Soccer, or football as it is known in many parts of the world, is a team sport that has been enjoyed by people for centuries. It is believed to have originated in China in the second and third centuries BC. The modern version of the game is said to have been developed in England in the nineteenth century.
Soccer is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The game’s objective is to score more goals than the opposing team. Players use their feet to kick the ball and may also use their heads, shoulders, and chests to play the ball. As we look into soccer, don’t forget to check your favorite online casino for amazing picks.
There are many different terms used in soccer. Here are some of the most common ones and what they mean.
Common terms in soccer
Handball- Handball is one of the most controversial rules in soccer. It is when a player uses their hand or arm to touch the ball.
Offside– Offside is another rule that can be confusing for new players. It happens when a player is in an offside position and tries to receive the ball from a teammate.
Foul– A foul is when a player breaks one of the game’s rules. Fouls can result in a free kick, a penalty kick, or a yellow card.
Goal– A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line and is between the posts. Scoring goals is one of the objectives.
Penalty kick– A penalty kick is when a team is given a chance to score a goal by kicking the ball from the penalty spot, twelve yards from the goal.
Red card– A red card is shown to a player who has been shown a yellow card. The player has to leave the field and cannot return.
Yellow card– A yellow card is shown to a player who has committed a foul. It means that the player must leave the field for five minutes.
VAR – The Video Assistant Referee is a new addition to soccer. It is used to help the referee make decisions during the game by reviewing footage of the match.
The offside position– It is when a player is in front of the ball and trying to receive it from a teammate. This is against the rules and can result in an offside call.
Free kick– A free-kick is given to a team when they are fouled. It is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
Ball possession – This is when a team has control of the ball. They can keep it by passing it among their players or by shooting for a goal.
Goal kick- A goal kick is given to the defending team when the ball goes out of bounds over their goal line. The ball is placed on the ground at the point where it is left to play and kicked from there.
Corner kick- A corner kick is given to the attacking team when the ball goes out of bounds over the defending team’s goal line. This is an advantage to the attacking team as they have a better chance of scoring a goal. The ball is placed on the ground at the corner of the field and kicked from there.
Header- A header is when a player uses their head to control or kick the ball. It is a common way to score goals.
Throw-in– This is when a player throws the ball back into play after it has gone out of bounds. The ball is thrown from the point where it left the field.
Common soccer rules
Apart from the terminologies, there are also some basic rules that all players need to know.
The ball must be played with the feet– This is one of the most basic soccer rules. The ball can only be kicked and cannot be handled with the hands, except by the goalkeeper.
No tackling above the waist– Tackling is when a player tries to take the ball away from an opponent. This is not allowed below the waist, as it is considered a dangerous play.
Offside(s) – No forward cannot be closer to the goal than two defenders. This is known as offsides. When this happens, it can create an unfair advantage for the attacking team. The referee will call offsides (offside in England) when this happens. More often the assistant referee wil raise his flag and signal it.
The offsides rule can be confusing for some people, but it is important to understand it. Basically, when a player is in front of the ball and trying to receive it from a teammate, they are offside. This is against the rules, and the referee can call offsides on the player.
The goalkeeper can use their hands – The goalkeeper is the only player who is allowed to use their hands. They can use them to control the ball, pick it up, or throw it.
The game lasts for 90 minutes – The game consists of two halves of 45 minutes each. There is a 15-minute break in between the halves.
A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line – This is pretty self-explanatory. When the whole of the ball goes into the net, it counts as a goal.
There are three substitutes per team– Each team is allowed to make three substitutions during the game. These can be used to replace players who are tired or injured.
The referee has the final say – The referee is the authority on the field and has the power to make decisions on any matter. They can award penalties, free kicks, and red cards, among other things.
Another rule that can be confusing for people is handball. This happens when a player handles the ball intentionally. If the referee deems that it was done deliberately and the player was making himself ‘bigger’ by stretching his arms out, they can award a penalty or free kick to the opposing team.
It is also important to know the basic rules of the game, such as how long it lasts, how many substitutes each team can make, and what counts as a goal. These are all essential pieces of information that players need to know to play the game.
Verdict
Terminologies and soccer rules can be confusing for some people, but it is not too difficult to get the hang of it with a little understanding. Learning these things will help fans and players better understand the game and enjoy it more effectively. Many other nuances to soccer can be learned, but this is a good place to start.
