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A first-time pass to a teammate, usually played backward or sideways to a player in a better position. Strikers receive the ball with their back to goal and lay it off to a midfielder; midfielders lay off to players with more time. The lay-off creates quick combinations and keeps the ball moving. Good lay-off play requires awareness of who's around you and soft enough touch to give your teammate a clean ball.

A centre-back who's good with the ball at their feet, able to play through a press and start attacks with forward passes. Modern systems that build from the back need defenders who can handle pressure and find teammates in tight spots. You still have to be able to actually defend, but now you need passing range and composure too. It's changed how clubs scout and develop defenders.

The steps a player takes before striking the ball on a free kick or penalty. Ronaldo's stutter run-up, with the wide stance and pause, is famous. Longer run-ups supposedly generate more power; shorter ones offer more control. Some run-ups are mind games, designed to put the keeper off. Regulations now limit how long you can take, stopping the ridiculous delays that used to happen.

"Juego de posición" in Spanish. Players occupy zones rather than fixed positions, maintain good spacing, and create overloads in key areas. Cruyff developed it, Guardiola refined it. The idea is structure over improvisation - everyone knows where they should be relative to the ball and teammates. Unlike total football's constant position-swapping, it stays organized while allowing creativity within that framework.

A loan where the receiving club can buy the player permanently at the end for a pre-agreed fee. It lets clubs try before they commit and spreads the financial risk. Sometimes the option is an obligation that automatically triggers under certain conditions (like staying in the league or appearances). Clever clubs use these to get around spending restrictions.