skip navigation
Home Traveling InHouse Registration Calendar Training Tournament Contact

Terms for Soccer Players

Terms for Soccer Players

Word When you say it When you hear it
Clear Tells the defender to pass the ball forward. In the penalty box, it means get the ball out now. Pass the ball up field. In the penalty box, it means get the ball out NOW!
Cross-it Tells player with the ball to put the ball into the middle of the field. Pass the ball towards the middle.
Down line When you want your teammate to kick or throw the ball down the sideline. Move down line for a pass or throw.
Far post Tells the player with the ball to pass the ball towards the far post of the goal. Pass the ball towards the far post, about 10 feet out from the post.
18 Tells the player to pass the ball into the penalty area. Pass the ball into the penalty area
I go ball It means you want to challenge for the ball Let the player who called for step to the ball
Leave Tells your teammate to move away from the ball and let you take it. Move away from the ball.
Mark up Say this to your teammates when you want them to pick an opponent to cover defensively, especially on set plays. Look for an uncovered player. Cover him and point to him.
Man on Say this to your teammate when an opponent is close by, especially when they are coming up from behind. You have a man coming from behind, be ready to make a dribbling move or pass.
Near post Tells a player to pass to the post closest to the player. Pass to the nearest post of the goal, about 10 feet out from the post.
Time Tells your teammate they have time to dribble the ball and take space. You have time to dribble and look for a pass.
One-touch Tells a player they have just enough time for a pass, no dribbling. Make a quick pass towards the voice.
Overlap Player is to run to other side of player with the ball. If you have the ball, the player is moving.
Recover When you are outnumbered by attackers. Sprint back to help on defense.
Hit-It! Say this when the player with the ball should shoot. Shoot the ball!
Win-It Reminds a player to be the first to a ball Be the first person to the ball.
Support Lets a player know that help is behind. Also used to trick the other team. You have help behind you.
Square Tells the player you are to the right or left of them and open for a pass. Pass towards the voice.
Switch fields Yelled to get the player with the ball to pass the ball to the opposite side of the field. Pass the ball all the way across the field.
Take Ball Tells a player to slow down the player with the ball. Step to the player and slow them down.
Take your space Tells a player to dribble the ball forward Dribble the ball into the open space.
Through. Tells the player that you are passing the ball past defenders. Look to pass the ball through the defenders.
Step-Up Usually comes from the keeper or the sweeper/defenseman furthest back to get the Defense to push up quickly together after a clear. Step up with the rest of your teammates.
Advantage The coach / official may permit play to continue rather than stopping play for a foul. This happens when calling the foul would take away a favorable opportunity for the offended team. An example is if a handball drops the ball at the feet of a forward who then takes a shot on goal. This may be the best rule in sports.