Soccer Vocabulary:

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Soccer Vocabulary A Guide to Positions
Techniques
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Positions Goalkeeper Keeps the ball out of
the goal and organizes team defense. Uses hands
and arms within the penalty area. Possesses sure
hands to catch, deflect, or punch shots away from
the goal. Also called goalie or
keeper. Forwards Attack the opposition to
create scoring opportunities. Take the majority
of shots. Also called attackers. Midfielders
Enable the transition from the fullbacks to the
forward. Constantly in motion, both defending and
attacking. Also called halfbacks. Fullbacks
Provide last line of defense before the goalie.
Stop the opposition before a shot is taken. Some
coaches assign a single defender, called a
sweeper, who plays closest to his own goal behind
the fullbacks.
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Important Skills and Traits of a Soccer Player
Player

Technical Ability 
Ball Control
Passing
Dribbling
Heading
Finishing

Tactical Awareness
In Attack
In Defense

Physical Aspects
Endurance
Speed
Agility
Strength

Personality traits
Drive
Aggressiveness
Determination
Responsibility
Leadership
Self-Confidence
Mental Toughness
Coachability
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Cross A pass sent from near the sidelines to the
front of the goal to create a scoring
opportunity. Also called centering.
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Clear When defenders kick the ball away from the
goal, usually far downfield or out of bounds
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Dribble Keeping control of the ball while
running by tapping, dragging, or rolling it in
front of the body.
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Free kick A kick from the spot of the foul,
awarded to the team that was fouled, in which the
opposing players must stand at least 10 yards
away until the ball is kicked. A free kick is
either a direct kick or an indirect kick,
depending on the type of foul.
Direct kick A unguarded kick awarded following
severe fouls, such as kicking, tripping, jumping
at, charging, striking, pushing, holding or
spitting at an opponent. When tackling an
opponent, the player must first make contact with
the ball or a direct kick results. Additionally
called for hand ball. A goal can be scored
directly from the kick it does not need to touch
an additional player after the kick.
Indirect kick An unguarded kick following minor
fouls, such as offsides, dangerous play (e.g.
high kick), impeding the progress of an opponent,
or preventing the goalie from releasing the ball.
The ball must touch at least one player after the
kick before a goal can be scored.
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Goal kick When the offense sends the ball over
the goal line, the defense kicks the ball from
within the goal area. Opposing players may not
enter the penalty area until the ball has been
kicked.
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Corner kick When the ball crosses the goal line
after last touching a defender, a member of the
offense restarts play from the closest corner.
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Man on Players yell man on to inform a
teammate that a defender is nearby.
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Kickoff The ball is put into play from the
center circle at the start of each half and after
a goal.
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Marking Guarding an opponent
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Offsides Foul frequently enforced during a game
to prevent unfair fast-break goals. Called when a
player is closer to the oppositions goal line
than both the ball and two defenders (the goalie
and one additional defender).
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Penalty kick When a foul is called inside the
penalty box, the offense is awarded a direct kick
from the penalty spot. Only the goalkeeper can
stop this shot attempt.
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Nutmeg A pass that goes between an opponents
legs
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Throw-in A two-handed, overhead pass, taken from
the sideline when the opposing team knocks the
ball out of bounds.
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Tackle To steal the ball from a player. Stealing
the ball by sliding in front of a player is
called a slide tackle.
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Punt A long distance kick by the goalie, who
drops and kicks the ball before it hits the
ground.
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Volley Kicking the ball while it is in midair.
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Trapping Stopping the ball to gain control
before advancing
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Touch Contact that a player has with the ball
while it is in his possession (e.g. one-touch,
two-touch, etc.)
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Other important terms for Heel Pass Eyes
in the back of your head - Back Heel Pass
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vdwsmBdL9jR8feature
player Flat or Square Open Send Ti
me Pick Up Say Support Down
Line
Talking to your teammates
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Other important terms for
Defensive Play
Contain - Never charge at the ball unless you are
absolutely sure that you will get it. If the
enemy has the ball in control at his feet you
must contain him. To contain (or jockey) your
opponent means to position yourself in front of
him and wait until he releases the ball far
enough for you to intercept it. Some dribblers
will move the ball without providing you with
adequate time for a tackle. All you can do in
such cases is remain between the ball carrier and
your own goal and wait until he errs. Containing
(jockeying)When containing an attacker you must
lower your center of gravity by bending your
knees and leaning forward. Backpedal if the
attacker moves sideways. Never face a dribbler
straight on, because he will put the ball between
your legs or he may run by you. You won't have
the time to make a complete 180-degree turn.
Instead, approach the ball carrier at a 45-degree
angle forcing him towards the sideline. Be
prepared to move laterally with your opponent, do
not just lunge at him.
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Other important terms for
Defensive Play
Challenge/Tackles Block tackle The block tackle
is the most basic way of depleting an opponent of
the ball. It is designed to give you possession
while keeping you on your feet. Plant your
supporting foot firmly so that you don't lose
balance. Then, just as your opponent contacts the
ball, you must put your free foot perpendicularly
to the direction in which he is moving. If
executed properly, this will cause your enemy to
stumble or cough up the ball. Poke tackle With
poke tackling, you basically stab the ball away
from your opponent. You must use the foot which
is closer to the ball. This method does not
guarantee that you will gain possession of the
ball. Slide tackle Although spectacular, slide
tackling should not be used unless in desperation
or when you're away from your own goal. It can
also be very effective against opponents
dribbling down the sideline or shielding the ball
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Some Passing Terms
1. One Touch Pass one touch is used to make the
pass.2. Two Touch Pass trap with one foot and
pass with the other.3. Lead Pass pass that is
played in front of teammate so they can run onto
the ball.4. Square Pass pass that is played
directly to teammate. (also called flat)5. Drop
Pass pass that is played back to keep
possession.6. Give n Go player plays pass to
teammate and then makes a run behind the defense
and teammate plays a lead pass directly back to
him.7. Through Pass a pass played to bypass
something, example would be either defensive
backline or midfield line.8. Overlapping Pass
while a teammate is making an overlapping run
player with ball plays a lead pass to the player
making the run.