playing field

Rectangular surface covered with natural or synthetic grass on which a soccer match is played; a game has two 45-minute halves.

corner flag corner arc

Small post with a flag on top; it marks the intersection of the goal line and the touch line.

Zone where the ball is placed when there is a corner kick, which is awarded when a defender puts the ball behind the goal line.

penalty area

Zone in which the goalkeeper is allowed to pick up the ball with the hands; an infraction committed against a forward inside this zone results in a penalty kick.

penalty area marking penalty arc center flag goal

The three white lines demarcating the penalty area. Zone next to the penalty area; when there is a penalty, players must be positioned outside this zone and the penalty area. Small post with a flag on top that marks the halfway line. Cage made up of a net mounted on a frame; a team scores a point each time it succeeds in placing the ball in the opposing goal.

penalty spot goal area

Point located 12 yd from the goal line; the ball is placed here when a player takes a penalty kick. Zone in which goal kicks are performed.

center circle

Circle drawn at midfield; during kickoffs, only the players on the team with ball possession are allowed into this circle.

touch line

Line along the sides of the playing field; when the ball crosses this line, it is put back into play at the same place.

substitutes bench halfway line center spot linesman referee

Area reserved for coaches, technical staff and substitute players; a team cannot make more than three substitutions per game. Line dividing the field into two zones, one for each team; the teams switch zones at halftime. Point in the middle of the halfway line where the ball is placed before a kickoff at the start of a half or after a goal has been scored. Official who signals offsides and penalties not seen by the referee or when the ball is out of play. Official responsible for applying the rules; this individual keeps time, signals penalties, issues warnings (yellow card) and ejects players (red card).

occer player

A soccer player is allowed to touch the ball with any part of the body except the arms and hands.

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soccer ball
Inflated ball made of leather or synthetic material; its circumference varies between 27 and 27.5 in.

sock

Garment worn over the foot and up to the knee; it completely covers the shin guard.

shin guard

Piece of equipment made up of a hard plastic molding; it protects the soccer players legs.

team shirt
Flexible garment covering the upper body; it features the team emblem and the players name and number.

shorts

Very short pants covering only the top of the thighs.

goalkeepers gloves

Gloves that cover and protect the goalkeepers hands and wrists and improve the grip on the ball.

soccer shoe

Shoe made of leather, soft rubber or plastic; studs are attached to its sole to provide good traction.

interchangeable studs player positions

Removable studs attached to the sole; they vary in size and can be changed to adapt to the state of the field. Various tactical schemes are used in soccer; among the best known is the 4-4-2, a formation with four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards.

forward

Offensive position usually placed behind the striker; this player uses speed to make crisp accurate passes.

right back

Defensive position that covers the right side of the field; this players role is to impede an opponents progress toward the goal.

right midfielder

Center position that plays on the right side of the field; this player uses playmaking skills to pass the ball to the forwards.

defensive midfielder goalkeeper

Center position; this player tries to take the ball from the opponent before that player reaches the defenders and quickly mount a counterattack. Position whose role is to prevent the ball from entering the goal; this is the only player allowed to touch the ball with the hands.

striker

Offensive position whose main role is to score goals; this player plays a forward position in the opposing teams zone.

left midfielder

Center position that plays on the left side of the field; this player uses playmaking skills to pass the ball to the forwards.

defensive midfielder left back stopper

Center position; this player tries to take the ball from the opponent before that player reaches the defenders and quickly mount a counterattack. Defensive position that covers the left side of the field; this players main role is to slow or stop an opponents progress toward the goal. Position that stays back, marks an opposing forward and prevents that player from being in a scoring position.

sweeper

Position that stays back, anticipates defensive mistakes by teammates and makes up for them; this player is not required to closely mark an opposing player.