3pm

The 3pm Blackout

The 3pm Blackout refers to a rule in Britain which prohibits the live broadcast of football matches on Saturdays between 2:45pm and 5:15pm.

Example: Is it time to lift the 3pm Blackout? Considering how much sport is on TV nowadays, there is no sense in keeping the rule.

 

12th

The 12th man

The 12th man in football is a term of endearment for a team's supporters. Each team is made up of 11 players so, when supporters are so loud enough to influence the game, they are said to be the 12th player.

Example: Liverpool are up against it after losing the first leg 2-1 away from home, but the 12th man at Anfield is certainly significant and should help.

 

50+1

The 50+1 rule

The 50+1 rule refers to the clause in the German Football League (DFL) regulations which stipulates that clubs must be majority-owned by members, i.e. the fans, rather than commercial investors.

Example: Jurgen Klinsmann said: "I understand the 50+1 rule, it stems from the old club idea, but you can only get money from investors if they are allowed to have a say in the club, which is why the rule is a disadvantage for the Bundesliga on the international stage."

 

Act

Class act

= A player/manager that deserves praise especially with their attitude and manners off the field.

 

Advantage

 آوانتاژ؛ اگر تیمی در حال حمله باشد و تیم مقابل روی یکی از بازیکنان خطا کند، داور آوانتاژ می‌دهد و به‌این‌ترتیب بازی جریان پیدا می‌کند تا موقعیت تیم به خاطر سوت بی‌جای داور خراب نشود.

 

African

African Nations

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

Against

Against the run of play

When a goal is described as being scored "against the run of play" it means it was scored by a team that has not been in control of the match.

چلسی بی‌امان به دروازه‌ی تاتنهام حمله می‌‌کند، اما در یک تک‌موقعیت، این تاتنهام است که به گل می‌رسد! اینطور وقت‌ها گزارشگر می‌گوید که گلی خلاف جهت بازی به ثمر رسید.

Example: "We were on top for the first 15 minutes and then conceded against the run of play. That really took the wind out of our sails, but we managed to get back into it and get the win." 

 

Air

Air ball

 توپی که سرگردان و به خاطر یک شوت یا پاس هوایی در هوا معلق است.

 

America

Coppa America

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

All

All ball

= This is said when a player attempts to tackle the ball, and connects with the ball rather than the player’.

GOAT

The GOAT means 'Greatest Of All Time'.

Example: The argument over whether Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is the GOAT will go on forever.

Two all

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

Allow

Allowed

Disallowed

Offside / Disallowed / Ruled out

The goal has been disallowed (phrase)

 

Anchor

Midfield anchor

= A reliable defensive midfielder with the primary assignment of staying close to the defensive line and nipping attacks in the bud. 

See: Daniele De Rossi, Michael Essien, N’Golo Kanté.

 

Anti

Football

Anti-football

Football is commonly referred to as 'The Beautiful Game',

 So anti-football is when a team's style of play is cynical, defensive and, in some cases, violent. 

The term is understood to have been first used to describe the performance of Argentine club Estudiantes in the 1968 Intercontinental Cup final against Manchester United.

همان ضد فوتبال خودمان است. وقتی تیمی که جلو است و وقت را تلف می‌کند، گزارش گر از این اصطلاح استفاده می‌کند.

Example: Commenting on the 2010 World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain, Johan Cruyff said: "This ugly, vulgar, hard, hermetic, hardly eye-catching, hardly football style, yes it served the Dutch to unsettle Spain. If with this they got satisfaction, fine, but they ended up losing. They were playing anti-football."

 

Area

Penalty area

= Penalty box

= Danger zone

 محدوده‌ی جلوی هر دروازه که به منطقه‌ی جریمه معروف است و خطا در آن باعث پنالتی یا ضربه مستقیم به دروازه می‌شود. 

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

On the edge of the area

= on the edge of the penalty box

 

Assistant

Referee’s assistant

= Linesman

 کمک داور

 

Association → Associations

FA  = Football Association 

= body governing men’s football in England)

WFA = Women’s Football Association 

= body governing women’s football in England

PFA = Professional Footballers’ Association

UEFA = Union of European Football Associations

FIFA = Fédération Internationale de Football Association = International Association of Association Football

 

Attack → Counterattack

The attack, Forward, Striker, Attacker, Target man

Attack

 حمله

Attack → Counterattack

Counterattack:

 ضد حمله

Direct attack

 حمله مستقیم

Indirect attack

 حمله‌ی غیرمستقیم

 

Attacker → Attackers

The attack, Forward, Striker, Attacker, Target man

Dangerous Attackers

 بازیکنانی که وارد محوطه جریمه می‌شوند و دیگر هر ضربه‌ای از طرفشان خطرناک است و بوی گل می‌دهد.

 

Attacking

Attacking Plan: 

برنامه حمله‌ی یک تیم

 

Babe → Babes

Busby Babes

The Busby Babes was a nickname for the Manchester United team managed by Matt Busby during the 1950s and 1960s. 

They were dubbed 'Babes' due to the relative youth of the team.

 

Away

Away goal

Away goals rule

The 'away goals rule' is a method of deciding the winner of a two-legged tie in the event of an aggregate draw. If the tie finishes 2-2 on aggregate, the team with the most goals scored away from home wins.

Example: "Lucas Moura's incredible second-half hat-trick saw Tottenham snatch a 3-2 win at Ajax and a place in the Champions League final on away goals."

 

Back

 دفاع یا بخش عقبی تیم را دفاع می‌گویند.

Back heel

 ضربه پشت پا؛ وقتی بازیکنی با پشت پا به توپ ضربه می‌زند و توپ را به عقب می‌فرستد.

Back of the net

= A commentator favorite to describe the ball crossing the line and hugging the net, in other words, a goal.

'Back of the net!' is an exclamation of excitement or joy used when a goal that is scored with such force that the ball not only crosses the line, but hits the net. The term was famously used as a catchphrase by Steve Coogan's character Alan Partridge in the sitcom I'm Alan Partridge.

Example: "That goal was buried into the back of the net!"

Back pass

 پاس رو به عقب

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

Back side

 ناحیه‌ی دفاعی زمین

Fullback

Right back

Left back

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender / Centre half / Sweeper

 

Ball

Air ball

 توپی که سرگردان و به خاطر یک شوت یا پاس هوایی در هوا معلق است.

All ball

= This is said when a player attempts to tackle the ball, and connects with the ball rather than the player’.

First-time ball

= Transferring the ball to a teammate with one single touch when a pass is received.

Hospital ball

= A reckless pass that’s within reach of two players from opposing teams that can give rise to injuries.

Through ball

A 'through ball' is a pass which is threaded through the opposition's lines of defense to a team-mate who has made a well timed run.

Example: "Kevin De Bruyne split the defense wide open with a sensational through ball to Gabriel Jesus."

Ball-to-hand

= The claim that the contact between the hand and the ball is inadvertent, therefore it shouldn’t warrant a free kick.

Hoofing the ball

To 'hoof the ball' is to aimlessly clear the ball out of defense instead of carefully picking a pass.

Example: "Everyone wants Ireland to play it out from the back, so why are they always hoofing the ball?"

Dead ball

Dead-ball specialist

A dead-ball specialist is a player who is particularly skilled at striking a ball when it is stationary, such as during a free kick or corner kick.

Example: "Andrea Pirlo's sumptuous free kick was the difference between the teams and served as a reminder of why he is considered one of the game's greatest dead-ball specialists."

 

Banana ?

Banana ? Kick

 ضربه کات دار یا موج‌دار

 

Bar

It’s hit the bar

= the shot hit the cross bar

Crossbar

 تیر افقی دروازه

Goal post

 تیر عمودی دروازه

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

 

Bath

an Early bath 

= Left the pitch early

= Sent off

 

Behind

Behind closed doors

To play a match behind closed doors is to do so without spectators. 

It is commonly used as a punishment by football authorities as it denies a club the chance to earn money through gate receipts. 

However, it can also be used in the event of health concerns, such as an epidemic or global pandemic.

Example: "Following guidance from the Austrian government, Manchester United have been informed by UEFA and LASK that the Europa League game on Thursday will be played behind closed doors."

 

Bench

‘on the bench’ 

=  a substitute

 

Bicycle

Bicycle kick

= Overhead kick

= The movement by a player where they jump up, throw both feet in the air and hit the ball in a pedaling motion to send the ball in the opposite direction they’re facing. 

Bicycle kick

A bicycle kick is a method of shooting or passing which involves a player being airborne and usually playing the ball in the opposite direction to the way they are facing. Sometimes referred to as an 'overhead kick', the bicycle kick is so called because a player appears to cycle through the air upside down.

 ضربه‌ی قیچی یا برگردان؛ وقتی بازیکن مهاجم روی هوا بلند می‌شود و باروی پا به شکل برگردان توپ را وارد دروازه می‌کند.

Example: Rio Ferdinand said: "The opposing fans in the stadium applauding the great Cristiano after the bicycle kick and rightly so. Keeps on upping the ante - relentless."

 

Big

Big game

Big-game player

A big-game player is one who routinely performs well in a highly pressurized environment such as a final, a heated derby match or a decisive league fixture.

 Big-game players are not overwhelmed by nerves or the occasion and are capable of affecting the outcome of big games.

Example: "Lionel Messi is the all-time top scorer in the history of El Clasico. This guy is the ultimate big-game player for Barcelona."

 

Blackout

The 3pm Blackout

The 3pm Blackout refers to a rule in Britain which prohibits the live broadcast of football matches on Saturdays between 2:45pm and 5:15pm.

Example: Is it time to lift the 3pm Blackout? Considering how much sport is on TV nowadays, there is no sense in keeping the rule.

 

Blind

Blind side run

: به منطقه‌ای که از دید دفاع مقابل خارج است، blind side می‌گویند. وقتی بازیکن مهاجم تیم الف بدون توپ و در انتظار پاس به این منطقه می‌رود اصطلاحا می‌گویند: blind side run.

 

Block

Block tackle: 

تکل

 

Blow → Blown

Blow his whistle

The ref has blown his whistle for half time (phrase)

 

Boat

Showboat

= Showing off for fans after cementing a safe score, accompanied by unnecessary displays of frivolous pieces of skill.

 

Book

Booked

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

 

Boot

1.

Football boots

: بله! می‌دانیم که boot به معنای کفش و چکمه است. 

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

2.

اما اگر حین گزارش فوتبال به این کلمه به گوشتان خورد، بدانید که منظور گزارشگر همان شوت زدن است.

Boot it

= An instruction given by the teammates of a player for them to kick the ball with full power to get it away.

 

Bosman

Bosman ruling

The Bosman ruling was a decision made by the European Court of Justice in favor of Belgian footballer Jean-Marc Bosman against the Belgian Football Association, RFC Liege and UEFA in 1995, which protected the free movement of labor and altered the nature of football transfers.

Essentially, it allowed a footballer to leave a club and join another for no transfer fee - otherwise known as a free transfer - when their contract expired. 

A player who joins another club upon the expiry of their contract is said to have moved 'on a Bosman'.

 

Bottling / Bottled it

If a team is accused of 'bottling it' it means they have thrown away a game from a position of (usually significant) advantage.

 While the term 'to have a lot of bottle' refers to an individual possessing boldness of spirit, 'to bottle it' in football is to show a weakness of character.

