Trotter

As an English and Scottish surname for a messenger, from trot. As a German surname, from Trotte (“winepress”).

(soccer) someone connected with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Seasider

(soccer) someone connected with Blackpool Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Baggie

(soccer) someone connected with West Bromwich Albion Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Magpie

(soccer) Someone connected with Newcastle United Football Club, as a fan, player, coach, etc.

(soccer) Someone connected with Notts County Football Club, as a fan, player, coach, etc.

Australian rules football
Australian rules football

(Australian rules football) Someone connected with Collingwood Football Club, as a fan, player, coach, etc.


Hoop

(soccer) someone connected with Queens Park Rangers Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Hornet

(soccer) someone connected with Watford Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Bluebird

From bluebird, from the blue colour of the team's kit.

(soccer) Someone connected with Cardiff City Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Scummer

(soccer, derogatory) someone connected with Southampton Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Tractor Boy

(soccer) Someone connected with Ipswich Town Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Pirate

(sports) someone connected with any of a number of sports teams known as the Pirates, as a fan, player, coach etc.

(soccer) someone connected with Bristol Rovers Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Addick

Various theories: perhaps from athletic or haddock.

(soccer) someone connected with Charlton Athletic Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Shrimper

(soccer) someone connected with Southend United Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Toon Army

From toon, the local dialect's word for town.

(soccer) The supporters of Newcastle United Football Club, a football club in Newcastle upon Tyne.


Hatter

(soccer) someone connected with Luton Town Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Black Cat

Understandably the teams were hyped for their 132nd league meeting, but Steve Bruce's Black Cats were also looking to settle a score having been humiliated 5-1 at St James' Park at the end of October.

2011 January 16, Saj Chowdhury, “Sunderland 1 - 1 Newcastle”, in BBC:

(soccer) someone connected with Sunderland Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Sky Blue

(soccer) Someone connected with Coventry City Football Club, as a fan, player, coach, etc.

(soccer) Someone connected with Sydney FC, as a fan, player, coach, etc.


Bluebirds

(soccer) Cardiff City Football Club, a football club in Cardiff.


Saddler

(soccer) someone connected with Walsall Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Seagull

(soccer) someone connected with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Blade

(soccer) Someone connected with Sheffield United Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Baggies

The Baggies had offered little threat until the 28th minute, but when their first chance came it was a clear one.

2012 April 22, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0-1 West Brom”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) West Bromwich Albion Football Club


Chairboy

(soccer) someone connected with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Canary

From 1907, coined by the football club's then-chairman who was a keen breeder of canaries.

(soccer) Someone connected with Norwich City Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Palace

Crystal Palace Football Club
w:Crystal Palace Football Club

(UK, soccer) Ellipsis of Crystal Palace Football Club (“a football team from London”).


Glover

My guide tells me of Yeovil's 'considerable glove trade', which is why the giant-killing footie club, Yeovil Town FC, is known as 'The Glovers'.

2023 June 28, Stephen Roberts, “Bradshaw's Britain: Alton to Exeter”, in RAIL, number 986, page 60:

(soccer) someone connected with Yeovil Town Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


Latic

It is 10 months since they lost to the Latics in last season's final, something that the visiting supporters were intent on reminding everyone.

2014 March 9, Jacob Steinberg, “Wigan shock Manchester City in FA Cup again to reach semi-finals”, in The Guardian:

(slang, soccer) Someone connected with Wigan Athletic Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.

(slang, soccer) Someone connected with Oldham Athletic Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


scummer

(UK, soccer, slang, derogatory, offensive) A supporter of Southampton F.C..


CCM

Central Coast Mariners
w:Central Coast Mariners FC

(soccer) Initialism of Central Coast Mariners.


beach soccer

(soccer) a variant of soccer played on a smaller-sized sand pitch.


Battle of Alberta

(Canadian football) the competition between the Edmonton Elks (formerly Eskimos) and Calgary Stampeders teams of the CFL


Super Falcons

(soccer) The Nigeria women's national football team


Super Eagles

(soccer) The Nigeria national football team


Matildas

(soccer) the women's national soccer representative team of Australia

Australia women's national association football team


Bafana Bafana

From bafana (boys), plural of the Zulu umfana. Apparently first used by journalists in Soweto in the early 1990s.

association football
association football

The men's national association football (soccer) representative team of South Africa.


CCFC

Coventry City Football Club
w:Coventry City Football Club

(soccer) Initialism of Coventry City Football Club.

Cardiff City Football Club
w:Cardiff City Football Club

(soccer) Initialism of Cardiff City Football Club.


BFC

(soccer) Blackpool Football Club, a football team from Blackpool


intentional grounding

en-noun

intentional grounding (plural intentional groundings)

(American football) An instance when the quarterback throws the ball into the ground or into the crowds to avoid being sacked and losing field position.


three-minute warning

three-minute warning (plural three-minute warnings)

(Canadian football) A timeout and warning given to the coaches with three minutes to go before the end of each half; after this point, the clock stops at the end of every play. Analogous to the two-minute warning of American football.


goalhanger

(informal, soccer) A player who stays near the opposing team's goal in the hope of easily scoring.


All Whites

From the all-white strip traditionally worn by the team. Also a play on the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby union team.

The men's national association football (soccer) representative team of New Zealand.


CONCACAF

Association Football
association football

(soccer) Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football — the governing body for the sport in the aforementioned region, also including the South American countries of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname.


take a grab

en-verb

take a grab (third-person singular simple present takes a grab, present participle taking a grab, simple past took a grab, past participle taken a grab)

takes a grab (present singular third-person)
taking a grab (participle present)
took a grab (past)
taken a grab (participle past)

Solidly built, he was nevertheless extremely quick, could take a grab, and kicked beautifully with both feet.

2008, Full Points Footy's WA Football Companion,, page 122:

Footyheads supporting a variety of clubs actually breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the game didn’t have to stop for seven minutes seventeen seconds every time Matthew took a grab within kicking distance.

2008, H.G. Nelson, Sprays: a collection of verbal touch-ups, Pan Macmillan Australia, page 139:

(Australian rules football) to mark the football, especially overhead


specky

‘Snake was just talking about you, said you take a mean specky,’ she said.
Adam felt his face colour. His marking skills weren′t that great.

2008, Beth Montgomery, Murderer′s Thumb, page 159:

spectacular mark
spectacular mark#English

(Australia, Australian rules football, informal) Synonym of spectacular mark


jump cut

“The advantage of a guy being his size and having quick feet, it’s unexpected,” said Marcel Shipp, the running backs coach. “Guys come in thinking he’s a big, bruising back. Then he’ll hit a jump cut on you and head down the sideline.”

2015 October 24, Ben Shpigel, “Chris Ivory, a Bulldozing Ballet Dancer, Keeps Defenders on Their Toes”, in The New York Times:

(American football) A sudden switch from running forward to running to the side.


through ball

It was an omen of things to come as in the 56th minute the visitors took the lead after a mix-up between Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos allowed Ebanks-Blake's through-ball to squeeze between them.

2010 December 29, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0 - 1 Wolverhampton”, in BBC:

And a potential partnership with Bruno Fernandes, who has completed the most through balls in the Premier League this season (15), would be an excellent stylistic fit.

2021 February 4, Raj Chohan, “Erling Braut Haaland: Would Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd or Chelsea suit striker best?”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) A forward pass played between opposition defenders.


defensive back

(American football, Canadian football) Collective term for the defensive players who are in position farthest from the ball at the start of a play and whose principal responsibility is to defend against passes. Includes cornerbacks and safeties in both codes, and defensive halfbacks in the Canadian game.


defensive halfback

en-noun

defensive halfback (plural defensive halfbacks)

(Canadian football) A defensive back whose primary jobs are to cover the slotback on passing plays and prevent running plays from going to the outside.


Madridista

Borrowed from Spanish madridista, from Madrid + -ista.

The deal to sign Martin Ødegaard full-time is also well on the way to becoming reality. Another Madridista, Marco Asensio, is also being touted as a potential target for Mikel Arteta and his sidekick Edu.

2021 August 19, Luke McLaughlin, “Football transfer rumours: Robert Lewandowski to exit Bayern Munich?”, in The Guardian:

(soccer) Someone who plays for Real Madrid CF, a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid.

It is never only a game when Barça plays Real. Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium is nine decades old, but still it generates a remarkable sensation when 25,000 Catalans are at one end and 25,000 Madridistas fill the other.

2014 April 17, Rob Hughes, “Gloom Gets Darker for Barcelona”, in The New York Times:

(soccer) Someone who works for Real Madrid CF.


handegg

handegg (countable and uncountable, plural handeggs)

From hand + egg, by contrast to football meaning “soccer”, with the notion that the respective sports are “neither foot nor ball” due to the predominant use of the hands and the elongated form of the ball.

Football is certainly a misnomer, for the game is played not with the feet but with the hands, and the ball is not a ball but an egg. I propose that the game be played with the feet and with a ball, or else that it be called “hand-egg”.

1909 November 9, letter to the editor, in The New York Times

Yes, but would anyone show up for a game of handegg?

2002 June 8, p/g, “Why does Arafat still draw breath?”, in alt.music.rush (Usenet):

When I get there he was watching handegg. I’m not into that hand egg shit so we got into a heated argument on which was better.

2011 February 1, "FileServe FileSonic XXX" (username), "Innocent High - Jynx Maze XXX - 303 MB", worlds_sexiest_women

You're wrong, kids all around the world play football, it just takes a ball and a pair of sneakers, whereas handegg requires a full body armour.

2011 February 8, "RVG" (username), "french pride", in fr.soc.politique

(slang, uncountable, humorous) Any of the sports that are called football but are played mainly with the hands and with a prolate spheroid ball; that is, American football and (less often) Canadian, Australian and rugby football (including league and union varieties).


side-netting

But Gyan missed the best openings, shooting into the side-netting after showing good strength when chasing a long pass, and then hopelessly miskicking from six yards out.

2010 December 28, Owen Phillips, “Sunderland 0 - 2 Blackpool”, in BBC:

(soccer) The net at either side of the goal, extending from the touchline to a few yards behind it.

petit filet

in soccer, the net at either side of the goal


tee up

en-verb

tee up (third-person singular simple present tees up, present participle teeing up, simple past and past participle teed up)

tees up (present singular third-person)
teeing up (participle present)
teed up (participle past)
teed up (past)

This time the defender was teed up by Andrew Johnson's short free-kick on the edge of the box and Baird hammered his low drive beyond Begovic's outstretched left arm and into the bottom corner, doubling his goal tally for the season and stunning the home crowd.

2010 December 28, Marc Vesty, “Stoke 0 - 2 Fulham”, in BBC:

(soccer) To pass the ball to someone, facilitating a shot.

