Stats Glossary - Soccer

• Blocked Shot

  Occurs when a player attempts to take a shot on goal, but an opposing player intercepts the ball before it reaches the goal. This can happen through various means, such as the defender positioning themselves in front of the shot or using their body or foot to deflect the ball away. A blocked shot prevents the attacking team from scoring and is often a key defensive play.

• Completed Pass

  Refers to a situation where a player successfully delivers the ball to a teammate, who then receives it without any interception by an opposing player.

• Corner

  A set-piece awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by a defending player. It is taken from the corner arc nearest to where the ball crossed the line. The attacking team places the ball in the corner arc and can either kick it directly into the penalty area or pass it to a teammate to set up a scoring opportunity.

• Dribble

  The skill of controlling and maneuvering the ball while running or walking, allowing a player to advance the ball up the field while evading defenders. This technique involves using various parts of the foot, such as the inside, outside, and sole, to maintain possession and navigate through opponents. Effective dribbling can create space, open passing lanes, or set up scoring opportunities.

• Foul

  An infringement of the game's rules that occurs when a player commits an illegal action, such as tripping, pushing, or holding an opponent, or engaging in dangerous play. Fouls can lead to a free kick for the opposing team, and if the foul occurs within the penalty area, it results in a penalty kick. The severity of the foul can determine whether the player receives a yellow card (caution) or a red card (ejection from the game). Fouls are meant to ensure fair play and player safety.

• Free Kick

  A free kick is awarded to a team following a foul committed by an opponent. There are two types of free kicks:

  Direct Free Kick:

  This type allows the kicking player to attempt a shot on goal directly. It is awarded for more serious fouls, such as tripping or pushing an opponent.

  Indirect Free Kick:

  This type requires the ball to touch another player before a goal can be scored. It is awarded for less serious infractions, such as offside or a foul that does not directly endanger an opponent.

  
  

  Free kicks are taken from the spot where the foul occurred, and the opposing team must remain at least 10 yards away until the ball is in play.

• Free Kick Goal

  Occurs when a player successfully scores a goal directly from a free kick. This can happen during either a direct free kick or an indirect free kick (although in the latter, the ball must touch another player before going in).

• Goal

  Achieved when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar, provided that no rules have been broken in the process. This results in the attacking team being awarded one point. Goals are the primary objective of the game, and the team with the most goals at the end of the match wins.

• Goal Assist

  Refers to the pass or play that directly leads to a goal being scored by a teammate. For a player to be credited with an assist, their action must significantly contribute to the scoring opportunity, typically by providing a pass that enables the goal scorer to take a shot on goal.

• Goal Kick

  A goal kick in soccer is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line (but not into the goal) and was last touched by an attacking player. It is taken from within the goal area, typically by the goalkeeper or another player, and is used to restart play. The ball must be kicked from the goal area and must leave the area before it can be played by another player. Goal kicks are an opportunity for the defending team to regain possession and can be crucial for transitioning from defense to attack.

• Handball

  An infraction that occurs when a player deliberately handles the ball with their hand or arm, or when the ball accidentally strikes their hand or arm in a way that benefits their team. This rule applies to all players except the goalkeeper, who is allowed to use their hands within their penalty area. A handball can result in a free kick for the opposing team, and if it occurs within the penalty area, it may lead to a penalty kick. The intent of the player and the position of their hand or arm are often considered when determining if a handball violation has occurred.

• Incomplete Pass

  Refers to a situation where a player attempts to pass the ball to a teammate, but the pass is not successfully received.

• Keeper Recovery

  Refers to the actions taken by a goalkeeper to regain possession of the ball after it has been lost, deflected, or rebounded during play. This can include diving to retrieve a loose ball, quickly getting back to their feet after making a save, or intercepting a cross or pass before an opponent can capitalise on it. Effective keeper recovery is crucial for maintaining a team's defensive stability and can prevent scoring opportunities for the opposing team.

• Key Pass

  A pass that directly leads to a goal-scoring opportunity for a teammate.

• Offside

  A rule violation that occurs when an attacking player is in an offside position at the moment the ball is played to them. A player is considered to be in an offside position if they are closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender (usually the last outfield player) when the ball is passed, unless they are in their own half of the field. Being in an offside position is not an infraction in itself; a player is penalized for offside only if they become involved in active play, such as receiving the ball or interfering with an opponent. This rule is intended to prevent "goal-hanging" and encourage fair play.

• Open Play Goal

  Refers to a goal scored during the regular flow of the game, as opposed to set pieces like penalty kicks or goals from free kicks. These goals occur during active play, where the attacking team builds an attack, passes the ball, and ultimately scores while the game is in motion.

• Penalty Goal

  Refers to a goal scored from a penalty kick. This occurs when a foul is committed by a defending player inside their own penalty area, resulting in a free shot on goal for the attacking team. The penalty kick is taken from a designated spot 12 yards (11 meters) from the goal, with only the goalkeeper allowed to defend against the shot.

• Save

  Refers to the action taken by a goalkeeper to prevent the ball from entering the goal after an attempt by an attacking player to score. This can involve various techniques, such as diving, catching, or deflecting the ball with their hands or body.

• Save Blocked

  Refers to a situation where a goalkeeper or defender successfully prevents a shot on goal from reaching the net by blocking or deflecting the ball. This can occur when the goalkeeper makes a save but cannot fully control the ball, allowing it to rebound or be redirected. A "blocked save" typically involves the goalkeeper using their body, hands, or feet to stop the shot, while defenders may also step in to block shots aimed at the goal.

• Save Caught

  Refers to a situation where a goalkeeper successfully catches the ball after an attacking player attempts to score. This occurs when the goalkeeper is able to secure the ball in their hands, preventing it from rebounding or going into the goal.

• Shot Miss

  Refers to a situation where a player attempts to take a shot on goal but fails to make contact with the target, resulting in the ball going wide of the goal or over the crossbar.

• Shot off Targert

  Refers to an attempt to score that does not hit the goalposts, crossbar, or go into the net. Instead, the ball goes wide or high of the goal area. This can occur due to various factors, such as inaccurate aim, poor technique, or pressure from defenders.

• Shot on Target

  Refers to an attempt to score that is directed toward the goal and would have gone in if not for a save by the goalkeeper or a deflection by a defender. This includes any shot that either hits the goalposts or crossbar or is caught by the goalkeeper.

• Steal

  Refers to the act of a player successfully taking the ball away from an opponent, regaining possession for their team. This can occur through various defensive maneuvers, such as tackling, intercepting a pass, or pressuring the opponent to force a mistake.

• Throw In

  A method of restarting play after the ball has gone out of bounds over the sideline. The throw-in is awarded to the team that did not touch the ball last before it went out. To execute a throw-in, a player must stand with both feet outside the field, use both hands to throw the ball from behind their head, and keep both feet on the ground as they release the ball. The ball must enter the field of play and can be thrown to a teammate or into the game.

• Touch

  Refers to the act of a player making contact with the ball using any part of their body except their hands and arms (unless they are the goalkeeper within their penalty area). Touches can vary in intent and technique, including controlling, dribbling, passing, or shooting the ball.

• Turnover

  Refers to a situation where possession of the ball changes from one team to another, typically due to a failed pass, a defensive play, or a loss of control. Turnovers can occur in various ways, such as when an attacking team loses the ball to a defender, when a player makes an unsuccessful pass that is intercepted, or when a player is dispossessed while dribbling.