SOCCER

HistoryThe sport of soccer (called football in most of the world) is considered to be the world's most popular sport. In soccer there are two teams of eleven players. Soccer is played on a large grass field with a goal at each end. The object of the game is to get the soccer ball into the opposing team's goal. The key to soccer is that, with the exception of the goalie, players cannot touch the ball with their hands, they can only kick, knee, or head the ball to advance it or score a goal.Soccer is a form of football which originated in England (1863) but the evolution of Soccer or "Association Football" can be traced back hundreds of years to a ball game known as "Shrovetide football". The word "football" is from the English language and from early medieval times the term "fote-ball" (first recorded c.1400) was used to describe a 'ball game played on foot' not necessarily with the foot.

EQUIPMENTS

The Soccer Ball 

The soccer ball is spherical (round) and made of leather. For FIFA soccer, the ball must have a circumference of 27 to 28 inches and weigh between 14 and 16 ounces. However, there are other sizes that are used for different ages of kid's competition.•Size 3 - this is generally the smallest ball and is used for players under 8 years old. Its circumference is 23-24 inches.•Size 4 - Used for players 8 to 12 years old. It has a 25 to 26 inch circumference.•Size 5 - This is the standard sized ball (27 - 28 inches) and is usually used for players older than 12.

Uniforms and Kit

The uniforms for soccer players consist of a jersey and shorts. Players on the same team wear the same colored uniforms generally with a number and name on the back of the jersey. The goalkeepers wear a uniquely colored jersey so they will stand out to referees during play.

Shin Guards

Shin guards, or shin pads, are required. They help protect the front of the leg, or shin, from getting injured and bruised. Shin guards must fit under the socks. Goalies and forwards generally have the lightest weight shin guards while midfielders and, especially, defensemen wear heavier, more sturdy shin guards.

Soccer Field

The soccer field, or football pitch, is flexible in size. It is 100 to 130 yards (90-120m) long and 50 to 100 yards (45-90m) wide. In international play the field dimensions are a bit stricter in that the length must be 110 to 120 yards (100 - 110m) long and 70 to 80 yards (64 - 75m) wide.

An additional rule is that the length has to be longer than the width, so you couldn't have a square field of 100 yards by 100 yards.

Even though these are the official rules, many kid's soccer games are played on even smaller fields than the minimum. Although the length and width are flexible, other areas of the field are generally fixed in size.

The Goal

At each end of the field is the goal. The goal is 8 yards wide and 8 feet high and is placed at the center of the goal line. They have nets to catch the ball so you don't have to chase it, plus it helps the referee to determine if a goal was scored.

The Boundary

The boundary of the field is drawn with lines. The lines on sides, or the long side of the field, are called the touch lines or side lines. The lines at the end of the field are called the goal lines or end lines.

The Center

At the middle of the field is the center line which cuts the field in half. At the very center of the field is the center circle. The center circle is 10 yards in diameter.

The Goal Area

Areas around the goalGoal Area - The goal area is a box that extends 6 yards out from the goal posts. Free kicks are taken from this area.Penalty Area - The penalty area is a box that extends 18 yards out from the goal posts. In this area the goalkeeper may use their hands. Also, any penalty by the defense in this area will result in a penalty kick from the penalty mark.Penalty Mark - This is the spot where the ball is placed for penalty kicks. It is at the center of the goal and 12 yards away from the goal line.Penalty Arc - This is a small arc at the top of the penalty box. Players other than the goalkeeper and kicker may not enter this area during a penalty kick.

The Corners

At each corner is a flag post and a corner arc. The corner arc is 1 yard in diameter. The ball must be placed within this arc for corner kicks. Flag posts must be at least 5 feet tall to prevent injury.

RULES AND REGULATIONSWhen the ball is in play the rules of soccer are fairly simple. You cannot touch the ball with your hands or arms intentionally unless you are the goalie. You cannot foul another player or be offside (these soccer rules are described below). Other than that, the main rules of soccer are around the starting and stopping of play.

At the start of a soccer period or after a goal, there is a kick-off from the center circle. At the kick-off all of the soccer players must be on their side of the field (the side they are defending). Only the player kicking the kick-off is allowed inside the center circle. After the kick-off the ball will be in play until the ball goes out of bounds or the referee calls a penalty.

Throw-in: When the soccer ball has gone out of bounds, the team that last touched the ball loses possession and the opposing team gets to throw-in the ball from the point where the ball crossed out of bounds.

Corner kick: When the defending team last touches the ball and it crosses the goal line (and not scoring a goal), the opposing team gets to kick the ball from the corner of the field.

Goal kick: When the offensive team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line, the goalie gets to kick the ball from the goal box.

Penalty kick: When a foul occurs in the penalty area, the fouled team is awarded a penalty kick.