(American football) To place the ball on a tee, ready for kickoff.


straight red card

en-noun

straight red card (plural straight red cards)

A moment of madness from double goalscorer Kalinic put Rovers' fate back in the balance when the Croat caught Scharner with a late, dangerous lunge and was shown a straight red card by referee Phil Dowd.

2010 December 28, Kevin Darling, “West Brom 1 - 3 Blackburn”, in BBC:

(soccer) A red card, signifying a player's instant dismissal from the game for a single major foul or misconduct, distinct from and graver than a second yellow card, which a player may receive for several minor fouls.


tip over

Bolton then went even closer when Elmander's cross was met by a bullet header from Holden, which forced a wonderful tip over from Cech before Drogba then cleared the resulting corner off the line.

2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC:

(soccer) An action where the goalkeeper deflects the ball over the crossbar.


short corner

Pedersen took a short corner and El-Hadji Diouf was given time to send in a cross for Mame Diouf to stoop and head home from close range.

2010 December 28, Kevin Darlin, “West Brom 1 - 3 Blackburn”, in BBC:

(soccer) A short pass from a corner (the set piece).


shoestring tackle

shoestring tackle (plural shoestring tackles)

(American football) A tackle made about the feet or ankles.


PAT

PAT (countable and uncountable, plural PATs)

(American football) Initialism of point after touchdown. (extra point)


starting berth

Pardew made five changes to the side that thrashed West Ham 5-0 on Wednesday - with players such as James Perch and Alan Smith given the chance to underline their case for a regular starting berth.

2011 January 8, Paul Fletcher, “Stevenage 3 - 1 Newcastle”, in BBC:

(soccer) An appearance in a match from the kick-off.


toe-poke

en-verb

toe-poke (third-person singular simple present toe-pokes, present participle toe-poking, simple past and past participle toe-poked)

toe-pokes (present singular third-person)
toe-poking (participle present)
toe-poked (participle past)
toe-poked (past)

Malouda burst through the left side of the defence for the first time and crossed for Kalou, who toe-poked towards goal only for Hennessey's outstretched leg to deny him.

2011 January 5, Mark Ashenden, “Wolverhampton 1 - 0 Chelsea”, in BBC:

(soccer) To kick (the ball) with the toe end of the boot.

tåpaja

To kick the ball with the toe end of the boot


toe-poke

(soccer) A kick to a football with the toe end of the boot.


seal dribble

Seals (the animals, not the stamp) can be trained to balance a ball on their nose.

(neologism, soccer) In soccer, a move where the player bounces the ball on their head while running at the opponent.


out ball

With Carlos Tevez chasing down every lost cause like his life depended on it, City always had an out ball but Arsenal had such a monopoly on possession that they barely had to give thought even to the Argentine.

2011 January 5, Jonathan Stevenson, “Arsenal 0 - 0 Man City”, in BBC:

(soccer) A chance to clear the ball to an attacking teammate, or such an attacker; a target man.


overhead kick

United's initial response was bright, with Young's corner drifting untouched across the six-yard area and Van Persie just unable to keep an overhead kick down.

2013 September 1, Phil McNulty, BBC Sport:

(soccer) A kick where the ball travels over the player's head.


far post

United looked on course to end the season empty-handed as well as missing out on Champions League football when substitute Jason Puncheon's powerful far-post finish put Palace ahead with 12 minutes left.

2016 May 22, Phil McNulty, “Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United”, in BBC:

(soccer, idiomatic) The goalpost furthest from where a cross is made.


near post

This was a small element of a remarkably assured performance that started with a crucial early save from Christian Pulisic and also saw him deny Chelsea a last-gasp win with a near-post block from Romelu Lukaku in the closing seconds of extra time.

2022 February 27, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer, idiomatic) The goalpost nearest from which a cross is made.


route one football

Linked by some sources to the 1966-1972 BBC quiz show Quiz Ball, in which players could choose one of several "routes" of football-related questions to reach the goal. "Route 1" was the most direct, where players only needed to answer one question to get directly to the goal.

It was route one football from Wigan with Rodallega latching onto Al Habsi's long clearance after it was misjudged by Aaron Hughes.

2011 January 15, Nabil Hassan, “Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham”, in BBC:

(soccer) A tactic involving kicking the ball from defence high and far straight towards the attackers.


hold-up play

Arsenal must have been pleased that Leeds' leading scorer Luciano Becchio was ruled out with a back injury and the hosts missed his hold-up play and threat for long periods as Wenger's side produced wave after wave of attack.

2011 January 19, Jonathan Stevenson, “Leeds 1 - 3 Arsenal”, in BBC:

(soccer, idiomatic) A play where an attacker retains possession of the ball, while the teammates can move up the field.


Gulls

As a seaside town, Torquay has many seagulls.

Gulls keeper Scott Bevan kept his side in the game by saving a Tubbs penalty after Chris Zebroski was sent off.

2011 January 29, Chris Bevan, “Torquay 0 - 1 Crawley Town”, in BBC:

(soccer, informal) Torquay United F. C., a football club from Torquay, England.


snap shot

But the League One side's early endeavours brought only two well-struck but off-target free-kicks and a snap shot from Rickie Lambert.

2011 January 29, Ian Hughes, “Southampton 1 - 2 Man Utd”, in BBC:

(soccer) A hard shot without much planning.


Accy

(UK, soccer, slang) The football team Accrington Stanley F.C..


Bantam

The Bantams bridged the gap between the bottom division of English league football and the Premier League to secure a place at Wembley, despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat.

2013 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4)”, in BBC:

(soccer) Someone connected with Bradford City A.F.C, as a fan, player, coach etc.


long throw

In the fifth minute he could have added to an impressive record of 11 goals in 10 FA Cup ties for parent club Aston Villa but his flicked header from Rory Delap's long throw was pushed past the post by Marcus Hahnemann.

2011 January 30, “Wolverhampton 0 - 1 Stoke”, in BBC:

(soccer) A long throw-in into the goal area.


throw-out

(soccer) An overarm throw of the ball from a goalkeeper.

servei de porteria

(soccer) an overarm throw of the ball from a goalkeeper


Bee

(soccer) someone connected with Barnet Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.


slide-tackle

slide-tackle (third-person singular simple present slide-tackles, present participle slide-tackling, simple past and past participle slide-tackled)

slide-tackles (present singular third-person)
slide-tackling (participle present)
slide-tackled (participle past)
slide-tackled (past)

(soccer) To tackle another player by sliding on the ground feet-first.


crossfield

He was in the mood and he decorated the first half with some wonderful moments. How about the side-on volleyed crossfield pass with the outside of his right boot? Or the shoulder drop, the surge upfield, the riding of a challenge and then another thrilling run.

2024 June 16, David Hytner, “Jude Bellingham gives England winning start but Serbia make Southgate sweat”, in Guardian:

(soccer) Passed from one side of the pitch to the other.


Posh

Peterbough United have been playing at Lincoln, in something of a local derby. EMR has put on a six-car Class 158 as an additional train, to take 'Posh' fans home (Posh is the team's nickname, by the way).

2024 April 17, “Rural railways: do they deliver?”, in RAIL, number 1007, page 58:

(soccer, slang) Peterborough United F.C., a football club from Peterborough, England.


slip in

slip in (third-person singular simple present slips in, present participle slipping in, simple past and past participle slipped in)

slips in (present singular third-person)
slipping in (participle present)
slipped in (participle past)
slipped in (past)

A minute into the second half, Hazard blasted the second goal right over Gordon's head and into his net. Soon after, Charlie Mulgrew's aimless ball out of defence fell to Dembele, who gave it to Hazard. The attacker slipped in Batshuayi in for the third.

2018 September 7, Tom English, “Scotland 0-4 Belgium”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer, transitive) To play a subtle pass into someone in a goalscoring position.


whip in

whip in (third-person singular simple present whips in, present participle whipping in, simple past and past participle whipped in)

whips in (present singular third-person)
whipping in (participle present)
whipped in (participle past)
whipped in (past)

He whipped in a dangerous cross, and Faulkner headed into the net.

(soccer, transitive) To make a quick pass into the goalmouth.


flick-on

Rovers forward Roque Santa Cruz headed against the post after a flick-on by towering defender Chris Samba.

2011 February 12, Nabil Hassan, “Blackburn 0 - 0 Newcastle”, in BBC:

(soccer) A quick headed touch to pass to another player.


box-to-box midfielder

en-noun

box-to-box midfielder (plural box-to-box midfielders)

(soccer) a central midfielder who plays both defensively and attackingly, who runs a lot up and down the pitch.

volante mixto

a central midfielder who both defends and attacks


byeline

Diouf rounded Zaluska near the byeline and crossed but Daniel Majstorovic headed away and Celtic eventually mopped up the danger.

2011 March 2, Andy Campbell, “Celtic 1 - 0 Rangers”, in BBC:


ball-playing

Irish debutant Conor Henderson - another ball-playing midfielder - probed for a gap through the back-line and the 19-year-old's deflected pass was pounced on by Tomas Rosicky, who sped to the byeline to clip a square ball through the legs of Charlie Daniels across the box.

2011 March 2, Chris Whyatt, “Arsenal 5 - 0 Leyton Orient”, in BBC:

And despite his terrific form, it was always going to be Sterling making way especially against a ball-playing team away from home when we'd have to absorb a lot of pressure.

2014, Neil Collins, Make Us Dream: A Fan's View of the 2013/14 Season, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 290:

Barcelona have recognised that a ball-playing midfielder is a more effective centre-half than a John Terry-style centre-half given they rarely encounter an attacking threat that warrants a traditional back four.

2014, anonymous author, The Secret Footballer's Guide to the Modern Game: Tips and Tactics from the Ultimate Insider, Faber & Faber, →ISBN:

(soccer) Focused on attacking and progressing down the field.


wing-play

Stoke deserved their advantage and they looked to build on their lead with Etherington continuing his busy wing-play down the opposite flank.

2011 March 13, Chris Bevan, “Stoke 2 - 1 West Ham”, in BBC:

(soccer) The art of playing as a winger.


SPL

And the moment it thumped into the net, Celtic’s march back to the top of the SPL pile also seemed unstoppable.

2011 December 29, Keith Jackson, “SPL: Celtic 1 Rangers 0”, in Daily Record:

Scottish Premier League
w:Scottish Premier League

(soccer) Initialism of Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish professional football.


presnap

(American football) Before the snap (passing of the football from the center to a back).


postsnap

(American football) After the snap (passing of the football from the center to a back).


touch football

(American football) A variant of American football in which players are touched as opposed to tackled.

