world cup glossary of football terms

8/21/2019 World Cup Glossary of Football Terms

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World Cup 2010

Glossary of Football Words and Expressions

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2010


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18 yard box

Another way to say PENA!" #$%

Abandoned match

A match that the &E'E&EE sto(s before &E)UA!*$N !*+E ,an- sometimes before the game

starts/ for exam(le becase of ery ba- weather/ or a ba- P*!C *N3A4*$N

Above the relegation zone

*n a (osition that will mean that yo -on5t hae to worry abot being &EE)A!E6 to a lower

6*3*4*$N if yo are still in that (osition at the en- of the 4EA4$N/ e.g. the fifth team from the

bottom. $ften se- with a nmber of (oints/ e.g. 7#lac8(ool mst be reliee- now that they are

seen (oints aboe the relegation 9one:

Accuracy

Ptting the ball where yo want to go/ sally se- abot PA44es an- 4$!s. $ften se- in

contrast to (ower.

Aerial skills

#eing goo- at EA6ing the ball

aet

A short form of A'!E& E%!&A !*+E

After extra time

!he score after ;0 mintes (ls an extra thirty mintes/ becase the score was E3EN after ;0

mintes

Against the run of play

A goal score- when the other team seems to be -oing mch better/ for exam(le when most of the

(lay is in the other half of the (itch

Agent

Usally se- to tal8 abot the (eo(le who re(resent the (layers/ e.g. -ring !&AN4'E&

negotiations

Aggregate score

Calclate- by a--ing the two scores together when teams (lay two matches/ one at $+E an- one

AWA"/ for exam(le in the 4E+* '*NA4

All

Use- to show that the '*NA 4C$&E was a -raw/ e.g. 7!wo all: for 7!wo two:



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All-seater

A sta-im with no stan-ing room on the !E&&ACE4 where eeryone mst sit -own instea-. All

#ritish gron-s in the to( -iisions hae to be all-gement on the matter/ e.g. a A!E !AC=E from behin- with 4!U64 UP

Automatic promotion

!eams who can go ( to the next 6*3*4*$N withot nee-ing to go throgh a PA"$'' match

with other can-i-ates for P&$+$!*$N/ sally becase they finishe- first or secon- in their

-iision at the en- of the &E)UA& 4EA4$N

Aay fans

4UPP$&!E&s of the team that is not (laying at their own )&$UN6/ almost always fewer in

nmber than the $+E 'ANs

Aay goal (rule)



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When the A))&E)&A!E 4C$&E from $+E an- AWA" matches is a 6&AW ,e.g. 2


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4ee C$N!&$

!all atching

oo8ing only at the ball an- so not seeing where the other (layers are/ es(ecially the (layer who

yo are trying to +A&=

!alloon shot

A 4$! that went far too high

!anner

A long (iece of cloth that has a message written on it an- is sally s((orte- at both en-s by

(oles. *t is -is(laye- by the crow- to s((ort (articlar (layers/ (rotest -ecisions by the

management/ etc.

!eat the keeper

4core a goal

!eat

Win against another team

!y(ical mista8 74PU&4 won Aston 3illa: shol- be 74(rs beat Aston 3illa:e

!eautiful game (the)

'ootball

!ench armer

A (layer who is always a sbstitte an- rarely se-

!enefit match

A match where the (rofits go towar-s a charity or a (layer5s retirement

!icycle kick

A shot in which the (layer fli(s their bo-y oer to 4$$! ,or more nsally C&$44 by 8ic8ing

the ball while it is oer their own hea-

!id for a player

A team saying how mch they wol- (ay the team that a (layer has a contract with if that (layer

was to !&AN4'E& to their clb

!ig man

A tall (layer/ often se- for an attac8er in a team that (lays $N) #A football

!ig-money signing



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A (layer that the clb ha- to (ay a lot of money in !&AN4'E& 'EE4 for

!lind

A common inslt se- for referees who hae ma-e a wrong -ecision/ e.g. not seen a '$U

!lues (the)

Nic8name for English si-e #irmingham City/ -e to the color of their $+E 4!&*P

!lunder

A ba-/ (robably embarrassing/ mista8e

!obble (n"v)

+oement of the ball on the gron-/ e.g. -e a P*!C that isn5t flat/ that means that it -oesn5t

moe in a straight line an- so ma8es it -ifficlt to 8ic8/ !&AP or 4A3E

!oo (n"v)

A noise ma-e by the 'ANs to show -isa((roal

!ookie

A ery common short form of #$$=+A=E&

!ooking

#eing shown a "E$W CA&6 or &E6 CA&6 for -oing something wrong/ sch as

AN6#A or a '$U

!ookmaker

A (erson or com(any who ta8es bets. *n the U=/ boo8ma8ers will ta8e bets on anything a(art from

when someone is li8ely to -ie/ so yo col- bet to-ay on 6ai- #ec8ham5s son being in the

Englan- team one -ay

!oot the ball

=ic8 the ball har- an- far/ (erha(s withot thin8ing abot where yo want it to go

!osman (transfer)

A '&EE !&AN4'E& of a (layer who has come to the en- of their contract/ (ossible -e to a rling

by the Ero(ean Cort of ?stice on the case of #elgian footballer ?ean +arc #osman

!osman ruling

4ee #$4+AN ,!&AN4'E&

!ottom half of the table



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*f there are 12 teams in a -iision/ the lowest @ teams at that time. !his ex(ression is sally se-

to in-icate that those teams are in -anger of &EE)A!*$N at the en- of the season.

!ottom of the table

!he 12th team in a twele team 6*3*4*$N/ li8ely to sffer a atomatic 6E+$!*$N to a lower

-iision if they -on5t win soon

!ovril

A hot -rin8 ma-e from meat extract that smells li8e gray an- is (o(lar in English football

gron-s/ as it 8ee(s yo warm an- alcohol is not aailable

!ox (the)

see PENA!" #$%

!ox to box

A moe that ic8ly goes from near one goal to the other en- of the P*!C

!race

!wo goals/ sally by the same (layer/ in one match. $ne less than a A! !&*C=

!ring someone don

!ac8le someone so that they fall on the gron-. $ften/ bt not always/ a '$U

!ury the ball (in the net)

4core a goal

#ap

An a((earance for a team/ e.g. the NA!*$NA 4*6E. $ften se- to ex(ress the nmber of times

that a (layer has (laye- for one si-e/ e.g. 76ai- #ec8ham got his 100th ca( for Englan- last

wee8en-:

#aptain

A (layer who is gien res(onsibility for organising the other (layers on the (itch

#aptain$s armband

A (iece of fabric worn aron- the ((er arm that shows who the CAP!A*N of each team is. *f the

ca(tain is 4U#4!*!U!E6/ this is (asse- to another (layer.

#ard

"E$W CA&6s an- &E6 CA&6s gien for brea8ing the rles of the game. $ften se- to show

how ba-ly one or both si-es bro8e the rles -ring the match/ e.g. 7ast night5s match (ro-ce- a

recor- 12 car-s/ incl-ing B re- ones/ for the two si-es:



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#arrying (the ball)

A )$A=EEP*N) wal8ing more than three ste(s while hol-ing the ball

#aution

#eing tol- by the &E'E&EE that yo are -oing something wrong. Usally followe- by a

"E$W CA&6 or &E6 CA&6 if yo -o the same thing again

#entral defenders

!he one or ,sally two 6E'EN6E&4 who (lay near the mi--le of the P*!C rather than on the

W*N)4

#entral midfield

+*6'*E6E&4 who (lay near the centre circle rather than on the W*N)

#entre circle

!he circle in the centre of the P*!C/ with a 10 yar- ra-is centre- on the CEN!&E 4P$!. !he

=*C= $'' ta8es (art at the centre of this/ with (layers from the o((osing si-e staying otsi-e this

circle ntil the whistle for 8ic8 off is blown.

