Glossary

Being able to communicate on the field is critical for teams at any level to find success.

Below is a collection of the most commonly used words and phrases used around the sport.

If you are ever confused what a teammate or coach is trying to communicate, here is your glossary:

Advantage: Tells a teammate that the Referee has applied the “Advantage” clause and to continue playing accordingly.

Again: Repeat a shot, run, or pass.

And again: Player calls for their teammate to repeat a pass, shot or run.

And back: Requests a return pass, as in the second pass of a give-and-go.

Away: Goalkeeper is telling the defensive teammate to kick or head the ball out from goal.

Back: There is a teammate open for a back pass.

Back: Goalkeeper or defensive organizer is telling defenders to quickly return to their deep defensive positions.

Back and left: Player who is open and available for a backpass is telling his teammate where he is located.

Back and right: Player who is open and available for a backpass is telling his teammate where he is located.

Backside: There is an unmarked player in position, or moving into position, on the opposite side of the field from the ball.

Ball (Coming to you): Player is announcing to his teammate that the ball is nearby or coming immediately and the teammate does not

appear to be aware of it.

Ball (Calling for the ball): A player who is not directly covered by a defender yells for his teammate to pass the ball to him.

Be safe: Player, often the goalkeeper, is telling their teammate, usually a defender, to put the ball out of bounds.

Be there: Encouragement for a teammate to get to a ball or to a spot on the field.

Behind you: Usually that a trailing teammate is open; sometimes that a defender is arriving.

Bring it: Tells a teammate with the ball to dribble forward or carry.

Carry: Take the ball (dribble) upfield; i.e., individually attack open space.

Center: Send the ball in the air or on the ground to the middle of the field.

Challenge: As a supporting defender, this tells a teammate that support in defense has arrived and that a solid attempt to take the ball away

may be made. This generally comes shortly after a “Jockey” or “Contain” call.

Check: You will likely be a passing option if you move away from your current location (usually toward your teammate with the ball), draw

your defender, and then return to the spot you left.

Chip: Pass the ball over a defender or shoot the ball over the goalkeeper with a chip instep kick.

Clear: Get the ball out of danger, away from the goal, immediately. (Tells the defender to kick the ball as far upfield, toward the sideline, and

out of bounds if necessary.)

Close, Close him, Close down: Defender is to apply pressure by moving in to the ball carrier to try to force him to stop or make a move.

Come: Tells a teammate who is free with the ball to dribble toward him (with the expectation that the caller is going to then break a run).

Come back: When a defender sees a situation where there are too many teammates who have moved forward to cover potential attackers

should the ball change teams, this tells defensive teammates that they must return to mark opponents or cover space.

Compress / Compress the field: Goalkeeper or defensive organizer is directing defenders or the defense to force play toward the sideline.

Connect: Find an open player and pass to them.

Contain: As a supporting defender, this tells a teammate to defend a dribbling opponent by standing ground and confining the opponent to a

small space. By not tackling and attempting to take the ball, thereby avoiding the possibility of being beaten, this buys time so the

defense can return, reorganize, balance and cover.

Control: Tells the player receiving the ball that he has sufficient time and space to receive and work with it.

Control: Tells the player defending an opponent with the ball to slow him down, move him to the outside if possible, but not to challenge or

attempt a tackle because time is needed for help to arrive.

Corner: Pass the ball in the direction of the offensive near corner of the field, usually directed toward the corner flag.

Cover: Goalkeeper or defensive player identifies that the goalkeeper is out and for field defenders to move to block the goal.

Cover the net: Goalkeeper or defensive player identifies that the goalkeeper is out and for field defenders to move to block the goal.

Cover; you’ve got cover: Informs the first defender taking the ball carrier that the second defender is in position for the first defender to

close down on the ball carrier or attempt a tackle.

Cross: Send the ball in the air to the center, to the opposite field, or to the opposite outer corner of the penalty area.

Cut it off: Tells a teammate to intercept an opponent’s pass (because he has coverage).

Deep: Pass the ball far upfield to a teammate who is making a run; long.

Delay/Delay Him: As a supporting defender, this tells a teammate to defend a dribbling opponent by slowly giving ground. By not tackling

and attempting to take the ball, thereby avoiding the possibility of being beaten, this buys time so the defense can return,

reorganize, balance and cover.