Example: "The second Spurs get close to winning anything they go and bottle it. Biggest bottle-jobs in football!"

 

Box 

He’s crossed it into the box (phrase)

Fox in the box

= Poacher

= A cunning and skilled striker that’s extremely dangerous in the penalty area. 

See: Andy Cole, Miroslav Klose, Mario Jardel.

A 'fox in the box' is a phrase which describes a striker whose movement within the 18-yard box is clever enough to elude markers so that he can score goals.

 The term evokes the idea of cunning which is commonly associated with foxes.

Example: "Michael Owen had bags of pace so he could always get in behind defenses

, but he was also a fox in the box - a total nightmare for defenders to keep an eye on.

Penalty box

= Penalty Area

= Dangerous Zone

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

Box to box

Box-to-box player

= A player that can successfully play both sides (defensive and offensive) of the game. 

See: Radja Nainggolan, Yaya Touré, Patrick Vieira.

 

Brace

A brace in football is a term for two goals.

= A word to describe the achievement of a player that scores two goals in one game.

Example: "Mohamed Salah made the difference, bagging a brace to send Liverpool on their way to victory against Everton."

Own goal / Hat-trick / Brace

Scoring a brace

He’s scored a brace of goals

= he’s scored two goals in the same match

 

Break

Breakaway

: آن لحظه‌ای که بازیکن پا به توپ می‌شود و چند نفر را کنار میزند یا با یک استارت سریع با سرعت به سمت دروازه‌ی حریف می‌رود، اصطلاحا breakaway یا فرار نام دارد.

 

Bring down → Brought down

He’s brought him down and that will surely mean a yellow card (phrase)

 

Bus

Park the bus

= Playing ultra-defensive not to concede any goals, chiefly applied by team with the edge on the scoreboard.

Parking the bus

When a team 'parks the bus' it means that they played a completely defensive game with little or no intent of attacking. The term was coined by Jose Mourinho in his first stint as Chelsea manager when he accused Tottenham of 'bringing the bus' and leaving it in front of goal. Ironically, the term would later come to define Mourinho's tactical style.

Example: Mourinho talking about his Inter team beating Barcelona in 2010: "We won the tie in Barcelona but everyone talks about Barcelona winning and says we parked the bus in front of the goal. We didn't park the bus, we parked the plane and we did it for two reasons. One, because we only had 10 men and two, because we beat them 3-1 at San Siro, not by parking the bus, or the boat or the airplane but by smashing them."

Jose Mourinho Tottenham 2019-20

 

Busby

Busby Babes

The Busby Babes was a nickname for the Manchester United team managed by Matt Busby during the 1950s and 1960s. 

They were dubbed 'Babes' due to the relative youth of the team.

 

Cap

Cap-tied

When a player is cap-tied in international football it means they have played a senior competitive game for one particular national team and cannot change to another for which they may have been eligible.

Example: Former Barcelona forward Munir El-Haddadi was eligible for Morocco, but cannot switch allegiance to them because he played for Spain once in a European Championship qualifier, meaning he is cap-tied to Spain.

 

Carry:

 دریبل کردن

 

Card

Yellow Card

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

To get a yellow card

= to be booked

He’s brought him down and that will surely mean a yellow card (phrase)

Red card

To get a red card

= to be sent off

 

Catenaccio

Catenaccio is an Italian term for a tactical system of play which uses a strong defensive system. 

The word means 'door bolt' or 'chain'.

 It was notably used by Inter in the 1960s as well as many of Giovanni Trapattoni's teams.

 

Caught

Caught sleeping

When a player or defense is described as having been "caught sleeping" it means they have not been concentrating enough on their job or paying attention to the player they are supposed to be marking. 

Variations of "caught sleeping" include "caught napping" and "switched off".

Example: "The Chelsea defense were caught sleeping when they failed to close down Ronaldinho, who used the space to pick his spot and send the ball sailing past Petr Cech."

 

Central

Central Defender

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender / Centre half / Sweeper

 

Centre

Centre Circle ⭕

 دایره‌ی مرکز زمین

Centre Spot

 همان نقطه‌ی وسط دایره که بازیکن صاحب توپ باید با یک پاس بازی را شروع کند.

Center half

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender /  Centre half / Sweeper

 

Champion

The Champions League

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

 

Championship 

= second division in men’s football

European Championships

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

Changing

Changing room

Dressing room / Changing room / Dugout

 

Chest

Chest Reception

: دریافت توپ با قفسه‌ی سینه

 

Chip:

 زدن به زیر توپ؛ وقتی مهاجم با دروازه‌بان اصطلاحا تک به تک شده است یا باید یک مدافع را رد کند، با نوک پا ضربه‌ای به زیر توپ می‌زند و توپ با یک قوس تمیز به هوا می‌رود و پشت سر دفاع یا دروازه‌بان فرود می‌آید.

Chip shot

= A shot that is kicked from underneath the ball to provide some arc for it to go over the opponent.

 See: Lionel Messi.

 

Circle

Centre Circle ⭕

 دایره‌ی مرکز زمین

 

Class

Class act

= A player/manager that deserves praise especially with their attitude and manners off the field.

 

Clean

Clean sheet

= The accolade a team/goalkeeper earns when a full game is played without conceding a goal.

A clean sheet is when a team does not concede any goals in a match. Sometimes known as 'a shutout' in North America, it uses the image of an unblemished garment.

Example: "Despite the best efforts of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Alisson managed to keep a clean sheet at Anfield."

 

Clearance:

 وقتی تیم مقابل توپ را از منطقه خطر دور می‌کند یا آن را می‌گیرد.

 

Cleats

= The plastic or metallic bumps on the sole of football shoes. 

Also used for the shoes themselves.

 

Clinical

Clinical finish

= A top notch shot that leads to a goal. 

The scorer of this goal is called the clinical finisher. 

See: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Harry Kane, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima.

 

Closed

Behind closed

Behind closed doors

To play a match behind closed doors is to do so without spectators. 

It is commonly used as a punishment by football authorities as it denies a club the chance to earn money through gate receipts. 

However, it can also be used in the event of health concerns, such as an epidemic or global pandemic.

Example: "Following guidance from the Austrian government, Manchester United have been informed by UEFA and LASK that the Europa League game on Thursday will be played behind closed doors."

 

Club

Match / Game /  Commentator / Club /  Team

Yo-yo club

= A yo-yo club is one which is always capable of earning promotion but cannot seem to maintain its status in the higher division.

 Therefore they are regularly promoted and relegated.

 Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City are notable historic examples of yo-yo clubs in England.

 

Coach

= Head coach

= Manager

 مربی-سرمربی

Footballer / Player / Manager / Player-manager / Coach

 

Cold

On a cold, wet night in Stoke

If one posits that a player cannot play 'on a cold, wet Wednesday night in Stoke' it means they would struggle to perform in England. 

The phrase, since embellished, was first uttered in 2010 by pundit Andy Gray, who suggested that Barcelona star Lionel Messi would find it difficult to play well in the rain-sodden, wind-swept pitches of the Premier League.

 

Concede

Score

To score/a goal:

 گل زدن

To concede /a goal

: گل خوردن

 

Coppa

Coppa America

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

Corner

 اگر نگاهی به زمین فوتبال کنید، چهارگوشه‌ی زمین یک ربع دایره وجود دارد که با پرچم هم علامت‌گذاری شده است؛ این منطقه، منطقه کرنر است و اگر بازیکن دفاع یک تیم توپ را از خط افقی بیرون فرستاد، تیم مقابل باید از منطقه کرنر، توپ را بزند.

Corner flag

 پرچم کرنر که در چهارگوشه‌ی زمین وجود دارد.

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

Corner kick

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

 

Cosh

Under the cosh

If a team is 'under the cosh' they are enduring severe pressure during a game and defending resolutely against wave after wave of attacks.

Example: "When Roy Keane was sent off, Manchester United spent the rest of the game under the cosh."

 

Counter

Attack → Counterattack

The attack / Forward, Striker / Attacker / Target man

Attack

 حمله

Attack → Counterattack

Counterattack:

 ضد حمله

Direct attack

 حمله مستقیم

Indirect attack

 حمله‌ی غیرمستقیم

 

Attacking

Attacking Plan: 

برنامه حمله‌ی یک تیم

 

CR7

CR7 is a nickname for Cristiano Ronaldo which combines his initials and favored number. The Portugal star has turned the nickname into a brand, selling underwear, fragrance and other items under the name.

Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus 2019-20Getty Images

 

Cracker

= A breathtaking football match or an outstanding goal, mainly from a long distance.

 

Cross

Verb

To cross

to Shoot / to Score / to Tackle / to Cross / to Pass / to Dive / to Intercept

He’s crossed it into the box (phrase)

Noun

Crossbar

 تیر افقی دروازه

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

 

Crow

Supporters /  crow / fans

 

Cruyff

Cruyff Turn

The Cruyff Turn is the name of a dribble technique which was popularized by Netherlands star Johan Cruyff when he used it to evade Sweden's Jan Olsson at the 1974 World Cup.

 The move involves feigning a pass and switching the ball to the standing foot by performing a 180 degree turn.

 

Cup

Mickey Mouse cup

'Mickey Mouse cup' is a pejorative term for a competition that is not deemed as important or competitive as others. 

If a country has a number of cup competitions, the 'Mickey Mouse cup' is usually the one which has the lowest financial reward.

FA Cup

League Cup

World Cup

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

Cup-tied

The rules of many cup competitions prohibit a player for playing for two different clubs in the same competition in the same season.

 If a player plays for one club in round one of a cup then transfers to another club which is competing in the same cup, they would be cup-tied for the remainder of the competition.

 

Danger

Danger zone

= Penalty area

 محدوده‌ی جلوی هر دروازه که به منطقه‌ی جریمه معروف است و خطا در آن باعث پنالتی یا ضربه مستقیم به دروازه می‌شود. 

 

Dangerous

Dangerous Attackers

 بازیکنانی که وارد محوطه جریمه می‌شوند و دیگر هر ضربه‌ای از طرفشان خطرناک است و بوی گل می‌دهد.

 

Day

St Totteringham's Day

St Totteringham's Day is the day when Arsenal fans celebrate when it becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham to finish above their team in the league. 

It is therefore a moveable feast, which may not occur every year.

 

Dead

Dead ball

Dead-ball specialist

A dead-ball specialist is a player who is particularly skilled at striking a ball when it is stationary, such as during a free kick or corner kick.

Example: "Andrea Pirlo's sumptuous free kick was the difference between the teams and served as a reminder of why he is considered one of the game's greatest dead-ball specialists."

 

Death

Group of Death

A Group of Death is used to describe a group in a tournament (such as the World Cup) that is made up entirely of teams who are considered very strong.

Example: "Brazil 2014 served up a number of groups that were considered competitive enough to be described as 'Groups of Death'. One such example was Group B, which featured the two finalists from the 2010 World Cup - Spain and the Netherlands - as well as Chile and Australia."

 

Deflection

Deflection shot

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

 

Defender

 مدافع

Central Defender

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender /  Centre half / Sweeper

 

Defense

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender / Centre half / Sweeper

 

Defensive

Defensive wall

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

 

Designated

Designated Player

A Designated Player in Major League Soccer (MLS) is one who is not included in a team's salary cap, allowing them to be paid more. 

