To begin with an introduction; football is a tough sport that involves two teams. Each team has in total of 11 players. These players compete in order to have possession of a spherical ball so that they can score a goal for their teams. Football or soccer, as it is referred to sometimes, is the most popular sport in the world today. The players are supposed to move the ball with any body part except their hands or arms while they are playing on the field. Just like hockey, only the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands and arms which is only permitted in their penalty area.
The motive behind this is to ensure that the player’s team is able to score more goals than their opponents. When the ball crosses the goal line between goal posts entirely, it is considered a goal. When both teams have scored the same number of goals in the specified time period; the game is said to have ended in a draw.
The match is of a total duration of 3 hours or 90 minutes. This duration is further divided into two equal halves of 45 minutes which are regarded as the first half and second half respectively. There have been instances where extra time has been played in order to decide the winner since both teams ended up with the same number of goals. this extra time usually is of about 15 minutes.
If the result is still the same; replay or penalty kicks are provided to each team. Each team has 5 penalties and usually, the winner gets decided here once and for all. If not, then the scenario of sudden death occurs. The first team that loses their penalty kick will be declared as the runner-up and the opponent team as the winner.
Just like hockey, Soccer or Football, also requires you to wear some specialized types of equipment in order to protect yourself from any injury. These include blades, football boots, studs, and shin pads amongst others. Goal Keepers are permitted to have gloves on their hands. The football kit comprises shorts, socks and a t-shirt. These are provided by the teams whereas the other training ware is to be procured by the player themselves.
The pitch ranges from 100 yards to 110 yards in length and around 70 yards to 80 yards in width. A goal comprises two different goalposts and a crossbar. These posts are about 8 yards apart and the above-mentioned posts are as high as 8 feet. The game starts in the centre of the pitch. This is the centre circle and this takes place after each half of the game and even after every goal.
In order to understand soccer better, one has to have an idea about the terminologies used while playing the game.
Terms and their Meanings:
Kick-off
This is where each half of the play starts and after every goal, it starts at the centre circle.
Penalty
It is awarded for a foul which is committed in the opposing penalty area.
Red card
This card is to be awarded by the referee when there is an occurrence of a foul. It is considered to be a serious breach of game rules. Once a red card is shown to a player; they are to leave the field immediately and would not be allowed to play further in the game for their team. It is important to note that two yellow cards may also result in showing up as a red card.
Yellow card
A yellow card is shown to indicate that even though the player breached the rules of the game; the referee doesn’t consider the player’s behaviour as serious or absolutely wrong for them to continue playing. You get “booked” when you are shown a yellow card since the referee’s job profile includes them note down the player’s name in their book.
Football has been dominated by men for a long time, however, in the current world situation; there has been a huge ideological change. More and more girls and women are participating in football. We, at the Sports Management Centre, are pleased to see this change. We encourage more and more children, especially females to come forward and play this sport. No one should be stopped from enjoying a sport because they belong to a certain category. We are providing our children with the best infrastructure to learn this sport and become proficient in that skill. We love seeing our children busting myths about women’s capabilities and are proud to say that it is a result of both their and our efforts. We will continue doing that and prove ourselves at every opportunity we get.
113. Meridian School – Madhapur – Madhapur – 099480 43440. info.madhapur@meridianschool.in http://www.meridianschool.in.
Tamilnadu:
114. Mahogany Football Club – Thiruvalluvar Nagar – Thiruvanmiyur -9884480480 Mr. Joseph Vaz/ -Mr. Arindam Biswas -admin@mahoganyfc.in http://mahoganyfc.in.
