Interruption of the game in a position where there is no apparent danger by a foul aimed at gaining time to reorganise the defence.

To repeat a free kick or throw-in which has been executed incorrectly. Throw-ins can only be repeated once, as the referee may penalise the offending team by awarding it to the opposing side.

The group of eleven players who take the field to play a match also known as side.

To take possession of the ball away from an opposing player who has control of it. Legal tackles require that the player makes contact with the ball before, or without making contact with the opposition player, and must not be done in a way that would hurt the opposition player.

The systems used by coaches to plan the development of a football match. They are known according to the position assigned to each player on the field of play, described by imaginary transversal lines they form: 1-4-3-2 4-2-4 4-3-3 4-4-2 2-3-5, etc. Each of these different tactical plans or line-ups belongs to a particular period in football history. The first (2-3-5) is made up of two full-backs, three midfielders and five attackers, so that there were the same number of defenders as forwards, but it did not last long: one of the midfielders was soon brought back into the defence, forming a back three, while the two inside forwards moved back to cover the midfield, bringing into being the legendary MW formation. Defensive-mindedness continued to gain ground, and another midfield player was sacrificed to form a back four in the 4-2-4 system. This culminated with the Italian catenaccio, while in Switzerland a fourth line was added by the inclusion of the lone sweeper or líbero to form the 1-4-3-2 line-up, still in use. If either or both teams push up their back line, the offside rule becomes a key element in the game, with the emphasis on reducing space and dominating the midfield (formerly little more than a zone of transit between one penalty area and the other) becomes a top priority. This brings into being the 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 systems, with seven or eight players on each side crowded into a 40-metre space and looking to get the ball to two or three forwards who need to add speed to the classical qualities required of strikers (skill, a good eye for goal and a precise, powerful shot). Besides positioning players on the pitch, tactics also take into account the movements players should make, that is, changes in the basic lines and from one task to another, which midfielders should join the attack and which attackers should fall back to help the defence, and when. All this is detailed on the coachs blackboard and in his/her instructions. Needless to say, the opposing teams tactics and performance often makes it necessary to change the initial tactics, and it has so far proved impossible to impose completely rigid systems. The mystery and magic of improvisation continues to be one of the main attractions of the game of football.

A Spanish term. A gentler touch with the heel when the ball is in the air permits the player in control of it to kick it over his head so that it is in front of him or to make a short aerial pass to a nearby teammate. This trick shot is now seen less and less, and is becoming the exclusive reserve of truly outstanding players. Pelé and Maradona were masters of the flicked backheel.

Professional spectator. Usually sent by the manager to watch a match played by the next opponents so as to evaluate the general state of the team and the players. The most valued travel to check on the qualities of a player about to be signed and generally visit more modest clubs and the lower divisions (B-teams, youth teams) for the purpose of discovering new talent.

In football, a term generally used to define a players ability and experience, while tactics refers more to team positioning and moves.

Inflammation of the tendons.