- Scissor KickA type of shot where a player leaps into the air and shoots while having one leg in front of the other.
- ScoutSomeone who observes games to analyze teams or find new players.
- ScreamerAn especially powerful and impressive goal from long distance.
- Second Striker The second striker plays deeper than or behind a traditional center forward. The second striker needs to play killer balls, dribble under pressure, take shots, score goals, and create chances. Occasionally, the second striker will be required to drop into the midfield to help in applying(...)
- Sell a DummyDeceive an opponent by pretending to pass or shoot.
- Senior LevelHigh-level competition involving important player with fewer restrictions on participation
- Set BackAn unexpected obstacle or disadvantage.
- Set Piece Any stoppage in play that allows the team to set up a pre-prepared tactic. Set pieces include free kicks, corner kicks, penalty kicks, throw-ins, and kick-offs.
- ShieldTo use one's body to protect the ball from an opponent.
- Shielding Using the body to protect the ball from an opponent.
- Shin Guard Pads that are placed under the socks to protect the shin bone. There are many different sizes and styles. Some old-school shin guards use velcro and have ankle protectors. However, modern shin guards are smaller, lighter, and are held in place either with a shin guard sock, tape or held in(...)
- Shooting Kicking the ball towards the opponent's goal with the intent to score.
- ShootoutAnother term for a penalty shootout.
- Shot on Target A strike of the ball that if uninterrupted would go in between the posts and into the goal. A shot that hits the post and does not pass the goal line is not a shot on target. However, a shot that hits off-the-post and into the goal is considered a shot on target. Shots that are blocked by a(...)
- SidelineThe boundary lines on each side of the pitch.
- SilkRefers to a player's smooth playing style, often used as "he's got silk touches".
- Single-elimination A type of knockout competition format in which a single game is played to determine which team goes through to the next round.
- Spot KickAnother term for a penalty kick.
- Square Ball A pass that is made horizontally across the width of the pitch and not vertically (across its length). Square balls help retain possession of the ball, but a loose square ball is easily intercepted and allows the opposition to go on a counterattack.
- Square PassA pass played parallel to the sidelines.
- StadiumThe venue where a match is played.
- StalemateWhen neither team can find a way to win.
- StandThe areas in a stadium where fans sit or stand.
- StandoffA situation in which there is no progress.
- Step OverA dribbling move where a player uses their foot to step over the ball to deceive a defender.
- StintA period of time spent doing a certain activity or role.
- Stoppage Time Additional time added at the end of each half to compensate for play interruptions.
- Stretch the PlayTo use the full width and depth of the pitch.
- Striker Employed on the pitch for one purpose: to get goals. Whether they are poaching loose balls or playing deeper in-between the lines to produce assists or take long-range shots on goal, strikers are significantly involved and relied upon in the final (attacking) third.
- StudThe spikes on the bottom of soccer shoes for grip.
- SubstitutionReplacing one player with another from the bench.
- Supporters' Club A supporters’ club in soccer is an organized group of fans who share a common devotion to a specific soccer team. The fans themselves typically organize these clubs, although some teams have official supporters’ clubs that the soccer club endorses.
- SweepTo clear the ball from a defensive area, usually used in terms of a "sweeping clearance".
- Sweeper-keeper The sweeper-keeper is a goalkeeper who will play off their line when their team has the ball. This role pairs well with a team that plays a high defensive line. In this setup, the goalkeeper must close down and press any ball that breaks the defensive line.
- Swerve The curving or bending of the ball's trajectory, often achieved through precise ball striking techniques.
- Switch PlayPassing the ball from one side of the field to the other.