Soccer Terms

A-D | E-H | I-L | M-P | Q-T | U-Z

M

MARK -- the close defending of an opposing player.

MATCH -- a term, British in origin, used to describe a game; matches last 90 minutes, with a 12-minute rest between halves.

MIDFIELDER -- players who line up in front of defenders and behind strikers; creative members of the team whose role is to link the forwards and defense.

N

NUTMEG -- when an attacker moves forward by passing a ball through an opponent's legs.

O

OFC -- represents soccer region including Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific island nations; acronym stands for Oceania Football Conference; based in Auckland, New Zealand; president is New Zealander Charles Dembsey and general secretary is New Zealander Josephine King; founded in 1966; current membership stands at 10 nations; no representation at the 1998 World Cup; Australia, as the top qualifier was eliminated by Iran.

OFFICIAL FIFA BALL -- a ball that meets the specifications of the international sanctioning body; between 27 and 28 inches in circumference and 14-to-16 ounces in weight.

OFFSIDE -- an infraction which occurs when an attacker sends a pass to a teammate without two defenders, which can include a goalkeeper, between the teammate and the goal.

OFFSIDE TRAP -- a defensive scheme which attempts to push defensive players forward in the hopes of putting an attacking player offside.

ONE-TIME -- when an attacker strikes a shot off a pass or rebound without stopping the ball to gain control.

P

PENALTY AREA -- a 24-yard wide by 18-yard deep rectangular area in front of each goal; the area in which the goalkeeper can use his hands.

PENALTY KICK -- awarded for any personal fouls or for intentionally handling of the ball by a defending player within the penalty area; a penalty shot is taken from the designated spot, 12 yards from the goal line in the center of the penalty area, with only the goalkeeper defending the shot.

PITCH -- a British term used to define the field of play; the field of play is rectangular, with dimensions not more than 130 yards nor less than 100 yards in length, and not more than 100 yards and not less than 50 yards in width; for international matches, such as the World Cup, the length shall not be more than 120 yards nor less than 110 yards and the width shall not be more than 80 yards nor less than 70 yards.