Glossary

Refereeing and rules

Refereeing and rules vocabulary — the language of laws, offences, decisions, officials, pitch markings, and the match-control terms used by referees, commentators, and pundits.

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Refereeing and rules explained

Every term in the refereeing and rules category, with a short definition.

Refereeing and rules vocabulary — the language of laws, offences, decisions, officials, pitch markings, and the match-control terms used by referees, commentators, and pundits.

There are 104 terms in this category. Each entry below includes a short definition and, where one exists, a link to the relevant page elsewhere on the site.

Refereeing and rules

Active offside

An offside position becomes an active offence only when the player in that position becomes involved in play — interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage.

Active play

Phases of a match when the ball is in play and either team is involved with it. In offside law, a player in an offside position only commits an offence by becoming involved in active play.

Added time (also: stoppage time, injury time)

Time added to the end of each half to make up for stoppages — substitutions, injuries, time wasting and other delays. Also called stoppage time or injury time.

See also: Stoppage time and extra time

Advantage

A decision by the referee to let play continue after a foul when stopping play would benefit the offending team. The fouled side keeps possession in a favourable position.

Assistant referee (also: linesman)

One of two officials positioned on the touchlines, responsible for offside decisions, throw-in decisions and supporting the referee. Formerly known as linesmen.

AVAR

Assistant Video Assistant Referee — a second VAR official who supports the main VAR during reviews, particularly with offside checks and timing.

Back-pass rule

A rule preventing a goalkeeper from handling the ball after a deliberate kicked pass from a teammate. Punished with an indirect free kick from where the goalkeeper handled the ball.

Bench

The seated area beside the technical area where substitutes, the coaching staff and other authorised team personnel watch the match.

Booking (also: caution, yellow card)

Yellow card shown by the referee as a formal caution. A second yellow card in the same match leads to a red card. Also called a caution or yellow card; the referee writes the offending player's number in their notebook, hence the name.

See also: Yellow and red cards

Box (also: penalty area, penalty box, eighteen-yard box)

Informal short name for the penalty area.

Careless challenge

A challenge made without the necessary attention or consideration but without disregard for the opponent's safety. Generally not punished with a card on its own, though the foul is still given.

Caution (also: booking, yellow card)

Yellow card shown by the referee as a formal caution. A second yellow card in the same match leads to a red card. Also called a booking or yellow card.

See also: Yellow and red cards

Cautionable offence

An offence for which the Laws prescribe a yellow card — for example, unsporting behaviour, dissent, persistent infringement, delaying the restart of play, or entering the field without permission.

Centre circle

The circle around the centre spot of the pitch, with a radius of 10 yards. Opposition players must remain outside it during kick-offs.

Clear and obvious error

The threshold a VAR review must meet to overturn an on-pitch refereeing decision — the original call must be clearly and demonstrably wrong, not just debatable.

Coin toss

The pre-match decision that determines which team kicks off and which end each team attacks in the first half.

Concussion substitution

A substitution made for a player suspected of suffering a concussion, available in addition to the team's normal allocation of substitutions where the competition uses the relevant protocol.

Cooling break

A short pause during a half — typically around 90 seconds — when conditions are very hot, allowing players to drink and recover before play resumes.

D (also: penalty arc)

The arc on the edge of the penalty area, 10 yards from the penalty spot. Marks the exclusion zone from the penalty spot for other players when a penalty is taken. Also called the penalty arc.

Dangerous play

Playing in a way that endangers another player or oneself, even without contact. Penalised with an indirect free kick.

Deliberate play

In offside law, a controlled action by a defender to play the ball — distinct from a deflection. A deliberate play by a defender resets the offside phase, so a teammate becoming involved after that action is not offside from the original pass.

Direct free kick

A free kick from which a goal can be scored directly. Awarded for the more serious fouls — kicking, tripping, holding, pushing and so on — and for handball offences.

