Univerisal Soccer Terms

angles - most often used for goal keepers, "narrowing the angles"

angle of the pass - the direction of a pass in relation to defender, attacker

angle of run - the direction of the run from a supporting player

back four - often used to describe the defensive line, e.g. right and left back and two central defenders

balance-  The 3rd or more defenders in a defensive shape to help give cover                                    (ex:  pressure,cover,balance)

ball watching - describes a soccer player who is not aware of what's going on around them as they are more intent on focusing on the ball rather than players and situations building around them

blind side - playing the ball to the opposite side of where an opponent is focused

tackle - strong frontal tackle

breakaway - counter attack where rapid movement is made into forward space. Counter attacking soccer is a strategy employed by teams when playing away from home.

channels - area approximately 15 yard from the touchline

chip - short lofted pass or shot that gets the ball in the air

closing down - players should advance to an opponent with the ball in an attempt to stall play or win back possession

control (ball) - bringing the ball under control by cushioning its arrival at a player with a surface on the body

control (play) - possession and tempo are the key to having control of the soccer game. Oh yes, and a couple of goals!

cover - defensively where a second soccer player provides cover to another player. This follows the defensive soccer principles of first and second defender.

cross - a long pass often in the air that is played diagonally from the flanks or channels into the box

cross, inswinging - a cross which arcs from the center of the pitch to the goal area

cross, outswinger - a cross which arcs from the by line out to the center of the soccer pitch

cross, far post - long cross from a corner that misses out the penalty box and aims for the furthest post

cross, near post - short cross aimed at the nearest post

decoy run - where a soccer player executes a run to draw attention from the intended play. Also known as creating space.

early ball - simple phase of soccer play where an immediate pass is played to a team mate at the earliest opportunity, often to exploit space

takeover - technique where a player looks to take the ball from their team mate who is in possession and leaves it for the other player to take the ball as they run past each other

first touch - vital skill of any soccer player is to be able to get the ball under control and set up their next option, often known as their first touch

flank - the 10 - 15 yards from the side lines, often where crosses come in from

free kick - dead ball restart situation when play has been stopped by the referee for an infringement of the laws of the game

give and go - were a player passes the ball and them moves to receive the ball back from the player they played it to also known as wall pass or 1 - 2

goal side - the area between ball and the goal when defending

half volley - when a player volleys (using their laces)an upward bouncing ball that has just landed in front of them

high press - tactical deployment of the soccer team where all players apply immediate pressure to the opponents when possession is conceded, often in opponents half

instep - upper surface of the foot, when coaching players it's the laces part of the boot!

inswinger - where the flight of the ball arcs towards the target

jockeying - delaying and holding up play, not diving in with a tackle but staying up right and preventing the advancement of the opponent

line (holding the) - defensive term where the defenders keep an imaginary line to catch opponents offside

line of recovery - when a player is beaten, this is the line on which they retreat back towards their own goal to get goal side of the attack

lofted pass - a high pass executed by kicking the bottom half of the ball sending it into the air

mark - to cover a player who may or may not have the ball, prevent a player from receiving the ball

man to man marking - a system that can be deployed where individuals are given specific tasks of marking individuals

narrowing the angle - closing down a player so that the angle they have to shoot or pass is reduced significantly

Obstruction: Causing obstruction, which is blocking an opponent with the body, is penalized by awarding an indirect free kick to the opposition.

offside trap - when a defender(s) acting on a common understanding or trigger moves forward in a line to catch one or more opponents offside

off the ball - movement of players, to create space and provide options

one two - see give and go

out swinger - when a ball is played but curls away from the target

pace - the speed of a player or ball

penetration - a phase of play where a team breaks through the opponents defense 

peripheral vision - being able to see wider than just what's direct in front vision

pressure-  First defender “stepping” to the ball to delay the attack. Principle of defending

pressure training - a method of training that requires rapid repetition for a limited time

save - when the goal keeper or defender prevents a goal!

shadow play - playing without opponents

shielding - keeping possession and control of the ball by using the body to come between the ball and the opponent

show - when a player makes themselves available

square ball - a ball that is played from one side of the pitch to another, laterally

stretching the play - making the pitch big, wide and deep

support play - team mates move into and create space and options for the player in possession

switching play - changing the angle of attack

tackle - a challenge to win the ball off an opponent

target man - a striker / attacker (often big and shields the ball well) who should always be available for a pass from the midfield who can then hold up the play until reinforcements arrive

thirds - the pitch can be segmented roughly into a defensive, a midfield and attacking third all of which are approximately 35 yards (give or take a couple)

through pass - a pass which is played between two defenders for an attacker to run onto

turning an opponent - when running at an opponent, the use of feints and fakes to trick the opponent into turning or by pushing the ball past them and causing them to turn

volley - striking the ball before it lands, difficult skill to master but very powerful

wall - line of players that organise themselves to prevent a direct attack on goal from a dead ball situation

wall pass - see give and go

wide players - often called wingers who play near the touch line

work rate - players and teams contribution to the game

wrong side - when and opponent is allowed to get between the defender and the goal

zonal marking / defense - a system where players have a specific area that they have to cover