SOCCER POSITIONS AND TERMS
Regular (older child and adult soccer) teams have
11 people on the field for each side. Younger age groups can play
on smaller fields, with fewer players.
Some of the normal names and functions given to 11
person teams to not always translate directly down to our 8 vs.
8 or less; not that kids at younger ages pay close attention to
positional responsibilities anyway, except for vague familiarities
with offense, midfielder, defense and goalie.
The following outlines general positions and their
areas of responsibility on the field followed by a listing of general
soccer terms and meanings.
The general rule of thumb for younger age ranges (advanced
U8-U10) is to get the kids to deflect attacks in their defensive
zone by kicking or dribbling away from the goal and down the sidelines;
and when on the offensive half of the field move towards the goal
and to the middle, kicking towards and across the goal, to a teammate
"filling in the middle". Players "filling in the
middle" must be wary of the offside rule explained below. advanced
U10 and U12 players may begin to comprehend structured "plays"
a coach has devised.
GOALIE (goalkeeper, keeper) Teams
last defender of the goal. The only player allowed to touch the
ball with hands when within the penalty box area. Responsible for
defending the goal and distributing (throwing, kicking) the ball
back to the goalie's team.
DEFENSE (stoppers/sweepers/fullbacks)
Responsible for defending the goal if the goalie is away from the
goal ( during a distribution) Responsible for deflecting attacks
taking place in the defensive half of the field by kicking, dribbling
and passing, usually to the side and down the sidelines, ideally
getting the ball downfield to a midfielder or other offernsive player..
MIDFIELDER (halfback) Also responsible
for deflecting attacks in the defensive area, taking passes from
defense and bringing the ball to the offense. Midfielders usually
end up choosing where a team will attack from by where they choose
to bring the ball up the field; ideally passing the ball to the
offensive players who are already strategically placed and in position
to receive a pass. (HAH!) Midfielders play either defensively or
offensively, as the situation dictates, and as their name implies,
generally play around the middle of the field. Although they can
end up running the entire range of the field sometimes.
OFFENSE/ FORWARD (striker)/ WINGER
Their only responsibility is to get the ball into the opponents
goal. Wingers and forwards work together to open up holes in the
defense of the other team and set up a goal. It is a good rule of
thumb to have the offense always moving the ball towards the goal
or across the goal. Offensive players who are not in possession
of the ball should be positioning themselves to receive a pass from
a team mate, or positioning for possible deflections from a goal
shot.
SOCCER TERMS
Advantage - Method used by
referees to indicate they recognize that a foul has occurred against
the team m possession of the ball, yet he allows the play to continue
so as to not penalize the team with the ball. Referee will motion
with both arms stretched forward and say "Advantage, play on!"
Attacker - The player with the ball and/or a teammate
of the player in possession of the ball.
Back - Also called a "Fullback". The defender(s) that
play in their teams defensive third of the field and whose primary
responsibility is to keep the opposing team from their goal.
Caution - Showing of a yellow card by the referee
to a player that has committed a cautionable foul. A player shown
two yellow cards in one match, will also be shown a red card and
ejected from the match.
Center Circle - The circle marked in the middle
of the playing field on the halfway line. At kick-off the defending
team may not enter the center circle until the attacking team plays
the ball forward.
Corner Flag - The flags in the four corners of
the playing field. These are used to help the referee determine
if the ball left the playing field over the goal line or the touch
line.
Corner Kick - A method of restarting play when
the ball has left the field of play across the goal line and was
last touched by the defending team.
Defender - Player whose team does not have possession
of the ball.
Direct Free Kick - A free kick from which a goal
can be scored without being touched by a second player. A direct
free kick is awarded for a foul or handling offense outside of the
penalty area.
Forward - Also called a "Striker", These
are players that normally play on their teams offensive third of
the playing field and whose primary job it is to score, or assist
in scoring, goals.
Foul - An infringement of the rules or laws, of
the game of soccer. Fouls can result in the other team being awarded
a free kick, and the player committing the foul can be subject to
a caution (via a yellow card) or ejected (via a red card), depending
on the severity or nature of the foul.
Goal - Goal has two definitions in soccer. It is
the physical structure, consisting of a net, upright posts and a
horizontal bar, where teams try to score. Secondly, a goal may be
scored when the entire ball passes completely into the goal, provided
no fouls or infringements of the laws of soccer have been detected.
Goal Area - Also called the "six - yard line'
or just the "six". The rectangle within the penalty area
from which goal kicks are taken.
Goal Keeper - The player defending the goal. This
player must wear a different colored jersey than either team. The
"keeper' is the only player allowed to intentionally touch
the ball with their hands and then can only use their hands when
within their own team's penalty area.
Goal Kick - The method of restarting play after
the ball fully crosses the goal line, out of bounds, after last
being touched by the attacking team. The ball can be placed anywhere
along or within the goal area line.
Goal Line - The line that runs from corner flag
to corner flag across each end of the field of play. A goal is located
along each goal line.
Halfway Line -The line that runs from touch line
to touch line in the middle of the field intersecting the center
circle. Players can not be determined "off sides" when
they are on their team half of the field.
Hand Ball - Anytime a player, other then the goalie,
intentionally plays the ball with their hands or arms, or gains
and unfair advantage by the ball playing off of their hands or arms.
Indirect Free Kick - A free kick from which a goal cannot be scored
without the ball being touched by another player than the player
taking the kick. The referee will raise their hand to signify an
indirect free kick.
Linesman -The two officials that assist the referee
along one half of each touchline. Linesmen typically assist by signaling
when a ball leaves the field of play, signaling offsides, when a
player has committed a foul when substitutions are desired, or when
a goal has been scored.
Midfielder - Also called a "halfback".
These players may assist both with their team's defense and attacks.
They typically play in the middle third of the field help get the
ball forward to the strikers.
Offsides - Offsides can be one of the most confusing
and controversial parts of the game of soccer. At the time a pass
is initiated by a teammate, a player (involved in the play) must
be no closer to the attacking goal then at least two members of
the opposing team. Players may be in an offsides position but not
actively involved in the play (i.e. they did not gain an advantage
by this player being in an offside position). In these cases. the
referee should not stop play. Linesmen may still raise their flag
in this situation to inform the referee that there was a player
in an offside position, but it is up to the referee to determine
if an offside penalty had occurred and that play, should be stopped
and a free kick awarded to the opposing team.
Penalty Area - Also called the "18 yard line"
or just the " 18". The larger of the two rectangles at
either end of the playing field surrounding the goal and goal area.
Penalty Kick - Also called a"P.K.". A
direct free kick taken from a spot 12 yards out from the goal line,
directly centered in front of the goal. Penalty kicks can be called
for handling of the ball in your teams penalty area by, a player
other then the goal keeper, or by a foul within the penalty area.
The player taking the P. K. cannot touch the ball a second time
until the ball is first touched by another player.
Referee - Also called "center ref "middle
ref'. The official in charge of the game. The referee enforces the
laws and rules of the game of soccer. The referee is also the official
timekeeper. The referee is the only official with a whistle.
Striker-see sweeper
Sweeper - Normally. the last defensive player before
the goalie. This player commonly "sweeps" from one side
of the field of play to the other to assist the other backs in defensive
plays. If the sweeper plays up between the backs in midfielders
they are then sometimes referred to as a "stopper".
Throw In - The method of restarting play when the
ball leaves the field of plan, over either of the touch lines. The
referee will whistle and point in the attacking direction of the
opposing team.
Touchline - The line running the full length of
the field from comer flag to comer flag and connecting with the
goal lines. Player may substitute only from the touchline, at midfield,
on the players side of the field.
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