Dissent

Verbal or visible disagreement with a referee's decision, punishable by a yellow card.

Diving (also: simulation)

Falling to the ground to exaggerate or simulate contact, in an attempt to win a free kick or penalty.

DOGSO

Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity — a foul that prevents a clear chance of scoring. Punishable by a red card, with limited exceptions for penalty-box offences where the foul is a genuine attempt at the ball.

Double touch

An offence at certain restarts where the kicker deliberately touches the ball a second time before another player has touched it. Penalty kicks have special treatment for accidental immediate double touches under current guidance.

Drop ball (also: dropped ball)

A restart used when the referee stops play and the Laws do not require a kick-off, free kick, penalty kick, throw-in, goal kick or corner kick. The ball is dropped to one player, with the recipient depending on where play stopped and which team had or would have gained possession. The formal term in the Laws is dropped ball.

Dropped ball (also: drop ball)

Eighteen-yard box (also: penalty area, box, penalty box)

The large rectangular area in front of the goal, 18 yards deep, in which the goalkeeper may legally handle the ball subject to goalkeeper-handling restrictions, and direct-free-kick offences by the defending team result in penalty kicks. Also called the penalty area.

Encroachment

A player entering a restricted area before they are allowed — typically the penalty area at a penalty kick, or the 10-yard zone at a free kick.

Excessive force

Force beyond what is necessary in a challenge — for example, a heavy lunge or a forearm in an aerial duel. Constitutes serious foul play and is punishable by a red card.

Extra time

An additional 30 minutes added to a knockout match if scores are level after 90. Played as two halves of 15 minutes.

See also: Stoppage time and extra time

Field of play (also: pitch)

The marked rectangular surface on which a match is played. Also called the pitch.

Foul

An offence committed by a player against an opponent that the referee judges careless, reckless, or made with excessive force. Punished by a free kick or penalty.

Foul play

A general term for offences against opponents — includes fouls, reckless challenges, dangerous play and serious foul play.

Foul throw

An incorrectly taken throw-in — for example, not using both hands, not throwing the ball from behind and over the head, lifting a foot, or taking it from the wrong place. The throw-in is awarded to the opposition.

Fourth official

An off-pitch match official who manages substitutions, handles equipment checks, displays added time, and provides support to the referee.

Free kick

A restart of play awarded against the offending team after a foul or offence. Can be direct (a goal can be scored straight from it) or indirect.

Full-time

The end of the match, called by the referee after both halves and any added time have been completed.

Gaining an advantage

In offside law, becoming actively involved in play after a ball rebounds from the goalpost, crossbar, an opponent, or a save by an opponent. One of the ways a player in an offside position commits an offside offence.

Goal area (also: six-yard box)

The smaller of the two rectangular areas in front of the goal, 6 yards deep. Goal kicks must be taken from within it. Also called the six-yard box.

Goal kick

The restart used when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by a player of the attacking team, without a goal being scored. Taken from anywhere within the goal area.

Goal line

The line at each end of the pitch running between the corner flags, including the section between the goalposts.

Goal-line technology

Electronic systems used to determine whether the ball has fully crossed the goal line. Most top competitions use either camera-based or chip-in-ball systems.

Goalkeeper handling

The handling rights and restrictions that apply to a goalkeeper inside their own penalty area, including the back-pass rule, the prohibition on handling a throw-in from a teammate, second-touch restrictions after releasing the ball, and the eight-second limit on controlling the ball with the hands or arms. If the eight-second limit is breached, the opposition are awarded a corner kick.

Half-time

The interval between the two halves of a match — usually 15 minutes long.

Halfway line

The line that runs across the centre of the pitch, dividing it into two halves. The starting line for kick-offs.

Handball

A deliberate or otherwise punishable contact between the ball and a player's hand or arm, excluding a goalkeeper handling legally inside their own penalty area. The Laws set specific criteria for when hand or arm contact is punishable.

