Football (Soccer) Vocabulary: 253 Key English Terms

The player who defends the goal and is the only one allowed to handle the ball, but only inside their own penalty area.

A player whose main job is to stop the other team from attacking and scoring, usually playing in the line closest to their own goal.

A player who operates in the middle of the pitch, linking defence and attack by winning the ball back and moving it forward.

An attacking player who plays closest to the opponents' goal and whose main job is to score goals.

A player who starts the match on the bench and can come on to replace a teammate during the game.

The player chosen to lead the team on the pitch, who wears the armband, takes part in the coin toss and is the referee's main contact.

A defender who plays on the right or left side of the back line, defending against wingers and often joining attacks down the flank.

A defender who plays in the middle of the back line, marking strikers, winning headers and clearing danger from the penalty area.

An attacking player who plays near the touchline on the right or left, using pace and dribbling to beat defenders and create chances.

A midfielder who plays just in front of the defence, breaks up the opponents' attacks and keeps the ball moving with simple passes.

A creative player, often a midfielder, who directs the team's attacking play and creates chances with clever passes and vision.

A central forward who drops into deeper areas to link play and draw defenders out of position.

A defender who covers behind the other defenders and deals with balls that get past them.

A goalkeeper who regularly operates well away from the goal to deal with balls behind the defence.

A forward used as the main receiver of direct passes, often holding the ball for teammates.

A forward especially good at scoring from short-range chances and loose balls near goal.

An attacker who supports a main striker, often operating slightly behind them.

An attacker who operates inside the wide players, or moves in from a wide starting position to attack goal.

A player able to fill several different positions when the team needs cover.

A point scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar; also the frame with a net that teams try to put the ball into.

To get a goal by putting the ball into the opponents' net. As a noun, the score is the number of goals each team has at a given moment.

A kick, header or throw that sends the ball to a teammate. As a verb, to pass means to send the ball to a teammate in this way.

An attempt to score by kicking or heading the ball towards the opponents' goal.

An attempt to take the ball away from an opponent with your feet. A fair tackle wins the ball; a mistimed or reckless one is a foul.

A shot or pass made by hitting the ball with the head, usually with the forehead.

A pass from the side of the pitch into the penalty area, aimed at a teammate who can head or shoot. As a verb, to cross means to deliver such a pass.

To run with the ball while keeping it under control with small touches, often to get past one or more opponents.

The final pass or touch that sets up a teammate to score a goal.

A goalkeeper's action of stopping a shot or header from going in by catching, blocking or pushing the ball away.

A goal that a player accidentally scores into their own team's net, so it counts for the opponents.

A kick or header by a defender that sends the ball away from danger near their own goal.

A forward pass played between or behind defenders into space, so that a teammate can run onto it and go through on goal.

A player's first contact with the ball on receiving it, especially the control that contact provides.

A kick made just after the ball bounces, before it has risen far from the ground.

A kick that strikes an airborne ball before it touches the ground.

An acrobatic kick made with the body leaning backward in the air and the legs moving over it.

A pass or shot made by striking the ball backward with the heel.

A move in which a player sends the ball between an opponent's legs.

A feint in which a player circles a foot over the ball to suggest a change of direction.

A kick made by crossing the kicking leg behind the standing leg to strike the ball.

A high, arcing kick intended to send the ball over an opponent.

A pass played backward from near the opponents' goal line towards an arriving teammate.

A passing move in which a player passes to a teammate and immediately receives the ball back after moving.

To move with an attacker while staying balanced and delaying a challenge for the ball.

A move in which a player pulls the ball backward with the sole of the foot, often before turning.

A shot struck with very little spin, so its flight may move unpredictably.

A loose ball available after an initial challenge, clearance or aerial duel.

A poorly judged pass that exposes the receiver to an immediate, heavy challenge.

A partly turned body position that helps a receiver see and play towards the attacking direction.

An attacking run made outside a defender's immediate field of vision.

