| Soccer, also known as associated football, is a very | | | | sport in the world. |
| popular team sport that is played globally. Various | | | | Special equipment is needed to play soccer and the |
| versions of soccer have been around since as early | | | | rules are strict. Players must wear specific types of |
| as 1500 BC! Soccer as we know it started in the mid | | | | shirts, shorts, socks, foot ware, and shin guards. |
| 19th century, and is a result of global efforts to | | | | They are restricted against wearing any type of |
| standardize the rules of the game around the world. | | | | jewelry or watches to avoid injury to themselves or |
| However, the first "rule book" of soccer (or football) | | | | other players. Goalkeepers must wear different |
| was written in 1633 in Scotland. Since its humble | | | | clothing so that they can be easily set apart by the |
| beginnings, soccer has swelled into a much-loved | | | | other players and game officials. |
| sport played by over 240 million people in 200 | | | | Soccer is played on a flat grass field that measures |
| countries. | | | | 110 x 80 yards and has sidelines and goal lines market |
| Soccer is not an easy sport, what makes soccer so | | | | clearly on it. The soccer field also has two rectangular |
| difficult is that none of the players, except the | | | | goals, one at each end. |
| goalkeeper, can use their arms to touch the ball. And, | | | | A standard adult soccer game consists of two |
| throughout history, not everyone has loved soccer...in | | | | forty-five minute periods with fifteen-minute half-time |
| 1314 Edward II of England banned soccer in London, | | | | break. |
| in 1349 Edward III banned soccer in favor of archery, | | | | Soccer is enjoyed by millions of children around the |
| in 1424 James I of Scotland banned soccer, in 1555 | | | | world as well and there are governing bodies for |
| Oxford University banned soccer, in 1574 Cambridge | | | | both children and adult games on national and |
| University banned soccer, in 1747 Eton College | | | | international levels. Soccer is also broken down into |
| banned soccer, in 1750 Rugby, Harrow, Charterhouse, | | | | Men and Women's soccer. Each of these divisions |
| Shrewsbury, and Winchester colleges all banned | | | | holds many competitions at the highest of |
| soccer, and in 1835 the "Highway Act" banned the | | | | international levels. Woman's soccer has come into its |
| playing of soccer in public streets. | | | | own as an athletic center of influence in the last |
| As a spectator sport, soccer invokes passion in its | | | | several years. |
| fans like almost no other! It has been the cause of | | | | Soccer matches can be viewed on television, through |
| riots, war, peace, and millions of sore throats! It is no | | | | the internet, and, of course, through the various |
| wonder that it is said that soccer is the most popular | | | | forms of print media. |