What Does OG Mean in Soccer: Scoring Own Goals
What Does OG Mean in Soccer? Understanding Own Goals
If you have ever looked at a soccer scoresheet and wondered, “what does OG mean in soccer?,” the answer is simple but often heartbreaking for the player involved. OG stands for Own Goal. An own goal occurs when a player accidentally (or very rarely, deliberately) knocks the ball into their own team’s net, resulting in a valid goal for the opposing team.
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What is an Own Goal (OG) in Soccer?
In soccer, the objective is to score in the opponent’s net. However, the chaotic nature of the sport means that defending players sometimes inadvertently redirect the ball into their own goal. When this happens, the referee awards a point to the attacking team. On the official match report and television graphics, this is denoted as an OG next to the offending player’s name.
It is important to note that an own goal is not credited to any attacking player, even if an attacker took the initial shot that deflected heavily off a defender. If the original shot was already on target, the goal is usually awarded to the attacker. But if the shot was going wide and the defender’s touch changed its trajectory into the net, it is ruled an own goal.
Common Causes of Own Goals
Own goals are usually the result of defensive mishaps. Here are the most common scenarios:
- Deflections: A defender attempts to block a shot or cross, but the ball deflects off their foot, leg, or body and completely changes direction, leaving the goalkeeper stranded.
- Botched Clearances: While trying to aggressively clear a dangerous ball out of the penalty box, a defender might slice the ball backward into their own net.
- Misplaced Back-Passes: A defender passes the ball back to their goalkeeper without looking, only to realize the goalkeeper has stepped out of position, allowing the ball to roll smoothly across the goal line.
How Are Own Goals Recorded in Stats?
Own goals have unique rules when it comes to player and team statistics.
| Stat Category | Rule for Own Goals (OG) |
|---|---|
| Scoreboard | The opposing team receives 1 goal. |
| Golden Boot / Top Scorer | The goal does not count toward any player’s individual goal tally. |
| Fantasy Soccer | The player who scored the OG typically receives negative points. |
| Assists | No assist is awarded for an own goal. |
Can You Score an Own Goal from a Free Kick or Throw-in?
According to the Laws of the Game set by the IFAB, a player cannot score an own goal directly from certain set pieces. If a player kicks a free kick, corner kick, goal kick, or takes a throw-in, and the ball goes directly into their own net without touching another player, a goal is not awarded to the opposition. Instead, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
Summary
Understanding what OG means in soccer adds a deeper layer of appreciation for the defensive pressure players face. Scoring an own goal is a defender’s worst nightmare, but it is an unavoidable part of the beautiful game. The next time you see “OG” flash on the screen, you will know exactly what unfortunate event just transpired on the pitch.