It was introduced in 2007 in order to facilitate the transfer of David Beckham from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy.

 

Direct

Indirect

Direct attack

 حمله مستقیم

Indirect attack

 حمله‌ی غیرمستقیم

Direct free kick

Indirect free kick

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

 

Allow

Allowed

Disallowed

Offside / Disallowed / Ruled out

The goal has been disallowed (phrase)

 

Dive

Verb

To Dive

to Shoot / to Score / to Tackle / to Cross / to Pass / to Dive / to Intercept

Noun

a dive

= pretending to be fouled by falling over

= The exaggerated falling move of a player to deceive the referee in order to win their team a foul call.

A dive in football is when a player deliberately attempts to hoodwink the referee into calling a foul by throwing themselves to the ground during a tackle. An attempt to deceive the referee is a yellow-card offense.

 این همان لحظه‌ای است که بازیکن تیم بدون هیچ برخوردی خودش را زمین می‌اندازد تا خطا بگیرد.

Example: "Certain players have earned a reputation for theatrics and in some cases it is deeply unfair, but that was a blatant dive by Arjen Robben."

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

 

Door → doors

Early doors 

= Early in the match

A common expression among footballers and pundits, 'early doors' simply means early in a game. It is believed to originate in northern England as a term to describe the early closing of a public house.

Example: "We nicked a goal early doors and then it was just a case of shutting up shop to grind out the win."

Behind closed doors

To play a match behind closed doors is to do so without spectators. 

It is commonly used as a punishment by football authorities as it denies a club the chance to earn money through gate receipts. 

However, it can also be used in the event of health concerns, such as an epidemic or global pandemic.

Example: "Following guidance from the Austrian government, Manchester United have been informed by UEFA and LASK that the Europa League game on Thursday will be played behind closed doors."

 

The Double

When a team wins two trophies it is described as a double. 

In most cases, 'the Double' refers to a league and cup triumph.

 

Downing

Downing tools

'Downing tools' is a term used to describe the perception that footballers are no longer trying their best for their manager. Often, charges of players downing tools occur when a manager has annoyed a team or player, or his methods no longer inspire confidence.

Example: "Thanks to his treatment by Jose Mourinho, the feeling is that Paul Pogba has downed tools at Manchester United."

 

Draw

Noun

A score draw

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win) /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

Verb

To draw → Drew

 

Dressing 

Dressing room

Dressing room / Changing room / Dugout

Lost the dressing room

= A phrase to describe a situation in which the manager has lost control over and the respect of the players.

If a manager has 'lost the dressing room' it means that they no longer have influence and control over their players. 

Mistreatment of a popular player can lead to revolt in the group or it could just be down to a lack of confidence in a manager's ability and methods.

In effect, losing the dressing room means that a manager cannot lead their team sufficiently and usually ends up with them losing their job.

Example: "He started well and they bought into the philosophy, but when he stripped the captain of the armband he lost the dressing room."

 

Draw

Noun

It’s a draw (phrase)

Verb

To Draw → Drew

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

Dryer

Hairdryer

Hairdryer treatment

= The hard scolding of players by their manager, usually taking place in the changing room. 

Popularized by the former Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson.

The 'hairdryer treatment' is a euphemism for a furious verbal assault on a player or players by a manager.

 The idea is that a constant stream of hot hair is blown into one's face.

Example: "Manchester United were so bad in that first half that there is no doubt Alex Ferguson will give them the hairdryer treatment."

 

Dugout

Dressing room / Changing room / Dugout

 

Dummy

Dummy run

= An off-the-ball run made by an offensive player to create space for his teammate with the ball. 

Used to trick opponents by pretending to move towards the ball.

 

Early

Early doors

= Early in the match

A common expression among footballers and pundits, 'early doors' simply means early in a game.

 It is believed to originate in northern England as a term to describe the early closing of a public house.

Example: "We nicked a goal early doors and then it was just a case of shutting up shop to grind out the win."

an Early bath 

= Left the pitch early

= Sent off

 

Edge

On the edge of the area

= on the edge of the penalty box

 

Engine

Traction engine

Foot like a traction engine

When someone says a player "must have a foot like a traction engine" they mean that they have a powerful shot.

 The phrase comes from the satirical British television show 

The Day Today. Steve Coogan's character on the show, Alan Partridge, was a parody of a sports reporter and, while doing commentary on a match, he says: "Sh*t! Did you see that? He must have a foot like a traction engine!"

 

European

European Championships

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

Expected

XG

XG is an abbreviation for 'Expected Goals'.

A modern statistical measurement, 

 

FA  = Football Association 

= body governing men’s football in England)

FA Cup

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

False

False nine

The 'false nine' is a player who takes up the position of a central forward in a team, but performs a more withdrawn role than a traditional 'number nine' striker. A false nine is not as advanced as a conventional striker and drops deep to drag centre-backs out, allowing the left and right wingers to get in behind.

Example: Explaining the position, Lionel Messi said: "[Pep Guardiola] had been talking with Tito Vilanova and they had thought about me playing as a false nine. He was going to put Samuel [Eto'o] and Thierry Henry on the outside, and I was going to play as the false centre forward."

 

Fan → Fans

Supporters /  Crow / Fans

 

Feet

Stay on your feet

'Stay on your feet' is a phrase that is usually directed at rash players, who are urged not to dive in and prematurely attempt to tackle an opponent. 

It became an internet sensation when Ray Wilkins uttered the phrase repeatedly while doing commentary for the 2011 Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Tottenham.

Foot like a traction engine

When someone says a player "must have a foot like a traction engine" they mean that they have a powerful shot.

 The phrase comes from the satirical British television show 

The Day Today. Steve Coogan's character on the show, Alan Partridge, was a parody of a sports reporter and, while doing commentary on a match, he says: "Sh*t! Did you see that? He must have a foot like a traction engine!"

 

Feint 

= Flip Flap

= The dribbling of the ball in one direction after faking the dribble in the other direction with a bogus body movement.

 Also known as the snakebite for being resembling a snake’s agile attack on its prey.

 

Fergie

Fergie Time

'Fergie Time' describes the perception that former Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson had a psychological influence on referees that made them add just enough time after 90 minutes to allow the Red Devils to score. First used in the 1990s, the fact that Ferguson could often be seen pointing at his watch on the sideline and his teams scored plenty of late goals contributed to the perception.

Example: "Back in the 1992-93 season, with Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday drawing 1-1, seven minutes of time was added at the end and Steve Bruce scored a winner. Thus Fergie Time was born."

Alex Ferguson Manchester UnitedGetty

Fergie's Fledglings

The term 'Fergie's Fledglings' describes the clutch of young players who graduated from the Manchester United academy to the first team under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson.

 It is inspired by the Busby Babes.

 

Field

Midfield anchor

= A reliable defensive midfielder with the primary assignment of staying close to the defensive line and nipping attacks in the bud. 

See: Daniele De Rossi, Michael Essien, N’Golo Kanté.

 

Fielder

Midfielder

 هافبک

 

FIFA = Fédération Internationale de Football Association = International Association of Association Football

 

Fifty

Fifty-fifty / 50/50

A fifty-fifty (sometimes stylised 50/50) is when two players compete for possession of a loose ball, usually coming together at the same time. In order to win a fifty-fifty, a player usually needs to be strong in the tackle.

Example: "Nine times out of 10 if you go into a 50/50 challenge hard and committed, you will win the ball, but if you go in half-heartedly, you have more chance of getting injured."

 

Final

Final whistle

Half time / Full time / Final whistle

 

Finish

Clinical finish

= A top notch shot that leads to a goal. 

The scorer of this goal is called the clinical finisher. 

See: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Harry Kane, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima.

 

First

First Team

Squad / Team / First team / Reserves / Substitutes

First time

First-time ball

= Transferring the ball to a teammate with one single touch when a pass is received.

 

Fixing

Match fixing

Match fixing in football is when the outcome of a particular game is deliberately influenced in order that someone - be it a player, players or criminal enterprise - can financially benefit. Match fixing is a serious offense which can result in prosecution.

 

Flag

Corner flag

 پرچم کرنر که در چهارگوشه‌ی زمین وجود دارد.

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

 

Flap

Flip Flap

= Feint

= The dribbling of the ball in one direction after faking the dribble in the other direction with a bogus body movement.

 Also known as the snakebite for being resembling a snake’s agile attack on its prey.

 

Fledgling

Fergie's Fledglings

The term 'Fergie's Fledglings' describes the clutch of young players who graduated from the Manchester United academy to the first team under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson.

 It is inspired by the Busby Babes.

 

Flick-on

= A move where the offensive player hits a moving ball with their foot or head when it’s passing by them without controlling it first.

 

Flip

Flip Flap

= Feint

= The dribbling of the ball in one direction after faking the dribble in the other direction with a bogus body movement.

 Also known as the snakebite for being resembling a snake’s agile attack on its prey.

 

Foot → Feet

Foot like a traction engine

When someone says a player "must have a foot like a traction engine" they mean that they have a powerful shot.

 The phrase comes from the satirical British television show 

The Day Today. Steve Coogan's character on the show, Alan Partridge, was a parody of a sports reporter and, while doing commentary on a match, he says: "Sh*t! Did you see that? He must have a foot like a traction engine!"

Stay on your feet

'Stay on your feet' is a phrase that is usually directed at rash players, who are urged not to dive in and prematurely attempt to tackle an opponent. 

It became an internet sensation when Ray Wilkins uttered the phrase repeatedly while doing commentary for the 2011 Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Tottenham.

 

Football

Anti-football

Football is commonly referred to as 'The Beautiful Game',

 So anti-football is when a team's style of play is cynical, defensive and, in some cases, violent. 

The term is understood to have been first used to describe the performance of Argentine club Estudiantes in the 1968 Intercontinental Cup final against Manchester United.

همان ضد فوتبال خودمان است. وقتی تیمی که جلو است و وقت را تلف می‌کند، گزارش گر از این اصطلاح استفاده می‌کند.

Example: Commenting on the 2010 World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain, Johan Cruyff said: "This ugly, vulgar, hard, hermetic, hardly eye-catching, hardly football style, yes it served the Dutch to unsettle Spain. If with this they got satisfaction, fine, but they ended up losing. They were playing anti-football."

Heavy metal football

The term 'heavy metal football' describes the style of play implemented by German football coach Jurgen Klopp. 

As a style, it is high intensity and fast, involving rapid counter-attacking moves. 

The term was first popularized when Klopp was manager of Borussia Dortmund.

Total football

Total Football (Totaal voetbal in Dutch) is the name of a tactical style of play that was pioneered by Ajax and the Netherlands national team in the 1970s. 

The concept of Total Football is that any player on the team can fulfill any role as necessary, allowing a fluid, dynamic approach.

While it was popularized by the Dutch in the 1970s, it later became the foundation of the modern-day Barcelona team when Johan Cruyff took over as manager of the club in the late 1980s.

Football match stadium

Football pitch

Football pyramid

The football pyramid is the term for a football league system which is bound together as a unit by promotion and relegation. 

In England, for example, it is possible for a club to progress from non-league football to the Premier League and vice versa.