Direct: Reminds teammates that the award just made by the referee resulted in a direct free kick and to respond accordingly. This can apply

to either an offensive or a defensive situation.

Don’t quit: Insists that a teammate continue to fight hard for a ball.

Don’t quit: Insists that the entire team not suffer a let-down after a goal has been scored against them.

Double, or, Double up: Asks two players to high-pressure an opponent in an attempt to win the ball; double-team.

Down the line: Kick the ball upfield parallel to the sideline.

Drop, or, Drop It: There is a teammate open for a back pass.

Drop off: Defensive organizer is telling a teammate(s) to retreat toward the goal.

Dummy: Do not touch the ball. Run over it or near it to create a distraction and let it continue on its path to a following teammate nearby,

ready to receive/shoot the ball.

Early: Tells a teammate to send a through-ball or cross quickly, to make an early service, rather than waiting.

Easy: Reminds a teammate to stay composed on the ball, to not over-react, panic, or do something inappropriate.

Easy pass: Tells a player to make the simple, obvious pass to a nearby, open teammate rather than to force something.

Eighteen: Send the ball to the outer line (top) of the penalty area. Generally, this is a specific target location for a cross.

Everybody goes: Usually late in a game, with a team down by one, this tells the entire team to move forward and press the attack to try to get

the tying goal.

(Fake name): Goalkeeper or other defender is telling a teammate that he is unknowingly keeping an attacker in an on-side position and must

move upfield. The fake name has to have been agreed upon by the team and must not match any teammates’ real names or

nicknames.

Far and wide: Informs the whole team that they are too compact or bunched up and need to spread out to properly use the whole field.

Far post: Pass or shoot the ball to the part of the goal farthest from you.

Feed me: Player making a run, usually into space behind defenders, is asking his teammate with the ball for a through pass.

Feet: Pass the ball directly to my feet; do not lead me.

Feet: Reminds the goalkeeper not to use his hands because the ball was last touched by a teammate and the referee may have perceived it to

have been an intentional pass; Same as “No Hands.”

First, First to, Be first: Encouragement to beat an opponent to the ball, often when it is in the air.

Flick: Player is telling his teammate who is about to receive the ball in the air to perform a flick header. (May also apply, less so, to a flick with

the foot.)

Follow: A reminder that attackers must continue to follow-up shots on goal in order to play rebounds or loose balls. This includes the original

shooter.

Force left, Force right: Asks defender on the ball to press an opponent to a specific side or direction, in order to reduce their options or to

direct them away from the goal.

Free / You’re Free: Tells teammate that there is no defender nearby and that they can work with the ball.

Front foot: Asks defender on the ball to use their leading foot to make the tackle or to poke the ball away.

Get back: When the defense is in desperate need of help, this tells teammates to return and play defense immediately.

Get out: Goalkeeper or central back is telling the defenders to move upfield. See “Step, Step Out.”

Get there: Encouragement to get to the open spot on the field where the ball is arriving; encouragement to win a 50/50 ball.

Get up: Tells a teammate to immediately get back on their feet after having been knocked down or slipping to the ground in order to continue

to immediately fight for the ball.

Get up: Tells a teammate or the entire team to move upfield.

Get up: Requests that the team a.) psychologically prepares themselves for the game, or b.) does not suffer a let-down after having been

scored upon.

Give: Tells a teammate to perform a give-and-go with you.

Give-and-go, Wall pass, 1-2: An open teammate is asking the ball carrier to perform a give-and-go passing combination with him.

Give it: Player is telling a teammate with the ball to go ahead and pass it to the open teammate that he sees.

Go: Tells a player ahead that it is okay to take off on a run because they are supported for their defensive responsibility.

Goal-side: This is a defensive reminder to position your body between the ball and the goal or between an opponent and the goal. (Recognize

that there may be occasions where you may think you are properly aligned but are not and this lets you know.)

Goalie: Used by the goalkeeper only, the goalkeeper is calling off all defenders in order to get the ball (or otherwise wants the ball).

Goalie’s out: Informs a teammate with the ball that the opposing goalkeeper has moved so far away from his goal that a chipped shot could

be sent over the goalkeeper’s head and under the crossbar.

Got me: I’m open for a pass.