IFAB

The International Football Association Board — the body responsible for the Laws of the Game. Composed of the four British football associations and FIFA.

Impeding (also: obstruction)

Deliberately obstructing the progress of an opponent who is not within playing distance of the ball. Penalised with an indirect free kick if there is no contact, or a direct free kick if there is.

Inactive offside

An offside position that is not punished because the player has not become involved in play.

Indirect free kick

A free kick that cannot be scored from directly — the ball must touch another player first. Awarded for offences that are less serious than those punished by a direct free kick.

Indirect offence

An offence punished with an indirect free kick rather than a direct one — for example, offside, dangerous play, or a back-pass to the goalkeeper.

Injury time (also: added time, stoppage time)

Time added to the end of each half to make up for stoppages — substitutions, injuries, time wasting and other delays. Also called added time or stoppage time.

See also: Stoppage time and extra time

Interfering with an opponent

In offside law, preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing their line of vision, or by challenging them for the ball, or by clearly attempting to play a ball close by when this impacts on the opponent. One of the ways a player in an offside position becomes actively offside.

Interfering with play

In offside law, playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a teammate.

Kick-off

The restart used at the start of each half, at the start of each half of extra time, and after a goal. Taken from the centre spot.

Last man

Informal term for the deepest defender between an attacker and the goal. A foul in this situation may be punished as DOGSO, but the referee considers factors such as distance to goal, direction of play, control of the ball and the position of other defenders.

Laws of the Game

The official rules of association football, set by IFAB. There are 17 numbered Laws covering everything from the field of play to misconduct.

Linesman (also: assistant referee)

Older name for an assistant referee. Still widely used in commentary, even though the formal title changed in 1996.

Match basics

The fundamental rules of a football match — including length, kick-offs, restarts, scoring, and the conditions needed for play.

Obstruction (also: impeding)

Deliberately obstructing the progress of an opponent who is not within playing distance of the ball. Penalised with an indirect free kick if there is no contact, or a direct free kick if there is. Impeding is the more formal term used in the Laws.

Offside

An offence that can occur when a player in an offside position at the moment a teammate plays or touches the ball then becomes involved in active play — by playing the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage.

Offside position

Being in the opponents' half and nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent, measured by any playable part of the head, body or feet (hands and arms are ignored). Not an offence by itself.

On-field review

A VAR procedure in which the referee reviews video footage on a pitchside monitor before making or changing a decision.

Onside

Any position that is not offside — typically level with or behind the second-last opponent, or behind the ball when it is played.

Pace of play

A general phrase for how quickly matches are restarted, the ball is returned to play, and goalkeepers release the ball. Recent rule changes have sought to increase pace of play.

Penalty (also: penalty kick, spot kick)

A penalty kick awarded for a direct-free-kick offence committed by a player in their own penalty area. Taken from the penalty spot by one nominated kicker against the defending goalkeeper, while all other players must stay outside the penalty area, behind the mark and 10 yards away until the kick is taken.

Penalty arc (also: D)

The arc on the edge of the penalty area, 10 yards from the penalty spot. Marks the exclusion zone from the penalty spot for other players when a penalty is taken. Also called the D.

Penalty area (also: eighteen-yard box, box, penalty box)

Penalty box (also: penalty area, box, eighteen-yard box)

Informal name for the penalty area.

Penalty kick (also: penalty, spot kick)

Penalty shootout (also: shootout)

The procedure used to determine a winner in a knockout match still level after extra time. Teams alternate penalty kicks, usually best of five before sudden death.

Penalty spot

The marked spot from which a penalty kick is taken, 12 yards from the goal line, centred on the goal.

Persistent infringement

Repeated fouling by the same player. Even when no individual foul warrants a yellow card, a pattern of fouling can be punished with a caution.

Pitch (also: field of play)

The marked rectangular surface on which a match is played. Also called the field of play.

