Players per team on the field: 11, including the goalkeeper
Match length (professional): Two halves of 45 minutes
Goalkeeper: The player who guards the goal and may use hands inside the penalty area
Defender: A player who stops the other team from scoring
Midfielder: A player who links defense and attack
Forward (striker): A player whose main job is scoring
Winger: A wide forward or midfielder who attacks along the sides
Sweeper: A defender who plays behind the other defenders
Captain: The team leader who wears an armband
Goal: When the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the bar
Hat trick: Three goals by one player in a game
Assist: A pass that leads directly to a goal
Own goal: A goal scored into your own net by mistake
Penalty area (18-yard box): Area in front of goal where the goalkeeper can use hands and where fouls bring penalties
Goal area (6-yard box): The small box directly in front of the goal
Penalty kick: A free shot from 12 yards (11 meters) at the goalkeeper after a foul in the box
Free kick: A kick awarded after a foul
Direct free kick: A free kick that can score straight into the goal
Indirect free kick: A free kick that must touch another player before scoring
Corner kick: A kick from the corner when the defense puts the ball over its own goal line
Goal kick: A kick from the goal area when the attackers put the ball over the goal line
Throw-in: A two-handed overhead throw to restart after the ball goes out on a sideline
Kickoff: The kick that starts the game or restarts after a goal
Offside: An attacker is closer to the goal line than the ball and the second-last defender when a teammate passes to them
Foul: An unfair act such as tripping or pushing
Yellow card: A warning to a player
Red card: Ejection from the game
Handball: Touching the ball with the hand or arm on purpose, a foul
Referee: The official who controls the match
Assistant referee (linesman): Official who signals offside and out-of-bounds
VAR: Video assistant referee, a video review system
Stoppage time (injury time): Extra time added at the end of a half
Extra time: Two extra 15-minute periods if tied in a knockout match
Penalty shootout: A tiebreaker where players take turns shooting penalties
Dribble: Move the ball with your feet while running
Pass: Kick the ball to a teammate
Through ball: A pass between defenders for a runner
Cross: A long pass from the side into the penalty area
Header: Hitting the ball with the head
Volley: Kicking the ball before it bounces
Tackle: Taking the ball from an opponent
Slide tackle: A tackle made by sliding on the ground
Clearance: A kick that sends the ball away from your goal
Save: The goalkeeper stops a shot
Clean sheet: A game in which a team doesn't concede a goal
Nutmeg: Pass or kick the ball through an opponent's legs
Bicycle kick: An overhead kick performed in mid-air
Wall: Defenders lined up to block a free kick
Formation: How players are arranged, like 4-4-2
4-4-2: Four defenders, four midfielders, two forwards
Marking: Staying close to an opponent to stop them
Offside trap: Defenders step up together to catch attackers offside
Pitch: The field of play
Touchline: The sideline
Goal line: The line at each end of the field
Center circle: The circle at the middle where kickoff happens
Halftime: The break between halves, usually 15 minutes
World Cup: International men's soccer tournament held every four years
Women's World Cup: International women's tournament first held in 1991
FIFA: The governing body of world soccer
Pelé: Brazilian star who won three World Cups
Lionel Messi: Argentine star who won the 2022 World Cup
Mia Hamm: American star who won two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals
Substitutions: Replacing players during the game
Fair play: Playing honestly and respecting opponents

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/sports-soccer-rules-terms