| For many many decades soccer has been one of the | | | | sideline. |
| most popular sports in the world yet there are still | | | | Now, the game length can be a little long. In a typical |
| some who can't even follow a game. Don't be | | | | regulation soccer match you'll have 2 45 minute halves |
| embarrassed, it's not a big deal nor is it hard to learn | | | | with a 15 minute break at half time. This can be |
| what the game is about, how it's played or what and | | | | extended by the referee if there are any prolonged |
| who is involved. After reading this article you'll be able | | | | injuries during game play that require a stoppage of |
| to feel a lot more comfortable at your son or | | | | time. |
| daughters soccer match. | | | | Scoring in the game of soccer is easy to follow. Each |
| First of all, the field in standard regulation might be a | | | | goal counts as 1 point. So, whenever the opposing |
| little bigger than you think. The length of the field can | | | | team shoots a ball with anything other than their arms |
| range from 100 to 130 yards. The width can range | | | | into the goal, they receive 1 point. If both teams are tied |
| anywhere from 50 to 100 yards. The lines at the end | | | | after regulation then their will be what's called sudden |
| of either side of the field are called goal lines, the lines | | | | death where the first team to score wins. Usually the |
| running up the sides of the field are side lines and the | | | | will be 2 sudden death periods consisting of 15 minutes |
| line in the center of the field is called the mid field line. | | | | each. Now, if neither team scores, then both teams will |
| Simple enough right? | | | | take penalty kicks. In this scenario, each team selects |
| Now, the ball can come in 3 different sizes: 3,4 and 5. | | | | 5 players to get one free shot on goal inside the |
| Size 3 soccer balls are for the little tykes ages 8 and | | | | penalty box where the goal keeper resides. This will go |
| under. Size 4 balls are for the 8-12 year olds and the | | | | on until either team ends up with more goals. |
| size 5 ball is for the 13 and older crowd. | | | | So that's the game of soccer in a nutshell. There are |
| Next we have all the people on the field. Each team is | | | | some other aspects but there self explanatory and |
| allowed to have no more than 11 players each on the | | | | you should be able to pick up on them while viewing |
| field at any given time. In a basic set up the player | | | | your first game. So now the next time you take in a |
| positions consist of a goalie, 4 defenders, 3 mid fielders | | | | match you don't have to look foolish asking to many |
| and 3 forwards. Also on the field during game play is | | | | questions. |
| the referee along with his 2 assistants on either | | | | |