---

If you can't beat them, join them! A Guide to Football Jargon

This page has been online for sometime now and rules and regulations are continually changing.  This information should be taken as a guide only, verification of current rules can be found on the official websites e.g.

http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules

A number of team ball games played in various parts of the world are called "football".  These include association football, rugby football, American football, Gaelic football and Australian rules football.   One of the most widely played of the games is association football, popularly known as "soccer". 

Soccer was born in Britain but it is popular in many parts of the world, particularly the rest of Europe and South America.

Soccer is played by two teams of 11 players, on a rectangular pitch 100 yards long and approximately 50 to 100 yards wide. It is played with a round leather ball, the circumference of which must not be more than 70 cms (28ins) or less than 68 cms (27 ins) and the weight not more than 450 gms (16 oz) or less than 410 gms (14 oz) at the start of the match. The pressure of the ball must be equal to 0.6 - 1.1 atmospheres (600-1100 g/cm²) at sea level i.e. 8.5 lb/sq. in - 15.6lb/sq.in.

A game lasts 90 minutes, with an interval in the middle.

Booked - when a player is deemed to have contravened the rules so his name and number are noted by the referee.

Caution - a warning by the referee for an offence committed during the match.  This is not as serious as a "booking".

Centre Spot - A spot marked in the centre of the halfway line from where the kick-off takes place.

Corner flags - Guess what, these are the flags placed in the four corners of the pitch from where corner kicks are taken.

Corner kick - This is the technical bit.  A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the ball passes over the defender's goal line, having last been played by a defender.

Cross - When a player kicks the ball from a position near the touchline into midfield, usually the penalty or goal area.

Direct free kick.  A kick given by the referee from which a goal can be scored directly by the player taking the kick.

Extra time - When a definite result is required (usually in a knock-out competition) and the score is level at the end of normal time i.e. 90 minutes, an extra 30 minutes is played i.e. 15 minutes each way is played.

In some instances the 'Golden Goal' rule applies whereby the first goal scored during extra time wins the match.

Foul - an infringement of the rules.

Goal - this is how the game is scored.  A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the line under the bar and between the goalposts, under conditions covered by the game.

Goal area,  The small rectangular area extending 6 yds./5.49 m each side of the goalposts and into the field of play.

Goal-kick - this is awarded when the ball has passed over the goal line either side of the goal mouth, having last been played by an attacking player.

Hand-ball.  When a player (other than the goal keeper) deliberately touches the ball with his hand on the field of play.  This is an offence and will be penalised.

Indirect free kick.  A kick awarded by the referee from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been touched by two or more players.

Injury time.  An amount of time added on to the normal 90 minutes to compensate for time taken in dealing with such things as injuries during the game.

Kick-off.  This takes place at the start of the game both at the beginning and after half-time, and also after a goal has been scored.   The ball is placed on the "Centre spot" and the ball must be played forward by the side kicking off.

Linesmen. The officials both sides of the pitch who help the referee in controlling the game.

Marking.  When players keep another player in close proximity to discourage passes to him and to restrict his movements if he does receive the ball.

Offside (the dreaded offside rule - another technical bit) An attacking player is "offside" when he is in the defending team's half of the pitch, nearer to the opponents' goal line than a defender at the moment that an attacking ball is played through to him by a team mate.

Your "offside rule" in the football section makes very complex something which is very simple (and neither of the two explanations up there are right!)

It is a common misconception that it's complicated when really it isn't.

The attacking player must have two opposing players (which can include the goalkeeper) between him and the goal when the ball is played to him. Otherwise he is offside.

Technically you must be interfering with play to be ruled offside but this isn't always followed.

As a Brazilian, I can´t help but be a soccer addicted. You didn´t mention an important detail of the soccer offside rule:

Whenever the ball - at the very moment it´s played to an attacking player by his team mate - is nearer the goal line then the attacking player there will be no offside. Even if there are no opposing players between the attacking player and the goal line.

José Luiz Chisnandes

Penalty.  This is a kick awarded by a referee when a defender fouls an opposing player or deliberately handles the ball in the penalty area.  The ball is placed on a spot marked on the pitch in front of the goal mouth and the kick is taken with only the goal keeper to beat.

Red card.  A card shown to a player by the referee after a serious offence, such as a deliberate foul.  If a player commits a less serious foul but has already been shown a "yellow" card, he then receives a Red card.  The player has to leave the field upon receipt of a red card.

Referee - the official in charge of the match.   He decided on rule infringements and awards the appropriate penalties (or not as the case maybe).

Reverse pass is when a player runs one way and passes the ball in the opposite direction.

Score draw is when both teams have scored the same number of goals.

Set Piece.  This is a series of well practised moves carried out by a team when taking corners, free kicks, throw-ins etc.

Selling a dummy.  This phrase is used when a player pretends to do one thing but then does something different, thereby confusing the opposing player (and sometimes his own!)

Striker.  An attacking player positioned well forward in order to score goals.

Strip is a term used for the players clothes.   This usually consists of team colours and the name of the club sponsors.   Teams normally have several "strips" in case an opposing team have similar colours which may cause confusion on the field.

Sweeper.  A player who stays behind the defensive line in order to "sweep" up any loose balls.

Through-ball. A pass to a colleague running forward by-passing the opposing defence.

Throw-in.  When the ball goes over the side lines and, therefore, out of play, a member from the team which was not the last to touch it, throws it back onto the field.

Touchline - the line which marks either side of the playing area of pitch.

Volley.  When a ball is kicked before bouncing.

Yellow card.  A card shown to a player by the referee as a penalty for infringement of the rules as a caution.  More serious than a caution, less serious than a "red card".