The quarter-final, played among eight teams, the four winners will advance to the semi-final
The semi-final, the stage before the final; played among four teams, the two winners in each pair advance to the final
The group stage in the World Cup, where 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four teams each; the top two teams in each group advance to the next round
The knock out stage of the World Cup where 16 teams which survived the group stage face each other; one loss in this stage automatically eliminates a team
The football jersey number often assigned to the starting goalkeeper
The jersey number that is traditionally given to the most skillful player of a team, often playing in the attacking midfield or forward position
The traditional number of the winger assigned on the left-hand side of the field
Another name for the wall pass, where one player passes the ball to a teammate and receives it after getting past the opponent defense
A crowd that actively supports a team during the game, called such because they seem to provide the help of an additional player
The penalty box, called such because it extends 18 yards from the goal line; sometimes simply referred to as "18" or big box
The player in possession of the ball
The squad number traditionally assigned to the right back, the defensive player assigned on the right flank
The teammate closest to the player in possession of the ball during an attack
The jersey number traditionally worn by the left back, the defensive player that covers the left flank
An old football formation popularized by Arsenal in 1925, through legendary English manager Herbert Chapman; also called W-M and sometimes listed as 3-2-2-3
A modern football formation played with three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards
A football formation popularized by Brazil, works as 5-3-2 in defense
A formation often utilized by teams with many talented strikers
The basic formation of modern English football
The more defensive variant of 4-3-3; although these two formations are listed differently, they are essentially the same
A loose ball which two players from opposing sides have an equal chance of winning
A very defensive football formation, which assigns five defenders, four midfielders, and only one attacker
Alternate reference to the goal box, called such because it extends six years from the goal line
The jersey number traditionally assigned to the right winger or right midfielder
The jersey number often assigned to the most talented scorer of a team
(a) Short reference to the part of the goal where the crossbar and goalposts intersect;
(b) 90 minutes, the full-time of a standard football match
To score a goal after use of excessive dribbling, named after an Italian player in the 1930s
To score a goal with a bicycle kick, from Italian player Silvio Piola who is credited for the "invention" of the bicycle kick
An Italian abbreviation meaning "Associazione Calcio" or football association, a term used as a prefix for Italian football clubs(for example: AC Milan)
A player who simulates foul or injury in order to penalize the opposing team or waste time
The amount of time added at the end of each half of football to compensate for stoppages during a game; also called injury or stoppage time
A situation where the team in possession of the ball outnumbers the defending team
A clause in football which states that a referee should not stop play for a foul if it will benefit the offending team
Asian Football Confederation, the governing body of football in Asia; organizer of the AFC Champions League, the biggest club competition in Asia
The highest football tournament in the African continent, played among national teams; also known as African Nations Cup
A term used to describe a situation that happens against the dominant flow of the game; for example, if team A has been having possession and scoring chances throughout the game but it was team B that scored, then that situation is "against the run of play"
The overall number of goals a team has scored; in tournaments where teams play each other twice (home and away), aggregate score is used to determine which team advances to the next phase
(the) Eagles of Carthage, nickname of the Tunisian national football team
"White and blue", the nickname of the Argentine national football team
A stadium which has individual seats, as opposed to stadiums which have benches
A midfield player positioned in front of the center-backs, whose primarily responsibility is to break up the opponent's attacks; also known as defensive midfielder, holding midfielder, midfield anchor
A technique by goalkeepers where they make themselves closer to an attacker to narrow the angles that can be shot at
The first half of the football season in Latin American leagues, translates in English as "opening"; some countries divide their football season into two, the second part being the clausura or "closing"
A defunct professional men's soccer league which featured teams from the United States and Canada
A curved line on top of the penalty box, a player fouled in this part of the football field will be awarded with a penalty kick; more appropriately called the "penalty arch"
A Spanish slang for the six-yard box in front of the goal, known in English as the goal box
Associazione sportive in Italian or association sportive in French, literally translates as sporting association; a common prefix for European football clubs (for example A.S. Roma, A.S. Cannes)
American soccer league, is the first professional soccer league in the United States; it operated from 1921 until 1933
A pass in a football game which leads directly to a goal
Either of the two flag-bearing officials positioned along the sideline; formerly called soccer linesman
The official name of football/soccer
A playing field made of artificial grass
(a) Player whose main responsibility is to score goals; (b) Any member of the team in offense
The half of the football field which contains the opposing team's goal
A midfielder in a more advanced position, whose task is to assist in scoring
The side which has possession of the ball
The third of the field where a team tries to score; in football strategies and tactics, the playing field is divided into three: the defensive third, the midfield, and the attacking third
A goal scored by a player in his own net, also know as "own goal" or "autogol"
(a) A match played in the opponent's stadium;
(b) A command given to a defender, telling him to kick the ball away from his goal
A goal scored by a visiting team on the home team's stadium
A method of tie-breaking in soccer tournaments where teams play each other twice, once at each team's home stadium. The away goals rule states that the team that has scored more goals away from home will win if scores are equal at the end of a stage
American Youth Soccer Organization, a non-profit group in the United States which provides nationwide training and development to children between 4 to 19 years of age
The nickname of the Turkish national football team
The reserve team of a club or national team
The players who make up the defensive line of a team
An instruction, usually given after a turnover, telling players to drop back and defend
An alternative term for the far post, the goal post furthest from the ball; if the ball is on the left side of the goal, the back door is the one on the right, vice versa
The players who make up the defensive line, a term used when a team plays with four defenders
A type of header in football done using the back of the head
The technique of kicking the ball using the back of the heel
To pass the ball to one's own goalkeeper, a tactic often used to consume time or to preserve possession of the ball; also known as pass back
A rule which prohibits goalkeepers from touching the ball with their hands if it has been passed back to them deliberately by a teammate; violation of the back pass rule in football is punishable with a free kick
To tackle the ball carrier from behind
(a) A defender's teammate who provides him cover as he pressures the ball
(b) The available players on a team's bench
Nickname of the South African football team
Nickname of Bulgaria's national football team
The tendency of a player to be unaware of what is happening because of focusing too much on the ball instead of the situation or movement of other players
(literally, "Golden Ball") An annual award given to the best footballer who plays in Europe; changed in 2010 to FIFA Ballon d'Or to include players all over the world
A special kick in soccer which causes the ball to take a curved path
The horizontal bar which connects the two goalposts; also called the crossbar
Nickname of the Romanian national football team (Romania football) at World Cup 1998: the whole team sported a blonde hairdo, which fans associated with Barbie's hair color
A short reference for FC Barcelona, one of the most popular football clubs in Spain
A variant of association football played five-versus-five on a sand surface, usually at the beach
To escape a defender with a combination of speed and skills at dribbling the soccer ball
