SOCCER GLOSSARY
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Advantage rule: a clause in the rules that directs the referee to refrain from stopping play for a foul if a stoppage would benefit the team that committed the violation.
Advantages: situations where a team has possession of the ball and outnumbers the opposition near the opposing goal.
American football: a term used by non-Americans to distinguish the popular U.S. sport of football from soccer which they also call football.
APSL: American Professional Soccer League — the nation's only outdoor professional soccer league since 1991, consisting of 8 teams in the U.S. and Canada (expanding to 12 by 1995).
Assist: the pass or passes which immediately precede a goal; a maximum of two assists can be credited for one goal.
Attacking midfielder: the most forward-playing midfielder, playing right behind the forwards; he supports the offense by providing passes to forwards to set up goals.
Attacker: any player on the team that has possession of the ball.
Attacking team: the team that has possession of the ball.
AYSO: American Youth Soccer Organization — an administrative body of youth soccer which sets rules and provides information and equipment to youth league referees, coaches and players.
Back: a defender.
Back header: a player's use of his head to direct the ball backwards.
Back tackle: an attempt by a defender to take the ball away from a ball carrier by swinging the defender's leg in front of the ball from behind.
Ball carrier: a player that has possession of the ball.
Banana kick: a type of kick that gives the ball a curved trajectory; used to get the ball around an obstacle such as a goaltender or defender.
Beat: to get the ball through or around an opponent by dribbling or shooting.
Behind the defender: the area between a defender and his goal.
Bicycle kick: when a player kicks the ball in mid-air backwards and over his own head, usually making contact above waist level; an acrobatic shot.
Break: when a team quickly advances the ball down the field in an attempt to get its players near the opponent's goal before the defenders have a chance to retreat; also called an advantage.
Breakaway: when an attacker with the ball approaches the goal undefended; this exciting play pits a sole attacker against the goalkeeper in a one-on-one showdown.
Bundesliga: The German professional soccer league.
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