#entre forard

!he '$&WA&6 who (lays nearest to the goal an- so is often the !A&)E! +AN

#entre half

Another way to say CEN!&A 6E'EN6E&

#entre spot

!he (oint right in the mi--le of the (itch where yo =*C= $'' from

#hairman

!he bsinessman who organises the bsiness si-e of a football clb/ often someone who owns the

clb or has ineste- a lot of money in it. igher ( the chain of comman- than the +ANA)E&/ btmch less inole- in the -ay to -ay rnning of the clb

#hampions$ %eague - the &uropean #hampions$ %eague'

!he most (restigios com(etition in Ero(e/ where the to( teams from each national leage (lay

against each other in )&$UP an- =N$C=$U! stages

#hange ends

At A' !*+E/ the teams hae to switch which goal their )$A=EEPE& (lays in an- so which

goal they will try an- score in ,to aoi- a-antages from things sch as win- -irection an- a

slo(ing (itch



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#hanges at half time

4U#4!*!U!*$N4 that ha((en -ring the 1 minte A' !*+E brea8

#hanging rooms

!he (lace where the (layers change into an- ot of their =*!/ ta8e a shower etc. Also $C=E&

&$$+ an- 6&E44*N) &$$+

#hant

4ongs that 4PEC!A!$&4 sing or shot -ring the match/ often base- on other songs an-

s((orting or ma8ing fn of a (articlar (layer

#harity hield

!he normal an- informal way of saying the 'A Commnity 4hiel- ,from its ol- name/ a one off

match (laye- between the (reios 4EA4$N5s winners of the EA)UE an- 'A CUP in Englan-

an- so therefore theoretically -eci-ing on the best 4*6E in the contry

#hip also chip shot*'

A shot that is hit high in or-er to ben- oer the )$A=EEPE&5s hea- an- go into the goal

#lean sheet

Not letting any goals in/ often se- to -escribe how well a )$A=EEPE& or 6E'ENCE is

(laying/ e.g. 7Peter 4hilton 8e(t a clean sheet for 1 matches:

#lean seep

Winning all the !&$P*E4 that it is (ossible to in one season

#lean tackle

!a8ing the ball from someone withot it being a '$U

#learance

)etting the ball away from yor own goal/ e.g. by 8ic8ing it far away towar-s the other goal

#limb

?m( to EA6 the ball

#losing minutes" #losing seconds

!he last few mintes or secon-s of a match/ often with one si-e -es(erately attac8ing to ma8e (

for a 6E'*C*!

#lub side +he opposite of ,+&.A+,/A% ,0&

!he team that (layers sally (lay for/ in contrast to the NA!*$NA 4*6E.



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#oach

$ften confse- with +ANA)E&/ as a mo-ern football manager has a >ob similar to a coach in

earlier times/ an- news(a(ers often se the terms as synonyms. A coach is often someone between a

manager an- a !&A*NE&/ an- -eals with (ractical things connecte- to (lay/ whereas a manager

ta8es a more strategic role connecte- to (ic8ing a team/ tactics etc.

#oaching staff

!he nonry/

#ommentator

4omeone on ra-io or !3 who ex(lains the action to listeners or iewers

#ompetitive match

!he o((osite of a '&*EN6"/ in which the (oints gaine- actally cont towar-s

DUA*'*CA!*$N/ winning a CA+P*$N4*P etc

#oncede a goal

A goal being score- against yor team. !he o((osite of score a goal.

#ontrol

!&AP(ing an- 6&*##ing

#orner

Also #orner kick*

A 6EA6 #A sitation in which yo 8ic8 the ball from the s(ot on the corner of the (itch near

the $PP$4*!*$N goal/ sally as a C&$44. Collocations

Awar-e- a / !a8e a

#orner flag

!he (iece of fabric on a (ole that mar8s the C$&NE&

#ramp



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A me-ical con-ition in which it becomes im(ossible to moe a mscle an- it becomes stiff an-

(ainfl/ often se- by not -rin8ing enogh lii-s or not -oing 4!&E!Ces before (laying

#ross (n"v)

!he ball being 8ic8e- from the W*N)4 towar-s a (layer/ sally a 4!&*=E&/ near the

$PP$4*!*$N goal. Collocations $$P*N) C&$44/ $W C&$44

#rossbar

!he (iece of woo- that goes hori9ontally across the to( of the goal/ s((orte- by the two P$4!s.

7!he ball hit the crossbar: sally means that it was nearly a goal.

#ruise

Win easily/ or seem to be winning easily when something sr(rising ha((ens

#up champion

!he o((osite of a EA)UE CA+P*$N/ a team that has won a CUP C$+PE!*!*$N

#up competition

A com(etition that incl-es or entirely consists of a =N$C=$U! com(etition. !he o((osite of a

EA)UE

#up tie

A match in a =N$C=$U! com(letion/ often contraste- with more im(ortant EA)UE matches

#ut (the)

When it is -eci-e- which of the (layers won5t be on the !EA+ 4EE! for the forthcoming match

or cham(ionshi(/ e.g. when a Worl- C( coach leaes ot seen (layers of the original list of thirty

in or-er to only ta8e 2F to the cham(ionshi(

#ut infield

A W*N)E& coming away from the !$UC*NE an- towar-s the PENA!" #$%

0 (the)

!he normal colloial name for the PENA!" A&C/ which (layers mst stay otsi-e while a

(enalty is being ta8en

0angerous in the air

i8ely to score goals with his hea-

0angerous position

A '&EE =*C= which is li8ely to lea- to a goal/ for exam(le becase it is near the goal or the

attac8ing si-e has a 6EA6 #A 4PEC*A*4!



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0ead ball

A sitation in which (lay has sto((e- an- so the si-e which has the ball can ta8e their time abot

how an- when they moe the ball into (lay/ e.g. a (enalty or corner. 4ome teams s(en- a lot of time

(lanning an- (ractising these sitations.

0ead ball specialist

4omeone who is (articlarly goo- in 6EA6 #A sitations/ es(ecially someone who is ery

goo- at '&EE =*C=s

0ebut

!he first time a (layer (lays for a (articlar si-e or at a (articlar leel/ e.g. 7e mst be ery

neros to hae his international -ebt at the age of 1G:

0ecider

A goal or match which settles which team will win/ e.g. one which gies one si-e an

UNA44A*A#E EA6/ or a )$6EN )$A

0ecision

What the referee -eci-es/ for exam(le whether a (layer was $'' 4*6E an- so whether a goal

shol- be 6*4A$WE6 or not

0educted

Points ta8en off a team5s total for the season ,so far for brea8ing the rles/ for exam(le illegally

!APP*N) (layers/ bribing &E'E&EEs/ going ban8r(t/ or !&$W*N) a match

0efend a lead

4to((ing the other team scoring to een ( the score/ for exam(le -efen-ing when it is 1


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!he nmber of goals or (oints that a team is behin-. Collocations +a8e ( the

0eflection

A 4$! A! )$A hitting a (layer that is in the way an- so changing rote/ often ma8ing it har-er

to 4A3E an- so casing a goal

0eliberate hand ball

+ost AN6 #As >st inole the ball acci-entally hitting someone on the han- or lower arm/

bt (layers sometimes try to se their han-s or arms to C$N!&$ the ball. 4ee AN6 $' )$6

for a famos exam(le

0emotion

!he same as &EE)A!*$N. !he o((osite of P&$+$!*$N. #eing force- to go -own to a lower6*3*4*$N becase yo finishe- the 4EA4$N

0erby

A match between si-es who (lay in gron-s that are close to each other/ for exam(le in the same or

neighboring towns

0iamond – ee 2,03,&%0 0,A2/0

0irect free kick

A '&EE =*C= that will cont as a goal if it goes into the NE! withot toching any other (layers.

!he o((osite of *N6*&EC! '&EE =*C=.

0irty match

A match that has many '$Us an- so (robably many CA&6s gien in it

0irty team

A team that '$Us the other team a lot/ or een aims to in>re (eo(le

0isalloed goal

!he time when the ball goes *N!$ !E NE! bt the referee says it was not a goal/ for exam(le

becase a (layer was $''4*6E

0isciplinary record

ow many "E$W CA&6s an- &E6 CA&6s a (layer has got/ recently or oer their career

0issent

Arging too mch with the referee/ for exam(le after a CA&6 is gien. !his can lea- to a &E6

CA&6 or other (nishment.



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0ive

A (layer (reten-ing that they hae been '$Ue- an- falling oer so that they can get a '&EE

=*C=/ PENA!" or een a #$$=*N) for a (layer on the other team. !his is an offense an- will

lea- to a CA&6 for the attac8ing (layer if the &E'E&EE -eci-es that it is a 6*3E rather than a

'$U

0iving header

A hea-er of a $W C&$44/ meaning that the (layer5s bo-y is nearly hori9ontal when they ma8e

contact with the ball an- that they sally lan- flat on the gron-

0ivision champions

!he team at the to( of the !A#E at the en- of the 4EA4$N. !he -iision cham(ions of the to(

-iision/ e.g. the English P&E+*E&4*P/ are EA)UE CA+P*$N4/ an- the -iision

cham(ions of lower -iisions are sally P&$+$!E6

0ivision

Usally 12 to 1@ teams who (lay each other twice -ring a 4EA4$N to see which team will be

6*3*4*$N CA+P*$N4/ which teams will get a P&$+$!*$N an- which teams will get a

&EE)A!*$N/ for exam(le the English P&E+*E&4*P

0omestic double

Winning two -ifferent com(etitions in yor own contry/ e.g. the 'A CUP an- the EA)UE in thesame season

0omestic football season

!he (art of the year when teams (lay in com(etitions in their own contry/ often with tors to other

contries beforehan- an- with Ero(ean another international finals afterwar-s

0omestic

!hings in yor own contry/ contrasting with international/ Ero(ean etc

0ra

,1 eal scores at the en- of a match ,2 (ic8ing which teams will (lay against which in a

cham(ionshi(

0readed vote of confidence

A chairman saying that he has com(lete confi-ence in the manager or coach/ 7-rea-e-: becase it is

almost always followe- by being fire-

0ressing room

!he (lace where the (layers get change- before an- after a match. Also CAN)*N) &$$+4 an-

$C=E& &$$+



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0ribble

Controlling the ball with yor feet as yo rn

0rop back

Players (laying for a while closer to their own goal than sal/ e.g. to -efen- against an attac8ing

moe or to 6E'EN6 A EA6

0ummy

Preten-ing yo are going to moe one way so that yo can )$ PA4! by moing in the other

-irection/ or the same with 8ic8ing the ball. Also 'E*N!

