Soccer players use their feet and heads to move the ball across the field and into the opposing team's goal. Players also use their feet to defend against attacks, with a move called a tackle. A tackle typically involves a player sliding feet-first toward an attacker in an effort to kick away the ball. Referees may reprimand or punish poorly performed or dangerous tackles.
Kicking
Kicking the ball is the most common move in soccer. Players use kicks to pass the ball to other players, launch the ball out of an area, or take a shot on goal. Chip shots are kicks that put the ball high in the air over an opponent's head. For example, if a goalie moves too far from the net, an attacking player might chip the shot over his head and into the goal. The attacking team is awarded a corner kick when the defending team sends the ball out of bounds past its own end line. Penalty and free kicks are punishments for a team's misbehavior. The referee decides which team takes the kick, and in some cases, where on the field the kick will take place.
Dribbling
Dribbling the ball involves using one's feet to move the ball around. Small movements keep the ball near a player as she moves across the field. Players moving at higher speeds might dribble the ball farther away from themselves by lightly kicking it forward past a defender, then rushing to catch up. Soccer players use many techniques to misdirect an opponent's attention. For example, an attacking player might feint dribbling to one side by leaning her head and body in one direction. When the defending player moves in anticipation, the attacker dribbles the ball to the opposite side, and follows after it.
Heading
Soccer players may head the ball at any time. Heading is a common move when an attacking team is trying to score a goal. For example, during a corner kick, an attacking player puts the ball in the air over the area in front of the defender's goal. Other members of the attacking team might try to head the ball directly into the goal.
Goalie Moves
Special rules govern a goalie's moves. For example, goalies may use their hands to catch or deflect balls around the goal. Some leagues have restrictions on when goalies may use their hands. One common goalie move is punching. Typically, a goalie will make two fists and bring the hands together for the blow. The combined fists cause the ball to rocket away from the area in front of the goal, going off to one of the sides or over the net.
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