According to FIFA, the game of Cuju (also Tsu-Chu which translates to “kicking the ball”) originating from China during the period of the Han Dynasty which ruled from 206 B.C. to 220 A.D. is the earliest form of the sport for which there is evidence.

However, modern soccer is a different story. The sport that is watched and played today ,was formalized in the United Kingdom in 1863.In October 1863, the Football Association was formed with the merging of 11 London schools and clubs. They met at the Freemason’s Tavern and established rules for the game with the first ever soccer match being played in December between Barnes Football Club and Richmond Football Club

How Long is a Soccer Game?

A professional soccer game is typically 90 minutes long and is divided into two 45-minute halves, with a 15-minute halftime break in between. However, in some cases, the referee can add extra time, known as injury time, to the end of each half to make up for time lost due to injuries or other interruptions. The total length of injury time is at the discretion of the referee, and it can vary depending on the match. The time is added at the end of each half.

. World Cup matches have two 45-minute halves, but games have regularly been stretching past 100 minutes because of added time from referees.

How Long is a Soccer Field?

A soccer field, also known as a football pitch, must be between 100 and 130 yards (91 and 119 meters) wide, and between 50 and 100 yards (45 and 91 meters) long. These are the standard measurements according to the laws of the game set by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association).

The majority of top-level professional football pitches, including those belonging to teams in the English Premier League, measure 112 yards (102.4m) to 115 (105.2m) yards long and 70 yards (64.0m) to 75 yards (68.6m) wide.

How Many Players on a Soccer Team?

According to the laws of the game set by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association),

. There can be adjustments made mid-game due to substitutions but the number will not increase or decrease. The number can decrease due to sending offs or injuries when all substitutions have been used.

What are the Positions in Soccer?

In soccer, there are several positions on the field, each with their own specific role and responsibilities. The main positions are:

• Goalkeeper: The only player on the field who is allowed to use their hands (within their designated area). Their main responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
• Defenders: They play in front of the goalkeeper and their main role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. They are usually divided into center-backs and full-backs.
• Midfielders: They play between the defenders and forwards, and are responsible for both attacking and defending. They are usually divided into central midfielders, attacking midfielders, and defensive midfielders.
• Forwards: They play in front of the midfielders and are responsible for scoring goals. They are usually divided into wingers and center forwards.
• Note that these positions are not fixed and players are allowed to move across the field during the game.

What is Offsides in Soccer?

Offside is a rule in soccer that is intended to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by positioning themselves closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball and the second-to-last defender (usually the last defender is the goalkeeper) when the ball is passed to them. When an attacking player is in an offside position and receives the ball from a teammate, the referee will blow their whistle and award a free-kick to the opposing team from the spot of the offside infraction.

To be in an offside position, a player must have at least one body part (other than their hands and arms) closer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball and the second-to-last defender. However, a player cannot be called offside if they are in their own half of the field or level with the second-to-last defender.

Being in an offside position is not an offence but, actively being involved in the active play by receiving the ball while in an offside position, is considered an offence.

What is a Hat Trick in Soccer?

In soccer, a hat-trick is when a single player scores three goals in a single match. The term “hat-trick” is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century in England, when a trick or feat on the soccer field would earn a player a new hat, traditionally given to them by their club. The achievement of a hat-trick is considered a great accomplishment in soccer and is celebrated with fanfare.

Different ways by which hat trick can be achieved

• A natural hat-trick is when a player scores three goals in a row without any other player scoring in between them.
• A perfect hat-trick is when a player scores one goal with their left foot, one with their right foot and one with their head.
• A penalty hat-trick is when a player scores three goals all from penalty kicks.
• It is worth noting that in some competitions like international tournaments, a player can win a Golden Boot award for being the top goal scorer, and a hat-trick can earn them bonus points on top of the goals they’ve scored.

What is a Cap in soccer?

In soccer, a cap refers to a player earning an appearance for their national team. When a player represents their country in an international match, it is said that they have earned a “cap” for that appearance.

The practice of awarding caps for international appearances is not universal and varies from country to country. Some national teams award caps for all official matches, while others only award caps for matches that are considered “full internationals” such as World Cup Qualifiers or matches against other national teams.

Earning a certain number of caps is often seen as an achievement and can be a source of pride for the player, and the fans of their national team. Some players have earned over 100 caps, which is an indicator of their international career longevity.