&arly bath

An amsing way of saying a &E6 CA&6/ becase yo will go bac8 to the $C=E& &$$+

before the other (layers

&limination

osing a match an- going ot of a =N$C=$U! C$+PE!*!*$N/ or losing a match an- so not

being able to get enogh (oints to P&$)&E44 to the NE%! 4!A)E

&ngine room

4imilar to a PA"+A=E&/ bt often se- abot a (layer who has that im(act -e to rnning an-

har- wor8

&4ualiser

A goal which ma8es the scores E3EN/ for exam(le going from 2


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Play contining after the &E)UA!*$N !*+E of ;0 mintes becase the scores are E3EN an- so

the winner is not yet -eci-e-. )$6EN )$A is a (articlar 8in- of extra time.

3A (+he)

!he ,English 'ootball Association/ the English member of '*'A/ in charge of all -iisions below

the P&E+*E&4*P/ an- the NA!*$NA 4*6E

3A #harity hield

4ee CA&*!" 4*E6

3A #up

!he most (restigios CUP C$+PE!*!*$N in Englan-. Unli8e the EA)UE CUP/ N$N<

EA)UE 4*6E4 can also (lay in this com(etition

3an

A s((orter of a (articlar clb. Althogh fan comes from the wor- 'ANA!*C/ their mo-ern

meanings are ery -ifferent.

3anatic

4omeone who is too obsesse- with a (articlar team/ an extreme 'AN

3anzine

A maga9ine ,sally more li8e a newsletter written by an- (blishe- by fans/ often critical of the

clb management an- sol- by (eo(le in the street otsi-e the sta-im before a game

3ar post

!he (ost that is frthest away from the (erson ta8ing a 4$! at goal

3avourite

!he team that most (eo(le thin8 will win

3eint

4ee 6U++"

3,3A

!he *nternational 'e-eration of Association 'ootball ,'renchH 'I-Iration *nternationale -e 'ootball

Association/ in charge of international football sch as the Worl- C(. Prononce- as it was one

wor-/ li8e 7feefer:

3inal

!he last match of a CUP C$+PE!*!*$N/ -eci-ing who the cham(ion is



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3inishing

4$$!ing/ sally se- to tal8 abot how well a (layer -oes so

3irm

A slang way of referring to a gang of football hooligans

3irst half

!he first B mintes of match ,(ls *N?U&" !*+E/ followe- by a brea8

3irst leg

When which team wins will be -eci-e- after two matches/ sally $+E an- AWA" ,e.g. the

Cham(ions5 eage 4E+* '*NA4/ the first of the two matches which is (laye- is the first leg

3irst team

Another way to say 4EN*$& !EA+

3irst touch

,1 #eing able to ic8ly control the ball when it comes to yo/ e.g. being to PA44 it withot

nee-ing to !&AP it first ,2 !he first time a (layer 8ic8s or hea-s the ball after coming into the

match/ e.g. 7After coming on as a 4U#4!*!U!E/ $wen score- the EDUA*4E& with his first

toch ,of the ball:

3ive a side

A form of football with only 10 (layers in total on the (itch/ which is sally smaller than a

&E)UA!*$N P*!C

3ixture

A +A!C

3ixture list

A list of all the games that a team will (lay -ring a season an- which ones will be A! $+E orAWA"

3lag

4ee C$&NE& 'A)

3lag post

!he ,tra-itionally woo-en (ost which mar8s the corner an- has a fabric flag on it

3lair player



18/56

A (layer who is ery s8ilfl/ for exam(le being able to 6&*##E/ )$ PA4! +EN or -o the

#*C"CE 8ic8. $ften se- to sggest that the (layer isn5t so reliable or won5t -o boring things li8e

6E'EN6

3lank

Another way to say W*N)

3lat back four

!he -efen-ers (laying in ,more or less a straight line. !he o((osite of the 4WEEPE& system

3lick

i8e a 6E'EC!*$N in that the ball isn5t -eflecte- mch from its original rote/ bt -eliberate

an- sally with the foot or hea-

3loodlights

ights that mean (lay can contine when it wol- otherwise be too -ar8

3luke

A lc8y goal or sae/ for exam(le the ball going off yor bottom *N!$ !E NE!

3ollo a team

4((ort a (articlar 4*6E

3ootball kit

4ee =*!

3ootball pitch

4ee P*!C

3ootie

An informal #ritish way of saying football/ more (o(lar in the U= than the ex(ression

74$CCE&: since #rits realise- that Americans always se 7soccer: ,7football: in the U4A

meaning American football

3ormation

ow the (layers are arrange- on the (itch/ e.g. '$U& '$U& !W$

3orard

A more official way of saying 4!&*=E&

3our four to



19/56

A '$&+A!*$N with for 6E'EN6E&s/ for +*6'*E6E&s an- two 4!&*=E&4.

3ourth official

A referee who watches the match on !3 an- can be as8e- to loo8 at 4$W +$!*$N &EPA"s to

ma8e a -ifficlt -ecision/ e.g. whether the ball C&$44e- !E *NE

3ree kick

4imilar to a PENA!"/ bt with the ball frther from the goal. Collocations Awar-e- a / !a8e a

/ *N6*&EC! '&EE =*C=/ 6*&EC! '&EE =*C=

3ree transfer

A (layer moing from one team to another withot the new clb nee-ing to (ay !&AN4'E&

'EE4/ for exam(le as a #$4+AN !&AN4'E& at the en- of their contract

3riendly

A match that is >st for (ractice or charity. !he o((osite of a C$+PE!*!*3E +A!C

3rom 15 yards

'rom the PENA!" 4P$! ,12 yar-s is the -istance from the goal to the (enalty s(ot.

3ull backs

Wi-er -efensie (layers/ in contrast to CEN!&A 6E'EN6E&4

3ull international

A match with NA!*$NA 4*6E that is C$+PE!*!*3E/ i.e. not a '&*EN6". !his ex(ression is

often se- to show that a (layer has reache- the to( leel of the game/ e.g. 7&oberts neer ex(ecte-

to (lay his first fll international at the age of FB:

3umble

!he )$A=EEPE& not catching the ball (ro(erly/ often lea-ing to a goal

6affer

A slang way of saying 7boss:/ often se- for a +ANA)E&

6ame in hand (a)

When two or more teams are eal on (oints bt one team has (laye- one fewer match an- so

might hae more (oints when they hae (laye- that game/ they are sai- to hae a game in han-

6ame of to halves (a)

A clichI- ex(ression to say that games often change in the 4EC$N6 A'/ for exam(le becase

of something the C$AC has sai-/ a change in tactics/ or a 4U#4!*!U!*$N



20/56

6ame

4ee +A!C

6amesmanship

UN4P$&!4+AN*=E behaior

6azza

!he nic8name for PAU )A4)$*)NE/ a creatie bt troble- former Englan- (layer

6el

4tart to wor8 well as a team/ similar to form a goo- &APP$&!

6et on the scoresheet

A (layer who hasn5t score- yet scoring their first goal/ sally se- abot one match bt sometimes

for a whole season

6et the nod

#e chosen to (lay in a match/ as if the (layers were stan-ing in a line an- the manager was

choosing them one by one by no--ing his hea- to in-icate a (layer or say yes

6iant killers

A team that has #EA!en a team from mch higher in the EA)UE/ e.g. a N$N EA)UE !EA+

beating a team in the P&E+*E&4*P an- E*+*NA!*N) them from the 'A CUP

6ifted players

$ften 7Natrally gifte- (layers:. 3ery s8ilfl an- creatie (layers. $ften se- abot (eo(le who

waste their talent.

6ive the ball aay

'or exam(le/ PA44ing the ball to a (layer from the other team/ being too easy to !AC=E or

losing the ball while trying to 6&*##E. A ery negatie ex(ression/ more so than $4E !E#A

6o don

#e &EE)A!E6

6o in front

!a8e the lea-/ for exam(le go from 1


21/56

6o the right ay

A )$A=EEPE& gessing which way a 4$! will go an- so -iing in the right -irection. $ften

se- for PENA!*E4.

