Sarriball
Sarriball or Sarrismo is the term used to describe the tactical style of football employed by Italian football coach Maurizio Sarri. A fast-paced, attacking style which prizes possession, Sarri has implemented it at Napoli, Chelsea and Juventus.
Screamer
A spectacular, long-range goal which involves the ball moving rapidly through the air.
Example: “Clarence Seedorf has just scored an absolute screamer from 40 yards!”
Scudetto
Scudetto is Italian for ‘little shield’ and it is shorthand for the Italian football championship. The scudetto, which is an Italian flag within a shield, appears on the jersey of the team which won Serie A the previous season.
Second season syndrome
When a promoted team performs well in its first season in the new division then flounders in the second, it is known as ‘second season syndrome’. It can also be applied to individual players who dazzle in their debut year at a club only to endure a downturn in fortunes.
Sitter
A ‘sitter’ is an easy chance, usually one which seems almost impossible to miss.
Example: “All he had to do with guide it into the net, but he mistimed the kick. He’s missed a sitter.”
Skipper
The skipper of a football team is the captain.
St Totteringham’s Day
St Totteringham’s Day is the day when Arsenal fans celebrate when it becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham to finish above their team in the league. It is therefore a moveable feast, which may not occur every year.
Stay on your feet
‘Stay on your feet’ is a phrase that is usually directed at rash players, who are urged not to dive in and prematurely attempt to tackle an opponent. It became an internet sensation when Ray Wilkins uttered the phrase repeatedly while doing commentary for the 2011 Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Tottenham.
Stepover
The stepover is a dribbling technique which involves stepping over the ball with one or both legs in order to confuse an opponent. Long a tactic of technical players, it is notably associated with Brazil icon Ronaldo and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sweeper
Sweeper is the name given to a central defender whose job is to ‘sweep up’ trouble and then use the ball in an intelligent manner by passing to a team-mate or carrying it out of defence. The role of the sweeper, or libero, is not as rigid as that of a traditional centre-back. Notable examples of sweepers include Franco Baresi, Bobby Moore and Franz Beckenbauer.
Switch play
When one team moves the ball from one flank to the other in an abrupt fashion, mostly by a long pass.
