Soccer at the basic level is simple to understand and play. Although there are many rules and terms to get to grips with. We will take a dive into the game to find out exactly what soccer is.
Basically in soccer, you need to score more than the other team to win – just like any other game right! But with that comes many more questions. Here are some of the key points we will look at;
- What soccer is
- What the players and positions are
- What rules are in soccer and what they mean
- Soccer in America and the history
Let’s get into some details about soccer, you’ll know more than most after reading this.
Contents show
What is Soccer?
Soccer is a game that’s played on a field, between two teams. Each team is up to 11 players with one goalkeeper each. One team plays in one direction and the other opposite towards the opposing goal and the most goals scored, wins.
The aim is to move the ball into the goal, using any part of the body apart from the arms and hands. The highest-scoring team after 90 minutes wins the game.
- Soccer unites us
- Soccer is the most popular sport in the world
- Soccer can be played by ages 3 +
- You can be short or tall to play soccer
- Soccer can be played on any surface
- To play soccer you need just a ball
Soccer is a common interest shared by many around the world that bring us together as friends, teams, and nations.
But take a minute toread between the lines and you’ll discover there is so much more to the game.There’s history, passion, tradition and so much more!
What is Soccer FAQ
What is the aim of soccer?
The aim of soccer is to score more goals than the opposite team within game time – 90 minutes for teenagers and adults. For a win in the league, 3 points are awarded and for a draw, each team gets 1 point.
What is soccer played on?
Soccer can be played on natural or artificial turf for full-sized games. Soccer is also played on courts and other hard surfaces for smaller games where there are normally 5 players on each side.
How do you explain soccer to a child?
To explain soccer to a child, the aim is to get the ball in the net, stop the other side from getting the ball in your net by working together as a team. Only the goalkeeper can handle the ball but you can all kick it.
What is the purpose of soccer?
The purpose of soccer is a team game where anyone can join in. There are positions and roles for different characters and different heights. Soccer is physical, although set with rules to keep it friendly.
Soccer is a team game, that unites people and brings them together for a fun competition. It’s a game that can be played equally for small and tall people – this makes it unique.
There are not many sports where a 5.4″ player can equally match a 6.4″ player. These types of players play to their strengths where a player can compete with acceleration or physicality.
What Are The Soccer Player Positions?
The number of players for an adult’s game is 11 per side. The number of players is reduced gradually for the lower ages to 3 vs 3 for the under 6’s – this is without a goalkeeper.
Adults and teenagers have one goalkeeper and ten outfield players with substitutes on the sidelines.
You’re allowed three to five substitutes per game and the players are not allowed to return to the field if they have been taken off.
There are four positions for players;
- Goalkeepers/keepers (Can handle the ball in their area – they save the ball from going in the goal)
- Defenders (Protect the goal by tackling and then play it to the midfield or attackers)
- Midfielders (They help the defense and attack by tackling, passing and shooting)
- Attackers (They score goals and assist others to score)
The number of players for each position will vary depending on the formation of the team.
What is The Soccer Field
The game can be played on natural or artificial turf. Games that are usually played on a hardcourt are called futsal. The size of the field is bigger than an American football field and goes to a maximum in the width of 100 yards and a length of 130 yards.
The field is divided into two halves with the halfway line and this has a circle in the center for the kick-off. On each corner, there is a small ark that the ball goes into for the corner kicks.
Around the goal is one large box called the penalty area and this is where the goalkeeper can handle the ball. Within this box is a smaller rectangle, where the goal kicks are to be taken from.
The teams will face the opposite direction and aim for the other goal in the second half.
- For details about all the sizes of the soccer field dimensions for international and youth games.
What Is the Length of A Soccer Game?
The game is played over two periods called a half. The playing time is 45 minutes per half with added time on at the end of each half, for injuries, substitutions, and, time-wasting – this is called stoppage time/injury time.
At the end of each half, an official will indicate with a board how many minutes are to be added to the game. If the game is a deciding cup match, extra time is normally added on.
There are an additional 15 minutes per half with injury time added on as per usual. If the game is still tied after the extra time, the game will be decided on penalty kicks.
What is a Kick-off in Soccer?
Before the game begins, each team will stand in their own half, where their goal/goalkeeper is. The team that kicks off first is decided by the flip of a coin, done by the referee and the two captains.
Any player from the winning coin flick team can begin the match. The ball is placed in the center of the field and when the player kicks it, the game begins.
