The Sports Life

Learn The Basics Of The Game Of Soccer

The game of soccer is played in two halves, the lengths varying between age groups, but professionals, college and high school play two 45 minute halves. The most obvious rules to soccer are that the game is played between two teams, consisting of nine players and a goalie. The players on each team are divided into offense and defense, and are only allowed to play the soccer ball with their feet. The main objective in soccer is to kick the ball into the opposing teams? goal, scoring a point, or a goal. Only the goalie is allowed to use either his or her hands as well as feet.

Soccer players will often practice ?juggling?, which is a skill that consists of keeping the ball in the air through the use of the feet, knees, thighs, head, or chest, all legal places on the body to control the ball. The use of the hands or the arm will result in the opposing team taking possession of the ball.

When a player on one of the teams kicks or knocks the ball out of bounds on the two long sides of the soccer field, the opposing team them takes possession of ball by doing a ?throw-in?, in which both of the feet must remain on the ground while the player throws the soccer ball back into play. If the soccer ball is kicked out of bounds over the line of their own goal, it then results in a ?corner kick? where the opposite team takes the ball to the corresponding corner and kicks the ball back into play to one of their teammates. However, if the team kicks the ball out of bounds over the goal line of the opposing teams? goal, the play will then turn to a ?goal kick? taken by one of the defensive players of that team.

?Fouls? are called under a number of circumstances. A few of them are when a player touches the ball with his hand or arm, if a player slide tackles another player, excessive pushing, tripping or force, unsportsmanlike conduct, or off-sides (when the offense of one team is closer to the goal they are trying to score on than that teams? defense; unless the ball was there first). In these circumstances, the referee will generally call the ball dead in the spot where the foul occurred, and give the opposite team a ?free kick?.

In the case that the regulation time of the soccer runs out while the score is still tied, it will often result in a ?shootout? where the goalie of one team is up against a single player from the opposing team. The first one to score a goal wins the game.

Dana Bradley writes about Adidas Coupons, Florsheim Coupons and Shoes on sale http://www.onlineshoesdepot.com.

MORE ARTICLES:

Basketball Fundamental Play ? Scissors Cut
The scissors cut play, also known as 1st cutter or 2nd cutter, is a somewhat complex move that involves multiple players working together to get into good position under the basket It is a type of diversion move that works very well in a variety of situations

When the Cleats Come Off, Football Players Face the Ugly Truth
Without question, football is the most popular spectator sport in America. It's an intensely physical, combative sport, where highly trained athletes skillfully execute strategic game plans. But its very name is a testimonial to the stress the game puts on the feet of its players.

Reducing Risk of Catastrophic Football Injuries is Subject of DVD Distributed to High Schools Across the Nation
Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers? Association (NATA) join forces in the wake of national concern to prevent head and neck injuries in young athletes.

Toyota Seeks Football Fans to Host 'The Line of Scrimmage' Mini-Show During NBC Sunday Night Football Halftime Show
Toyota will search out hometown traditions, football rivalries and game highlights from around the nation with original content airing every week during the high-profile time slot starting Sunday, September 9 through Sunday, December 23. Inspired by the big sports networks, "The Line of Scrimmage" hosts will write, direct and host the 45 second episodes right from the tailgate of a 2007 Toyota Tundra truck. The new hosts and high schools will also appear in a series of nine ads in the high school section of Sports Illustrated.

A Beginner's Guide to Fantasy Football: Length of Football Season and League Championship Prizes
Fantasy football is based on real football but it doesn't work in the same way.  For one, only in fantasy football can you have the potential to get all the best players of the season all in one team with you as the owner.  Second, fantasy football doesn't involve any actual play.  Instead, it is based on the actual games.  How the players perform in the actual games will determine how many points your dream team will earn.  But do you actually win?  And how long is the season for fantasy football anyway?The fantasy football seasonFantasy football generally follows the actual football season, so if you're playing, be ready for many weeks of excitement and nail-biting.  A regular season in footb...

Football Handicapping List
This will not be a long ad to buy our picks, but it will be a reminder to have all your ducks lined up so you, not us, are ready for the season. On our site we have several articles that cover most of the checklist below.

Getting the Most out of Summer Soccer Camps
EduKick soccer expert offers tips for parents on how to choose the right soccer camp.

A Guide to Common Soccer Betting Terms
Accumulator. Sometimes called a parlay.

Kentucky, N. Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, and Duke "The Phat 5" of College Basketball at 500 Report, Special Collector's 12-Volume Historica
Kentucky-104 years, UNC-97 years, UCLA-88 years, Kansas-109 years, and Duke-102 years the Top 5 college basketball programs of All-Time will celebrate 500 years of combined play. Bi-weekly 12-Volume report will be a "Collector's Item" for sports fans and enthusiast.