Possession
Which team currently controls the ball.
1H · The basics
Start here: the words
Read this first. These are the words the rest of the page assumes you know.
The pitch, to scale
IFAB LAW 1 · TAP THE LAYERSCore vocabulary21 words used everywhere below
Formation
The team’s basic positional shape, such as 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
Shape
How players are spaced and connected on the field at a particular moment. Shape changes constantly even when the named formation stays the same.
Line
A horizontal group of players, such as the defensive line or midfield line.
Width
Using the full width of the field to stretch defenders apart.
Depth
Having players at different distances from the ball so the team has forward, sideways, and backward passing options.
Press
Coordinated pressure on the ball and nearby passing options to win possession or force a mistake.
Block
The compact defensive shape a team uses when it is not actively pressing high up the field.
High block / high press
Defending aggressively near the opponent’s goal and buildup area.
Mid block
Defending compactly mainly in the middle third of the field.
Low block
Defending deep and compact close to your own goal.
Transition
The few seconds after possession changes, when teams switch from attack to defense or defense to attack.
Counterattack
A fast attack immediately after winning the ball, before the opponent can organize its defense.
Overlap
A supporting player runs around the outside of the teammate who has the ball.
Underlap
A supporting player runs inside the teammate who has the ball.
Half-space
The inside-wide channel between the center of the field and the touchline.
Offside
A restriction that prevents attackers from gaining an unfair head start behind the defense. Exact offside judgment depends on position when a teammate plays the ball and whether the player becomes involved in active play.
Marking
A defender’s responsibility for tracking a player or protecting an area.
Set piece
A restart such as a corner kick, free kick, penalty kick, or throw-in.
Buildup
The process of moving the ball from the goalkeeper/defense into midfield and attack in a controlled way.
Progression
Moving the ball forward through or around defensive lines.
1H · The basics
The game at a glance
Get the whole ball over the opponent’s goal line, between the posts and under the bar. The clock runs continuously; the referee adds time at the end of each half for stoppages.
Match
Two teams try to score by getting entire ball over goal line between posts and under crossbar.
Half
Standard adult matches are two halves, commonly 45 minutes each, plus added time; competition rules can vary.
Added time
Time added for substitutions, injuries, delays, goal celebrations, VAR checks, etc.
Extra time
Some knockout competitions add two extra periods if tied; not the same as stoppage time.
Penalty shootout
Tiebreak method used by some competitions after drawn knockout match.
Throw-in
Restart when ball fully crosses touchline, awarded to opponents of last toucher.
Goal kick
Restart for defending team after attacking team last touches ball over goal line without goal.
Corner kick
Restart for attacking team after defending team last touches ball over own goal line without goal.
Free kick
Restart following foul/offence; can be direct or indirect.
Penalty kick
Direct kick from penalty mark for qualifying direct-free-kick offence inside defender’s penalty area.
Offside
Position is not itself an offence. Player is penalized only when involved in active play under Law 11 conditions.
The frameTime, cards, substitutes
- Matches are two 45-minute halves plus added time. Knockout games may add two 15-minute periods of extra time, then penalties.
- Only the goalkeeper may handle the ball, and only inside his own penalty area.
- A player is sent off with a red card or a second yellow card; the team plays short-handed.
- Most top competitions allow five substitutions in three windows (plus extra concussion substitutes).
1H · The basics
Positions and role families
Players are often called by number: the 6 screens the defense, the 8 runs box to box, the 10 creates, the 9 finishes.
Goalkeeper (GK)
Protects goal and can use hands within own penalty area subject to laws.
Center back (CB)
Central defender; wins duels, controls depth, builds possession.
Fullback (LB/RB)
Wide defender; supports buildup, defends wingers, may overlap/invert.
Wing-back (LWB/RWB)
Wide two-way role in back-three systems with more attacking responsibility.
Defensive midfielder / 6
Screens defense, receives in build-up, controls transitions.
Central midfielder / 8
Box-to-box or linking role between phases.
Attacking midfielder / 10
Operates between lines, creates chances, combines around box.
Winger
Wide attacker who can stay wide, cross, cut inside, or attack depth.
Inside forward
Wide attacker who drives into scoring areas rather than hugging line.