Professional foul

A deliberate, cynical foul committed to stop a promising attack or deny a goal-scoring opportunity. Often punished with a yellow or red card depending on severity.

Reckless challenge

A challenge made without regard for the safety of an opponent. Punished by a yellow card.

Red card (also: sending off)

Shown by the referee to send a player off the field of play. Issued for serious foul play, violent conduct, DOGSO, spitting, abusive language, or a second yellow.

See also: Yellow and red cards

Referee

The official with overall charge of the match. Enforces the Laws of the Game, manages misconduct, and is the sole timekeeper.

Referee decisions

The judgement calls referees make during a match — fouls, cards, advantages, offsides and other rulings.

Restart

Any restart of play — kick-off, throw-in, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or drop ball.

Second yellow

A second caution for the same player in one match. Results in a red card and a sending off.

See also: Yellow and red cards

Semi-automated offside

An offside detection system using player and ball tracking to generate near-instant offside calls, with limb-tracking accuracy. Used in major competitions since the early 2020s.

Sending off (also: red card)

The act of a referee dismissing a player from the field of play, accompanied by a red card.

See also: Yellow and red cards

Sending-off offence

An offence for which the Laws prescribe a red card — for example, serious foul play, violent conduct, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, spitting, using offensive language, or receiving a second yellow card in the same match.

Serious foul play

A challenge using excessive force or brutality against an opponent while challenging for the ball. Punishable by a red card.

Set piece

Any restart from a dead-ball situation where teams can execute rehearsed, tactical plays, including free kicks, corner kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks, kick-offs and penalty kicks.

Simulation (also: diving)

Pretending to be fouled to deceive the referee. Punishable by a yellow card.

Sin bin

A temporary dismissal — a player is removed from play for a fixed period before being allowed to return. Used in some grassroots competitions for selected cautionable offences, especially dissent.

Six-yard box (also: goal area)

The smaller of the two rectangular areas in front of the goal, 6 yards deep. Goal kicks must be taken from within it. Also called the goal area.

SPA

Stopping a Promising Attack — a foul that stops a potentially dangerous attacking move. Usually punished with a yellow card.

Spot kick (also: penalty, penalty kick)

Informal name for a penalty kick. Refers to the penalty spot from which the kick is taken.

Stoppage time (also: added time, injury time)

Time added to the end of each half to make up for stoppages — substitutions, injuries, time wasting and other delays. Also called added time or injury time.

See also: Stoppage time and extra time

Substitution

Replacing one player with another from the bench during a stoppage. The number permitted depends on the competition; many elite competitions allow five substitutions, and some also allow additional permanent concussion substitutions.

Sudden death

The stage of a penalty shootout reached when both teams have completed five kicks and remain level. From that point, the first miss not matched by the other team loses.

Technical area

The marked area beside the bench from which coaching staff may give instructions during the match. Only one person at a time is permitted to stand and instruct.

Throw-in

The restart used when the ball wholly crosses a touchline. The thrower must face the field, have part of each foot on or behind the touchline, and throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head.

Touchline

The line running along each side of the pitch. The ball is out of play when it wholly crosses the touchline, leading to a throw-in.

VAR

Video Assistant Referee — an off-pitch official who reviews specific match-changing decisions on video and communicates with the on-pitch referee.

VAR check

A routine review by the Video Assistant Referee of a reviewable match-changing decision, such as a goal, penalty, red card, mistaken identity or other incident allowed by the competition protocol. Most checks are silent; only those finding a clear and obvious error normally lead to a review or changed decision.

Violent conduct

Using or attempting to use excessive force or brutality against any person — opponent, teammate, official or anyone else — when not challenging for the ball. Always a red card.

Wall

A line of players placed in front of a defensive free kick to block a direct shot on goal. Must be at least 10 yards from the ball.

Yellow card (also: caution, booking)

Shown by the referee as a formal caution. A second yellow card in the same match leads to a red card.

See also: Yellow and red cards

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