Soccer Terminology
Behind- when the ball goes over the goal line but not between the goalposts.
Corner Area- a quarter circle area at each of the four corners of the field.
Corner Kick- a kick made by the attaching team from the corner-arc. This occurs when the ball passes over the goal line but not through the goalposts and it is last touched by a defender.
Direct free kick- a kick which scores a goal when it goes directly through the goal.
Dribbling- moving the ball forward by a series of short kicks.
Field goal- a score counting one point which results when a ball legally passes though the goal.
Free kick- a kick awarded to the team that has been offended for fouls occurring outside the penalty area.
Goal Area- The rectangular area in front of each of the goal posts, 20 yards wide and 6 yards long.
Goalkeeper- the player who defends the goal. When in the penalty area this player is permitted to use his hands on the ball.
Goalkeeper’s steps- the goalkeeper is allowed to take up to four steps while holding the ball.
Goal kick- a kick made by the defending team when the ball goes over the goal line but not between the goal posts and is last touched by an offensive player.
Goal line- the line directly under each of the goal posts at each end of the field.
Halfway line- the line across the field which divides it in half and upon which the kick-off circle is located.
Heading- hitting the ball with the head.
Indirect Free Kick- a kick executed without interference that requires the ball to be played by some other player before a score can occur.
Kick-off- the procedure used to put the ball into play at the beginning of the game.
Linesman- the officials who determine if the ball has legally left the playing field.
Offsides - an infraction that may occur when a player is closer to their opponents’ goal than the ball.
Penalty area- the rectangular area in front of each of the goalposts, 18 yards wide and 44 yards long.
Penalty kick- when the defensive player fouls in his own penalty area, the offensive team is awarded this kick at the penalty kick mark.
Penalty kick mark- the mark 12 yards from the goal where a penalty kick is attempted.
Tackling- taking the ball from an opposing player by use of the feet.
Throw-in- used to put the ball into play after it has gone out of bounds over the sideline.
Touch lines- the sideline soccer field.
Trapping- act of stopping and controlling a moving ball with the feet or body.