When you think of the most popular sport globally, it would be football. The modern football which we see now became popular in the 19th century. The best thing about football is that it's simple by nature, so all ages and abilities can play it. You can play this sport anywhere, regardless of space, from beaches to indoor stadiums. According to FIFA, there are almost 250 million football players and over 1.3 billion people "interested" in football in the current decade. Is it easy to play football, or is it confusing? Here we discuss how to play football and the rules of football you may wish to know. 

How To Play Football- The Basics

Football techniques cover a wide range of areas, which you should know while learning to play football. A football team has 11 players, excluding the substitutes on the sidelines. These include 10 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper on each team. Football needs a lot of running and technical skills in dealing with the ball and the opponent. Usually, a football game lasts for 90 minutes with 45 minutes of playing time each half with a 15-minute break.

In an official game, you have a referee and two assistant referees to control the game. If the scores are level after the 90-minute duration, the referee can initiate 15 minutes of extra time for each side. Even after completing the extra time, the scores are level; it goes to a penalty shootout. In the scenario of the penalty shootout, each team can have 5 shoots from which they can decide the winner. If an occasion comes that the shootout is tied, you can have sudden death in which the shootout is done until you find the winner. 

Know The Pitch

The size of the pitch is allowed to vary from 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide. These are for official matches, but for the ordinary purpose, it's not mandatory. The pitch should be rectangular with outboxes, a couple of 6-yard boxes, two 18yard boxes, and a centre circle. The penalty box is placed 12 yards out of both goals. The normal circumference of the ball used would be 58-61cm.

Basic Rules To Know

The primary thing that you need to understand is the rules of football. A football game starts with tossing a coin, with the two captains and the coach at the centre. The winning captain decides which goalpost to attack in the first half. Then, with the ball in the centre, as the referee blows the whistle, the player from the team that lost the toss takes the kick-off. After the second half, teams switch goals and the team that won the toss gets to kick off.

• The game aims to score a goal that can be done by kicking or heading. The players can use the chest, leg and head while playing the game. Only the goalkeeper has the right to use their hands that too in a designated area.

• When the ball crosses the sideline, the team which doesn't touch the ball last is allowed to make the throw.

Football Tactics

The football tactics have changed a lot in recent years. The team tactics are generally involved adding forwards, defenders and midfielders. The most used modern formation is 4-4-2, which is widely appreciated. However, there are other similar formations, such as 3-5-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 etc., which you can consider according to your game plan.

What Is The Offside Rule In Football?

Often we have heard the term football offside rule. While learning how to play football, we need to know What is the offside rule in football? The basic concept of offside in football is no means difficult for players and linesmen to judge. The referee can call offside when an attacking player is in front of the last defender when the pass is played. The offside football rule discourages players from simply hanging around the opponent's goal, waiting for a pass. The player might be behind the last defender when the ball is played to be on the onside. The offside rule in football is not applicable for a free kick or a corner kick. The referee cannot initiate offside if the player is on his half. Another interesting thing in football offside rule is that the referees look for only heads and feet, not arms or hands, as they cannot be used for scoring.

The Red And Yellow Cards

While learning the rules of football, you must be aware of the red and yellow cards. The referee issues a yellow card to the player if he finds a mistake which includes

• Plays disregarding the rules of football

• Intentionally shooting balls at an opposing player or hurting them

• Wasting time of the game intentionally 

If the players get two yellow cards, they have to go out of the game if they repeat one more time. Normally a red card is given on this occasion. In addition, if the player physically hurts a player, intentionally jumps or mishandles the ball, the referee can give them a red card.

Bottom Line

Football is played in around 200 countries and its sub territories around the globe, making it a celebrated sport. The rules of football are simple and are well appreciated as a team game. Most kids wish to know how to play football and are eager to find out the rules of football. Sportstoon (the sports learning app) is an easy and personalized application which can help you learn, nurture & build sports skills. You can now help your children learn football at home while watching 3D Toon animations being performed straightforwardly and uniquely. 

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