Soccer Glossary of Terms to Know Before You Head Out to the Playground

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, billions of adults and kids on the playground equipment all over the globe play and watch soccer, although most of them call it "football". One of the things that makes soccer so popular is that it's very easy to play and doesn’t require fancy playground equipment. Soccer is played with two teams on a big rectangular field with a goal at each end. The point of the game is to move the ball across the field and into your opponent's goal without touching the ball with your hands or arms. Each time you do this, you score a point. Soccer is a very accessible game for people to play and players only really need a soccer ball and an open field to be able to start a game.

Soccer Terms to Study in the Playground Shade Before Your Next Game

While the basics of soccer are pretty straightforward, there's quite a bit to learn if you want to study under a playground shade structure before graduating from playing at your local park with friends to being on a school or other organized team. Some of the rules of the game can be quite complex, and there's also vocabulary specific to soccer and how it's played. Understanding common terms used to talk about soccer can be a good first step toward mastering this deceptively simple game.

Advantage Rule: A rule that allows play to continue after a foul if stopping play would benefit the team that committed the foul

Assist: A pass that leads to a goal

Bicycle Kick: When a player kicks the ball backward over their head before falling onto their back

Charging: Bumping into another player's shoulder to throw them off balance

Clean Sheet: A shutout, when a team holds their opponent scoreless

Corner Kick: A kick awarded to the attacking team when the defending team sends the ball out of bounds at their end of the field

Cross: A pass that sends the ball across the field

Direct Free Kick: A free kick from which the kicking player can score a goal

Dribbling: Moving the ball forward using small kicks with both feet

Drop Ball: When the referee puts the ball into play by dropping it onto the ground between the two teams. A drop ball is used to restart play after the game is stopped because of something other than a penalty.

Extra Time: Overtime, an extra period of play to decide the winner of a tied game

Foul: A violation of the rules

Goalkeeper: The person who defends the goal to keep their opponents from scoring. The goalkeeper is the only player who can play the ball with their hands.

Hat Trick: When a player scores three goals in one game

Header: Hitting the ball with the player's head

High Kick: A foul that happens when a player swings their foot above the waist of another player

Holding: A foul that happens when a player uses their hands or arms to obstruct another player's movement

Indirect Free Kick: A free kick from which a goal can't be scored unless another player on the kicker's team touches the ball

Injury Time: Extra time added to the game to make up for time lost when players are injured or substituted

Kickoff: When one player kicks the ball to start each half of the game and to restart play after a goal

Nutmeg: A dribble or pass through an opponent's legs

Offside: A rule limiting the ability of attacking players to receive the ball near the opponent's goal, so that players don't just stand near the goal waiting for a pass

Penalty Area: A rectangular area in front of the goal line, inside of which goalkeepers can use their hands

Penalty Kick: A kick awarded to the attacking team after a defender commits a major foul

Red Card: A penalty call that removes a player from the game and forces their team to play shorthanded for the rest of the game

Referee: The official who enforces the rules during a soccer game

Slide Tackle: An attempt to take the ball from another player by sliding feet first into the ball

Substitution: The act of replacing a player with a different player during a game

Tackle: A move that takes the ball away from another player

Throw-In: How the ball is returned to play after it goes out of bounds on the side of the field

Yellow Card: A warning given to a player for dangerous or unsporting conduct

Volley: Hitting the ball while it's in the air

Wall: A formation of defensive players aiming to block a free kick

Important Lessons from the Seesaw and the Soccer Field

There is so much that children can learn through play. While the seesaws on the playground facilitate opportunities for early learning and social skill development, soccer helps develop well-rounded individuals by enhancing physical fitness, fostering deeper social connections than playing on the seesaws might allow, and teaching essential life skills like teamwork, discipline, and resilience. It offers both immediate benefits in terms of fun and fitness, and long-term rewards in personal development.

Teamwork and Social Skills – Building on What Children Learned on the Playground Equipment at School

Team sports are a great way to apply the life lessons that children learn on the school playground equipment. Being part of a soccer team often leads to strong friendships, helping children develop social skills and creating a sense of belonging. Soccer is a team sport that emphasizes collaboration, working together to achieve a common goal. Young players learn the value of teamwork, cooperation, and supporting each other. On the soccer field, players must communicate effectively, whether by calling for the ball, positioning teammates, or strategizing. This fosters clear and confident communication.

Discipline and Responsibility – Soccer is Less of a Merry-go-Round of Wild Play and More About Discipline and Focus

Soccer requires regular training and discipline. Young players learn the importance of commitment, punctuality, and following instructions from coaches. Learning the rules of soccer teaches children the value of fairness, respecting authority (coaches, referees), and understanding the consequences of breaking rules. More so than on the playground merry-go-round, where kids can be a bit more wild, soccer coaches expect players to take a positive and active role in the team goal.

Emotional and Mental Development: Processing Disappointment Picnic Tables Post-Game

Mastering skills like dribbling or scoring a goal can significantly boost a child's confidence and self-esteem and overcoming challenges in soccer, like learning new techniques or improving performance, helps build resilience. When playing soccer, players need to make quick decisions on the field. This improves critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. While competition is part of soccer, children also learn how to cope with both winning and losing, teaching sportsmanship, perseverance, and emotional regulation. It’s not uncommon for young players to take a few minutes to collect themselves on metal picnic tables near the soccer field after a disappointing game. This is good; this is practice for deeper disappointments that are encountered throughout life, so give players the opportunity to sit at a metal picnic table and process their feelings about their performance, before you step in and try to “fix it” for them.

Fun and Enjoyment

Soccer is a fun, exciting sport that kids often enjoy because of the opportunity to run, score, and play with friends. The joy of playing helps to cultivate a lifelong love for physical activity, contributing to a healthier lifestyle.

Cultural and Global Understanding

Soccer is a global sport, and by playing, children can gain an appreciation for other cultures. Many international tournaments and soccer events provide opportunities to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Additional Soccer Resources

• All You Need to Know About Soccer
• Beginner Guide to Soccer
• Laws of the Game
• Basic Soccer Rules
• Soccer for Dummies Cheat Sheet
• Olympic Soccer Rules and Regulations
• Why Is Soccer Also Called Football?
• Kids' Play Equipment
• 11 Soccer Tips to Improve Your Game
• What to Know About Playing Soccer in College

The article was last updated on October 15th, 2024 by author Kim Hart

Learn About the Author

Kim Hart

Kimberly Hart, a native of Indianapolis, is a dedicated mother of two and a passionate writer specializing in topics such as active play, healthy lifestyles, and children's activities; she ensures her kids' health and safety through various sports and adventures. In addition to her role as a main content contributor for PlaygroundEquipment.com, she also spends her spare time volunteering and working as a life coach, helping individuals achieve their fitness goals.

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