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Soccer

Soccer is a team sport played between two teams with a spherical ball. Each team must have 11 players on the field.
 * What is Soccer?**

Soccer is a fairly simple game. The aim of the game is to score as many points, or 'goals', as you can. To score goals a player must get the ball in a rectangluar frame at either end fo the field by kicking, headering or chesting. The team who have scored the most goals at the end of game wins. In soccer you are not allowed to touch the ball with your hands, and you have to use the rest of your body to control th ball. To move the ball around players kick it with their feet, passing it to their fellow teammates.
 * How to Play**

- Studded soccer boots - Jersey with number - Shin pads - Knee Length Socks GOALKEEPER: - all of the above - Gloves
 * Equipment**
 * - soccer ball**

//Defenders// (DF) - there are usually four defenders on the field. A right back (plays on the right side of the field), two centre backs (plays in the centre of the field), and a left back (plays in the left of the field). They also protect the goal. They prevent the ball from being played through and from the other team from scoring. //Midfielders// (MF) - A team might have 3 to 5 midfielders. There is usuall a defensive midfielder who stays back near the defenders (plays in the centre of the field). There can be attacking midfielders who have more of an attacking role (also plays in the centre of the field), and there are left and right midfielders. //Attackers/////Forwards// (FW) - These are the main goal scorers of the team and play in the area closest to the opposition's goal. There is no rule that restricts where any player can go, as long as they remain in the field. So, technically, a defender could be up near the oppositions goalkeeper.
 * Players and Postitions**//Goalkeeper// (GK) - This is the only player on the field that is allowed to touch the ball with their hands as long as it is within the 18 yard box. They occupy the goal and are there to prevent from the opposition from scoring goals.

The most important rule of soccer is simple - don't touch the ball with your hands. If the ball were to hit someone in the hand or arm then the other team would be immediately awarded a free kick, or penalty if it is in the 18 yard box. If a player is violent or does and unnecessary tackle then a free kick/penalty is awarded to the other team and, depending on the severity, the player recieves a warning, yellow or red card. The offside rule states that if an attacking player passes the oppositions last defender before the ball is kicked, then it is considered unfair and the game isstopped and a free kick is awarded. There must be no more than 11 players on the field at one time. If a team cannot supply a full 11 players, it can have as few as 9 players. If there arent 9 players, the team has to forfiet the game. The soccer pitch must be between 90 and 120 metres long and 45 and 90 metres wide. If the ball is hit out by a player, then the game is stopped and the other team takes a throw in. When taking a throw in, player must keep both of their feet on the ground and their feet must not enter the field of play. They have to throw the ball directly over their head into the field of play. A corner kick occurs when the defensive player has touched the ball last the the ball has crossed that same defenders goal line, or base line. The opposite team takes a kick from the corner closest to the spot that the ball has gone out. Goals kicks occur when the attacking team kicks the ball out behind the goal area or over the goal line or base line. Any player on the same team can take the goal kick, but usually the goaly takes the kick. A substitution is when a player on the bench, or sidelines, is swapped, or substituted, with a player on the field.
 * Rules of The Game**

A referee is the person on the field who is not part of any of the two teams. They instruct the players on what to do when the ball goes out or if there is an infringement of the rules. There are 3 referees in a game. The main referee is on the field with the players and personally calls all of the kicks and thins made in the game. There are also assistant referees who are on the sidelines and assist the main referee by showing who kick the ball out last for throwins, free kicks and goal kicks. They also signal when the coach on the sideline wants to make a substitution. Yellow cards and red cards are given to players who have made direct infringement of the rules. Yellow cards are given for dangerous, illegal behaviour of any type, dissent, entering or exiting the field without permissi or delaying the game. Red cards are given for particularly agessinve or violent behaviour, violence or fighting, deliberate offense to stop a goal (stopping ball with hands), recieving two yellow cards or abusing or swearing at the referee. There are also officials in the crowd that are there to assist the referee if he is attacked and cannot deal with the events unfolding on the field.
 * Referee[[image:http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/4/23/1240489367402/red-card-001.jpg width="316" height="202" align="right"]]**

Kevin Pullein, accessed 18 June, [] Threner, accessed 18 June, [] Soccer-Fans-Info, accessed 17 June 2012, [] Last edited by Vu zave, accessed 16 June 2012, [] Soccer shoes, accessed 18 June, [] Gillian's Brain, accessed 17 June 2012
 * Referencing: Harvard System**