Striker / 9
Primary central scoring threat; pins center backs, runs channels, links or finishes.
False 9
Nominal striker who drops into midfield to pull center backs out and create space for runners.
Target forward
Striker who receives direct passes, holds ball, wins aerials, and brings teammates in.
Sweeper-keeper
Goalkeeper who actively covers space behind high defensive line and participates in buildup.
Inverted fullback
Fullback moves into central midfield in possession instead of staying wide.
2H · Tactics
Formations and what they imply
A formation is written back to front, not counting the goalkeeper: a 4-3-3 has four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
Formation board
TAP A PLAYER · SWITCH SHAPES4-3-3
Four defenders, three midfielders, three forwards. Natural width and flexible pressing/build-up.
4-2-3-1
Double pivot under three attacking midfielders. Good balance and clear occupation between lines.
4-4-2
Two banks of four plus two strikers. Compact, simple pressing references, strong wide coverage.
4-4-2 diamond
Narrow midfield diamond with fullbacks providing width.
4-1-4-1
Single holding midfielder with line of four ahead; good compactness and midfield access.
3-5-2
Three center backs, wing-backs, three central mids, two strikers.
3-4-3
Three center backs, two wing-backs, two central mids, three forwards.
5-3-2
Defensive representation of back-five shape; can become 3-5-2 in possession.
5-4-1
Compact defensive block with lone striker, often used to protect central spaces.
Box midfield
Four central players arranged as two deeper + two higher, often created dynamically from nominal formation.
Asymmetric formation
One side behaves differently from the other to exploit personnel/matchups.
Formation numbers are starting references, not static positions. Modern teams change shape between buildup, attack, press, and low-block phases.
2H · Tactics
Attacking principles
Attacks stretch the defense wide and deep, then exploit the gaps that open between defenders.
The five lanes, thirds and zone 14
HOW COACHES SPLIT THE PITCHAttacking patterns, animated
OVERLAP · UNDERLAP · THIRD MAN · SWITCH · CUTBACK · ONE-TWOWidth
Stretch defense horizontally to open interior gaps.
Depth
Threaten space behind defense so opponents cannot step forward freely.
Occupation of five lanes
Common coaching model: left wing, left half-space, center, right half-space, right wing.
Half-space
Channel between central and wide zones; valuable because it offers central access and crossing/shooting angles.
Overload
Put more attackers in an area than defenders can comfortably handle.
Isolation
Overload elsewhere to create a one-on-one for a dangerous winger/attacker.
Overlap
Player runs outside teammate toward touchline/behind defense.
Underlap
Player runs inside teammate into half-space/channel.
Third-man run
Player A passes to B, but movement of C exploits return/link pass beyond direct pressure.
Wall pass / one-two
Pass and immediate run for return ball around defender.
Switch of play
Move ball quickly to opposite side to attack weak-side space after defense shifts.
Through ball
Pass into space behind defense for runner.
Cutback
Pass from near end line backward into central scoring area.
Cross
Ball delivered from wide area into penalty area.
Early cross
Cross delivered before reaching final third/end line, often behind back line.
Combination play
Quick short passes and rotations around defenders.
Rest defense
Structure left behind ball while attacking to control counterattacks if possession is lost.
2H · Tactics
Buildup and progression
Buildup is how a team moves the ball from its goalkeeper into the attacking half under pressure.
Build from back
Goalkeeper and defenders circulate under pressure to progress with control.
First line
Initial buildup players, often goalkeeper + center backs.
Double pivot
Two deeper midfielders providing passing angles and protection.
Single pivot
One holding midfielder serves as central connector.
Line-breaking pass
Pass penetrates an opponent’s defensive line into player between/behind lines.
Carry
Dribbler advances ball into space, forcing defender to step and opening passes.
Third-line run
Off-ball runner attacks beyond defensive line while buildup occurs deeper.
Bounce pass
Receiver lays ball back to supporting player to escape pressure.
Up-back-through
Pass forward, set backward, then third player attacks beyond.
Direct play
Bypass midfield with longer ball into forward/space.
Second ball
Loose ball after aerial/direct duel; winning it is crucial to sustain attack.
Numerical superiority
Create extra player in buildup, often by goalkeeper or fullback stepping inside.
