Understanding the OG in Soccer

An “OG” or “own goal” in soccer is when a player accidentally scores against their own team, a moment that can instantly change the course of a game and test a player’s mental resilience!

Here are some memorable own goals in professional soccer…

The Origins and Evolution

While soccer has witnessed own goals for over a century, the abbreviated term “OG” gained popularity during the 1990s and 2000s.

It’s become such a common part of soccer vocabulary that even casual fans recognize its significance.

The widespread use of “OG” has actually helped normalize these unfortunate incidents, making them slightly less stigmatizing for players who experience them.

How Own Goals Happen

Picture this: a defender desperately trying to clear a cross, but instead, the ball deflects off them into their own net. These moments typically result from:

• Misjudged headers
• Unfortunate deflections
• Positioning errors
• Pressure from opposing players

The Rules Behind Own Goals

According to official soccer regulations, an own goal occurs when the ball crosses the goal line into a team’s own net without direct intervention from the attacking team.

The goal gets credited to the last offensive player who touched the ball before the own goal occurred.

Famous Own Goal Moments

The sport has witnessed numerous memorable own goals, from John Arne Riise’s unfortunate header for Liverpool against Chelsea in 2007 to more consequential moments in World Cup history.

While own goals can be devastating, they’ve become an integral part of soccer’s unpredictable nature, adding an element of drama that makes the sport even more compelling.

Moving Forward After an OG

For players who score an own goal, the best approach is to shake it off and focus on the remaining game.

Mental resilience is crucial – one mistake shouldn’t cascade into several. The ability to move past an own goal often distinguishes experienced players from novices. Lack of short-term memory is your friend!

The Statistical Reality

Recent data shows that own goals appear in nearly 9% of Premier League matches, a surprisingly high frequency that demonstrates just how common these incidents are in professional soccer.

This statistic should offer some comfort to players who find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

My Thoughts On Own Goals

Remember that OG is an abbreviation for “own goal,” which is when a player accidentally scores a point for the opposing team by kicking or heading the ball into their own goal.

It’s important to note that while OGs can be embarrassing for the player who scored, they are a rather common occurrence in soccer.

If you score for the other team, just shake it off. That’s all you can do!

I know this is easier said than done but there is no point in dwelling about it. Don’t make one mistake compound into several. Instead, put it in the past, leave it there, and go out and try your best!