          |
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|
WHEN THEY SAY |
THINK |
IT MEANS |
AAA
(baseball) |
The
U.S. second division is highest level of "minor league" soccer
in America since the launch of MLS in 1996. |
|
advantage |
|
When
the referee does not call a foul to let the infringed-upon
team continue/complete a play. "The ref allows the U.S. plays
the advantage." |
AET |
overtime
final |
Abbreviation
for After Extra Time. A completed match which required extra time
because of the score was tied at the end of regulation time. |
arc |
top
of the key (basketball) |
The
arc is the half-circle field marking atop the 18 yard box. Fouls
committed inside the arc do not earn a penalty kick. |
|
defenders |
|
ball (verb) |
play
hard/well |
Slang,
meaning to play your best. "We just gotta ball." |
bicycle kick |
|
ball
kicked while both feet are above the player's head |
booking |
penalization |
The
process of a player receiving a yellow or red card. |
boots |
cleats |
The
footwear worn by soccer players. |
appearance(s) |
Number
of matches a player has participated in for his/her national
team - includes exhibition and tournament competition. "The
young upstart already has 14 caps." |
|
carded |
|
See "booking" |
caution |
your
last warning |
A
caution is given to a player by the referee for a serious foul
- signaled by the showing of a yellow card. This sometimes follows
a verbal warning. The player is ejected if he/she receives a second
yellow card. |
center circle |
center
court (basketball) |
The
circle at midfield where kickoffs begin |
central defender |
|
defender
who usually plays nearest to the midfielders in the middle portion
of the field |
clean sheet |
shutout |
when
a goalkeeper or team allows no goals to be scored for an entire
match |
CONCACAF |
|
Confederation
of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
- the governing body of soccer competitions in this region of
the world. Pronounced CON-ka-kaff. |
corner arc |
|
The
quarter-circle marking on all four corners of the field - on or
inside which the ball may be placed for starting a corner kick. |
corner flag |
|
The
flag that is placed at all four corners of the field. |
corner kick |
|
A
restart of play taken from one of the two corners in the offensive
third of the field. Considered a prime goal-scoring opportunity
- particularly by teams that are proficient at heading the ball. |
cover the post |
|
The
act of a defender standing just inside a post to assist the goalkeeper
in covering the goal. Usually occurs on corner kicks. |
cracker (adjective) |
|
a
fast and hard shot toward the goal. "That shot was a real cracker!" |
crossing pass |
|
a
pass from the side of the field (flank) to the middle of the field
with the intent of creating a good scoring/playmaking opportunity |
turnover |
to
take away the ball from an opposing player. As in "the attacker
was dispossessed of the ball." |
|
dive |
|
The
act of embellishing contact with an opponent so as to fall to
the ground in an attempt to draw a foul call |
draw (noun) |
tie |
A
final match result with both teams having the same number of
goals. "Columbus and New England played to a 1-1 draw." |
dribble |
|
A
player controlling or advancing the ball using their feet while
maintaining possession. |
dummy (verb) |
fake |
Faking
a move in a certain direction or running to a particular location
on the field for the purpose of drawing defenders out of position. |
|
a
pass played in front of an attacking teammate so he/she can run
onto the ball without breaking stride |
|
end line |
out-of-bounds |
The
sideline at each end of the field that runs from one corner flag,
across the goal mouth, to the other corner flag. |
estadio |
stadium |
Spanish
word meaning stadium. "It can be challenging to play in Estadio
Azteca during the Summer." |
extra time |
overtime |
If
league/tournament rules permit, and if the score is still even
at the end of regulation and stoppage time, overtime may be played. |
|
The
goal post farthest away from the goalkeeper or shooter. |
|
FIFA |
|
Federation
Internationale de Football Association - the world's governing
body of the game of soccer (aka football). FIFA sees to it that
the game is played to one unified set of rules, the Laws of the
Game, all over the world. Pronounced FEE-fah. |
fifty-fifty ball |
50/50 |
a
played ball where neither team has a clear advantage in gaining
possession |
final (noun) |
championship
game |
The