6o the rong ay

!he o((osite of )$ !E &*)! WA"

6o top

&each first (lace in the 6*3*4*$N -ring the 4EA4$N

6o up

#e P&$+$!E6

6oal

,1 !he rectanglar o(ening consisting of a hori9ontal C&$44#A& s((orte- by two #A&s/

sally with a net behin-. ,2 =ic8ing the ball into the goal of the other team

6oal area

$fficial name for the 4*% "A&6 #$%

6oal celebrations

!he way in which (layers show their en>oyment at haing score- a goal/ e.g. -ancing/ embracing or

(lling yor shirt oer yor hea-. !hese are often in-ii-al to certain (layers or -eci-e- on before

the goal is score-/ bt some goal celebrations sch as oer


22/56

A 6EA6 #A sitation in which the goal8ee(er is allowe- to 8ic8 the ball from the s(ot withot

being tac8le-/ sally -e to the ball going behin- the )$A *NE off a (layer from the other

team/ bt also sometimes in (lace of a '&EE =*C=

6oal line

!he line that goes throgh the )$A an- to the two corners/ often mentione- when it is

controersial whether the ball went into the )$A or was 4A3E-

6oalie

An common informal way to say )$A=EEPE&.

6oalkeeper

A (layer who is allowe- to se their han-s to sae the ball from going into the goal. !hey hae towear a -ifferent shirt from the other (layers/ an- sally wear gloes.

6oalless dra

4ee N$ 4C$&E 6&AW

6oalmouth

!he area ery near the goal/ es(ecially right in front of it/ an- so an easy (lace to 4C$&E from

6oalpost

A longer bt less common way of saying the ,tra-itionally woo-en P$4! at the si-e of the goal

6olden boot

!he rewar- for the most goals score- by one (layer in a season/ e.g. in the Cham(ions5 eage

6olden generation

Use- to -escribe lots of great (layers who >st ha((en to be born in the same contry at more or

less the same time/ (erha(s shown by winning a "$U! CA+P*$N4*P/ e.g. 7Now that the

Portgese )ol-en )eneration is aging/ this is (erha(s their last chance to win the Worl- C(:

6olden goal

A 8in- of E%!&A !*+E where the match only contines ntil the next goal/ at which time the

team that score- it wins/ with the other team haing no chance to score an EDUA*4E&

6round

A more common way to say sta-im

6roup match

A game in the early stages of a com(etition that finishes with a =N$C=$U! 4!A)E for the final

etc bt has teams (laying in a mini


23/56

thoght they were >oint 'A3$U&*!E4 to win the Ero(ean C(/ bt now it seems they will be

lc8y to win any of their gro( matches:

6roup of death

A gro( in which has no clear 'A3$U&*!Es an- so all the teams hae a goo- chance of getting

enogh (oints to go throgh to the next ron- an- therefore the tas8 is ery -ifficlt for them

6roup stages

*n a com(etition that finishes with a =N$C=$U! stage/ the earlier stages in which seeral teams

(lay each other in a mini leage format to see which teams get enogh (oints to (rogress to the next

stage ,sally the to( two teams

6unners (the)

Nic8name for English si-e Arsenal/ as 7arsenal: means a (lace where gns are store-

7acking

,1 =ic8ing at other (layers5 legs/ often se- for someone who is trying to get the ball bt is so

ns8ilfl that they often '$U (eo(le/ bt also for -eliberate fols ,2 =ic8ing at the ball in a more

ho(efl than s8ilfl way.

7airdryer treatment (the)

A C$AC shoting at his team at A' !*+E if they are losing/ se- becase yo can imagine

the air from their shoting moth being li8e a hair-ryer going oer yor face

7alf time

!he 1 minte brea8 after the first ,a((roximately B mintes of (lay

7alf volley

=ic8ing the ball after it has >st hit the gron- an- so hasn5t really ha- time to bonce/ ma8ing it

loo8 similar to a 3$E" an- similarly -ifficlt to 8ic8 well

7ammer the ball home

=ic8 the ball ery har- an- score a goal

7ammers – ickname for the &nglish side est 7am

7and ball

A '$U in which the ball hits the han- or lower (arts of the arm. Collocations -eliberate /

intentional

7and of 6od



24/56

!he goal which +ara-ona score- against Englan- in the Worl- C( by lifting his han- aboe his

hea-/ name- after his famosly false statement after the match that it was the hea- of +ara-ona bt

the han- of )o-

7andling outside the area

A )$A=EEPE& sing his han-s otsi-e the area near the goal where he is allowe- to/ lea-ing to

a '&EE =*C= for the other si-e

7at trick

!hree goals by the same (layer in the same match

7ead in – core a goal ith your head

7eader

Using yor hea- to control the ball/ e.g. in trying to score a goal. !y(ical mista8e hea-ing shoot x

7eart

$ften se- to tal8 abot a team who -on5t hae excellent s8ills bt still win or 6&AW throgh

-etermination/ goo- teamwor8/ har- wor8 etc.

7eavyeights

&ich/ sccessfl/ big an-J or historic si-es. !he o((osite of +*NN$W4. 'rom boxing/ as if a

flyweight boxer was as8e- to ste( into the ring with a mch bigger an- heaier fighter.

7olding midfielder

Another way to say 6E'EN4*3E +*6'*E6E&

7ome advantage

#eing more than sally li8ely to win a match -e to (laying at yor $+E )&$UN6

7ome defeat

osing a match at yor own sta-im

7ome fans

4UPP$&!E&s of the team who is (laying at their own sta-im

7ome ground

!he sta-im of yor team

7ome gron players



25/56

,1 Players who came ( from the "$U! !EA+ rather than being boght from other teams ,2

Players from the contry they are (laying in/ the o((osite of foreign (layers

7ome leg

A match at yor own sta-im whose score will be a--e- to a match in yor o((onent5s sta-im to

-eci-e who wins.

7ome nations

Englan-/ 4cotlan-/ Wales an- Northern *relan-/ as the U= is the 7home of football:

7ome strip

!he football =*! that a team sally ses an- is famos for/ e.g. blac8 an- white stri(es for

Newcastle

7ome team

!he team who are (laying in their own sta-im

7ooligan

A 7football 'AN: whose main aim is iolence

7ost a championship

ae a com(etition in yor contry/ city or sta-im/ e.g. 74oth Africa is hosting the 2010 Worl-C(:

7oler

A really ba- (iece of (lay/ for exam(le a 'U+#E by the )$A=EEPE& or missing a 4*!!E&

7ugging the touchline

Playing ery W*6E

,mpact sub

4ee 4UPE&4U#

,n form

aing a (articlarly (ro-ctie (erio-. $ften se- for 4!&*=E&s who hae been scoring a lot of

goals recently.

,n front

7!wo goals in front: is the same as 7A EA6 of two goals:/ e.g. B


26/56

A '&EE =*C= which mst hit another (layer before it goes into the net in or-er to cont as a goal.

Usally a lesser (nishment that a 6*&EC! '&EE =*C=

,nury time

*f the match has to sto( while in>re- (layers get bac8 (/ are treate- or are 4!&E!CE&E6 $''/

the time this ta8es will be a--e- onto the en- of the '*&4! A' or the en- of the match/ meaning

that an aerage match is actally ;F mintes rather than ;0 mintes

,ntercept

!a8e the ball which someone from the other team was trying to PA44 to their own (layer

,nterval

A less common way to tal8 abot the A' !*+E #&EA=/ only sally se- by >ornalists

,nto the net

*nto the goal

9ab

=ic8ing the ball withot moing yor foot ery mch

9ersey

A football shirt

:eep the ball in play

4to( the ball going oer the white !$UC*NE at the si-e of the P*!C an- so not nee- to sto(

(lay for a !&$W *N/ )$A =*C= or C$&NE& =*C=

:eeper

!he normal informal way to say )$A=EEPE&

:ick off

!he start of the match/ in which the team who won the C$*N !$44 can 8ic8 the ball first from the

CEN!&E 4P$!

:ick off time

!he time the match will start/ tra-itionally F o5cloc8 in the afternoon

:ick

Use yor foot to hit the ball

:ingpins



27/56

A (layer who controls the game/ sally a +*6'*E6E&

:it

Also 7'ootball 8it:. !he normal wor- for the clothes that footballers wear.

:nock

A slight in>ry from colli-ing with another (layer

:nock the ball don

ea- the ball -own to the gron- so yo or another (layer from yor team can 8ic8 it/ sally so

that they can 4$$!

:nockout competition

A cham(ionshi( in which the team which loses is ot of the com(etition an- -oesn5t hae another

chance to (lay. !he o((osite of a EA)UE

:nockout round

!he (art of a com(etition in which the team who loses is ot an- -oesn5t hae another chance to

(lay/ e.g. the 4E+*


28/56

!he to( team of the whole EA)UE ,meaning the to( team in the to( 6*3*4*$N at the en- of the

season. Usally the most (restigios title in the contry

%eave the goal ide open

A )$A=EEPE& stan-ing in a (osition that ma8es it easy to score/ for exam(le being too close to

one P$4!