Got you: Tells a teammate that you have their position covered if a natural switch has occurred or if they want to go forward.

Got your back: Defender is telling his teammate who is ahead of him that he is supported if he wants to take on the opponent with the ball.

Have it: Tells a teammate with the ball to take a shot.

Head up: Teammate is telling the ball carrier that his vision is down and he needs to look up and see the field.

Heads up: Call made, typically during a practice session, to warn a player who is unaware that a ball may strike them. "Duck"

Heel: Trailing teammate is telling the ball carrier that he is available for a back pass.

Help!: Defender is making an urgent plea for assistance because there are too many attackers to cover.

Help back, or, You have help back: There is a teammate open for a back pass.

Help (name): Tells a player that they are free to provide defensive support to the named teammate.

Help straight back, or, Help back and right, or Help back and left: There is a teammate open for a back pass in a specific direction.

Here: You are open and calling for the ball. (Generally a short-pass option to a specific spot. The teammate with the ball likely has an

imminent challenge and needs to get rid of the ball quickly.)

Here we go: Enthusiastic request to get the entire team to transition into attack.

Here’s your help: You are open and available for a pass. (Generally a short-pass option to a specific spot. Lets the teammate with the ball

know that you are a passing option.)

High line: Goalkeeper or defensive organizer tells his backs to switch to a defensive posture that has them stay as far upfield as possible.

Hold; Hold at the 18: Keeper or defensive organizer asks defender(s) to stop backpedaling and stand their ground at the top of the penalty

area.

Hold: Tells an offensive player to slow or stop a run before going into an offside position.

Hold: Tells the “Anchor” or “Post-man” player setting up a wall that they are in the proper position.

Hold, Hold it: Tells the ball carrier to continue to dribble or “carry” the ball until the teammate is comfortable that he can receive a pass

(dribbler must be clear to do so.)

Hold him: A supporting defender is telling his teammate to slow up and control the opponent with the ball.

Hold them there: Keeper or defensive organizer asks defender(s) to stop backpedaling and stand their ground.

Home: Goalkeeper is asking for the ball to be passed back to him.

Hug the post: Goalkeeper is directing his defender at the near goalpost to close the gap between the defender and the post.

If you need me: Tells a teammate that you are open for a pass.

I’m back: Usually, you have help behind you for a back pass; sometimes, returning to a position after a switch or overlapping run.

I’m open: Tells a teammate that you are not covered and therefore are available for a pass (usually used at lower levels when dribblers have

their heads down). At higher levels, a decoy call intended to draw a defender in order to open up space.

In front: Reminds players to keep themselves between the ball and all opponents; goalside.

Indirect: Reminds teammates that the award just made by the referee resulted in an indirect free kick and to respond accordingly. This can

apply to either an offensive or a defensive situation.

I’ve got ball: Tells teammates that you are taking the ball carrier on in the role of first defender.

I’ve got (#) : Tells teammates who you are marking. This is used to assist in organizing the defense.

I’ve got him: Tells a teammate that you will cover the opponent that just went past them.

I’ve got two, or, Two here: When a defender finds they are marking two players, this tells teammates that someone needs to come back and

cover the opponent farthest from the goal of the two.

I’ve got your spot: Tells a player that their position is covered if a natural switch has occurred (one during the normal course of play which

was not announced with a call of “switch”). Generally, this call is made after a player goes forward and the teammate is

telling them that they have the position covered until the player gets back.

Jockey: As a supporting defender, this tells a teammate to defend a dribbling opponent by slowly giving ground. By not tackling and

attempting to take the ball, thereby avoiding the possibility of being beaten, this buys time so the defense can return, reorganize,

balance and cover.

Keep (short for Keeper): Goalkeeper is going to get the ball, leave the ball alone.

Keep playing: The Referee did not blow the whistle, play on.

Keep your shape: The defensive organizer is reminding players to stay in, or return to, their positions.

Keeper: Used by the goalkeeper only, the goalkeeper is calling all defenders off in order to get the ball (or otherwise wants the ball).

Keeper’s out: Informs a teammate with the ball that the opposing goalkeeper has moved so far away from his goal that a chipped shot could

be sent over the goalkeeper’s head and under the crossbar.

Leave (Leave it): Calls a teammate off the ball, letting him know that you will take it and avoid a collision.