Football boots

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

FA  = Football Association 

= body governing men’s football in England)

WFA = Women’s Football Association 

= body governing women’s football in England

The football league

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

UEFA = Union of European Football Associations

FIFA = Fédération Internationale de Football Association = International Association of Association Football

 

Footballer → Footballers

Footballer / Player / Manager / Player-manager / Coach

YouTube footballer

=  YouTuber

= is a player who appears to attempt complicated things on the pitch solely for the purpose of their highlight reel rather than the good of the team. It is a derogatory tag that is fixed to players who are perceived to be selfish. 

Former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness famous described Paul Pogba as a YouTube footballer.

PFA = Professional Footballers’ Association

 

Forward 

= Striker

 مهاجم

 

Foul

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

Professional foul

A professional foul is when a player deliberately obstructs an opponent in order to prevent them from scoring a goal or initiating a counter attack.

 It is a cynical premeditated tactic which is punished by a yellow card and sometimes a red card, depending on the severity of the foul.

 

Fourth

Fourth official

Referee / Ref / Linesman / Lineswoman /  Fourth official

 

Fox

Fox in the box

= Poacher

= A cunning and skilled striker that’s extremely dangerous in the penalty area. 

See: Andy Cole, Miroslav Klose, Mario Jardel.

A 'fox in the box' is a phrase which describes a striker whose movement within the 18-yard box is clever enough to elude markers so that he can score goals.

 The term evokes the idea of cunning which is commonly associated with foxes.

Example: "Michael Owen had bags of pace so he could always get in behind defenses

, but he was also a fox in the box - a total nightmare for defenders to keep an eye on.

 

Free

Free kick

 وقتی تیمی خطا می‌کند، داور به تیم مقابل ضربه آزاد می‌دهد.که به این ضربه free kick می‌گویند.

Direct free kick

Indirect free kick

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

 

Friend → Friends

Girlfriend → Girlfriends

WAG

The term WAG means 'Wives And Girlfriends', 

referring to the partners of footballers.

Cristiano Ronaldo Georgina Rodriguez 2019Getty

 

Full

Fullback

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender, Centre half / Sweeper

Full time

Half time / Full time / Final whistle

 

Gaffer

The 'gaffer' is the head coach or manager of a football team.

 It is an informal British term for a boss, such as a foreman on a building site.

Example: "We always knew the game was going to be tough, but the gaffer prepared us well and we got the job done."

 

Galactico

A galactico - Spanish meaning 'galactic' - is an exceptionally talented player of worldwide renown who usually transfers for a considerable transfer fee.

 A galactico is a player who is 'out of this world'. 

The term became popularized in the early 2000s thanks to a transfer policy enacted by Real Madrid which saw them sign Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham.

Example: “I'm not a 'Galactico', not yet, [but] I hope to be one day,” said Eden Hazard after joining Real Madrid.

 

Game

Match / Game /  Commentator / Club /  Team

Game of two halves

= A cliché that commentators resort to when a match has consisted of two halves with huge disparities in character and score.

When a football match is described as being 'a game of two halves' it usually means that one team dominated the first half and then the other dominated the second half. 

Football is by definition a game of two 45-minute periods broken up by a 15 minute half-time interval. 

The pitch itself is also divided into two halves.

Big-game player

A big-game player is one who routinely performs well in a highly pressurized environment such as a final, a heated derby match or a decisive league fixture.

 Big-game players are not overwhelmed by nerves or the occasion and are capable of affecting the outcome of big games.

Example: "Lionel Messi is the all-time top scorer in the history of El Clasico. This guy is the ultimate big-game player for Barcelona."

 

Guards

Shin pads / guards

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

Get

To get a red card

= to be sent off

To get a yellow card

= to be booked

 

Ghost ?

Ghost ?  goal

A ghost goal is a goal that has been awarded despite the whole of the ball not crossing the line. 

Ghost goals are now increasingly unlikely thanks to VAR and goal-line technology, but can still occur.

 

Giant

Giant-killing

In football, a giant-killing is when a top level club is beaten in a cup competition by a club of much smaller stature, usually from a number of tiers below the top.

 The term evokes the imagery of the biblical story of David and Goliath.

 

Girl → Girls

Girlfriend → Girlfriends

WAG

The term WAG means 'Wives And Girlfriends', 

referring to the partners of footballers.

Cristiano Ronaldo Georgina Rodriguez 2019Getty

 

Greatest

GOAT

The GOAT means 'Greatest Of All Time'.

Example: The argument over whether Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is the GOAT will go on forever.

 

Goal → Goals

 دروازه

The goal has been disallowed (phrase)

Goal post

 تیر عمودی دروازه

Goal mouth

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

Goalkeeper

 دروازه‌بان

Goalkeeper / Keeper / Goalie

To concede /a goal

: گل خوردن

To score/a goal:

 گل زدن

He’s scored a brace of goals

= he’s scored two goals in the same match

Goal kick

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

XG

XG is an abbreviation for 'Expected Goals'.

A modern statistical measurement, 

Golden goal

A golden goal is a method of deciding a game that has gone into extra-time, where the team which scores first wins.

Own goal

An own goal happens when a player puts the ball into his own net. 

An own goal is often a source of deep disappointment for a player and can haunt them through the remainder of a game, particularly if their team loses.

: از آن اصطلاحات فوتبال به انگلیسی که خدا نصیب هیچ بازیکنی نکند. این اصطلاح فوتبال به معنی گل به خودی است.

Own goal / Hat-trick / Brace

Ghost ?  goal

A ghost goal is a goal that has been awarded despite the whole of the ball not crossing the line. 

Ghost goals are now increasingly unlikely thanks to VAR and goal-line technology, but can still occur.

Away goal

Away goals rule

The 'away goals rule' is a method of deciding the winner of a two-legged tie in the event of an aggregate draw. If the tie finishes 2-2 on aggregate, the team with the most goals scored away from home wins.

Example: "Lucas Moura's incredible second-half hat-trick saw Tottenham snatch a 3-2 win at Ajax and a place in the Champions League final on away goals."

GOAT

The GOAT means 'Greatest Of All Time'.

Example: The argument over whether Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is the GOAT will go on forever.

 

Goalie

Goalkeeper / Keeper / Goalie

 

God

Hand of God

The 'Hand of God' describes a goal scored by Diego Maradona for Argentina in the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup against England. Maradona illegally used his hand to punch the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and into the back of the net.

 Despite protestations, the goal was awarded.

Diego Maradona Peter Shilton Argentina England 1986 World Cup

 

Golden

Golden goal

A golden goal is a method of deciding a game that has gone into extra-time, where the team which scores first wins.

 

The Grecque

= The Poznan

= , is a celebratory dance performed by supporters in order to taunt the opposition. 

The supporters turn their backs to the pitch, link arms and proceed to jump up and down while chanting their preferred song. 

The implication is that their team is so good that they know they will win - they do not need to watch.

 

Ground

Pitch / Ground / Stands / Stadium / Terrace

 

Group

Group of Death

A Group of Death is used to describe a group in a tournament (such as the World Cup) that is made up entirely of teams who are considered very strong.

Example: "Brazil 2014 served up a number of groups that were considered competitive enough to be described as 'Groups of Death'. One such example was Group B, which featured the two finalists from the 2010 World Cup - Spain and the Netherlands - as well as Chile and Australia."

 

Hair

Hairdryer

Hairdryer treatment

= The hard scolding of players by their manager, usually taking place in the changing room. 

Popularized by the former Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson.

The 'hairdryer treatment' is a euphemism for a furious verbal assault on a player or players by a manager.

 The idea is that a constant stream of hot hair is blown into one's face.

Example: "Manchester United were so bad in that first half that there is no doubt Alex Ferguson will give them the hairdryer treatment."

 

Half → Halves

Half time

Half time / Full time / Final whistle

How long until half time? (Phrase)

The ref has blown his whistle for half time (phrase)

Halfway

Halfway line

 خط وسط زمین؛ هر تیم در یک‌طرف خط زمین مستقر می‌شود (در شروع بازی)

Game of two halves

= A cliché that commentators resort to when a match has consisted of two halves with huge disparities in character and score.

When a football match is described as being 'a game of two halves' it usually means that one team dominated the first half and then the other dominated the second half. 

Football is by definition a game of two 45-minute periods broken up by a 15 minute half-time interval. 

The pitch itself is also divided into two halves.

 

Hand

Handball

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

Ball-to-hand

= The claim that the contact between the hand and the ball is inadvertent, therefore it shouldn’t warrant a free kick.

Hand of God

The 'Hand of God' describes a goal scored by Diego Maradona for Argentina in the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup against England. Maradona illegally used his hand to punch the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and into the back of the net.

 Despite protestations, the goal was awarded.

Diego Maradona Peter Shilton Argentina England 1986 World Cup

 

Hard

Hard man

= A player notorious for their tough, physical, and assertive style of football. 

See: Roy Keane, Gennaro Gattuso, Graeme Souness.

 

Hat-trick

When one player scores three goals in a single game it is known as a hat-trick.

 A perfect hat-trick involves the three goals being scored with the left foot, right foot and head.

Own goal / Hat-trick / Brace

That’s a hat-trick 

= when someone has scored three goals in the same match

 

Head → Overhead

To head

: با سر ضربه زدن

Head coach

= Coach

= Manager

 مربی-سرمربی

 

Header

a Tackle, a Pass, a Header, a Cross, a Shot, a Lob, a Back pass, a Dive, a Deflection, a Deflected shot, an Interception

 

Heavy

Heavy metal

Heavy metal football

The term 'heavy metal football' describes the style of play implemented by German football coach Jurgen Klopp. 

As a style, it is high intensity and fast, involving rapid counter-attacking moves. 

The term was first popularized when Klopp was manager of Borussia Dortmund.

 

Heel

Back heel

 ضربه پشت پا؛ وقتی بازیکنی با پشت پا به توپ ضربه می‌زند و توپ را به عقب می‌فرستد.

 

Hit

(Hit the) woodwork

= Having the ball strike one of the sidebars of the goal.

It’s hit the bar

= the shot hit the crossbar

 

Holding

Holding role 

The holding role describes a midfield position where the main objective is to protect the defense by breaking up play with tackles before initiating counter-attacks. 

Famous examples of a holding midfielder include Claude Makelele, N'Golo Kante and Roy Keane.

 

Hole

In the hole

When a player is described as playing 'in the hole' it means they are occupying the space between midfield and attack. 

Playmakers or traditional 'number 10s' generally play 'in the hole'. 

Some examples of players who play 'in the hole' include Paul Scholes, Lionel Messi and Francesco Totti.

 

Hollywood

Hollywood pass

A 'Hollywood pass' is a pass which looks impressive, 

but doesn't necessarily achieve much, such as a cross-field diagonal ball. 

Hollywood involves more risk than a short pass.

Example: "Steven Gerrard is incredibly gifted, but he tries too many Hollywood passes when he should just keep it simple."

 

Hoof

= Purposelessly kicking the ball towards the opposite goal with power.

 

Hoofing the ball

To 'hoof the ball' is to aimlessly clear the ball out of defense instead of carefully picking a pass.

Example: "Everyone wants Ireland to play it out from the back, so why are they always hoofing the ball?"

 

Hospital

Hospital ball

= A reckless pass that’s within reach of two players from opposing teams that can give rise to injuries.

