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

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

'''Soccer''' is a popular [[sport]] played with a round ball propelled mainly by kicks from 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 popular [[sport]] played with a round ball propelled mainly by kicks from 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 goal of the game is to kick the ball into the opposing team's goal; each goal gives that team a point and the team with the most points at the end of the 90 minute game is the winner.

==Rules of the Game==

==Rules of the Game==

[[Image:Soccer pitch.gif|thumb|300px|left|Dimensions of a soccer pitch]]

[[Image:Soccer pitch.gif|right|thumb|300px|left|Dimensions of a soccer pitch]]

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]].