(rugby league) A variant of rugby league developed in Australia in which players are touched as opposed to tackled.


Prem

Palace are back in the Prem - but for how long?

1997, Peterjon Cresswell, Simon Evans, Dan Goldstein, European football: a fans' handbook:

Linked us, now she don't wanna link them man again / Your ex plays in the Prem but you never see him taking a pen

2016 February 14, Joseph Adenuga, Darren Dixon, Tariq Devega (lyrics and music), “Ladies Hit Squad” (track 6), in Konnichiwa, performed by Skepta ft. D Double E and ASAP Nast, Boy Better Know:


number ten

attacking midfielder
attacking midfielder

(soccer) The main offensive playmaker in a team, usually an attacking midfielder.


half forward

(Australian rules football, Gaelic football, hurling) An attacking player who plays between the midfielders and forwards.

Australian rules football; Gaelic football; hurling; Australian rules football; Gaelic football; hurling

leatosaí

an attacking player who plays between the midfielders and forwards


corner forward

(Gaelic football, hurling) A forward who plays on either sides of the centre forwards.

Gaelic football; hurling; Gaelic football; hurling

lántosaí

a forward who plays on either side of the centre forwards


square ball

(soccer) A pass played square (not forward or backward, i.e. sideways)

(Gaelic football, hurling) A foul where a player on the attacking team enters the opposing team's small square inside the penalty area before the ball does.


end line

(sports, American football, hurling, Gaelic football) In various goal-based sports, the boundary line, running across the goal.

hurling; Gaelic football; hurling; Gaelic football


handpass

(Australian rules football, Gaelic football) A pass made by holding the ball in one hand, and hitting it with the other hand.

Australian rules football; Gaelic football; Australian rules football; Gaelic football


insurance goal

Ricky Shakes scored Guyana's first goal in the 10th minute and Leon Cort provided the insurance goal in the 81st minute.

2012, Aldwyn McGill, Jamaica Football: Reggae Boyz History, page 40:

(US, soccer) A goal scored by a team that is already leading by one goal.


return pass

But then Arsenal scored. Sebastian Kehl's poor touch ended at Walcott's feet via Van Persie. The Englishman's return pass was a delight, allowing Van Persie to take a touch before rifling a rising drive past Roman Weidenfeller.

2011 September 13, Sam Lyon, “Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Arsenal”, in BBC:

(soccer) A pass back to the person who just passed the ball.


long corner

(soccer) A corner kick played directly into the goal area, as opposed to a short corner.


late tackle

Stepanov was then booked for a late tackle on Andrews and that would late prove very costly.

2011 November 11, Rory Houston, “Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland”, in RTE Sport:

Javier Hernandez's attempts to turn in the rebound were foiled by Ashley Cole's reckless late tackle - which left the England defender fortunate to receive only a yellow card from referee Phil Dowd and United puzzled that they were not awarded a second penalty.

2011 September 18, Phil McNulty, “Man Utd 3 - 1 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) A mistimed attempt to take the ball of an opposing player that results in the tackler making contact with the player and not the ball


strikeforce

Liverpool's £58m strikeforce of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez scored the goals that settled the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park - but Everton were left complaining bitterly about Jack Rodwell's controversial early red card.

2011 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer, figuratively) Collectively, the strikers in a team.


reaction save

The England striker had come close with a first-half header from a Bannan free-kick and after a neat piece of ball juggling and fierce shot, Bent was then denied by a superb reaction save from Al-Habsi.

2011 October 1, John Sinnott, “Aston Villa 2 - 0 Wigan”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) The instinctive blocking of the ball by a goalkeeper.


sending off

sending off (plural sending offs or sendings off)

sending offs (plural)
sendings off (plural)

Rooney's sending off will be the main talking point, however, and his actions once again raise questions about his temperament that he looked to have gone a long way towards answering in recent times.

2011, Phil McNulty, Euro 2012: Montenegro 2-2 England:

(sports) An instance of a player being sent off; a dismissal from the field of play.


Uefa

England and Capello can now make plans for Euro 2012, but they will be without Rooney for at least the opening group match and perhaps more should Uefa decide to increase his suspension.


holding midfielder

holding midfielder (plural holding midfielders)

After the restart, QPR holding midfielder Shaun Derry, in a rare advanced position, was inches away from connecting with a cross from Jamie Mackie, who was making his first start since he suffered a double leg break against Rovers in an FA Cup tie in January.

2011 October 15, Paul Fletcher, “QPR 1 - 1 Blackburn”, in BBC Sport:

defensive midfielder
defensive midfielder


cross-shot

But the visitors halved the deficit within two minutes when Scott Sinclair burst into the area and, despite going down under Bennett's challenge, stabbed the ball across for Graham to score with a cross-shot.

2011 October 15, Graham Chase, “Norwich 3 - 1 Swansea”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) A shot from one side of the field towards the opposite corner of the goal.


chip shot

When Ludwig Millfors lined up for a 19-yard chip shot of a field goal with three seconds left in the game, NDSU—and its 13,637 homecoming fans—had reason to feel comfortable.

1992 Oct. 11, "College Football Chip Shot Goes Wide in 2-point Bison Loss, Grand Forks Herald (USA), p. 3D (retrieved 17 Oct 2011)

A 20-yard run by quarterback Kade Harrington put them in Glander's range, and the senior kicker booted a chip-shot 30-yard field goal with 11 seconds left.

2011 October 15, Stephen Whitfield, “Kingwood beats Atascocita on last-second field goal”, in yourhoustonnews.com, USA, retrieved 2011-10-17:

(American football) A relatively easy field goal, made from a short distance.

Plantation surprised Palm Springs North early with a chip shot close to the net by Mike Noll.

1988 December 20, “Palm Springs North Wins Soccer Title”, in Miami herald, retrieved 2011-10-17, page 6C:

(soccer) A shot in which the ball is kicked from underneath with accuracy but with less than maximum force, to launch it high into the air in order either to pass it over the heads of opponents or to score a goal.


tap-tackle

France's own stand-in stand-off Trinh-Duc missed with a drop-goal when well set but then set off on a curving run through a scattered defensive line which carried him deep into enemy territory until Weepu's desperate tap-tackle finally brought him down.

2011 October 23, Tom Fordyce, “2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France”, in BBC Sport:

(rugby, American football) A tackle made from behind the running ball-carrier, where the tackler dives to touch the player's ankle and trips him up.


tap-tackle

en-verb

tap-tackle (third-person singular simple present tap-tackles, present participle tap-tackling, simple past and past participle tap-tackled)

tap-tackles (present singular third-person)
tap-tackling (participle present)
tap-tackled (participle past)
tap-tackled (past)

Farrell drilled home a 46-metre penalty and should have had another when Pollard, attempting to jink his way out of defence, was tap-tackled by Anthony Watson and penalised for not releasing.

2019 November 2, Robert Kitson, “Rugby World Cup: South Africa surge to glory as England fall short”, in The Observer:

(rugby, American football) to tackle with a tap-tackle


side netting

Paul Robinson produced a spectacular full-stretch stop to deny David Fox his first goal of the season from 25 yards before Elliott Bennett fired into the side netting when he should have done much better from eight yards.

2011 October 29, Neil Johnston, “Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) Alternative form of side-netting


find the net

find the net (third-person singular simple present finds the net, present participle finding the net, simple past and past participle found the net)

finds the net (present singular third-person)
finding the net (participle present)
found the net (participle past)
found the net (past)

It is testimony to QPR's spirit then that it was they who next found the net as Bothroyd's goalbound header from an Armand Traore cross ultimately found the net courtesy of the back of Helguson, who was on the goalline but - despite the protestations of a number of City players - not offside.

2011 November 5, Phil Dawkes, “QPR 2 - 3 Man City”, in BBC Sport:


Daley

From Clipping of (Roch)dale. + -y. From dale.

(soccer) A supporter of Rochdale Association Football Club


sideline cut

In the sideline-and-up pass, both the receiver and the passer are faking the sideline cut.

1958, Donald E. Fuoss, Quarterback generalship and strategy, page 96:

Here, the receiver combines the sideline-flag pattern with a second sideline cut.

1993, Bud Wilkinson, Football: Winning Offense, →ISBN, page 68:

The l, 2, and 4 players run picks; the picks are set to free up the 1 player for a sideline cut.

2006, Jill Prudden, Coaching Girls' Basketball Successfully, →ISBN, page 123:

The second passing option for O5 presents itself when O1 is unable to get open on the sideline cut.

2013, Winning Basketball Fundamentals, →ISBN, page 237:

(American football, basketball) A sudden change of direction and run for the sideline.


reverse pass

That seemed to inject life into United, and Rooney was denied by goalkeeper Yann Sommer from a Giggs reverse pass before seeing a penalty shout turned down.

2011 December 7, David Ornstein, “FC Basel 2 - 1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) A pass in which the player runs in the opposite direction to where he passed.


Premier League

Robin van Persie scored a sensational volley to mark Arsenal's 125th birthday with a victory over Everton that puts them fourth in the Premier League.

2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton”, in BBC Sport:

The highest division of English football.


Champions League

The result sees Arsenal leapfrog Chelsea - who face Manchester City on Monday - and occupy a Champions League spot for the first time this season.

(soccer) The highest-level European club football (soccer) tournament, organised by UEFA.

Չեմպիոնների լիգա

UEFA Champions League: the highest-level European club football tournament

CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League

(soccer) An annual African football (soccer) competition, formally known as CAF Champions League.

AFC Champions League Elite
AFC Champions League Elite

(soccer) An annual Asian football (soccer) competition, formally known as AFC Champions League Elite.


total football

(soccer) A tactic in which the outfield players assume different roles during a game, while keeping an organised structure.


game manager

He was a "game manager" who threw five interceptions on the season, a steady, if unspectacular, player surrounded by a solid team.

(American football) A quarterback who makes a minimum number of mistakes on a team that relies on its defense and rushing offense to win games.


lead the line

lead the line (third-person singular simple present leads the line, present participle leading the line, simple past and past participle led the line)

leads the line (present singular third-person)
leading the line (participle present)
led the line (participle past)
led the line (past)

Andy Carroll is leading the line, with Suarez playing behind him.

Martial, who had been an injury doubt, led the line with strength and positivity.

2021 March 7, David Hytner, “Manchester United catch City cold as Fernandes and Shaw end winning run”, in The Guardian:

(idiomatic, soccer) To play as centre forward.


centre-forward

(soccer) Alternative form of centre forward


Gazzamania

Thus, Gazzamania conceals a complex sub-text about three things: gender; the white male body; and the British working class (and its relations with other classes).