A match where spectators are not allowed to watch; often, a game is played behind closed doors to prevent potentially dangerous clashes between opposing fans
(a) The substitute players of a team
(b) In football stadiums, the sitting area for the staff and substitutes of a team
To kick in a way that will make the soccer ball curve in midair
The area between the two goalposts; if a ball goes "between the sticks" it means a goal has been scored
A special type of kick in soccer where a player strikes the ball with his foot while inverted in midair
Alternate term for the penalty area, the big rectangular marking on the football pitch where the goalkeeper can handle the ball; also known as the penalty box
The nickname of Ghana's national football squad
A very powerful shot; also called a bomb
(The) Blues, the nickname of France's national team, derived from their blue football kit
A tackling technique in soccer where a defender tries to dispossess his opponent by meeting him head on and kicking the ball away from him
A very strong shot
The issuing of a yellow or red card by a referee; named such because the referee writes a player's number on his notebook after giving a card
To clear the ball away from one's goal
A short term for the penalty box, the area where a goalkeeper can handle the ball
A midfielder who possess exceptional skills and stamina which allows him to play both in offense and defense; called such because he plays from one penalty box to the other
The scoring of two goals by one player; scoring three goals is a hat trick
(a) To escape a defender in a one-on-one confrontation; (b) A run that penetrates the enemy defense
To run clear of all the defending players; typically used in situations where an attacker has run free from all the defenders and is in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper
Bringing the ball towards the opponent's goal with the use of short passes and player movements, as opposed to a long ball where one player makes a long pass towards an advance teammate
The nickname of Zambia's national team
The highest division in Germany's football league system
The act of beating an enemy player by the use of speed or dribbling abilities
The line between a goalpost and a corner flag
Confederation of African Football, the highest governing body of football in the continent of Africa; equivalent to the UEFA in Europe and the CONMEBOL in South America
The Italian word for football/soccer
Italian for the World Cup
The participation of a player in an international match, whether as a starter or substitute: one cap equals one international appearance; the term's origin is from the United Kingdom, where players used to be given a cap for every international game they play
The number of spectators a stadium can accommodate; currently, the biggest football stadium is Phelan May Day Stadium in North Korea with a capacity of 150,000
The title or designation given to the season's top scorer in the Italian Serie A
A player assigned to be the official leader of a team, recognizable by an armband; he is often the most capped or most experienced member of a team
Equipments for a football referee used to punish unsportsmanlike behavior
A person temporarily assigned to manage a team after its regular manager has been fired or has resigned
The nickname of the Brazilian national football team
A hyper-defensive style of playing which originated in Italy: catenaccio calcio literally translates as "door bolt football"
An expression in football: a player who is "caught in possession" is someone who loses the ball to an opponent
When a pass beats two defenders because they were standing side by side each other, they are said to be "caught square"
(a) A warning given by a football referee to a player who repeatedly violates the game rules;
(b) An alternative term for the first yellow card given to a player during a match: one yellow card in football warns a player for unruly behavior, the second ejects him from the game
Literally translates as (the) Sky Blue, nickname of the Uruguay national football team
The middle part of the football field that runs vertically
The big circle on the middle most part of the football pitch
A defender positioned at the center; also called center back, central defender
The horizontal line on the middle part of the football field
A midfield player whose primary task is to defend and break opponents' attacks at the middle
The bold dot in the middle of the center circle, where the ball is placed during the kickoff of a soccer game
The defensive player positioned in the middle of the defensive line, in between the fullbacks
Alternate term for the center back, the players positioned at middle of the defensive line
An attempt by a defender to take the ball away from an attacker
A yearly football competition for the top clubs in Europe, widely regarded as the most prestigious club tournament in the whole world
A soccer video game first released in 1992, considered as the most popular in the world
A short reference to the Champions League, the most prestigious club tournament in Europe and, arguably, the whole world
(a) The area near the touchline where fullbacks and wingers typically play;
(b) the passing lane, the line that a ball takes during a pass
A shoulder-to-shoulder contact, made by a defender to steal possession from an attacker or by a player to get advantage over an opponent during a loose ball
To ask for the ball by communicating with a teammate and getting into good position
The nickname of the Croatian football team, derived from their checkered uniform
To control a ball in flight with the use of the chest
The act of using one's chest to slow down and control a ball in flight
The bicycle kick, as it is called in Latin America
A pass that gets the ball high in the air
A shot made with the ball high in the air, usually made to avoid a tackle or put the ball beyond the goalkeeper's reach
An alternative term for a football match
The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two most popular clubs in Spain: one of the most-watched sporting events in the world
An endgame result of 3-0, considered as a classic display of superiority in football
The second half of the football season in Latin American leagues, translates in English as "closing"; some countries divide their football season into two, the first part being the apertura or "opening"
If a goalkeeper does not allow a goal until the end of the match, he is said to have kept a "clean sheet"
To kick the ball away from one's goal
A special type of shoe designed for playing football: there are different types of football cleats for kids, men, and women
The nickname of the Dutch football team of the 1970s, renowned for introducing an attacking strategy called Total Football; derived from their orange uniform and the execution of offense, which is as consistent as the movement of a clock
To put pressure on an attacker or the attacking team in order to limit passing and shooting options
a football team that plays in a league: examples of clubs are Manchester United in England and Real Madrid in Spain; often used to avoid confusion with a "team", which typically connotes a national team
(a) The person who runs the training and fitness sessions of a club;
(b) Alternate term for the manager, the person who makes tactical decisions on the field
A way of teaching football skills that involves watching the films of great football players and breaking their moves into a number of steps which learners would follow one by one; named after famous Dutch coach Wiel Coerver
A play which involves two or more basic moves in football
A game played to honor a historic event in football
A defensive command which tells players to go close to a dribbler to limit his passing and dribbling options
Stands for Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football: the governing body of football for South and Central America and the Caribbean
A training condition where artificial restrictions are placed, such as cones, so players are forced to perform a specific skill, technique, or tactic
A football tournament competed by national teams every four years: organized by FIFA, the Confederations Cup pits each continent's champion plus the current World Cup champion and host nation
Stands for Confederação Sul-Americana de Futebol: the governing body of football in the South American continents
The match for third and fourth place in the FIFA World Cup
To stay in front of an enemy without attempting to steal the ball from him; also called jockeying
The highest international competition in South America held ever four years; played among the 10 members of CONMEBOL plus two guest nations: the United States and Mexico have been constant participants since 1993
A beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: the venue of the biggest beach soccer tournaments
A white arc drawn at each corner part of the soccer field
Alternate term for the corner kick in football, a free kick made by an attacker if the ball goes over the goal line and a defender was the last to touch it
The flag at each of the four corners of a football pitch
A kick made by an attacker if the ball goes over the goal line and a defender was the last to touch it. See corner kick rule.