match featuring the two remaining teams of a tournament - the
result of which determines the champion. |
fitness |
endurance |
a
player's or team's endurance or injury status |
fixture |
schedule |
upcoming
scheduled match |
flank |
side |
the
left or right side of the field |
flighted ball |
|
a
pass that is lofted through the air |
footballer |
soccer
player |
Another
term for soccer player originating from countries where soccer
is referred to as football. |
footy |
soccer |
an
affectionate term for football (soccer) in Europe. |
formation |
|
the
selection and strategic alignment of players |
free kick |
|
Awarded
for serious fouls outside the penalty area (18 yard box), free
kicks may go directly into the goal without having to touch another
player first. |
friendly (noun) |
exhibition |
a
match that does not impact league or tournament standings. The
term does not always reflect the style of play, however. |
fullback |
defender |
a
defensive player who begins play in the rear third of the field
(nearest their own goal) |
futbol |
soccer |
Spanish
word for the game of football (soccer) |
head
coach |
Slang
term most often used in Europe for the manager or head coach. |
|
goal differential |
plus-minus |
the
number of goals a team has scored minus the number they have allowed |
goal kick |
|
A
ball put back into play by the goalkeeper without challenge
by
the opposing team. Must be kicked off the ground within the goal
box. The opponent must be clear of the 18 yard penalty area
during a
goal kick. |
goal mouth |
goal
crease (hockey) |
the
area directly in front of the goal or the opening through which
the ball may enter the goal. |
golden goal |
sudden
death |
an
overtime session where the first goal scored wins or a goal scored
to win during sudden death overtime |
|
the
act of kicking the ball just after it bounces off the playing
surface |
|
halfback |
midfielder |
a
player who begins play in the middle third of the field. Principal
roles are ball control, linking the defenders to the forwards
and playmaking. |
hand of God |
|
The
unnoticed act directing the ball into the goal via handball.
Derived from Argentine player Diego Maradona's goal in the
1986 World
Cup. After the match, he denied the handball stating that it
must have been played by "the hand of God." |
handball |
|
the
deliberate and/or intentional act of touching the ball with the
hand or arm. Does not apply to the goalkeeper when inside his/her
own penalty area (18 yard box). |
hat trick |
hat
trick (hockey) |
The
rare event of a player scoring three goals in a single match. |
header |
|
A
shot toward the net that is propelled by a player's forehead
rather than his/her feet. Doing this while leaving one's
feet and diving
forward is called a "diving header." |
hospital ball |
hung
out to dry |
a
poor pass played in front of oncoming defenders, which if received
by a teammate, could result in injury. Often used as a exaggeration. |
|
Awarded
for less serious fouls, indirect kicks must be touched by another
player (from either team) before entering the goal for a score. |
|
injured reserve |
injury
list |
declaring
an injured player inactive to free up a roster spot for a replacement
player. Rules/restrictions for injured reserve often vary by league. |
instep drive |
|
A
hard and straight shot taken with the instep of the foot. |
interval |
Halftime |
The
break in between halves. "It's 2-0 at the interval." |
kick
save (hockey) |
When
the goalkeeper stops a shot from entering the goal using his/her
feet or legs. |
|
kit |
uniform |
soccer
uniform |
tied |
When
both teams have the same number of goals. As in "we're all
level at two apiece." |
|
line |
goal
line |
The
goal line. "The goalkeeper came off his/her line." |
first
star (hockey), star of the game (baseball) |
The
player whose performance most significantly impacted the outcome
of the match for his/her team. It is common for soccer fans to
disagree on who is worthy of Man of the Match honors. |
|
marking |
checking
(hockey), covering (football, basketball) |
to
cover. "The defender did an excellent job marking his/her man." |
MISL |
indoor
soccer league |
Major
Indoor Soccer League. Top professional "indoo"r soccer league
in
the U.S. Some fans pronounce this league name as "missle." |
MLS |
Major
League Soccer |
The
highest level of professional club soccer in the United States
(U.S. first division) since 1996. |
North
American Soccer League |
The
predecessor to MLS with teams in both the U.S. and Canada (1967-1985).
