Football

Football or soccer,[3]is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball. It
is played by 250 million players in over 150 countries, making it the world's most popular sport. The
game is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The object of the game is to score by
getting the ball into the opposing goal.

History
According to FIFA, the competitive game cuju (literally "kick ball") is the earliest form of football for
which there is scientific evidence.[9] Cuju players could use any of the body apart from hands and the
intent was kicking a ball through an opening into a net. It was remarkably similar to modern football
though similarities to rugby occurred.

The Cambridge Rules, first drawn up at Cambridge University in 1848, were particularly influential in
the development of subsequent codes, including association football. During the 1850s, many clubs
unconnected to schools or universities were formed throughout the English-speaking world, to play
various forms of football. Some came up with their own distinct codes of rules, most notably
the Sheffield Football Club, formed by former public school pupils in 1857.
These ongoing efforts contributed to the formation of The Football Association (The FA) in 1863,
which first met on the morning of 26 October 1863 at the Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen
Street, London.[27] The only school to be represented on this occasion was Charterhouse.
The world's oldest football competition is the FA Cup, which was founded by C. W. Alcock and has
been contested by English teams since 1872. The first official international football matchalso took
place in 1872, between Scotland and England in Glasgow
The laws of the game are determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).[30]The
Board was formed in 1886[31] after a meeting in Manchester of The Football Association, the Scottish
Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, and the Irish Football Association. FIFA, the
international football body, was formed in Paris in 1904 and declared that they would adhere to Laws
of the Game of the Football Association.
Association football has been played by women since at least the time of the first recorded women's
games in the late 19th century. this was stopped on 5 December 1921 when England's Football
Association voted to ban the game from grounds used by its member clubs. The FA's ban was
rescinded in December 1969 with UEFA voting to officially recognise women's football in 1971.

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The FIFA Women's World Cup was inaugurated in 1991 and has been held every four years since,
while women's football has been an Olympic event since 1996.

Pitch
Pitch boundary
A football pitch is the playing surface for the game of association. Made of turf (grass) or artificial
turf.
The pitch is rectangular in shape. The longer sides are called touchlines. The other opposing sides
are called the goal lines.
The term byline (or by-line) is often used to refer to that portion of the goal line outside the goalposts.
All lines must be equally wide, not to exceed 12 centimeters (5 in).[3] The corners of the pitch are
demarcated by corner flags.
The pitch is rectangular in shape. The longer sides are called touchlines. The other opposing sides
are called the goal lines. The two goal lines must be between 45 and 90 m (50 and 100 yd) and be
the same length.[3] The two touch lines must also be of the same length, and be between 90 and
120 m (100 and 130 yd) in length.

Goals
Goals are placed at the centre of each goal-line.[8] These consist of two upright posts placed
equidistant from the corner flagposts, joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of
the posts must be 7.32 metres (8 yd) apart, and the lower edge of the crossbar must be 2.44 metres
(8 ft) above the ground.[9] Nets are usually placed behind the goal, though are not required by the
Laws.
Goalposts and crossbars must be white, and made of wood, metal or other approved material.

Penalty and goal areas

The goal area consists of the area formed by the goal-line, two lines starting on the goal-line 6 yards
(5 m) from the goalposts and extending 6 yards (5 m) into the pitch from the goal-line, and a line
joining these. Goal kicks and any free kick by the defending team may be taken from anywhere in
this area. Indirect free kicks awarded to the attacking team within the goal area must be taken from
the point on the line parallel to the goal line nearest where an incident occurred
The penalty area is similarly formed by the goal-line and lines extending from it, however its lines
commence 18 yards (16 m) from the goalposts and extend 18 yards (16 m) into the field.If a
goalkeeper

Other markings
The centre circle is marked at 9.15 meters (10 yd) from the centre mark. Similar to the penalty arc,
this indicates the minimum distance that opposing players must keep at kick-off; the ball itself is
placed on the centre mark.[13] During penalty shootouts all players other than the two goalkeepers
and the current kicker are required to remain within this circle.
The arcs in the corners denote the area (within 1 yard of the corner) in which the ball has to be
placed for corner kicks; opposition players have to be 9.15 m (10 yd) away during a corner

