Soccer is a popular team sport worldwide, though its name varies among regions. In the U.S., soccer leagues range from youth to professional to national. Worldwide, there are many leagues, some of which focus on international competition. If you would like to start playing with a team, contact a local league. Choose a league that matches your skill level.
Function
A soccer field is rectangular with a goal on either end. Each team competes to knock the soccer ball into their opponent's goal. Other than goalies, players may not use their hands. Instead, players use their heads and feet to pass the ball to teammates. When a scoring opportunity presents itself, players kick or head the ball past the opposing team's goalie. Game play regulations, such as required match length and penalties, vary among leagues, regions and countries.
Features
Each soccer team has 11 players. One player is goalie and stays near the net. The other ten players assume defensive or offensive positions. Typically, teams align themselves in layers. For example, several players will stay on defense, several will follow the ball deeper into the other team's half of the field and the remaining players will focus on scoring goals. In the U.S., these positions usually are called, respectively, defenders, midfielders and strikers.
Types
Soccer teams compete on various levels. Young children participate in youth leagues, which focus on teaching fundamental soccer skills and providing kids with a fun, sporting environment. High schools and colleges have more competitive leagues in which teams vie for regional or national championships. Professional leagues hire the best players. National teams often draw on the roster of professional teams to form all-star teams that compete against other countries.
World Championships
International leagues have teams that represent different countries. For example, FIFA, or The International Federation of Association Football, offers the World Cup championship series. Teams worldwide compete to qualify for the World Cup, which occurs every four years. The 2010 World Cup took place in South Africa. Spain won the series, defeating the Netherlands 1-0. The 2014 World Cup takes place in Brazil.
Member Comments