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Fatima Joy M. Fajardo

BSS-3

I.

History of Soccer

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Europe and the Americas. It has a vivid and
interesting history in the world of sports. Early evidence of soccer being played as a sport finds
occurrence in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. In China, it was during the Han dynasty that
people dribbled leather balls by kicking it into a small net. Recorded facts also support the fact that
Romans and Greeks used to play ball for fun and frolic. Some facts point to Kyoto in Japan where kicking
of ball was a popular sport.
It is said that early growth of the modern soccer started in England. Some amusing facts even
mention that the first ball used was the head of some Danish brigand. It is said that during medieval
times, the old form of soccer used to allow many ill practices like kicking, punching, biting and gouging.
The main aim was to carry the ball to a target spot. People grew so fond of the game that they would
throng the field all day long. Sometimes the competition grew fierce and masses got so wild that there
were frequent incidents of violence during the game. It is also said that soldiers admired the game so
much that they missed archery practice to watch it.
King Edward III banned soccer in 1365 owing to the growing incidents of violence and military
indulgence in the sport. In 1424 King James I of Scotland also proclaimed in the Parliament "Na man
play at the Fute-ball" (No man shall play football).
When and where exactly did soccer start is a question that has no precise answer to it. You can
easily say that this popular game has been played for more than three thousand years. The nativity of
modern-day soccer must be credited to Britain. It was also known as the association football, with
Scotland and England being the co-founders of the systematic game of soccer.
Modern History of Soccer: 18th Century Onward
In 1815, a major development took place that made soccer popular in Universities, Colleges and
Schools. The popular English School and Eton College came forth with a set of rules, known as the
Cambridge Rules. Football was segregated into two groups; some colleges and schools opted for Rugby
rules that allowed tripping, shin kicking and also carrying the ball. These rules were exclusively prohibited
as per the Cambridge rules.
King Edward III banned soccer in 1365, owing to the growing incidents of violence and military
indulgence in the sport.
The history of modern-day soccer was established in 1863. In October 1863, eleven
representatives from London clubs and schools met at the Freemasons Tavern to set up common
fundamental rules to control the matches amongst themselves. The outcome of this meeting was the
formation of the Football Association. In December 1863, the Rugby Football and Association football
finally split as the supporters of the Rugby School rules walked out.
Firmly establishing the foundation of soccer in 1869, the Football Association strictly banned any
kind of handling of the ball. Soccers popularity spread rapidly during the 1800s as British sailors, traders
and soldiers introduced the sport to different parts of the globe.
Italians, Austrians and Germans drew to Europe, while Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil adopted the
sport in South America. FIFA was established in the year 1904 and by early 1930s, different leagues were
operating from various countries. FIFA is credited with organizing the first world cup in Uruguay. The
history of soccer is rich with events, development and its growing craze all over the world. You will find
yourself amazed as you learn about different times of this wonderful sport that has held our awe and
admiration for over 3000 years.

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II.

Rules of the Game

Law 1: The Field of Play

Soccer can be played on either grass or artificial turf, but the surface must be green in color. The field
must be rectangular in shape, and distinctly marked by two short goal lines and two long-touch lines. The
field is divided into halves, separated by the halfway line, which runs from the midpoints of each touchline.
At the midpoint of the halfway line is a marked center point surrounded by a lined center circle with a
radius of 10 yards. Opposing players are not allowed to enter this circle during the possessing teams
kick-off. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Regulation lengths are:
Touch line: Minimum 90 meters (100 yards), maximum 120 meters (130 yards)
Width (goal line): Minimum 45 m (50 yds), maximum 90 m (100 yds).
At each end of the field is an eight-yard-wide goal centered along the goal line.
Six yards from each goal post along the goal line and six yards out into the field (perpendicular to
the goal line) is the goal box.
Extending 18 yards from each goal post along the goal line and 18 yards out into the field
(perpendicular to the goal line) is the penalty box.
In each of the four corners of the field is a five-foot-high corner flag.

Law 2: The Soccer Ball

The circumference of a soccer ball must not be more than 28 inches (70 centimeters) and not
less than 27 ins. (68 cm).
The size 5 ball, used by ages 12 and above, is spherical and made of leather or some other
suitable material.
It must not weigh more than 16 ounces (450 grams) and not less than 14 oz. (410 g) at the start
of a match.
The ball must be of a pressure equal to 0.6 1.1 atmosphere (600 1,000 g/cm2) at sea level
(8.5 Ibs./sq. in 15.6 Ibs./sq. in).
Law 3: The Number of Players
A match is played by two teams, with each allowed no more than 11 players on the field at any one time,
one of whom is a goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team has fewer than seven players . FIFAsanctioned matches are generally limited to three substitutions per match, with the exception of friendly
matches.
Law 4: The Players' Equipment
The FIFA Laws of the Game state that players are not allowed to use equipment or wear anything that is
dangerous to himself or any other player (including any kind of jewelry).
A players basic equipment consists of a jersey or shirt with sleeves, shorts, stockings, shinpads and
footwear.
Law 5: The Referee
The referee has the full authority to enforce the laws of the game and his decision is final. He controls the
match in cooperation with the assistant referees, and where applicable, the fourth official. The referee
ensures that the ball and players' equipment meets the requirements, acts as timekeeper and stops play
for infringement of the laws among several other duties.
Law 6: The Assistant Referee
In professional soccer there are two assistant referees whose job it is to call offsides and throw-ins, and
help the referee make decisions. Carrying a flag to signal their observations, assistant referees, or
linesmen as they are commonly known, must monitor the sidelines and goal lines and flag if the ball goes
out of play, signaling which team the goal kick or throw-in should be awarded to.