Leave (Dummy): Do not touch the ball. Run over it or near it to create a distraction and let it continue on its path to a following teammate

nearby, ready to receive/shoot the ball.

Left: Look left, pass left, or run left. (You’ve got help left; you have help left.)

Left (number of steps): Tells the “Anchor” or “Post-man” player building a wall which way to move to be set properly.

Left-footed: Take a shot or make a quick pass immediately with the stated foot because an opponent is on you and you don’t have time to

make a move or set up the other foot.

Let it ride: Let the ball roll over the end-line or side-line. This is used to let you know that your team will have possession of the ball after it

goes out of play.

Let it roll (same as Let it Ride): Allow the ball to go over the line.

Line: Kick the ball upfield on a diagonal toward the sideline. (Also, in context, this is a short version of “Down the Line” — Kick the ball upfield

parallel to the sideline.)

Lock in: Tells second defender that he is covered and free to double-team the ball carrier.

Lock on: Tells a teammate on defense to pick up and tight mark an opponent.

Long, or, Look long: Pass the ball far upfield to a teammate who is making a run.

Long: Goalkeeper is telling defenders not to touch a ball because it is going to go out the endline.

Look at (name): Informs the ball carrier that a teammate is open for a pass.

Look left: A teammate from behind is telling the ball handler that there is an open teammate available for a pass on the left.

Look right: A teammate from behind is telling the ball handler that there is an open teammate available for a pass on the right.

Make a run: Tells a teammate that he needs to join the attack (and appears to be standing around).

Man (short for Man On): A defender is arriving.

Man-on: An opponent who is probably outside your field of vision is about to challenge you for the ball.

Mark (#): When the defense is organizing, the defensive leader may assign who is responsible for each attacker, especially if the defense has

broken down. This tells a defender to stay with a particular attacker until directed otherwise.

Mark up: Asks or reminds a defender or defenders to pick up and close down space to more tightly cover the opponent’s attacking players.

Mine: Informs a teammate or teammates that you are going to take the ball; calls off a teammate from the ball. Not usually a very good call;

better to use “(Name’s) ball.” (Leave; Leave it.)

Mixer: Send a cross into the group of attackers and defenders massed in front of the goal.

Move, Move Up, or, Move Out: Goalkeeper or central back is telling the defenders to move upfield; Up.

Move!, Move people!: Tells a teammate or teammates that they are “ball watching.”

Move the ball: Play the ball quickly among multiple players.

My ball: Call’s off a teammate when both are going for the ball. Not usually a very good call. See: Leave, Leave it.

My feet: Goalkeeper is telling a back Additional defender to pass the ball back to him on the ground to his feet.

Near post: Pass or shoot the ball to the part of the goal nearest you.

No: Tells a player not to make the pass it looks like they are going to make because it is likely to be intercepted by someone they may not see.

No bounce: Tells a player, including the goalkeeper, that an aerial ball needs to be intercepted by the defender before, or instantly after, the

ball bounces so that the rebound will not go over the heads of the defenders.

No foul: Goalkeeper or defensive coordinator is instructing a teammate covering the ball carrier, usually in the defensive third of the field, not

to commit an infraction that may result in the award of a free kick close to the goal.

No hands: Tells the goalkeeper not to use his hands because the ball was last touched by a teammate and the referee may have perceived it

to have been an intentional pass.

No let down: Reminds teammates that the intensity level must be maintained after a goal is scored, either for or against.

No One: Tells a teammate that they have time to work with the ball because an opponent is not near. Same as “what you see.”

No shot: Keeper asks defender to tackle the opponent with the ball in order to keep him from shooting.

No Time: Tells a teammate that they are going to be immediately challenged for the ball, usually by an opponent who is just out of sight.

No time!: Don’t dawdle because the clock is about to expire.

No turn: Asks the defending teammate to challenge the opponent with the ball, who is facing away from the goal, in such a way as to not let

the opponent turn and face the goal.

No whistle: The Referee did not blow the whistle, play on, keep playing.

Nobody: Tells teammate that there is no defender nearby and that they can work with the ball.

Nobody’s home: Goalkeeper is informing his back defenders that the central defender is out of position and someone must cover for him.

Nothing over: Don’t allow the opponent to make a chip or create a bounce of the ball that would go over a defender’s head.

