Soccer,
game played by two teams on a rectangularfield, with the objective of forcing the ball- either by kicking it or directingit with the forehead- into the opponent's goal. Players control the ballprimarily with their feet; only goalkeepers are allowed to handle the ball. Soccer is the world's most popular sport, played by men and women of allages.
Rules, Regulations, and Equipment
The Fédération Internationale deFootball Associations (FIFA) is the governing body for international soccer andformulates rules for worldwide use. The game is played by two teams of 11players on playing fields of varying sizes. A goal made of two upright postsspanned by a crossbar is located at each end of the field. Games normallyconsist of two 45-minute halves. The team with the most goals wins thegame.
The soccer ball is an inflated sphere with an outer covering, usuallyleather. It is 27 to 28 in (68 to 71 cm) in circumference and weighs 14 to 16 oz (396 to 453 g). Goalkeepers wear jerseys in different colors to distinguish themfrom teammates and often wear special gloves. Soccer shoes can have studs, orcleats. Shin guards are compulsory, but no other protective equipment ispermitted.
Playing the Game
Playbegins with a kickoff from the center spot. The team in possession of the balltries to advance it by dribbling or passing. The defending team tries to takepossession of the ball by intercepting passes or by stripping the ball from anopponent. Direct free kicks, indirect free kicks, and penalty kicks areadministered as a consequence for penalties such as tripping, holding, or forplayers other than the goalkeeper using their hands or arms to control the ball. Under FIFA rules, the game clock runs continuously throughout each half with notime-outs. Between three and five substitutes can be used by each team during agame, but once a player has been removed, that player cannot reenter the game. College, high school, and youth leagues allow time-outs and permit substitutesto reenter the game.
History
The moderngame of soccer began in the 19th century in England. At a meeting of the LondonFootball Association (FA) in 1863, the game of football was split into rugbyfootball, in which handling and carrying the ball was allowed, and associationfootball, which banned using the hands. From the word association, the namesoccer emerged. The FA established the first set of rules for soccer, and the FACup, a tournament first organized in 1871, sparked the rapid spread of the sportin England.
By the end of the 19th century, British traders, sailors, andworkers had carried the sport all over the world. By 1930 professional leagueswere operating in many countries, and that year FIFA organized the first worldchampionship. Now known as the World Cup, the tournament is played every fouryears and has become the world's most popular sporting event.