A supporting forward run made inside a teammate who is carrying the ball in a wide position.

A header that redirects the ball with a light, angled contact rather than a full impact.

A header made while a player launches the body forward through the air to reach the ball.

A movement suggesting one action or direction while the player intends another.

To secure a low or loose ball by covering it closely with the hands and body.

A standing challenge in which a defender uses a firm foot position to stop or win the ball.

A quick kick made with the toe of the boot, often with little backswing.

Using the chest to cushion an airborne ball and bring it into a playable position.

A pass struck firmly so the ball travels quickly, usually on a low or relatively flat path.

An unfair or illegal action against an opponent, such as tripping, pushing or holding, for which the referee gives a free kick or a penalty.

Describes an attacker who, in the opponents' half, is nearer their goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent when a teammate plays the ball, and then takes part in play.

The break between the two halves of a match, which must not be longer than 15 minutes, when players rest and coaches give instructions.

The kick from the centre spot that starts each half and restarts play after a goal; also the time a match is due to start.

Minutes the referee adds at the end of each half to make up for time lost through substitutions, injuries, VAR checks and other delays.

Two additional periods of 15 minutes played in some knockout matches when the score is level after 90 minutes; if it is still level, a penalty shootout follows.

An offence in which a player, other than the goalkeeper in their own penalty area, touches the ball with the hand or arm in a way the rules do not allow.

To fall on purpose as if fouled, to trick the referee into giving a free kick or penalty; the official name for this is simulation.

Replacing a player on the pitch with a substitute; the number allowed depends on the competition, and a player who comes off cannot return.

The rule restricting a goalkeeper's handling of a ball deliberately kicked to them by a teammate.

A restart in which the referee drops the ball after a stoppage requiring no other specified restart.

Trying to play the ball in a way that threatens injury, including making an opponent afraid to challenge.

Entering a restricted area or moving too close before a restart permits it, especially at a penalty.

A disciplinary measure that removes a player for a limited period in competitions using this system.

A match that has started but is ended without reaching its scheduled completion.

A permitted pause in a match that gives players time to cool down in hot conditions.

A short permitted interruption in play during which players can take drinks.

The official in charge of a match who applies the rules, blows the whistle, gives fouls and shows yellow and red cards.

A card the referee shows to caution a player for offences such as reckless tackles, time-wasting or dissent; a second one in the same match means a red card.

A card the referee shows to send a player off for a serious offence, such as violent conduct or denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity; the team then plays with one player fewer.

Video assistant referee: officials who watch replays and advise the referee about clear and obvious errors in key, match-changing situations.

One of the two officials who run along the touchlines with a flag, signalling offside, throw-ins, goal kicks and fouls the referee may have missed.

To order a player to leave the pitch for the rest of the match by showing a red card.

A caution shown with a yellow card, which the referee writes down in a notebook; to be booked means to receive a yellow card.

The referee's decision to let play continue after a foul because stopping it would hurt the team that was fouled.

A ban that stops a player from playing in one or more matches, usually after a red card or after collecting too many yellow cards.

The match official who stands between the two technical areas, manages substitutions, shows the added time and helps the referee with other duties.

A system that helps officials determine whether the whole ball has crossed the goal line for a goal.

Tracking technology that helps video officials assess offside positions using player and ball data.

A video match official who assists the VAR with monitoring and other review-related duties.

A VAR check that normally requires no communication to the referee because no intervention is indicated.

Temporary marking spray used by a referee to indicate positions at a free kick.

A shot at goal from the penalty spot, 11 metres (12 yards) from the goal line, given when a defender commits a direct free-kick offence inside their own penalty area.

A kick awarded after a foul or another offence by the opponents, taken from where the offence happened while opponents stand at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) away.

A kick from the corner of the pitch, given to the attacking team when the ball crosses the goal line after last touching a defending player and no goal is scored.

The restart when the ball crosses a touchline: a player from the team that did not touch it last throws it in with both hands from behind and over the head.