%eft-footed

,1 'in-ing it easier to 8ic8 with yor left foot/ similar to being left


29/56

%ong ball game

A tra-itional #ritish tactic in which the ball is 8ic8e- high along the length of the (itch to be

hea-e-/ rather than (asse- throgh the +*6'*E6

%ooping cross

A C&$44 which goes high/ therefore going oer 6E'EN6E&4. !he o((osite of a $W C&$44

%ose on penalties

#e E3EN after E%!&A !*+E/ bt then score fewer (enalties than the other si-e an- so lose the

game. Englan- hae -one this more at the Worl- C( than any other team eer.

%ose the dressing room

ose the confi-ence of the (layers or start to hae a ba- relationshi( with them. Use- abot a

manager/ sally to ex(lain why he is being sac8e-.

%o cross

A C&$44 which stays close to the gron-/ for exam(le for a 6*3*N) EA6E& or 3$E"

%o shot

A 4$! which stays close to the gron-/ often meaning that the )$A=EEPE& has to -ie far to

their right or left to reach it

2agic sponge (the)

When (layers were in (ain/ a trainer se- to come ot with a bc8et of water an- a s(onge.

Ama9ingly/ this often lea- to the (layer getting ( an- starting to (lay again/ hence 7magic:

2agic spray

A mo-ern ersion of the +A)*C 4P$N)E

2aority of possession

"or (layers haing the ball more than the other team. 4ee P$44E44*$N

2an on

4hote- to tell someone that they are in -anger of being tac8le-

2an short (a)

Playing with ten men/ becase one (layer receie- a &E6 CA&6

2an to man marking

A system in which each -efen-er is gien one attac8ing (layer from the other team that they hae

to stay close to. !he o((osite of K$NA +A&=*N)



30/56

2anager

!ra-itionally/ someone who is in charge of (ic8ing a team/ -eci-ing on tactics/ an- bying an-

selling (layers/ one leel higher in management than a C$AC.

2arking

4taying close to an attac8ing (layer to ma8e sre they can5t get the ball or can5t PA44 or 4$$! if

they hae it

2atch fit

'it an- healthy enogh to (lay in a C$+PE!*!*3E )A+E. $ften se- negatiely for a (layer

who was in>re- an- has recoere- bt hasn5t traine- enogh to be able to (lay effectiely.

2atch of the 0ay

!ra-itionally the most (o(lar English football show on !3

2atch inner

!he goal that meant that yor team won the match/ e.g. the goal that too8 the score from 2


31/56

4ee +*4PACE A PA44

2isplace a pass

PA44 the ball to the wrong (lace/ e.g. to an $PP$4*N) (layer or to somewhere the (layer it is

meant for can5t (ossibly rn to

2istimed tackle

!rying to tac8le someone before or after they hae the ball/ sally lea-ing to a '$U. Usally

means a A!E !AC=E

2/+0

4hort written form of +A!C $' !E 6A"

2ovement off the ball

+oing aron- een when someone else has the ball/ e.g. +$3*N) *N!$ 4PACE so that

someone can (ass the ball to yo

2oving into space

&nning into a (lace on the (itch where there are no $PP$4*!*$N (layers/ ma8ing it easy to (ass

the ball to yo

ational side

A common ex(ression for the NA!*$NA !EA+. !he o((osite of CU# 4*6E

ational stadium

!he sal ene for CUP '*NA4/ *N!E&NA!*$NA +A!CE4 etc/ e.g. WE+#E" in the

U=

ational team

!he team that re(resents the whole contry/ e.g. the teams that com(ete in the W$&6 CUP

ear post

!he (ost nearest to the (erson who is going to 4$$!/ PA44/ ta8e a C$&NE& or ta8e a '&EE

=*C=

et

!he mesh that is almost always (t behin- the goal/ connecte- to the C&$44#A& an- P$4!s then

connecte- to the gron- in some way behin-. $ften se- to tal8 abot scoring a goal/ e.g. 7in the

#AC= $' !E NE!:

etting



32/56

!he material that the NE! at the bac8 of the goal is ma-e from. $ften mentione- to say that a

C&$44 hit the si-e of the goal/ meaning that 7hit the netting: which is ba- thing/ is ery -ifferent

from 7)$ *N!$ !E #AC=$' !E NE!:/ which is a goal

eutral venue

A sta-im that is not the $+E )&$UN6 of either si-e/ se- becase there has been crow-

iolence or becase the (olitical sitation ma8es it im(ossible to (lay in one of the home gron-s

eutralize

+a8e sre that a threatening team or (layer is actally not a -anger/ e.g. by goo- +AN !$ +AN

+A&=*N) or by sing the right '$&+A!*$N

ext round (the)

!he (art of the cham(ionshi( that yo will (rogress to if yo win a match/ e.g. the 4E+*


33/56

/dds

ow li8ely yo are to win a match/ e.g. 7!he o--s are against 4PU&4 winning the next match in

their leage cam(aign:. 'rom betting.

/ff his line

Use- to ex(lain that a goal8ee(er is far from his own goal/ ma8ing it easy for a 4!&*=E& to C*P

the ball oer his hea-. Collocations Caght / 4tan-ing

/ff target

Not towar-s the goal/ so that it wol-n5t go in een if the goal8ee(er wasn5t there.

Collocations4hots / shot/ 0 attem(t

/ff the ball

While the other (layer -oesn5t hae the ball/ for exam(le 4*&! !U))*N) >st to annoy another

(layer or to sto( them &UNN*N) *N!$ 4PACE

/fficial supporters$ club

A 4UPP$&!E&45 CU# organise- by the football clb

/fficials

!he &E'E&EE an- *NE4+EN

/ffside rule

!he rle that aims to sto( )$A AN)*N) by forcing (layers to receie the ball frther towar-s

their own goal than the o((osing si-e5s -efen-ers. Not n-erstan-ing the offsi-e rle is often state-

as (roof of women not really a((reciating football.

/ffside trap

6efen-ers rnning forwar- to force the o((osing stri8er into an $''4*6E (osition an- so ma8ing

sre the game is sto((e- an- they get P$44E44*$N. *f this tactic goes wrong it sally leaes the

stri8er only nee-ing to beat the )$A=EEPE& to score.

/n a yello card

aing to be carefl not to '$U anyone etc. becase yo alrea-y hae a "E$W CA&6 ,in

that match or a (reios match an- so will hae to miss the rest of that match an-J or the next

match if yo get another yellow car-

/n paper

7*t5s a goo- team on (a(er: means that theoretically it shol- be a goo- team ,bt often that it isn5t

actally that goo-/ for exam(le becase the (layers -on5t get on with each other

/n target



34/56

i8ely to lea- to a goal if no one gets in the way/ i.e. going towar-s the goal

/n the bench

A 4U#4!*!U!E who -oes not (lay from the beginning of the game bt might later. Collocations

4tarting / 4tc8 . 4ee #ENCWA&+E&.

/n the break

4coring on the brea8 means scoring while most of the (layers are in the other half of the (itch/ for

exam(le becase the other team has ha- most of the P$44E44*$N an- -one most of the attac8ing

/ne touch football

A style of (lay in which (layers ery ic8ly PA44 the ball

/pen play – +he opposite of a &+ ;,&

/pen talks

4tart negotiating with a (layer or team abot (rchasing someone

/pener

see $PEN*N) )$A

/pening goal

!he first goal of the match/ ma8ing the score 1


35/56

/ut-of-position

Not where yo shol- be on the P*!C

/utside of the foot

!he right si-e of yor right foot or the left si-e of yor left foot. Using the otsi-e of yor foot is

often seen a sign of s8ill

/ver to legs

!wo matches/ $+E an- AWA"

/n goal

!he ball acci-entally going into yor goal off one of yor own (layers/ e.g. a faile- #AC=PA44

/n half

!he half of the P*!C nearest to yor goal

;ark the bus (in front of the goal)

Pll all the (layers bac8 to -efen-/ sally to 6E'EN6 A EA6

;artnership

!wo (layers who (lay close to each other/ e.g. two CEN!&A +*6'*E6E&s

;ass

=ic8ing the ball from one (layer to another (layer on the same si-e.

