Soccer Rules!

 

 

(Rules, Terms, Definitions, Signals etc.)

Advantage:  Rule that lets play continue after a foul, if stopping the action immediately would be disadvantageous to the team that was fouled.

Back Pass: A pass made to a trailing player.

Bicycle Kick: Overhead kick, also called a scissors kick.

Chip: A high pass over a defender's head to a teammate, or a shot on goal from close range away from the goalie's reach.

Corner Kick: Method of restarting play after the defending team has cleared the ball over its own goal line. The ball is placed at the point where the sideline and goal line intersect, with the attacking team awarded a free kick that may be shot directly into the goal.

Dangerous Play: An action that could cause injury in the opinion of the referee. The offending team loses possession of the ball and the opponent is awarded a free kick from the point of the infraction.

Direct Free Kick: A free kick that can result in a goal.

Dribble: To control the ball on the ground with the feet.

End Line: Boundary lines marking the ends of the field.

Far Post: Goalpost farthest from the ball.

Field: Regulation Soccer field.

Formations: 4-3-3, for example, refers to four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. Formations are listed from the defense out.

Give-and-go: A player making a short pass to a teammate and then receiving the return pass. (Also referred to as the "Wall Pass" or the "Double Pass".)

Heading: Using one's head to score, pass or control the ball.

Header: The act of heading a ball.

Indirect Free Kick: Free kick that can't result in a goal unless it touches another player first.

Injury Time: Time added to the end of each half to compensate for stoppages due to injuries, the scoring of a goal or time-wasting.

Midfielder: Player who functions primarily in the middle of the field, linking play between forwards and defenders.

Near Post: Goal post nearest to the ball.

Obstruction: Illegally preventing an opponent from playing the ball by blocking their path to the ball. Results in an indirect free kick.

Offside: Infraction in which an offensive player does not have at least two defensive players between his or herself and the goal line when the ball is last played forward by a member of the attacking team.

Penalty Area: 44-yard by 18-yard area in front of the goal in which the goalkeeper may use their hands.

Penalty Kick: Direct free kick from 12 yards in front of the goal.

Pitch: British term for the playing field.

Red Card: Card held aloft by the referee to signify that a player is being ejected from the match.

Screening (or shielding): When dribbling, staying between the ball and the opponent to protect the ball.

Slide Tackle: Stripping the ball from a dribbler by making contact with the ball while sliding on the turf.

Striker: Player whose main responsibility is scoring.

Sweeper: A roving defender who plays between the fullbacks and the goaltender.

Tackle: To take the ball away from an opponent by using the feet.

Through-pass (or ball): A pass that splits a group of defenders.

Throw-in: Method of returning the ball to play after it has gone over the sideline and was last touched by an opponent.

Touchline (or sideline): Line marking the side of the field.

Trap: To bring the ball under control with any part of the body.

Volley: Kicking the ball in or out of mid-air.

Wall: Group of defenders standing shoulder-to-shoulder to defend a free kick, usually near the goal.

Yellow card: Card held aloft by the referee to warn a player that any further misconduct will cause their ejection from the game.