Positional superiority
Player receives in space between opponents even without numerical advantage.
Qualitative superiority
Create matchup where one player is simply better suited than defender.
2H · Tactics
Defending and block structures
Out of possession, teams choose where to defend: high up the pitch, in the middle, or deep near their own goal.
High press, mid block, low block
THE SAME 4-4-2, THREE HEIGHTSHigh press
Defend near opponent’s goal to force turnovers close to scoring area.
Mid block
Organize around middle third, allowing first buildup line some freedom before pressure.
Low block
Compact near own penalty area, prioritizing space denial and box protection.
Pressing trigger
Event that tells team to jump: bad touch, backwards pass, sideline trap, weak foot, slow pass.
Pressing trap
Defense intentionally leaves an option open then collapses when pass goes there.
Counterpress / gegenpress
Immediate pressure after losing ball to regain it before opponent can transition.
Zonal marking
Defenders protect spaces and pick up threats entering them.
Man marking
Track specific opponents more directly.
Hybrid marking
Mix zone and man references depending area/player.
Compactness
Keep small distances vertically/horizontally so opponent cannot play through gaps.
Defensive line
Back line positioning controls depth and offside space.
Cover shadow
Presser positions body to pressure ball while blocking passing lane behind.
Screening
Midfielder positions to prevent passes into dangerous central receiver.
Delay
Defender slows attack rather than diving in, buying time for teammates to recover.
Recovery run
Sprint back goal-side after ball is lost.
Channel defense
Center back/fullback coordinate to defend runs between them.
ET · Laws & transitions
Transitions
The seconds after the ball changes hands are the most chaotic, and most dangerous, of the game.
Attacking transition
First moments after winning ball. Decide whether to counter immediately or secure possession.
Defensive transition
First moments after losing ball. Decide whether to counterpress or recover.
Counterattack
Fast attack into spaces before opponent reorganizes.
Counterpress
Try to win ball back immediately near loss.
Rest defense
Pre-positioned players reduce counterattack threat while team attacks.
Outlet
Forward/wide option available immediately after regain.
First forward pass
Quick pass that breaks recovering defense and starts counter.
Secure pass
Safer pass used when counter is not available, allowing team to reset.
Numbers up
Attack has more players than defenders in transition.
Numbers down
Attack should often slow/retain rather than force low-percentage break.
ET · Laws & transitions
Offside, fouls, cards and restarts
Offside in one sentence: when a teammate plays the ball to you, you are offside if you are in the opponent’s half and nearer the goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender, and you then get involved in play.
Offside checker
DRAG THE PLAYERSThe new countdowns (2025/26 → 2026/27)
TIME LIMITS AT RESTARTSOffside position
Player is nearer opponent goal line than both ball and second-last opponent when teammate plays/touches ball, with law-specific conditions; position alone is not offence.
Interfering with play
Offside player becomes involved by playing/touching ball from teammate.
Interfering with opponent
Offside player affects opponent’s ability/action under Law 11 definitions.
Gaining advantage
Offside-positioned player plays ball after rebound/deflection/save under law.
Direct free kick
Can be scored directly against opponent; awarded for listed direct-free-kick offences.
Indirect free kick
Goal only counts if ball touches another player before entering; referee signals with raised arm.
Yellow card
Caution for specified misconduct.
Red card
Send-off; team plays with fewer players unless competition/rules provide otherwise.
Advantage
Referee allows play to continue when stopping for foul would harm offended team’s opportunity.
Penalty kick
Awarded for qualifying direct-free-kick offence inside defending penalty area.
Handball
Law considers arm/hand contact, body position, deliberate action, and specific scoring situations; not every hand contact is an offence.
DOGSO
Denying obvious goal-scoring opportunity; sanction depends on circumstances and law.
SPA
Stopping a promising attack; can lead to caution depending circumstances.
PENS · Set pieces & stats
Set pieces
Restarts (corners, free kicks, throw-ins and penalties) produce roughly a quarter to a third of goals in top leagues.
Set-piece setups
CORNERS · WALLS · PENALTIESCorner: inswinger
Ball curves toward goal.
Corner: outswinger
Ball curves away from goal.
Near-post run
Attacker attacks front zone for flick/header.
