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Manchester City's Phil Foden battles for possession.

Easy: Possession

Easy: Possession

Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

This episode is easy so we’re looking at common football words and phrases. Things you use and need to know to play the game.

Summary

Learn more football vocabulary with Premier Skills English. Each lesson in our Premier Vocabulary section looks at one football word or phrase. This lesson looks at the word possession

You can find more lessons on the side of this page.

Transcript

Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to Premier Skills English - Premier Vocabulary.

Jack: Hi there! I’m Jack. We’re here to help you with your football English. Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. 

Rich: We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

Jack: This episode is easy so we’re looking at common football words and phrases; things you use and need to know to play the game.


Rich: The word we are looking at in this episode is: possession.

Jack: There are a few ways the word possession can be used and it can be used in and out of football. 

Rich: The word is generally connected to having or owning something. We can talk about our possessions; our personal possessions.

Jack: These are the objects and things which are ours - we own them. Our personal possessions could be anything really; clothes, books, photos, ornaments, computers, mobile phones, even cars or houses. 

Rich: We also use in possession of to describe the state of having or owning something. Did you know that I am in possession of some very interesting information about the transfer of Lionel Messi?

Jack: I don’t believe you’re in possession of anything but gossip and rumours you have read in the newspapers.

Rich: This is the meaning we use when we talk about possession on the football pitch, too. 

Jack: Before we talk about possession of the ball let’s think about the spelling of the word possession.

Rich: Yes, it can be a bit tricky to remember. How many ‘Ss’ are in possession?

Jack: There are four ‘Ss’ in possession. P - O - double S - E - double S - I - O - N.


Rich: So, we had just started to talk about possession of the football. On the pitch, possession describes the state of having the ball.

Jack: We can talk about possession of the ball or ball possession but usually we just use the word possession.

Rich: Possession is one of the statistics that are often used to talk about a match. We might say a team has had 70% possession.

Jack: This means they have had the ball for 70% of the time played.

Rich: There are a few collocations we use with possession when talking about football. 

Jack: One common collocation is hold onto possession. This means keeping the ball and not giving the ball to the other team. 

Rich: We might also hear the phrase to keep possession which means the same thing. Some teams are better at holding onto or keeping possession than others. 

Jack: Some teams might hold onto possession or keep possession for long periods of time because that’s their style of play - they play possession football.

Rich: However, most teams try to hold onto possession in the last few minutes if they are winning. They don’t want to give away possession and give the other team a chance to attack.

Jack: To give away possession or lose possession means to lose the ball and give possession to the other team.

Rich: Teams like Manchester City and Barcelona famously rely on possession but it is becoming more common to see teams do well without possession.

Jack: A team with little possession can often defend well and then when they get possession can counter-attack quickly and create opportunities to score.

Rich: So, maybe precision is more important than possession?


Jack: There is the final whistle!

Rich: We’ll be back soon with more Premier Vocabulary from Premier Skills English.

Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football. 

Comment

Discuss

How important is possession in today's game?

Do you prefer to watch teams with styles based around keeping possession?

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Comments

KareemZain
10/08/2023
EG
383
points

Possession is important as it creates more chances to score goals but sometimes teams possess the ball without any danger.
Yes, I like watching teams that keep possession.


KareemZain
10/08/2023 14:03
Egypt
Manchester City
383

Possession is important as it creates more chances to score goals but sometimes teams possess the ball without any danger.
Yes, I like watching teams that keep possession.

Michaelsun
06/03/2022
CN
738
points

As a fan I prefer to watch teams with styles based around keeping possession.


Michaelsun
06/03/2022 09:31
China
Manchester United
738

As a fan I prefer to watch teams with styles based around keeping possession.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
20/05/2021
BR
1512
points

It can be relevant, but not essential. It depend on how a team manage to use possession to achieve the oponents goal.
I prefere teams that keeps possession rather than teams that play on counter-attack.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
20/05/2021 20:05
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

It can be relevant, but not essential. It depend on how a team manage to use possession to achieve the oponents goal.
I prefere teams that keeps possession rather than teams that play on counter-attack.

hsn's picture
hsn
02/12/2020
TR
5551
points

How important is possession in today's game?

Many managers says to the players to keep the ball on the feet in order to have a goal chance. It’s really important pull the ball off from opponents and to keep it. But, if a winning team relies on possession in the rest of time, game might become unbearable. Goal positions and fastness add wealth to the game no possession. As it’s said by the one of the commentator; “Football is beautiful when it's played vertical not horizantal”

Do you prefer to watch teams with styles based around keeping possession?
Not always. Keeping a high percentage of possession isn’t an indicator that this team plays so much good. I’ve watched many derby matches in which teams relied on the possession and fans got bored.

P.S.
 A spectacular half-volley sample from out of the penalty area by Hakan who isTurkish player of Milan . Unfortunately the result wasn't goal. (Italy Seri A –Milan 2-Fiorentina 0 played on Nov.29.2020)


hsn's picture
hsn
02/12/2020 16:47
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5551

How important is possession in today's game?

Many managers says to the players to keep the ball on the feet in order to have a goal chance. It’s really important pull the ball off from opponents and to keep it. But, if a winning team relies on possession in the rest of time, game might become unbearable. Goal positions and fastness add wealth to the game no possession. As it’s said by the one of the commentator; “Football is beautiful when it's played vertical not horizantal”

Do you prefer to watch teams with styles based around keeping possession?
Not always. Keeping a high percentage of possession isn’t an indicator that this team plays so much good. I’ve watched many derby matches in which teams relied on the possession and fans got bored.

P.S.
 A spectacular half-volley sample from out of the penalty area by Hakan who isTurkish player of Milan . Unfortunately the result wasn't goal. (Italy Seri A –Milan 2-Fiorentina 0 played on Nov.29.2020)

Ronald09's picture
Ronald09
02/09/2020
PE
6
points

I think it is very important nowadays, but you have to do the best with that possession...


Ronald09's picture
Ronald09
02/09/2020 01:43
Peru
Manchester United
6

I think it is very important nowadays, but you have to do the best with that possession...

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/09/2020
TR
6524
points

I prefer teams with keeping possessions but not much because it is turning to be so boring as some of Pep's games to be honest.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/09/2020 17:31
Turkey
Manchester United
6524

I prefer teams with keeping possessions but not much because it is turning to be so boring as some of Pep's games to be honest.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/09/2020
TR
6524
points

It's so important to control the rhythm of the game but you have to be aware of the counter-attack as well :)


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/09/2020 17:30
Turkey
Manchester United
6524

It's so important to control the rhythm of the game but you have to be aware of the counter-attack as well :)

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