Positions
- Midfield
- Play on the right or left side of the field near the touchlines. Objective is to pass to the striker and help the defenders.
- Forward
- Striker: Main objective is scoring goals. Starts the game at the midfield line and goes as far forward as the opponent’s goal line, but usually does not go close to their own goal. These players usually kick off at the beginning of the game/halftime and are the ones who take penalty kicks.
- Center forward: Also known as main striker. Main focus of offensive plays.
- Second striker: Also known as support striker. Their main responsibility is to pass to create shots for center forwards and to score goals themselves.
- Defense
- Center-back: central defender. Stops the other team (especially the striker) from shooting. There are often two center-backs on the field. They can cover an area of the field or a specific player.
- Sweeper: Starts behind the defenders and in front of the goalie. Last defensive measure before the ball reaches the goalie.
- Full-back: Positioned on either side of the center-back. Defends against opposing wingers.
- Wing-back: Defenders more involved in offensive plays. Covers more ground and supports the midfield on the attack.
- Goalkeeper
- Last line of defense. Their job is to stop the other team from getting the ball in the net. Can touch the ball with their hands. Need to be agile with great reflexes.
Actions
- Bicycle kick
- When a player flips backward and kicks the ball over their head, most often for the purpose of scoring.
- Pass
- A kick from one player directly to another.
- Header
- Using the head to pass, shoot, block, or trap the ball.
- Corner kick
- When the ball crosses the goal line after last touching a defender, the possession is returned to the offense by the corner boundary of the field. Play restarts from the closest corner, often resulting in headers from the offense to shoot the ball into the goal.
- Clear
- When someone (typically defenders) kicks the ball away from the goal, usually far downfield or out of bounds.
- Cross
- A pass sent from a player closer to the sidelines across the field to near the goal so as to create a scoring opportunity.
- Slide tackle
- When you try to steal the ball from someone else that is too far away by sticking a foot out and sliding into the ball, falling to the side. This is legal if there is only contact with the ball. However, it is illegal if there is contact with the player. Can be very dangerous.
- Free kick
- A kick sent from the spot of the foul, given to the team who was fouled. the opposing team must stand at least 10 yards away until the ball is kicked.
- Goal kick
- When the offense sends the ball over the goal line, the defense kicks the ball from within the goal area, often on the corner edge of the 18. Opposing players are not allowed to enter the penalty area until the ball has been kicked.
- Dribble
- Keeping control of the ball while running.
- Juggling
- Performing a series of touches while keeping the ball from hitting the ground.
- Kickoff
- At the start of each half and after each goal, the ball is put into play from the center circle.
- Marking
- Guarding an opponent.
- Punt
- A long distance kick by the goalkeeper, who drops and kicks the ball before it hits the ground. Intended to clear the ball from the goal and bring it up as close as possible to scoring range.
- Save
- When the ball is prevented from entering the goal. Can be done by any member on the field, but is most frequently done by the goalie.
- Throw-in
- A pass sent from out of bounds on the sidelines to put the ball back into play. Used when the ball goes out of bounds. Whichever team last contacted the ball is responsible for the out of bounds, and possession is given to the opposing team.
- Trapping
- Stopping the ball to gain control before advancing.
- Volley
- Kicking the ball while it is in midair.
Additional terminology |
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Photo used under Creative Commons from josefwells