Football

What Is Football?

Football is the name for a variety of team ball sports but most commonly the one invented in England, as played by David Beckham and Ronaldo, which is popular throughout the world and especially in Europe and South America. This increasingly popular team game is also known as 'association football' and 'soccer', the latter a term used especially in the USA.

How Do You Play Football?

Football is played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field. Each team has a set of goal posts and a net. The aim of the game is to retain possession of the ball and advance it across the opposite team's goal-line to score goals. This is achieved by running and passing the ball with the feet, head or chest. The team that wins is the one that scores the most goals.

What Other Types Of Football Are There?

The term football is also applied to a number of other well defined professional team ball sports such as Rugby Football (comprising Rugby Union and Rugby League), American Football, Australian Rules Football, Gaelic Football and Canadian Football. All of these games have different rules to the more widely played game of Football and contrast in most cases because players can use their hands as well as their feet. And in the case of Rugby Football and American football the ball is oval as opposed to round.

Where Did Football Begin?

The contemporary history of the game of football that we know today stretches back more than 100 years. It began in 1863 in England when the world's first Football Association was founded: The English FA. At this time Rugby Football was also formalised. However, the game of football had been around for Centuries prior to this and versions of it could be found all over the world, including in the 2nd and 3rd Century BC in China; and also Japan 600 years ago. The game flourished in the UK from the 8th Century onwards with a variety of regional versions. This popularity for team football games, played initially with hardly any rules, was to lead to the present day sports of Association Football and Rugby Football.

Who Got In On The Act Next?

After the English Football Association came the Scottish FA (1873) and then the Welsh FA (1875) and Irish FAs (1880). The first international match was Scotland vs England in 1872. Football soon spread to Britain's neighbours, trading partners and colonies. Holland, Denmark, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy were some of the early major partners of the game. FIFA - the Federation of International Football Associations - was founded in 1904. The seven founder members were France, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

What Are The Cambridge Rules?

In 1848 at Cambridge University in England representatives from Cambridge and other leading British schools: Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester and Shrewsbury set about fixing the first modern rules of football. This became known as the Cambridge Rules. The rules favoured the kicking game. There was even an early primitive version of the offside rule preventing players from loitering around the opponents' goal. The Cambridge Rules had a major influence on the early rules set up by the Football Association which form the basis of the game today.

What Are The Rules Of Football?

There are 17 Laws of football which have changed little since being drawn up by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) founded in 1886.
Basically the teams cannot handle the ball in play except the goalkeepers (one on each team). The intention of the game is to hit the back of the opponent's net with the ball.

All players must be in their own half at kick-off and the first touch of the ball must go forward.

In exactly the same way the game is restarted after a goal, from the centre-spot, and also at the start of the second half.

Games are 90 minutes long split between two halves of 45 minutes. A break of up to 15 minutes occurs at half-time and the teams change ends.

At the discretion of the referee additional time is allowed at the end of each half to make up for time lost through breaks in play. In some competitions in the event of no clear winner at the end of normal play extra time is allowed consisting of two periods of 15 minutes each. Finally in some cases a penalty shoot out can occur to settle the game.

How Big Is The Pitch?

Not all pitches are the same size but must be between 100 yards (90m) and 130 yards (120m) and the width not less than 50 yards (45m) and not more than 100 yards (90m).

The penalty box (the area around the goal) is also known as the 18-yard-box.

The penalty spot is 12 yards (11m) from goal.

Goals are 8 feet high (2.44m) and 8 yards wide (7.32m).

Who Are The Officials?

The referee is in charge of the game running free on the pitch with the players and enforcing the laws of the game as he sees fit including awarding free-kicks in the case of foul play. He also keeps a check on the time.

The referee can postpone, stop, suspend and abandon a match in the event of bad weather or crowd problems.

The two assistants - linesmen - help out with decisions such as throw-ins and offsides. In professional matches a fourth official assists with substitutions and liaises with managers and coaching staff on the touchline.

When Is A Card Red or Yellow?

Penalties occur for fouls and players can receive either a red or yellow card.

Yellow

Anything deemed as unsporting behaviour

Dissent verbally or by action

Persistent infringement of the laws

Delaying restart of play

Not retreating required distance at free kicks or corners

Entering or re-entering pitch without the referee's permission

Deliberately leaving the pitch without the referee's permission

Red

Serious foul play

Violent conduct

Spitting at opponents or another person

A player other than the goalkeeper denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball

Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity by offences punishable by a free-kick or penalty kick

Using abusive language or gestures

Receiving a second caution in a game

How Can I Join A Football Team?

There is a huge network of clubs and associations across the UK and they are always looking for new players. If you are a youngster start with your school. You can ask your PE teacher about the school team or clubs in your area. You can also ask your parents or friends. Likewise if you are an adult find out whether your workplace has a team. If not you should easily be able to find an amateur team in your area which needs players. Many pubs have amateur teams. Remember football, as well as being very sociable, is a great way of keeping fit.

What Equipment Do I Need?

Your main equipment or kit is a good pair of boots.

Well fitted football boots will make a big different to your play and will protect and look after your feet. There are an increasingly huge variety of football boots on the market for all levels and budgets. Why not read Review Centre reviews from consumers to find out about some of the best products available.

What Should I Look For In A Boot?

Look for comfort and maneuverability. You want to be able to move comfortably. Understand the shape of your feet and your running style. Are you flat-footed or do your feet have a high arch? Try on a few different styles for size before you try.

Is Football A Man's Game?

Although football traditionally has been a male only game, Women's Football is now the fastest growing sport in the world. The English FA are keen to maximise participation in women's football and so in recent years it has become an integral part of grass roots football in England. Over 88,000 women now play football regularly in England. Football is now the top female sport in England and the number of affiliated clubs is doubling annually. Women's International Football is also becoming increasingly popular and competitive with women's national teams competing for the same major competitions as men such as the World Cup.