Soccer 101
- Ridhwaan Kootbally
- Dec 15, 2021
- 3 min read
It is the world’s most popular ball game in numbers of participants and spectators.
Let's make something clear before we get started!
-The British coined the term soccer in the late 1800s to refer to Association Football, the sport we now know as soccer/football. For years both "soccer" and "football" were used interchangeably in England—football was the favoured term, though "soccer" picked up use after World War II.
-Therefore, whenever you see the term soccer or football on this post, it actually means the same thing.
The contemporary history,
Football’s modern origins began in England more than 100 years ago, in 1863. Rugby football and association football, once the same thing, went their separate ways and the Football Association, the first official governing body for the sport, was established.
The objective of the game:
A game in which two teams of 11 players strive to manipulate the ball into the other team's goal using any part of their body except their hands and arms. Only the goalie is allowed to touch the ball, and only within the penalty area surrounding the goal. The side with the most goals wins.
Main rules and regulations about starting and stopping of play:
A kick-off from the centre circle occurs at the start of a soccer game or after a goal. At the start of the game, all soccer players must be on their respective sides of the field (the side they are defending). Inside the centre circle, only the player kicking the kick-off is permitted. The ball will continue in play after the kick-off until it is out of bounds or the referee announces a foul.
Throw-in: When the soccer ball goes out of bounds, the team that last touched it loses possession, and the other team gets to throw-in the ball from the spot where it crossed the line.
Corner Kick: When the defensive side's final touch of the ball crosses the goal line (without scoring a goal), the opposing team gets to kick the ball from the corner of the field.
Goal kick: The goalkeeper gets to kick the ball from the goal box when the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line.
Penalty kick: When a foul happens in the penalty area, the team that was fouled receives a penalty kick.
Fouls: fouls can refer to any number of unfair advantages gained by a player and called by the referee. Tripping, pushing, and contacting the ball with the hands are examples of these. The opposition side may be given free kicks or penalty kicks. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in a yellow or red card. Players who receive a red card are expelled from the game.
Rule of Offside: Offside occurs when the attacking player is closer to the opponent's goal line than the last opponent, as well as the soccer ball.
Out of bounds: When the ball entirely goes over the boundary line, it is considered out of bounds.
Throw-in: Throwing the ball in at throw-in must be done with both hands from behind and over the head. When the ball is released from the thrower's hands, both of his or her feet must be on the ground.
Formations:
The main positions of soccer players are: goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and strikers. But of course, it all depends on the way or tactics the manager wants his team to play.
There are different ways that players are set up for the game and below are a few examples:
The main 5 soccer leagues
According to global football ranking, the leading five football leagues in Europe are known as the 'Big Five'. These include the Premier League in England, the Bundesliga in Germany, La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy and Ligue 1 in France.
In each league of the different countries, the teams also compete in domestic competitions and if they are good enough and finish in the top four of your league, the team is then qualified to play in the UEFA champions league which is the biggest silverware of Europe. The team that wins the Champions League would be crowned as king of Europe
How does soccer impact the spectators and viewers?
For some individuals, those teams and players out there are considered icons. People would idolize their favourite players and therefore, in a way or another, those stars somehow influence everyone around them, whether it's an individual, a community or even a whole country.
We have seen in the past few years how this sport brings a positive impact to different communities around the world. Where those athletes helped and supported many families especially during the Covid crisis. We have seen that in some places, cases like islamophobia had decreased, LGBTQs have been integrated smoothly and those different teams, they carry several awareness campaigns to help others.
-Video from Sky Sports Football: There’s room for passion, for rivalry and for drama but there’s #NoRoomForRacism, anywhere.
Lots of rich information here in multiple formats -- very nice!