Soccer Vocabulary List

an action (such as passing a ball or puck) that helps a teammate to score

Antonio had 3 goals and 1 assist in last night's game.

a strip or projection fastened to the bottom of a shoe to prevent slipping

A cleat is one of the many pieces attached to the bottom of a shoe to prevent slipping.

a bar that joins two posts (such as goalposts in soccer or hockey)

The ball went flying toward the goal but it hit the crossbar and bounced right back onto the field.

a game played between two teams of eleven players in which a round inflated ball is moved toward a goal usually by kicking

While we call it soccer in America, in most countries the sport is known as football.

a kick that is made without being stopped or slowed by an opponent and that is allowed because of a foul by an opponent

The free kick could not be stopped by the wall and curved right into the top right corner of the net.

a player who defends a goal

The goalie jumped to deflect the oncoming ball.

a shot or pass made by hitting the ball with your head

David made a header to score the game-winning goal.

a kick that puts the ball into play (as in football or soccer)

The players assembled for the opening kickoff.

an official who assists a referee in a game

The linesman shot up his flag when he saw the ball roll out-of-bounds.

a contest between two individuals or teams

Not even rain could stop the soccer match from being played.

the area of a playing field in sports like American football and soccer that is in the middle between the two goals

The players rushed to get the ball out of the midfield and into the other team's goal.

in a position in a game on the opponent's part of the field where you are not allowed to be : not onside

A few of the players kept going offside during the game so they couldn't score any goals.

a disadvantage given for breaking a rule in a sport or game

The team was given a penalty after one of the players touched the ball with their hand.

a kick in soccer or rugby that a player makes when the other team has broken a rule

The blue team won the game with a last minute penalty kick when the red team made a foul inside the box.

a player whose position is behind other defending players

Alex was about to shoot the ball when the sweeper made a great defensive move and stole the ball away.

a shot or kick made by hitting a ball before it touches the ground

Antonio has been working on his volley all summer and now he only likes to kick the ball before it touches the ground.