Soccer – The World’s Most Popular Sport
Soccer is perhaps the world’s favorite spectator sport, popularly known as “Football” in Britain and other European countries. This game can be as frustrating as golf, as physical as football and hockey, as erratic as baseball, and as exciting as basketball. No simple word can describe the popularity of the game, with a global television audience of 49 billion people for the 2002 World Cup alone. The game is exciting and highly addictive to watch and play.
Professional game rules require 11 players per team, 10 playing the field and one goalkeeper. With the use of a round ball, the matched is player with the two teams wearing shirts of different colors with distinctive soccer patches. The game is divided into two sets, each for 45 minutes long with the referee adding “extra time” based on time being wasted or play being stopped during the original 45 minutes. Usually, the extra time will be about one-to-three minutes.
A maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition organized under the auspices of the World Governing body Federation International Football Association (FIFA), the confederations or the national associations. However, in other competitions the rules must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.
The decision regarding a match ending with a tie score usually depends on the actual type of game being player. There are times when the just simply ends in a tie score after the regular 90 minutes game plus any added time. On the other hand, a game ending with a tie score may lead into an overtime with an allotted time of extra play leading to penalty kicks, this usually occurs during a deciding game of a tournament. Each team is given five attempts to score on the opposing goalkeeper, the team with the highest score wins the game.
During a game, players are only allowed to wear soccer equipment and are prohibited to wear anything that may harm him as well as the other. This includes any kind of jewelry and other accessories. The basic soccer equipment of a player include a jersey or shirt with their distinctive soccer patches; shorts, if thermal under shorts are worn, it has to be the same main color as the shorts; stockings; and footwear, soccer shoes, boots, cleats.
There are instances that players may use extra equipments such as shin guards and headgears. The shin guards protect the leg below the knee and are completely covered by the stockings. These are either made of rubber, plastic, or similar substances. While the head gear are available to protect younger players when heading the ball.
For goalkeepers, they must wear a color that separates him from the other goalkeeper, players, the referee and the assistant referees.
There are four important details that one should know about the game before he is ready to play soccer. The first is that only the goalkeeper is allowed to use his hands, and this is only within the confines of the marked-off area surrounding the goal. When a player uses their hands on a ball, the opposing team gets a free kick from the spot of the violation.
The second vital information that you should remember about the game is that players are generally penalized for rough or unfair play with the use of cards. A yellow card is considered a stern warning, while a red card signifies a serious violation. Once a player receives a red card it means that he had been ejected from the game and cannot be replaced and that leaves the player’s team with less players. Meanwhile receiving two yellow cards will equal to a red card, meaning the player will receive the same penalty.
About the Author
Peter Valentines’s article on Soccer is one of a collection of topics and interests that he explores and researches carefully. Soccer Equipment.
Top 10 Football/Soccer Shoes
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Soccer Shoes. BRADS. 2pcs. Scrapbooking. Football Boots $0.99 |
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F50+ 1/6 Kick O Mania adidas shoes football soccer boots fits hot toys Bastian $1.56 |
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Sports Embellishments Stickers Baseball Soccer Football $1.89 |
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handmade silver dangle Football SOCCER Shoe charm bead european bracelet $1.99 |
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Build A Bear Black Soccer Baseball Football Cleats Shoes $1.99 |
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Adidas men cleats shoes soccer football lacrosse size 15 or 50.5 $2.00 |
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Adidas men cleats shoes soccer football lacrosse size 13.5 or 48.3/4 $2.00 |
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Adidas men cleats shoes soccer football lacrosse size 16 or 51.1/3 $2.00 |
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Adidas men cleats shoes soccer football lacrosse size 16 or 51.5 $2.00 |
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Reebok men cleats shoes soccer football lacrosse size 17 or 53.5 $2.00 |
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New Balance men built in cleats shoes soccer football lacrosse size 15 or 50 $2.00 |
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Pro Feet Acrylic Team Sock Soccer Football Baseball Softball New Long $2.00 |
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Pro Feet Acrylic Team Sock Soccer Football Baseball Softball New Long $2.00 |
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Pro Feet Acrylic Team Sock Soccer Football Baseball Softball New Long $2.00 |
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Pro Feet Acrylic Team Sock Soccer Football Baseball Softball New Long $2.00 |
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Adidas Questra Soccer Shoe USA Team 1991 Collectible Football Lapel Pin Pinback $2.08 |
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UNITED KINGDOM WHITE SOCCER SHOE KEYCHAIN FOOTBALL $2.99 |
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ENGLAND WHITE & PINK SOCCER SHOE KEYCHAIN FOOTBALL $2.99 |
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ENGLAND WHITE & RED SOCCER SHOE KEYCHAIN FOOTBALL $2.99 |
