Football words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 32 words · Step 2 of 2

Fouls and discipline

Careless, reckless and excessive force

The three degrees of a foul. Careless is a lack of attention or consideration, and needs no card. Reckless is acting with disregard for the danger to an opponent, and is a caution. Excessive force exceeds the necessary force or endangers the opponent, and is a sending-off.

Also called: careless, reckless, excessive force

Serious foul play and violent conduct

Both are sending-offs. Serious foul play is a tackle or challenge for the ball that endangers an opponent or uses excessive force. Violent conduct is using or trying to use excessive force when not challenging for the ball, or deliberately striking someone on the head or face unless the force is negligible.

Also called: serious foul play, violent conduct
See also: Tackle

Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity

Stopping a clear chance of a goal by a foul, which is a sending-off. Inside the penalty area, if the offence was an attempt to play the ball, the offender is only cautioned, because a penalty kick is also awarded. A deliberate handball that denies a goal is a sending-off wherever it occurs.

Also called: DOGSO
See also: Penalty kick, Handball

Dissent and unsporting behaviour

Cautionable offences. Dissent is public protest against a decision, in words or action. Unsporting behaviour includes simulation (pretending to be fouled or hurt), a reckless foul, stopping a promising attack by a foul, and excessive celebration such as removing the shirt or covering the face.

Also called: dissent, unsporting behaviour, simulation

Temporary dismissal

A sin bin, in which a cautioned player is suspended for part of the match, for some or all yellow card offences. It is an option only in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football, and lasts 10 to 15% of the playing time.

Match and rule terms

VAR

A video assistant referee, a current or former referee who assists the referee from replay footage, only for a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident in four categories: goal or no goal, penalty or no penalty, a red card (including a clearly incorrect second caution) and mistaken identity. The referee always makes the final decision.

Also called: video assistant referee
See also: Referee, Assistant referee, Red card

Advantage

The referee lets play continue after an offence when the non-offending team would benefit from it, and penalises the offence if the benefit does not come within a few seconds. A caution or sending-off that would have been given is still given when the ball is next out of play.

Away goals rule

A way of deciding a home-and-away tie in which goals scored away count for more when the totals are equal. The Laws still list it as one of three permitted procedures, but competition rules decide whether it is used, and many have dropped it.

Aggregate score

The combined score across two matches in a two legged tie, used to decide who progresses.

Ten-second substitution rule

A player being substituted must leave the field within ten seconds of the board being shown, by the nearest point on the boundary line. If not, the substitute may enter only at the first stoppage after one minute has passed.

Also called: ten seconds to leave

Off-field assessment

An outfield player who is assessed or treated on the field, or whose injury stops play, must leave for one minute after the restart. Exceptions include injured goalkeepers, collisions between team-mates, severe head injuries and injuries from a foul for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off.

Concussion substitution

An additional permanent substitution that a competition can allow so a team can replace a player with an actual or suspected concussion without being at a numerical disadvantage.

Only the captain

Guidelines that only the captain may approach the referee about a decision. A player who shows dissent or mobs the referee can be cautioned. They are optional now and compulsory in all competitions starting on or after 1 July 2027.

Goal-line and offside technology

Goal-line technology tells the referee at once when the whole ball has crossed the goal line in the goal. Semi-automated offside technology sends information about offside positions to the video assistant referee and, in an advanced version, to the assistant referees.

Also called: goal-line technology, GLT, semi-automated offside technology, SAOT
See also: Referee, Assistant referee, Offside, VAR

Technical area and team list

The technical area is the defined area for team officials, with seating. The team list names the players, substitutes and team officials, and anyone not on it is an outside agent.

Also called: technical area, team list, outside agent

Restarts and set pieces

Dropped ball

The restart when the referee stops play and no other restart applies. In the penalty area it is dropped for the defending goalkeeper, and elsewhere for one player of the team that would have kept possession. Other players stay at least 4 m away.

Five-second countdown

When a team deliberately delays a throw-in or goal kick, the referee whistles and counts down five seconds with a raised hand. If the ball is not in play by then, the throw-in goes to the opponents, or a corner kick is awarded for a delayed goal kick.

See also: Referee, Goal kick, Corner kick, Throw-in

Eight-second rule

A goalkeeper who controls the ball with the hands inside the penalty area for more than eight seconds before releasing it concedes a corner kick. The referee counts down the last five seconds with a raised hand.

Also called: eight seconds, 8-second rule
See also: Goalkeeper, Referee, Corner kick

Tactical terms

Pressing

A team strategy of chasing down the opponent quickly after losing the ball, trying to win it back high up the pitch.

Counter attack

A fast attacking move launched right after winning the ball back, aiming to catch the opponent out of position.

False nine

A forward who drops deep into midfield instead of staying near the opponent's goal, confusing defenders.

Overlap

When a defender or midfielder runs past a teammate on the wing to offer a passing option further forward.

Low block

A defensive setup where a team sits deep near their own goal to limit space for the opponent.

Build-up play

The passing sequence a team uses to move the ball from defence into attack.

Set piece terms

Wall

Three or more defenders standing together to block a free kick. Attackers must stay at least 1 m from a wall of three or more defending players until the ball is in play, or an indirect free kick is awarded.

Near post

The goalpost closest to where a cross or corner is taken from.

Also called: far post
See also: Cross

Set piece

A restart from a fixed position, such as a free kick, corner kick, throw-in or penalty kick.

Volley

A shot or pass struck while the ball is still in the air, before it touches the ground.

Player and team roles

Sweeper

An older defensive role positioned behind the main defensive line to clean up any danger that gets through.

Box to box midfielder

A midfielder who covers a lot of ground, contributing to both defence and attack.

Target man

A tall, physically strong forward used to hold the ball up and win aerial challenges.

Squad rotation

Changing the starting lineup between matches to manage player fitness over a long season.

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