Glossary
Attacker
Any player on the team that has possession of the ball. 2. All players on the team are attackers / attacker.
Attacking team
The team that has possession of the ball.
Back header
A player's use of his head to direct the ball backwards.
Balance
Positioning defenders away from the ball to protect the vital space behind the defense.
Ball carrier
A player that has possession of the ball.
Ball watching
Player focuses solely on the ball and loses sight of the opponent he or she is supposed to mark.
Center circle
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 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 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
The team that does not have possession of the ball.
Defense, back of the
The space between the goalkeeper and the defender nearest to him.
Defense
A team's function of preventing the opposition from scoring.
Field
The rectangular area where football/soccer matches are played.
FIFA
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
Cross the ball early from the flank (wing) in to the prime target area.
Foul
A violation of the laws for which an official assesses a free kick.
Free kick
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
Shooting a ball directly out of the air.
Goal area
The rectangular area 20 yards wide by 6 yards deep in front of each goal.
Goal kick
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 position between the ball and the goal one is defending.
Goal side position
Correct position of a defender when marking an opponent.
Halftime
The intermission between the 2 periods or halves of a game.
Hand ball
A foul where a player touches the ball with his hand or arm; the opposing team is awarded a direct free kick.
Hat trick
Header
The striking of a ball in the air by a player's head.
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