Learn about a sport that is loved so much that it has two different names!
History
Soccer, more commonly known as football, is the number one most watched and followed sport in the world. Since I already wrote a blog called football, I will be referring to the sport as soccer for this blog post.
Soccer could have started so much longer than we may even know, however Cuju, recognized as the first ball game involving kicking a ball, was played in China during the third and second centuries BC. The Romans, Greeks, and other Mesoamerican cultures soon after adopted different forms of this game.
Soccer’s games and rules officially started to develop in England in the 12th century. However, the rules were so broad that for a long time it was hard to tell the difference between rugby and soccer.
In 1863, the first soccer association (actually called football association) was formed. Many rules were determined that helped distinguish the difference between rugby and soccer when this association was formed.
The game started to gain popularity and spread around the world due to British imperialism and globalization. Soon after in 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) originated. FIFA has played a significant role in making soccer a global sport, and the FIFA World Cup is one of the most watched tournaments in the world.
Soccer has evolved tremendously since its origins, however it still continues to impact the world and bring people together.
Source: https://www.footballhistory.org/
Source: Image taken by Sumedha Shrestha
Game Play
Now I am not going to lie, I do not watch a whole lot of soccer. However, I am aware that soccer players can be quite dramatic because they want to get a free kick for their team. Continue reading to find out what actually validates an offense.
Soccer is a team sport that is played between two teams with a maximum of 11 players on each team including the goaltender. The players play on a rectangular field with a net at the end of each side.
A standard soccer game lasts 90 minutes, but is divided into two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute break in between. So, the way to win is straightforward: the team that scores more goals than the opposing team within 90 minutes is victorious.
Some basic rules that players must follow during game play is as follows:
In order for a goal to count it must cross the goal line.
If a player commits an offense, the other team is awarded a free kick.
The goaltender is the only player who is allowed to touch the soccer ball with their hands.
If the soccer ball is kicked outside the rectangular field, then the team who did not touch it last has the opportunity to throw the ball back in bounds.
Unlike other sports, soccer does not have any timeouts. The game is played using a running clock.
As I mentioned before, an offense in soccer is a big deal because players get the opportunity to earn a goal for their team. So here is a more in depth explanation of what warrants an offense. It is also important to know that offenses are typically determined by the referees.
First and foremost, there are different levels of offenses. A minor offense results in a free kick for the other team. A yellow card is handed to a player as a warning, and two yellow cards in one match result in a red card and ejection from the game. A player who has received two yellow cards or committed a significant violation is given a red card. That player will be kicked out of the game as well. Some actions that result in an offense are pushing, hitting, unsportsmanlike behavior, kicking, tripping, and other actions like those.
In conclusion, soccer is a very fun game that has a rich history. It involves teamwork, strategy, and skill which makes it a very fun game to play and watch!
World Cup!!
The most watched tournament in the world is the FIFA World Cup, and so I thought it was fitting to talk about it more in depth this week.
Here are some fun World Cup facts!
The first World Cup took place in 1930, and now takes place every four years.
Uruguay was the first country to host the world cup, and they went on to win the tournament too.
The only time England hosted the World Cup was also the only time they won it too in 1966.
Brazil has won the most World Cups. Can you guess how many? The answer is five!
The highest score in a World Cup match was when Austria beat Switzerland 7-5 in 1954.
The World Cup trophy was stolen before the 1966 tournament and was lost for seven days before being discovered by a dog named Pickles.
Make sure to tune into the 2026 FIFA World Cup because it is taking place across Canada, USA, and Mexico!
Joke of the Week!
Q: What did the soccer team think of the blog Learn To Sports?
A: They got a kick out of it!
THANK YOU!
Source: Image taken by a friend
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