A planned move from a restart of play, such as a corner kick, free kick or throw-in, which is usually practised in training.

A line of defending players standing side by side, at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball, to block a free kick aimed at their goal.

A kick from inside the goal area, given to the defending team when the ball crosses the goal line after last touching an attacker and no goal is scored.

A corner routine beginning with a short pass to a nearby teammate instead of an immediate cross.

A delivery whose curve takes the ball towards the goal as it travels into the penalty area.

A delivery whose curve takes the ball away from the goal as it enters the penalty area.

A penalty taken with a gentle lifted shot towards the centre as the taker anticipates a goalkeeper's dive.

The way a team arranges its outfield players on the pitch, written as numbers from defence to attack, such as 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

The list of players a team starts a match with, usually including their positions, published about an hour before kick-off.

A fast attack launched straight after winning the ball back, aiming to score before the opponents can reorganise their defence.

Control of the ball by a team; also the percentage of time each team has the ball during a match.

A tactic in which players close down opponents quickly to win the ball back, often high up the pitch near the opponents' goal.

A defensive set-up in which the back line stays far up the pitch, keeping the team compact and catching attackers offside, but leaving space behind.

Staying close to an opponent, or guarding an area, to stop them receiving the ball or getting a clear shot or header.

A defensive tactic in which defenders step up together just before a pass is played, leaving attackers in an offside position.

To defend very deep with almost all players behind the ball, focusing on not conceding rather than on attacking.

A coordinated defensive shape positioned mainly in the middle part of the pitch.

Two central midfielders forming a supporting pair in front of the defence.

A vertical attacking channel between the central corridor and the wide flank.

The positioning of players during an attack to control danger if their team loses the ball.

The space behind a pressing defender where an opponent is screened from a direct pass.

A coordinated plan that invites a pass into an area where defenders then close down the receiver.

An approach that organises players' positions to create useful spaces, passing angles and access through opponents.

The phase in which a team changes from attacking to defending after losing the ball.

The phase in which a team changes from defending to attacking after winning the ball.

A route through space along which a player can send the ball to a teammate.

A pass that moves the ball beyond a line of opposing players into space on its other side.

The side of the pitch farther from the ball, often receiving less immediate defensive attention.

A midfield arrangement with a deeper player, two side players and a more advanced player forming a diamond.

A style associated with repeated short passes and coordinated movement to retain and circulate the ball.

A defensive system historically associated with tight marking and an extra covering defender behind the line.

An attacking approach that sends the ball forward quickly with long passes, bypassing midfield buildup.

An approach in which players interchange positions while teammates maintain the team's overall organisation.

A run back towards a defensive position after an opponent or the ball has moved beyond a player.

A run intended to draw defenders away and create space for another attacker.

The ability to retain or progress the ball while opponents apply close pressure.

A run by a third player to receive through a teammate rather than directly from the original passer.

A tactic of drawing opponents towards a crowded area before moving the ball to an isolated attacker elsewhere.

Moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other to change the point of attack.

A game of football between two teams, normally made up of two 45-minute halves, with stoppage time added at the end of each half.

A result in which both teams finish the match with the same number of goals. As a verb, to draw means to finish level.

A competition in which teams play each other over a season, usually home and away, and are ranked in a table by points.

A match in which a team, and especially its goalkeeper, does not concede a single goal.

To win a match against another team. You beat a team, but you win a match, a game or a trophy.

The list that ranks the teams in a league by points, with goal difference and other figures; also called the league table or standings.

The way a drawn knockout match is decided: each team takes five penalties in turn, then one each in sudden death if they are still level.

Dropping down to a lower division at the end of the season after finishing in one of the bottom places of the league.

Moving up to a higher division at the end of the season by finishing in one of the top places or by winning a play-off.

A match arranged for a particular date; the fixtures, or the fixture list, are all the matches a team or league has scheduled for the season.

