When your child first starts playing soccer, it can feel like everyone else already knows the language of the game. Coaches talk about “offside,” referees point to the “spot,” and kids yell “switch!”—all while you’re trying to figure it out.
This guide is your soccer dictionary: an A–Z of the most common terms you’ll hear in youth soccer. You don’t need to memorize it all right away, but having this reference will help you understand the game better and feel more confident cheering on your player.
Advantage
A referee decision to let play continue after a foul if stopping would actually disadvantage the fouled team.
Assist
A pass or action that directly leads to a goal being scored.
Attacker
A player whose role is primarily offensive—trying to score goals.
Back Pass
A pass played back to the goalkeeper. If the keeper uses their hands on a deliberate back pass, it’s a foul.
Ball In/Out of Play
The ball is only out of play once it fully crosses the goal line or sideline, on the ground or in the air.
Build-Out Line
In younger age groups, lines painted on the field to help encourage playing out of the back instead of punting.
Center Circle
The circle in the middle of the field where kickoffs take place.
Clearance
A defensive action to get the ball far away from the goal.
Corner Kick
Awarded when the ball crosses the goal line (not in the goal) after last touching a defender.
Defenders
Players who primarily protect their goal and stop the other team from scoring.
Direct Free Kick
A type of free kick where the player can shoot directly on goal and can score without it touching anyone.
Dribbling
Using controlled touches with the feet to move the ball while maintaining possession.
Equalizer
A goal that ties the score.
Extra Time
Additional playing time (not usually used in youth leagues, but common in tournaments and professional matches).
Far Post
The goalpost farthest from the ball’s position when attacking.
Formation
How players are arranged on the field (for example, 4-3-3 or 4-4-2).
Free Kick
Awarded after a foul; can be direct or indirect.
Goal Kick
Awarded when the ball crosses the goal line last touched by an attacker.
Goalkeeper
The only player allowed to use their hands in the penalty area. Their main job is to stop shots.
Golden Goal
A rule (rarely used in games, but often in practice) where the first goal in overtime ends the game immediately.
Handball
When a player (other than the goalkeeper in their own box) deliberately touches the ball with hand/arm.
Hat Trick
When a player scores three goals in a single game.
Header
Using the head to play the ball.
Indirect Free Kick
A free kick where another player must touch the ball before a shot is taken.
Injury Time
Minutes added at the end of a half to make up for stoppages.
Jockeying
Defending by delaying an attacker without committing to a tackle.
Kickoff
Used to start or restart play from the center circle.
Keeper
Nickname for goalkeeper.
Kill the Clock
Slowing down play at the end of the game to preserve a lead.
Linesman (Assistant Referee)
Official on the sideline who assists with offsides and out-of-bounds calls.
Long Ball
A pass that covers a lot of distance, usually played over defenders.
Marking
Defending by closely following an opposing player.
Midfielder
Players who cover the middle of the field, linking defense and attack.
Match
Another word for a soccer game.
Near Post
The goalpost closest to the ball’s position when attacking.
Nutmeg
Passing or dribbling the ball through an opponent’s legs.
Offside
A rule violation when an attacker is closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball and second-to-last defender when the ball is played to them.
Own Goal
When a player accidentally scores against their own team.
Pass
When one player moves the ball to a teammate.
Penalty Area (The Box, 18-yard box)
The large box in front of the goal. Fouls here often result in penalty kicks.
Penalty Kick (PK)
A direct shot on goal taken from the penalty spot.
Pitch
The field of play.
Quick Free Kick
Taken immediately, without waiting for defenders to set up.
Red Card
A card that sends a player off for serious fouls or misconduct.
Referee
The main official in charge of enforcing the rules.
Rebound
When a shot bounces back into play off the goalkeeper or goalpost.
Save
When the goalkeeper stops a shot on goal.
Set Piece
Any restart of play, like a corner kick or free kick, often used as scoring opportunities.
Striker
A forward whose primary job is to score goals.
Substitution (Sub)
Swapping one player for another during the game.
Switch the Field
Changing the direction of play from one side of the field to the other.
Tackle
A defensive move to win the ball from an opponent.
Through Ball
A pass played into open space behind the defenders for a teammate to run onto.
Throw-In
Method of restarting play when the ball goes out over the sideline.
Under Pressure
When an opponent is closing in on a player with the ball.
Upper 90
The top corner of the goal where the crossbar and post meet—a prized shooting spot.
Volley
Striking the ball before it hits the ground.
VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
Not used in youth soccer but seen in professional matches for reviewing close calls.
Wall
A group of defenders lined up to block a free kick.
Wing/Winger
A player positioned near the sideline who provides width in attack.
X’s and O’s
Shorthand for tactics and formations drawn out by coaches.
Yellow Card
A caution for unsporting behavior or repeated fouls.
Youth Soccer
Organized soccer for children and teenagers—where most families begin their journey in the sport.
Zonal Marking
A defensive tactic where players cover an area (zone) rather than a specific opponent.
Zero Angle Shot
A difficult shot taken from a very tight angle near the goal line.
There’s always more to learn
There’s a lot to learn, but you don’t need to master it all right away. The more you watch your child’s games, the more these terms will make sense. Before long, you’ll be confidently following along and cheering, appropriately. (If you’re not sure what we mean by “appropriately”, check out our article here.)
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