A cross or pass that travels between the goalkeeper and the last defender; called such because it is uncertain which of the player will play the ball and which one will leave it to the other
To attack quickly right after retrieving the ball in defense
(a) To support a teammate marking an attacker by going behind or beside him;
(b) The second or third players who mark the same attacker
A player creates space for his attacking teammate if he moves away from the ball and makes the defending players follow him
A ball kicked from the side of the field aimed at a teammate in or near the penalty area
The horizontal bar on top of the goal which connects the two goalposts, also called simply the bar
A dribbling move in which a player fakes a shot or long pass before making a 180-degree turn; named after Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff
Literally means dead-end in French, used to describe a player who carries the ball to a part of the field where it can have little effect on the game
A term used to describe a player who can no longer play in a cup competition after transferring from another club during that same season; a player can only play for one team during an entire cup's length
Alternate term for a curved ball, a ball kicked so that it takes a bent or curved path
A ball that takes a bent or curved path after kicking
A phrase used to describe a goalkeeper's move in which he goes near an attacking player to limit the angle that he can shoot at the goal
A letter in statistics which indicates a draw
The inside of the penalty area, where most goals are scored
A move which endangers the well-being of other players; for example, tackling an opponent from behind or attempt to kick the ball when the opposing keeper is about to catch it
Nickname of Denmark's national football team during the 1980s and 1990s
A football formation popular in the past that is similar to the 2-3-5
A situation when the ball is not in play; a dead ball situation happens during a throw-in, corner kick, goal kick, free kicks, and kick off
A movement made by a player to draw attention away from an attacking teammate; also called "creating space" and dummy run
A command given to a defending team to stay on their defensive half
(a) A position in soccer with the primary task of denying the opponents ball possession and scoring opportunities, positioned in front of the goal
(b) Players from that side that is not in possession of the ball
Alternate term for a defender
The half of the football field where a team's goal is located
A midfield player whose primary task is to defend, often located behind the half-line
The part of the football field where the goal and the defenders are located; a soccer pitch can be divided into three: the defensive third, the midfield, and the attacking third
A ball that bounced off a player; defenders deflect the ball to prevent goal-scoring or to cut a pass
A slight push, made to gain advantage over an opponent
(a) A rivalry between two teams of the same city: famous examples of derbies are between Lazio and Roma in Italy and between Manchester City and Manchester United in the United Kingdom
(b) A match between two derby teams
The nickname of the Algerian national football team
A diamond-shaped formation of players on the midfield: created when two players are assigned as wingers, one as an attacking midfielder, and another one as a defensive midfielder; typicall used in the 4-4-2 formation
A type of free kick in which a player can score a goal directly; its opposite is the indirect free kick, in which another player must touch the ball before a goal can be attempted
A type of attacking football where the defensive players immediately kick the ball forward to the advanced players after retrieving it
To declare that a goal is invalid because of a rule violation; a goal can also be disallowed if the referee thinks the ball has not completely crossed the goal line
To express disagreement to a referee's or linesman's decision; can be made verbally or through actions
To pretend to have been fouled by a defender in order to get a penalty or free kick: diving in football is punishable with a yellow card; also called simulation
A way of heading the soccer ball by jumping parallel to the ground; often made when the ball is too high to be kicked or too low for a standing header
(a) Winning two major tournaments in the same year
(b) Winning both home and away games in the same season, usually used in the phrase "doing the double over (name of a team)"
An expression used to instruct a player to send the ball to the touchline
(a) A game that ended with a tied score
(b) The process of selecting which teams play with each other in a tournament, usually done through lottery
To move and control the ball with the feet while it remains on the ground
An expression given to defenders encouraging them to go to their defensive half and play defense
A method of restarting play after a stoppage caused by technical reasons or interference of a third party (e.g., the interference by a pitch invader); done by the referee dropping the ball between two opposing players; also spelled as dropped ball
A goalkeeping move: to drop the ball to the ground an D a letter in statistics which indicates a draw
A player who pretends to receive the ball but allows it to travel fast him in order to deceive the defenders
A run made by a player to draw the attention of defenders away from an attacking teammate; also called decoy run and "creating space" d kick it after it bounced off
In some tournament formats, two additional periods played if the score is tied at the end of regulation; extra time in football is 15 minutes each
The former name of the Champion's League, the most prestigious club competition in Europe
A goal which brings the score into a tie
The second-most prestigious European club competition, played by teams that did not qualify for the Champions League; formerly called the Europa Cup
The most prestigious club tournament in Europe, simply referred to as "The Champions League" and formerly the European Cup
The trophy awarded to the winner of the Champions League
A former European competition between winners of the major cup competitions in Europe
The biggest competition for national football teams in Europe; simply referred to as the EURO
A one-game competition, usually held in August, between the winner of the Champions League and Europa League; also called the UEFA Super Cup
A non-competitive match between two clubs or national teams to "warm up" players before a tournament or the start of a season
To be disallowed to continue a match because of a serious, or consistent, violation of the game rules; players who are expulsed are not allowed to stay on the side of the pitch or the team's bench
Alternate term for the goal line, the marking at each end of the football field
A short reference to the penalty box; called such because its length from the goal line is 18 yards
Simply called the Football Association or FA, the highest governing body of football in England; attributed with the establishment of the first formal football rules
The abbreviation of the English Premier League, the top league in England and one of the biggest in the world
The term for football stadiums in Spain
A short reference for the European Football Championship, the biggest competition for national teams in Europe
The oldest national football association, credited for formulating the basic game rules of football
The oldest football competition in the world, competed by amateur and top-flight teams in England and Wales
A shoulder-to-shoulder contact made against an opponent to gain advantage over the ball; it is "fair charging" if it is not too forceful or does not put the opponent in danger; also called shoulder charge
In some leagues, when the scores of two teams are tied and there is no way of breaking the tie, the team which incurred the least number of yellow and red cards advance to the next round
