Offside

An attacking player is in an offside position if, when the ball is played to them, they are nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (usually the goalkeeper plus one defender). It is rarely applied on small-sided pitches, but it remains one of professional football’s most debated and searched rules.

Penalty arc

The semicircular line just outside the penalty area (the “18-yard box”). Its main purpose is to keep every player except the kicker and the goalkeeper at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball during a penalty kick.

Centre forward (target man)

The central striker at the tip of the attack, whose main jobs are to score and occupy opposing centre-backs. On small pitches they are often the pivot who holds the ball with their back to goal and moves the team forward — one of the most vital roles in five-a-side.

Marking (man-to-man and zonal)

Close defending to stop an opponent receiving, passing, or shooting. Man-to-man marking means shadowing one specific player; zonal marking means protecting an area of the pitch rather than a single opponent.

VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

A system where officials in a remote room watch monitor replays and advise the on-field referee on key incidents — goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity. One of the most searched terms in modern football.

"Beleşçi" (goal poacher)

A staple of Turkish five-a-side slang: a striker who does not run much but always seems to be in the right place at the right time inside the box, turning rebounds and loose balls into goals (think Filippo Inzaghi).

Hat-trick

When one player scores three goals in a single match. The term comes from cricket. If a player scores three goals in a row with no other goals in between, it is called a perfect hat-trick.

Holding midfielder (regista)

Players who sit just in front of the back line, break up attacks before they reach the box, and recycle possession. On small pitches they are often called the engine of the team.

Tiki-taka

A style built on short, quick passing to keep the ball and control the game. Closely associated with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona; on five-a-side pitches it is what teams mean when they say they want to “play it out with passes”.

Goal difference

Goals scored minus goals conceded. In leagues or group-stage tournaments, when teams are level on points, goal difference is usually the first tie-breaker for ranking and qualification.