| Geometry is "a subject area in mathematics that is | | | | attacking, knowledge of angles and measurements |
| concerned with size, shapes, measurements and | | | | would improve the number of passes successfully |
| relative positions of figures". Soccer is a beautiful | | | | completed. If your opponent is seeking to pass the |
| game of skill, technique and teamwork that | | | | ball to his team mate, your knowledge of the relative |
| captivates the attention on billions of people | | | | positioning of your opponents would help you to |
| worldwide. Are the two related? Of course, | | | | restrict his passing lanes. If your team mates pass |
| geometry originated as a practical science after all | | | | the ball "too square" they'd find it difficult to reach |
| and soccer is concerned with measurements, shapes | | | | the attacking third. |
| and areas. Geometry influences the field of play, the | | | | An attacker would seek to use wider passing angles |
| ball, passing and techniques associated with soccer. | | | | by using through balls. Passing balls at wider angles, as |
| The field of play | | | | opposed to using the direct route, would reduce the |
| Symmetry is a fundamental concept in geometry. In | | | | chances of your opponent intercepting the ball. This is |
| marking a soccer field, symmetry plays an important | | | | knowledge application at its finest. Players don't |
| role. What is marked on one half should be reflected | | | | necessarily have to know geometry to do this, but it |
| on the other. The field markings promote a literal | | | | would eliminate a lot of trial and error. |
| interpretation of a level playing field. | | | | Goalkeeping also involves angles. Goalkeepers try to |
| Fields have minimum and maximum lengths that are | | | | position the wall so that the kicker perceives a |
| stated in yards or metres and should be rectangular | | | | narrower angle to goal and thus a slimmer chance of |
| in shape. The soccer field involves other shapes that | | | | scoring. It doesn't always work out for the keeper |
| include the corner arc, penalty area, penalty arc, goal | | | | though. Shot stoppers usually try to sneak off the |
| area, halfway line, centre circle and penalty mark. | | | | goal line when facing penalties for the same reason |
| Soccer definitely involves a lot of shapes and | | | | that they come off their line to an oncoming |
| measurements. | | | | attacker. From geometry, we know that the shorter |
| A grounds man must ensure that the field and field | | | | the distance is for the same angle, the narrower the |
| markings are made to suit the requirements of the | | | | distance would be for the two sides of a triangle. |
| laws. I have officiated in matches where the arcs | | | | Triangulation heavily influences soccer, even though it |
| resemble melons in the market. Whether the goal | | | | would appear to be common sense. |
| posts are round or square, the diameter or width | | | | Striking technique |
| must equate the width of the goal line. Soccer relies | | | | When players learn the techniques in striking a ball, |
| on standard measurements for the centre circle and | | | | they may have to adjust the angle that they |
| penalty area. The penalty area should be 44 yards | | | | approach the ball at and the point at which they |
| long and 18 yards wide. Symmetry is integral when | | | | strike the ball. They would also have to determine |
| locating the goal area and goal posts particularly. | | | | the trajectory in considering how much swerve they |
| Any approved soccer field must have the areas | | | | impart on the ball. Strictly speaking, the spin and |
| described above with standardised or approved | | | | swerve of the ball is the domain of physics, but |
| measurements and perfect symmetry. | | | | understanding the trajectory necessary for an |
| The ball | | | | in-swinging or out-swinging cross would depend on |
| In identifying the type of ball that would be approved | | | | the common sense derived from geometry. |
| for matches, geometry is required again. The shape | | | | Geometry is used in several aspects of the game of |
| of the ball must be spherical; otherwise the ball would | | | | soccer. It influences team formations and basic |
| never be on a roll. The ball must have a | | | | techniques employed. Symmetry is vital to the game |
| circumference between 27 and 28 inches. Any | | | | as are the technical specifications for the field and |
| approved ball must meet the technical (geometric) | | | | the ball. After all, you should know what an arc is |
| standards stipulated in Law 2. Even though | | | | before you mark one on the field. Without geometry, |
| improvements to match balls are being made to | | | | the centre circle would be oval, the ball might not roll |
| improve goal-scoring, the geometric specifications of | | | | properly and goalkeepers may think that they have a |
| an approved match ball remain constant. | | | | better chance facing an onrushing attacker by |
| Playing the ball | | | | staying on the goal-line. Soccer uses geometry |
| Those who play soccer should be aware that it is a | | | | significantly. Thank goodness for that. |
| game of angles. Whether you are defending or | | | | |