Numbers: A player is telling his teammates to move forward into the attack, or to “build numbers.”

(Number)-man wall: The goalkeeper calls for the defense to build a wall in response to an upcoming free kick and announces how many

players he wants to be in the wall. Example: “3-man wall.”

Off his line: Offensive player is telling his teammate with the ball that the opposing goalkeeper is too far away from his goal, presenting a

chip shot opportunity.

On your back: An opponent is coming up fast from behind to challenge you for the ball. (More urgent version of “Man-on.”)

One coming: An opponent is coming up from behind, but is not closing quickly, to challenge you for the ball. Does not carry the same degree

of urgency as “Man On.”

One more: In context, take another shot, pass or run, just as immediately before. (“Again” is better.)

One more (Don’t play the ball): A request to a teammate to not play the ball, but to let a pass proceed to the next player. See: Dummy.

One-Two: Teammate is asking to perform a give-and-go passing combination.

Open; or, I’m Open; or, (Name) is Open: You are open or a teammate is open and available for a pass. (Generally a mid-range or long-pass

option into space.)

Open net: Tells attackers, particularly the teammate with the ball, that the goalie’s out or off of his line; shoot.

Open up: Move wide, create space, run to open space.

Out: Kick the ball out of bounds on purpose over the sideline.

Outside: Goalkeeper is telling a wide defender who just received the ball that they have the option to turn and dribble toward the sideline

and up-field without meeting an immediate opponent.

Over: Called by the goalkeeper when the ball is going to go over the top of the goal. Do not attempt to play the ball.

Overlap: Make an overlapping run. Tells a defender or midfielder that the situation is acceptable for them to go beyond the midfielder or

attacker, respectively, in front of them without a switch.

Pass!: Tells teammate to stop dribbling so much (being a ball hog).

Play, Play On: Do not hesitate, keep playing because the referee is not going to blow his whistle or call a foul.

Play it out: Supporting defender or defensive organizer is telling his teammate to kick the ball out of bounds intentionally in order for players

to recover from a dangerous or emergency situation, rather than trying to control the ball.

Play Simple: Tells a teammate to make the easy pass that is available.

Play the way you face: Asks the player with the ball to pass the ball in front of them.

Pop it: Suggests to the ball carrier that he has an opportunity for a personal pass.

Post, or, Post up: Attacker to run toward teammate coming upfield with the ball, stopping before the passing distance between the two

becomes too short. Ball may be received and then passed back or flicked and turned.

Press: Quickly play high-pressure defense in order to win the ball back from the opponent.

Pressure (1): Defensive end: stop giving ground, back-pedaling, or jockeying because you either have support or you are too close to the goal

and must force the opponent to stop or make a move.

Pressure (2): Offensive end: go at a back defender who has the ball in order to try to force an error.

Pressure (3): Man on; you are under pressure.

Pull up: An offensive player is requesting that his midfield or defensive teammates move upfield to close a gap in support.

Push up: Goalkeeper or back defender is telling the team to move upfield; same as “Move up.”

Put him in: Try to play the ball behind the defense in order to create a fast break or to give a player in a high position the chance to get in

behind the defense.

Recover: Get back on defense.

Ref, 10 yards, please: Player respectfully asks the Referee to move back a defender or all of the defenders in a wall so that they are at least

10yards away from the ball prior to a free kick.

Relax: Tells a teammate about to receive a ball that there is no pressure on him.

Right: Look right, pass right, or run right. (You’ve got help right; you have help right.)

Right (number of steps): Tells the “Anchor” or “Post-man” player building a wall which way to move to be set properly.

Right away: Tells a teammate that they are about to be challenged by one or more defenders immediately and to pass or shoot the ball

quickly.

Right-footed: Take a shot or make a quick pass immediately with the stated foot because an opponent is on you and you don’t have time to

make a move or set up the other foot.

Rip it: Tells a teammate with the ball to take a hard shot.

Run, or, Make a run: Generally this means you are standing and need to move promptly into open space in order to receive a pass or to

open up space for the attack.

Run at him: Goalkeeper, defensive organizer, or defensive support player is telling a defender to go directly at the opponent with the ball in

order to force the action, hopefully creating an error, dispossession, or a successful tackle.

