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Halfback - Another term for "Midfielder". Midfielder is more commonly used in soccer today. Soccer Halfback

Half-Volley - Kicking the ball the instant it starts to bounce up after it hits the ground. (See "Drop Kick"). Soccer Half-Volley

Halfway Line - The line across the middle of the length of the field that splits it into two halves. (See "Field Diagram"). Soccer Halfway Line

Hand Ball * - Strangely, the term "Hand Ball" is commonly used, but is not defined in the official FIFA rules. It is a "direct kick foul" if a player (other than the goalkeeper inside his own penalty area) deliberately handles the ball (meaning to deliberately touch the ball with any part of the arm from the finger tips to the top of the shoulder). If the player handles it for the purpose of preventing an opponent from gaining possession, it is a "cautionable offense" and a yellow card should be given. If a player deliberately handles the ball to deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity (e.g., to prevent a breakaway or to deliberately stop a shot), a red card should be given and the player "sent off". However, a hand ball foul should not be called if: (1) a player is instinctively trying to protect himself from injury or (2) the player did not deliberately touch the ball but the ball hit his arm & he did not move the arm toward the ball (however, if the player's arms were in an unnatural position such as above his shoulders or sticking out to the sides, then he should be called for a handball). (See "Fouls"). Soccer Hand Ball

Header - NOTE: Medical studies have found that extensive headers can cause brain damage; some parents oppose practicing them.

As players get older, they use their head more often to pass, receive, shoot or "redirect" the ball. There are two types of headers: a) a directional header where the player wants to control the ball (i.e., a pass, shoot or receive) & which is struck with the forehead (just below or at the hairline, where the player can see the ball; teach this by having them hold the ball on the forehead & asking them if they can see it) or with the side of the head; and, b) a clearing header (where the objective is just to send it as far as possible) which is struck with the forehead at the hairline or with the top of the head & where the defender often leaps to get more power. Don't even try to teach headers until U-10 & don't stress them until U-11. If you play a lot of small sided, by U-10 or U-11 they will be learning on their own. Don't use a heavy or hard ball to teach headers; use a soft or underinflated ball. A header that is aimed at the ground near the goal line (so it will bounce) is particularly difficult for the goalie to save. (See "Flick Header"). Soccer Header

High Line - (aka "Pushed Up"). A "high line" is when the Fullbacks push up toward the halfway line. They may do this to support their team's attack, in which case they are vulnerable to a fast "counterattack" by their opponent. Fullbacks may also push up and play a "high line" when they are on defense in order to create an "offside trap", but they are vulnerable to "through balls" played into the open space between them and their Goalkeeper that the opposing fast forwards can run onto. In the 2006 World Cup, Ghana played a "high line" and lost to Brazil 3:0 by giving up 2 goals on "breakaways" to Ronaldo and Ze Roberto. Brazil left their great forwards pushed up so they were even with the high line and passed balls through the Fullbacks that the forwards ran onto. (See "Push Up") Soccer High Line

High School - High School Soccer

Home Team - Usually listed first on the schedule & should provide the ball unless the League provides it. Soccer Home Team

Hook Turn - (aka "Cut" or "Cutback"). A technique for reversing direction by using the inside or outside of the foot to "cut", "chop" or "hook" the ball. This is done by turning the foot and pulling the toes up so the laces can hook or chop the ball & cause it reverse direction. Keep in mind that people in different parts of the world use different terms. This can be confusing, and sometimes people use terms for similar but slightly different things. For example, some people use the term "hook" to mean using the inside or outside of the foot to reverse the direction of the ball (a 180 degree turn), and might use the term "cut" to mean using the inside or outside of the foot to chop the ball so it goes to the left or right (a 90 degree turn). (See "Outside-of-Foot Reverse" game and "Outside-of-Foot"). Soccer Hook Turn

Hooking Run - (aka Pull-Series). When a receiver runs toward the ballhandler & then quickly reverses & runs away from the ballhandler. The reverse of "checking off". (See "Checking Off", "Dummy Run" & "Show"). Soccer Hooking Run

Hooking The Ball - (aka "Hook Turn"). Using the outside-of-foot to reverse the direction of the ball, an alternative to a pullback. (See "Outside-Of-Foot"). Soccer Hooking The Ball

Hook Run - A potential receiver moves toward the ball in order to pull a back line defender with him (which causes the defender to move forward away from the goal he is defending and creates more space behind that defender) and the potential receiver then quickly reverses and spins around the defender as the ball is played into the space behind the defender. Soccer Hook Run

Hopped Pass - A short "chip" or "flick pass" that is kicked into the air high enough to go over outstretched legs. This can be effective near the goal or when "passing to yourself" to beat a defender. (See "Pass To Yourself", "Flick Pass", "Chip" & "Air Ball"). Soccer Hopped Pass

Hydration - Hydration and energy replacement are 2 different issues, but both can affect how soccer players perform, and hydration is a health issue. Soccer Hydration

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