Introduction

Soccer, known as football in many parts of the world, is a popular sport that is played by millions of people. It involves two teams of eleven players each, trying to score goals using a spherical ball. The game has its own set of terminology that is used to describe various aspects of the match. In this article, we will translate some of the commonly used soccer match terminology into English.

The Pitch

The playing area in soccer is called the pitch or field. It is a rectangular area with a length of 100-110 meters and a width of 64-75 meters. The goalposts are placed at either end of the pitch, and the penalty area is marked with a 16.5-meter semicircle. The penalty spot, from where penalty kicks are taken, is located 11 meters from the goal line.

The Kickoff

The game starts with a kickoff, where one team kicks the ball from the center of the pitch towards the other team's half. The opposing team is not allowed to enter the center circle until the ball is in play. If a team scores a goal, the opposite team gets to restart the game with a kickoff.

The Offside Rule

The offside rule is a crucial aspect of soccer where a player is deemed offside if they are closer to the opponent's goal than the ball and the second-last defender. The player must also be actively involved in the play to be considered offside. If a player is caught offside, the opposing team is awarded a free-kick.

Fouls

Various types of fouls can occur in a soccer match. A player is penalized for fouling an opponent, using their arms or hands to control the ball, or fouling the goalkeeper inside the penalty box. The referee can award free kicks, penalty kicks or even book players with a yellow or red card for serious fouls.

The Throw-In

When the ball goes out of play on the touchline, a throw-in is awarded to the opposing team. The player taking the throw-in must keep both feet on the ground and throw the ball over their head with both hands. The ball is considered to be in play once it enters the pitch and is touched by another player.

The Corner Kick

If the ball goes out of play over the goal line, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick. A player from the attacking team takes the corner kick by placing the ball in the corner nearest to where the ball went out of play. The attacking team can score directly from a corner kick if the ball goes into the goal without touching any other player.

The Penalty Kick

If a player commits a foul inside the penalty area, the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick. The penalty spot is located 11 meters from the goal line, and the goalkeeper must remain on their goal line until the kick is taken. The opposing player takes the kick and tries to score a goal while the goalkeeper tries to block it.

Conclusion

Soccer terminology can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the sport. Knowing the basic soccer match terminology can help you better understand the rules of the game and enjoy watching it. By using this guide, you can impress your friends with your newfound soccer knowledge.