Are you interested in playing soccer and want to know more about the game? If yes, then you have come to the right place. Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide and the most-watched team sport game worldwide by a vast margin. This may be different in North America, specifically the United States.
Still, it is the most watched sport in other continents, including South America, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Millions of people of all skill levels play soccer in over 140 countries, with over 3.4 billion fans worldwide.
What exactly is soccer?
Soccer, popularly known as Association football or simply football in other parts besides North America, is a game that comprises two teams, each with 11 players. The game is played with a round circular ball, with each team striving to drive the ball into the opposing team’s goal.
Each soccer team comprises 11 players, 10 on-field players, and a goalie. The on-field players are permitted to use any other part of their bodies except their arms and hands. Only the goalkeeper can touch the ball with their hands or arms, but he can only do so within the penalty area.
The reason why most people love the game is that it is entertaining and easy to understand. The rules here are quite simple, the team that scores more goals is declared the winner. A referee usually moderates the game.
Like other types of sports, soccer has rules that every player and coach who wants to play must adhere to, failing to which they may be booked. For example, players will be warned or booked if they commit a foul.
Unlike many other sports, soccer doesn’t require expensive gear to play. The following equipment will help you get by. This list may vary depending on whether you play official games, youth soccer, or unofficial games.
- Soccer field
- Soccer ball
- Team Jerseys
- Socks
- Shin guards
- Soccer cleat
- Soccer goals
Basic rules of competitive soccer
As mentioned earlier, soccer rules are quite simple and easy to understand for those who want to play soccer. This simplicity is why most people love this sport. In this section, we will discuss the basic rules of soccer.
- Each team has 11 players on each side, including the goalie. Together, 22 players are on the field.
- A soccer game is played by two teams, with each team having a maximum of 11 players on the field at any time. One player is the goalkeeper.
- A soccer match has two halves, each with a maximum playing time of 45 minutes. There may be stoppage time at the end of each half to compensate for the time wasted by injuries and other things that may have disrupted the match. Knockout games sometimes have overtime and a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
- The game starts with a toss of a coin.
Playing Soccer
As we see in the world cup soccer tournament, a soccer game usually begins with a coin toss. The captain of both teams chooses the side of the coin, and then there is a coin toss to determine which team has the ball in the first half. The opponent team has possession of the ball first in the 2nd half.
The main aim of a soccer match is to score goals and prevent the opposing team from scoring. The team that scores the most goals during 90-minute is declared the winner of the game. This is ached by the players heading the ball into the opposing team’s goal.
A central referee and two linesmen control official games. The main role of these officials is to ensure that the game’s rules are adhered to. If players choose to break a rule, a free kick or even a penalty is awarded to the opposing team.
If the offense is in the penalty box, a penalty is awarded. A player may be sent off if he gets two yellow cards (a red card).
Learn the basic skills of soccer
Ability to control the ball
In a game, the player must learn to move the ball to keep it from the opposing player. How you receive the ball is a crucial part of controlling it. You need to learn how to control the ball in just one touch.
This may take a considerable amount of time to perfect. Controlling the ball also means dribbling the ball to keep it away from another player defending.
Passing accurately
Another crucial skill you need to learn to become a good football player is accurately passing the ball to your teammates (both long and short passes). Fewer players possess this important skill needed to play a game.
It would help if you learned so many things to pass the ball accurately, including knowing how to handle the opposing player, calculating the distance and the speed your teammate is running, and much more. This skill also takes time to learn and perfect. Studying the space around you before passing is important if you are a midfielder.
Defense:
Defensive play in soccer is all about keeping your team’s shape, staying compact, and minimizing the space available for the attacking players to maneuver around the field. To accomplish this, defenders must remain coordinated and communicate with one another.
Defensive players should stay between the ball and their goal and apply pressure when it enters their zone. They should also avoid diving into tackles and stay on their feet.
Defenders must organize quickly and get into position to mark attackers when defending set pieces like corners and free kicks. Finally, defenders must always be aware of their surroundings and know when to intervene to assist their teammates.
Stamina and fitness
Football is a physical game requiring a high fitness level and stamina. Research shows that professional football players run an average of 10.14 KM per game when playing soccer. You can only do this if you have good stamina and fitness.
Shooting
As an offensive player, shooting is a very important skill to learn. Whether playing soccer indoors or on an official field, you must be able to accurately shoot the ball away from the defender from one space on the field to your teammates, even if they are on the other end.
Learning how to shoot is an important skill you need to learn. It would help if you learned how to strike the ball with power and precision.
Discipline and the right attitude
All these basic skills will amount to nothing if you are not disciplined or have the right attitude. The most successful soccer players in the world are very disciplined and have the right attitude.
When training, have the right attitude and be willing to learn from everyone. Also, be kind to players on a team.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PLAYING SOCCER
The game of soccer has many health benefits for your body, including:
- It helps to build your strength, flexibility, and endurance.
- It improves your cardiovascular health and aerobic capacity.
- It improves your muscle tone and lowers your body fat.
- It increases your bone and muscle strength.
- It promotes teamwork and sharing.
- It helps to increase your self-discipline, concentration, and persistent skills.
- It teaches coordination
In conclusion, playing soccer is a fun and rewarding experience for anyone of any age. Whether you are a beginner starting or an experienced player looking to improve your skills, following these simple steps will help you play to your full potential. So come on out and play!