The league folded largely due to overspending on player salaries. |
|
national team |
all-star
team |
An
all-star team of players who are citizens of the same country.
It is often considered a great honor and accomplishment for a
player to be selected for his/her national team. Over 200 national
teams worldwide compete for the FIFA World Cup. |
near post |
|
The
goal post nearest to the goalkeeper or shooter. |
nil |
zero |
British
term for zero. "The U.S. beat the Argentines one-nil." |
number 10 |
playmaker |
A
midfielder who is considered to be the primary playmaker and a
leader on the team. This player sometimes actually wears the number
10. |
nutmeg |
five-hole
(hockey) |
when
a ball is played through a defender's legs |
|
an
act by the defenders of moving upfield (away from their goal)
causing the attacking team to be offside |
|
on frame |
on
goal (hockey) |
a
shot that has - or would have gone - into the goal if it was not
stopped by the goalkeeper or a defender |
on net |
|
See "on frame" |
one-touch (adjective) |
one-timer |
To
shoot an oncoming pass and/or to pass the ball without stopping
or controlling it first. |
one-v-one |
one-on-one |
one
player versus one player or one-on-one. Pronounced one VEE one. |
onion bag |
net |
the
goal's netting |
|
The
box that extends 18 yards from the goal where a penalty kick
may be awarded for a foul on the attacking team. Goalkeeper
of team defending this goal can also use his hands in this
area. |
|
|
Slang
term for Penalty area |
|
pitch (noun) |
field |
Soccer
field. "The pitch is in excellent shape." |
pointyball |
football |
soccer
fan term for the sport of American football which refers to the
pigskin's pointed ends |
professional foul |
lesser
of two evils |
Intentionally
committing a bad tackle, foul or handball to prevent a goal from
being scored. |
punch (verb) |
|
The
goalkeeper's act of clearing the ball from danger through the
air by thrusting his/her fist(s) into the ball. |
Elite
Eight (college basketball) |
Four
matches which feature the eight remaining teams in a tournament.
Also referred to as the Round of Eight. |
|
quick restart |
no-huddle
offense (football) |
After
a foul is whistled, the strategy of quickly stopping/putting the
ball on the ground and restarting play before the opponent's defense
can set up in their desired position. |
ejection |
A
played is ejected from the match after a flagrant foul that causes
bodily harm to an opponent; a foul takes away a clear goal scoring
opportunity from the opponent or the player receives his/her second
yellow card. Issuance often varies by referee. |
|
redirect |
deflect |
To
touch the ball (often intentionally) to change it's direction. |
restraining line |
battleline |
The
first position on the field where the offense is challenged for
the ball |
supporters
group |
A
rabid and loyal group of U.S. National Team supporters founded
after the 1994 World Cup. These fans often travel great distances,
stand and sing during matches. Sam is a reference to Uncle Sam. |
|
scissor kick |
|
see
bicycle kick |
semifinals |
Final
Four (college basketball) |
Two
games which feature the four remaining teams in a tournament.
Also referred to as the Round of Four. |
senior international |
|
a
Major League Soccer (MLS) player that meets all of the following
criteria: 1.) not a U.S. citizen; 2.) not a green card holder
or under asylum protection; and 3.) 25 years old or older. |
sent off |
ejected |
another
phrase used to describe a player receiving a red card. "McCarty
has just been sent off." |
set piece |
|
A
designed play to be executed from a free kick or other restart
opportunity. |
shootout |
|
Alternating
penalty kicks by each team to determine the outcome of a match
if regulation time and overtime have failed to determine a winner.
Also the name of the MLS pay-per-view package. |
side |
team |
Team.
