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| Passing |
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When a player kicks the ball to his teammate; used to move the ball closer to the opposing goal, to keep the ball away from an opponent or to give the ball to a player who is in a better position to score.
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| Penalty |
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Short for penalty kick; also, a punishment given by the referee for a violation of the rules.
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| Penalty Arc |
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A circular arc whose center is the penalty spot and extends from the top of the penalty area; designates an area that opposing players are not allowed to enter prior to a penalty kick.
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| Penalty Area |
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A rectangular area 44 yards wide by 18 yards deep with its long edge on the goal line; the goalkeeper may use his hands to block or control the ball only within this area.
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| Penalty Shot |
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A kick taken from the penalty spot by a player against the opposing goalie without any players closer than 10 yards away; awarded for the most severe rule violations and those committed by the defense within its own penalty area; also taken in a tiebreaker to decide a match.
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| Penalty Spot |
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The small circular spot located 12 yards in front of the center of the goal line from which all penalty kicks are taken; positioned at the center of the penalty arc.
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| Penetrate |
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To advance the ball behind opposing defenders (between them and their goal).
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| Periods |
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The segments of time into which a game is divided; a regulation game played by adults consists of two 45-minutes halves.
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| Pitch |
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Another name for the field of play.
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| Play |
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To trap, dribble, kick or head the ball.
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| Play on |
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A term used by referees to indicate that no foul or stoppage is to be called; used by referees when applying the Advantage Rule.
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| Playoff |
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A tournament that takes place after a season's schedule has been completed; used to determine a champion.
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| Points |
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A team statistic indicating its degree of success, calculated as follows: 2 points for a win (3 in the 1994 World Cup), 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss; also, an individual statistic for a player, calculated by totaling 2 points for each goal and 1 point for each assist.
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| Post |
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Goalpost or the area near it.
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| Professional Foul |
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A foul, usually hard and from behind, in which a defender intentionally takes down a player to disrupt a clear scoring opportunity, usually a break-away. The "professional foul" usally results in a yellow or red card.
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| Push Pass |
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When a player pushes the ball with the inside of his foot to a teammate.
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