1. INTRODUCTION

What makes soccer the most thrilling, alluring and appreciated game of the world. How it remains in the heart of the world throughout the year? Why does soccer have the biggest fanbase in the world? It’s not easy to answer and comprehend. But perhaps, soccer lives in the souls of people. Modern soccer giants like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo directly make their way into the hearts of the people.

Soccer, also known as the football (different than American football), when being played, not a team is playing it, everyone in the ground has its vibe. Everyone who is watching the game is actually playing it. It’s not a player, not a team, it’s the entire world playing soccer. Soccer World Cup is the biggest event worldwide that cycles every 4 years.

Soccer is the most popular sports in the world. FIFA is the most prolific body of soccer that handles the matter of worldwide matters of soccer. According to FIFA, about 265 professional players play soccer in 207 associations in the member countries around the globe, while about 5 million referees are involved in the decision-making process of the game, which makes about 4% of the world population. It has the fanbase of almost 4 billion people follow it worldwide according to stats published by www.worldatlas.com, which accounts for more than half of the world population. It’s equally played and liked by males and females.

The average salary of professional soccer players is about $60,000 per year according to the figures presented by www.jjay.cuny.edu. However, the salaries vary $25,000 to $300,000 depending upon the level of skill, experience, fame, and part of the world. Lionel Messi remained the highest salaried player of soccer during 2016 with a total salary of about $45 million, while Cristiano Ronaldo the second-highest salaried soccer player, with a total salary of about $35 million. This was apart from the income of modeling, ads and marketing campaigns.

This article covers the health benefits of soccer, its basics, major leagues around the world, greats and records of this game, training needs, and things needed for training and playing soccer.

2. HEALTH BENEFITS OF SOCCER

Why does soccer have the biggest player and fanbase in the world? It’s because of its health benefits, which make it the most played and liked the game of the world. It’s a complete exercise and fitness plan. The following health benefits are among many of this game.

Why does soccer have the biggest player and fanbase in the world? It’s because of its health benefits, which make it the most played and liked game of the world. It’s a complete exercise and fitness plan. The following health benefits are among many of this game.

a. Activeness
Like all other games, soccer players remain active. Particularly, bodyweight remains under control, because running burns a significant amount of fat. However, overeating, as well as high amounts of highly digestible carbohydrates, must be avoided to avoid weight gain.

b. Heart
Since soccer involves aerobic activity, hence soccer players enjoy good cardiovascular health, i.e. a lower incidence of problems related to the heart. However, if you are already a heart patient, you must avoid playing soccer, as it is a high-intensity activity.

c. Brain
Tacking opponent players and matching with the tempo of the games needs strong coordination of eyes, organs and decision making, which build up strong cognitive abilities. Soccer has all the ingredients required to strengthen the capabilities of the brain.

d. Stamina
The ability of the body to withstand a condition for a long time is called stamina. Soccer players develop good stamina, which makes them able to continue other activities of life without tiring soon.

e. Build muscles
Since sprinting and kicking are the main activities in soccer, hence leg muscles especially develop during playing soccer.

f. Psychological benefit
Soccer is a team game; hence great coordination develops while playing it. Synchronizing the team thoughts allows developing an understanding of teammates, hence bestows great psychological benefit to the soccer players. These players easily develop better social behavior and attitude in normal life and become more successful than others.

3. HISTORY OF SOCCER

Soccer is an ancient game. Many countries take credit for its foundation. In the US, it’s called soccer, but it is called football in many parts of the world. Records are available regarding the game of soccer being played in China about 2,000 years ago. Several other ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, and Central America also present a record of soccer being played for thousands of years. The modern form of soccer transitioned in the UK. In London, the Barnes Football Club and Richmond Football Club the first match of soccer in 1863. Moreover, Scotland and England played the first-ever international match of soccer in Scotland. The matters of soccer are internationally governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It came into being about 115 years ago in 1904 in Paris, France. The biggest international event of soccer is football, which first took place in 1930. The last world cup was held in 2018 Russia. The next will be held in 2022 in Qatar. Soccer is also an important game of the Olympics.

