The Rules of Soccer by Aryan Doshi

The rules of Soccer 

Soccer is the most popular sport, with 4 billion fans, more than half the population. I fall into this category because soccer, or football in most countries around the world, is my favorite sport. Although, some people find the rules a little confusing. 

   To start, each side has 11 players for a team. The main objective is to score a goal, which is when the entire ball crosses the line. The games last 90 minutes, with two 45 minute halves. The field is about 120 yards by 70 yards. If the ball goes out of bounds on the sides, it results in a throw for the team that did not touch it last. If a team kicks a ball behind the goal, it results in a goal kick or corner kick. If the defensive team kicks it behind their own goal it is a corner kick. This is a free chance to cross the ball from the corners. If the offensive team kicks the ball behind the net, it is a goal kick. A goal kick is the defensive team's opportunity to clear the ball away from danger. These are some of the basic rules.

   Some of the more complicated rules include offsides and fouls. To start off, an obvious foul is touching the ball with your hands. Furthermore, any form of shoving or pushing determined illegal by the refs will be called a foul. Fouls result in free kicks, which is a free chance to kick the ball without the opponents stopping you. If they are severe, they can be a yellow card or a red card. A yellow card is a warning, but a red card means you need to leave the field. Two yellow cards are equal to a red card. Another foul is offsides. This is when the offensive player is behind the last defender. The point of the rule is basically to stop cherry-picking, a player just standing next to the goal to score. 

    Lastly, there are rules for unique scenarios. For example, in competitive games, like tournaments, if the score is level after 90 minutes, the game goes to extra time. Extra time is an additional 30 minutes to decide the winner. If the game is still tied, it goes to penalty kicks. A penalty kick is when one player gets to shoot the ball from 12 yards out, and only the keeper can try to stop it. Each team gets five and will go to sudden death if necessary. The team with the most penalty kicks scored will win. 

    Overall, soccer is a fun sport to watch and play. I have played and watched hundreds of games, and knowing the rules will provide a better understanding and make the game more interesting.