Run the line: Tells a teammate to make a run forward near, and parallel to, the sideline in order to set up a possible pass.

Runner, (name) take runner: Goalkeeper or defensive organizer is telling a teammate to take an attacker who has started a run.

Seal him: Position your body between a trailing defender and the ball in order to maintain possession or to try to draw a foul while heading

to goal (offense); press the opponent to the perimeter line (defense).

Send it: Send the ball upfield. Kick the ball out of the defense into the attack. (Generally this is used to tell a defender that there is immediate

danger OR that there is a fast-break opportunity.)

Send it in: Tells the ball handler to cross or otherwise pass the ball into the Penalty Area.

Set it tight: Tells a teammate to place the ball down so that it is not moving, at the correct spot of the foul that was just called, in order for you

to take a Quick Free Kick.

Set me up: Tells a leading teammate who has the ball to backpass to your preferred foot so that you can one-touch a long ball forward.

Settle: There is time to control the ball on the ground, look up, and figure out what to do with it. (Similar to “time.”)

Settle down: Players are to stop getting overly excited and making mistakes.

Shape: Goalkeeper or back defensive organizer is telling his defenders that they are out of their zones and must return.

Shield: Keep possession of the ball by positioning your body between the opponent and the ball.

Shift (Shift right, Shift left): Goalkeeper or defensive organizer is telling weak-side defenders to move toward the center.

Shoot: Tells a teammate with the ball to take the shot.

Shot: Shoot the ball on goal immediately. Don’t hesitate; take one set-up touch at most.

Shot: informs your goalie that the other team is shooting

Show: You will likely be a passing option if you move left or right from being on a direct line with a defender between you and your teammate

with the ball.

Sides, or, (name) ‘sides: Offensive player is telling a teammate that he is unknowingly in, or going into, an offside position.

Simple: Tells a teammate to make the easy pass that is available.

Slide (direction): Goalkeeper or defensive organizer is telling his back defenders in a zone defense to shift left or right.

Split: Perform a through pass between two defenders.

Spread, Spread out: Informs the whole team that they are too compact or bunched up and need to properly move away from opponents to

use the whole field.

Square: You are open directly to the left or directly to the right of the ball-handler.

Squeeze in: Asks an outside defender to move toward the middle of the field in order to provide support.

Stand him up: Asks defender to just contain an attacking player with the ball in order to allow help to arrive; jockey; control.

Stay up: Tells a teammate to stay up the field and to not come back into the defensive third.

Stay up: Tells a teammate to stay on their feet and continue to fight for the ball (and/or not be tempted to go to the ground to try to get a

call).

Stay up: Goalkeeper or defensive organizer tells his backs to maintain a high line.

Stay wide: Tells teammates that they are getting too bunched up in the middle of the field and to maintain their positions toward the

sidelines in order to create space.

Stay with him (her): As a supporting defender, this tells a teammate who, during the flow of play, has taken on an opponent that may be

making a crossing run or offensive switch to continue to defend that opponent.

Step, Step Up, or, Step Out: Goalkeeper or central back is telling the defenders to move upfield.

Stick: Tells the first defender to go in for the tackle because he has support.

Straight back: Player who is open and available for a backpass is telling his teammate where his is located.

Stretch out: Informs an individual striker or other attackers to move as far upfield as possible.

Support, or, You have support: Tells defensive teammate that you are in a proper defensive position that if an unsuccessful challenge for

ball is made, you have it covered.

Swing, Swing it, or, Swing the ball: Defenders are open in the back to use two or more passes to get the ball from one side of the field to the

other.

Switch, or, Switch off: Tells a player to assume their position. There are generally two types of switches, offensive and defensive. The

offensive type usually starts with a player dribbling at a teammate and the teammate moves into that player’s

position. The defensive type is usually made by a player that moves to cover an opponent expected to be covered by

another teammate and the teammate now needs help to cover the space vacated.

Switch back: This is the formal acknowledgement that a switch which has occurred is being undone and the players are resuming their

normal positions.

Switch/Switch It: In context, the same as “Switch fields” — Kick the ball from one side of the field to the other or get it there via a mid-field

player.

Switch fields: Kick the ball from one side of the field to the other or get it there via a mid-field player.

Tackle: Tells a defender on the ball that they have support and that can now move in to take it away.

