Complete Guide to Soccer Terms

Tap a term to see what it means.

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Offside

A foul called when an attacker is nearer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the last defender at the moment the ball is passed to them β€” one of the most confusing rules in soccer.

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Corner Kick

When a defending player puts the ball out over their own goal line, the attacking team restarts play by kicking the ball in from the corner arc.

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Penalty Kick

A special free kick awarded when the defending team commits a foul inside their own penalty area, giving the attacker a one-on-one chance against the goalkeeper.

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Hat Trick

When a single player scores three goals in one match. The term is said to come from cricket, where a bowler who took three wickets in a row was traditionally given a hat.

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Nutmeg

A flashy skill move where a player slips the ball through an opponent's legs β€” pulling it off usually draws an especially big cheer from the crowd.

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Extra Time

Two additional 15-minute periods (30 minutes total) played when a 90-minute match ends in a draw and a winner must be decided.

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VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

A video review system introduced to correct clear refereeing errors by letting officials re-check a call using video footage.

Soccer is the most widely played sport in the world

With nothing more than a simple set of rules and a single ball, soccer can be played almost anywhere β€” which has helped it become the most popular sport on the planet. Knowing the terms that come up constantly in broadcasts makes watching a match far more enjoyable.

More sports glossaries are on the way

We're working on adding glossaries for other popular sports like basketball and tennis β€” check back soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the offside rule so confusing?

It's judged by exactly where a player is positioned at the instant the ball is passed, which can look ambiguous to viewers β€” that's a big reason VAR review gets used so often.

What happens if the score is still tied after extra time?

In knockout matches, if the score is still level after extra time, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.