;assing game

A style of (lay in which PA44ing is the most im(ortant element/ the o((osite of $N) #A

;enalty (kick)

#eing able to try to score a goal in yor own time from the PENA!" 4P$!. !his is se- to

-eci-e which team wins if the score is E3EN at the en- of E%!&A !*+E/ or is se- as a (nishment/ for exam(le for a '$U insi-e the A&EA. Collocations#e awar-e- a / !a8e a /

Conce-e

;enalty arc

!he official ,bt rarely se- name for the 6

;enalty box

!he area near the goal in which the )$A=EEPE& may se his han-s an- a '$U will reslt in a

PENA!" =*C=



36/56

;enalty shoot out

Penalties at the en- of E%!&A !*+E to -eci-e which team will win

;enalty spot

!he s(ot 12 yar-s from the goal from which PENA!" =*C=4 are always ta8en

;hysical

A (hysical team or (hysical match is one in which there is a lot of reliance on (hysical force. $ften

a e(hemism for lots of '$Us

;int-sized

4mall/ li8e an ol-st the (itch

;ivotal moment

A moment that change- the whole game/ e.g. a goal which gae a team confi-ence/ a &E6 CA&6

or an in>ry.

;lay deep

Playing closer to yor own goal than is sal for that (layer or (osition/ e.g. a 4!&*=E& (laying

behin- another stri8er to hel( them

;lay on

A signal from the &E'E&EE that the (layers shol-n5t sto( to ta8e a '&EE =*C= bt instea- 8ee(

on (laying/ sally becase they hae the ball an- are in a goo- (osition an- so >st as li8ely to

4C$&E as they wol- be if they were gien a free 8ic8

;laying for a dra

Aiming to -efen- to 8ee( the scores E3EN rather than ta8ing a ris8 in or-er to win the game/

sally becase one (oint is enogh for yo/ (erha(s becase yo won the '*&4! E) or becase

yo hae a goo- EA6 in yor 6*3*4*$N

;laying ide



37/56

4ee W*6E

;laymaker

A more common ex(ression for =*N)P*N

;layoff

A s(ecial match to -eci-e something that hasn5t been -eci-e- by the normal matches/ e.g. which of

the teams between thir- an- sixth (osition in the -iision will be P&$+$!E6

;%#

Pblic imite- Com(any. A #ritish com(any that anyone can by the shares of/ similar to an

American cor(oration. +any English P&E+*E&4*P clbs are PCs an- so nee- to worry abot

8ee(ing their share (rice high an- being ta8en oer.

;ools

A way of betting on football reslts/ similar to a lottery

;osition

,1 Where yo (lay on the (itch/ sally -eci-e- as (art of a '$&+A!*$N ,2 !he name for the

(osition where yo (lay/ e.g. E'! #AC=

;ossession

,1 aing the ball ,2 ow mch of the match yor team ha- the ball/ often gien as a (ercentage/

e.g. 7Althogh *taly ha- G0L (ossession/ they still col- only manage a 6&AW:. Collocations

ose / +A?$&*!" $' P$44E44*$N

;ost

!he two (oles at the e-ges of the goal that hol- ( the C&$44#A&/ tra-itionally ma-e from woo-.

Collocations &ebon- off the / *n off the / NEA& P$4!/ 'A& P$4!

;ost-match analysis

!he time after the +A!C when the C$++EN!A!$&s an- PUN6*!s tal8 abot the match they

hae >st seen

;rofessional foul

A -eliberate '$U that is -ifficlt for the &E'E&EE to s(ot or is meant to in>re an im(ortant

(layer on the other si-e

;rogress (v)

)o on to the NE%! &$UN6

;romoted



38/56

Allowe- to go ( to a higher 6*3*4*$N/ for exam(le by being the to( team in yor -iision or

wining the PA"$''s

;romotion

4ee P&$+$!E6

;ub side

A team that re(resents a (articlar (b in a local leage/ often a 4UN6A" EA)UE/ an- which

sally consists of reglar cstomers. Use- as an inslting way of tal8ing abot a ba- (rofessional

football si-e

;ull the ball back

A PA44 or C&$44 which goes somewhat bac8war-s

;undit

A football ex(ert/ e.g. someone who analyses the match at A' !*+E rather than s(ea8ing all the

way throgh li8e a C$++EN!A!$&

;urple patch

Another way to say *N '$&+/ sally se- abot 4!&*=E&s

;ut it aay

4core a goal


39/56

.eal

Prononce- li8e 7rey


40/56

.egulation pitch

A P*!C whose si9e is within the limits set by '*'A/ an- so goo- (ractice for to( leel football.

4imilar to 7$lym(ic si9e swimming (ool: in swimming

.egulation time

;0 mintes/ to which *N?U&" !*+E is a--e- to -eci-e on the actal length of the match

.elegation

#eing force- to go -own to a lower 6*3*4*$N/ e.g. -e to being the bottom team at the en- of the

4EA4$N or losing the PA"$''s

.elegation battle

,1 ae to ma8e a great effort not to be &EE)A!E6 ,2 A match with another team who might

also be &EE)A!E6/ i.e. a 4*% P$*N!E&

.elegation zone

!he (laces in the !A#E which will mean being &EE)A!E6 to a lower 6*3*4*$N or haing to

go throgh PA"$''s to 4!A" UP/ e.g. the last for teams ot of a 1@ team -iision

.eplay

,1 4howing a (art of the match again on !3 ,2 Playing the same match again/ for exam(le

becase the original match ha- to be A#AN6$NE6

.eserve team

4ee &E4E&3E4

.eserves

A team of (layers who aren5t able to enter the 4EN*$& !EA+ -e to not being *N '$&+ etc/ who

often (lay against reseres from other clbs for (ractice/ sometimes in a -e-icate- leage.

.estart

4tart a match again which has been (ase- -e to things li8e ba- weather/ the 4P$!*)!4 going

off/ or a P*!C *N3A4*$N

.esult

,1 !he final score ,2 Winning/ e.g. 7We -i-n5t (lay ery well/ bt we were >st ha((y to get a

reslt:

.ight ing

Playing on the right e-ge of the (itch ,from yor own (ers(ectie/ near the !$UC*NE

.obbed



41/56

!he ex(ression 7We were robbe-: is often se- to say that ba- refereeing -ecisions were they only

reason we -i-n5t win a match

.ock-solid

Use- to -escribe a 6E'EN4E that it is im(ossible to get the ball (ast/ li8e trying to get throgh a

roc8 wall

.ound robin play

Where eery team (lays eery other team

.unners up medal

An awar- for the &UNNE&4 UP

.unners

( M !he secon- (lace- team in a 6*3*4*$N or the losing team in a '*NA

.unning off the ball

4ee $'' !E #A

ave

4to( the ball from entering yor goal. +ainly se- to tal8 abot what the )$A=EEPE& tries to

-o

core (a goal)

Pt the ball into the $PP$4*!*$N goal

coring opportunity

A chance to 4C$&E

cout

A member of staff whose >ob it is to fin- new (layers for the clb/ for exam(le by watching

matches in lower -iisions an- trying to s(ot goo- (layers ,es(ecially yong ones to by

craped into

$nly get >st enogh (oints to -o things/ e.g. only be aboe the team below by )$A

6*''E&ENCE/ li8e a boat scra(ing oer the roc8s at the bottom of the sea or a bs scra(ing its roof

as it goes n-er a low bri-ge

eagulls (the)

!he nic8name for the excellent bt sr(risingly little 8nown English si-e #righton an- oe

Albion



42/56

eason

4imilar to an aca-emic year for a niersity/ e.g. 7!he 200


43/56

himmy

+oing yor hi(s in or-er to )$ A&$UN6 a (layer or as a 'E*N!

hin pads

Protection for the bone at the front of yor leg below the 8nee/ worn n-er the soc8s

hirt sponsors

Com(anies who (ay for their com(any name to be (rinte- on the team5s shirts

hirt tugging

Plling at a (layer5s shirt to restrict their ability to moe. A minor offense.

hoot

=ic8 the ball towar-s the goal to try an- get the goal in it an- therefore score

hoot out

see PENA!" 4$$! $U!

hot

!he non of 4$$!

hots off target

!he nmber of attem(ts at scoring goals by one team or (layer that wol-n5t hae gone in een if

the other team ha-n5t been there

hots on target

!he nmber of goals that a (layer or team wol- hae score- if the -efen-ing team ha- not got in

the way

homanship

Using (articlarly -ifficlt technies li8e a #*C"CE =*C= to entertain the crow- or show off

ide

A team/ e.g. 7!he +ANA)E& says he is finally ha((y with the si-e he has (t together for this

season:

ign a player

ae a (layer >oin yor team/ e.g. by bying them from another clb

igning



44/56

on fee M !he money that a (layer gets when they !&AN4'E& from one team to another

ignings

New (layers/ often boght from other clbs

ilky skills

Usally se- to tal8 abot s8ilfl an- a((arently effortless PA44ing an- 6&*##ing

ilverare

A way to say !&$P*E4/ only sally se- by >ornalists

it back

,1 &elax ,2 4to( attac8ing/ li8e a (erson relaxing into a sofa

itter

An incre-ibly easy shot/ as if the ball is sitting there waiting for yo to 8ic8 an- score wheneer

yo feel li8e it. $ften se- to say that someone shol- hae score- an easy goal bt misse- it.

