attacker

A player whose main job is to shoot on the opponent's goal.

chip

A sharp, stabbing kick that gives the ball some backspin but doesn't give much distance, so the player is able to loft the ball over an opponent's head without the ball going too far.

concussion

An injury to the head, particularly the brain, usually involving loss of consciousness and dizziness.

containment

The process of slowing down an attacker and keeping him in front of you as you back toward the goal.

corner kick

The free kick given to the attacking team when the defending team has kicked the ball over its own end line.

cross

A pass from the sideline into the center of the field in front of the goal.

defender

A player whose main job is to protect her own goal.

dehydration

A serious lack of water in your body that can cause a dangerous health situation.

direct kick

The free kick given to a team when a player on the other team has committed a foul. This kick may go directly into the goal.

dribbling

A series of short, crisp taps on the ball that allows the soccer player to run with the ball under his control.

electrolytes

Ions in your body that control the flow of water throughout the cells.

FIFA

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is the official soccer organization for world play. If a rule change is made, it's made by FIFA.

follow through

A term used in many sports. It means that the swinging motion doesn't stop with impact. The leg (or baseball bat or tennis racket) continues to move forward in the same direction.

give-and-go

It is a way of getting around a defender by “bouncing” the ball off one of your teammates. Your teammate receives the ball while you run around the defender and then passes it back to you when you're free.

goalkeeper

The only player on the field allowed to use his hands. This ability is restricted to the penalty-box area.

goal kick

The free kick awarded to the defending team when the attacking team has kicked the ball over the goal line.

goal line

Also known as the end line. One of the two shorter lines that form the boundaries of the field of play. The lines are included as part of the field.

half-volley

A shot in which the player kicks the ball after it has bounced. The ball is still in the air but only a bit off the ground.

header

when a player uses his head to direct the ball.

indirect kick

The free kick given to a team when a player on the other team has committed a foul. This kick must be touched by two players before it can go into the goal.

instep

The arched middle portion of the foot directly in front of the ankle and under the shoelaces.

instep pass

Or shoelace pass. A powerful pass that lets the player loft the ball into the air by striking it with her instep.

juggling

Keeping the ball from touching the ground using your feet and thighs and even your head to pop the ball back up into the air.

kickoff

The free kick that begins the game and the second half. It is also the way play is restarted after a goal has been scored.

ligaments

The connectors between your bones. Ligaments also support organs and connect cartilage to bones.

marking up

Another term for man-to-man defense. That means you cover a player rather than an area, staying with him no matter where he goes.

midfielder

A transition position between attack and defense.

MLS

Major League Soccer. The MLS is the professional men's soccer league in the United States.

obstruction

This call means you've placed your body between your opponent and the ball without going after the ball yourself. You might be trying to keep your opponent from saving the ball if it's going out-of-bounds or to give your keeper a chance to pick it up. Either way, it's not allowed. You can throw your body in front of another player, however, as long as you're actually going after the ball.

offsides

A violation of the rule that requires either the ball or two defenders be between an attacker and the goal.

penalty box

The area in front of the goal inside the 18-yard line.

penalty kick

A free kick awarded when the defending team fouls inside the penalty box.

plant

A step toward the ball that shifts your weight forward and gives you more power for your kick.

push pass

A short accurate pass using the inside of the foot.

qualifying matches

Soccer games between countries to determine the top 30 soccer teams in the world.

restart

Occurs after play has been stopped because of the referee's whistle. Restarts include corner kicks, goal kicks, direct kicks, indirect kicks, kickoffs, and throw-ins.

RICE

The acronym to help remember the treatment of rest, ice, compression, and elevation for injuries.

shielding

The process of keeping your body between the defender and the ball to prevent the defender from getting to the ball.

sprain

A stretching or tearing of a ligament.

stopper

A position considered the first line of defense.

striker

Another term for the center forward.

sweeper

A position considered the last line of defense.

Title IX

A law passed in 1972 that essentially said that schools couldn't have a sport for boys and not have one for girls if there was an interest.

throw-in

The method of returning the ball to play when it has gone over the touchline.

touchline

Also known as the sideline. One of the two longer lines that are the boundaries of the field of play. The lines are included as part of the field of play.

trapping

Stopping the soccer ball and getting it under control with any part of the body.

volley

A shot in which the player kicks the ball out of the air.

World Cup

The ultimate soccer trophy. The team that wins the World Cup competition is considered the best soccer team in the world.

WPS

Women's Professional Soccer.

zone defense

Covering an area rather than a person. You pick up the player who goes into that area.