Robbie

The xG value of chances created. If you play a pass that leads to a shot worth 0.3 xG, you get 0.3 xA. It measures the quality of chances you create, separate from whether your teammate finishes them. A player with high xA but low actual assists has teammates letting them down. A player with lots of assists but low xA is getting lucky with their finishers. Useful for evaluating creative players fairly.

A midfielder who covers the whole pitch, showing up in both penalty areas in the same game. They tackle in their own box and arrive in the opposition's to score. Gerrard, Lampard, Vieira, and Yaya Touré were all box-to-box players. It's a demanding role and harder to find now because midfield positions have become more specialized.

Getting the ball forward quickly rather than building slowly. Not quite "hoofball" but prioritizing vertical passes over sideways ones. Direct teams try to get into dangerous areas fast, often bypassing midfield. It can be a deliberate tactical choice or a sign that a team can't keep the ball. Some direct play is about exploiting space quickly; some is just desperation.

Scoring three goals in one game. The term came from cricket but works in football too. A "perfect hat-trick" means one with your left foot, one with your right, and one header. Players usually get to keep the match ball. There's also the "flawless hat-trick" (three in a row with no one else scoring in between) and "super hat-trick" (four goals).

Moving your foot over and around the ball without touching it, creating a feint to throw defenders off. Also called scissors or "pedaladas." You can do one or string several together, like early Ronaldo at United, who would do four or five in a row. At speed with a sharp burst afterwards, it leaves defenders stuck. Do too many and your teammates start getting annoyed.