Soccer Terms Explained: Offside, Hat Trick, VAR

Tap a term to see what it means.

Offside

Called when an attacker is closer to the opponent's goal line than the last defender at the moment a pass is played — one of the most confusing rules in soccer.

Corner Kick

A way to restart play from the corner of the field, awarded to the attacking team when a defender last touches the ball before it crosses their own goal line.

Penalty Kick

A special free kick awarded when the defending team commits a foul inside their own penalty area, giving the attacker a one-on-one chance against the goalkeeper.

Hat Trick

When one player scores 3 goals in a single match — said to originate from the cricket tradition of gifting a hat to a bowler who took three wickets in a row.

Nutmeg

A skill move where the ball is played through an opponent's legs — a flashy piece of individual skill that draws especially loud cheers from the crowd when it lands.

Extra Time

Two additional 15-minute periods (30 minutes total) played when a regulation 90-minute match ends in a draw and a winner must be decided.

VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

A video review system introduced to correct clear refereeing errors by rechecking the referee's call against video footage.

Soccer Is the World's Most-Played Sport

Simple rules and needing nothing more than a ball have made soccer the most popular sport on the planet. Knowing the terms that come up constantly in broadcasts makes watching a match far more enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the offside rule so confusing?

It's judged based on player position at the exact "moment" the ball is passed, which can look ambiguous to viewers — that's exactly why VAR review gets used so often for it.

What happens if the score is still tied after extra time?

In tournament matches, if the score remains level after extra time, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.