Hospital pass

A 'hospital pass' is a pass which puts the receiver at risk of being injured or places them immediately in danger. 

It exposes bad decision-making on the part of the passer.

Example: "His passing is normally very accurate, but he's sold his team-mate short there with a complete hospital pass."

 

Howler

= An inexplicable mistake by a player that generally proves costly.

A 'howler' is an embarrassing mistake, usually made under little pressure. 

Goalkeepers are most associated with howlers, 

but it can happen to any player on the pitch.

Example: "What seemed like a routine pass back has turned into a nightmare situation for the goalkeeper. What a howler!"

 

Hug

Hug the line

= The instruction given to wing players to stay closer to the sidelines, especially when dribbling forward.

 

Direct

Indirect

Direct attack

 حمله مستقیم

Indirect attack

 حمله‌ی غیرمستقیم

Direct free kick

Indirect free kick

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

 

Injury

Injury time

Normal time in football is 90 minutes, but a referee can add on time at the end of the match based on stoppages for injuries and so forth. 

This is known as injury time. 

Other names include stoppage time and added time.

 این اصطلاح فوتبال به انگلیسی در واقع همان وقت اضافه خودمان است.

 

To Intercept

Verb

to Shoot / to Score / to Tackle / to Cross / to Pass / to Dive / to Intercept

 

Interception

Noun

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

 

International

FIFA = Fédération Internationale de Football Association = International Association of Association Football

 

Keeper

Goalkeeper / Keeper / Goalie

Goalkeeper

 دروازه‌بان

 

To kick

: ضربه زدن با پا به توپ؛

Bicycle kick

= Overhead kick

.= The movement by a player where they jump up, throw both feet in the air and hit the ball in a pedaling motion to send the ball in the opposite direction they’re facing. 

Bicycle kick

A bicycle kick is a method of shooting or passing which involves a player being airborne and usually playing the ball in the opposite direction to the way they are facing. Sometimes referred to as an 'overhead kick', the bicycle kick is so called because a player appears to cycle through the air upside down.

 ضربه‌ی قیچی یا برگردان؛ وقتی بازیکن مهاجم روی هوا بلند می‌شود و باروی پا به شکل برگردان توپ را وارد دروازه می‌کند.

Example: Rio Ferdinand said: "The opposing fans in the stadium applauding the great Cristiano after the bicycle kick and rightly so. Keeps on upping the ante - relentless."

Banana ? Kick

 ضربه کات دار یا موج‌دار.

Free kick

 وقتی تیمی خطا می‌کند، داور به تیم مقابل ضربه آزاد می‌دهد.که به این ضربه free kick می‌گویند.

Direct free kick

Indirect free kick

Goal kick

Corner kick

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

Kick off

 ضربه‌ی شروع بازی بعد از سوت داور.

 

Killing

Giant-killing

In football, a giant-killing is when a top level club is beaten in a cup competition by a club of much smaller stature, usually from a number of tiers below the top.

 The term evokes the imagery of the biblical story of David and Goliath.

 

Kit

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

La Masia

La Masia is the name of Barcelona's youth academy, where young footballers are educated and trained. 

La Masia is a Catalan word which means 'the Farmhouse'.

 

League

The football league

WSL = Women’s Super League 

= top division in women’s football

The Champions League

Non League

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

League Cup

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

Premier League 

= top division in men’s football

 

Left

Left back

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender, Centre half / Sweeper

 

Line

Halfway line

 خط وسط زمین؛ هر تیم در یک‌طرف خط زمین مستقر می‌شود (در شروع بازی)

Off the line

= The act of saving the ball from crossing the line, clearing the ball.

Touchline

 خط کنار زمین که در صورت خروج توپ از آن خط، توپ اصطلاحا اوت شده است و تیم مقابل باید توپ را به درون زمین پرتاب کند.

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

Lineswoman

Linesman

= Referee’s assistant

 کمک داور

Referee / Ref / Linesman / Lineswoman /  Fourth official

Line-o

= One of the nicknames for the assistant referees that work on the sidelines.

Hug the line

= The instruction given to wing players to stay closer to the sidelines, especially when dribbling forward.

 

Lob

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

 

To lose → Lost

Verb

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

To lose → Lost

Lost

Lost the dressing room

= A phrase to describe a situation in which the manager has lost control over and the respect of the players.

If a manager has 'lost the dressing room' it means that they no longer have influence and control over their players. 

Mistreatment of a popular player can lead to revolt in the group or it could just be down to a lack of confidence in a manager's ability and methods.

In effect, losing the dressing room means that a manager cannot lead their team sufficiently and usually ends up with them losing their job.

Example: "He started well and they bought into the philosophy, but when he stripped the captain of the armband he lost the dressing room."

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

Magic

Magic sponge

The 'magic sponge' is a tongue-in-cheek term for the rudimentary medical treatment of an injury through the use of a wet sponge. 

Example: "When Eden Hazard went down it looked fairly serious, 

but he's back up again now thanks to the magic sponge."

 

Man

Man of the match

The 'man of the match' is the player who is judged to have played the best or had the most influence on a game.

Man of the match / Player of the match

Man manager

A head coach is described as a 'man manager' if they are considered particularly adept at motivating different players. 

A good man manager usually possesses good communication skills and emotional intuition. Someone with good man management skills knows when to eviscerate or encourage each individual on their team. 

Jurgen Klopp Andy Robertson Liverpool Watford 2019-20

The 12th man

The 12th man in football is a term of endearment for a team's supporters. Each team is made up of 11 players so, when supporters are so loud enough to influence the game, they are said to be the 12th player.

Example: Liverpool are up against it after losing the first leg 2-1 away from home, but the 12th man at Anfield is certainly significant and should help.

Linesman

= Referee’s assistant

 کمک داور

Target man

= A tall striker that’s often targeted by crosses, long balls, and high passes for their aerial superiority and prowess as a finisher.

 See: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba, Romelu Lukaku.

The attack, Forward, Striker, Attacker, Target man

Hard man

= A player notorious for their tough, physical, and assertive style of football. 

See: Roy Keane, Gennaro Gattuso, Graeme Souness.

Man on

= The loud cry to inform a teammate with the ball that an opponent is approaching or dangerously close by.

 

Manager

= Coach

= Head coach

 مربی-سرمربی

Footballer / Player / Manager / Player-manager / Coach

Player manager

Man manager

A head coach is described as a 'man manager' if they are considered particularly adept at motivating different players. 

A good man manager usually possesses good communication skills and emotional intuition. Someone with good man management skills knows when to eviscerate or encourage each individual on their team. 

Jurgen Klopp Andy Robertson Liverpool Watford 2019-20

 

To mark:

 وقتی دو بازیکن عین سایه حرکت می‌کنند و اصطلاحا تن‌به‌تن باهم جلو می‌روند، از عبارت to mark استفاده می‌شود.

 

La Masia

La Masia is the name of Barcelona's youth academy, where young footballers are educated and trained. 

La Masia is a Catalan word which means 'the Farmhouse'.

 

Match

Match / Game /  Commentator / Club /  Team

Football match stadium

Man of the match

The 'man of the match' is the player who is judged to have played the best or had the most influence on a game.

Man of the match / Player of the match

Match fixing

Match fixing in football is when the outcome of a particular game is deliberately influenced in order that someone - be it a player, players or criminal enterprise - can financially benefit. Match fixing is a serious offense which can result in prosecution.

 

Metal

Heavy metal

Heavy metal football

The term 'heavy metal football' describes the style of play implemented by German football coach Jurgen Klopp. 

As a style, it is high intensity and fast, involving rapid counter-attacking moves. 

The term was first popularized when Klopp was manager of Borussia Dortmund.

 

Mickey mouse ? ?

Mickey Mouse cup

'Mickey Mouse cup' is a pejorative term for a competition that is not deemed as important or competitive as others. 

If a country has a number of cup competitions, the 'Mickey Mouse cup' is usually the one which has the lowest financial reward.

 

Mid

Midfield

The midfield, / Midfielder /  Winger

Midfield anchor

= A reliable defensive midfielder with the primary assignment of staying close to the defensive line and nipping attacks in the bud. 

See: Daniele De Rossi, Michael Essien, N’Golo Kanté.

Midfielder

 هافبک

The midfield, / Midfielder /  Winger

 

Minnows

= A small team from a lower-level league with limited resources.

 

Mouse

Mickey mouse ? ?

Mickey Mouse cup

'Mickey Mouse cup' is a pejorative term for a competition that is not deemed as important or competitive as others. 

If a country has a number of cup competitions, the 'Mickey Mouse cup' is usually the one which has the lowest financial reward.

 

Mouth

Goal mouth

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

 

Nations

African Nations

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

Net

 تور دروازه

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

Back of the net

= A commentator favorite to describe the ball crossing the line and hugging the net, in other words, a goal.

'Back of the net!' is an exclamation of excitement or joy used when a goal that is scored with such force that the ball not only crosses the line, but hits the net. The term was famously used as a catchphrase by Steve Coogan's character Alan Partridge in the sitcom I'm Alan Partridge.

Example: "That goal was buried into the back of the net!"

 

Night

On a cold, wet night in Stoke

If one posits that a player cannot play 'on a cold, wet Wednesday night in Stoke' it means they would struggle to perform in England. 

The phrase, since embellished, was first uttered in 2010 by pundit Andy Gray, who suggested that Barcelona star Lionel Messi would find it difficult to play well in the rain-sodden, wind-swept pitches of the Premier League.

 

Nil

One - nil

The score is one – nil (phrase)

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

Nine

False nine

The 'false nine' is a player who takes up the position of a central forward in a team, but performs a more withdrawn role than a traditional 'number nine' striker. A false nine is not as advanced as a conventional striker and drops deep to drag center-backs out, allowing the left and right wingers to get in behind.

Example: Explaining the position, Lionel Messi said: "[Pep Guardiola] had been talking with Tito Vilanova and they had thought about me playing as a false nine. He was going to put Samuel [Eto'o] and Thierry Henry on the outside, and I was going to play as the false center forward."

 

Non

Non League

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

 

Nutmeg

A nutmeg

= a cheeky move where a player passes the ball through another player’s legs

= Kicking or putting the ball through an opponent’s legs

A nutmeg is a football skill move whereby the ball is put through the legs of a player.

 

Obstruction

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

 

Off

Off the line

= The act of saving the ball from crossing the line, clearing the ball.

Off the woodwork

When the ball is said to 'hit the woodwork' or 'come off the woodwork' it means it has hit the post or crossbar. 

The term is a throwback to a time when goalposts were made out of wood.

 

Official

Fourth official

Referee / Ref / Linesman / Lineswoman /  Fourth official

 

Offside

Offside / Disallowed / Ruled out

 

One

One - nil

The score is one – nil (phrase)

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

a One-two

= a fast, one-touch move where a player passes the ball to a team mate and receives the ball straight back again

 

Head → Overhead

Overhead

Overhead kick

= Bicycle kick

= The movement by a player where they jump up, throw both feet in the air and hit the ball in a pedaling motion to send the ball in the opposite direction they’re facing. 

 ضربه‌ی قیچی یا برگردان؛ وقتی بازیکن مهاجم روی هوا بلند می‌شود و باروی پا به شکل برگردان توپ را وارد دروازه می‌کند.

 

Own

Own goal

An own goal happens when a player puts the ball into his own net. 

