In football, an assist is a contribution by a player, which helps to score a goal.  Most commonly, an assist is credited to a player for passing or crossing the ball to the scorer. It may also be awarded to a player whose shot rebounds (off a defender, goalkeeper or goalpost) to a teammate who scores; or to a player who wins a penalty kick for another player to convert. An attacking player may be awarded an assist for contributing to an own goal. Players cannot be awarded an assist for a goal they themselves score.

Recording assists is not part of the official Laws of the Game, and the criteria for an assist to be awarded may vary. The following are some of the criteria:

1. An assist was awarded to the player who had given the last pass to the goalscorer.

2. In addition, also the last but two holder of the ball could get an assist provided that his action had decisive importance for the goal.

3. After goals from rebounds those players were awarded an assist who had shot on target.

4. After goals scored on penalty or by a directly converted free-kick the fouled player received a point.

5. In case that the goalscorer had laid on the goal for himself (dribble, solo run), no assists were awarded.

6. No assists were awarded, either, if the goalscorer took advantage of a missed pass by an opponent.

The following are Serie A above 5 Assists players for season 2010-11:

Based on the above table, Lazio 3 most assist players for season 2010-11 are:

1. Stefano Mauri, with 9 assists
2. Cristian Ledesma, with 8 assists
3. Mauro Zarate, with 7 assists

(Ali Alkatiri)