1995, Roger Horrocks, Male myths and icons: masculinity in popular culture, page 162:

Paul Gascoigne went from being the focal point of Gazzamania to sad, fat clown in a matter of months[…]

2009, Ben Carrington, Ian McDonald, Marxism, cultural studies and sport, page 78:

Gazzamania, that much is clear, took off after the World Cup semi-final between England and Germany in Turin.

2011, Simon Kuper, Football Against The Enemy:

(informal) Enthusiasm for the English footballer Paul Gascoigne (born 1967).


roughrider

noncommissioned officer
noncommissioned officer

(military, dated) A noncommissioned officer in the British cavalry whose duty is to assist the riding master.


CFG

City Football Group
w:City Football Group

(soccer) Initialism of City Football Group.


Doonhamers

(soccer, informal) Queen of the South Football Club, a football club based in Dumfries, Scotland.


Killie

(soccer) Kilmarnock Football Club, a football club based in Kilmarnock, Scotland.


Primeira Liga

(soccer) The highest division of professional football in Portugal.


Hibs

Garry O'Connor stabbed Hibs into a third-minute lead from close range and the Edinburgh side deservedly went into the break with their lead intact.

2012 April 14, Clive Lindsay, “Aberdeen 1-2 Hibernian”, in BBC:

(soccer) Hibernian Football Club, a football club based in Edinburgh, Scotland.


Serie A

(soccer) The highest division of professional football in Italy.


Dons

Few goals had been expected with the three league meetings between the sides this season having produced one goal - and that a controversial penalty scored by Dons striker Scott Vernon.

(soccer) Aberdeen Football Club, a football club based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

(soccer) Wimbledon Football Club, a defunct football club based in London.

(soccer) AFC Wimbledon, a football club based in London, founded by the supporters of Wimbledon FC.

(soccer) Milton Keynes Dons F.C., a football club based in Milton Keynes, England.


Serie B

Before kick-off, a section of Chelsea's support sadly let themselves and their club down by noisily interrupting the silence held in memory of the Hillsborough disaster and for Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini, who collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack during a Serie B game on Saturday.

2012 April 15, Phil McNulty, “Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea”, in BBC:

The second division of professional football in Italy.


Ligue 1

(soccer) The highest division of professional football in France.


Caley

(soccer) Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, a football club based in Inverness, Scotland


Eredivisie

(soccer) The highest division of professional football in the Netherlands.


Bundesliga

(soccer) The German Football Bundesliga (the highest division of professional men's football in Germany)

(soccer) The Austrian Football Bundesliga (the highest division of professional men's football in Austria)


Boro

They created the better chances while Boro, looking every inch a troubled team, rarely looked like avoiding a third successive goalless home draw.

1999, Stuart Barnes, “Boro's form keeps failing”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), The Guardian:

If, however, Boro let their guard slip, you can bet the Tigers will tear their guests for the day to shreds. In not one game this season have City sat back. Against Middlesbrough it will surely be no different.

2009, Ian Waterstone, Live Through the Dream: The Epic Journey Depicting Hull City's First Ever Season in the Top Flight of English Football, →ISBN, page 124:

Last week, the man from the local paper told the 24-year-old author that in years to come the "Linny", as the pub is known, will feature prominently on "Richard Milward Tours" of Boro.

2009, Caspar Llewellyn Smith, “A night out with the young bard of Boro”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), The Guardian:

(chiefly soccer and Teesside) The town of Middlesbrough, and more specifically Middlesbrough FC football club.

Craig Reid struck the United woodwork, while Boro goalkeeper Chris Day had to tip over a header from his own midfielder Michael Bostwick.

2012 May 11, Chris Osborne, “Stevenage 0-0 Sheff Utd”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) Stevenage Football Club, a football team from Stevenage formerly known as Stevenage Borough Football Club


stepover

Fernando Amorebieta seemed to have checked him, but a stepover created a fraction of room that became significant as the defender slipped, giving Falcao just enough space to curl a superb finish into the top corner.

2012 May 9, Jonathan Wilson, “Europa League: Radamel Falcao's Atlético Madrid rout Athletic Bilbao”, in the Guardian:


18-yard box

Falcao, who scored the only goal in last season's Europa League final as Porto beat Braga, received the ball halfway between the six- and 18-yard boxes.


take a knee

take a knee (third-person singular simple present takes a knee, present participle taking a knee, simple past took a knee, past participle taken a knee)

takes a knee (present singular third-person)
taking a knee (participle present)
took a knee (past)
taken a knee (participle past)

The N.F.L. estimates that number could rise to 30 percent, but special-teams coaches say at least 40 percent of kickoffs will end with the returner taking a knee in the end zone.

2011 August 6, Judy Battista, “Take a Knee or Take a Risk”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

(American football, Canadian football) Of any player with the ball, to kneel and place the ball on the ground, thereby ending the play and indicating they do not intend to advance with the ball.


NFC

Initialism
* (unicode): in the Unicode sense, a compound of NF (“Normalization Form”) + C (“Canonical Decomposition, followed by Canonical Composition”).

compound

National Football Conference
w:National Football Conference

(American football) Initialism of National Football Conference.


red dog

en-noun

red dog (countable and uncountable, plural red dogs)

(countable, US, American football) A blitz.


red dog

en-verb

red dog (third-person singular simple present red dogs, present participle red dogging, simple past and past participle red dogged)

red dogs (present singular third-person)
red dogging (participle present)
red dogged (participle past)
red dogged (past)


AAF

Alliance of American Football
w:Alliance of American Football

(American football) Initialism of Alliance of American Football.


fumblerooski

From fumble + -roo (as in switcheroo) + -ski?

(American football) A trick play wherein the quarterback deliberately places or leaves the ball on the ground upon receiving it from the center, technically fumbling it, after which the backs run to the right, deceiving the defense into following them, while the right guard picks up the ball and runs to the left.


trick play

en-noun

trick play (countable and uncountable, plural trick plays)

(American football) A play in American football that uses deception and unorthodox strategies to fool the opposing team.


three-and-out

(American football) The situation where a team is forced to punt the football without having made any first downs.


backhead

en-verb

backhead (third-person singular simple present backheads, present participle backheading, simple past and past participle backheaded)

backheads (present singular third-person)
backheading (participle present)
backheaded (participle past)
backheaded (past)

(soccer) To hit the ball with the back of the head


SUFC

Sheffield United Football Club, a famous English football club from Sheffield.


SWFC

Sheffield Wednesday Football Club
w:Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

Initialism of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, an English football club from Sheffield.


Rangers

(soccer) The team Rangers F.C., located in Glasgow.


FA Cup

(soccer) The most prestigious cup competition held every season between clubs in the English leagues.


Irons

(soccer) West Ham United F.C. (a football club based in London).


(American football) Initialism of first down.


Süper Lig

(soccer) The highest division of professional football in Turkey.


park the bus

park the bus (third-person singular simple present parks the bus, present participle parking the bus, simple past and past participle parked the bus)

parks the bus (present singular third-person)
parking the bus (participle present)
parked the bus (participle past)
parked the bus (past)

England goalkeeper Gordon Banks resisted everything Liverpool threw at him that day, as City parked the bus and banked on snatching the vital single goal and then holding on.

2011, John Williams, Red Men: Liverpool Football Club – The Biography:

Dan is Head Groundsman at Swansea, who in 2011/12 won plaudits For their positive, passing game - showing that you don't need to park the bus as a promoted side to retain top-flight status.

2012, The League Doesn't Lie: The 606 Book of Football Lists, page 311:

(soccer, idiomatic) To attempt to stop the opposition team from scoring a goal by playing extremely defensively and placing as many players as possible behind the ball.


ECWC

European Cup Winners Cup
w:European Cup Winners Cup

(soccer) Initialism of European Cup Winners Cup.


shot stopper

(soccer, colloquial) A goalkeeper. More specifically refers to the ability to make saves, as opposed to other areas of goalkeeping like distribution and coming off the line.


flea flicker

(American football) A trick offensive play in which the quarterback laterals the ball to the running back, who then runs a short distance, then laterals the ball back to the quarterback.


JDT

(soccer, Malaysia) Initialism of Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C.. (a Malaysian football club)


scorpion volley

en-noun

scorpion volley (plural scorpion volleys)


tiki-taka

(soccer) A style of play characterised by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession.


Confed

(soccer, informal) The Confederations Cup


West Brom

(informal, soccer) West Bromwich Albion Football Club


boot boy

Among Bryan Gunn's myriad incarnations, from Alex Ferguson's babysitter through Scotland goalkeeper to Norwich manager, boot boy to Alex McLeish was one of the less successful. Once, just before a Scottish Cup final, McLeish discovered his size 10s were still in Aberdeen.

2009 March 22, Phil Shaw, “Gunn peppers Birmingham's automatic promotion hopes”, in The Guardian:

(British, soccer) A boy who cares for a footballer's boots.


Sherrin

From the brand name; invented by Thomas William Sherrin in 1880.

Give the Sherrin to the umpire.

Australian rules football
Australian rules football

Australian rules
Australian rules football

(Australia, Australian rules football) A football used in Australian rules.


forward line

(Gaelic football, Australian rules football) Collectively, the three full forwards

Gaelic football; Australian rules football; Gaelic football; Australian rules football

Now Hodgson just has to work out a makeshift forward line against a Ukraine team who warmed up for Tuesday by doling out the obligatory thrashing to San Marino, knocking in four goals by half-time and another five in the second half.

6 September 2013, Daniel Taylor, “Danny Welbeck leads England's rout of Moldova but hit by Ukraine ban”, in The Guardian:


speckie

(Australia, Australian rules football, informal) Synonym of spectacular mark


English disease

A calque of phrases from various languages, including the French maladie anglaise, Polish angielska choroba, German englische Krankheit, and the Russian англи́йская боле́знь (anglíjskaja boléznʹ).

calque

англи́йская боле́знь


Old Firm

(soccer) Collectively, the two Scottish football teams Rangers and Celtic, both based in Glasgow, which are the most successful teams in Scotland. They have a fierce and long-standing rivalry.


ticat

(Canadian football) A team member for the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. (Rendered as Ti-Cat.)


take it to the house

en-verb

take it to the house (third-person singular simple present takes it to the house, present participle taking it to the house, simple past took it to the house, past participle taken it to the house)

takes it to the house (present singular third-person)
taking it to the house (participle present)
took it to the house (past)
taken it to the house (participle past)

(American football) To score a touchdown, especially after a long run.


Dagger

(soccer) A player, supporter or other person connected with Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club.


Gull

In reference to the seagulls found in Torquay, a coastal town.

