What is a brace in football (soccer)? How to score one.

What is a brace in soccer?

If you’re new to the world of soccer, it can be tough to keep up with all the jargon. Clean sheet, golden goal, set-piece….and one term you’ve probably heard a lot is “brace.”

But what does that even mean? It’s not what you wear or use to straighten your teeth! Read on for a quick primer on this and other commonly used soccer terms.

What is a brace in soccer?

A brace in soccer is when a player scores two goals in a single game. It’s also known as a “double.”

It can be a huge momentum swing in a game and cause the other team to totally unravel. Fans love seeing braces, especially when they happen in important games or come from unlikely players!

A brace is considered a significant achievement in soccer, and it’s not an easy feat to accomplish. In order for a player to score a brace, they need to have speed, accuracy, and most importantly, be in the right place at the right time!

Watch and learn: What is a brace in soccer and where did the name come from?

Here’s a great, short video that tells you more about soccer braces, the history of them and why they’re called that in the first place!

Other commonly used soccer terms.

Assist: An assist is when a player passes the ball to another player who then scores a goal. The player who made the pass gets credit for an assist. 

Set piece: A set piece is a situation where the ball is stationary and players are positioned around it. This can be either direct (a free kick or penalty kick) or indirect (a corner kick or throw-in).

Clean sheet: This occurs when a team doesn’t allow the other team to score any goals. Goalkeepers love clean sheets because it means they did their job well. 

Corner kick: A corner kick is awarded to the offensive team when the defensive team kicks the ball out of bounds over their own goal line. The offensive team then gets to take a free kick from the corner of the pitch. 

Golden goal: The golden goal is when a team scores the winning goal in overtime. This used to be a rule in some competitions and was pretty nerve-racking to watch! But it was abolished in 2004 in favor of extra time.

Why do they call it a brace?

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s called a brace in soccer, you’re not alone. The word has been used for centuries, but not always in soccer terms.

Brace, in old English, means a pair of something (bird or animal) killed in hunting.

So basically, when a player scores two goals, it is related to the act of hunting, hence scoring a ‘brace of goals’.

This has been shortened to ‘brace’ over time, and is now commonly used in soccer to describe when a player scores two goals. Boom! Boom!

How does scoring a brace happen? 

A brace is a sign of a skilled player who knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.

And while scoring two goals in one game may not seem like a lot, it’s actually quite difficult to do! It requires speed, accuracy, and a little bit of luck. 

Here are a few ways to help increase your chances of scoring a brace:

1. Get into position. Make sure you’re in the right place at the right time, ready to pounce on any loose balls or rebounds.

2. Be ready to shoot. When you get the ball, take your shot quickly – don’t hesitate or second-guess yourself.

3. Follow up your shots. If you don’t score immediately, follow up your shot and try to get a rebound or put pressure on the goalkeeper.

4. Stay calm and composed. When you’re in front of goal, it can be easy to get nervy or tense. But try to stay calm and focus on what you need to do to score.

5. Believe in yourself. This is perhaps the most important tip of all: believe that you can score, and that you will score. Have faith in your ability, and the goals will come.

What are 3 goals in soccer called?

When a player scores three goals in a single game it’s called a ‘hat-trick’.

This is a rare feat, and it’s considered to be quite an accomplishment. A hat-trick is also known as a “triple.”

In other words, it’s when a player scores three goals in a row.

This can happen in succession, or with some time in between each goal. Either way, it’s still considered to be a hat-trick.

When a player scores a hat-trick, they are usually applauded by the crowd and their teammates. We go crazy here at Kit Queen! It’s a momentous occasion, and it doesn’t happen often.

In a competitive game, the player also gets to keep the match ball as a memento of their awesome skills!

How to score a brace – top tips!

Scoring a brace in soccer is no easy feat. It takes skill, talent, and a whole lot of luck. But if you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a goal scoring machine!

Focus on your shooting.

This may seem like an obvious bit of advice, but it’s important nonetheless.

If you’re not confident in your shooting ability, you’re not going to score many goals – let alone three in one game.

So, spend some time working on your shot. Make sure you have good technique, the right footwear and that you’re able to get power behind the ball. Visualise yourself scoring, that always helps us!

Be aware of where the goalkeeper is at all times.

It’s important to know where the goalkeeper is positioned so that you can take them by surprise with a well-placed shot. Aim for the corners of the goal where the goalie will have more trouble reaching.

Always be on the lookout for opportunities to score.

This means being aware of both the position of the ball and your teammates at all times. If you see an opportunity to score, take it!

The final score.

There’s nothing more satisfying than scoring a brace – especially if it helps your team to victory.

So, go out there and give it your best shot. With a little bit of skill and a lot of luck, you could be celebrating a hat-trick in no time! Good luck!