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Soccer Terminology | P - Q - R

P

Passing

When a player kicks the ball to his teammate; used to move the ball closer to the opposing goal, to keep the ball away from an opponent or to give the ball to a player who is in a better position to score.

Penalty

Short for penalty kick; also, a punishment given by the referee for a violation of the rules.

Penalty arc

A circular arc whose center is the penalty spot and extends from the top of the penalty area; designates an area that opposing players are not allowed to enter prior to a penalty kick.

Penalty area

A rectangular area 44 yards wide by 18 yards deep with its long edge on the goal line; the goalkeeper may use his hands to block or control the ball only within this area.

Penalty kick

See Penalty shot.

Penalty shot

A kick taken from the penalty spot by a player against the opposing goalie without any players closer than 10 yards away; awarded for the most severe rule violations and those committed by the defense within its own penalty area; also taken in a tiebreaker to decide a match.

Penalty spot

The small circular spot located 12 yards in front of the center of the goal line from which all penalty kicks are taken; positioned at the center of the penalty arc.

Penetrate

To advance the ball behind opposing defenders (between them and their goal).

Periods

The segments of time into which a game is divided; a regulation game played by adults consists of two 45-minutes halves.

Pitch

A British term for soccer field.

Play

To trap, dribble, kick or head the ball.

Play on

A term used by referees to indicate that no foul or stoppage is to be called; used by referees when applying the Advantage Rule.

Playoff

A tournament that takes place after a season's schedule has been completed; used to determine a champion.

Points

A team statistic indicating its degree of success, calculated as follows: 2 points for a win (3 in the 1994 World Cup), 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss; also, an individual statistic for a player, calculated by totaling 2 points for each goal and 1 point for each assist.

Possession

Control of the ball.

Post

Goalpost or the area near it.

Professional foul

A foul committed intentionally, usually by a defender on an attacker just outside the defender's penalty area; used to prevent a scoring opportunity without incurring a penalty shot.

Push pass

when a player pushes the ball with the inside of his foot to a teammate.

Q

Qualifying Draw

The division of teams into groups for World Cup qualifying matches, held 2 years before The Draw.

Qualifying matches

Games played in the 2 years preceding the World Cup to determine which teams participate in the tournament.

R

Receiver

A player who gets a pass from a teammate.

Red card

A playing card-sized card that a referee holds up to signal a player's removal from the game; the player's team must play the rest of the game shorthanded; presented for violent behavior or multiple rule infractions (two yellow cards = one red card).

Referee

The chief official; he makes all final decisions, acts as timekeeper, calls all fouls and starts and stops play.

Regular season

The schedule of games set before the season; consists of all games played before a playoff or tournament is held.

Regulation game

Two completed periods of a game, prior to any overtime or tiebreaker.

Round

A stage of a tournament at which teams compete; the World Cup tournament has 5 main rounds.

Rugby

An offshoot from soccer started in the early 1800s; rugby players are allowed to pick up the ball with their hands and run with it, and also make full contact with each other whether going after the ball or not.