Equipments
Ball
The ball is spherical with a circumference of between 68 and 70 centimeters (27 and 28 in), a weight
in the range of 410 to 450 grams (14 to 16 oz), and a pressure of between 0.6 and 1.1 bars (8.5 and
15.6 psi) at sea level. In the past the ball was made up of leather panels sewn together, with a latex
bladder for pressurization, but modern balls at all levels of the game are now synthetic
The size of a soccer ball is roughly 22 cm (8.65 inches) in diameter for a regulation size 5 ball. Rules
state that a size 5 ball must be 68 to 70 cm in circumference. Averaging that to 69 cm and then
dividing by gives about 22 cm for a diameter.

Goalkeeper Gloves
Goalkeeper gloves are a highly important part of a goalkeeper's world. Different types of
gloves are Roll finger, flat palm, negative cut, surround cut, rolled index.

Goalkeeper gloves are usually made from a blend of natural and synthetic latex foams. Some
goalkeeper gloves are best on artificial grass; others are best for futsal, in the rain, at the
professional level or at the youth level.

Goal Posts

A regulation football goal measures 8 feet high and 24 feet wide (2.44 x 7.32 meters). This
measurement is stated in the first of FIFA's 17 Laws of the Game. Young footballers start
playing with this goal dimension at the age of 13.
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins).
The goal lines must be of the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached
to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not
interfere with the goalkeeper.

Shin guard
A shin guard or shin pad is a piece of equipment worn on the front of a players shin to protect
them from injury. These are commonly used in sports including association football (soccer). Modern
day shin guards are made of many differing synthetic materials, including

Fiberglass - Stiff, sturdy, and light weight.

Foam rubber - Very light weight, but not as sturdy and solid as fiberglass.

Polyurethane - Heavy and sturdy, which offers almost complete protection from most
impacts.

Plastic - Less protective than any of the other synthetic shin guards.

Metal - Highly protective, but very heavy and uncomfortable.

Boots

Football boots are designed for grass pitches have studs on the outsole to aid grip.
Studs are protrusions on the sole of a shoe, or on an external attachment to a shoe, that provide
additional traction on a soft or slippery surface. There are soft ground cleats which are made for wet
weather. The soft ground cleats are always replaceable, and are almost always metal, so when they
wear down they are easy to replace. There are firm ground cleats which are made for firm natural
surfaces.

Rules and Regulations

IFAB currently acknowledges 17 laws of soccer that are the standard for any professional or
international match played. They are as follows:

Law 1: The Field of Play

Soccer can be played on either grass or artificial turf, but the surface must be green in color. At the
midpoint of the halfway line is a marked center point surrounded by a lined center circle with a radius
of 10 yards. Opposing players are not allowed to enter this circle during the possessing teams kick-off.
The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
In each of the four corners of the field is a five-foot-high corner flag.

Law 2: The Ball

A soccer ball must be spherical in shape and made of leather or another comparable medium. Its
circumference must be in the range of 27 to 28 inches.

Law 3: The Number of Players

Matches are generally played by two teams of 11 to a side. The goalkeeper is included in the 11-player
total. If a team cannot field at least seven players at match time, the game is a forfeit.
FIFA-sanctioned matches are generally limited to three substitutions per match, with the exception of
friendly matches.
Substitutions may only enter at the halfway line, upon the referees approval, and after the player
being subbed out has left the pitch. The goalkeeper may be substituted with anyone on the pitch or
any eligible substitute on the bench during a game stoppage.

Law 4: The Players Equipment

All players are required to wear a jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks and cleats. The socks must cover
the shin guards entirely. If the referee deems a players equipment unsatisfactory, the player can be
sent off until the issue is remedied.

Law 5: The Referee

The referee is the authority on the field, and his word is law. If you question a referees decision, you
can be disciplined further simply for dissent.

Law 6: The Assistant Referees

The assistant referees are primarily responsible for assisting the referee in performing his duties this
includes signaling with a flag when a ball goes of play, when a player is fouled, or when a player is in
an offside position.

