Soccer FAQ
Soccer is an outdoor ball game played on a rectangular playing field between two goals, and two teams comprised of 11 players each. The ball can be contacted by any part of the body except the hands and arms while the ball is in play. Goalies are allowed to use their hands to block the ball. Teams score points by passing the ball into the opponent's goal.
Soccer is a fun game for all ages and levels. Soccer season is just around the corner. If you,re planning on coaching or playing this season, these answers to some of soccer's frequently asked questions should help you get your soccer season off to a great start.
- What is soccer?
- How is soccer scored?
- What do I wear for soccer?
- What equipment do I need to play soccer?
- What does a soccer goalie's equipment consist of?
- How large is a soccer field?
- Do I need to be in good shape to play soccer?
- What skills will I gain by playing soccer?
- How old is soccer and where did it start?
- What kind of cleats do I wear for soccer?
- Is soccer dangerous?
- What is the world governing organization for soccer?
Called "association football" in most countries outside the US, soccer is an outdoor ball game played on a rectangular playing field between two goals, and two teams comprised of 11 players each. The ball can be contacted by any part of the body except the hands and arms while the ball is in play. Goalies are allowed to use their hands to block the ball. Teams score points by passing the ball into the opponent's goal.
Soccer games are divided into two 45-minute periods. A goal (one point) is scored when a team soccer player moves the ball into the opponent's net. In high-intensity soccer, it could take a long time before a goal is scored. The team with the most goals or points at the end of the soccer game is the winner.
Team soccer uniforms consist of a long-sleeve jersey or t-shirt, soccer shorts or pants, and matching undergarments. Soccer apparel may also include long stockings, warmups, caps and gloves for the goalies.
What equipment do I need to play soccer?
What does a soccer goalie's equipment consist of?
Goalies wear long-sleeve soccer jerseys that are a different color than their teammates', goalkeeper gloves, goalie shorts or pants, cleats, shin guards and warmups. They may wear visor caps to shield their eyes from the sun.
Professional and competition soccer fields measure between 100 to 130 yards long, and from 50 to 100 yards wide. FIFA has not established an exact size of the soccer field.
Do I need to be in good shape to play soccer?
Soccer is a fun, and fairly safe game for a variety of ages and fitness levels. It's a great sport for kids who just want to participate in a team sport, but who may not already have a high level of fitness and skills.
What skills will I gain by playing soccer?
Soccer involves a lot of leg and foot work, rebounding, fast sprinting, team work, coordination, and cooperation. Regularly playing soccer builds good reaction, muscle tone, flexibility, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and team work.
How old is soccer and where did it start?
It's safe to say soccer is about 3,000 years old. Versions of soccer are said to date back to around the second century B.C. to ancient Chinese and Mesopotamian cultures. Records show that a similar ball game was enjoyed by the Romans and Greeks, and the game of Kyoto was played in Japan. Soccer was popular during the medieval era. Violent versions of it spread in parts of Europe, later to be banned. Modern soccer is said to stem from England, and introduced in the US in around the early nineteenth century. Today, an estimated 250,000 people across 200 countries enjoy soccer, making it one of the most beloved team sports in the world!
What kind of cleats do I wear for soccer?
Soccer cleats are lightweight, low-top shoes with studs that help soccer players grip the field during the game. Soccer cleats are specially designed for passing the soccer ball with the feet. There are different kinds of cleats for different types of soccer players, positions, and surfaces. Artificial turf calls for cleats with shorter studs, whereas grass fields requires longer studs for a better grip. Some soccer cleats have removable studs so the shoes can be adapted to any surface as cross-trainers. Different leagues are going to have their own rules. Some youth leagues may not allow metal spikes for safety reasons. You're safe with molded plastic. Though FIFA lacks specific rules regarding soccer cleats, NCAA rules say: "shoes shall be worn by all participants in a game. Shoes with soles containing aluminum, leather, rubber, nylon or plastic cleats, studs or bars, whether molded as part of the sole or detachable, are allowed as long as the referee does not consider them dangerous." (4.4)
Soccer is not considered a contact sport and is generally safe. Some of the more common minor injuries are cuts and bruises from athletes getting spiked by a teammate. A not-so-minor but fairly common injury stems from collision. One trend that seems to be of concern is concussion, particularly among female athletes. Since head gear isn't required, head injuries frequently occur from players crashing into one another while heading the soccer ball. According to sports medicine expert, Dr. David Geier, based on information provided by NCAA, high school women are about twice as likely to suffer a concussion than their male counterparts, and that soccer is the top sport for head injuries. There is a lot of debate about whether head gear should be mandatory. Geier's report adds that contact injuries account for 42.3 percent of all soccer injuries sustained by high school-aged men. Ankle and knee injuries due to running, kicking, and changing direction quickly occurs in moderate numbers, and that women are far more likely to tear their ACLs than men. Coaches advocate proper technique and conditioning for avoiding injury.
What is the world governing organization for soccer?
FIFA, or Federation Internationale de Football Association was founded in 1904, and based in Zurich, Switzerland. The organization has over 200 member associations.
More Soccer Resources
- Common Soccer Injuries
Although safe compared to many sports, soccer carries risks. Athletes run the chance of sustaining a minor, major, or even debilitating long-term injury. It's the price we pay for having the confidence and courage to go for the goal, while enjoying the exercise the sport provides. Simple awareness and prevention can help you balance soccer's benefits with its risks.
- How to be a Soccer Goalie
Soccer goalies are a team's last defense, and the final score can literally rest in their hands. Every soccer player has an important role on the field, but teams ultimately depend on their soccer goalies to be on their game at all times.
- How to Head a Soccer Ball
Heading the ball is unique to soccer. Since soccer players cannot pass the ball with their hands and arms, they often play the ball off their heads, and it's kind of flashy and fun to watch! Ultimately, a good header begins with your mental frame of mind, and being willing to go for it. However, done incorrectly may not only cause you to foul the ball, it can lead to serious head or neck injury.
- How to Kick a Soccer Ball
Kicking a soccer ball isn't as easy as it looks! A powerful, accurate kick can mean the difference between winning and losing a soccer match. This information provides you with some basics for 'kicking' your season off to a great start.
- Indoor Soccer History
Indoor, or 'arena' soccer, inspired by association football, is a type of soccer played on a smaller, indoor arena-style field covered by artificial turf. And because so, the sport is a little faster-paced and presents its own unique set of challenges. Indoor soccer partly came about as a way for outdoor soccer athletes to train during the cold winter months. Unlike outdoor soccer, indoor soccer is a winter sport.
- Soccer Equipment History
In the earliest days of soccer, it seems that all a team needed was a ball to kick around and shoes that protected. That's changed. Soccer equipment today includes much more: shin guards, goalie equipment, soccer referee equipment, football kit bag, and soccer training equipment, such as flags, cones, agility ladders, and slalom poles. All this equipment used for soccer can be found at discount prices at Epic Sports.
