Glossary

Centre circle:
The circle in the middle of the field with a radius of 9.15 metres.

Centre mark:
The midpoint of the centre circle from which the ball is kicked to start play or restart play after a team scores a goal.

Charge:
To initiate contact, such as shoulder-to-shoulder bumping, with an opponent in an effort to force the player to either pass the ball or run with it. A referee can call it as an offence if he or she considers the contact careless, reckless or using excessive force.

Clearing kick:
A long kick downfield by a defender to clear the ball from the team's own end.

Corner kick:
A kick from the corner of the field to teammates lined up in front of the goal. This kick is awarded to the attacking team when the ball, last touched by the defending team, goes over the goal line outside the goal posts.

Defender:
A player positioned in the defensive half of the field whose role is to prevent the opposition from scoring.

Direct free kick:
A free kick in which the ball may be kicked directly at the goal.

Dive:
To fake being tackled illegally in an attempt to gain a free kick from the referee. It's also called to "act" or "take a dive".

Dribble:
To move the ball along the field with the feet while maintaining possession.

Foul:
Any illegal interference with an opposing player, including kicking, pushing, shoving, tripping and dangerous or aggressive play.

Free kick:
A kick in which the defence must stay 10 metres away. This kick is awarded after minor offences such as impeding a player or more serious offences such as dangerous charging, striking, pushing, tripping, kicking or an intentional handball occur.

Goal:
A goal is scored by kicking or heading the ball between the goalposts. It's also the area, 2.44 metres by 7.32 metres, through which the ball must enter for a team to score.

Goal area:
A rectangular space in front of each goal.

Goalkeeper or goalie:
The player whose role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. The goalie is the only player who can use hands to control the ball.

Goal kick:
A free kick inside the goal area, taken by the defending side if the ball, last touched by the attacking side, has crossed the goal line outside the goal.

Goal line:
The line on which the goal stands, marking each end of the field of play.

Goal mouth:
The area directly in front of the goal.

Goalpost:
Either of the two posts marking the goal.

Golden goal:
A sudden-death method of resolving a tie, in which the first goal scored during extra time wins the game.

Halfback:
A player positioned near the middle of the field whose main role is to create scoring opportunities for the strikers. Also called midfielder.

Hand ball:
A violation in which a player touches the ball with his or her hands during play.

Header:
To use the head to hit the ball.

Indirect free kick:
A free kick where a goal can be scored only after the ball has first been passed to or touched by a teammate.

Match:
A single 90-minute game divided into 45-minute halves.

Midfielder:
A player positioned near the middle of the field whose main role is to create scoring opportunities for the strikers. Also called halfback.

Offside:
A violation where an attacking player receiving a pass is between the opposing teams goal line and all the defenders.

Own goal:
A goal scored for the opposing team when a player puts the ball into his or her own team's goal.

Penalty area:
A space in front of each goal where an infringement by the defending team results in a penalty kick for the attacking team. Also called the "penalty box".

Penalty box:
A space in front of each goal where an infringement by the defending team results in a penalty kick for the attacking team. Also called the "penalty area".

Penalty goal:
A goal scored from a penalty kick.

Penalty kick:
A free kick from directly in front of the goal, with only the goalkeeper defending, that is granted when the defending team commits a foul within its penalty area.

Penalty shoot-out:
An extension of the tie-breaking system where, if neither team has won after two extra periods, the teams get a series of five penalty kicks until one side is ahead. More than five penalty kicks are awarded if necessary.

Penalty spot:
A marked area 11 metres in front of the goal where the ball is placed for a penalty kick.

Play the advantage:
The referee's option to ignore a violation if it disrupts action without benefiting the opposing team.

Red card:
Issued to a player ejected from the game, either for committing two yellow card offences or for committing a single serious offence such as spitting, dangerous play, violence, an intentional handball or another foul that prevents a goal from being scored.

Save:
The act of preventing a goal.

Sideline:
A boundary line on each side of the field. Also called a "touchline".

Striker:
An offensive player who usually plays far up field and focuses on scoring goals.

Tackle:
To try to take possession of the ball from another player.

Touchline:
A boundary line on each side of the field, also called the "sideline".

Throw-in:
A throw from a player on the sideline into the field of play that is granted after the ball goes out over the sideline.

Wall:
A defensive formation to block a free kick in which defensive players stand shoulder-to-shoulder between an opposing kicker and the goal.

Yellow card:
Issued as a warning to a player for a serious foul or other offences such as persistent fouling, arguing with the referee, or poor behaviour.