Rules and History of Soccer
History
![Picture](/uploads/4/7/6/3/47635167/5165369.jpg?250)
Soccer, or football, officially originated in England in the late 1800's when rugby and association football branched out. However, the earliest evidence of soccer came from early China dating back to the second and third centuries BC. Back then it was called Tsu' Chu and it consisted of kicking around a leather ball filled with feathers and aiming goals at a net held up by bamboo canes. Of course, the use of hands wasn't permitted, and even had some 'off-sides' rules in place.
The game had really flourished in the British Isles between the 8th and the 19th centuries and included many different varieties of the game to accommodate all of the local and regional versions. Nothing was really standardized or coordinated until about 1872 when the size and weight of the ball was regulated. Shortly after, the arrangement for a 90 minute game was formed. One really interesting form of football before the rules were widely accepted was called Shrovetide football. The rules were practically non-existent, the number of players was unlimited, and any means could have been employed to get the ball into the goal, excluding murder and manslaughter. Similar games were played in France, particularly near the regions next to and including Normandy and Brittany.
The game had really flourished in the British Isles between the 8th and the 19th centuries and included many different varieties of the game to accommodate all of the local and regional versions. Nothing was really standardized or coordinated until about 1872 when the size and weight of the ball was regulated. Shortly after, the arrangement for a 90 minute game was formed. One really interesting form of football before the rules were widely accepted was called Shrovetide football. The rules were practically non-existent, the number of players was unlimited, and any means could have been employed to get the ball into the goal, excluding murder and manslaughter. Similar games were played in France, particularly near the regions next to and including Normandy and Brittany.
A lot of significance was laid upon the contests of these games. Some would include pagan customs, such as fertility rites for example. The ball, in that case, would represent the sun and would need to be 'conquered' in order to secure a healthy harvest in the fall. Another example of this would be the contests between married and unmarried women in Scotland towards the end of the 1600s. These contests were regularly won by the married women; this result usually carried great social weight. Many people nowadays don't realize how old women's soccer actually is.
Even though football was loved by many, does not mean it was loved by all. There was quite a bit of opposition of the sport when it was violent and no rules were followed. For example, in 1314, the Lord Mayor of London had forbid the sport from being played within the city walls because of the chaos that usually followed right behind. Also, during the 15th century, the Scottish kings tried to ban football from being played, however, the game included too much delight for the people for it to be uprooted easily. Much of the resentment of football had come from its capacity for major public disturbance. Nonetheless, support rose from many places, and from one place in particular. In England, Richard Mulcaster, the headmaster of St. Paul's and Merchant Taylor, supported football in saying that it promoted general health, well-being and exercise. He agreed that it required a little refinement, and it did require a limited number of players and most importantly, a stricter referee, however, he also believed it had a very positive educational value. There is more history of the game on the next page, especially with reference to its connection with Italy.
Even though football was loved by many, does not mean it was loved by all. There was quite a bit of opposition of the sport when it was violent and no rules were followed. For example, in 1314, the Lord Mayor of London had forbid the sport from being played within the city walls because of the chaos that usually followed right behind. Also, during the 15th century, the Scottish kings tried to ban football from being played, however, the game included too much delight for the people for it to be uprooted easily. Much of the resentment of football had come from its capacity for major public disturbance. Nonetheless, support rose from many places, and from one place in particular. In England, Richard Mulcaster, the headmaster of St. Paul's and Merchant Taylor, supported football in saying that it promoted general health, well-being and exercise. He agreed that it required a little refinement, and it did require a limited number of players and most importantly, a stricter referee, however, he also believed it had a very positive educational value. There is more history of the game on the next page, especially with reference to its connection with Italy.
Rules
Field of Play:
Football can be played on either grass or artificial turf. The field is divided in half and it is 100-130 yards long. The goal is 8 yards wide with the goal box outlined by the "18-yard-line".
The Ball:
The ball must be spherical, and either made of leather or something similar. The circumference of the ball must be in the range of 27-28 inches.
Number of Players:
Matches are played with two teams of 11.
The Referee:
Whatever the referee says, goes. He is the authority on the field and even questioning his call could lead to disciplinary action.
Duration of the Match:
A 90 minute total, 45 minute half game is played. Extra time may be added at the referee's discretion for injury, fouls, etc.
Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line in the frame of the goal. Like most games, the team with the most goals at the end of the game is the winner.
Offsides:
When the attacking player gets the ball on the opponents' half, he must be behind or level with the second to last defender (the last being the goalkeeper).