Soccer Fouls Soccer fouls can be any number of unfair advantages taken by a player that are called by the referee. These can include tripping, pushing, and touching the ball with the hands. Free kicks or penalty kicks may be awarded to the opposing soccer team. Very unsportsmanlike behavior may result in a yellow card or a red card. Players that get red cards are ejected from the game.

Offside Rule

The offensive player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the second and last opponent and the soccer ball.

Out of Bounds

Out of bounds occurs when the ball completely crosses over the boundary line.

Throw-in

When throwing the ball in at throw-in, the ball must be thrown from behind and over the head using both hands. When the ball leaves the thrower's hands, both of his/her feet must be touching the ground.

FOULS AND PENALTIESMinor offenses - The opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.More serious offenses - The opposing team is awarded a direct free kick. This will be a penalty kick if it occurs within the penalty box.Caution - A yellow card can be given for repeated fouls. A second yellow results in a red and expulsion from the game.Expulsion - The player must leave the game and cannot be substituted for.

Types of Fouls The following actions are not allowed in soccer and will result in a foul call:

Kicking an opponent Tripping Jumping into an opponent (like when you are going for a header) Charging into an opponent Pushing Tackling from behind Tackling an opponent and you make contact with the player prior to

making contact with the ball. Holding Touching the ball with your hands (if you are not the goalkeeper)

The free kick is awarded from the spot of the foul, except in the case where it took place in the opponent's penalty box. In that case a penalty kick can be awarded.

Caution (Yellow Card) The referee can choose to give a caution or yellow card to a player for the following actions:• Unsportsmanlike behavior (note that this

includes trying to trick the referee)• Arguing with the referee• Fouling a lot• Delaying the game• Entering or leaving the game without

informing the referee

Expulsion (Red Card)

When the referee shows a red card, this means the player has been kicked out of the game. A red card can be given for the following actions:• A serious foul• Violent actions against the referee or other

players• Using their hands to stop a goal (when not the

goalkeeper)• Using bad language• Receiving a second caution

The Goalkeeper

There are also special rules and fouls regarding the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper can be called for a foul for the following actions:Holding the ball for more than 6 secondsTouching the ball again with his hands after a teammate has kicked the ball to himTouching the ball with his hands directly after a throw-in by a teammate

Head Referee The head referee is responsible to enforce the laws and rules of the game. This includes keeping track of the time, calling penalties, stopping play for an injury, checking that the ball meets the proper requirements, and even providing a match report after the game.

Assistant Referee The assistant referees are generally called linesmen. Each assistant covers one of the touch lines. They make calls regarding whose ball it is when the ball goes out of bounds as well as offside. The assistant referee also provides advice to the head referee.

The assistant referee often uses a flag to signal calls such as offside and possession of the ball.

REFEREE SIGNALS

Direct Free Kick - Pointing one hand and arm indicating the direction.

Indirect Free Kick - The referee holds one hand straight in the air until the ball is played.

Goal Kick - The referee points in the direction of the goal.

Play on (Advantage) - Holds both arms out in front with palms up

Corner Kick - Points with one hand and arm toward the corner.

Caution or Expulsion - Holds the card high in one hand so all can see. The yellow card for a caution and red card for an expulsion.

Penalty Kick - Points directly at the penalty mark.

ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS(using flags)

Substitution - Holds the flag in both hands above the head.

Offside - The linesman will point the flag when the offside occurs. The angle of the flag is used to indicate where the offside occurred.Downward at a 45 degree angle = on the third of the field or pitch nearest to the refereeEven to the ground = in the middle of the fieldUpward at a 45 degree angle = on the third of the field or pitch furthest from the referee

Throw In - Points the flag in the direction of the throw in.

The Whistle

The whistle is generally used to signal the starting or stopping of play.

CONTROLLING THE BALL

FIRST TOUCHTRAPPING THE BALLFEETKNEES AND THIGHSCHESTHEAD

PASSING THE BALL

DIRECT PASSPASSING TO OPEN SPACESWALL PASSES (one-two)LONG PASSBACKWARD PASS

SOCCER FORMATIONS

• 4-4-2 = 4 Defensemen, 4 midfielders, 2 forwards. The 11th player is the goalie.

4-3-3

4-2-3-1

This is a popular formation used by professional and World Cup teams today. It is complex and is built for a team with a strong offensive lineup, especially one with strong midfielders.

Offensive or Defensive Focus (3-5-2 and 4-5-1)

Two other common soccer formations are the 3-5-2 and the 4-5-1. The 3-5-2 has more of an offensive focus than the 4-4-2 having an additional midfielder to assist with the forwards. The 4-5-1 is a strong defensive formation and is often used by weaker teams to keep the score close and then hope for a quick strike goal.