The rule was changed recently before two players were needed in the center circle, one player would tap the ball into the opposition’s half and the other player would need to kick it.
When a goal is scored, the team that conceded the goal will restart the match in the same procedure as the kick-off.
What Are The Soccer Rules?
The soccer rules are there to make the game fair for the players, officials, and fans. Although the game is physical, there must be respect for everyone taking part – sportsmanship. A referee will oversee the game to make sure the rules are being applied.
What is a Foul?
A foul is awarded if a player;
- Handles the ball
- Obstructs a player
- Time-wasting
- Makes a dangerous tackle
- Pulls a jersey
- Consistent fouling
If the foul does not stop a goal from being scored or is not dangerous, no cards will be given. Yellow cards are given for handling the ball, time-wasting, stopping an attacking break, and pulling a jersey.
A red card is awarded if a foul is committed that endangers an opponent, studs towards an opponent in a tackle, and for a second yellow card.
For more details on the rules for the cards in soccer, we have a dedicated article for Yellow Cards and Red Cards – for further study.
What is a Free Kick?
If a team is awarded a free-kick, the referee will blow the whistle. A freekick is given for a foul outside of the penalty box. The opposing team needs to stand 10 yards away from the ball until the ball is kicked.
The defending team will line a wall of a few players if the attacking team is in a position to shoot. In a professional game, the referee marks the 10-yard distance with a line using spray chalk.
What is a Corner Kick?
When the ball is kicked over the goal line, by the team, where their goal is, a corner kick is awarded. The ball is placed alongside the goals in the far corner.
The ball can go either side of the goal or over the goal for this to happen. The ball is placed in the far corner and the ball is normally kicked into the box for a player to knock it onto the goal.
Again the opposition needs to stand at least 10 yards away from the ball.
What is a Penalty Kick?
If a foul is made inside of the goal area, the referee will blow the whistle and point to the penalty spot. This is for a free shot at the goal with only the goalkeeper stopping the shot.
When the penalty kick is being taken, only the taker, keeper, and referee are allowed inside of the box.
The referee will signal when the penalty kick can be taken and the keeper needs to stay on the goal line, otherwise the kick can be taken again.
What Are The Soccer Officials?
There is one referee that controls the game on the field with the use of a whistle and hand signals, to keep the game within the laws set out by the IFAB.
Two assistant referees operate along the defensive half of one side of the field, off of the field. The assistants keep in line with the defense to monitor if the ball is played offside, they’ll also indicate if any fouls have been committed.
Also, there is an official who communicates with the managers, one who signals for substitutions.
A recent introduction is Var Assistant Referees and they monitor the game on screens, looking for anything missed by the officials on the field or to confirm a decision when a request has been made by the referee.
What is the Transfer Window?
Soccer is also a business. One of my favorite parts of soccer is the trade window when teams are allowed to buy and sell players to better build their rosters.
Sometimes this is done around a player or coach and other times it’s built around a strategy. Sometimes players are wasted on the bench at one club. They’re purchased by another team that better fits their strengths and formation.
Raheem Sterling was revitalized under the guidance of Pep Guardiola following some frustrating seasons at his current and former clubs.
It’s interesting to watch players’ careers unfold and clubs’ histories being written in the transfer window.
What Soccer Means in America
You’d of never thought it 20 years ago but soccer is currently at number 5 on the most popular sports in America. This will surely change as the appreciation grows like the rest of the world. Soccer is more popular than golf and boxing!
New laws including video assistance for the referees are making the game much cleaner and more enjoyable to watch. Once you get a grasp of the rules, you get a deeper look into the tactics, which make it like a chess game.
Soccer has a very rich history, from the individuals who have played the game to the unforgettable matches, both competitive and not, that have occurred throughout the history of soccer.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget Liverpool’s legendary comeback against Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final on their way to being crowned Kings of Europe.
Barcelona, led by Lionel Messi generated a 3-0 advantage heading into the second leg. The lead seemed insurmountable, particularly against such an experienced Barcelona side.
However, Liverpool found a way through with heroic efforts from their veterans and a particularly tricky play from one of their youngsters. Take a look…
Who Created Soccer
Soccer as we know it’s only been in existence since 1863 when the Football Association was formed in England. However, traces of soccer can be found throughout history.
One example is the use of the body to accomplish a task during ancient Chinese military activities. Soldiers could use any part of their body, excluding the arms and hands to kick a leather ball through a hoop while dodging attacks from other soldiers.