The number of goals a team has scored minus the number it has conceded, used to separate teams that are level on points in a league table.

A match a team plays at the opponents' stadium rather than at its own ground.

A match whose result cannot change the relevant qualification or championship outcome already decided.

A match between close rivals in which winning also prevents the other side gaining points.

Unable to represent a new club in a cup because earlier participation creates an eligibility restriction.

A victory by a much smaller or less-favoured team over a powerful opponent.

A team's progress through successive rounds of a cup competition.

Three major competition titles won by the same team in one season.

Matches a team has yet to play compared with rivals who have already played more fixtures.

A penalty that removes points from a team's total in a competition.

A tournament group considered unusually difficult because it contains several strong teams.

In English men’s football, describing clubs outside the Premier League and the English Football League.

A prolonged period in which a player or team fails to score goals.

An award given to a leading goalscorer in a competition or defined set of competitions.

A sequence of consecutive matches won by the same team or player.

A match played again because an earlier meeting did not produce a settled result under the competition's rules.

A tie-breaking rule under which the team with more away goals advances when the aggregate score is level.

In British football, the person in charge of the first team who picks the side, decides tactics and often has a say in transfers.

The person in charge of training, tactics and team selection; at many clubs the role focuses on coaching, while a sporting director handles transfers.

All the players available to a team for a season or a competition, from whom the starting eleven and the substitutes are chosen.

Physical damage to a player's body, such as a muscle strain or a broken bone, that can stop them from training or playing.

A planned period of practice in which a team works on fitness, technique and tactics under the coaches' guidance.

The seats beside the pitch for the substitutes and coaching staff; also the group of substitutes available in a match.

A club's organised programme for developing young players through training and competition.

A club's secondary team, providing playing opportunities outside the main first team.

A person temporarily put in charge of a team while the club decides on a longer-term appointment.

Someone who combines playing for a team with managing that same team.

A staff member responsible for preparing, organising and maintaining a team's clothing and equipment.

A player being assessed by a club before it decides whether to offer a place or contract.

The readiness to meet a match's physical demands and pace, developed through relevant training and playing.

A practice game with special constraints designed to encourage a particular football behaviour.

Practice of a planned sequence of movements and passes that a team hopes to use in matches.

A light sleeveless garment worn over training clothes to identify players or teams during practice.

An adapted form of football in which players walk rather than run.

A player-assessment event open to applicants who meet the organiser's stated entry conditions.

Training in which players rehearse an action or pattern without opponents actively trying to stop them.

Describing play or a drill in which a player uses, or is allowed, up to two touches before releasing the ball.

Describing play in which the ball is passed or struck with the first contact, without being controlled first.

A staff member who studies match footage or data to explain performance and support coaching decisions.

A person assigned to collect or supply balls around the pitch during a match.

The move of a player from one club to another, usually with a fee paid to the selling club and a new contract for the player.

One of the fixed periods in the year when clubs are allowed to register new players, usually a long one in summer and a shorter one in winter.

For a club, to bring a player in on a contract; for a player, to agree a contract and join a club.

An arrangement in which a player temporarily joins another club for a set period, often a season, while still under contract with their parent club.

The amount of money a buying club pays a selling club to take a player who is still under contract there.

A clause in a player's contract that sets a fee; if another club pays it, the player's club must let them leave or start talks.

A player whose contract has ended or been cancelled, so they can join any club without a transfer fee.

The health and fitness examination a player goes through before a transfer is completed, to check for injuries or medical problems.

A licensed person who represents a player or coach in contract and transfer talks and earns a fee or commission from the deal.

A transfer agreement term giving a former club a share of a later sale, calculated as the agreement specifies.

A transfer agreement term allowing the selling club to reacquire a player under specified conditions.

The return of a loaned player to the parent club before the planned loan period ends.

The employment conditions agreed between a player and a club, such as pay and contract length.

A player's request to their club to be allowed to move to another club.

Made available for a transfer by the player's current club.

