| Soccer is a team sport, in which, the aim is to strike the ball into the opponent's goal the maximum number of times. At present, soccer is the most popular mass sport in the world.
History:
Games similar to modern soccer existed for a long time in different nations; however, the first framed rules date back to 1848. The year 1863 is considered as the year of birth of soccer when the first football federation was established and rules, similar to the modern rules were formed.
Development of the rules of the game:
Initially, the rules have been laid down as the “Rules for the simplest game”. Since then, the organization FIFA is engaged in developing the rules, aims at maintaining this principle and to make soccer spectacular and safe. The modern rules consist of 17 clauses, completely describing what is to be done: from the marking of the soccer ground to punishing the players for rudeness. Groups of umpires monitor the implementation of rules on field during the game.
Detailed Soccer Game rules in the present day:
An individual soccer game is called a match, which in turn, consists of two halves of 45 minutes each. The break between the first and second halves constitutes 15 minutes. During the break, both the teams take a rest and on completion of the break, the teams change the goal.
Soccer is played on a field with grass or synthetic covering. Two teams participate in the game: from 7 to 11 players participate in each team. One member of the team (goalkeeper) can play with the hands in the penalty area near his goal and his primary task is to protect the goal. Other players also have their tasks and positions in the field. Defenders are positioned, mainly, on their half side of the field and their task is to counteract the attacking players of the opponent team. Halfbacks are positioned in the midfield and their role is to help the defenders or forwards depending upon the game situation. Forwards are positioned, predominantly, on the half field of the opponent and main aim of the forward is to score goals.
The aim of the game is to maneuver the ball into the goal of the opponent and score as many goals as possible and try their best in preventing the opponents to score a goal. The match is won by the team which scores more goals.
In case the teams score the same number of goals, then the game is considered a tie or the winner is decided according to the established regulations of match. Extra time is two more halves of 15 minutes each. As a rule, a break is given between the main and additional times of the match. Between additional halves, time is given for the teams to change the goals. Once upon a time, the rule existed in Soccer, according to which the team which scored the first goal (“Golden goal” rule) or the winner on completion of any of the extra halves (“Silver goal” rule) is considered winner of the match. Presently, either the extra time is not played at all or extra time is given fully (2 halves of 15 minutes each). If, it is not possible to have a winner even at the end of extra time, then a series of penalty shots are given, which are not part of the match. Penalty shootouts are conducted till one of the teams win.
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