Far-post overload
Stack multiple targets at far side.
Screen/block
Attackers use legal positioning/movement to create separation.
Short corner
Two players combine instead of immediate cross.
Direct free kick
Shooter attempts goal directly.
Indirect routine
Touch/pass creates better angle before shot/cross.
Wall
Defenders line up to block direct route.
Second phase
Attack continues after first clearance; many set-piece goals come from recycled ball.
Long throw
Throw-in used like cross into penalty area.
Penalty technique
Placement, goalkeeper read, disguise, and composure matter more than raw power.
PENS · Set pieces & stats
Common tactical matchups
Tactics are answers. Here is what teams usually do against common opponent plans.
If they… you…Counter-strategies
| If opponent does this | Possible response |
|---|---|
| High press | Use goalkeeper as extra player, create third-man combinations, or play direct beyond press. |
| Low block | Switch play, occupy half-spaces, use cutbacks, overload one side then isolate other. |
| Narrow midfield | Create width through wingers/fullbacks and circulate quickly side-to-side. |
| Wide fullbacks advance | Counter into spaces behind them after regain. |
| Man marking | Rotations, dropping striker, third-man runs, and dragging markers out of position. |
| Back line very high | Threaten runs in behind and timed through balls. |
| Back line very deep | Receive between lines, shoot from zone 14, create cutbacks rather than only crosses. |
PENS · Set pieces & stats
Statistics and analysis terms
Goals are rare, so analysts measure the chances that lead to them.
Possession %
Share of ball possession; does not directly equal control or quality.
Shots
Attempts at goal.
Shots on target
Attempts requiring save or scoring, based on provider definitions.
xG
Expected goals: the probability that a shot becomes a goal, based on thousands of similar shots (distance, angle, body part, type of assist). A penalty is worth about 0.76–0.79 xG.
xA
Expected assists: chance quality created by pass.
PPDA
Passes allowed per defensive action; rough proxy for pressing intensity.
Progressive pass
Pass that meaningfully advances ball toward goal; exact definition varies by provider.
Progressive carry
Carry that meaningfully advances ball; provider-specific thresholds.
Field tilt
Share of final-third possession/touches or territorial pressure depending model.
Possession value
Models value of ball locations/actions rather than only shots.
Shot-creating action
Action(s) immediately preceding shot; provider-defined.
Clean sheet
No goals conceded.
Goal difference
Goals scored minus goals conceded.
Pass completion
Completed passes / attempted passes.
Cross completion
Completed crosses / attempted; low completion can still be tactically useful.
PENS · Set pieces & stats
EA SPORTS FC and soccer-game mode
The same spacing, patience and transition logic wins in video games.
Play smarterTransferable habits
- Stop sprinting all the time. Close control and changing pace create better angles than constant full-speed dribbling.
- Use triangles. Always try to give the ball carrier at least two passing options.
- Learn one formation and understand where the width comes from before changing tactics every match.
- Against pressure, play backward to go forward. Reset through center backs or goalkeeper rather than forcing central pass.
- When fullback overlaps, cover the transition risk with a holding midfielder or opposite fullback staying home.
- Defend space first. Pulling center backs out aggressively creates easy runs behind.
- Use cutbacks and low crosses when opponent collapses toward goal; do not spam hopeful crosses into set defense.
- Recognize transition moments: the first two passes after a turnover are often the most dangerous.
Game tactical sliders and controls vary by edition. The guide emphasizes real football concepts that translate into better decisions.
Rulebook watch
New for 2026
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) updates the Laws every year, effective 1 July. These are the recent changes you will see in 2026.
Five-second countdown on throw-ins and goal kicks
If a team deliberately delays a throw-in or goal kick, the referee shows a visible five-second countdown. Too slow: the throw-in goes to the opponents, or the goal kick becomes a corner kick for them.
10 seconds to leave when substituted
A substituted player has 10 seconds to leave the field. If he takes longer, his replacement cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has passed.
One minute off after on-field treatment
A player treated on the field for an injury (or who causes play to stop for one) must leave and stay off for one minute after the restart.
More for VAR
The video assistant may now intervene on a red card that came from a clearly wrong second yellow, on mistaken identity, and on a clearly incorrectly awarded corner kick. Competitions may also punish a player who covers his mouth in a confrontation with a red card.
