Football Glossary, Letter G

Galácticos

A term used to describe Real Madrid players who were purchase at very expensive rates; an example of Galactico is Zinedine Zidane, who as purchased for a record transfer of £46 million in 2001 

Give and go

A technique in soccer where a player passes the ball to a teammate who touches the ball and passes the ball back quickly to the teammate; also called one-two, wall pass 

Glancing header

A way of heading the soccer ball made by turning one’s head to the direction of the target upon contact with the ball 

Go-ahead goal

A goal the breaks a tied score

Goal

(a) The method of scoring in football, happens when the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and the crossbar;
(b) The structure where the ball must be shoot at to score a goal: the football goal’s measurement is 8 feet by 24 feet

Goal area

The part of the football field where a goalkeeper can legally handle the ball, demarcated by a big rectangular box: measures 18 yards by 44 yards; also called penalty box, 18-yard box

Goal average

The average number of goals a player or team scores over a season or tournament 

Goal kick

The method of restarting play after the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line and an attacking player was the last to touch it

Goal line

The line found at each end of the football field; a goal is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line between the two goal posts

Goal mouth

The opening of the goal

Goal poacher

A striker who often scores his goal from inside the opponents’ penalty area; many of the greatest strikers like Ruud van Nistelrooy are goal poachers 

Goal posts

The two vertical posts of a goal, measuring eight feet tall each 
goal side – the area between the goal and the ball 

Goalaso

A Spanish interjection when an amazing goal is made 

Goalie

Alternate term for the goalkeeper, the only player on the field allowed to play the ball with his hands 

Goalkeeper

The player primarily assigned to defend his team’s goal; he is allowed to play the ball with his hands but only inside the penalty area

Gold Cup

A former football competition (1993-96) played between champions of the different tournaments in South America

Golden goal

A former rule in football which states that the first team to score in extra time wins the match: the game is ended immediately after the golden goal is made; also called sudden death

Ground

Alternate term for the stadium or the playing pitch 

Ground ball

A pass or shot that travels on the ground 

Group of Death

A group in a football tournament where the number of strong competitors is higher than the rest of the groups

Gunner

(a) A player of the English football club (English football clubs) Arsenal FC;
(b) A supporter of Arsenal FC