Changes

==Origins==

==Origins==

The word ''soccer'' derived in England as slang for "As<u>soc</u>iation Football", <ref>[http://london.usembassy.gov/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html] ''US Embassy, London'' </ref>. Football games have been popular in [[England]] since the [[Middle Ages]], but the modern game of soccer derives from formalizations of the rules during the mid nineteenth century which came from the universities of England. The [[Football Association]] (FA) was founded in 1863 and continues to be the game's governing body within the [[UK]].  "Association Football" (later shortened to soccer) meant the version of football approved by the Football Association's rules. The rules were published at [[Cambridge University]] in 1847, as many private schools were playing each other with different rules.

The word ''soccer'' derived in England as slang for "As<u>soc</u>iation Football",.<ref>[http://london.usembassy.gov/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html] ''US Embassy, London''</ref>  Football games have been popular in [[England]] since the [[Middle Ages]], but the modern game of soccer derives from formalizations of the rules during the mid nineteenth century which came from the universities of England. The [[Football Association]] (FA) was founded in 1863 and continues to be the game's governing body within the [[UK]].  "Association Football" (later shortened to soccer) meant the version of football approved by the Football Association's rules. The rules were published at [[Cambridge University]] in 1847, as many private schools were playing each other with different rules.

==Rules of the Game==

==Rules of the Game==

The game is played between two teams of 11 players (10 out-field players and one goalkeeper each). In official play, there are two 45 [[minute]] halves separated by a break known as half-time which according to the rules of the game must last less than 20 minutes.  Unlike most sports, the clock does not always stop when the ball is not in play.  When the ball is knocked out of bounds or a penalty is committed, the clock runs continuously.  If a player is injured then the [[referee]] makes up that lost time by adding minutes onto the end of the half.  This is known as [[stoppage]] or injury time.  If both scores are even at the end of regulation time, the game is usually declared a draw.  However, in knockout cup games, there is often an additional period of play consisting of two 15-minute halves. In some competitions, the first goal in this period (golden goal) wins the game. If the scores are still level, the result is decided with a [[penalty shootout]]. The set of rules used in soccer are called the [[Laws of the Game]].  

The game is played between two teams of 11 players (10 out-field players and one goalkeeper each). In official play, there are two 45 [[minute]] halves separated by a break known as half-time which according to the rules of the game must last less than 20 minutes.  Unlike most sports, the clock does not always stop when the ball is not in play.  When the ball is knocked out of bounds or a penalty is committed, the clock runs continuously.  If a player is injured then the [[referee]] makes up that lost time by adding minutes onto the end of the half.  This is known as [[stoppage]] or injury time.  If both scores are even at the end of regulation time, the game is usually declared a draw.  However, in knockout cup games, there is often an additional period of play consisting of two 15-minute halves. In some competitions, the first goal in this period (golden goal) wins the game. If the scores are still level, the result is decided with a [[penalty shootout]]. The set of rules used in soccer are called the [[Laws of the Game]].  

The game is played on a [[grass]] (or artificial grass) pitch with dimensions 90-120 m (100-130 yards) in length and 45-90 m (50-100 yards) in width.

The game is played on a [[grass]] (or artificial grass) pitch with dimensions 90–120 m (100-130 yards) in length and 45–90 m (50-100 yards) in width.

<ref>[http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/laws/LOTG2006_e.pdf FIFA Laws of the Game 2006] ''Official FIFA website''</ref>

<ref>[http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/laws/LOTG2006_e.pdf FIFA Laws of the Game 2006] ''Official FIFA website''</ref>

A goal is scored when the ball is propelled into the opposition net.  The side scoring the most goals is the winner.  Infringements include playing the ball with any part of the body other than the feet or head; pushing or blocking an opposing player and stepping outside the playing area while the ball is in play.

A goal is scored when the ball is propelled into the opposition net.  The side scoring the most goals is the winner.  Infringements include playing the ball with any part of the body other than the feet or head; pushing or blocking an opposing player and stepping outside the playing area while the ball is in play.

[[Matthew Philbin]] faults the media for using soccer to undercut [[American exceptionalism]] and muses:

[[Matthew Philbin]] faults the media for using soccer to undercut [[American exceptionalism]] and muses:

* Soccer requires comparatively little from children but the ability to run after the ball - the risk of failure for anyone except maybe the goal keeper is zero. Even the strong chance that any given game will end in a tie makes it attractive for parents reluctant to impart life's difficult lessons to young kids.<ref name=media-goal> [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-philbin/2010/06/09/media-make-selling-soccer-goal#ixzz2gO2g6g35 Media Make Selling Soccer a Goal] - Matthew Philbin - June 9, 2010</ref>

* Soccer requires comparatively little from children but the ability to run after the ball - the risk of failure for anyone except maybe the goal keeper is zero. Even the strong chance that any given game will end in a tie makes it attractive for parents reluctant to impart life's difficult lessons to young kids.<ref name=media-goal>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-philbin/2010/06/09/media-make-selling-soccer-goal#ixzz2gO2g6g35 Media Make Selling Soccer a Goal] - Matthew Philbin - June 9, 2010</ref>

==A note on terminology==

==A note on terminology==