A short reference to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, a former European club competition played to promote international trade fairs; this competition is considered as "friendly", was not recognized by UEFA, and does not affect the European ranking of teams
A dribbling move in football that deceives or tricks an opponent; also called feint, shimmie
A technique in which a player runs to a teammate in possession to pretend that he will take the ball but doesn't
The corner of the football field farthest from where the ball is
The goalpost farthest from the location of the ball
The side of the soccer field opposite where the player with the ball is located
Alternate term for the far post, the goal post farthest from the ball
An abbreviation for "football club", often found as suffix to American and English football club names; for example, Arsenal FC
A move intended to trick or confuse opponents, for example, pretending to shoot or pass then dribbling away with the ball; also called fake, shimmie
The nickname of legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo
Stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association, the world's highest governing body of football; first established in 1904
The award given to the footballer considered the best for a given year, based on the votes of coaches and captains of international teams; formerly called "Footballer of the Year"
A former award given by FIFA annually to the player considered the best of the year; also called Footballer of the Year and, currently, the FIFA Ballon d'Or
The biggest football competition in the whole world, held every four years: being a World Cup champion is the highest prestige a team, nation, or player can achieve
A loose ball contested by two opposing players, both having the same likelihood of getting the ball
The championship match of a competition
In the World Cup, the phase where 32 teams compete for the trophy in the host venue; this stage is when the "World Cup" really begins; the phase before the finals is called qualification and is held in the years between the World Cups
An idiom in football which denotes the end of a match: although the length of a football game is defined, it is the referee who decides when to blow the final whistle
To score, or attempt to score, a goal after a pass by a teammate
The first period of a football match: a game is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each
The set of players in a club that participate in competitions; the players not included in the first team are called reserves
The first contact a player makes with the ball; a good first touch makes a player control the ball well or shoot it accurately
A technique for goalkeepers: to punch a high-flighted ball that is difficult to control; also called boxing
A football game of regulation length (90 minutes)
List a schedule of matches that a football club must play over a given season; fixture lists are typically given to a team before the start of a season
The part of the football field near the sideline
A defensive line made up of two central defenders and two fullbacks: called such because they often form a flat line; also called flat back four
To kick the ball with a light, quick strike
A header made with the back of one's head; also called back header
A quick pass made with the outside of the foot; usually done by attackers in front of the goal in order to beat the keeper
To stop a ground ball with the sole of one's foot
An award formerly given by FIFA to the player who is considered the best for the year based on votes by coaches and captains of international teams; replaced by the FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2010
Skillful movements with the feet used to evade opponents or dribble the ball
A slang term for football, used in Australia
The arrangement of players on the football field; modern soccer formations often place a balanced number of players on the defensive and offensive halves
The players positioned nearest to the opponents goal; their primarily responsibility is to score
The player or set of players nearest to the opponents' goal; for example, in a 3-5-2 formation, the forward line is made up of the front "2"
Any act that is unfair, dangerous, or against the game rules; fouls in football are enumerated in Law 12 of FIFA's rule book
An official whose tasks include assisting the head referee in substitutions, checking the equipment of players, and announcing how many minutes will be added to a football game; the fourth official in football is often found in professional leagues
A player who is not affiliated with any club for the time being
A kick awarded to a team after a rule violation by its opponent
A non-competitive match played before the start of a season or major tournament
A football dribbling technique in which the player jumps with the ball clamped between his feet
A tackle made with a solid contact to the ball while facing the opponent
A header made with the front of the forehead
To approach an attacking opponent face-to-face and attempt kick the ball away from him
A player achieves a "full international" if he plays the whole length of an international game
The end of a soccer match
A flighted ball kicked before it touches the ground
A defender who plays near the side of the football field
(La) Furia Roja
(The) Red Fury, nickname of the Spanish national football team; derived from the color of their home kit
Football or soccer, as it is called in Portugal and Brazil
A five-versus-five variation of football played indoors with a smaller ball
A term used to describe Real Madrid players who were purchase at very expensive rates; an example of Galactico is Zinedine Zidane, who as purchased for a record transfer of £46 million in 2001
A technique in soccer where a player passes the ball to a teammate who touches the ball and passes the ball back quickly to the teammate; also called one-two, wall pass
A way of heading the soccer ball made by turning one's head to the direction of the target upon contact with the ball
A goal the breaks a tied score
(a) The method of scoring in football, happens when the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and the crossbar;
(b) The structure where the ball must be shoot at to score a goal: the football goal's measurement is 8 feet by 24 feet
The part of the football field where a goalkeeper can legally handle the ball, demarcated by a big rectangular box: measures 18 yards by 44 yards; also called penalty box, 18-yard box
The average number of goals a player or team scores over a season or tournament
The method of restarting play after the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line and an attacking player was the last to touch it
The line found at each end of the football field; a goal is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line between the two goal posts
The opening of the goal
A striker who often scores his goal from inside the opponents' penalty area; many of the greatest strikers like Ruud van Nistelrooy are goal poachers
The two vertical posts of a goal, measuring eight feet tall each
goal side – the area between the goal and the ball
A Spanish interjection when an amazing goal is made
Alternate term for the goalkeeper, the only player on the field allowed to play the ball with his hands
The player primarily assigned to defend his team's goal; he is allowed to play the ball with his hands but only inside the penalty area
A former football competition (1993-96) played between champions of the different tournaments in South America
A former rule in football which states that the first team to score in extra time wins the match: the game is ended immediately after the golden goal is made; also called sudden death
Alternate term for the stadium or the playing pitch
A pass or shot that travels on the ground
A group in a football tournament where the number of strong competitors is higher than the rest of the groups
(a) A player of the English football club (English football clubs) Arsenal FC;
(b) A supporter of Arsenal FC