An own goal is often a source of deep disappointment for a player and can haunt them through the remainder of a game, particularly if their team loses.

: از آن اصطلاحات فوتبال به انگلیسی که خدا نصیب هیچ بازیکنی نکند. این اصطلاح فوتبال به معنی گل به خودی است.

Own goal / Hat-trick / Brace

 

Pads

Shin pads / guards

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

Panenka

The Panenka is the name for a penalty kick that is chipped delicately into the back of the net. 

Named after Czech footballer Antonin Panenka, the technique has been deployed by the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Andrea Pirlo among others.

 

Park

Park the bus

= Playing ultra-defensive not to concede any goals, chiefly applied by team with the edge on the scoreboard.

 

Parking

Parking the bus

When a team 'parks the bus' it means that they played a completely defensive game with little or no intent of attacking. The term was coined by Jose Mourinho in his first stint as Chelsea manager when he accused Tottenham of 'bringing the bus' and leaving it in front of goal. Ironically, the term would later come to define Mourinho's tactical style.

Example: Mourinho talking about his Inter team beating Barcelona in 2010: "We won the tie in Barcelona but everyone talks about Barcelona winning and says we parked the bus in front of the goal. We didn't park the bus, we parked the plane and we did it for two reasons. One, because we only had 10 men and two, because we beat them 3-1 at San Siro, not by parking the bus, or the boat or the airplane but by smashing them."

Jose Mourinho Tottenham 2019-20

 

Paper

On paper

= Indicates how the events should play out in theory, the expected scenario based on pre-existing statistics and conditions.

 

Pass

Verb

To pass

 پاس دادن

to Shoot / to Score / to Tackle / to Cross / to Pass / to Dive / to Intercept

Noun

Back pass

 پاس رو به عقب

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

Hospital pass

A 'hospital pass' is a pass which puts the receiver at risk of being injured or places them immediately in danger. 

It exposes bad decision-making on the part of the passer.

Example: "His passing is normally very accurate, but he's sold his team-mate short there with a complete hospital pass."

Hollywood pass

A 'Hollywood pass' is a pass which looks impressive, 

but doesn't necessarily achieve much, such as a cross-field diagonal ball. 

Hollywood involves more risk than a short pass.

Example: "Steven Gerrard is incredibly gifted, but he tries too many Hollywood passes when he should just keep it simple."

 

Pea

Pea roller

= A feeble shot attempt that doesn’t present any threat to the defensive team.

 

Penalty

That must be a penalty! (Phrase)

Penalty box

= Penalty area

= Danger zone

 محدوده‌ی جلوی هر دروازه که به منطقه‌ی جریمه معروف است و خطا در آن باعث پنالتی یا ضربه مستقیم به دروازه می‌شود. 

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

Penalty shootout

: این از همان اصطلاحات فوتبال به انگلیسی است که با شنیدنش ضربان قلبمان به هزار می‌رسد. وقتی در یک بازی حذفی دو تیم در وقت قانونی نتوانستند از پس یکدیگر بر بیایند، کار به آن پنج ضربه پنالتی نهایی می‌کشد و از این اصطلاح برای گفتن این شرایط استفاده می‌شود.

Penalty Spot

 نقطه‌ی پنالتی

 

PFA = Professional Footballers’ Association

 

Pitch

Football pitch

Pitch / Ground / Stands / Stadium / Terrace up

 

Plan

Attacking Plan: 

برنامه حمله‌ی یک تیم

 

Plate

Put it on a plate

To 'put it on a plate' for a team-mate is to create an easy chance for them to score.

Example: "Lionel Messi dribbled past four players before putting it on a plate for Luis Suarez to tap in."

 

Play

Verb

How long have they been playing? (Phrase)

Noun

Against the run of play

When a goal is described as being scored "against the run of play" it means it was scored by a team that has not been in control of the match.

چلسی بی‌امان به دروازه‌ی تاتنهام حمله می‌‌کند، اما در یک تک‌موقعیت، این تاتنهام است که به گل می‌رسد! اینطور وقت‌ها گزارشگر می‌گوید که گلی خلاف جهت بازی به ثمر رسید.

Example: "We were on top for the first 15 minutes and then conceded against the run of play. That really took the wind out of our sails, but we managed to get back into it and get the win."

Switch play

= Moving the ball from one flank to the other in an abrupt fashion, mostly by a long pass.

Play on

= A potentially controversial possession where the referee does not blow their whistle after concluding there’s no reason to stop the game.

 

Playable

Unplayable

1. When a player is described as being 'unplayable' it means that they are performing so well that they cannot be contained.

Example: "Zlatan Ibrahimovic was unplayable in his prime. He could do what he wanted."

2. When a football pitch is in such a bad condition that a game of football cannot be played on it.

 

Player

Footballer / Player / Manager / Player-manager / Coach

Player manager

Box-to-box player

= A player that can successfully play both sides (defensive and offensive) of the game. 

See: Radja Nainggolan, Yaya Touré, Patrick Vieira.

Designated Player

A Designated Player in Major League Soccer (MLS) is one who is not included in a team's salary cap, allowing them to be paid more. 

It was introduced in 2007 in order to facilitate the transfer of David Beckham from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy.

Big-game player

A big-game player is one who routinely performs well in a highly pressurized environment such as a final, a heated derby match or a decisive league fixture.

 Big-game players are not overwhelmed by nerves or the occasion and are capable of affecting the outcome of big games.

Example: "Lionel Messi is the all-time top scorer in the history of El Clasico. This guy is the ultimate big-game player for Barcelona."

Player of match

Man of the match / Player of the match

 

Poacher

= Fox in the box

A 'poacher' in football is a striker who is opportunistic and takes their chances. 

Similar to the 'fox in the box', a goal poacher scores a lot of goals in the box,

 but is generally not very active in other areas of the pitch.

= A cunning and skilled striker that’s extremely dangerous in the penalty area. 

See: Andy Cole, Miroslav Klose, Mario Jardel.

A 'fox in the box' is a phrase which describes a striker whose movement within the 18-yard box is clever enough to elude markers so that he can score goals.

 The term evokes the idea of cunning which is commonly associated with foxes.

Example: "Michael Owen had bags of pace so he could always get in behind defenses

, but he was also a fox in the box - a total nightmare for defenders to keep an eye on.

 

Pocket

In his/her pocket

= Refers to one player having dominated an opposition player.

When a player is deemed to be in another player's pocket, they are being kept under control. 

The term 'in his pocket' is normally used to indicate when a defender has marked an attacker well.

Example: "Not many people can keep Sergio Aguero quiet, but Virgil van Dijk has had him in his pocket all afternoon."

 

Post

Goal post

تیر عمودی دروازه

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

 

The Poznan

= The Grecque

= , is a celebratory dance performed by supporters in order to taunt the opposition. 

The supporters turn their backs to the pitch, link arms and proceed to jump up and down while chanting their preferred song. 

The implication is that their team is so good that they know they will win - they do not need to watch.

 

Premier

Premier League 

= top division in men’s football

 

The premiership

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

 

Professional

Professional foul

A professional foul is when a player deliberately obstructs an opponent in order to prevent them from scoring a goal or initiating a counter attack.

 It is a cynical premeditated tactic which is punished by a yellow card and sometimes a red card, depending on the severity of the foul.

PFA = Professional Footballers’ Association

 

Push

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

 

Put in

Put in a shift

= The situation where a player fulfills their given tasks but fails to make a strong impression on the pundits or put their fingerprints on the game.

 

Put on

Put it on a plate

To 'put it on a plate' for a team-mate is to create an easy chance for them to score.

Example: "Lionel Messi dribbled past four players before putting it on a plate for Luis Suarez to tap in."

 

Pyramid

Football pyramid

The football pyramid is the term for a football league system which is bound together as a unit by promotion and relegation. 

In England, for example, it is possible for a club to progress from non-league football to the Premier League and vice versa.

 

Rabona

A 'rabona' is a skill move which involves kicking the ball with one's legs crossed by wrapping the kicking leg behind the standing leg. 

Rabona is the Spanish term for skipping school and the move involves a level of deception.

 

Ref

Referee / Ref / Linesman / Lineswoman /  Fourth official

The ref has blown his whistle for half time (phrase)

 

Referee

 داور

Referee’s assistant

= Linesman

 کمک داور

Referee / Ref / Linesman / Lineswoman /  Fourth official

 

Reception

Chest Reception

: دریافت توپ با قفسه‌ی سینه

 

Red

Red card

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

To get a red card

= to be sent off

 

Remontada

Remontada is the Spanish word for 'recovery' or 'comeback' and it is used to describe a remarkable turnaround in fortunes by a team that had been on course to lose.

 

Reverse

Squad / Team / First team / Reserves / Substitutes

 

Right

Right back

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender /  Centre half / Sweeper

 

Role

Holding role 

The holding role describes a midfield position where the main objective is to protect the defense by breaking up play with tackles before initiating counter-attacks. 

Famous examples of a holding midfielder include Claude Makelele, N'Golo Kante and Roy Keane.

 

Roller

Pea roller

= A feeble shot attempt that doesn’t present any threat to the defensive team.

 

Room 

Changing room

Dressing room

Dressing room / Changing room / Dugout

Lost the dressing room

= A phrase to describe a situation in which the manager has lost control over and the respect of the players.

If a manager has 'lost the dressing room' it means that they no longer have influence and control over their players. 

Mistreatment of a popular player can lead to revolt in the group or it could just be down to a lack of confidence in a manager's ability and methods.

In effect, losing the dressing room means that a manager cannot lead their team sufficiently and usually ends up with them losing their job.

Example: "He started well and they bought into the philosophy, but when he stripped the captain of the armband he lost the dressing room."

 

Row

Row Z

= The row in the stands that’s the farthest from the pitch. Usually said 

when a player tries to shoot and they hit the ball so hard and off target that it goes high into the stands. 

Predominantly used as hyperbole to underscore how far the ball’s traveled.

Into row Z

Putting the ball 'into row Z' means clearing it as far and high as possible in order to avert danger. 

The idea is that row Z is the highest part of the stadium.

Example: "He took no chances there and blasted it into row Z!"

 

Rule

The 50+1 rule

The 50+1 rule refers to the clause in the German Football League (DFL) regulations which stipulates that clubs must be majority-owned by members, i.e. the fans, rather than commercial investors.

Example: Jurgen Klinsmann said: "I understand the 50+1 rule, it stems from the old club idea, but you can only get money from investors if they are allowed to have a say in the club, which is why the rule is a disadvantage for the Bundesliga on the international stage."

Away goals rule

The 'away goals rule' is a method of deciding the winner of a two-legged tie in the event of an aggregate draw. If the tie finishes 2-2 on aggregate, the team with the most goals scored away from home wins.

Example: "Lucas Moura's incredible second-half hat-trick saw Tottenham snatch a 3-2 win at Ajax and a place in the Champions League final on away goals."

 

Ruling

Bosman ruling

The Bosman ruling was a decision made by the European Court of Justice in favor of Belgian footballer Jean-Marc Bosman against the Belgian Football Association, RFC Liege and UEFA in 1995, which protected the free movement of labor and altered the nature of football transfers.

Essentially, it allowed a footballer to leave a club and join another for no transfer fee - otherwise known as a free transfer - when their contract expired. 

