Romorio Barrett Monday, March 25, 2013 12:29 Soccer Romorio Barrett Monday, March 25, 2013 12:29

History Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Europe and the Americas. It has a vivid and interesting history in the world of sports. Early evidence of soccer being played as a sport finds occurrence in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. In China, it was during the Han dynasty that people dribbled leather balls by kicking it into a small net. Recorded facts also support the fact that Romans and Greeks used to play ball for fun and frolic. Some facts point to Kyoto in Japan where kicking of ball was a popular sport.

Soccer Field

Rules of Soccer The Starting and Stopping of Soccer Play At the start of a soccer period or after a goal, there is a kick-off from the center circle. At the kick-off all of the soccer players must be on their side of the field (the side they are defending). Only the player kicking the kick-off is allowed inside the center circle. After the kick-off the ball will be in play until the ball goes out of bounds or the referee calls a penalty. Throw-in: When the soccer ball has gone out of bounds, the team that last touched the ball loses possession and the opposing team gets to throw-in the ball from the point where the ball crossed out of bounds. Corner kick: When the defending team last touches the ball and it crosses the goal line (and not scoring a goal), the opposing team gets to kick the ball from the corner of the field. Goal kick: When the offensive team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line, the goalie gets to kick the ball from the goal box. Penalty kick: When a foul occurs in the penalty area, the fouled team is awarded a penalty kick.

Rules of Soccer contd. Soccer Fouls Soccer fouls can be any number of unfair advantages taken by a player that are called by the referee. These can include tripping, pushing, and touching the ball with the hands. Free kicks or penalty kicks may be awarded to the opposing soccer team. Very unsportsmanlike behavior may result in a yellow card or a red card. Players that get red cards are ejected from the game. Offside Rule The offensive player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the second and last opponent and the soccer ball. Out of Bounds Out of bounds occurs when the ball completely crosses over the boundary line. Throw-in When throwing the ball in at throw-in, the ball must be thrown from behind and over the head using both hands. When the ball leaves the thrower's hands, both of his/her feet must be touching the ground.

THE Goal The goal itself. Technically, the goal post is 2.44 metres (8 feet) tall and 7.32 metres (24 feet) long for professional games, and its gets smaller by levels.

Player Equipments

Soccer balls come in the following official sizes:  Size 5 Ages 12 and up  Size 4 Ages 8 and 12 years  Size 3 Under 8 years  Size 2 and 1 Promotional soccer balls

Playing the game Playing the game of soccer

Officials of the game The Referee: The referee is the most important of the four officials on the pitch. Only he carries a whistle and he uses it to signal the starts and stops of play. Those include kickoff, half-time, full-time, goals, and fouls. The Linesmen: There are two linesmen in an officiating crew, each assigned to one half of the field. As their name indicates, they patrol the length of the touch line between the halfway line and one goal line. The Fourth Official: fourth official, positioned on the touchline between the two opposing benches has three primary functions. First, he keeps track of all the stoppages during the game. And, at the end of each half, he informs the players how much time will be added on to make up for them by flashing a number on a board.