The act of kicking an opponent's legs; a serious offense punishable by a yellow or red card
Any of the two 45-minute playing period of a football match
Alternate term for "midfielder", any of the players positioned between the forwards and the defenders
To kick a soccer ball in mid-air after it bounces off the ground
The period between the first and second halves, typically 15 minutes long; it is a time for players to recuperate and for coaches to give motivational or tactical speeches; also called, interval or break
The bold line in the middle of the football pitch which divides its length into two equal parts
A contact with the ball with the hands; a handball is punishable by a booking if the referee deems it deliberate but play may go on without an infraction called if the referee thinks it is accidental; also called hands
The famous goal made by Argentinean football legend Diego Maradona against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter final is called Hand of God : Maradona scored it with his hand but the referee thought it was a legitimate header
A player who has the reputation for playing a very physical and, often, injury-inflicting defense
A rugby-like game played in Ancient Rome, often cited as one of the origins of soccer
Scoring three goals in a single match by one player
To strike the ball with the head; heading skills in football are very crucial when the game is played near the goal
The person in charged of running a team or club; a soccer coach's duties include selecting the lineup & strategies in matches, buying or selling players, and scouting for new talents; he is found on a teams bench during a game, shouting instruction to players; in British terminology, the head coach is called the "manager"
The act of striking the ball with one's head
A defensive tactic in soccer where a team applies pressure to the opponents in their (the opponent's) half
An expression made when the ball hits either of the goalposts and does not go inside
A defensive tactic where defenders position parallel to each other (in an imaginary line) to catch an opponent offside
A midfield player whose primary task is to break up the opponent's attack; also called defensive midfielder, anchorman, midfield anchor
A former annual competition played among the four national teams of United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; it was founded in 1884 and abolished in 1984
An international football tournament, held annually, among national teams made up of players who are homeless
A ball that travels in a bent path in the air; also called curved ball
A football fanatic, often connotes one who is violent, aggressive, and destructive behavior; hooligans in football are often involved in crimes
A pass made high enough so it goes over the outstretched legs of an opponent
The 4-5-1 formation, called such because its shape on the blackboard resembles a horseshoe
A lazy pass that gets a teammate in danger of being tackled heavily once he receives it
In World Cup sense, the nation or country where the tournament is held
A command given to a defender, especially during corner kicks, to closely mark the area near the post where a goal is likely to be score
Stands for International Football Association Board, the body that regulates the official laws of football; made up of the four football associations of the United Kingdom and the FIFA
A free kick in which another player (aside from the taker) must touch the ball before a shot towards the goal can be made
An expression used to describe a player who is free from injury and is in good physical condition to play football
A short reference to the injury period in football
Time added at the end of each half to make up for time not played during the match because of fouls, injuries, time-wasting, or technical issues
"Inside" and "outside" curves are relative terms in soccer; if a left-footed player kicks the ball and it bends towards the right, then he made an "inside curve"; if that left-footed player kicks a ball and it bends to the left, then he made an "outside curve"
Upper surface of the shoes, where the laces are
Striking the soccer ball with the instep, used for kicking with greater power
A kick that makes the ball curve towards the inside of the goal
To block or cut a pass between opponents
A former competition staged by UEFA during summer for teams which did not make it to the Champions League or the Europa League, the two biggest football competitions in Europe
A technique of passing the soccer ball done with a quick, strong strike from the outside foot
The act of limiting an attacker's movement without attempting to tackle him or steal the ball from him
A term used to refer to a footballer who has played for many clubs during his career; the most famous example of a journeyman is Lutz Pfannenstiel, who has played for 25 different clubs all over the world; the opposite of a journeyman is a one-club man
The act of keeping the ball off the ground, usually with the use of the head or feet; also called keepie uppie
The first World Cup trophy, named after the FIFA president who started the World Cup competition
A football match where teams try to keep possession of the ball as much as possible without any real attempt to score, considered as anti-football
A short reference for the goalkeeper
Alternate term for juggling, the technique of keeping the ball off the ground without the use of the arms or hands
An unorganized way of playing football characterized by long passes and individual attacks
Alternate term for kick and run, a football playing style that focuses on individual moves and lacks tactical plan
The method of starting a football match or re-starting it after a goal is scored: it is done by placing the ball at the centermost part of the football pitch and kicking it to a teammate nearby
To stop the ball with the foot
A pass that reaches a teammate at a perfect angle and time, allowing him to score a goal easily; also called killer pass
A perfectly placed pass that lands at the foot of a teammate where he can easily make a goal
An official team or club uniform, comprised of the jersey, shorts, and socks
A letter in statistics which indicates a loss
The last field player nearest to the goal
A goal scored just when a match is about to end
A risky challenge where a player tackles an opponent after the ball is already passed; punishable with a red card
The official term for the rules of football: FIFA has 17 Laws of the Game that are followed internationally
A competition format in which the team that earns the most number of points at the end wins; in a league, a win rewarded with three points, a draw is worth one point, and none for a loss; also called, division, table, championship
Officially, the Football League Cup: a knockout tournament played among professional teams in England and Wales; typically held from June to February
A defensive player positioned on the left-hand side of his goalkeeper
A midfield player who plays along the left-hand side of the pitch
(a) A player who is more capable with his left foot;
(b) A shot or pass made with the left foot
A player positioned behind the defensive life whose primary tasks are to protect the keeper and pick up loose balls; liberos are rarely used in modern football but were popular with the catenaccio system in the 1960s
Formally, Copa Santander Libertadores: an annual competition of South American football clubs; this tournament is one of the biggest club football tournaments in the world
A former term for the assistant football referee; in football games there are two linesmen who monitor offsides and throw-ins and help the head referee in decision-making
A former term for a female assistant referee
Short reference to the starting line up, the set of players that start a football match and are expected to play most of the match
A kick which launches the ball high in the air, often used to beat a keeper who goes far from the goal; also called loft or chip
Alternate term for a lob, a ball kicked so it goes high in the air
