How To Play Soccer
By Stewart Coggin, About.com Guide
A major part of the sport’s great allure is its simplicity, but if you are a little unsure of the basics, this section will help you understand how to play soccer. From field dimensions to the famous offside trap, how to play the sport and implement formations, the articles below will plug the gaps in your knowledge.
Basics
This section will help those new to soccer understand the rules of the sport, what equipment to use and common injuries sustained on the field.
- Glossary of Soccer Terms
- The Rules Of Soccer
- The Field
- The Officials
- Positions
- Throw Ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks
How to
Whether you are a beginner who has never set foot on a pitch, or a more advanced player, these articles demonstrate the basics of how to play soccer and shore up your technique.
Videos
This collection of videos takes you through some of the essentials of soccer, such as passing, tackling and shooting.
- The Basics of a Soccer Field
- What Are the Positions in Soccer?
- Tips for Shooting
- Quick Tips: Defensive Heading
- Tips for Doing Free Kicks in Soccer
- Basic Formations
Drills
A selection of soccer drills that will help coaches and players develop their games.
Formations
While the quality of player at a coach’s disposal is the fundamental factor in how a team performs, how they are deployed can also have a decisive influence on the course of a game.
Tips For Soccer Parents
The influence of soccer parents in developing a child’s game cannot be understated. The enthusiastic and encouraging parent who plays soccer with their child, supports them in the youth leagues and offers advice off the field can only aid their development. But there are also some practices to avoid.
Professional Competition
A guide to some of the world’s biggest club competitions. These articles detail the format of these competitions, how they can be won, the points system and qualification criteria.