul <a href="#foul" id="foul"></a>

A violation of the laws for which an official assesses a free kick.

### Free kick <a href="#free-kick" id="free-kick"></a>

A kick awarded to a players team for a foul committed by the opposition; the player kicks a stationary ball without any opposing players within 10 yards of the ball.

### Full volley <a href="#fullvolley" id="fullvolley"></a>

Shooting a ball directly out of the air.

### Goal area <a href="#goalarea" id="goalarea"></a>

The rectangular area 20 yards wide by 6 yards deep in front of each goal.

### Goal kick <a href="#goalkick" id="goalkick"></a>

A type of restart where the ball is kicked from inside the goal area; awarded to the defending team when a ball that crossed the goal line was last touched by a player on the attacking team.

### Goal line

The field boundary running along its width at each end; also called the end line; runs right across the front of the goal.

### Goal side of the ball <a href="#goalsideoftheball" id="goalsideoftheball"></a>

A position between the ball and the goal one is defending.

### Goal side position <a href="#goalsideposition" id="goalsideposition"></a>

Correct position of a defender when marking an opponent.

### Halftime

The intermission between the 2 periods or halves of a game.

### Hand ball <a href="#handball" id="handball"></a>

A foul where a player touches the ball with his hand or arm; the opposing team is awarded a direct free kick.

### Hat trick <a href="#hattrick" id="hattrick"></a>

3 or more [goals](https://www.afordawards.co.uk/soccer-terms#Goal) scored in a game by a single player.

### Header <a href="#header" id="header"></a>

The striking of a ball in the air by a player's head.