A pass struck high in the air so it is beyond the reach of opposing players
A long pass, such as ones made by a defender to a striker
A counter-attacking strategy in soccer characterized by long passes to the forwards
A shot towards the goal that is taken from a long distance
A team suffers a loss when its opponent scores more goal at the end of the match; a loss is awarded no point in competitions while a win is worth three
A term which describes a manager in a situation where he has lost the confidence of players and is about to be fired; "dressing room" is an idiom which refers to the players of a team
A troublesome and violent fan
A skillful player who directs the movement of a team
An unofficial recognition given to a player who has contributed most to the success of his team in a game
An interjection used to warn a teammate in possession that an opposing player is nearby
A term used to describe a team that players with one player less after a send-off
The person in-charged of the overall affairs of a team, including the selection of match line-ups, first-team players, selling and buying of talents, and most importantly, tactical decisions; often used in British terminology, equivalent to the head coach in other usages
Nickname of the German national football squad
A defensive method where each player is assigned a specific opponent to watch; the opposite of man-marking is zone defense
A short reference to the Stadio Maracanã, a football stadium in Brazil built to host the 1950 World Cup
A regulation football game; used interchangeably with game, fixture, clash
The persons in charged of regulating a football match, often made up of one head referee and two assistant referees or linesmen. In professional leagues, a fourth football official is present to administer player substitutions and other technical matters
A term used to describe a player who is in excellent physical condition to participate in a football game
A football dribbling move where a player fakes to go to one direction then suddenly shifts to the other; named after British football legend Stanley Matthews
A well-calculated pass that reaches its desired target; also called measured shot
2-3-2-3: a classic football formation used by Italy to win the 1934 and 1938 World Cups
A movement of stadium fans where they alternate standing up and sitting down to create the visual effect of a wave; first seen internationally in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico
The middle third of the football field; for tactical reasons, the playing field is divided into three parts: the back or defensive third, the midfield, and the attacking third
A midfield player positioned at the middle with the primary task is of breaking the attacks of opponents
A player positioned on the middle part of the pitch, between the forwards and the defenders
A failed attempt at scoring a goal
A tackle made before an opponent receives the ball or after he passes it: a dangerous move that is punishable by a red card or yellow card
A now-defunct European club competition started in 1927 and last played in 1992: widely considered as the first international club competition in the world
A player's ability to get into good position when not in possession of the ball
A football match where many balls are used to save time: when a ball goes out of bounds, the playing ball is replaced by a reserved ball thereby reducing the time spent on retrieving the ball
A short reference to the FIFA World Cup, the biggest international football tournament
(a) An annual beach soccer (beach soccer) tournament first played in 1994
(b) A one-time international tournament held in 1980 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the World Cup
A goalkeeping move where the keeper goes closer to an attacker or moves to a certain spot in order to limit the angle he can shoot at
(a) North American Soccer League, a former professional league in the United States and Canada (1968-1984);
(b) A league founded in April 2011 with teams from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico
The set of soccer players that represent a country in international competitions; only a citizen of a country can be called into the national team
The corner nearest to the location of the ball
The goalpost closest to the location of the ball; the near and far posts are always relative to the ball position
The defender positioned at the center of the defensive line, typically the most gifted defender of a team; also called center back
The act of finishing, to score or attempt to score a goal after a pass is made
When a game takes place in a stadium that is not home to either of the competitors, then it is staged in a neutral venue
British word for "zero"
In England, any club that does not play in the Football and Premier Leagues, the two highest football divisions of the country; called such because all top clubs formerly belonged to the Football League and so the rest were non-league
A move where an attacker kicks the ball in between the legs of an opponent to get around him
To get in the way of an attacker without trying to win the ball; this act is considered a foul in football
Oceania Football Confederation, the football body that governs teams in the continent of Oceania; there are six continental bodies in the world
An expression referring to a goalkeeper who is not in his proper position at the goal
(a) A term used to describe events or incidents that happen to players who are not in possession of the ball;
(b) Movement of offensive players that gets them in an excellent tactical or goal-scoring position
Any player who attempts to score of goes up forward to help in attack
Alternate term for the yellow card
The period before the start of a regular season
A defensive technique in soccer where defenders position themselves parallel to each other to place their opponents in an offside position
A player is in an offside position in soccer when there is only one defender between him and the opposing team's goal
A very difficult way of scoring a goal: happens when a player scores a goal directly from a corner kick without the ball being touched by anybody else
A term that refers to the team in possession of the ball
An offensive football tactic where players distribute the ball quickly after receiving it; the tiki-taka, a derivation of Total football, is an excellent example of one-touch soccer
Happens when a player is able to play the ball with one touch after a pass; some passes are badly placed or too strong that is why recipients will have to do two or more touches to control the ball
Playing the ball after only one touch, like passing or shooting it right after reception
An offensive technique in which a player passes the ball to teammate then receives it after going past defenders; also called wall pass, give-and-go
A fancy term for the goal or net
The opposite of offside, being in a position where there are at least two defenders before the opponent's goal
The space between an attacker and the goal when there are no defenders on it
Another term for out of play, when the whole of the ball goes beyond the touchline or goalline
When the ball goes beyond the limits of the playing area
A cross that bends or curves away from the opponent's goal
A pass by a goalkeeper or defender that starts their own team's attack
Alternate term for bicycle kick, kick made by launching the body in midair, back to the goal, and striking the ball while in flight
To run ahead of a teammate who has the ball: this distracts the defense and also creates a good scoring opportunity
A fullback who runs the whole length of the pitch
A tackle made with the feet direct above the location of the ball: a dangerous tackle that often leads to injuries
Two 15-minute periods played if the score is tied after the regular 90-minute game; also called extra time
A goal made by a player on his own team, usually through accidental deflection; the most infamous example of this was the own goal by Colombian defender Andres Escobar which cost him his life.