A player who joins another club upon the expiry of their contract is said to have moved 'on a Bosman'.

 

Rule out

Ruled out

Offside / Disallowed / Ruled out

 

Run

Noun

That’s a good run (phrase)

Against the run of play

When a goal is described as being scored "against the run of play" it means it was scored by a team that has not been in control of the match.

چلسی بی‌امان به دروازه‌ی تاتنهام حمله می‌‌کند، اما در یک تک‌موقعیت، این تاتنهام است که به گل می‌رسد! اینطور وقت‌ها گزارشگر می‌گوید که گلی خلاف جهت بازی به ثمر رسید.

Example: "We were on top for the first 15 minutes and then conceded against the run of play. That really took the wind out of our sails, but we managed to get back into it and get the win."

Dummy run

= An off-the-ball run made by an offensive player to create space for his teammate with the ball. 

Used to trick opponents by pretending to move towards the ball.

Blind side run

: به منطقه‌ای که از دید دفاع مقابل خارج است، blind side می‌گویند. وقتی بازیکن مهاجم تیم الف بدون توپ و در انتظار پاس به این منطقه می‌رود اصطلاحا می‌گویند: blind side run.

Run it off

= An instruction for a player that’s suffered a minor injury to carry on playing.

 

Sacked

= It means fired. Used for managers that lose their jobs.

 

Sarriball

Sarriball or Sarrismo is the term used to describe the tactical style of football employed by Italian football coach Maurizio Sarri. 

A fast-paced, attacking style which prizes possession, Sarri has implemented it at Napoli, Chelsea and Juventus.

 

Score

Noun

A score draw

The score is one – nil (phrase)

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

To Score

Verb

I can’t believe he didn’t score from there! (Phrase)

to Shoot / to Score / to Tackle / to Cross / to Pass / to Dive / to Intercept

To score/a goal:

 گل زدن

To concede /a goal

: گل خوردن

He’s scored a brace of goals

= he’s scored two goals in the same match

 

Scoring

Scoring a brace

= A word to describe the achievement of a player that scores two goals in one game.

 

Screamer

A spectacular, long-range goal which involves the ball moving rapidly through the air.

Example: "Clarence Seedorf has just scored an absolute screamer from 40 yards!"

 

Scudetto

Scudetto is Italian for 'little shield' and it is shorthand for the Italian football championship. 

The scudetto, which is an Italian flag within a shield, appears on the jersey of the team which won Serie A the previous season.

 

Second

Second season syndrome

When a promoted team performs well in its first season in the new division then flounders in the second, it is known as 'second season syndrome'.

 It can also be applied to individual players who dazzle in their debut year at a club only to endure a downturn in fortunes.

 

Season

Second season syndrome

When a promoted team performs well in its first season in the new division then flounders in the second, it is known as 'second season syndrome'.

 It can also be applied to individual players who dazzle in their debut year at a club only to endure a downturn in fortunes.

 

Send → Sent

Send off → Sent off

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

 

Sheet

Clean sheet

= The accolade a team/goalkeeper earns when a full game is played without conceding a goal.

A clean sheet is when a team does not concede any goals in a match. Sometimes known as 'a shutout' in North America, it uses the image of an unblemished garment.

Example: "Despite the best efforts of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Alisson managed to keep a clean sheet at Anfield."

 

Shift

Put in a shift

= The situation where a player fulfills their given tasks but fails to make a strong impression on the pundits or put their fingerprints on the game.

 

Shimmy 

= to shuffle the feet to confuse another player

 

Shin

Shin pads / gaurds

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

Shirt

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

To Shoot

Verb

to Shoot / to Score / to Tackle / to Cross / to Pass / to Dive / to Intercept

 

Shootout

Penalty shootout

: این از همان اصطلاحات فوتبال به انگلیسی است که با شنیدنش ضربان قلبمان به هزار می‌رسد. وقتی در یک بازی حذفی دو تیم در وقت قانونی نتوانستند از پس یکدیگر بر بیایند، کار به آن پنج ضربه پنالتی نهایی می‌کشد و از این اصطلاح برای گفتن این شرایط استفاده می‌شود.

 

Shorts

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

Shot

Deflection shot

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob / a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

Chip shot

= A shot that is kicked from underneath the ball to provide some arc for it to go over the opponent.

 See: Lionel Messi.

 

Show

Showboat

= Showing off for fans after cementing a safe score, accompanied by unnecessary displays of frivolous pieces of skill.

 

Side

Back side

 ناحیه‌ی دفاعی زمین

Blind side run

: به منطقه‌ای که از دید دفاع مقابل خارج است، blind side می‌گویند. وقتی بازیکن مهاجم تیم الف بدون توپ و در انتظار پاس به این منطقه می‌رود اصطلاحا می‌گویند: blind side run.

 

Sitter

= A shocking miss by an attacker that was considered to be immensely easy to convert.

A 'sitter' is an easy chance, usually one which seems almost impossible to miss.

Example: "All he had to do with guide it into the net, but he mistimed the kick. He's missed a sitter."

 

Skipper

The skipper of a football team is the captain. 

 

Sleeping

Caught sleeping

When a player or defense is described as having been "caught sleeping" it means they have not been concentrating enough on their job or paying attention to the player they are supposed to be marking. 

Variations of "caught sleeping" include "caught napping" and "switched off".

Example: "The Chelsea defense were caught sleeping when they failed to close down Ronaldinho, who used the space to pick his spot and send the ball sailing past Petr Cech."

 

Socks

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

Specialist

Dead-ball specialist

A dead-ball specialist is a player who is particularly skilled at striking a ball when it is stationary, such as during a free kick or corner kick.

Example: "Andrea Pirlo's sumptuous free kick was the difference between the teams and served as a reminder of why he is considered one of the game's greatest dead-ball specialists."

 

Sponge

Magic sponge

The 'magic sponge' is a tongue-in-cheek term for the rudimentary medical treatment of an injury through the use of a wet sponge. 

Example: "When Eden Hazard went down it looked fairly serious, 

but he's back up again now thanks to the magic sponge."

 

Spot

Centre Spot

 همان نقطه‌ی وسط دایره که بازیکن صاحب توپ باید با یک پاس بازی را شروع کند.

Penalty Spot

 نقطه‌ی پنالتی

 

Squad

Squad / Team / First team / Reserves / Substitutes

 

St

St Totteringham's Day

St Totteringham's Day is the day when Arsenal fans celebrate when it becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham to finish above their team in the league. 

It is therefore a moveable feast, which may not occur every year.

 

Stadium

Football match stadium

Pitch / Ground / Stands / Stadium / Terrace

 

Stands

Pitch / Ground / Stands / Stadium / Terrace

 

Stay

Stay on your feet

'Stay on your feet' is a phrase that is usually directed at rash players, who are urged not to dive in and prematurely attempt to tackle an opponent. 

It became an internet sensation when Ray Wilkins uttered the phrase repeatedly while doing commentary for the 2011 Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Tottenham.

 

Stepover

The stepover is a dribbling technique which involves stepping over the ball with one or both legs in order to confuse an opponent. 

Long a tactic of technical players, it is notably associated with Brazil icon Ronaldo and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

Striker

= Forward 

 مهاجم

The attack, Forward, Striker, Attacker, Target man

 

Stoke

On a cold, wet night in Stoke

If one posits that a player cannot play 'on a cold, wet Wednesday night in Stoke' it means they would struggle to perform in England. 

The phrase, since embellished, was first uttered in 2010 by pundit Andy Gray, who suggested that Barcelona star Lionel Messi would find it difficult to play well in the rain-sodden, wind-swept pitches of the Premier League.

 

Stuck

Get stuck in

To 'get stuck in' is to play football in a determined, tough fashion, particularly 

when it comes to tackling.

 It is a command against sitting back and allowing an opponent to play.

Example: "We showed them a little too much respect in the first half, standing off a bit, so the manager told us to get stuck in in the second half."

 

Studs

Kit / Shirt / Shorts / Socks / Football boots / Studs / Shin pads/guards

 

Substitute → Substitutes

Noun

 تعویض

Squad / Team / First team / Reserves / Substitutes

Verb

To substitute

: تعویض بازیکن به خاطر تغییر در تاکتیک تیم یا مصدومیت

 

Super

WSL = Women’s Super League 

= top division in women’s football

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

 

Support

Verb

Which team do you support? (Phrase)

 

Supporter → Supporters

Supporters /  Crow / Fans

Noun

 

Sweeper

Sweeper is the name given to a central defender whose job is to 'sweep up' trouble and then use the ball in an intelligent manner by passing to a team-mate or carrying it out of defense. 

The role of the sweeper, or libero, is not as rigid as that of a traditional center-back. Notable examples of sweepers include Franco Baresi, Bobby Moore and Franz Beckenbauer.

The defense / Defender  / Fullback / Right back / Left back / Central defender /  Centre half / Sweeper

 

Switch

Switch play

= Moving the ball from one flank to the other in an abrupt fashion, mostly by a long pass.

 

Syndrome

Second season syndrome

When a promoted team performs well in its first season in the new division then flounders in the second, it is known as 'second season syndrome'.

 It can also be applied to individual players who dazzle in their debut year at a club only to endure a downturn in fortunes.

 

Tackle

Did you see that tackle? (Phrase)

a Tackle / a Pass / a Header / a Cross / a Shot / a Lob /  a Back pass / a Dive / a Deflection / a Deflected shot / an Interception

Block tackle: 

تکل

 

A tap in

= an easy goal where a player just taps the ball into the net from close range

 

Tapping up

The term 'tapping up' in football is used to describe the act of approaching a player who is under contract with another club without express permission of that club in order to initiate a transfer. 

Strictly speaking, tapping up a player is not permitted, but in reality it happens a lot and is difficult to avoid.

 

Target

Target man

= A tall striker that’s often targeted by crosses, long balls, and high passes for their aerial superiority and prowess as a finisher. 

See: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba, Romelu Lukaku.

The attack / Forward, Striker / Attacker / Target man

 

Team

Which team do you support? (Phrase)

Squad / Team / First team / Reserves / Substitutes

Match / Game /  Commentator / Club /  Team

First Team

 

Terrace

Pitch / Ground / Stands / Stadium / Terrace

 

Testimonial

A testimonial is an exhibition football match that is held to honor a player who has contributed a considerable portion of their career to a club. While there is no official length of time, it tends to be reserved for players who have played for a club for 10 years or thereabouts.

 

Theatrical

= An adjective to describe a player’s tendency for over the top reactions.

 

Three

Three - Two

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

Through ball

A 'through ball' is a pass which is threaded through the opposition's lines of defense to a team-mate who has made a well timed run.

Example: "Kevin De Bruyne split the defense wide open with a sensational through ball to Gabriel Jesus."

 

Throw in

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

 

Tied

Cap-tied

When a player is cap-tied in international football it means they have played a senior competitive game for one particular national team and cannot change to another for which they may have been eligible.

Example: Former Barcelona forward Munir El-Haddadi was eligible for Morocco, but cannot switch allegiance to them because he played for Spain once in a European Championship qualifier, meaning he is cap-tied to Spain.

Cup-tied

The rules of many cup competitions prohibit a player for playing for two different clubs in the same competition in the same season.

