Own Goal
A goal accidentally scored by a player against their own team, counted for the opposition.
Definition
An own goal is credited to the attacking team when a defending player is the last to touch the ball before it enters their own net. It counts exactly like any other goal for the opponents, and in official records it is attributed as an own goal, often marked "o.g.," rather than to a named scorer on the conceding team.
Governing bodies apply guidelines on when a deflection is ruled an own goal versus credited to the attacker who forced it. Own goals occur across goal-scoring sports such as football, field hockey and ice hockey. They are involuntary in the sense that the player did not intend to score for the other side, and they can decisively swing tight matches and aggregate-scored ties.
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Sports communication
- Role clarityEveryone on a team understanding what their own job is — and their teammates' — so effort is not wasted on overlap or gaps.
- Active listeningGenuinely taking in what a teammate or coach is communicating — not just hearing it — so the message actually lands.
- Captain communicationHow a team's designated captain relays decisions, sets a tone and — in many sports — acts as the recognised point of contact with officials.
- Coach-to-player feedbackHow a coach shares usable information with a player about what they did and what to try next — usually specific, well timed and focused on one thing at a time.
Scoring systems
- Football (soccer) scoringFootball is scored by goals, with each goal worth one point and the team scoring the most goals winning the match.
- Tennis scoringTennis is scored in points, games and sets, using the distinctive 15–30–40 point sequence and a win-by-two margin at every level.
- Tiebreak scoringA tiebreak is a short deciding game used in racket sports to settle a set that has reached an even number of games, scored in simple numbers to a fixed target.
Positions
- GoalkeeperThe goalkeeper is the last line of defence in football and the only player allowed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- PivotThe pivot is a handball attacker who plays close to the opposition defence, setting screens and looking for chances near the goal area.
- CenterThe center is usually the tallest player on a basketball team, playing near the basket to score inside, rebound, and protect the rim.
- Centre (netball)The centre is netball’s link between attack and defence, the only player allowed in every third except the two goal circles, and the player who takes the centre pass.
- Outside hitterThe outside hitter attacks from the left side of the net and is often a volleyball team’s main scoring option.
Player roles
- Ball-winnerA ball-winner is the player tasked with regaining possession through pressing, tackling and interceptions — a team's tireless defensive workhorse.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
- Utility playerA dependable, versatile player who can competently fill several different positions as the team needs, rather than specialising in just one.
- FinisherA finisher is the attacking outlet in a team sport whose main job is converting chances into points — the striker, goal shooter or go-to scorer.
- Target playerA target player is a focal attacker who receives, holds up and links play for others, often physically strong and good in the air or with the hands.
Rules
- Penalty kick awardA one-on-one kick against the goalkeeper awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Backcourt violationA basketball rule breach for returning the ball into a team's own defensive half after it has crossed into the attacking half.
- OffsideA rule that prevents an attacker from gaining an advantage by being positioned too close to the opponents' goal ahead of the ball and the last defenders.
- Volleyball rotationThe rule that players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins back the serve.
Tactics
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
- DraftingRiding, running or swimming close behind another competitor to save energy in their slipstream.
- Zone defenceA defensive system where each player guards an area of the court rather than a specific opponent.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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