Alright folks, time for a pat on the back. We are getting into some really advanced Spanish. This is stuff that your high school Spanish teacher could only dream of understanding. You would have had to have lived in Guatemala at least four weeks to get this. So kudos to you, the reader, the learner, the student.

Today we will focus on the Spanish word for a corner kick. In the States, we say corner. In Mexico, we say “un corner.” End of lesson.

Okay, so maybe there are some variations. You will probably hear “tiro de esquina” and also “saque de esquina.” Tiro means “shot” and saque does not mean sack, but rather to “propel something upwards.” For example, you sould sacar sparks from a lighter. You would also sacar something from your pocket. Esquina means corner. So esquina means corner and corner means cornerkick. Got that? A goalkick is known as a “saque de meta” or “saque de arco.” Meta means goal, in the metaphysical sense and literal one.

A corner kick that bends directly into goal is called a “gol olimpico.” Riquelme was  master of those. At least until goalkeepers got wise and started to hold their line. But please note – a gol olimpico can also come from the run of play.

A header is a “cabezazo.” A defensive header is a “cabezazo defensivo.” I know. You totally did not see that construction coming. Shocking. A bouncing header is a “cabezazo picado.” This is not to be confused with picante, which somewhat accurately describes the salsa you had last night with nachos. Somewhat. Futbol picante is the name for a sports program that covers Mexican soccer, yet ironically has quite bland commentary.

Let’s now walk through an example, based on this and previous lessons.

-The forward has the ball in the “zona chica/area pequena.”

-The defender “falta” the forward and the ball “sale”.

-The “arbitro” “pita” a “tiro de esquina.”

-Riquelme tries a “gol olimpico,” but it results in a “cabezazo defensivo.”

Your homework is to buy an avocado, a lime, and some salt. Cut the avocado and mush it, adding lime and salt. Now email me and we will arrange for you to send me the guacamole. The winner will get a pat on the back. This pat will be slightly more firm than the initial pat extended to all the students.

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