Soccer Terms Flashcards
An administrative body of youth soccer which sets rules and provides information and equipment to youth league referees, coaches and players
AYSO: American Youth Soccer Organization
The pass or passes which immediately precede a goal; a maximum of two assists can be credited for one goal
Assist
A type of kick that gives the ball a curved trajectory; used to get the ball around an obstacle such as a goaltender or defender
Banana kick
When a player kicks the ball in mid-air backwards and over his own head, usually making contact above waist level; an acrobatic shot
Bicycle kick
When an attacker with the ball approaches the goal undefended; this exciting play pits a sole attacker against the goalkeeper in a one-on-one showdown
Breakaway
A foul called on a goalkeeper when he takes more than 4 steps while holding or bouncing the ball
Carrying the ball
A circular marking with a 10 yard radius in the center of the field from which kick offs are taken to start or restart the game
Center circle
When a player uses his chest to slow down and control a ball in the air
Chest trap
A kick lofted into the air to try to sail the ball over the goalkeepers head and still make it under the crossbar into the goal
Chip shot
To kick the ball away from ones goal
Clear
The flag located at each of the 4 corners of the field, inside the corner area
Corner flag
A type of restart where the ball is kicked from the corner arc in an attempt to score; awarded to an attacking team when the ball crosses the goal line last touched by the defending team
Corner kick
When a player from the attacking team moves without the ball to draw defenders away from the ball carrier and give him space
Creating space
When a player attempts a play that the referee considers dangerous to that player or others, such as trying to kick the ball out of the goalies hands, even if no contact is made
Dangerous play
The players on the team that does not have possession of the ball
Defenders
Dimensions of a soccer field
120 yards long by 75 yards wide
The ricochet of a ball after it hits a player
Deflection
A kick awarded to a player for a serious foul committed by the opposition; the player kicks a stationary ball with no opposing players within 10 yards of him; a goal can be scored directly from this kick without the ball touching another player
Direct free kick
A game that ends with a tied score
Draw
The basic skill of advancing the ball with the feet while controlling it
Dribbling
A method of restarting a game where the referee drops the ball between 2 players facing each other
Drop ball
When a goalie drops the ball from his hands and kicks it just after it hits the ground
Drop kick
A move by a player meant to deceive an opposing player; used by a ball carrier to make a defender think the ball carrier is going to dribble, pass, or shoot in a certain direction when he is not
Fake or feint
The official governing body of international soccer since 1904 which established the World Cup tournament; helps set and revise rules of the game, called the 17 laws
FIFA
A solid gold statue given to the champion of each World Cup tournament to keep for the next 4 years. The 2010 World Cup will be played in South Africa
FIFA World Cup Trophy
Name for soccer everywhere except the u.s.; also, what American’s call their popular team sport which evolved from soccer and rugby
Football
The arrangement into positions of players on the field; for example, a 4-3-3 formation places 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 forwards on the field
Formation
The 3 or 4 players on a team who are responsible for most of a teams scoring; they play in front of the rest if their team where they can take most of its shots, strikers, and wingers
Forwards