ix pointer

A match where yo are (laying against yor closest rial an- therefore a win ,F (oints for yo is

also li8e ta8ing another F (oints off them by sto((ing them winning an- getting those (oints

ix yard box

!he smaller of the two boxes aron- the goal

kinhead

A fashion style with ery short hair an- often tattoos/ tight >eans an- 6octor +arten boots/

associate- with hooligans an- extreme right wing gro(s

kipper

An informal way of saying CAP!A*N

liding tackle

!rying to ta8e the ball off someone by sli((ing along the gron- towar-s them/ easiest to -o when

the P*!C is wet bt often lea-ing to -angeros (lay

lot it in

4core a goal/ sally meaning -e to accracy rather than (ower/ an- maybe meaning from short

range

occer



45/56

4hort for 7Association 'ootball:/ in contrast to 7&gby 'ootball:. Use- by American to contrast

with American 'ootball/ which they call 7football:. )enerally aoi-e- by #rits nowa-ays/ as they

hate son-ing li8e Americans an- so (refer the term '$$!*E

occer field

American English for '$$!#A P*!C

olo effort

A 4$$ )$A or close attem(t

olo goal

4coring a goal withot mch hel( >st before that time/ for exam(le )$*N) PA4! seeral (layers

rather than >st EA6*N) in a C&$44

pecial /ne (the)

!he nic8name for &eal +a-ri- manager ?ose +orinho

pectacle

Excitement an- s8ill/ the things that ma8e a football match goo- to watch

ponsors

A-ertisers whose money goes to the team/ e.g. 4*&! 4P$N4$&4

portsmanlike

see UN4P$&!4+AN*=E

pot kick

A fairly common way of saying PENA!" =*C=

purs

!he nic8name for English si-e !ottenham ots(rs/ from the last syllable of their name. !he

original meaning of 7s(rs: is the s(i8e- things that horse ri-ers wear on their shoes.

4uad

!he (layers on a team

4uare

4traight across the (itch/ not towar-s either goal

tamp



46/56

4te( on a (layer who is on the gron-/ sally meaning -eliberately an- ite har-/ an- so often a

&E6 CA&6 offense

tand

$ne section of the sta-im/ e.g. one si-e of the rectangle. $ften the for stan-s hae -ifferent

names. 4ee =$P for an exam(le.

tarting appearance

Playing from the beginning of a match/ sally one better than being $N !E #ENC at the

beginning of the game

tarting line up

!he (layers who will be on the P*!C from the first moment of the game.

tay up

Not be &EE)A!E6/ sally se- becase it was assme- yo wol- )$ 6$WN

toppage time

A more official way to say the *N?U&" !*+E that is (laye- at the en- of a half of the match

toppages

!imes when (lay is nex(ecte-ly interr(te-/ e.g. waiting for in>re- (layers to get off the (itch orget ( an- start (laying again

topper

A way of saying )$A=EEPE&. +ch less common than )$A*E an- only sally se- by

>ornalists.

traight to the arms of

A 4$! that is ery easy to catch by the )$A=EEPE&/ withot them een nee-ing to moe

their bo-y

tretchered off

!a8en off the (itch on a 8in- of (ortable be-/ sally becase of a ba- in>ry bt also (ossibly >st

-e to C&A+P

tretches

Exercises that (layers -o to ma8e their mscles flexible before they start (laying

triker

An attac8ing (layer who (lays near the o((osition goal an- whose main role is to score goals



47/56

trip

Another way to say football =*!

tuds

!hings that stic8 ot of the bottom of the sole of a '$$!#A #$$!/ sto((ing (layers sli((ing

bt also sometimes casing in>ries -ring !AC=Es

tuds up

!AC=*N) or trying to !&AP the ball with the sole of yor boot (ointing towar-s another (layer/

lea-ing to a great -anger of in>ring another (layer an- therefore li8ely to lea- to a CA&6

ub

4hort for 4U#4!*!U!E

ubstitute

A (layer who starts the game $N !E #ENC an- maybe exchanges (ositions with a tire- or

in>re- (layer -ring the match

ummer signings

Players boght -ring the time when there are no cham(ionshi(s in Ero(e/ the most (o(lar time

for sch -eals

ummer tours

Ero(ean clb si-es isiting Asia/ America etc to raise money an- get match fit before the

beginning of the new season ,sally in late Agst or 4e(tember

unday league

An amater com(etition that is rn on 4n-ays/ for exam(le one in which PU# 4*6Es (lay against

each other. $ften se- as a simile to tal8 abot ba- (lay by (rofessional teams

uper sub

A (layer who is $N !E #ENC bt becase they are li8ely to sr(rise the other team when they

C$+E $N rather than becase they aren5t goo- enogh to be the manager5s first choice

upply line

,1 PA44es an- C&$44es towar-s the 4!&*=E&s ,2 A (layer who (roi-es those (asses an-

crosses

upporter

A more official way of saying a 'AN

upporters$ club



48/56

A gro( of 'ANs who exchange information abot the clb/ trael to AWA" +A!Ces together

etc

uspension

!he time when a (layer cannot (lay for a team/ for exam(le becase they got a &E6 CA&6 or

seeral "E$W CA&6s/ e.g. 76ai-s is sering a two month ss(ension for a (ositie -rgs

test:

an song

!he final match or com(etition of a (layer/ sally one who has ha- a -istingishe- history.

eeper

A CEN!&A 6E'EN6E& with more flexibility to moe bac8war-s an- forwar-s than othercentral -efen-ers

itch flanks

+oe from the &*)! W*N) to the E'! W*N)/ or the other way ron-

+able football

A (b game with (lastic (layers that can be twiste- aron- to 78ic8: a small ball into two woo-en

goals

+ackle

!a8e the ball off another (layer/ sally by 8ic8ing the ball that they are trying to 6&*##E

+ackling back

!a8ing the ball off a (layer who >st too8 it off yo

+ake the field

Come onto the P*!C/ either at the start of a game or as a 4U#4!*!U!E

+ame shot

A 4$! with little force or 8ic8e- near to the )$A=EEPE&. 4imilar to WEA= 4$!/ bt

sally se- to critici9e the goal8ee(er/ e.g. 7A tame shot by &ooney somehow went between the

goal8ee(er5s legs an- into the NE!:

+ap it in

4core a goal with a gentle 4$!

+apping a player



49/56

*llegal a((roaches to a (layer who is n-er contract with another clb/ as A)EN!4 another clbs

hae to as8 the (resent clb5s (ermission before tal8ing to their (layers. !he ex(ression comes from

the i-ea of ta((ing someone on the shol-er.

+arget man

A $U! AN6 $U! 4!&*=E& whose only >ob is to wait for other (layers to (ass the ball to them

an- then score

+arget

4ee $N !A&)E!

+eam sheet

!he list of the 4!A&!*N) *NEUP an- 4U#4!*!U!E4/ often release- as late as (ossible to sto(the other team 8nowing exactly which (layers they will be (laying against

+empo

!he s(ee- at which the game is (laye-

+en men

4ee &E6UCE6 !$ !EN +EN

+enure

ow long a +ANA)E& or C$AC stays in one >ob

+erraces

Places in the sta-im where there are no seats an- so the fans hae to stan-. $ften se- to sggest

more enthsiastic s((orters. !here are no terraces in A 4EA!E& sta-ims

+he top flight of'''

!he highest leel/ e.g. 7!he P&E+*E&4*P is the to( flight of English football:. $ften se- in

sentences won-ering how goo- a (layer is/ e.g. 74mith was the to( scorer in the 2n- -iision last

year/ bt there are -obts whether he has the s8ills to be sccessfl in the to( flight:

+here=s only one'''

A (o(lar football CAN!/ meaning that the (layer is nie ,sally genine/ bt sometimes

sarcastically

+hrash

#EA! by a large margin/ e.g. @


50/56

Pass the ball between two o((osing (layers/ similar to (tting a threa- into the hole in a nee-le

+hree lions

!he coat of arms on the Englan- football shirt

+hrough on goal

Past the last 6E'EN6E&

+hro a match

6eliberately lose a match/ for exam(le becase yo hae bet against yorself or becase yo want

the team yo are (laying against to get the (oints an- so -efeat another team that yo want to be

E*+*NA!E6. A ery serios offense that col- lea- to a team being &EE)A!E6

+hro in

&etrning the ball to (lay by throwing it from the !$UC*NE/ sally becase the ball has gone

off the (itch after hitting a (layer from the other team/ bt sometimes also in (lace of a '&EE

=*C=. !he only time when a (layer other than the goal8ee(er is allowe- to se their han-s in (lay.