Other variations of the game can be found in Japan, Greece, and Rome. Historians have concluded that these games of skill using surfaces of the body other than hands are the earliest accounts of soccer in our civilization.
Although I wouldn’t put it past the cavemen to play a lively game of soccer every now and then. Read the invention of soccer.
History of Soccer – World War 1
On an even more memorable Christmas Day in 1914, British and German soldiers engaged in trench warfare against one another called a ceasefire for the Christmas holiday.
That cold, muddy Christmas day on the battlefield, they came together to wish each other a Merry Christmas, sing carols, and dream of a world without war!
After the festivities, the soldiers played a game of soccer in No-Man’s land. It’s hard to imagine the two groups shooting at each other one day and playing a lively game of soccer the next.
These young men had two things in common that night: missing their families on the front lines that Christmas night and a game that united them for a day before going back to the realities of war.
Soccer has seen some interesting things throughout its history. For a detailed look read how soccer has changed.
Summary of What Soccer is…
To sum it all up, soccer is our history, our passion, our culture, and our common language. When you boil it down, soccer is just a game. However, when we pour our passions and pride into it, soccer gives us much more than a game could.
It gives us connection, community, heartbreak, euphoria, and everything in between. That’s what soccer is and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
For an even deeper guide into soccer, the A-Z Rules of Soccer is a great piece to read.
Related Questions
What are soccer positions?
For a 4-3-3 formation;
- A goalkeeper (1).
- An outside back on the right (2).
- and left (3) sides of defense.
- Two center backs (4, 5) in front of the goalkeeper.
- Two holding midfielders (6, 8) lie deep in the midfield.
- An attacking midfielder (10) acts as the playmaker.
- Three attacking players are used to round out the team.
- Two wingers are stationed in advanced wide positions, one on the right (7) and one on the left (11)
- The center forward (9) sitting centrally in the attack.
What are soccer balls made of?
Modern soccer balls are made from synthetic leather, cloth, a rubber bladder, and a valve to inflate or deflate the ball to the desired pressure. Early soccer balls were made with real leather and had laces to keep the panels together.
FAQs
What are 5 important rules of soccer? ›
- No hands. Unless you're the goalie or are attempting a throw-in, you're not allowed to use your hands in play. ...
- Throw-ins. ...
- Goal and corner kicks. ...
- Direct and indirect kicks. ...
- Game in play. ...
- Fouls.
- No Hands, please. I bet you knew that one. ...
- Throw-ins. A throw-in is taken when the ball crosses a sideline and leaves the field. ...
- Corner Kicks & Goal Kicks.
- Fouls. ...
- Direct and Indirect Free Kicks. ...
- Penalty Kick. ...
- Two-touch Rule.
Soccer is a team sport played by a team of 11 players against another team of 11 players on a field. The team has one designated goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. Outfield players are usually specialised in attacking or defending or both.
What are 3 facts about soccer? ›It is played by 250 million players in over 200 countries, making it the world's most popular sport. No one knows exactly when soccer was created, but the earliest versions of the game can be traced back 3,000 years. Soccer is the most popular game in the world. In many countries it is known as “football”.
What are 17 rule of football? ›A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.
What is not allowed in soccer? ›The following actions are not allowed in soccer and will result in a foul call: Kicking an opponent. Tripping. Jumping into an opponent (like when you are going for a header) Charging into an opponent.
How kick a soccer ball? ›HOW TO SHOOT A SOCCER BALL : 5 BASIC WAYS TO KICK A BALL
Are there 17 laws in soccer? ›Currently there are 17 specific key items that determine the rules of soccer: Field of play, the Ball, Number of Players, Player's Equipment, Referee, Assistant Referee, Duration of Match, Start and Restart of Play, Ball In and Out of Play, Scoring, Offsides, Fouls and Misconduct, Free Kicks, Penalty Kicks, Throw In, ...
What are the main rules of soccer? ›All players must use their feet head or chest to play the ball. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands, and only within their designated goal area. The aim of the game is to score a goal, which is achieved by kicking or heading the ball into the opposition team's goal.
What are the 5 basic rules of football? ›- Teams will be told which way they are kicking at start of game.
- Teams cannot score directly from a kick off.
- There is no offside.
- All free kicks and corners are direct and opposition must be 3 metres away.
- Goal kicks to be taken anywhere inside penalty area.
What's the most important rule in soccer? ›
Offside is perhaps one of the most important rules in soccer. It keeps the game from being unfair, as a player could play a long through ball to a teammate past a line of defenders and be almost guaranteed a goal.