Hacking :
Intentionally kicking at the opponent on the shin.
Half-volley :
To kick a moving ball immediately after it hits the ground.
Hand :
Upper extremity of the body which includes, from the football point of view, the entire arm as its contact with the ball can be judged to be handball and penalised in consequence. Handling the ball is, in fact, punished as a serious infringement in much the same way as a tackle from behind.
Handbags :
A British term, to informally describe a minor scuffle between two players. Derives from expression handbags at 10 paces (a duel with handbags rather than guns).
Hang Up One's Boots :
An informal expression meaning to retire as a player.
Harpastum :
A game played by the Roman legions and which is considered a forerunner of football and rugby. In it, the goal was the opposing teams by-line, the ball was round and players were allowed to use both hands and feet (see football).
Hat-Trick :
In the early days of football, a player who scored three consecutive goals in a match was rewarded with a hat, hence this expression, which has been extended to include three goals scored by the same player in a game, whether consecutively or in between other goals.
Header :
The act of striking the ball with ones head. Heading forms a fundamental part of the so-called aerial game, in which the taller players have an obvious advantage, though not all the great headers of the ball in football history have been particularly tall. Santillana of Real Madrid was not that tall, yet he was agile and wily enough to wait for the ball and head it precisely where he wanted it -- out of the goalkeepers reach. Good headers of the ball come to the fore particularly during set moves, following free kicks or corners.
Heading the Ball Down :
A header aimed at the ground to make the ball bounce and so surprises the goalkeeper.