 If a player plays for one club in round one of a cup then transfers to another club which is competing in the same cup, they would be cup-tied for the remainder of the competition.

 

Tifo

A tifo is a colorful, coordinated display by supporters, usually inside a stadium, but also outside. 

Tifo is the Italian word for typhus fever.

 

Tiki taka

Tiki taka is a tactical style of football which involves dominating possession and passing the ball quickly in order to overwhelm the opponent and unpick their defense. 

It is associated with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team of 2008-2012 and the all-conquering Spain team that won Euro 08, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

Interestingly, while the style was admired across the world, Guardiola took issue with the term because he felt it implied simply keeping the ball for the sake of it. 

“I loathe all that passing for the sake of it, all that tiki-taka. 

It's so much rubbish and has no purpose,” the Catalan said to journalist Marti Perarnau in 2014. 

“You have to pass the ball with a clear intention, with the aim of making it into the opposition's goal. It's not about passing for the sake of it.”

Pep Guardiola Manchester City Real Madrid 2019-20

 

Time

Full time

Half time

How long until half time? (Phrase)

The ref has blown his whistle for half time (phrase)

Half time / Full time / Final whistle

First time

First-time ball

= Transferring the ball to a teammate with one single touch when a pass is received.

Injury time

Normal time in football is 90 minutes, but a referee can add on time at the end of the match based on stoppages for injuries and so forth. 

This is known as injury time. 

Other names include stoppage time and added time.

 این اصطلاح فوتبال به انگلیسی در واقع همان وقت اضافه خودمان است.

Fergie Time

'Fergie Time' describes the perception that former Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson had a psychological influence on referees that made them add just enough time after 90 minutes to allow the Red Devils to score. First used in the 1990s, the fact that Ferguson could often be seen pointing at his watch on the sideline and his teams scored plenty of late goals contributed to the perception.

Example: "Back in the 1992-93 season, with Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday drawing 1-1, seven minutes of time was added at the end and Steve Bruce scored a winner. Thus Fergie Time was born."

Alex Ferguson Manchester UnitedGetty

GOAT

The GOAT means 'Greatest Of All Time'.

Example: The argument over whether Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is the GOAT will go on forever.

 

Total

Total football

Total Football (Totaal voetbal in Dutch) is the name of a tactical style of play that was pioneered by Ajax and the Netherlands national team in the 1970s. 

The concept of Total Football is that any player on the team can fulfil any role as necessary, allowing a fluid, dynamic approach.

While it was popularized by the Dutch in the 1970s, it later became the foundation of the modern-day Barcelona team when Johan Cruyff took over as manager of the club in the late 1980s.

 

Totteringham

St Totteringham's Day

St Totteringham's Day is the day when Arsenal fans celebrate when it becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham to finish above their team in the league. 

It is therefore a moveable feast, which may not occur every year.

 

Touch

Touchline

 خط کنار زمین که در صورت خروج توپ از آن خط، توپ اصطلاحا اوت شده است و تیم مقابل باید توپ را به درون زمین پرتاب کند.

Corner flag / Goal mouth /  Touch line / Penalty box / Penalty area / the box / the area /  Post / Cross bar / Net

 

Tools

Downing tools

'Downing tools' is a term used to describe the perception that footballers are no longer trying their best for their manager. Often, charges of players downing tools occur when a manager has annoyed a team or player, or his methods no longer inspire confidence.

Example: "Thanks to his treatment by Jose Mourinho, the feeling is that Paul Pogba has downed tools at Manchester United."

 

Traction

Traction engine

Foot like a traction engine

When someone says a player "must have a foot like a traction engine" they mean that they have a powerful shot.

 The phrase comes from the satirical British television show 

The Day Today. Steve Coogan's character on the show, Alan Partridge, was a parody of a sports reporter and, while doing commentary on a match, he says: "Sh*t! Did you see that? He must have a foot like a traction engine!"

 

Treatment

Hairdryer treatment

= The hard scolding of players by their manager, usually taking place in the changing room. 

Popularized by the former Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson.

The 'hairdryer treatment' is a euphemism for a furious verbal assault on a player or players by a manager.

 The idea is that a constant stream of hot hair is blown into one's face.

Example: "Manchester United were so bad in that first half that there is no doubt Alex Ferguson will give them the hairdryer treatment."

 

Treble

= Winning three major competitions in a single season.

The Treble

When a team wins three trophies it is described as 'doing the Treble'. 

Generally speaking, a treble requires a team to win their domestic league along with two important cup competitions. 

Lesser competitions are often disregarded.

 

Trip

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

 

Turn

Cruyff Turn

The Cruyff Turn is the name of a dribble technique which was popularized by Netherlands star Johan Cruyff when he used it to evade Sweden's Jan Olsson at the 1974 World Cup.

 The move involves feigning a pass and switching the ball to the standing foot by performing a 180 degree turn.

 

Two

Game of two halves

= A cliché that commentators resort to when a match has consisted of two halves with huge disparities in character and score.

When a football match is described as being 'a game of two halves' it usually means that one team dominated the first half and then the other dominated the second half. 

Football is by definition a game of two 45-minute periods broken up by a 15 minute half-time interval. 

The pitch itself is also divided into two halves.

Three - Two

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

Two all

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

a One-two

= a fast, one-touch move where a player passes the ball to a team mate and receives the ball straight back again

 

UEFA = Union of European Football Associations

 

Ultras

The term 'ultras' is used to describe a branch of football fans who demonstrate great fervor in their passion for a club by creating loud, colorful displays during matches. 

While it is not always the case, some ultra groups have a tendency towards hooliganism and are associated with organized crime.

 

Under

Under the cosh

If a team is 'under the cosh' they are enduring severe pressure during a game and defending resolutely against wave after wave of attacks.

Example: "When Roy Keane was sent off, Manchester United spent the rest of the game under the cosh."

 

Union

UEFA = Union of European Football Associations

 

Playable

Unplayable

1. When a player is described as being 'unplayable' it means that they are performing so well that they cannot be contained.

Example: "Zlatan Ibrahimovic was unplayable in his prime. He could do what he wanted."

2. When a football pitch is in such a bad condition that a game of football cannot be played on it.

 

To volley:

 ضربه زدن به توپ قبل از اینکه توپ به زمین بخورد.

 

WAG

The term WAG means 'Wives And Girlfriends', 

referring to the partners of footballers.

Cristiano Ronaldo Georgina Rodriguez 2019Getty

 

Wall

Defensive wall

Throw-in / Goal kick /  Corner kick / Free kick / Penalty /Direct / Indirect free kick / Defensive wall

 

Wardrobe

= In football, the term wardrobe is used to describe a defender who is massive in stature and who blocks and clears every ball that comes into their area. 

Manchester United center-back Harry Maguire is affectionately referred to as 'the Wardrobe' by Red Devils fans.

 

Way

Breakaway

: آن لحظه‌ای که بازیکن پا به توپ می‌شود و چند نفر را کنار میزند یا با یک استارت سریع با سرعت به سمت دروازه‌ی حریف می‌رود، اصطلاحا breakaway یا فرار نام دارد.

Halfway

Halfway line

 خط وسط زمین؛ هر تیم در یک‌طرف خط زمین مستقر می‌شود (در شروع بازی)

 

Wet

On a cold, wet night in Stoke

If one posits that a player cannot play 'on a cold, wet Wednesday night in Stoke' it means they would struggle to perform in England. 

The phrase, since embellished, was first uttered in 2010 by pundit Andy Gray, who suggested that Barcelona star Lionel Messi would find it difficult to play well in the rain-sodden, wind-swept pitches of the Premier League.

 

WFA = Women’s Football Association 

= body governing women’s football in England

 

Wife → Wives

WAG

The term WAG means 'Wives And Girlfriends', 

referring to the partners of footballers.

Cristiano Ronaldo Georgina Rodriguez 2019Getty

 

To Win → Won

Verb

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

Winger

The midfield, / Midfielder /  Winger

 

Whistle

Final whistle

Half time / Full time / Final whistle

Blow his whistle

The ref has blown his whistle for half time (phrase)

 

Woman

Lineswoman

Referee / Ref / Linesman / Lineswoman /  Fourth official

WSL = Women’s Super League 

= top division in women’s football

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

WFA = Women’s Football Association 

= body governing women’s football in England

 

Wood

Woodwork

(Hit the) woodwork

= Having the ball strike one of the sidebars of the goal.

Off the woodwork

When the ball is said to 'hit the woodwork' or 'come off the woodwork' it means it has hit the post or crossbar. 

The term is a throwback to a time when goalposts were made out of wood.

 

To Win → Won

Verb

Three-two / One-nil /  Two all / a Draw / a Score draw / Won (to win /  Lost (to lose) / Drew (to draw)

 

Work

Woodwork

(Hit the) woodwork

= Having the ball strike one of the sidebars of the goal.

Off the woodwork

When the ball is said to 'hit the woodwork' or 'come off the woodwork' it means it has hit the post or crossbar. 

The term is a throwback to a time when goalposts were made out of wood.

 

World

World Cup

FA Cup / League Cup / World Cup / European Championships / Coppa America / African Nations

 

Worldy

A 'worldy' is another term a goal that is considered to be of world-class quality. 

Worldies tend to be long-range shots, but they can also be difficult maneuvers such as bicycle kicks.

"Wayne Rooney has curled in a worldy from 35 yards. Sensational goal."

 

WSL = Women’s Super League 

= top division in women’s football

The football league / The premiership / The Women’s Super League (WSL) / The champions’ league / Non-league

 

XG

XG is an abbreviation for 'Expected Goals'.

A modern statistical measurement, 

 

Yellow

Yellow Card

Booked / Sent off / Red card / Yellow card / Foul / Hand ball / Obstruction / Trip / Push

To get a yellow card

= to be booked

He’s brought him down and that will surely mean a yellow card (phrase)

 

YouTube

YouTube footballer

=  YouTuber

= is a player who appears to attempt complicated things on the pitch solely for the purpose of their highlight reel rather than the good of the team. It is a derogatory tag that is fixed to players who are perceived to be selfish. 

Former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness famous described Paul Pogba as a YouTube footballer.

 

YouTuber

= YouTube footballer

= is a player who appears to attempt complicated things on the pitch solely for the purpose of their highlight reel rather than the good of the team. It is a derogatory tag that is fixed to players who are perceived to be selfish. 

Former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness famous described Paul Pogba as a YouTube footballer.

 

Yoyo

Yo-yo club

= A yo-yo club is one which is always capable of earning promotion but cannot seem to maintain its status in the higher division. 

Therefore they are regularly promoted and relegated. 

Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City are notable historic examples of yo-yo clubs in England

 

Z

Row Z

= The row in the stands that’s the farthest from the pitch. Usually said 

when a player tries to shoot and they hit the ball so hard and off target that it goes high into the stands. 

Predominantly used as hyperbole to underscore how far the ball’s traveled.

Into row Z

Putting the ball 'into row Z' means clearing it as far and high as possible in order to avert danger. 

The idea is that row Z is the highest part of the stadium.

Example: "He took no chances there and blasted it into row Z!"

 

Zone

Danger zone

= Penalty area

 محدوده‌ی جلوی هر دروازه که به منطقه‌ی جریمه معروف است و خطا در آن باعث پنالتی یا ضربه مستقیم به دروازه می‌شود.