A type of penalty made by kick the ball soft and over the goalkeepers head; also known as penalty chip; named after Czech international Antonin Panenka who was famous for leading his country to the 1976 European Championship title
An offensive soccer strategy where a players constantly pass the ball and move into different positions
A move made up of numerous step-overs that confuses a defender
(a) A short reference to the penalty kick;
(b) The punishment given by a referee to an offending team
The half-circle at the top of the penalty area, an attacker fouled in this spot will be awarded with a penalty kick
The big rectangular area at the end of each field where a goalkeeper can handle the ball legally: it measures 18 by 44 yards; also called the penalty box, 18-yard box, or box
A kick awarded to a team if any of its players is fouled inside the opposing team's penalty area
A method of deciding a winner in a football match if the scores are still even after overtime; each member of both teams take turns at attempting to score a penalty shot
The bold circle in front of the goal where the ball is placed during penalty kicks: it is 12 yards from the goal line
The player assigned to take the penalty kick; this task is often relegated to the captain
An abbreviation which stands for "professional football club"
The top-scorer in a La Liga season; equivalent to the capocannoniere in Serie A
Sleeveless vests worn above the shirt during training sessions
Alternate term for the soccer field; also called field, field of play, turf
Abbreviation of penalty kick
The accuracy of a shot or pass: a well-placed pass or shot reaches its intended target
A term which means that a referee allows game to continue because he saw no foul or that he believes that stopping play would be advantageous to the offending team
Alternate term for counter-attacking football
A short reference to the FIFA World Player of the Year, an individual award given to the player considered as the best for a given year; the winner is decided by votes from coaches and captains of international squads
A player who fulfills both playing and managing roles for a team: typically happens when the regular manager is sacked and the chairman refuses to manage the team
A player, typically a midfielder, who controls the tactical flow of his team
The series of games played to determine a championship
A method used in league competitions in which a team is awarded with points after each game; a win is worth three points, a draw is given one point, and a loss is given no point
The state of having the ball
An offensive tactic where a team tries to maintain possession of the ball while getting nearer the opponents' goal
A short reference to the goalposts
A match that determines which team advances into the next stage of a tournament
The highest football league competition in England, the biggest in the world with Serie A in Italy and La Liga in Spain
Alternate term for the Premier League
For defenders, to go closer to the man with the ball in order to distract him or limit his options
The top division in the football league system of Spain, more popularly known as La Liga
The association of professional soccer players in England and Wales
A foul made to prevent opponents from scoring: usually punishable by a red card
In many football-playing nations, the clubs are segregated into different "divisions"; the top levels are where the best teams play; a promotion simply means moving up from one division into a higher one; the opposite of promotion is relegation
A move for goalkeepers: to send the ball upfield by picking it up and kicking it
To pass the ball using the inside of the foot, which appears like the player is pushing the ball
An offensive technique where a player gives the ball to a teammate then gets it back after going past the opposing defense; also called one-two or wall pass
Winning of four different titles during the same year, as achieved by Scottish club Celtic in 1967
A lottery which determines which teams will face each other in the group stage of the World Cup, held two years before the competition
(a) The series of international matches held in between World Cup years, to determine which 32 teams will advance to the World Cup
(b) Matches played to determine which teams can join a tournament
The third to the last stage in competitions, where eight teams compete to determine which advances to the next stage, the semi-final
To strike the ball by wrapping the kicking foot around the standing leg
A football trick done by flicking the ball with the back of the heel and over one's head; this move is used to avoid a sliding tackle
The skill required to control an incoming ball
Any action, such as a dangerous challenge, that places an opponent in risk of injury; this act is punishable with a red or yellow card; also called dangerous play
A red-colored card given by a referee to players for serious offenses; a player who incurs a red card is sent off a match and cannot be replaced
A short reference to the head referee, the man who enforces the game rules during a match and is the final authority in officiating decisions
A quick save by a goalkeeper done as if with the instinct
When a team goes down to a lower division after finishing a season at one of the bottom places
The way of resuming a game after a goal is scored or after the first half, done by placing the ball at the center of the field and kicking it to a teammate; also called a kickoff
Jersey numbers that a team or club no longer allows to be used in honor of a significant player who wore that number
A right fullback, a fullback who defends the right-hand side of his team's goal
A midfield player who plays along the right-hand side of the field, often performs offensive functions
A position similar to the right wing, except that this is more defensive than offensive
A tournament where all the participating teams face each other at least once
A goalkeeper makes a save when he prevents the ball from going into the goal
Alternate term for bicycle kick, a move done by throwing one's body in midair and striking the ball with the foot
A player who has made a goal during a match is a scorer
A situation wherein a goal can likely be scored
Any situation where a ball is brought back into play after stoppage; the throw-in, free kick, and corner are some of the set pieces in a soccer game; also called set play, dead ball
Happens when the ball is brought back into play after it goes out of bounds or after a foul is committed; also called set piece, dead ball
A technique where the player in possession puts his body in between the ball and the opponent
Protective pads worn inside the socks to protect the lower leg from injuries; also called shin pads
Protect gear worn in front of the lower legs, to protect them from injury; also called shin guards
An attempt to score a goal
A shoulder-to-shoulder contact made by a defender against an opponent to gain possession of the ball or disrupt his rhythm; it is legal when it is not too forceful or does not put the attacker at risk of injury; also called shoulder-to-shoulder
Happens when a team finishes a match without allowing the opponents to score
A football move characterized by juggling the ball with the head to avoid being tackled
The tendency of a club to perform poorly two seasons after it is promoted to the highest division
Alternate term for own goal, an accidental goal made by a player in his team's goal
The second-to-the last stage in a tournament, typically competed by four teams, which decides who advances to the final
When a player leaves the playing field after being given a red card
The highest football league of Italy, equivalent to the Premier League in England and La Liga in Spain
Passes made to the strikers or forwards
To make an opponent with the ball go to a specific direction, usually into the way of a supporting defender; also called jockeying, steering
The most common injury of football players, characterized by pain at the lower legs
Short reference to the penalty shootout (Soccer penalty shootout), the method of deciding a match if the score is still tied at the end of extra time; each team is typically given five penalty shots during a shoot out
An offensive football strategy in which players make numerous passes and constantly switch places
A statistic which denotes the number of shots that were unlikely to go in
A statistic which denotes the number of shots that had a good chance of going in
The lines on the side of the football field, also known as touchlines
Extravagant moves that require excellent dribbling or juggling skills
A pass situated so well that a teammate only has to touch slightly it to score a goal
A term used to describe a match between two teams of the same standing in league competitions; called such because a win is worth three points but winning that much is twice as important as other games
An attempt to dispossess and opponent by sliding on ground towards the direction of the ball; illegal if the tackle hits the opponent's legs first before the ball
The players located nearest to the opponents goal; in the modern football formation 5-3-2, the strikeforce are the "2" players; also called forward line, frontline
To go around an opponent by scooping the ball over his head; Spanish for "hat'
A pass made to a teammate who is in the same horizontal level
Persons deployed during a soccer match to help in peace-keeping and prevent fans from getting into the field of play; they are distinguished because of luminous, neon-colored uniforms
(a) The player positioned at the middle of the defensive line, he is often the best defensive player of the team and leads the backline in defense; also called center back, central defender;
(b) A midfielder typically positioned in front of the defensive, whose primary task is to break the opponents' attack
Spreading the players farther from each other to give the attack more depth and width
A forward whose primary task is to score, often positioned nearest to the opponent's goal; also called center-forward