+ie

,1 A 6&AW ,2 A match/ e.g. 7A home tie: or 7A -ifficlt tie:

+ime added on

ow long the match will be (laye- after the &E)UA!*$N !*+E of ;0 mintes/ mainly -e to

(lay being sto((e- -e to in>ries -ring the match

+ime asting

A team who is *N !E EA6 or PA"*N) '$& A 6&AW ta8ing a long time to ta8e )$A

=*C=s etc so the other team cannot score. A #$$=A#E $''EN4E that col- lea- to a

"E$W CA&6

+op four finish

#etween first an- forth (lace in the leage at the en- of the season. *m(ortant in leages wherethe to( for teams hae a chance of being P&$+$!E6 or can enter the CA+P*$N4 EA)UE

+op half of the table

'or exam(le/ the to( @ teams in a 6*3*4*$N of 12 teams. Use- to show that they col- be

(romote-/ col- hae a !$P '$U& '*N*4/ or are in little -anger of being &EE)A!E6

+op the group

!he team with the most (oints from a )&$UP 4!A)E/ sally meaning that they can (lay a

secon- (lace- team from another gro( in the first =N$C=$U! 4!A)E. Not the same as )$

!$P/ which can mean tem(orarily



51/56

+oss

When the referee fli(s a coin to -eci-e which si-es of the (itch each team (lays in -ring the

'*&4! A' an- which team =*C=s $''. Also ,bt less commonly C$*N !$44

+ouchline –

,1 !he white line that goes all aron- the e-ge of the (itch/ showing where the ball has to stay

insi-e if it is not to be a !&$W *N/ C$&NE& ,=*C= or )$A =*C= ,2 $ften se- to mean

the area where the coach sits -ring the game/ e.g. 7*nstrctions came from the tochline to switch

(ositions:

+oyota #up

!he tra-itional name for the match ,an- now cham(ionshi( in which the &E)*$NA

CA+P*$Ns (lay against each other to -eci-e which the best CU# 4*6E in the worl- is. !his is

always a team from Ero(e or atin America/ being an nim(ortant !&$P" for the former an-

the most im(ortant one for the latter

+racking back

'orwar-s coming bac8 towar-s their own goal to hel( to -efen- when the other team is attac8ing

+racksuit

A matching (air of casal trosers an- to( ,sally with a 9i(/ often worn on to( of the football

=*! ntil (layer WA&+ UP

+rainer

4omeone >st n-er the coach in the !ECN*CA 4!A''/ who concentrates on teaching an-

(ractising technies with the (layers

+raining ground

Where the (layers (ractise

+ransfer

#ying a (layer from another clb

+ransfer fee

!he money one clb has to (ay another to by a (layer who is still n-er contract

+ransfer indo

*f there is a time when teams cannot by or sell (layers ,sal nowa-ays/ a short time in the

mi--le where they can -o so

+rap (the ball)



52/56

4to( a ball moing/ for exam(le one which was (asse- to yo

+rophy

A c( etc that shows that yo won a match or cham(ionshi(

+rophy cabinet

,1 !he glass


53/56

!he ball hitting yor han- or lower (arts of yor arm acci-entally. !his is still li8ely to lea- to a

'&EE =*C=/ bt not to a CA&6

>nsportsmanlike behaviour

6oing something that is within the rles of the game bt is still nfair/ for exam(le not telling the

referee when yo 8now the goal went in off yor han-

>nstoppable

A shot that is so WE PACE6 or ,more commonly (owerfl that the )$A=EEPE& has no

chance of 4A3*N) it

>nveil

4how a new (layer or manager to the me-ia an- fans/ or tell them that a new (erson has beenfon-/ similar to ta8ing the eil off the bri-e at a we--ing

>pright (the)

An informal way to tal8 abot the two P$4!s at the e-ge of the goal/ as they are ertical ,nli8e

the hori9ontal C&$44#A&

>tility players

Players who can comfortably (lay in seeral P$4*!*$N4/ sometimes se- in a negatie way

similar to 7?ac8 of all tra-es:

?ersatile

Able to (lay in seeral (ositions

?eteran

A (layer with lots of ex(erience/ an- (erha(s ite ol-

?olley

=ic8ing the ball when it is still in their air an- so hasn5t yet hit the gron- an- bonce-/ therefore

ma8ing it more -ifficlt to >-ge an- control

A6s

An abbreiation of 7wies an- girlfrien-s:/ se- to be negatie abot the females who se- to

follow the Englan- team aron- bt were blame- for their ba- (erformances

all

4eeral -efen-ing (layers stan-ing in a line between a 6*&EC! '&EE =*C= an- the goal in or-er

to ma8e scoring more -ifficlt

anted list



54/56

A >o8ey way of tal8ing abot which (layers a +ANA)E& wants to by/ similar to a (oster

showing criminals who the (olice want to arrest

arm up

,1 4tretching exercises etc before a (layer starts (laying ,2 +atches before a cham(ionshi( to

allow the team to (ractice (laying together

asted ball

A goo- chance ,sally to score that is not ta8en a-antage of/ for exam(le PA44ing when yo

shol- hae ta8en a 4$!

ater

logge- (itch M &ain which hasn5t -isa((eare- from the grass yet/ sometimes lea-ing to a match being cancelle- if it is ery ba-

atertight defence

Players who -on5t let goals be score- an- maybe -on5t let the ball throgh/ li8e a -am sto((ing

water

eak effort

A ery ba- 4$! at goal

eakened team

Not the best 11 (layers that the clb hae/ for exam(le becase they are resting some of them or

some of them are in>re-

eaker foot

"or left foot if yo are &*)! '$$!E6/ or yor right foot if yo are E'! '$$!E6

earing the armband

#eing ca(tain

eight (of a pass)

ow mch force a PA44 is hit with/ affecting how far an- fast it traels

ell placed

A 4$! or PA44 which is (t in exactly the right (osition

embley

!he most famos sta-im in on-on/ NA!*$NA 4!A6*U+ of Englan- an- home of most

im(ortant English '*NAs bt not the $+E )&$UN6 of any team



55/56

histle

,1 !he small metal instrment that the &E'E&EE an- *NE4+EN se to get (eo(le5s attention

an- in-icate things li8e a '$U an- =*C= $'' ,2 !he son- of that instrment ,F 6isa((roing

noises from the crow-/ sally together with #$$s

ide

$n the right an- left of the (itch/ far from the centre an- near the !$UC*NE

ide open

4ee EA3E !E )$A W*6E $PEN

in the ball

!a8e P$44E44*$N of the ball/ sally meaning !AC=ing bt maybe also by *N!E&CEP!ing a

PA44

ing

!he si-es of the (itch/ frthest away from the goal an- CEN!&E C*&CE/ an- near the

!$UC*NE. Comes from the wings of a bir- or (lane stretching left an- right from their bo-y

ingback

$ne of the (ossible P$4*!*$Ns for a 6E'EN6E&. A ariation on the 'U #AC=/ bt with

more of an attac8ing role

inger

A (layer who s(en-s most of their time on the e-ges of the (itch near the !$UC*NE

ing

half M 4hort for 7wing half bac8:/ an ol- fashione- ex(ression for a 6E'EN4*3E +*6'*E6E&

who (lays on the e-ges of the (itch

inter break

A time aron- Christmas when some leages hae no matches

oodork –

!he P$4!s an- C&$44#A&/ becase they are tra-itionally ma-e from woo- ,nli8e the net.

Collocations it the / $ff the

orld #up

Also 7'*'A Worl- C(:/ 7'ootball Worl- C(: an- W$&6 CUP '*NA4. A com(etition once

eery for years to -eci-e which NA!*$NA !EA+ is the best in the worl- ,not necessarily the

best team in the worl- see !$"$!A CUP



56/56

orld #up finals

Usally calle- >st 7Worl- C(:/ it is officially calle- the Worl- C( 'inals becase the

DUA*'"*N) &$UN6s cont as earlier (arts of the tornament

orld @,

A real or imaginary selection of the 11 best (layers at that time in the worl-

rong flank (the)

!he si-e of the (itch that a (layer -oesn5t sally (lay on/ for exam(le becase they are E'!

'$$!E6/ or becase they hae 4W*!Ce- 'AN=4 -ring the game

rong foot

"or left foot if yo are right foote- an- yor right foot if yo are left foote-

ello card

A yellow (iece of car- which the referee ta8es ot of his or her (oc8et to show to a (layer who has

-one something ite ba- sch as committing a ba- '$U or AN6#A/ bt not as ba- as a

&E6 CA&6 offense li8e fighting. A yellow car- often goes together with another (nishment sch

as a '&EE =*C=. !wo yellow car-s in one match means a &E6 CA&6/ an- two yellow car-s oer

a certain (erio- means a 4U4PEN4*$N.

oyo team

A team that is often goes throgh P&$+$!*$N an- 6E+$!*$N/ going ( an- -own li8e a toy

yoyo

Bonal marking

!he system by which teams -efen- by each (layer ta8ing res(onsibility for a (articlar area of the

(itch. !he o((osite of +AN !$ +AN +A&=*N)

world cup glossary of football terms

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