The goalkeeper’s eight seconds
A goalkeeper holding the ball for more than eight seconds concedes a corner kick (previously an indirect free kick after six seconds). The referee counts down the last five visibly.
Captain-only zone
Competitions may allow only the team captain to approach the referee about a decision.
Reference
Soccer glossary
Every term from this page in plain English. Dotted-underlined words anywhere above also explain themselves when you hover or tap them.
- 10
- Advanced creator.
- 6
- Holding midfielder.
- 8
- Central/box-to-box midfielder.
- 9
- Center forward.
- Added time
- Time added at the end of each half for stoppages such as substitutions, injuries and VAR checks.
- Blind-side run
- Run from defender’s unseen side.
- Build-up
- Early possession progression.
- Chance creation
- Actions producing shots/scoring opportunities.
- Channel
- Space between defenders or wide lanes.
- Counterpress
- Press immediately after loss.
- Cover shadow
- Block passing lane with body while pressing.
- Cross
- Wide delivery.
- Cutback
- Backward pass from end-line area.
- Depth
- Threat behind line.
- Double pivot
- Two holding/deep midfielders.
- Eight-second rule
- Since 2025/26 a goalkeeper holding the ball for more than 8 seconds concedes a corner kick.
- False 9
- Striker who drops.
- Final third
- Attacking third of field.
- Half-space
- Channel between center and wing.
- High press
- Pressure near opponent goal.
- Hold-up play
- Forward secures direct pass while teammates advance.
- Inswinger
- Cross/corner curves toward goal.
- Inverted fullback
- Fullback moves centrally.
- Isolation
- Create favorable 1v1.
- Line-breaking pass
- Pass through defensive line.
- Low block
- Deep compact defense.
- Man-oriented
- Defensive reference follows opponent more directly.
- Marking
- Tracking/defending an opponent.
- Mid block
- Compact defense in middle third.
- Offside line
- An imaginary line through the second-last defender (or the ball, if it is nearer the goal line).
- Offside trap
- Back line steps to catch runner offside.
- Outswinger
- Curves away.
- Overlap
- Outside run around teammate.
- Overload
- Create numbers advantage.
- Pivot
- Deep midfield organizer.
- Space between lines where attacker can receive.
- Pressing trigger
- Cue to attack ball.
- Rest defense
- Defensive structure while attacking.
- Second ball
- Loose ball after duel/clearance.
- Second-last defender
- The opponent who, with the goalkeeper usually being last, sets the offside line.
- Sweeper keeper
- GK covers behind line.
- Switch
- Move ball across field.
- Switching point of attack
- Move ball to opposite side.
- Target man
- Physical forward who holds up play.
- Third-man run
- Third player exploits combination.
- Transition
- Moment possession changes.
- Underlap
- Inside run around teammate.
- VAR
- Video assistant referee: reviews clear and obvious errors in goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity (and, since 2026/27, some second yellows and corners).
- Verticality
- Progressing toward goal quickly/directly.
- Wall pass
- One-two.
- Width
- Stretching field horizontally.
- Wing-back
- Wide defender/attacker in back-three systems.
- xA
- Expected assists.
- xG
- Expected goals.
- Zonal
- Defend area.
- Zone 14
- Central zone just outside penalty area.
No glossary term matches. Try the ⌘K search for concepts.
Reference
Official sources
Rules and dimensions on this page follow these documents. Video-game notes teach transferable logic rather than edition-specific tricks. Page stats: 13 sections · 154 explained concepts · 8 interactive visuals · 56 glossary terms.
IFAB: Laws of the Game (latest)www.theifab.com/laws/latest/IFAB: Law changes 2026/27www.theifab.com/law-changes/latest/IFAB: Law 11: Offsidewww.theifab.com/laws/latest/offside/IFAB: Law 1: The Field of Playwww.theifab.com/laws/latest/the-field-of-play/The FA: 2026/27 law changes explainedwww.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-changes-explainedConcacaf: Implementation of the 2026/27 amendmentswww.concacaf.com/competitions/concacaf/news/concacaf-confirms-implementation-of-the-ifab-2026-27-laws-of-the-game-amendments
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