Back of the net
‘Back of the net!’ is an exclamation of excitement or joy used when a goal that is scored with such force that the ball not only crosses the line, but hits the net. The term was famously used as a catchphrase by Steve Coogan’s character Alan Partridge in the sitcom I’m Alan Partridge.
Example: “That goal was buried into the back of the net!”
Behind closed doors
To play a match behind closed doors is to do so without spectators. It is commonly used as a punishment by football authorities as it denies a club the chance to earn money through gate receipts. However, it can also be used in the event of health concerns, such as an epidemic or global pandemic.
Example: “Following guidance from the Austrian government, Manchester United have been informed by UEFA and LASK that the Europa League game on Thursday will be played behind closed doors.”
Bicycle kick
A bicycle kick is a method of shooting or passing which involves a player being airborne and usually playing the ball in the opposite direction to the way they are facing. Sometimes referred to as an ‘overhead kick‘, the bicycle kick is so called because a player appears to cycle through the air upside down.
Example: Rio Ferdinand said: “The opposing fans in the stadium applauding the great Cristiano after the bicycle kick and rightly so. Keeps on upping the ante – relentless.”
Top bicycle kick goals video
Big-game player
A big-game player is one who routinely performs well in a highly pressurised environment such as a final, a heated derby match or a decisive league fixture. Big-game players are not overwhelmed by nerves or the occasion and are capable of affecting the outcome of big games.
Example: “Lionel Messi is the all-time top scorer in the history of El Clasico. This guy is the ultimate big-game player for Barcelona.”
All goals by Messi vs Real Madrid in el Clasico
Booking
Act of noting the offender in a cautionable offence, which results in a yellow card.
Bosman ruling
The Bosman ruling was a decision made by the European Court of Justice in favour of Belgian footballer Jean-Marc Bosman against the Belgian Football Association, RFC Liege and UEFA in 1995, which protected the free movement of labour and altered the nature of football transfers.
Essentially, it allowed a footballer to leave a club and join another for no transfer fee – otherwise known as a free transfer – when their contract expired. A player who joins another club upon the expiry of their contract is said to have moved ‘on a Bosman’.
Bottling / Bottled it
If a team is accused of ‘bottling it’ it means they have thrown away a game from a position of (usually significant) advantage. While the term ‘to have a lot of bottle’ refers to an individual possessing boldness of spirit, ‘to bottle it’ in football is to show a weakness of character.
Example: “The second Spurs get close to winning anything they go and bottle it. Biggest bottle-jobs in football!”
Boot it
An instruction given by the teammates of a player for them to kick the ball with full power to get it away.
Box-to-box player
A player that can successfully play both sides (defensive and offensive) of the game. See: Radja Nainggolan, Yaya Touré, Patrick Vieira.
Brace
A brace in football is a term for two goals.
Example: “Mohamed Salah made the difference, bagging a brace to send Liverpool on their way to victory against Everton.”
Build-up
The phase of play when a team has possession of the ball and tries to score while the opponent is in an organized defence.
Busby Babes
The Busby Babes was a nickname for the Manchester United team managed by Matt Busby during the 1950s and 1960s. They were dubbed ‘Babes’ due to the relative youth of the team.