(soccer) A player, supporter or other person connected with Torquay United Football Club.


Shrimp

(soccer) A player, supporter or other person connected with Morecambe Football Club.


G-men

(US, American football) A nickname of the New York Giants football team.


Cove

(Australia, soccer) The official active supporters' group of Sydney FC (an Australian soccer club based in Sydney).


Messian

Every game, every attempted dribble, every pass, every goal (all of which, together, create the Messian mode of jouissance), is an “experiment” in which Messi seeks to conserve himself at the highest possible level, with the greatest amount of integrity.

2019, Grant Farred, Entre Nous: Between the World Cup and Me, Durham, NC: Duke University Press, →ISBN, page unknown:

This week Lothar Matthaus compared him to Lionel Messi. […] His goal was typically Messian, he dribbled to the edge of the box before presenting the ball to a team-mate, and telegraphing with his run where he wanted the ball played back to him before sending an unerring shot at goal.

2022 October 29, “Bayern Munich 6-2 Mainz: Sadio Mane one of six different players to score as Julian Nagelsmann's team move top”, in Eurosport:

There is a kind of melancholy to the final from a Messian perspective. Argentina are favourites to win their first World Cup since 1986, reaching this point after playing some of the most impressive and effective football of the tournament.

2022 December 18, Samantha Lewis, “Argentina and France might be playing in the final but Qatar is the real winner of the FIFA World Cup”, in ABC News:

(soccer, rare) Of or pertaining to Lionel Messi (born 1987), Argentine professional footballer, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.


FCUM

F.C. United of Manchester
w:F.C. United of Manchester

(UK, soccer) Initialism of F.C. United of Manchester.


Citeh

Respelling of a local pronunciation of (Manchester) city.

(soccer, informal) Manchester City Football Club


MCFC

Manchester City Football Club
w:Manchester City F.C.

(soccer) Initialism of Manchester City Football Club.

Melbourne City Football Club
w:Melbourne City FC

(soccer) Initialism of Melbourne City Football Club.


Cup Final

(England and Wales, soccer) The last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup competition.


six-pointer

Sammy Lee has gone from Bolton and Fulham's Lawrie Sanchez is talking about six-pointers.

2007, Stuart Barnes, Sanchez's six-pointer stalemate, The Guardian

Manuel Pellegrini believes Arsenal are still in the title race but sees Saturday's clash as a six-pointer that could allow his side to open up a 12-point gap on Arsene Wenger's side.

2014, Arsenal match is a six-pointer, insists Pellegrini, ESPN

(soccer) A match between two teams on a similar number of points (in a league using the three points for a win system), such that the difference between a side winning and losing the match is a six-point swing relative to their opponents.


stampeder

(Canadian football) A team member for the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders. (Rendered with a capital 'S' as Stampeder.)


tiger cat

(Canadian football) A member of the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats (rendered as Tiger-Cat).


West Coast offense

en-noun

West Coast offense (plural West Coast offenses)

(American football) An offense that places a greater emphasis on passing than on running.


penalty mark

(soccer) a small white spot, painted on the grass, twelve yards in front of the centre of the goal line, from which all penalty kicks are taken


row Z

Victoria Park's diminutive stands may preclude launching the ball into Row Z, but Row A would have sufficed as Hartlepool's otherwise dependable defender Chris Westwood looked to clear his lines.

2002, Jason Mellor, “Hartlepool hopes go west after late slip-up”, in The Guardian:

1446: Bobby Zamora smashes a volley into row Z, which is very much appreciated by the West Ham fans.

2010, Caroline Cheese, “Premier League as it happened”, in BBC Sport:

Sturridge’s curling strike looked dull in comparison to this wonder throw, with the expertly folded flyer gliding from row z onto the pitch and straight into the Peruvian’s face, as the crowd at the Home of Football erupted.

2014, "Direct hit! Peru star hit by England fans' paper plane after INSANE row z throw", talkSPORT

(soccer, humorous) The back row or rows of the stands.


long game

[T]he Seahawks held Newton to 119 passing yards, as the Panthers kept mainly to the ground and Seattle's secondary shut down the long game.

2013 September 8, “What we saw: Seahawks 12, at Panthers 7”, in Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2014-07-11:

(American football) The aspect of the game in which the strategy is to advance downfield by throwing the ball to a receiving player; the passing game.


the handbags come out

Coined 2004, circa March 2nd, by Jeremy St. Louis on the radio show Fox Sports World Report. From women hitting each other with handbags during a catfight; compare earlier handbags, handbags at dawn.

"I'm ready to take the blame for all the problems of English football, if that is what he wants."
The handbags come out early doors when Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger responds to Ferguson's dig about the Gunners' foreign contingent.

2008, Chris Charles, BBC Sport, 12 May 2008, “Premier League quotes of the season”

The handbags have come out after a diplomatic argument between Israel and Brazil got, well, very personal.

2014, Oliver Wheaton, Metro, 26 Jul 2014, “Handbags: Israel has dig at Brazil’s 7-1 World Cup defeat after diplomatic row over Gaza bombing”

(UK, idiomatic, soccer, rare) A row intensifies; a dispute becomes heated.


you beauty

(Australian rules football) An exclamation of joy or enthusiasm, often said in response to a player taking a specky or kicking a great goal.


lay back

en-verb

lay back (third-person singular simple present lays back, present participle laying back, simple past and past participle laid back)

lays back (present singular third-person)
laying back (participle present)
laid back (participle past)
laid back (past)

The ball ran loose to Sheringham and whereas less experienced players might have tried to score from a difficult angle he laid it back to Benayoun, whose shot was blocked by Curtis Davies.

2005 November 7, David Lacey, “Sheringham's veteran vision shows up the big problem with West Brom”, in The Guardian:

(soccer, transitive) To make a short backward pass to a teammate in an attacking position.


Panenka

Named after Antonín Panenka, a Czech football player who scored a softly-struck chipped penalty kick down the middle of the goal to win the penalty shootout in the UEFA Euro 1976 Final

Amazingly, in the most important football competition in the world, he had scored a penalty kick in the most risky and theatrical way possible, with what is called a panenka, after Antonín Panenka, a Czech footballer who in 1976 scored a vital penalty kick by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper into the center of the net.

2010, Laurent Dubois, Soccer Empire: The World Cup and the Future of France:

Up stepped Pirlo, who coolly took a Panenka as Hart dived to his right.

2015, Ben Lyttleton, Twelve Yards: The Art and Psychology of the Perfect Penalty Kick:

Best used for penalties that are scored in a tidy, unfussy manner – no impudent Panenkas or short runups welcome here, thanks.

2015, Adam Hurrey, Football Clichés: Decoding the Oddball Phrases, Colorful Gestures, and Unwritten Rules of Soccer Across the Pond:

(soccer) A softly-struck chipped penalty kick into the middle of the goal.


fox in the box

(soccer, UK, informal) A player with good finishing and movement inside the penalty area; a poacher.


18-yard line

Van Gaal used his third substitute, James Wilson, well before the hour, and Welbeck, allowed to drift across the MK 18-yard line, drove a right-foot shot only just wide, but Robinson’s side were always alert to the possibility of a break.

2014 August 26, Richard Rae, “Manchester United humbled by MK Dons after Will Grigg hits double”, in The Guardian:

(soccer) The line on the pitch, 18 yards from the goal line, marking the outside of the penalty box


feature back

Colton Hansel was the Spartans’ feature back and netted 38 yards on 16 carries.

2014, Linder, Jeff, "Xavier’s district debut is a dandy," Cedar Rapids Gazette, September 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160311181713/http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/xaviers-district-debut-is-a-dandy-20140912

(US, American football) In American football, a back – usually a running back – that gets the most carries and most yardage in a game.


playcalling

(American football) The communication between coach and players of the plays to be used during a game.


play-action pass

en-noun

play-action pass (plural play-action passes)

(American football) A certain kind of play; see Wikipedia article for details.


West Ham

From Old English west (“west”) + hamm (“water-meadow”).

Short for West Ham United, a football team in the English league.


football pitch

football pitch (plural football pitches)

A playing field on which the game of football is played.

New research out this morning shows that roughly 1.8m square metres of office floor space was taken out of use in the UK in the past year. The move, equivalent to 248 football pitches,[…]

2022 November 26, Michiel Willems, “Hybrid jobs: 248 football pitches of office space has simply vanished”, in cityam.com:

Association football
Association football

(by extension) An informal unit of measure of area, equal to the area of an Association football pitch (typically 76,900 square feet or 1.76 acres).


onballer

(Australian rules football) Any of the three players (the ruckman, ruck rover, and rover) who usually follow the ball around the ground rather than occupying a fixed position.


flying wedge

(aviation, American football) A formation in which a group travels so that its components form a triangular shape.


Tartan Army

The widely predicted jeering of Aiden McGeady from the Tartan Army briefly turned to cheers when he was next to see a yellow card for a poor challenge on Fletcher.

2014 November 14, Stephen Halliday, “Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland: Maloney the hero”, in The Scotsman:

(soccer) The fans of the Scottish national football team


Hail Mary pass

Hail Mary pass (plural Hail Mary passes)

From Hail Mary, a prayer for intercession, from Latin Ave Maria, plus pass (“moving the ball from one player to another”). Attested from the 1970s in the context of American football.

With 11:04 left in the game, and a comfortable 38–14 lead, Smith heaved a 62-yard, Hail Mary pass to Carter.

1983, “A Run for the Roses”, in Michigan Ensian, page 120:

Maybe I should just toss up a “Hail Mary” pass deep into their territory, as though I was saying a prayer that one of our players would catch it.

1990, Michael Teitelbaum, Play Book! Football, →OCLC, page 35:

The black sky emptied as about 50,000 rain-soaked University of Colorado football fans exhaled in improbable joy at Folsom Field. This was after the Hail Mary pass caught as time expired, after the game-clinching fumble that squirted out of the end zone in overtime.

2024 October 4, John Branch, “What Does College Football Have to Do With College?”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:

(American football) A long forward pass with little chance of completion, typically used by the losing team when time is running out and no other play is practical, in a desperate attempt to score the winning points.

Hail Mary

American football: pass with little chance of completion


under center

Bill O’Brien’s quarterback preferences aren’t quite as clear, and the Texans don’t have an obvious solution under center, but he’s also exhibited an interest in big-armed mediocrities.

2014, Bill Barnwell, What’s Next for RG3? Breaking Down 10 Possible Destinations:

(American football) Playing at the quarterback position.