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GERMANY BLACK & RED SOCCER SHOE KEYCHAIN FOOTBALL $2.99 |
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ARGENTINA WHITE & BLUE SOCCER SHOE KEYCHAIN FOOTBALL $2.99 |
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BRASIL YELLOW & GREEN SOCCER SHOE KEYCHAIN FOOTBALL $2.99 |
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UKRAINE WHITE & BLUE SOCCER SHOE KEYCHAIN FOOTBALL $2.99 |
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NEW 45 INCH WIDE SHOELACE COLORS SHOE LACE TENNIS SOCCER SOFTBALL FOOTBALL SKATE $3.00 |
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Quality Stainless Football Boot Soccer Shoe Keychain Ring Christmas Gift Idea $3.69 |
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NIKE ~ Boys ~ SOCCER / FOOTBALL Cleats~ Shoes~ Youth Size 3 $3.96 |
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1 pair Football Soccer Shoe key Chain key ring keyfob lover gift Free Shipping $3.99 |
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ITALIA SOCCER SHOE METAL KEYCHAIN ITALY FOOTBALL NEW $3.99 |
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A R S E N A L FOOTBALL SOCCER SANDLE SHOE KEYCHAIN $3.99 |
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C H E L S E A FOOTBALL SOCCER SANDLE SHOE KEYCHAIN NEW $3.99 |
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J U V E N T U S FOOTBALL SOCCER SANDLE SHOE KEYCHAIN $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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ALL SPORT SOCKS (FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/SOCCER/SOFTBALL) Youth/Adult, 15 Colors $3.99 |
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Manchester United: Beyond the Promised Land [VHS] Live the dream with the team! This first official Manchester United movie is a sensational behind the scenes film that follows the fortunes of the World’s greatest football club through the highs and lows of the 1999/2000 season. How can the club top it’s historic “Treble” win? Follow Manchester United as they go beyond the promised land – from training with the team at Old Trafford to travelling … |
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Rubbermaid 5E16 FastTrack 42-Inch Vertical Ball Rack $24.99 Quick and easy installation Works with FastTrack Rail System or stud mount Holds up to 50 lbs! Bungee cords provie easy acess to balls of all sizes No rusting, chipping or cracking Fast Track Vertical Ball Rack, 8.5 MM Diameter, Steel Tube Construction, Bungee Cords Allow Easy Access…. |
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Racor PXR-R Gravity Freestanding X-Rack Sports Storage Rack $74.95 If you have kids, the sight of basketballs, soccer balls, and baseball bats strewn about the yard or house is probably familiar to you. Use Racor Pro’s X-Rack to reclaim a sense of order and tranquility in your home. The unique design will encourage cleanup, as kids will find it hard to resist shooting their equipment into the nylon nets. Includes a shoe rack and wire basket along with the two net… |
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Soccer – Football and Ballet Shoe – 24W x 17H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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Shaolin Soccer $9.43 Computer generated special effects have seldom been so giddy as in Shaolin Soccer, a gleeful fusion of kung fu and a classic Bad News Bears sports story. A former soccer star–whose “golden leg” was broken by a hired mob–assembles a team of former students of Shaolin martial arts, whose assorted skills (indicated by their nicknames, like Mighty Steel Leg and Iron Head) lend themselves to the swif… |
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Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Sport Insoles, Men’s Size 8-13, 1-Pair Packages (Pack of 2) $22.99 Dr. SchollS SPORT Massaging Gel Replacement Insoles for Men Forceline energy Return System absorbs shock for pounding and bounces back with every step. Butterfly Arch provides a firm arch for relief from pounding caused by running. Antibacterial Topcloth kills bacteria and wicks moisture…. |
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Pediatric & Youth Neoprene Ankle Support Sleeve Brace Pediatric & Youth Neoprene Ankle Support Sleeve Brace, FLA Pediatric. FLA Orthopedics Pediatric and Youth Neoprene Ankle Support is ideal for kids in need of compressive ankle support. This the best ankle support for running, baseball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer. The youth ankle support features an open heel and easy slip-on style. FLA’s ankle support brace is made of sports neopre… |
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DryGuy Circulator AC/DC Footwear Dryer $18.71 Hybrid drying technology is a patented ram-air ventilationsystem. CirculatorHDT was developed utilizing wind scienceprinciples to blend ram-air Induction with the thermalconvection philosophy. Automotive or home drying.Will not damage footwear, boot liners, or foot bed…. |
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Speed Agility Training Ladder 17 Feet Long Sports Equipment Soccer, Football, Baseball + Speed Drill Dvd $14.49 One 17 foot speed agility ladder comes with a good quality nylon carry bag, two integrated attached cinch straps to keep your ladder 100% tangle free, and a get you started speed drills DVD. The side rails are black polypro webbing. Super strong. The ladder has high quality plastic rungs spaced approx. 20 inches apart. The plastic rungs are flat (no ankle rollover). They are adjustable but will… |
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Speed Agility Ladder 34 Feet Long + Speed Drills Dvd, Football Training Equipment + Soccer Quick Foot Training Aid, Good for All Sports $22.99 34 foot speed agility ladder comes with a good quality nylon carry bag, two integrated attached cinch straps to keep your ladder 100% tangle free, and a get you started speed drills DVD. The ladders can be used as two separate 17 foot ladders or you can lay them down back to back creating one long 34 foot speed drill line (can be connect with integrated cinch strap). It can also be used for dou… |
