Changes

[[Image:800px-Soccer goalkeeper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goalkeeper leaping to make a save]]

[[Image:Soccer passing kick.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Exciting soccer play features creative kicks that surprise opponents]]

'''Soccer''' is a sport played with a round ball propelled mainly by a player's foot. It is more commonly known as "'''football'''" outside the [[United States]]. In soccer, players are not allowed to intentionally touch the ball with their hands or arms while it is in play, with the exception of goalkeepers in a restricted area.

'''Soccer''' is a sport played with a round ball propelled mainly by a player's foot. It is more commonly known as "'''football'''" outside the [[United States]]. In soccer, players are not allowed to intentionally touch the ball with their hands or arms while it is in play, with the exception of goalkeepers in a restricted area.

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 15 minute break known as half-time.  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.  The referee makes up the 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. 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 15 minute break known as half-time.  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.  The referee makes up the 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. 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]].