(American football) (Of the quarterback) initiating play from immediately behind the center.


win one for the Gipper

en-verb

win one for the Gipper (third-person singular simple present wins one for the Gipper, present participle winning one for the Gipper, simple past and past participle won one for the Gipper)

wins one for the Gipper (present singular third-person)
winning one for the Gipper (participle present)
won one for the Gipper (participle past)
won one for the Gipper (past)

Attributed to Knute Rockne, coach of the Notre Dame football team, during a 1928 American football game between Notre Dame and the Army. During a half-time talk to his team, who were losing the game, he encouraged the team with the death-bed speech of former player George "The Gipper" Gipp:
: "I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, ask them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."
Popularized by the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American, which starred future President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, as George Gipp.

(idiomatic, American football) To do something in memory of another person.


Selection Sunday

en-noun

Selection Sunday (plural Selection Sundays)

(US, American football) The Sunday in December on which the college teams that participate in major bowl games are announced.


bowl game

From Rose Bowl Game, played in the Rose Bowl stadium, in turn named for the bowl-shaped Yale Bowl.

(US, American football) A postseason college football competition.

Rose Bowl (stadium)
Rose Bowl Game
Yale Bowl


I formation

From the vertical (as viewed from the opposing endzone) alignment of quarterback, fullback, and running back, particularly when contrasted with the same players' alignments in the T formation.

(American football) A common offensive formation, beginning with the usual five offensive linemen (two offensive tackles, two guards, and a center), the quarterback under center, and two backs in-line behind the quarterback. The base variant adds a tight end to one side of the line and two wide receivers, one at each end of the line.


scissor tackle

Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboué has defended his scissor tackle on Liam Ridgewell by insisting that he "did not want to kill" the Birmingham player in Saturday's match at the Emirates.

2010, I did not want to kill Liam Ridgewell, says Emmanuel Eboué, The Guardian

As he looks to get a shot away, a clumsy, lunging scissor tackle by Ledley King drags him to the ground.

2013, Steve Mingle, From Balti Pies to the Biggest Prize: The Rebirth of Manchester City:

(soccer) A tackle where one player slides in and wraps their legs either side of an opponent's legs.


go deep

en-verb

go deep (third-person singular simple present goes deep, present participle going deep, simple past went deep, past participle gone deep)

goes deep (present singular third-person)
going deep (participle present)
went deep (past)
gone deep (participle past)

On this play, we're going to fake a short pass but go deep to Kelly or Chris.

(American football, Canadian football) To throw a long pass attempt or to get in position to catch one.


run deep

run deep (third-person singular simple present runs deep, present participle running deep, simple past ran deep, past participle run deep)

runs deep (present singular third-person)
running deep (participle present)
ran deep (past)
run deep (participle past)

(American football, Canadian football) Synonym of go deep


solo run

Dublin fired a second goal when Noelle Healy ended her fine solo run with an impressive finish.

2014 (August 23) Jason Byrne, "Dublin ladies through to All Ireland semi final after beating Kerry" Irish Independent

(Gaelic football) A run made while soloing (and possibly bouncing) the football.


rabona

(soccer) A kick made with the kicking leg crossed behind the other leg.


target man

For Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, however, it was further evidence his decision to add the former San Jose Earthquakes target man was on the money. Despite the precision passing of Robbie Keane and the pace of Gyasi Zardes up front, Gordon can still come on late for LA to go route one and chuck it in the mixer, or at least make the most out of set-pieces like corners.

2015 March 16, Richard Whittall, Graham Parker, “Turf war escalates as New York City FC makes home debut in week two”, in The Guardian:


game of two halves

en-noun

game of two halves (plural games of two halves)

From football (soccer) commentary in the late 1980s.

In a few minutes they would be reporting their performances for Vijay's spreadsheet, and Doug would be almost certain to say it had been a game of two halves. Well, it had been for him at least. Nick had been losing all night, but looking across the table it seemed that Doug was back where he'd started.

2011, Tom Campbell, Fold, →ISBN, page 105:

The Conservative century was therefore a game of two halves with regard to the procedures for defining parliamentary constituencies.

2011, David Gilbert, David Matless, Brian Short, Geographies of British Modernity: Space and Society in the Twentieth Century, →ISBN:

We also understand why Dracula is a game of two halves: the first half (the attack) takes us from the Natural to the Unnatural path; the second half takes us back.

2001, Fred Botting, The Gothic, →ISBN, page 78:

Something that makes a major turnaround over the course of its lifespan.


Kopite

From kop + -ite. In 1906, the banked stand at one end of the team's ground was formally named after Spion Kop, a hill in KwaZulu-Natal where many Liverpudlians were killed in the Second Boer War.

(informal, soccer) A fan of the English football team Liverpool F.C..

(informal, soccer, derogatory) A fan of Liverpool F.C. who exhibits loutish behaviour, football hooliganism, or poor sportsmanship.


punt-out

(American football) A punt made from the goal line by a player of the side which has made a touchdown to one of his own side for a fair catch, from which an attempt to kick a goal may be made.

(soccer, obsolete) A method of returning the ball into play, similar to a goal kick


soccermania

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-soccermania.wav

Apart from soccermania, few issues fire up Italians more than the debate over the quality of their television system, affectionately dubbed "II Far West" due to its chaotic and chameleonic airwaves.

1990, IPI Report, volumes 39-40, page 22:

Their adaptation to austere monastic life includes an unexpected wrinkle — their introduction to World Cup Soccer! Even in this isolated, ethereal locale, soccermania is rampant.

2003, David Bleiler, TLA Film, Video, and DVD Guide 2002-2003: The Discerning Film Lover's Guide, St. Martin's Press, →ISBN:

During the 1920s, soccermania gripped the planet like never before. The end of World War I (1914–1918) and social changes that swept Europe and the Americas meant people had more time for recreation and to go to sporting events.

2010, Mark Stewart, Mike Kennedy, chapter 1, in Goal!: The Fire and Fury of Soccer's Greatest Moment, Millbrook Press, →ISBN, page 11:


high challenge

ANOTHER PENALTY: Frickson Erazo with a high challenge in the area on the onrushing Lizio and Aguilar blows up for a spot kick.

2015, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

In the ninth minute, Mile Jedinak was booked for a high challenge on Christian Cueva, who was looking to break in the middle of the park.

2018 June 26, “Guerrero, Carrillo Score as Peru Spoils Australia Knockout Stage Bid”, in Sports Illustrated:

Chris Duvall was handed a straight red for a high challenge on Andrea Pirlo.

2016 July 5, Ryan Brister, “MLS Week 17 Recap, Highlights: NYCFC take derby, more”, in Empire Of Soccer:

It occurred after Roldan mistakenly booked Cameroon's Sebastien Siani for a high challenge on Germany's Emre Can which had been committed by team-mate Ernest Mabouka.

2018 June 17, “Gareth Southgate's England squad arrive in Volgograd ahead of World Cup opener against Tunisia”, in Daily Mail:

Álvarez is deservedly booked for a high challenge on Neymar.

2018 July 2, “As it happened: Brazil v Mexico, World Cup last 16”, in The 42:

(soccer) A tackle that is high up the targeted player's shin/legs.


Maracanaço

/ˌmæɹəkəˈnɑːsəʊ/

Borrowed from Portuguese Maracanaço, from Maracanã, the stadium that hosted the match.

OK. But will you, Mr Scolari, be able to make the Brazilians forget about O Maracanaço defeat?

2014, Luca Caioli, Neymar: The Making of the World’s Greatest New Number 10, Icon Books, →ISBN, page 198:

(soccer) The final match (Uruguay 2 – Brazil 1) in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.


Atleti

(informal, soccer) Atlético Madrid, a soccer team from Madrid


man in motion

(American football) A single player on offense (always a backfielder) who is moving backwards or parallel to the line of scrimmage at the snap.

(Canadian football) Any player on offense (always a backfielder) who is moving backwards, forwards or parallel to the line of scrimmage at the snap.


soccerer

This means that a tennis player or soccerer has to be punished for a doping offence in exactly the same way as a track and field athlete, a canoeist or a skier.

2013, Helmut Digel, Sociological Aspects of Modern Sports, Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd., chapter II.7, 161


Christmas tree formation

Christmas tree formation (plural Christmas tree formations)

An overhead diagram of the formation has a pointed shape, like a Christmas tree.

(soccer) A formation consisting of four defenders, three central midfielders, two attacking midfielders, and one striker.


EPL

(soccer) Initialism of English Premier League.


piling on

A fighting tactic wherein multiple people attack another.

(American football) An illegal strategy wherein players tackle an opposing player.


chairmanager

Notoriously, Barry Fry spent nine years from 1996 to 2005 as chairmanager of Peterborough United, presiding over one promotion and two relegations.

2015 October 21, John Ashdown, “Football’s unbreakable records and the teams who can’t play each other”, in The Guardian:

(informal, soccer) A person who (temporarily) holds the position of both chairman and manager of a club


gegenpressing

From German, popularised by Ralf Rangnick (1958–), German football manager.

Not the kind of player you’d associate with the frenzied gegenpressing for which Jürgen Klopp’s name is a byword, the striker’s non-future with Liverpool is expected to be thrashed out by his agent Mino Raiola and Klopp in what the Rumour Mill imagines will be a fairly short conversation.

2015 October 26, Barry Glendenning, “Football transfer rumours: Pep Guardiola to manage Chelsea?”, in The Guardian:

(soccer) A tactic in which a team, after losing possession of the ball, immediately attempts to win back possession, rather than falling back to regroup.


move the chains

en-verb

move the chains (third-person singular simple present moves the chains, present participle moving the chains, simple past and past participle moved the chains)

moves the chains (present singular third-person)
moving the chains (participle present)
moved the chains (participle past)
moved the chains (past)

(American football) To alter the position of the device, a chain holding two sticks ten yards apart, used to initially determine the position of the line crossing which yields a first down for the offense, which may be moved by penalties or by the offense gaining a first down.

(American football, by extension) To convert a play that would result in said chains being moved.


technical area

It was a victory that clearly meant so much to Van Gaal as the normally impassive manager raced from his seat in the technical area to celebrate Lingard's winner.

2016 May 22, Phil McNulty, “Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United”, in BBC:

(soccer) A specified area by the pitch that the coach and technical staff should not leave during the game.


triple option

(American football) A formation that allows the quarterback to pass the ball or to give the ball to the fullback or to one of two running backs.


dimeback

Blend of dime + cornerback. Modelled on quarterback: both the quarter (“25 cents”) and the dime (“10 cents”) are American coins, though quarterback was not named for the coin. Coined due to the dimeback being one additional defensive back more than the nickelback, since the 10-cent dime is more than the 5-cent nickel. See more at nickelback.