A restriction preventing a club from registering players under specified regulatory conditions.

The rectangular grass or artificial surface on which football is played, marked with lines for the halfway line, penalty areas and goal areas.

The large marked box in front of each goal, 16.5 metres (18 yards) deep, where a defender's direct free-kick offence leads to a penalty and the goalkeeper may handle the ball.

A person who supports a particular team or follows football with passion, watching matches at the stadium or on screen.

The venue where matches are played, made up of the pitch and the stands around it for spectators.

A match between two rival teams, usually from the same city or region, followed with special passion by both sets of fans.

A ticket bought once that lets a fan attend all of a club's home league matches in a season, usually from the same seat.

A short song or phrase that fans sing or shout together in the stands to support their team or players, or to tease the other side.

The covered shelter at the side of the pitch where the manager, coaching staff and substitutes sit during a match.

The circular marking around the centre point of the football pitch.

The curved marking outside the penalty area that helps mark the required distance from the penalty spot.

The quarter-circle marking at each corner of the pitch used to locate a corner kick.

A rotating entrance barrier that allows spectators to enter a stadium one at a time.

A large coordinated visual display created by supporters, using banners, cards or similar materials.

Organised supporter groups known for intense, sustained backing and coordinated displays at matches.

An arrangement in which two or more clubs use the same stadium as their home ground.

With spectators excluded from attending the match at the venue.

Powerful lights used to illuminate a pitch for play in darkness.

A heating system beneath a grass pitch, used to help keep the surface from freezing.

The number of tickets or seats made available to the visiting team's supporters.

A stadium arrangement designed and managed to allow spectators to stand in designated areas.

Stadium seating that combines seats with rails or barriers to support arrangements for standing spectators.

A democratically organised supporter body seeking a collective voice or ownership stake in a club.

An official check of the playing surface and conditions to decide whether a match can take place.

A playing surface combining living natural grass with synthetic reinforcement.

A match location that is not treated as either participating team's usual home ground.

Specially designed shoes worn for playing football, with soles adapted to the playing surface.

Projections on the sole of a football boot that provide grip on the playing surface.

Protective pieces worn over the front of the lower legs and beneath the socks when playing football.

The area of a stadium allocated to supporters of the visiting team.

A goal that makes the score level, for example the goal that changes 1-0 to 1-1.

Three goals scored by the same player in a single match; a perfect hat-trick is one with the left foot, one with the right foot and one header.

Zero, used in British English when saying football scores aloud, as in two-nil for 2-0.

The net behind the goal line; to put the ball in the back of the net means to score, and the phrase is a favourite of commentators.

Describes a goal or result that comes when the other team has been playing better and looked more likely to score.

A person who describes a match live on TV, radio or online, explaining the action as it happens.

The goalposts and crossbar considered together, especially when the ball hits them.

An informal British expression for the top corner of the goal.

An informal name for an especially powerful and spectacular shot or goal.

A very obvious and costly mistake, often used for a goalkeeper's error.

A brief warning that an opponent is approaching the player who is receiving or controlling the ball.

The player selected as the outstanding performer in a particular match.

Into a crowded penalty area where players compete for a dangerous ball.

Describing a match in which attacks move rapidly from one end of the pitch to the other.

To make victory seem secure, usually by scoring a goal that creates a comfortable lead.

A match whose two halves differ greatly in performance, control or chances.

A confused contest for a loose ball close to the goal, involving several players.

A model-based measure of scoring chance quality, estimating how likely shots are to become goals.

A model-based estimate of the potential for passes to produce goal assists.

A final pass leading to a teammate's shot, commonly counted separately from passes that become assists.

A pass that advances the ball substantially towards the opponents' goal under a provider's distance criteria.

A ratio of opponents' passes to a team's defensive actions within a defined area, used to describe pressing intensity.

A measure of territorial dominance based on each team's share of selected activity in the attacking third.

A model estimating a shot's scoring likelihood using information about its path after it is struck.