The changing of players during a match; international competitions and professional leagues allow three substitutions
During a penalty shootout, each team is given five shots. If the scores are tied after five tries, both teams will try to score again until one scores or misses
The rivalry between River Plate and Boca Juniors, two historic clubs from Buenos Aires, Argentina
The last defensive player who doesn't mark anyone but remains free to cover up for any mistake that the defense may make
To change the focal point of the attack
The act or attempt of taking the ball away from an opponent with the use of the legs
A foul deliberately committed to prevent the opponents from scoring or to destroy their offensive flow
A technique where on player drops the ball so a teammate following him can pick it up
Touching the ball lightly to make it go inside the goal
The striker who is the intended target of passes from a teammate
The area inside beside the football field where coaches or managers are allowed to stand and shout instructions at their players
A former way of deciding relegation and promotion: a team that does poorly in a higher league and a team that does well in a lower league face each other at the end of the season; this has been abandoned in favor of automatic relegation and promotion
To control a flighted ball with the thigh
The tactical division of the football pitch into three parts: the defensive back, the midfield, and the frontline; each division measures more or less 35 yards
A pass made by one player to a teammate through a line of defense
The method of restarting play when the ball goes over the sideline, done by throwing the ball with the hands from outside the field; a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in
An offensive football strategy characterized by quick one-two passes; popularized by Barcelona and the Spanish national team
The amount of playing time added by the referee at the end of each half to make up for lost time; also called injury time, stoppage period
The act of stalling play by delaying free kicks, faking injuries, and dribbling aimlessly
Kicking the ball with the tip of the shoes (where the toes are); also called toe poke
An offensive strategy characterized by player movement, passing, and switching of positions; the total football tactic was popularized by Netherlands
Contact with the ball with any part of the body (except the arms and hands) is called a touch
The line at the side of the football field measuring 120 meters in professional standards; also called sideline
To stay with an opponent even if he moves to different parts of the field; used in man-to-man defense
A place where clubs do their training and practice games; clubs often have a separate ground for training only to avoid over-using and destroying the surface of their stadium pitch
The act of slowing down or controlling the ball
A youth soccer program popular in the United States where players travel to different places in order to compete
A club achieves a treble when it wins the two highest competitions in the country and the highest competition in the continent during the same year
A curving kick done by striking the ball with the outside of the foot
A short reference to the artificial turf, a playing field made of synthetic or specially prepared grass
A sliding tackle made with both feet, usually done from behind; also called two-footed tackle
A drill where players are required to play the ball after two touches; improves the control of players
Union of European Football Associations, the administrative football body of Europe
An annual international club competition featuring the top clubs in Europe; UEFA Champions League winners are considered the best clubs in the world
Former name for the UEFA Europa League, an annual competition for clubs that did not qualify to the Champions League
An idiom which describes a player juggling the ball; called so because the player who keeps the ball in the air is always under it
In cold countries, this is the method of keeping natural grass from freezing or spoiling; electrical systems that generate heat are buried under the grass; stadiums that use artificial grass may not use under-soil heating
Alternate term for unsportsmanlike conduct, actions that are unruly, overly-arrogant, or deceitful (such as faking fouls); punishable with a yellow card or red card
Conditions where playing football is not suitable: in some countries, it can get so hot or so cold that playing must be postponed or abandoned; also, venues that are above 2,750m (9,022 ft) are ruled by FIFA as unplayable
A term used to describe free agents who have not decided yet which club to play for
Actions or behavior that are against the fair rules of play, especially the unwritten rules; these include faking fouls, arrogance towards other players, or dangerous actions on the field; also called ungentlemanly conduct
The direction towards the opponent's goal
Synonymous with upper vee, the part of the goal where the crossbar and goalposts meet: shots towards the upper 90 are nearly unstoppable
The part of the goal where the cross bar and the post meet; shots at the upper V are the most difficult to stop
An officially recognized governing body of amateur soccer in America; stands for United States Adult Soccer Association
The official governing body of soccer in the United States of America, founded in 1913; stands for United States Soccer Federation
Nickname of the Croatian football team during the 1998 World Cup, their first and most successful World Cup
In football sense, the word simply means the place where a game will be played
A defensive fooball strategy popularized by Austrian coach Karl Rappan in the 1930s, credited as the predecessor of Italy's catenaccio calcio
The ability to play different roles or in different parts of the field; also means the ability to use either foot
As in other sports, the use of cameras and replays to assist the referee in making decisions; currently, video technology is not used in football except after the games to determine sanctions for unsportsmanlike conducts
A ball kicked in midair; striking the ball after it bounces off the ground is called a half-volley
A letter in statistics which indicate a win
During a free kick close to the goal, the defensive players lined up side by side to limit the shooting angle of the opponents and help the keeper
A term that refers to international footballers during the World War I and II; there were no official international matches during those two eras
(a) An excellent pass that a teammate receives poorly by letting the ball go beyond him or playing it wrongly
(b) A good chance for goal that a player misses
A football pitch that becomes unplayable because of too much water on it; typically happens after a heavy rain
An idiom which indicates the speed or strength of a pass
The biggest English football stadium and the second-largest in Europe; home to England's national team
Nickname of the Scotland national football team in 1928, earned after defeating England 5-1 at Wembley
To cross the ball in front of the goal at a pace just enough for teammates to score easily
An adjective for a shot that misses the goal because it goes too far to the side
Alternate term for the wingers, players designated near the side of the field
To get possession of the ball, a term often used when a player gets a loose ball after competing for it against an opponent
A defensive player positioned at the side
Midfield players who play along the side of the pitch; they bring the ball up to the strikers or attack from the side
Midfield players who play a defensive role along the side of the pitch; this has become an obsolete football position because side midfielders are now more focused on helping the attack as defense on the side are assigned to the fullbacks
A term used to denote a player who plays behind the normal line of his position; for example, a withdrawn striker plays further from the goal than a regular striker or a withdrawn midfielder plays closer to the defensive line than the midfield
the 3-2-2-3 formation, a classic soccer formation called such because its shape on the blackboard resembles the letters W and M
Alternate term for the goal, called such because goals before were made from wood
A football team run or administered by a company; this type of team is no longer popular these days are most teams are now "commercial" but most clubs in the English football system started as works team, such as Arsenal and Manchester United (Arsenal was formed by armaments workers while Manchester United was started by railroad workers as Newton Heath)
An annual football competition played among the champions six different continents; it grew from the Intercontinental Cup, a former tournament which featured champion clubs from Europe and South America
World Cup is the biggest football competition in the World, competed by national teams every four years; World Cup winners are considered the best football teams in the world
To harass the goalkeeper even if he already has the ball in his hands; often punishable by a red card
A term which describes a defender who becomes off-balanced after an opponents dribbles or shoots pass him
A roman numeral which denotes the eleven best football players of a club who are expected to be fielded most often
A short term for the yellow card
A punishment given for serious violations that do not deserve yet a sending off; also given for repetitive rule violations
A club that is constantly relegated and promoted; examples of these are Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, dubbed such because they go up and down English football divisions like yo-yos
Nickname of the French football legend Zinedine Zidane
Alternate term for zonal marking, a defensive football tactic where players are given specific areas to cover
A defensive system in which players are given a specific area to guard, as opposed to man-marking where they are assigned to defend a specific opponent
The area a player is tasked to defend in zonal marking