(American football) A sixth defensive back (in addition to two cornerbacks, two safeties and a nickelback) who is deployed for additional pass coverage.


nickelback

Blend of nickel + cornerback. Modelled on quarterback: both the quarter (“25 cents”) and the nickel (“5 cents”) are American coins, though quarterback was not named for the coin. Coined due to the nickelback's role as the fifth defensive back on the field, thus the connection to the 5-cent nickel.

(American football) A fifth defensive back (in addition to two cornerbacks and two safeties) who is deployed for additional pass coverage.


Power Five

(American football) The five college football conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC) that traditionally contain the strongest programs, and whose champions are guaranteed berths in one of the six bowl games associated with the College Football Playoff.


super cup

(soccer) A competition featuring a single game between winners of different cups


special teamer

(American football) A member of a special team.


upback

But long snapper Steve Schmidt hit upback Bryan Crawford with the snap and Jason Arakgi recovered for the Lions at the Argo eight.

2009 September 20, Chris Zelkovich, “Disastrous start too much for Argos”, in Toronto Star:

(American football) A blocking back who lines up approximately 1-3 yards behind the line of scrimmage in punting situations.


one-timer

(soccer, ice hockey) A shot, made from a teammate's pass, which is not stopped before shooting.


Ger

(soccer) A person associated with Rangers F.C., as a player, fan, coach etc.


asdet

(soccer) Acronym of after sudden death extra time.


false nine

(soccer) An unconventional lone striker or centre forward who drops deep into midfield.


lose the dressing room

lose the dressing room (third-person singular simple present loses the dressing room, present participle losing the dressing room, simple past and past participle lost the dressing room)

loses the dressing room (present singular third-person)
losing the dressing room (participle present)
lost the dressing room (participle past)
lost the dressing room (past)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-lose the dressing room.wav

But it is very clear that (using football parlance) 'the management has lost the dressing room', following earlier misjudged decisions about reducing operating costs.

2023 May 31, 'Industry Insider', “DfT calls time on TPE”, in RAIL, number 984, page 68:

(soccer) Of a team manager: to lose the respect and trust of one's players.


INT

en-noun

INT (countable and uncountable, plural INTs)

His near-perfect stat line (25 of 30 passing, 235 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) could have improved if Jamal Agnew had not dropped a would-be touchdown on a deep crossing route late in the second quarter, but here’s a guess that Jacksonville won’t quibble about it.

2022 September 18, Derrik Klassen, “What We Learned From Week 2 of the N.F.L. Season”, in The New York Times:

(American football) Abbreviation of interception.


Ticats

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a team in the Canadian Football League.


prawn sandwich brigade

Coined in the press in reference to a comment by Manchester United captain Roy Keane in 2000: "Away from home our fans are fantastic, I'd call them the hardcore fans. But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don't realise what's going on out on the pitch."

association football
association football

(UK, derogatory) People who attend association football matches (or other sporting events) primarily to enjoy luxury boxes and corporate hospitality, rather than to support a team.


Sky Blues

(soccer) Sydney FC (a soccer club from Sydney, Australia)


Tillies

(soccer) the Matildas (the Australia women's national soccer team)


behind center

(American football) At the quarterback position.


Toffee

In reference to two toffee shops that were located in Everton village at the time the club was founded.

(informal, UK, soccer) A fan or member of Everton F.C..


Lombardi

Lombardi. ¶ Walsh. ¶ Shanahan. ¶ Steve from West Valley? ¶ The world is about to find out whether regular fans can take their place alongside the greatest offensive minds in the annals of professional football.

2017 February 14, Jason Chilton, “Salt Lake Screaming Eagles prepare to test their fan-run franchise model in debut game”, in Sports Illustrated:

If coming second is coming nowhere, as all sports-people tend to to be taught (remember the words of Mr Lombardi), then this is most true in those individual sports where careers tend to be brief, and opportunities to win fewest.

1998 June 4, “Superhuman heroes”, in The Economist:

National Football League
National Football League

(American football) used specifically of Vince Lombardi (1913–1970), best known as the head coach of the National Football League's Green Bay Packers.

Looking specifically at the Patriots, […]. They've never had to win three playoff games to play for the Lombardi, showcasing the importance of home-field advantage.

2019 February 3, Corbin Smith, “3 Ways Seahawks Can Reach Super Bowl LIV”, in Sports Illustrated:

The Dolphins are the organization of 17-0. Of Don Shula. Of Dan Marino. It's a franchise with two Lombardi trophies and one that made 21 postseason appearances between 1970 and 2001.

2015 October 6, DJ Gallo, “How the Dolphins went from marquee name to the NFL's sunniest garbage heap”, in The Guardian:

(American football) A trophy awarded each year to the winning team of the National Football League's championship game, named in honor of Vince Lombardi.


blitzer

The Bills disguised their coverage to make the Jets think they were sending a blitzer from Brandon Marshall’s side of the field.

2015 November 13, Ben Shpigel, “For Once, Rex Ryan Enjoys a Jets Fiasco”, in New York Times:

(American football) One engaging in a blitz.


call someone's number

en-verb

call someone's number (third-person singular simple present calls someone's number, present participle calling someone's number, simple past and past participle called someone's number)

calls someone's number (present singular third-person)
calling someone's number (participle present)
called someone's number (participle past)
called someone's number (past)

So on the first play, I asked the quarterback to call my number on an end sweep.

2002, Rich Wolfe, Kurt Warner: And the Last Shall Be First, →ISBN, page 229:

Billy was shocked; he didn't get that call once during spring practice, and now, in the spring game, they want to call his number on the first play.

2011, W. S. Gaines, Blood on a Pew: Overcoming Tragedy Through the Truth of Eternity, →ISBN:

Now he told me that when the coach had diagrammed plays, he would move to the back of the huddle, in the hope that the coach wouldn't call his number.

2015, Mark O'Connell, The Good Father: On Men, Masculinity, and Life in the Family, →ISBN, page 73:

(American football) To be assigned to carry the ball at the start of a play.


go long

go long (third-person singular simple present goes long, present participle going long, simple past went long, past participle gone long)

goes long (present singular third-person)
going long (participle present)
went long (past)
gone long (participle past)

He yelled to Steve "Go long!" just as the ball was snapped.

He went only 1 for 3 in the first game of the doubleheader, but he found the fence with that hit for his fifth round tripper and was 2 for 5 in game 2 and, once again, went long for home run number 6, a two-run shot, and the Red Sox were able to pull out both the wins at 8-5 and 13-9 over the Tigers.

2011, Michael Francis Mann, Baseball's Rare Triple Crown, page 164:

(sports) To run far from the person throwing a ball in order to receive a long pass; (especially American football, Canadian football) to run down the field away from the quarterback to receive a long or Hail Mary pass.


Hearts

(soccer) Heart of Midlothian F.C., a football club from Edinburgh.


El Clásico

Borrowed from Spanish el Clásico (literally “the Classic one”). See more at classic and classical.

bor

Yesterday's El Clásico went to the history as the first where one ever played outside Spain.

The next El Clásico wil be the first in a long time with neither Messi or Ronaldo playing.

Having secured his place in the spotlight, when Barcelona visited the Bernabéu to contest one of the most hotly anticipated El Clásicos in history, the pressure was on for the star man to shine.

2014, Geoff Hurst, Geoff Hurst's 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time, London: Icon Books, →ISBN, page 209:

Other than the UEFA Champions League Final, El Clásicos are the most-watched soccer matches in the world.

2016, Ryan Nagelhout, 20 Fun Facts About Soccer, New York: Gareth Stevens, →ISBN, page 25:

Lionel Messi and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo (who plays forward for Real Madrid, FC Barcelona's main Spanish league rival) have long fought for the title of best soccer player in the public's eye. Here, the rival players are shown in an El Clásico match in Barcelona on October 26, 2013.

2016, Karen Burshtein, Lionel Messi: Soccer's Top Scorer, New York: Britannica Educational Publishing, →ISBN, page 27:

(soccer) Any match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two leading teams in Spain.

اَلْكْلَاسِيكُو

any match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid


checkdown

(American football) A short pass to a running back or tight end made due to the primary receivers being covered.


roverback

Many of the gifts that made [Brad Van Pelt] a football star at defensive roverback— speed and instinct, for example— did little to serve him as a fire-balling pitcher.

2009, Bob Boyles, Paul Guido, editors, The USA Today College Football Encyclopedia, 2009 edition, page 294:

(American football) A defensive back position whose coverage responsibilities are a hybrid of those of a cornerback, safety and linebacker.


turnover on downs

en-noun

turnover on downs (plural turnovers on downs)

(American football) A situation where a team's offense loses possession of the ball due to failure to convert a touchdown, field goal or first down on their four opportunities. This is in contrast to a turnover by interception or fumble.


nutmegger

[…] Archie Thompson, our five goal Grand Final hero, back from dancing the nutmegger suite three days earlier.

2008, Andrew O'Keefe, Steve Vizard, The Best Australian Humorous Writing, page 216:

This makes the victim look so foolish that a foul inevitably follows, as the nutmegger is promptly clogged.

2012, Stephen Wade, Passion for the Park: A Leeds Education:


personal protector

personal protector (plural personal protectors)

(American football) The upback on the punting team.


AFLW

(Australian rules football) Initialism of AFL Women's.


SANFL

w:South Australian National Football League

(Australian rules football) Initialism of South Australian National Football League.


T formation

(American football) An offensive formation in which three running backs line up in a row about five yards behind the quarterback, forming a shape like the letter T.


Dirty Dozen

(American football) The twelve rookies who made the Dallas Cowboys team in 1975.


third-guarder

From third + guarder. Used at Stonyhurst College in the United Kingdom.


second-guarder

From second + guarder. Used at Stonyhurst College in the United Kingdom.


call an audible

en-verb

call an audible (third-person singular simple present calls an audible, present participle calling an audible, simple past and past participle called an audible)

calls an audible (present singular third-person)
calling an audible (participle present)
called an audible (participle past)
called an audible (past)

(American football) To change the play at the line of scrimmage by yelling out a new one.


off-side rule

The computer-programming sense was coined by British computer scientist Peter Landin in 1966 and named after the rule in football.

coin

For the time the Etonians had their way, and it was not until 1867 that the Association adopted its present off-side rule, which provides that no man can be ' off-side ' unless there are less than three players of the opposite side in front of him when the ball is passed.

1889, Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes - Volume 20, page 277:

To the unintelligent or careless, the great stumbling-block is Law 6, known as the off-side rule. It is of itself a reflection on the bulk of young players that this particular provision is so little understood, or rather so misunderstood. The rule provides that when a player kicks the ball, or throws it in from touch, any one of the same side who at such moment of playing or throwing is nearer to the opponents' goal-line, is out of play, and may neither touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent other players from doing so, until the ball as been played, unless there are at such moment of kicking or throwing, at least three of his opponents nearer their own goal-line.

