New to Baller League UK? From Game Changers and wildcards to EP and the Final Four, here is every term, rule and bit of jargon explained in plain English.

Speak Baller League

The Baller League has a language of its own, and if you are new to the competition it can feel like a lot to take in. This glossary explains the key terms, rules and concepts you will hear on a matchday — handy whether you are watching at the arena or online.

The basics

6v6 — Every match is played six-a-side, including goalkeepers, on a compact indoor pitch. The smaller pitch and fewer players make the game fast and technical.

Matchday / Gameweek — The league plays one round per week, on a Monday. There are 11 matchdays in the regular season, with all 12 teams in action each week across six matches.

Two 15-minute halves — Each match runs for 30 minutes total, split into two 15-minute halves. There is no traditional added time; the clock is managed by the officials.

Wildcard — Each team is allowed a set number of wildcards — substitute players brought in for a matchday — giving managers flexibility to rotate or call on guest talent. Season 4 allows two per team per matchday.

The Game Changers

The league’s signature feature. At the 12th minute of the first half and the 27th minute of the second half, one of six rule changes is activated for a short window. See our full Game Changers explained guide.

Onside — All offside rules are suspended, freeing attackers to find space anywhere.

Plus One — The game restarts as a 1v1 and adds one outfield player per goal until full numbers return.

3Play — The match becomes 3-a-side with a 30-second shot clock.

1-on-1 — A series of one-on-one duels, each player confined to their own half with a 15-second shot clock.

The Line — Goals scored from beyond the marked line count double.

Fairplay — Any foul, handball or dissent means an immediate red card with no replacement.

The competition

Final Four — The playoffs. After 11 matchdays, the top four teams reach the Final Four: two semi-finals (1st vs 4th, 2nd vs 3rd) and a Grand Final to decide the champion.

Pressure Point / EP (Extra Points) — One extra point is awarded to the winning team of the Pressure Point challenge each matchday. EP is added to a team’s league total, so it can decide tight table battles. On our league table, look for the EP column.

Franchise — Each of the 12 teams is a franchise with a stable identity (and, usually, a famous manager). Some franchises have been rebranded between seasons — for example, Yanited became RTG FC and Rukkas FC became P17 FC.

Manager — Each team is led by a celebrity or footballing figure who picks the squad and directs the team from the touchline.

Scoring and the table

Points (Pts) — A win is worth 3 points, a draw 1 point, a loss 0, with EP added on top. The table is sorted by points, then goal difference, then goals scored.

Goal difference (GD) — Goals scored minus goals conceded. It is often the tiebreaker that decides playoff qualification.

Form — The results of a team’s (or player’s) most recent matches, usually shown as a run of wins, draws and losses.

Watching and following

Online-only — Since Season 4, matches are streamed by the league itself rather than on traditional TV. See our how to watch guide.

Baller League Arena — The league’s home venue at Eastbrook Studios in Dagenham. See our venue and tickets guide.

Explore further

Now that you speak the language, dig into the rules hub, meet the managers, browse the teams, and follow the new season on the Season 4 hub.