At its most basic, soccer only requires a ball and two goals at either end of a playing area. The simplicity of the game accounts for its longevity -- forms of soccer appear to have have been played two millennia ago in China. While the rules of the game took a giant step toward international uniformity in 1904, when the international governing body, FIFA, came into existence, variations exist in different countries.
International Play
FIFA's Laws of the Game codify 17 categories of rules and govern outdoor sanctioned matches in 208 member countries. Given this international uniformity, a national or club men's or women's team from El Salvador, for example, playing a team from the United States knows exactly how to legally defend, advance the ball, take penalty and corner kicks and observe the offside rule. Olympic competition also follows FIFA rules. The laws allow modifications for youth and older players.
NCAA
U.S. colleges allow up to 11 substitutions at a time, unlike FIFA's limit of three per game. Field players who are substituted cannot re-enter in the first half, the first overtime period or the second overtime period; they can have one re-entry in the second half. Goalkeepers are allowed one re-entry in the first half, second half and first and second overtime periods. Television timeouts are permitted. NCAA rules recommend but do not require that the clock count down; in FIFA games, the clock counts up from zero.
Major League Soccer
In its early years after its 1996 inaugural season, the professional league in the United States, Major League Soccer, experimented with rule variations including the countdown clock, handling tied games with a shootout and allowing a fourth substitute just for an injured goalkeeper. The league removed rules that differed from FIFA's in 1999 and 2000.
Futsal
Invented in Uruguay in 1930, the small-team form of soccer called futsal involves two teams, each consisting of not more than five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, playing two 20-minute halves. Up to seven substitute players are permitted. The game is played on wood or artificial materials, ideally not concrete or tarmac. Modifications are permissible in the size of the pitch, typically between from 25 to 45 meters wide long and 16 to 25 meters wide, and the goalpost dimensions, ideally 3 meters wide and 2 meters high. Artificial turf is permitted only in national competitions.
Beach Soccer
Part of life in coastal regions throughout the world, most especially Brazil, beach soccer won the notice of FIFA in 1992, when the organization staged a pilot game. In 2005, FIFA took over organizing a World Cup in the sport. Beach soccer is played on a level sand surface free of pebbles and shells, measuring 35 to 37 meters long by 26 to 28 meters wide. Two flags mark an imaginary halfway line. A match consists of two teams, each consisting of no more than five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, with a maximum of five substitutes. The match consists of three periods of 12 minutes each.
Member Comments