What Are Some Popular Soccer Metaphors? (Check Out These Unbelievable Meaning Of Soccer Metaphors!)

Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by Alex PT

Popular soccer metaphors include “kick off” (beginning), “score an own goal” (mistake), “play the field” (flirt), and “hitting the back of the net” (success). These phrases add flair to the conversation, stemming from soccer’s universal appeal.

Overview of Some Popular Soccer Metaphors

Here is a summary of soccer / football metaphors, terms as well as slang used to refer to particular facets of the game as well as things that occur in football/soccer. Some terms tend to be more typical compared to others, while some are just used in a few countries. We’ll show you some of the various kinds of soccer or football metaphors and lingo that is used around the globe to refer to as well as discuss the gorgeous game of football.

Popular Soccer Metaphors	Meaning
Advantage	If an offensive team still has the possession of the ball after one of its player is fouled, the referee allows the play to continue since the offensive team has a good attack going.
Back Heel	When a player hits the ball with his heels, either to score or to pass to his teammate who had made a run in behind him.
Closing down	When a team is trying to put pressure on an offensive player to make them lose the position of the ball.
Handbagging	When a game gets heated and players start fighting one another on the field, throwing soft slaps and punches, like old lady’s throwing their handbags.
Hospital ball	When a player receives a poor pass from his teammate that leads to an howler or error, or perhaps puts the player in danger of being hurt.
Build up	When a team decides to play possessive playing pattern from the back, in a way that the players play short passes from the defenders up to the forward, it is called a build up play.

Popular Soccer Terms And Metaphor

Advantage 

If an offensive team still has possession of the ball after one of its players is fouled, the referee allows the play to continue since the offensive team has a good attack going. However, if the play is interrupted a few seconds after the foul, the referee will then recall the foul.

Area Chica

It is the six-yard box in front of the goal, the word “chica” is a Spanish word.

Back Heel

When a player hits the ball with his heels, either to score or to pass to his teammate who had made a run in behind him.

Ballon d’Or

It is a yearly award given to the best European footballer

Booking Or Booked

A player has been booked or has received booking when the referee decides to give him a yellow card. You would notice the referee writing something down in a small notebook. The notebook contains the names of players who have received yellow cards in that game.  

Brace

It is commonly used in English football, meaning that the player scores two goals

Build Up

When a team decides to play a possessive playing pattern from the back, in a way that the players play short passes from the defenders up to the forward, it is called a build-up play. It is a more methodical and slower way to play from the defense up to the attack, where the defenders make short passes to keep possession of the ball.

Check 

It’s a move by a player to ask for a pass from his teammate, where he makes a run checking back to get the ball.  

Chilena

It is a common Latin American word used in football to describe a bicycle kick or an overhead kick.  

Clasico

When two local rivals meet in a football game, it is called Clasico, a Spanish term.

Clean sheet

When an opposing team couldn’t score a goal throughout a match. It is a glory normally accredited to the defenders and the goalkeeper.

Closing Down

When a team is trying to put pressure on an offensive player to make them lose the position of the ball.  

Capocannoniere

It is a nickname for the top scorer in the Italian professional football league.

Cover – supporting the player closing down an opponent (the second and third defenders who cover the first player to help win the ball)

Crack 

A slang term often used in Spain for a soccer/football star; someone who has amazing talent, skills, and potential in the game

Dead ball

A direct free-kick

Derby 

When a cross town rival meets in a football game.  

Galáctico

A football or soccer star is normally described as a Galactico. For instance, when Real Madrid tried to sign some famous soccer superstars like Figo, Robinho, Zidane, Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo.  

Get Stuck In

When a team is trying to send a message during a tough game to the opposition with a no nonsense game play.  

Goalaso

When an incredible goal on scored in Spanish football, the commentators say “Goalaso”.  

Golden Goal

A goal scored in the extra time of a match which ends the game.

Half Volley

When a player strikes the ball just after it hits the ground.

Handbagging 

When a game gets heated and players start fighting one another on the field, throwing soft slaps and punches, like old lady’s throwing their handbags.

Hat-Trick

It happens in football when a player scores three goals in one game

Header

When a player hits the ball with his head to score, pass, or clear out the ball.

Hospital Ball

When a player receives a poor pass from his teammate that leads to an howler or error, or perhaps puts the player in danger of being hurt.

Howler

It happens in football when a player makes a costly mistake that will costs his entire team. For instance, when a goalkeeper misjudges a shot that he should save

Closing Thoughts

We’ve come to the end of this informative article. We hope you were able to find resources in your quest to know some popular soccer metaphors. Please do not hesitate to contact us for questions or comments. Thanks!

References:

https://phrasedictionary.org/metaphors-for-soccer/
https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-popular-Soccer-metaphors