Soccer

toc Soccer can be a fun exercise. Also, it can be an outside or inside sport. Soccer involves a lot of foot work and all ages could enjoy this sport. =History=

Soccer can be played both indoors and outdoors. Clubs with younger children group them by age only, leading to teams with mixed abilities. Older children are grouped by both age and ability. Around the 2nd or 3rd Century BC, it was documented that the Chinese military during the Han Dynasty played a game involving kicking a ball into a small net. A game like soccer was played by the ancient Greeks and Romans but their game could have up to 27 players on a side compared to the modern day game of 11 players to a side.

=Popularity=

Soccer is the most popular recreational sport for both boys and girls and has been so for more than 30 years. Soccer is well-known and more popular in Europe. It is much more popular than any sport. 60,000,000,000 people have been soccer fans over the last 30 years.



=Rules/Laws=

T ﻿ he rules of soccer say that a player must wear a shirt or jersey, footwear, shin pads, shorts and socks and the two teams must have different equipment so that they can be differentiated on the pitch. Also, as long as the ball is in play and no infringements of any soccer rules are being made, the players can score goals.There are mainly seventeen rules or "Laws" in soccer. __**Main Rules:**__ 1. A #3 is used for players U6 to U9. A #4 for players U10 to U12. U13 and up use a #5. 2. 3-11 players at a time 3. No jewelry and no baseball cleats because the front cleats stick out. 4. Referees worry mainly about the safety of the players in the game. 5. The kick off occurs at the center spot and is determined by a coin toss. The ball has to move forward to start the half. Each player must be in his/her half of the field and at least ten yards away from the ball. If a referee has to do a "drop ball", the play resumes when the ball hits the ground. 6. In order to score, the ball has to completely pass the line and make it into the goal. 7. Most fouls are due to pushing, holding or tripping and result in a free kick. Other ones to watch out for are handballs and charging. 8. If a play is made a foul in their own penalty area, a "penalty kick" will be awarded. The kick is taken 12 yards out from the goal. 9. A goal kick is given when the attacking team kicks the ball over the goal line. The kicker can't touch the ball again until it has left the penalty area and has been touched by another player on either team. 10. A corner kick is awarded when the defending team kicks the ball over their own goal line. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

=Equipment=

There are some important equipment you need to play soccer. First, you will need a jersey and soccer shorts. Then, shin guards and long socks are important to protect yourself from injuries. You will also need cleated soccer shoes for running in the field. The most important thing you will need is a soccer ball. You will need a soccer net and team players as well. = Training =

Soccer can be a fun sport to learn. You could sign up for lessons with your friends. It will take practice to become an expert at soccer. Also, working on your leg strength will help you run for a long period of time and help u kick the ball. You also may want to do stretches and workouts to increse how fast you are. Some stretches/warmups are wallsits, jumping jacks, pushups, sit ups, and jogging. Dont over stretch or warm up cause your may pull something.

=Sources:=

"History of Soccer." //Soccer Fans Info//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. []. "Soccer Training & Conditioning." //Phil Davies' Sports Fitness Advisor - Get Fit for Sport & Life//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. . //Soccer Ball//. N.d.//Google//. Web //World Cup Soccer Ball//. N.d, .Web. //Soccer Banner//. N.d. //Soccer//. Web. //Soccer Field//. N.d. Web. "Soccer Rules - Coaching Soccer 101 ." //Coaching Soccer 101 - Soccer coaching and youth soccer drills.//. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. <http://www.coachingsoccer101.