Vocabulary
8 key words for this lesson
GOAL
The space between two posts where you score.
Ronaldo kicked the ball into the goal!
NET
The net attached to the goal posts that catches the ball.
The ball hit the back of the net.
PENALTY SPOT
The white mark on the pitch where you kick a penalty.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot.
CENTRE CIRCLE
The circle in the middle of the pitch where the match starts.
The match starts with a kick-off in the centre circle.
TOUCHLINE
The line on the side of the pitch.
The ball went over the touchline.
PITCH
The field where football is played.
The players walked onto the pitch.
GOALPOST
One of the two vertical posts that hold the net.
The ball hit the goalpost and came back out.
BOX
The area in front of the goal. Fouls here give a penalty.
The foul happened inside the box.
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
ON THE PITCH
On the playing field during a match.
There are twenty-two players on the pitch.
INSIDE THE BOX
In the penalty area in front of the goal.
He was fouled inside the box, so it's a penalty.
OVER THE LINE
Past the goal line — the ball is in.
The ball went over the line — it's a goal!
IN THE MIDDLE
At the centre of the pitch.
The referee stands in the middle for the kick-off.
ON THE LINE
At the edge of the pitch or goal line.
The ball stopped on the line — is it in or out?
OFF THE PITCH
Outside the playing area.
The manager shouts instructions from off the pitch.
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Sofia
RonaldoRonaldo, this is my first time at a football pitch. Can you show me around?
Of course! So this big green area is the pitch. This is where we play.
It's so big! What is that thing at each end?
That is the goal. We have to kick the ball in there to score.
I see! And what is that white line on the side?
That is the touchline. If the ball goes over it, the other team gets the ball.
What about that big square area in front of the goal?
That is the box. A foul inside the box means a penalty.
And that white circle in the middle of the pitch?
That is the centre circle. The match always starts there.
What is that small white mark near the goal?
That is the penalty spot. Last week, I scored a penalty from there!
Wow! I love the net on the goal. It moves when the ball goes in!
Yes! There is nothing better than seeing the ball hit the back of the net. Come on — let's warm up!
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 to complete each sentence.
1.There are twenty-two players on the during a match.
2.The ball went into the — it's a goal!
3.The referee pointed to the for a foul inside the box.
4.If the ball goes over the , the other team gets a throw-in.
5.The ball hit the and did not go in.
6.The match begins with a kick-off in the .
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 players walked onto the— — —to start the warm-up.
Sentence 2
Ronaldo kicked the ball into the— — —to score!
Sentence 3
The ball hit the back of the— — —and the crowd went wild.
Sentence 4
The referee pointed to the— — —for a foul inside the box.
Sentence 5
The ball went over the— — —so it was a throw-in.
Sentence 6
The match starts with a kick-off in the— — —.
Sentence 7
The ball hit the— — —and came back out — not a goal!
Sentence 8
He was fouled— — —, so the referee gave a penalty.
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.Where does Ronaldo say the match always starts?
2.What is the box?
3.What happens if the ball goes over the touchline?
4.What did Ronaldo score from the penalty spot last week?
5.What does Sofia say she loves about the goal?
6.Why is a foul inside the box important?
7.What is the goalpost?
8.What does Ronaldo suggest at the end of the dialogue?
Group Activities
Role-play scenarios and discussion questions for group classes
🎯 Choose the Best Response
Work in groups. Read the line, then choose the best response — A, B, or C. Click to see the answer and why.
Customer says
“Where does a match start?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“What is the box?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“The ball went over the white line on the side. What happens now?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“Why is the penalty spot important?”
Salesperson responds…
🔍 Spot the Mistake
Read this short dialogue. There are three mistakes — one wrong word in each mistake. Find them as a group, then check your answers.
Sofia
Ronaldo, what is that big circle in the middle of the box?
Ronaldo
That is the centre circle. The match starts there.
Sofia
And those two white sticks next to the touchline — what are they?
Ronaldo
Those are the goalposts. The net hangs between them.
Sofia
What is that small white mark inside the centre circle?
Ronaldo
That is the penalty spot. You kick from there after a foul inside the goal.
✏️ Finish the Salesperson's Line
The second line is not finished. As a group, discuss how to complete it using words from this lesson. Then click to see one possible answer.
Customer
“Sofia: Where does the match start?”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: The match starts in the centre circle …”
Customer
“Sofia: What happens if the ball goes over the white line on the side?”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: If the ball goes over the touchline, …”
Customer
“Sofia: Why did the referee point to that white spot near the goal?”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: He pointed to the penalty spot because …”
Customer
“Sofia: I want to understand the goal better. What are all the parts?”
Salesperson
“Ronaldo: The goal has two goalposts on each side, …”