Soccer

File:Soccer passing kick.jpg

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. 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

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 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. A goal is scored when the (spherical) ball is propelled into the opposition net. Each goal is worth one point.

Accuracy in kicking is very important to make sure that one can kick the ball around opponents, manage it in tight spaces, and make long passes to other players in better positions. Expert players have trained to kick from a variety of angles, both forward and back and to the side, and also to use their chests and heads to maneuver a high-flying ball.

Origins

The word soccer derived in England as slang for "Association Football", , much like "rugger" is slang for rugby. The sport has been played since ...?

Soccer Around the World

Goalkeeper leaping to make a save

It is the most popular team sport in the world, described by the legendary Brazilian player, Pele, as "The Beautiful Game". Its governing body is FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). In most countries it is the most popular sport or at least among the most popular (the United States being a notable exception). Though it is often not a high-scoring game, it's popularity comes from the often dramatic saves from goalkeepers and incredible shots from skilled players in attempts to score a goal.

Every four years there is an international competition known as the World Cup, where countries send their best players to compete for the title of best national soccer team. Other regional competitions occur with more frequency, such as the Euro Cup.

Many soccer fans are extremely passionate about their favorite teams, travelling to other countries to support them. Several countries have had problems controlling over-excited fans, with the crowd sometimes spilling onto the pitch, fighting with themselves, disliked referees and even players. England, in particular, has gained a reputation from its soccer hooligans who often get into drunken fistfights with fans of other teams.

Great Players and Referees

• David Bechkam, British player, currently playing for Los Angeles.
• Pele, Brazilian player active from 1956-1974, considered to be the greatest soccer player to ever kick the ball.
• Christiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese contemparry player for Manchester United.
• Zinedine Zidane, French player, retired shortly after the World Cup final match between France and Italy in 2006.