SOCCER STUDY GUIDE
Basic Organization
Soccer is the most popular athletic sport played in the world today. The game is played on a
rectangular field of various dimensions. The game begins with a kickoff at midfield. Play continues
until one team forces the ball through the opponents’ goal with any part of the body but the hands
and arms. When there is a foul/violation, a free kick is awarded to the other team at the spot of
the violation. If the ball goes over the sideline, a throw-in is taken by the other team. If the ball
goes over the endline, either a goal kick or corner kick is taken. Each team has eleven players:
one goal keeper, several forwards, halfbacks and fullbacks. The ball is moved along the field by
dribbling, passing, heading, and trapping. The game is officiated by a referee and several
linesmen. Penalty kicks may be awarded for fouls that take place inside of the penalty area. There
is an area around the goal called the goal box. After a goal is scored, the other team then will
kickoff at the center circle.
Definitions of Rules and Terms
Kickoff- putting the ball in play with a forward kick at center circle
Goal- a point scored by forcing the ball across the opponent's goal line
Free Kick- on a foul or violation, the ball is given to the offensive team at the spot of the foul. The
defensive team must be at least 10 yards from the ball. There are 2 types, direct and indirect free
kick
Direct Free Kick- the ball may be kicked directly into the goal and is awarded for the following
fouls- hand ball, holding, pushing, charging, tripping
Indirect Free Kick- the ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.
Penalty Kick- awarded when a foul is committed by the defensive team inside of the penalty area.
The kick is taken from the penalty mark.
Goal Kick- when the ball is last touched by the attacking team goes over the endline, the ball is
placed on the nearest edge of the goal area and kicked by the defensive team.
Corner Kick- if the ball is last touched by the defensive team last and it goes over the end line, the
ball is placed on the nearest corner and kicked by the attacking team.
Throw-In- When a team knocks the ball over the touch line a throw-in is awarded. The ball is held
behind the head and thrown in with both hands. Both feet must remain on the ground until the ball is
released.
Dribbling- advancing the ball using your feet
Heading- directing the ball using your head
Trapping- stopping and controlling the ball using parts of the body
Tackling- a defensive method of sliding to take the ball away
SOCCER STUDY GUIDE
Terms and Field Markings
Goal Keeper: may use hands, punt, or throw the ball while in the penalty area
Fullbacks: defensive players in front of the goal keeper
Halfbacks: play both offense and defense in the middle of the field
Forwards: press the attack to score goals
History of Soccer:
Soccer -- played in various forms since ancient times, is by far the most popular game in the world.
Civilizations throughout history including the Chinese, Creeks, Romans, Persians, Egyptians and
American Indians all played some form of soccer. Although soccer has been played for thousands
of years, it was not until 1863 in England, in attempts to standardize the game, that modern rules
were established. The following is brief highlight of origins of the sport of soccer. This brief synopsis
is taken from Volume 7 of the National Soccer Hall of Fame's newsletter 90 Minutes.
United States - 1600's
The Indians played a game called pasuckuakohowog, meaning "they gather to play ball with the
foot." Beaches, a half mile wide with goals 1 mile apart, served as playing fields for as many as
1000 people at a time. Games were often rough, resulting in broken bones, but know one could be
identified because players disguised themselves with ornaments and warpaint making retaliate
close to impossible. It was common for games to be carried over from one day to the next with a
feast for all at the conclusion of the match.
Alaska and Canada
The Eskimos played aqsaqtuk or soccer on ice. Balls were stuffed with grass, caribou hair, and
SOCCER STUDY GUIDE
moss. One legend tells of 2 villages playing against each other with goals 10 miles apart. There is
no know date of origin.
Ancient China - 2500 BC
The earliest mention researchers have found of a soccer-like game states that balls made of animal
skin were kicked through a gap in a net stretched between poles 30 feet high. Records indicate that
tsu chu was played as a part of the emperor's birthday celebration. The Chinese also played some
form of the game to train soldiers during the Ts'in Dynasty (255 BC - 206 BC). According to records.
tsu chu was also played extensively during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).
England - 1100's
One story speaks of using the enemies’ skull as a ball. Another tells of a brave village defeating a
Roman team and running them out of town in 217 AD; nonetheless, the history of the game in
England during the 5th-11th centuries is a bit muddy. By the 12th Century, the game had become a
violent mob sport with no rules and any sort of behavior condoned. This earned a succession of
royal bans. Nevertheless, the sport grew in popularity. Formal rules of today's game were adopted
in England in 1863.
Pacific Islands
Pacific Island inhabitants were early to develop games using hands and feet. They used coconuts,
oranges and pig bladders as balls.
Ancient Egypt & Near East
Historians have suggested that fertility rites in Ancient Egypt and religious ceremonies in Ancient
Near East may have been linked to the development of the game.
Mexico & Central America - 600 AD - 1600 AD
The creation of the rubber ball was in Mexico & Central America. These people played games on a
recessed court shaped like a capital "I". The court was 40-50 feet long with vertical walls several
feet high. In the middle of each wall was a mounted stone or wooden ring and the object was to
project the hard rubber ball through the ring.