Football

Football

Football a.k.a association football or soccer, the most popular sport worldwide, is a team sport in which two teams of 11 players each play with a spherical ball by using any part of their bodies except their hands and arms to maneuver the ball into the opposing team’s goal. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use his hands within the penalty area(D-Court). The game is of two halves with 45 minutes each with some additional time and the team to score more goals wins.

A football match

More than half of the world's population consider themselves to be football (soccer) fans. It is estimated that more than 4.0 billion people following, and a global sphere of influence. The name "Football" was derived by the way it is played and it finally took shape in the 18^th century.

History

Manchester United vs Arsenal 1967

The origin soccer has been traced to China, as early as the 2nd Century while the Romans, Greeks, and Japanese have also claimed to have played it first. The modern football began in England, where it amassed considerable interest and spread to other parts of the world. Football is more popular in Europe and Americas than in any other continent where Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, and England are some of the best football playing countries.

Tournament

FIFA World Cup cup and ball

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup or commonly known as the World Cup which was founded in 1904 is the biggest and most prestigious football tournament in the world where different nations from all around the world gather to compete against each other.

Other than the World Cup, some famous tournaments played as a nation are UEFA European Championship, AFC Asian Cup, Copa América, etc. While some famous club-wise tournament are La Liga, Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, etc.

Object of the game

Legs on the ball

The sport is played by two teams on a large rectangular shaped grass field with two goal posts on both ends of the breadth of the field. The object of the game is to tackle the ball and score more goals than their opponent to win the game. Only the goalkeeper can only stop the ball with his hands within the D-Court while the rest of them can use any part of their body except their hands.

Team Size

Brazil Football Team

Each team should have only 11 players on the field while playing the game with one of them being the goalkeeper, the only player allowed to use his hands, who is crucial to the success of the team. There should also be a number of substitute players seated on the side to replace the on-field players with the coach, who is the integral part of the team coaching them and laying out plans and strategies to score goals and win matches.

Field Measurements

Football Field

The football field measures a dimension of 110-120 yards (110-110 m) long and 70-80 yards (64-73 m) wide, with a center line dividing it into two halves. The inner edges of the goalpost is 24 feet (7.3 m) wide and lower edges of the crossbar above the ground is 8 feet (2.4 m) high. The penalty box has an area extending 18 yards from the goal and 44 yards wide.

Scoring and Offside

Offside rule

The object of the game is to tackle the ball and score more goals than their opponent to win the game. It is considered a goal if the ball goes inside the goal posts and under the connecting crossbar but a goal can be influenced by the offside rule. A player is considered offside if he is closer to the opponents' goal line than the ball and the second last opponent.

Types of Fouls

Messi being fouled

There are two types of fouls: 

·       Physical fouls (tripping or pushing) results in a direct kick where a player can shoot directly on goal if he is close enough.

·       Non-physical fouls (offside or obstructing an opponent) results in an indirect kick where the ball must touch a teammate before it can be struck at goal.

Goalkeepers and Hands

A goalkeeper saving a goal with his hand

The goalkeepers are the only players who are to use their hands, but only within the penalty box that surrounds the goal. But he cannot receive a pass from a teammate with  his hands. When he is in possession of the ball, he must release it with a pass or kick within six seconds.