SOCCER TERMINOLOGY

Click here to see field diagram.

Sideline / Touchline
The long boundary lines on each side of the field.

Goal Line / End Line
The short boundary lines at each end of the field.

Halfway Line
The line that divides the field into two halves.

Center Circle
The circle at midfield. Opponents must stay outside it during kickoffs.

Center Mark
The spot in the center of the field where kickoffs are taken.

Penalty Area (The Box)
The large box in front of each goal. The goalkeeper may use their hands only inside this area, and certain fouls here can result in a penalty kick.

Goal Area (6-yard box)
The smaller box inside the penalty area. Goal kicks are taken from here.

Corner Arc
The curved marking in each corner where corner kicks are taken.

Corner Marks
Small markings/flags at each corner of the field. Corner kicks are taken from the corner arc nearest where the ball went out.

Build-Out Line (U10)
A line used at U10. On goal kicks or when the goalkeeper has the ball in their hands, opponents must retreat behind this line and wait until play restarts before applying pressure.

Wing
The wide areas of the field near the sidelines.

Middle / Central Area
The area running through the center of the field. This is the most dangerous space defensively.

Half-Space
The area between the wing and the central area.

Defensive Third / Middle Third / Attacking Third
The field divided into three horizontal sections to describe location and risk.

Near Post / Back Post
Near post: the goalpost closest to the ball.
Back post: the goalpost farthest from the ball.

Kickoff
The restart that begins each half and restarts play after a goal.

Throw-In
Restart when the ball fully crosses the sideline. Taken by the team that did not touch it last.

Goal Kick
Restart for the defending team when the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line (and no goal is scored).

Corner Kick
Restart for the attacking team when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line (and no goal is scored).

Drop Ball
Restart used when the referee stops play for a reason not caused by a foul (injury, safety issue, referee interference, etc.).

Advantage
When the referee allows play to continue after a foul because the fouled team is in a better position if play continues.

Direct Free Kick
A free kick where a goal can be scored directly.

Indirect Free Kick
A free kick where the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.

Penalty Kick (PK)
A special restart awarded when a direct-free-kick foul occurs inside the defending team’s penalty area. Taken from the penalty mark.

Handball
Illegal contact with the arm. In soccer, the “arm” includes the hand, forearm, and arm up to the shoulder.

Offside
A rule about position and timing. A player can be offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal than both the ball and the second-to-last defender at the moment the ball is played to them, and they become involved in the play.

Touch
Any contact with the ball.

First Touch
The first contact a player makes when receiving the ball, which often determines what they can do next.

Trap
Bringing the ball under control using the foot, thigh, chest, or head so it can be played next.

Shield / Shielding
Using the body to protect the ball from an opponent without pushing or fouling.

Short Pass
A controlled pass to a nearby teammate, usually used to keep possession.

Firm Pass
A faster, more driven pass used to beat pressure or move the ball quickly.

Square Pass
A sideways pass across the field to keep possession or change the point of attack.

Back Pass (General)
A backward pass to a teammate to reset play or keep possession.

Back Pass to the Goalkeeper
A deliberate pass from a player to their own goalkeeper. The keeper cannot use their hands to touch the ball in this scenario. If the goalkeeper uses their hands, an indirect free kick is awarded.

Set (Layoff, Drop Pass)
A short, intentional pass…often backward or sideways…played to keep possession or allow a teammate to play forward.

Lead Pass
A pass played into a teammate’s path so they can run onto it without stopping.

Through Ball
A pass played into open space behind defenders for a teammate to run onto.

Lofted Pass
A pass lifted into the air to get the ball over defenders or into space.

Chipped Pass
A short, soft lofted pass played over a defender.

Cross
A pass played from a wide area into the space in front of the goal.

Switch (Switch the Field)
Moving the ball from one side of the field to the other to escape pressure and find space.

One-Touch
Playing the ball immediately with a single touch, without controlling it first.

Two-Touch
Controlling the ball with one touch, then passing or shooting with the second.

Assist
The pass or touch that directly leads to a goal.

Dummy
Intentionally letting the ball run past without touching it to deceive defenders.

Nutmeg
Playing the ball through an opponent’s legs. 

Check
A sudden movement in one direction followed by an immediate reversal in the opposite direction to create separation from a defender.

Check In (also called check to, checking to the ball)
A two-part movement where you first sprint away from the ball to push your defender back, then quickly plant and sprint toward the ball to receive a pass to your feet.

Check Out (also called check away, check off)
A two-part movement where you first move toward the ball carrier to draw your defender in, then abruptly sprint away into the open space behind them to receive a pass into space, often a through ball.

Drop
Moving backward to provide a safer passing option or defensive support.

Tuck In
A wide player moving toward the middle to stay connected to teammates or protect space.

Recovery Run
A sprint back toward your own goal after losing possession. 

Breakaway
An attacking situation where a player has gotten behind the defense and is moving toward goal with little or no pressure.

Finish
The final action, usually a shot, that results in a goal.

Second Ball
The loose ball that follows a tackle, clearance, rebound, or deflection.

Press
Actively closing down the opponent with the ball to limit their time and force a decision.

Pressure
The effect created by a press, where the ball carrier feels rushed or limited.

Delay
Slowing down the attacker instead of trying to win the ball immediately, allowing teammates time to recover.

Mark
Staying close to an opponent to limit their ability to receive the ball or turn.

Tackle
An attempt to win the ball from an opponent.

Clear / Clearing
Removing the ball from danger, usually by kicking it away from the middle or away from your own goal.

Goal-Side
Positioning yourself between the ball and your own goal.

Ball-Side
Positioning yourself closer to the ball than the opponent you are defending.

Shape
How a team is spaced and organized on the field at any moment.

Compact
Players staying closer together to reduce space for the opponent.

Spread Out
Players spacing farther apart to create space and passing options.

Possession
Keeping control of the ball as a team, with intention.

Transition
The moment when possession changes from one team to the other.

Sweeper
A defender who plays behind the main defensive line and focuses on cleaning up loose balls and danger.

Time
You have space and no immediate pressure.

Pressure (callout)
A defender is close and the ball carrier needs to act quickly.

Turn
You have space behind you to turn and face forward.

Man On
A defender is coming from behind or very close — protect the ball immediately.

Hold
Keep possession and don’t force a risky play.

Wide
Move toward the sideline to create space and an outlet.

Drop (callout)
Move backward to be a safe option.

Step
Move up to close space or apply pressure (often used with defenders).