Fouls and Misconduct:
A free kick is awarded to the opposing team when a player:
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
Jumps or charges at the opponent
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
Pushes, tackles, holds, spits, or bites an opponent
Deliberately handles the ball
Penalty kicks are awarded to the opposing team when a player:
Plays in a dangerous manner
Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball out of their hands
Impedes the progress of an opponent
Commits any other unmentioned offense
Yellow cards are used as a warning to a player that commits any the following:
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Persistent infringement of the rules of the game
Delaying the restart of play
Entering or leaving the field without permission from the referee
Any other unmentioned, yellow card-worthy offense
Red cards are used to send a player off the field after they commit:
Serious foul play (causing serious injuries)
Violent Conduct
Spitting at any other person
Using offensive language or gesture(s)
Receiving two yellow cards in the same match
Denying a goal by deliberately handling the ball (the goalkeeper being an obvious exception)
Any other unmentioned, red card-worthy offense
Free Kicks
Free kicks are done at any point on the field outside of the goal box. There are two different types of free kicks, direct and indirect. Direct free kicks are "active" as soon as the first player kicks it. Indirect free kicks aren't active until a second player kicks it, however, both are aimed directly at the goal and the ball must be stationery for both types prior to the kick.
Penalty Kicks
A penalty kick is awarded when a defensive player fouls the attacking player or commits a handball in their own penalty area. This kick is placed in the penalty area, which is twelve steps away from the goal line and directly in the center of the goal. After the kick, the goalkeeper is only allowed to move side to side to block the shot, otherwise they have to redo the kick.
Throw-Ins
When the ball crosses the sideline, in order to put it back in play, they must do a throw-in. Using both hands, keeping both feet on the ground, and making sure the ball goes directly over their head, the player throws the ball back into play.
Goal Kicks
When the opposing team kicks the ball across the end line, it is placed on the "six", or the smaller box within the goal box. The goalie kicks the ball back into play.
Corner Kicks
When the defending team kicks the ball across the end line, the opposing team places the ball on the respective corner of which it went out of. Then, all other players line up in the goal box and the player on the corner kicks the ball into play, trying to score a goal.
Football can be played on either grass or artificial turf. The field is divided in half and it is 100-130 yards long. The goal is 8 yards wide with the goal box outlined by the "18-yard-line".
The Ball:
The ball must be spherical, and either made of leather or something similar. The circumference of the ball must be in the range of 27-28 inches.
Number of Players:
Matches are played with two teams of 11.
The Referee:
Whatever the referee says, goes. He is the authority on the field and even questioning his call could lead to disciplinary action.
Duration of the Match:
A 90 minute total, 45 minute half game is played. Extra time may be added at the referee's discretion for injury, fouls, etc.
Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line in the frame of the goal. Like most games, the team with the most goals at the end of the game is the winner.
Offsides:
When the attacking player gets the ball on the opponents' half, he must be behind or level with the second to last defender (the last being the goalkeeper).
Fouls and Misconduct:
A free kick is awarded to the opposing team when a player:
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
Jumps or charges at the opponent
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
Pushes, tackles, holds, spits, or bites an opponent
Deliberately handles the ball
Penalty kicks are awarded to the opposing team when a player:
Plays in a dangerous manner
Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball out of their hands
Impedes the progress of an opponent
Commits any other unmentioned offense
Yellow cards are used as a warning to a player that commits any the following:
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Persistent infringement of the rules of the game
Delaying the restart of play
Entering or leaving the field without permission from the referee
Any other unmentioned, yellow card-worthy offense
Red cards are used to send a player off the field after they commit:
Serious foul play (causing serious injuries)
Violent Conduct
Spitting at any other person
Using offensive language or gesture(s)
Receiving two yellow cards in the same match
Denying a goal by deliberately handling the ball (the goalkeeper being an obvious exception)
Any other unmentioned, red card-worthy offense
Free Kicks
Free kicks are done at any point on the field outside of the goal box. There are two different types of free kicks, direct and indirect. Direct free kicks are "active" as soon as the first player kicks it. Indirect free kicks aren't active until a second player kicks it, however, both are aimed directly at the goal and the ball must be stationery for both types prior to the kick.
Penalty Kicks
A penalty kick is awarded when a defensive player fouls the attacking player or commits a handball in their own penalty area. This kick is placed in the penalty area, which is twelve steps away from the goal line and directly in the center of the goal. After the kick, the goalkeeper is only allowed to move side to side to block the shot, otherwise they have to redo the kick.
Throw-Ins
When the ball crosses the sideline, in order to put it back in play, they must do a throw-in. Using both hands, keeping both feet on the ground, and making sure the ball goes directly over their head, the player throws the ball back into play.
Goal Kicks
When the opposing team kicks the ball across the end line, it is placed on the "six", or the smaller box within the goal box. The goalie kicks the ball back into play.
Corner Kicks
When the defending team kicks the ball across the end line, the opposing team places the ball on the respective corner of which it went out of. Then, all other players line up in the goal box and the player on the corner kicks the ball into play, trying to score a goal.