Soccer 101
Everything you need to get started from rules, to a brief history, where to watch games, where to play, a quick look at equipment, and a few skills to begin with.
Soccer 101: The Field
There are very few fixed dimensions for soccer fields, even at the highest level. The sport’s world governing body, FIFA, only stipulates that for professional 11-versus-11 competition, they must be between 100 yards and 130 yards and the width between 50 and 100 yards. Still, some elements remain constant on full-size fields throughout the world.
There are very few fixed dimensions for soccer fields, even at the highest level. The sport’s world governing body, FIFA, only stipulates that for professional 11-versus-11 competition, they must be between 100 yards and 130 yards and the width between 50 and 100 yards. Still, some elements remain constant on full-size fields throughout the world.
Positions on the Soccer Field
A description of the various positions on a soccer field.
A description of the various positions on a soccer field.
Throw Ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks
The different ways the ball is put back into play after it has left the soccer field.
The different ways the ball is put back into play after it has left the soccer field.
Soccer Fouls
An explanation of why referees award direct free kicks, indirect free kicks, and penalty kicks and what constitutes a foul in soccer.
An explanation of why referees award direct free kicks, indirect free kicks, and penalty kicks and what constitutes a foul in soccer.
The Officials
A description of each of the four officials' functions during the course of a soccer match, from the referee, to the linesman, and the fourth official.
A description of each of the four officials' functions during the course of a soccer match, from the referee, to the linesman, and the fourth official.
Basic Soccer Equipment
Soccer requires much less equipment than most sports, with correct footwear being the only absolute necessity. The idea is to keep your gear light in order to allow for the widest possible range of movement and comfort over the whole 90 minutes. Here is a quick guide to what you will need to wear from head to toe.
Soccer requires much less equipment than most sports, with correct footwear being the only absolute necessity. The idea is to keep your gear light in order to allow for the widest possible range of movement and comfort over the whole 90 minutes. Here is a quick guide to what you will need to wear from head to toe.
Understanding the Premier League
A quick guide to the Premier League, how it works, and what to watch for in the league table.
A quick guide to the Premier League, how it works, and what to watch for in the league table.
Common Soccer Injuries
About.com's page on the most frequent injuries for soccer players and a guide on how to treat them.
About.com's page on the most frequent injuries for soccer players and a guide on how to treat them.
Soccer Television Listings
A comprehensive listing of which games are on television in the United States every day, broken down by time zone.
A comprehensive listing of which games are on television in the United States every day, broken down by time zone.
FIFA's Laws of the Game
Here are the official rules of top-level soccer, as set down by the game's world governing body, FIFA.
Here are the official rules of top-level soccer, as set down by the game's world governing body, FIFA.