1897, Hoffmann, Every Boy's Book of Sport and Pastime, page 429:

The off-side rule in football states that no player may be closer to his opponents' goal than his last two opponents (usually a defender and the goalkeeper) and the ball at the time the ball is kicked forwards towards him.

2010, Will Rollason, We Are Playing Football, →ISBN:

(soccer) The prohibition of teammates closer to the opponents' goal than the person kicking or throwing the ball unless there are three opponents at least as close to their goal line.


outmark

en-verb

outmark (third-person singular simple present outmarks, present participle outmarking, simple past and past participle outmarked)

outmarks (present singular third-person)
outmarking (participle present)
outmarked (participle past)
outmarked (past)

(transitive, Australian rules football) To surpass in marking.


Juve

(informal, soccer) Juventus Football Club, a football team from Turin, Italy


Young Lions

(soccer) The members of an England national football youth team, such as the under-21, under-20, under-17 etc.


second yellow card

en-noun

second yellow card (plural second yellow cards)

Another fortuitous event - the suspension of Garre after receiving a second yellow card - removed a classic left back from the scene and permitted the entry of Julio Jorge Olarticoechea, a prototypical defender with the ability to play as a midfielder and even an attacker.

1996, Andrés Cantor, Daniel Arcucci, Goooal!: A Celebration of Soccer:

He will miss the Joburg game after collecting a stupid second yellow card. Just what was he thinking, deliberately handling the ball in the opponent's half?

2005, Drum: A Magazine of Africa for Africa, page 106:

If McCall had been incensed about Varga escaping a second yellow card in the first half, he was much quieter when Billy Dodds got involved in an off-the-ball incident with Henrik Larsson early in the second half.

2012, Krys Kujawa, From Seville To Sevilla, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 130:

Some managers may instruct players to ‘earn’ a second yellow card and miss a relatively unimportant group game rather than risk missing important semi-finals or finals.

2021, Deepak Dhayanithy, Strategy Huddle: Management Lessons from Sports, SAGE Publishing India, →ISBN:

(soccer) The dismissal from the game of a player who has already been booked and would receive another yellow card, indicated by the referee by showing the player the yellow immediately followed by the red card, distinct from and less grave than a straight red card.


Three Lions

A reference to the crest or badge of the team, which depicts three lions.

The Three Lions are in the last four for only the third time. They went on to win their home tournament in 1966 but lost to West Germany on penalties in 1990.

2018 July 7, Phil McNulty, “Sweden 0-2 England”, in BBC Sport:

(soccer) The England national football team.


video assistant referee

video assistant referee (plural video assistant referees)

(soccer) A football assistant referee who reviews decisions made by the head referee with the use of video footage and a headset for communication, officially introduced in 2018.


puntless

en-adj

puntless (comparative more puntless, superlative most puntless)

more puntless (comparative)
most puntless (superlative)

That was the first puntless game in NFL playoff history.


stacks on the mill

From the cry of each boy entering the dogpile, sometimes expanded to stack on the mill, more on still, apparently a variant of the earlier British games more sacks to the mill and stack-upon-the-kill.

(Australia) Synonym of dogpile, especially in Australian football.


Shinboner

Its origin is unclear. It may stem from abattoir workers or butchers supporting the club, or the players targeting opposition players' shinbones.

(Australian rules football) Someone connected with the North Melbourne Football Club.


premiership quarter

en-noun

premiership quarter (plural premiership quarters)

Based on a belief that the third quarter is the most important quarter to win in a match to increase a team's chances of winning the game and, later, the premiership.

2018 Jackson Russell, Romsey wins third straight The North Central Review, 25 July 2018. Accessed 7 August 2018.
"Romsey was able to extend its lead in the premiership quarter, kicking another five goals to three to take a 17-point lead into the final break."

(Australian rules football) The third quarter of a match.


red time

(Australian rules football, colloquial) slang for time on.


time on

(Australian rules football) The period of time added on at the end of each quarter to compensate for time being stopped during regular time.


Joe the Goose

tlb

(Australian rules football, sometimes derogatory, often attributive)


don't argue

en-verb

don't argue (third-person singular simple present don't argues, present participle don't arguing, simple past and past participle don't argued)

don't argues (present singular third-person)
don't arguing (participle present)
don't argued (participle past)
don't argued (past)

From the idea that pushing an opponent away with the arm is an order not to argue.

2017 Justin Talent, "THE MOMENT PORT SKIPPER KNEW THEY HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL" 1116 SEN, 26 June 2017. Accessed 23 August 2018.
"“I think in his first session he don’t argued Ollie (Wines) and put him on his arse and probably two weeks later he did the same thing to Hamish (Hartlett), so we knew this kid was going to be pretty special."

(Australian rules football) To fend off an opponent by holding an arm out straight and pushing in their chest.


don't argue

2017 September 30, Angus Reid, “How many 'don't argues' will Dustin Martin pull off in the AFL grand final?”, in Sporting News, retrieved 2018-08-23:

(Australian rules football) An instance of fending off an opponent by holding an arm out straight and pushing in their chest.


bore draw

From the notion that a scoreless draw is boring to watch.

"ROB GREEN was the hero as his penalty save allowed returning Eden Hazard to settle this bore draw in a shootout."

2018 August 7, Tom Barclay, “KANTE BELIEVE IT Chelsea 0 Lyon 0 (5-4 pens): Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante return as Rob Green makes Blues debut in goal”, in The Sun:

(soccer) A draw in which neither team scores, i.e. the game ends 0–0.

(soccer, rarely) A draw in which both teams score but it is considered a boring game to watch.


score draw

"The former Liverpool captain, renowned for his reputation in the past as a no-nonsense midfield-enforcer, put Thierry Henry firmly in his place on Sunday afternoon after Arsenal's score draw with Tottenham."

2015 November 9, Callum Davis, “Graeme Souness shouting at Thierry Henry is frightening and awkward”, in The Telegraph:

(soccer) A draw in which both teams score, i.e. the game ends 1–1, 2–2, 3–3, etc.


outswinging

en-adj

outswinging (comparative more outswinging, superlative most outswinging)

more outswinging (comparative)
most outswinging (superlative)

(soccer) Moving so as to curve away from the goal or centre


line to gain

(American football) The points on the football field needed to pass to convert a first down.


best and fairest

en-noun

best and fairest (plural best and fairests)

(Australia, sports, rugby, Australian rules football) an award given to a player deemed to have been the best performer in a game or over a season


Pagan's Paddock

Pagan's Paddock (plural Pagan's Paddocks)

In reference to Denis Pagan, the coach who popularised the tactic in the 1990s.

While on the subject, does anyone think that the days of Pagan's Paddock are numbered? Over the weekend, a number of clubs used this tactic, but it seems to me, at least, that if the defence can't break past the centre, the ball just goes back into the attacking 50, and eventually a score will happen.

2002 17 July, Epigram (username), Connolly's Carousel, in aus.sport.aussie-rules, Usenet

(usually Australian rules football) A sporting tactic in which a large amount of space is deliberately left open in the attacking area of the ground, into which players can run.

Given a veritable Pagan's Paddock by the Cats to work in on Friday night, Danger booted two goals in the first seven minutes to send Geelong fans into orbit.

2017 September 18, Andrew McGarry, “AFL finals week two: The heroes and villains from the elimination semi-finals”, in ABC News, archived from the original on 2018-10-02:

(usually Australian rules football) A large amount of space on a sportsground, often created by this tactic.


Nations League

(soccer) A biennial European football tournament pitting similarly-ranked teams against each other, serving as qualification for the European Championship


run game

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-run game.wav

Tristan Wirfs should help. His diverse athletic background — his past in wrestling, in particular — informed his approach to playing offensive tackle. An absolute mauler in the run game and a reliable pass-blocker, Wirfs played mostly right tackle at Iowa and ceded only 40 quarterback pressures on 1,138 pass-blocking snaps at Iowa, according to Pro Football Focus.

2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in New York Time:

(American football) The running component of a team's offense, as distinct from passing and kicking.


winged T

(American football) A formation with two halfbacks, where one lines up just behind the line of scrimmage between the split end and the offensive tackle, and the other lines up behind the quarterback and next to the fullback.


crossback

* cross + back
* (Catholic person): Alluding to Catholic priests wearing crosses on the backs of their vestments in church services.

Ruddey made two on a crossback and Reddey was forced along for one., after which Hachah decided to punt, which he did forthwith, the ball alighting in Hart 's arms.

1906, The Lafayette Weekly - Volume 33, page 33:

On the kick-off, Cochran ran the ball back to the thirty-eight-yard line. It took only seventeen plays, most of them off tackle plunges, before Houlahan slid over the line on a crossback for the touchdown.

1919, Columbia Alumni News - Volume 9, page 119:

Go over several movements that the running backs and quarterback can make (i.e., option, crossback plays, quick pitches, sweeps, etc.).

1998, Mike Bobo, Spike Dykes, Principles of Coaching Football, →ISBN, page 94:

(American football) A play in which the player with the ball crosses to one side of the field and then doubles back to the other.


AAFL

All American Football League
w:All American Football League

(American football) Initialism of All American Football League.


USFL

United States Football League
w:United States Football League

(American football) Initialism of United States Football League.


Air Coryell

(American football) An offensive scheme developed by NFL coach Don Coryell.


super-sub

Toone, who has gone from super-sub to starter since the Euros, also took her opportunity to cement her place in midfield in the absence of injured Chelsea star Fran Kirby and got a goal to show for her efforts.

2023 April 6, Emma Sanders, “Women's Finalissima:England beat Brazil in dramatic shhotout”, in BBC Sport:


YNWA

you'll never walk alone
w:you'll never walk alone

(soccer) Initialism of you'll never walk alone, an anthem commonly used by Liverpool football club Liverpool F.C. and the Scottish club Celtic F.C.

you'll never walk alone

(soccer, offensive) Initialism of you'll never walk again, used as a taunt in reference to the Hillsborough Disaster.


CFM

(soccer) Initialism of Club de Foot Montréal, a Canadian team playing in Major League Soccer.


no-score draw

(soccer) a goalless draw, the result of a match in which neither side scores a goal.


UEFAlona

UEFAlona win again, having been awarded two penalties in the last 20 minutes. Yeah, I don't smell corruption at all...

(humorous, derogatory, soccer) The football club F.C. Barcelona (viewed as being unrightfully favored by UEFA in terms of refereeing or other aspects).