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Law 7: The Duration of the Match
Matches consist of two 45 minute halves, unless the two teams and referee agree otherwise before the
start of play. The half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes, and can only be altered upon consent of
the referee. A referee may play added time because of substitutions, assessment of injuries, removal of
injured players from the field of play, time wasting and any other cause. An abandoned match is replayed
unless the competition rules state otherwise.
Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play
A coin is tossed and the team that wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the
match. The other team takes the kick-off to start the match. The team that wins the toss takes the kick-off
to start the second half of the match. In the second half of the match, the teams change ends and attack
the opposite goals.
Kick-off is the way of starting or restarting play:
- To begin a match
- If a goal has been scored
- To begin the second half
- To begin a period of extra-time.
Law 9: The Ball in and out of Play
The ball is out of play when: (1) It has wholly crossed the goalline or touchline. (2) Play has been stopped
by the referee. The ball is in play at all other times, including when: (1) It rebounds off a goalpost,
crossbar or corner flag and stays on the field. (2) When it hits a referee or assistant referee when they are
on the field.

Law 10: The Method of Scoring

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the goalline between the posts and
crossbar, provided there is no infringement such as offside, a foul or handball. The team that scores the
most goals wins the match. If the number of goals scored between the two sides is equal at the end of a
match, it is a draw. When competition rules require that there must be a winner, the outcome will be
decided by either: (1) Away goals rule. (2) Extra-time. (3) Penalty kicks.
Law 11: The Offside
The law states that if a player is in an offside position when the ball is played to him or touched by a
teammate, he may not become actively involved in the play. A player is in an offside position if he is closer
to the goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender, but only if he is in the opposition half of
the field.

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Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
A direct free kick is awarded when a player:
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

Trips or attempts to trip an opponent

Jumps at an opponent

Charges an opponent

Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

Pushes an opponent

Tackles an opponent

Holds an opponent

Spits at an opponent

Handles the ball deliberately

If any of these are fouls are committed by a player in their teams penalty area, the opposing team is
awarded a penalty kick. Indirect free kicks are awarded if a player:
Plays in a dangerous manner

Impedes the progress of an opponent

Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands

Commits any other unmentioned offense

Yellow cards are awarded as a caution or warning to a player and can be issued for the following
offenses:
Unsporting behavior

Dissent by word or action

Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game

Delaying the restart of play

Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick,free kick, or
throw-in

Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referees permission

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Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referees permission
Red cards are used to send a player off the field, and can be issued for the following offenses:
Serious foul play

Violent conduct

Spitting at an opponent or any other person

Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling
the ball (the goalkeeper being an exception)

Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the players goal by
an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick

Using offensive or abusive language and/or gestures

Receiving a second caution (yellow card) in the same match

Law 13: Free Kicks

Free kicks are either direct or indirect, and the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken. The kicker
must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. Free Kick is broken into two categories,
direct and indirect. A direct kick can be shot directly into the opponents goal without touching another
player. An indirect free kick is indicated by the referee raising his hand during the kick. An indirect kick can
only go into the goal if it has subsequently been touched by another player before it enters the goal. The
ball must be stationary for both types of kicks.
Law 14: The Penalty Kick
Feinting in the run up to taking a penalty kick to confuse the goalkeeper is permitted. However, feinting to
kick the ball once the player has completed his run up is considered an act of unsporting behavior for
which the player must be cautioned by the referee.
Preparing for the penalty kick
The referee must confirm the following before the kick is taken:
- The kicker is identified
- The ball is placed properly on the penalty mark
- The goalkeeper is on the goal line between the posts and facing the kicker
All other players on the field are:
- Outside the penalty area
- Outside the penalty arc

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- Behind the ball.
Law 15: The Throw-In
A throw-in is awarded when the possessing team plays the ball out of bounds over the touchline. While
taking a throw-in, a player must release the ball with both hands simultaneously and keep both feet firmly
planted on the ground. If these conditions are not met, play is stopped and the throw-in is given to the
opposing team. Players are not allowed to score directly off a throw-in.
Law 16: The Goal Kick
A goal kick is awarded when the offensive team plays the ball out of bounds over the defensive teams
goal line. After the ball is out of play, the defender or goalkeeper may place the ball anywhere within the
six-yard goal box and kick the ball back into play.
Law 17: The Corner Kick
A corner kick is awarded to the offensive team when the defensive team plays the ball out of bounds over
its goal line. The ball is placed within the corner area and is kicked back into play by the offensive team.
Players can score directly off a corner kick.