As in "home side" or "visiting side." |
side netting |
|
the
netting connected from the goal's post to the back post on the
left and right sides of the net. |
side volley |
|
ball
kicked while it is still in the air and off to one side of the
player |
signage |
dasher
boards (hockey) |
the
advertising boards that usually line the perimeter of the field |
simulcast |
|
The
audio portion of match coverage provided on two or more media
simultaneously: radio and TV, radio and webast or two different
radio stations. |
single table |
|
The
standing of every team within the league, from top to bottom,
without regard for conference or division. |
six |
goal
crease (hockey) |
as
in "the six." The box that extends six feet from the goal. Also
referred to as "the six yard box." |
spot |
|
as
in "the spot." Where the ball is placed for a penalty kick |
spot kick |
penalty
kick |
A
penalty kick taken from the penalty spot. |
squad |
team |
Team. |
square (adj.) |
|
A
pass played parallel to the end line, typically from a wing
to the center of the field. "Wolff plays it square to an oncoming
Ernie Stewart..." |
stoppage time |
|
Time
added on the regulation time by the referee to make up for time
used for injuries and substitutions (because the clock is not
stopped). This is still regulation time, not overtime. |
striker |
|
Player
who kicks the ball toward the goal or a player who often kicks
the ball in an attempt to score |
studs up |
cleating |
A
dangerous play where a player's studs (cleats) are exposed
to the legs of another player. A "studs up tackle" is considered
a serious foul if contact is made with another player. |
superdraft |
draft
day |
Major
League Soccer (MLS) event that combines the college entry draft
and supplemental draft of existing professional players into a
single draft |
sweeper |
|
defender
who usually plays nearest to the goalkeeper and behind the
other defenders who "sweeps" away any rebounds or incoming
balls |
switch the field/attack |
|
when
the offense passes the ball from one side of the field to the
less crowded side (left-to-right or right-to-left) |
standings |
Ranking
of the teams in a league, conference or division from first to
worst. |
|
tackle |
slide |
A
defensive manuever of sliding on the ground to knock the ball
away from an opposing play. Tripping or otherwise making contact
with the other player is often considered a foul. Tackling from
behind can earn a caution or even ejection. |
through ball |
|
a pass played between two
defenders |
throw-in |
|
The act of restarting
play by throwing the ball into the field of play. Both hands
must be
on the ball and both feet on the ground and behind the touchline.
A ball that is played over the sideline results in a "throw in" by
their opponent. |
toe the ball |
|
to kick the ball with the
toes of the foot. An improper technique usually done mistakenly. |
touchline |
sideline or out-of-bounds |
The field marking (sideline)
that runs the entire width of the field. |
training (noun) |
practice |
practice session |
transfer fee |
trade for cash |
A monetary fee paid from
one club/league/association to another to acquire the rights to
a player currently under contract. |
upper corner; three-hole
or four-hole (hockey) |
The area of the goal just
inside the 90-degree angle where the side post connects to the
crossbar |
|
vs. |
Short for versus. Pronounced:
vee. "1v1" or "Columbus v. Chicago" |
|
volley |
|
Act of kicking the ball
before it bounces. |
|
the lining up of two or
more defenders to help shield the goal or block an oncoming free
kick. In indoor soccer, can also mean the dasher boards. |
|
wall pass |
give-and-go |
an attacking manuever of
passing the ball to a teammate, then sprinting forward to quickly
receive a return pass. The direction of the ball often forms a
sideways V. |
webcast |
Internet radio |
Play-by-play coverage of
a match that is provided via Internet audio rather than, or in
addition to, radio or television. |
woodwork |
goalposts |
The crossbar or posts of
the goal - even though most are no longer made of wood |
WUSA |
women's soccer league |
Defunct Women's United
Soccer Association. The top division for women's professional
soccer
in the U.S. featuring
many of the top players from around the world. Some fans pronounce
this league name as WOO-sa. |
|
See "caution" |
