soccer terms

Bicycle Kick

An acrobatic strike where a player kicks the ball backwards over their head in mid-air.

Header

Using the head to direct the ball, typically to pass, score, or defend.

Midfield Line

The line that divides the soccer field into two halves.

Trap

Controlling the ball with any part of the body to gain possession.

Goal Kick

A kick taken by the defending team after the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line, last touched by an attacking player.

Corner Kick

A kick taken by the attacking team from the corner arc after the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line, last touched by a defending player.

Tackling

Challenging an opponent for the ball, attempting to dispossess them without fouling.

Corner Flag

The flag located at each of the four corners of the field, marking the intersection of the touchline and goal line.

Defender

A player positioned primarily to prevent the opposition from scoring.

Direct Free Kick

A free kick that can be shot directly into the goal.

Sideline/Touch Line

The longer sides of the field that mark the boundaries of play.

Drop Kick

A method of restarting play where a player drops the ball and kicks it after it bounces.

Free Kick

A kick awarded to a team after a foul committed by the opposition.

Goal Area

The rectangular area in front of the goal, inside which the goalkeeper can handle the ball and from where goal kicks are taken.

Goal Line

The line that spans the width of the field between the goalposts.

Midfielders

Players who operate primarily in the middle third of the field, linking defense and attack.

Forwards

Players positioned nearest to the opposing team's goal, responsible for scoring.

Offside

A rule stating that an attacking player cannot be in the opponents' half of the field and closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent when the ball is played to them.

Attacker

A player whose primary role is to score goals.

Corner Arc

The quarter-circle at each corner of the field from which corner kicks are taken.

Penalty Kick/Penalty Shot

A free shot at the goal from the penalty spot, awarded to the attacking team after a foul inside the penalty area.

Red Card

A disciplinary card shown by the referee to indicate a player has been ejected from the game.

Yellow Card

A disciplinary card shown by the referee to indicate a player has been cautioned for a foul.

Striker

A forward player whose primary role is to score goals.

Throw-in

A method of restarting play when the ball goes out of bounds over the touchline; the player throws the ball from behind their head with both hands.