Take him (her): When the defense is organizing, the defensive leader may assign who is responsible for an attacker. In comparison to “Mark

#,” this is generally associated with the closest attacker, often coming with the ball.

Take him on: Goalkeeper, defensive organizer, or defensive support player is telling a defender to stop backpedaling/jockeying/controlling

and to go ahead and tackle the opponent with the ball.

Take it: Shoot.

Take it down: Tells a teammate who is about to receive the ball in the air that they have time to control it to the ground.

Take it to the corner: Dribble the ball into an offensive corner of the field and maintain possession to help run out the clock.

Take your time: Do not be in a hurry with any given action in order to help run out the clock.

Talk: Players have stopped using proper oral communications and must do so.

(Teammate’s name): To get teammate’s attention for a pass or to recognize a situation.

Through: Pass the ball from the midfield between defenders into the open space behind the defenders so an attacker can run onto the ball.

Time, or, You’ve got time: There is no immediate pressure from nearby, especially from behind, and you have the time you need to trap or

collect the ball and then look up to see your options.

Touch, One touch: Teammate is requesting a one-touch pass.

Touch me: Perform a give-and-go or on-two passing combination.

Touch-tight: Directs a defender to close-mark their opponent within arms-length.

Track him: Defensive organizer is telling a defender to continue to mark a particular opponent wherever they may run.

Trailing: Tells a teammate that he has a backpass option.

Trap: Perform an offside trap.

Tuck in: Asks a defender who is too wide to move toward the middle of the field in order to provide support.

Turn: As you receive the ball facing away from the attacking goal, it is safe to turn the ball upfield without an immediate challenge from an

opponent.

Turn your hips: Reminds player to re-direct their body in the direction they will want to play.

Up: Goalkeeper of defensive organizer is telling the defenders to move upfield; direction for all players to press the attack; short for “Move

Up.”

Up Top: Send the ball to a runner upfield; through, chip, deep, long.

Upfield: Send the ball forward, long and deep, to a running striker.

Use him: Pass the ball to the open teammate you see.

Use me: Teammate or goalkeeper is open for a pass, usually a back pass.

Wake Up! (People): Player is attempting to get the whole team to increase its level of play or stop being lethargic.

Wall, (number): Goalkeeper identifies that he wants a wall built and how many defenders he wants in it.

Watch the quick kick: Reminds defenders to be aware of, to cover and to block, a fast (non-ceremonial) re-start.

Watch wide: Keeper or defensive organizer tells a defender that there is an opponent between him and the nearest sideline.

Watch your ‘sides: Offensive player is telling a teammate that he is unknowingly in, or going into, an offside position.

Watching; (Name,) you’re watching: Tells the team or a teammate that they are looking at the play instead of moving into a more productive

location.

Weight: Reminds player to properly weight their pass.

What you see: There is no pressure from your back or sides and what you see in front of you as a dribbler is all you have to be concerned

about for the time being.

Wide: Play the ball out toward the sideline.

Wide, Stay wide, Go wide: Reminds attackers, particularly wings and wing midfielders not to unconsciously drift into the middle of the field

but to maintain their position closer to the sideline.

Win corner: Asks player to bounce the ball off the opponent and over the endline in order to get a corner kick.

Win it: Encouragement to get a 50/50 ball.

Wing: Tells a teammate with the ball that they have a passing option to an open or running player near the sideline.

Winners: Reminds teammates to put forth a well-timed jump to be first to a ball in the air.

Yes: Go ahead and pass the ball to the open teammate.

You got it: On offense, when two teammates could equally go for a ball, tells the teammate that the ball is theirs.

Your help is back and left: A player is telling his teammate the location of a backpass option.

Your help is back and right: A player is telling his teammate the location of a backpass option.

Your help is straight back: A player is telling his teammate the location of a backpass option.

Yours: You are telling your teammate that THEY must play the ball. (This is NOT a very good call and should only be used in case of injury or

odd circumstance.) OR, Two teammates are both going for the same ball and one player recognizes that the other player has better

position.

You’ve got a drop: There’s a teammate behind you who is available and open for a backpass.

You’ve got me back: I’m available and open for a backpass.

You’ve got time: There is no immediate pressure from nearby and you have the time you need to settle or collect the ball and then look up to

see your options.