Vocabulary
8 key words for this lesson
MANAGER
The person in charge of the team. They choose the players and the tactics.
The manager made three substitutions at half time.
COACH
A person who trains and teaches the players.
Coach Diallo showed Ronaldo how to improve his shooting.
REFEREE
The person who controls the match and applies the rules.
The referee blew the whistle for a foul.
LINESMAN
An official on the side of the pitch who helps the referee.
The linesman raised his flag for offside.
FAN
A person who loves and supports a football team.
The fans cheered loudly when the team scored.
PLAYER
A person who plays football in a match or for a team.
There are eleven players on each team.
SUPPORTER
A fan who goes to matches and cheers for their team.
Thousands of supporters travelled to the away match.
PHYSIO
The person who helps injured players recover and stay fit.
The physio ran onto the pitch to treat Ronaldo's injury.
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
IN CHARGE OF
Responsible for managing or controlling something.
The manager is in charge of the whole team.
IN CHARGE OF THE MATCH
Responsible for making decisions during the game.
The referee is in charge of the match.
ON THE BENCH
Sitting with the substitutes and not playing in the match.
The physio sat on the bench next to the substitutes.
ON THE TOUCHLINE
Standing on the side of the pitch, watching or coaching.
The manager paced up and down on the touchline.
IN THE STANDS
In the seating area of the stadium where the fans watch.
Sofia sat in the stands with the other supporters.
RAISE THE FLAG
What a linesman does to signal offside or that the ball is out.
The linesman raised the flag for offside.
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Sofia
RonaldoRonaldo, there are so many people at the stadium today. Who are all these people?
Let me explain! The most important person is the manager. He chooses who plays.
What about the man with the whistle on the pitch?
That is the referee. He makes all the decisions in the match.
And the person with the flag on the side of the pitch?
That is the linesman. He raises the flag for offside or when the ball is out.
Who trains the players every day?
That is the coach. Coach Diallo works with us every morning.
What happens when a player gets injured?
The physio runs onto the pitch. He makes sure the player is okay.
And all these people in the stands — are they all fans?
Yes! We call them fans or supporters. They make the atmosphere amazing.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Complete the Sentence
Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence.
Choose the correct word for each person at a football club.
1.The person who controls the match with a whistle is the .
2.The person who trains the players every day is the .
3.The raises a flag to signal offside or when the ball is out.
4.When a player is hurt, the runs onto the pitch to help.
5.The people who sit in the stands and cheer are the or supporters.
6.The decides who plays and what formation the team uses.
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
The— — —chose a 4-3-3 formation for the match.
Sentence 2
The— — —blew the whistle to stop the match.
Sentence 3
The— — —raised his flag for offside.
Sentence 4
Coach Diallo is our best— — —— he makes us better every day.
Sentence 5
The— — —ran onto the pitch when Ronaldo fell.
Sentence 6
The— — —cheered when the team scored the winning goal.
Sentence 7
There are eleven— — —on each team at the start of the match.
Sentence 8
Thousands of— — —bought tickets for the cup final.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.What does the manager do?
2.Who uses a flag on the side of the pitch?
3.What does the physio do?
4.What is the difference between a fan and a supporter?
5.Who is in charge of the match?
6.Where does Sofia sit to watch the match?
7.What does Ronaldo say the supporters make amazing?
8.Who runs onto the pitch when a player is injured?
Group Activities
Role-play scenarios and discussion questions for group classes
🎯 Choose the Best Response
Work in groups. Read the question, then choose the best answer — A, B, or C.
Customer says
“What is the difference between a manager and a coach?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“Why does the linesman have a flag?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“What does the physio do during a match?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“What is the difference between a fan and a supporter?”
Salesperson responds…
🔍 Spot the Mistake
There are three wrong people in this dialogue. Find the mistakes as a group.
Sofia
Ronaldo, who is that person on the pitch with the whistle?
Ronaldo
That is the manager. He controls the match.
Sofia
And who is the person on the side with the flag?
Ronaldo
That is the physio. He signals when the ball is out.
Sofia
What about the man who ran onto the pitch when the player fell?
Ronaldo
That is the referee. He checks if the player is okay.
✏️ Finish the Salesperson's Line
Complete the second line using words from this lesson. Compare your answers, then click to see one possible answer.
Customer
“Sofia: Who decides which players start the match?”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: That is the manager's job. …”
Customer
“Sofia: What does the linesman do when the ball goes out?”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: The linesman raises the flag …”
Customer
“Sofia: I want to understand what the physio does exactly.”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: The physio is the medical person at the club. …”
Customer
“Sofia: Why are the fans so loud today?”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: Because supporters love their team! …”