Perhaps the most important fact about soccer is that it is the world's most popular sport. An estimated 265 million people play soccer, estimates FIFA, its international governing body. From the beaches of Brazil to the groomed suburban fields of the United States and the massive stadiums of Europe, soccer everywhere follows 17 categories of important rules played with identical basics but endless individual variation and flair.
Features
Adult soccer requires a field ranging from 50 to 100 yards wide and 100 to 130 yards long, divided into two halves with a 24-by-8-foot goal on either end line. Each team tries to score by kicking, heading or dribbling the ball into the goal past a goalkeeper. Field players wear colored team jerseys and cleated shoes to achieve purchase on slick grassy fields.
Function
A team consists of 11 players. Forwards specialize in scoring, midfielders in controlling the game and defenders in preventing goals. The center forward, center mid and center fullback, or sweeper, need to be among the fittest and most confident players on the team. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use her hands, and she can only touch the ball within a penalty area measuring 42 yards by 18 yards in front of the goal.
Rules
Referees and side judges enforce the rules of soccer. They call fouls, misconduct such as dissent, penalties, out of bounds, hand balls and offsides, which occurs when a striker runs past the last defender before a passed ball is kicked to him. The referees keep the time and may allow stoppage time past the end of a 45-minute half if an injury stoppage or dawdling substitutions have prevented a full 45 minutes of play. Professional teams allow three substitutions during official games and more during friendly, non-league matches. Recreational teams allow unlimited substitutions during dead balls for outdoor games and at any time during indoor games.
Considerations
The soccer ball for adult games must be an official size 5 ball, weighing between 410 g and 450 g and with a circumference between 68 and 70 cm, properly inflated. Under-13 players often play with a smaller size 4 ball, and under-8s with a size 3 ball. Players need a protective pair of shin guards worn under long socks to prevent injury from kicks or hard-struck balls.
Time Frame
A professional adult soccer game lasts 90 minutes, with two halves around a 15-minute halftime, and may end in a tie during the regular season. Playoffs and elimination stages of tournaments such as the World Cup may solve ties with two additional 15-minute overtime periods, followed by a penalty shootout. Youth games, indoor games and 3-versus-3 and futsal tournaments may involve shorter games, with halves running 24 minutes or less. Professional soccer starts around mid-August and continues to the end of May in Europe and Latin America and follows a reversed April through November pattern in the United States.
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