Common Soccer Terms For A Footy Novice

Well, we all know Soccer is by far the most popular game on the planet. Games like basketball, Cricket and Baseball have their popularity confined to specific regions. Even when it comes to highest earning sportsmen, soccer veterans top the list. Sometimes it can be hard for us to get the hang of what’s exactly going on? The commentators use specific terms which simply shows error not found! in our minds. So, the point is, none of us wants to be mute spectators. But, to speak out and ponder, we need to know some common terms. Ever heard of ‘Offside’ or ‘Clean Sheet’? If your answer is no, then read along as this article is tailor-made for nerds like you! No offence guys, but these common soccer terms will act as the perfect starter pack for an avid soccer fan!

Clean Sheet

When a team succeeds in defending and the opposition fails to score even a single goal, the team is said to have registered a clean sheet.

Red Card

It is a red coloured card, this is often shown to a player when he fouls over another player. It is given when the intensity of foul is such that it could damage the player physically. After getting a red card, a player has to leave the field and cannot be substituted.

Yellow Card

As the name suggests, it is handed over to a player by the referee for a foul committed. In this case, the intensity of foul is mild and injury might be possible. Although, it is given in less severe foul attempts. Two yellow cards are given, a red card is given.

Loose ball

When no any player from either side is in possession of the ball, it is said to be a loose ball. It’s a common terminology often used by football experts while describing a game.

Kick-off

The start of the game is termed as a kick-off. It is done from the centre-spot of the field which is equidistant from both the sides’ goal boxes.

Penalty

It is an event in which the team whose player is fouled is given a chance to score from the penalty spot. It is rewarded when the defending team fouls or handles the ball with hands in the box area.

Corner Kick

It is an event in which a team is allowed to take a shot from corner-flag. It is given when the defending team pushes the ball out of play in the area behind the goal and parallel to it.

Goal kick

When the defending team is rewarded with the opportunity to shoot the ball, it happens when either there is a foul by attacking team. Else, when the ball goes out of play but by the attacking team’s player.

Free-kick

It is taken after a foul is committed anywhere on the pitch, a wall is formed by the team trying to save the goal. Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar are ones considered to be the masters of this skill. There have some memorable freekick goals in the last minute which has turned the tide.

Box to box player

A player who can display potent skill both as a defender and an attacker. Some of the prominent box to box players are Busquets, Yaya Toure and usually elite defensive midfielders are good at it.

Man On

It is often used by players when they alert their teammate with the ball, they warn them about an incoming opposition player approaching the ball dangerously close.

Nutmeg

When a player pulls off a nutmeg it means that he is able to get the ball past the opposition player by getting the ball between his legs. It is one of the most common soccer terms used in street football as well.

Park The Bus

When a team plays extremely defensive in order to avoid conceding any goals. It is a strategy applied mostly when defending a slender lead, often in high octane matches.

Hitting the woodwork

When a player’s shot hits the crossbar or a sidebar.

Switching the play

Passing the ball from one flank to another, this is mostly done by a lob or long pass. Most wingers are involved in this. Wingers like Bale, Messi and Neymar are known for a brilliant switch of play.

Poacher

A striker who is well aware of his surroundings, keeping defenders in check. With brilliant link-up play, he taps in or heads the ball. Often clever and cunning strikers like Klose, Morata Benzema are among these.

Dummy Run

An unintended run by a forward to create space for teammates. It is mostly to distract opponents from the main player with the ball.

Offside

Out of most common soccer terms we often come across, one is Offside. When given offside, a goal is disallowed. Offside is ruled, when at the time of passing the ball, the receiver of the ball is ahead of the last player of opponents’ team. Teams often use the offside tactic to nullify good crosses and strategies.

Bicycle kick

When a ball is shot by a player with both his feet in the air, kicking the ball in opposite direction to the feet in a cyclic motion. Rooney’s Manchester derby and Cristiano’s Champions League Final goals are one of the most celebrated ones.

Treble

When a team wins three major trophies in a season, it’s considered as a treble. The Champions League, Domestic League Tournament and a domestic knockout tournament are usually taken into account. As an instance, when Barcelona won the treble in 2015, they won UCL, Copa Del Rey and the La Liga.

Brace

When a player scores exactly 2 goals in a match, he is said to have scored a brace.

Stoppage Time/Injury Time

The few extra minutes which are given after the scheduled 90 mins to compensate for the time lost in off the field issues during the gameplay.

Sudden Death

It is a situation when the Penalty Shootout remains tied even after predefined 5 shots each. In this only extra shootout is played which ends with a team scoring and saving juxtaposingly.

Target Man

Tall sturdy forwards with great acrobatic skills, who are capable of heading in or tapping in, on crosses and lobs that fall in the penalty region.

Bye

When a team is promoted to the next round even without the match taking place. It is given when the opposition fails to turn up, due to any reason, even as a protest.

Advantage/Play on

When the referee delays a foul as the ball is in the possession with the team whose player on whom foul was committed.

Own Goal

When a player kicks the ball in his own net, leading to a goal for the opposition. It is often done unintentionally while trying to defend. Defenders and goalkeepers are mostly the ones accused.

Group of death

A group in a tournament in which all the teams are equally competent and hence it’s hard to advance to the next round due to intense competition.

Panenka

When a player deliberately chips the ball while taking a penalty kick. It has been successfully deployed by the likes of Zidane and Cristiano.

Stepover

A signature step of Cristiano Ronaldo, and Brazilian veteran Ronaldo. It involves stepping over the ball with either or both the legs in order to baffle the defender.

Through Ball

A pass which is cleverly played past the defenders seems like piercing a needle through a thread. Midfielders use it to open up defences, it needs a lot of understanding and coordination to implement it. Teams with brilliant link-up play use through balls to breach past even the impregnable defences like Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

Wall

When a free-kick is taken, defending team players form a cluster, standing beside each other in order to create a human wall.

Well, if you have read along till here, it means this sport is enticing to you, no doubt about it. Oh, of course, football has been the sole reason for riots even at times. Not joking, South Americans as well as many European countries are incredibly passionate about their football culture. As of now, after reading this entire article you can call yourself an amateur in football. Cheer up noob, oh sorry, oh you have climbed up the ladder in the hierarchy. I just forgot to mention, apart from watching soccer on your devices, go out and play this sport. Its beauty enhances even more when played. On a personal note, I am a Cristiano Ronaldo’s fan, must be evident from numerous pictures of him! and hence concluding with his signature celebration.

Siuuuuuu!!!

Do Comment your favourite footballers and memories in the comment box and let us know!