Law 7: The Duration of the Match

A soccer match is comprised of two 45-minute halves, with extra time added for each at the referees
discretion. The halves are separated by a half-time period not to exceed 15 minutes. The extra time
generally corresponds with the referees determination of how much time was taken up due to
substitutions and injuries. The amount of extra time is announced and displayed at the half line at the
end of each 45-minute period.

Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play

Kick-off is generally determined by a coin toss, whereby the winning team can either choose to start
with the ball or choose which goal they would like to attack. Kick-off occurs at the start of each half,
and after each goal scored, and is taken at the center of the halfway line. If a team scores a goal, the
opposing team is given the kick-off to restart the match.

Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play

The ball is out of play when it fully crosses either the goal line or the touch line. It is also out of play if
the referee stops play for any reason. If, for any reason, the ball strikes the frame of the goal or the
referee and remains within the goal and touch lines, it is still in play.

Law 10: The Method of Scoring

A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line within the frame of the goal. At the end
of the match, the team with the most goals is the winner, barring the circumstantial necessity for extra
time.

Law 11: Offside

When an attacking player receives the ball while on his opponents half, he must be level or behind the
second to last defender (the last typically being the goalkeeper). However, this rule only applies if he
is involved with the play.

Law 12- Fouls and Misconduct

The two types of fouls in soccer are a penal or major fouls and non-penal know as minor fouls. The
nine major types of major fouls are as follows;
-Holding another player
-Handling the ball with your hands (other than the goal keeper)
-Hitting a or spitting at another player
-Pushing another player
-Tripping another player
-Charging a player from behind
-Jumping up at a player
-kicking another player
-Charging another player in a rough way.
If one of the following offences are committed the referee will blow his whistle and award a direct
free kick, if within the 18 yard box, a penalty will be awarded.
There are also 5 non-penal minor fouls, they are as follows;
-Dangerous play, for example a high kick that endangers another player.
-Fair charging and obstructing another player intentionally while not in playing distance of the ball
-charging the goalkeeper while in the goal area
-law infringements by a goalkeeper
-Wasting time intentionally
If one of the following were to occur, the referee will blow his whistle and award a indirect free kick to
the opposition team.
The two kinds of misconduct are as follows;
A players actions resulting in a yellow card being given, this is a warning, player may continue to play.

A players actions result in a red card, two yellow cards also equal a red card.
A player that is given a red card to leave the field of play for the remainder of the game, and is
not allowed to be replaced by another player.

Law 13: Free Kicks

Free Kick is broken into two categories, direct and indirect. A direct kick can be shot directly into the
opponents goal without touching another player. An indirect free kick is indicated by the referee
raising his hand during the kick. An indirect kick can only go into the goal if it has subsequently been
touched by another player before it enters the goal. The ball must be stationary for both types of
kicks.

Law 14: The Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded either when a defensive player fouls an attacking player or commits a
handball in his/her teams penalty area. The penalty kick is placed at the penalty spot, and all players
on both teams must remain outside the penalty box during the shot. They may enter the box
immediately after the shot is taken. The goalkeeper may move horizontally along the goal line before
the shot is taken, but he may not come off the line until the ball is struck.

Law 15: The Throw-In

A throw-in is awarded when the possessing team plays the ball out of bounds over the touchline.
While taking a throw-in, a player must release the ball with both hands simultaneously and keep both
feet firmly planted on the ground. If these conditions are not met, play is stopped and the throw-in is
given to the opposing team. Players are not allowed to score directly off a throw-in.

Law 16: The Goal Kick

A goal kick is awarded when the offensive team plays the ball out of bounds over the defensive teams
goal line. After the ball is out of play, the defender or goalkeeper may place the ball anywhere within
the six-yard goal box and kick the ball back into play.

Law 17: The Corner Kick

A corner kick is awarded to the offensive team when the defensive team plays the ball out of bounds
over its goal line. The ball is placed within the corner area and is kicked back into play by the offensive
team. Players can score directly off a corner kick.

New rules
2015
Players have previously been allowed to be in offside positions if they were not an "active" part
of play; to be offside a player had to touch the ball. International Football Association Board
(IFAB), the sport's law making body, introduced a change meaning anybody in an offside
position making a play for the ball, being close to the ball or having an impact on an opponent
would be deemed offside - even if they did not make contact.