4. IMPORTANT SOCCER POSITIONS

Usually, in international events, a soccer team comprises 14 players, out of which only 11 are allowed to play the game at a time. If a player gets injured or captain or coach wants to change a player, the 3 players can be substituted. Once substituted, the players are not allowed to return to the match. The soccer team usually moves in a 4-4-2 formation. The first four are called “Defenders”, second four are called “Midfielders” while the last 2 are called “Forwards”. The eleventh player in the team is the goalie.

a. Defenders

The defenders, as the name suggests, defend the attack of the opponents. The best current defender is Thiago Silva of Brazil. He also plays for AC Milan. They are usually placed in own half of the soccer ground. Although all the soccer players defend, 4 defenders are particularly assigned the duty to defend the attack of the opponent team and clear the ball. Their job is not to carefully craft a move, rather they usually try to clear the ball when opponent players attack. They usually drag with the ball, slip and even hit the ball out of the ground if they cannot take the possession of the ball.

b. Midfielders

The next 4 players are midfielders. They usually are placed in the middle of the soccer ground, and continuously move back towards their defenders, as well as go towards their forwards. Their job is to take a pass from their defenders, tackle the opponent players, and pass the ball towards forwards of their own team to allow them to score a goal. Also, they prevent the opponent midfielders from passing the ball to the opponents’ forwards.

c. Forwards

The last 2 players in the soccer team formation are the forwards. The most renowned soccer forwards these days are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their role is to take the pass from their midfielders, tackle the opponents’ defenders and kick the ball into the opponents’ goal post to score goals. Usually one for the forward stays on the left side of the ground while the second remains at the right side of the ground.

d. Goalkeeper

A goalkeeper is the most important member of the team. He is also called goalie. The most famous goalie these days is Iker Casillas, who plays for Spain, as well as for Real Madrid. Goalie stays at the goal post and prevents opponent players from scoring a goal into his goalpost. He is the only player who can hold the ball with his hand within 18-yards of his goal post.

5. FAMOUS SOCCER CLUBS AROUND THE WORLD

The matters of soccer are internationally governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The biggest competition of soccer is the World Cup, which is played by the national teams of the soccer-playing countries. FIFA World Cup played every four years. The first-ever soccer WorldCup was held in 1930. The last world cup was held in 2018 Russia. The next will be held in 2022 in Qatar. Each country has only one soccer league under FIFA rules, except a few. Moreover, there six regional confederations under the management of FIFA, which include:

The following are famous football clubs, which have produced players of worldwide fame and fanbase.
a. Real Madrid
Real Madrid is the Spanish club, which was founded in 1902. The players who play for Real Madrid are called Madridista. Cristiano Ronald remained a Madridista from 2009 to 2018. Raphaël Xavier Varane was the famous Madridista, who won World Cup for France in 2018.

b. Barcelona
Barcelona is the Spanish club, which was established in 1899. Lionel Messi remained a Barcelona player from 2009 to 2018. Samuel Yves Um Titi, was the famous Barcelona player, who won World Cup for France in 2018.

c. Manchester United
Manchester United is the most successful English club, which was established in 1878. Cristiano Ronald remained an active player in Manchester United from 2003 to 2009. Paul Labile Pogbawas the famous Manchester United player, won World Cup for France in 2018.

d. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is the German club, which was established in 1900. Corentin Tolisso was the famous Bayern Munich player, who won World Cup for France in 2018.

e. Liverpool
Liverpool is an English club, which was established in 1892. Fernando Torres was the famous Liverpool player, who won the World Cup for Spain in 2010.

f. Juventus
Juventus is the Italian soccer club, which was established in 1897. Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Juventus. Zinedine Yazid Zidane played for Juventus from 1996 to 2001. Zidane won World Cup for France in 1998.

g. Chelsea
Chelsea is the English club, which was established in 1905. Marcel Desailly and Frank Lebeouf were the famous Chelsea players, who won the World Cup for France in 1998.

h. Arsenal
Arsenal is the English club, which was established in 1886. Arsenal fans are called Gooners. German player Lukas Josef Podolski was the famous Arsenal player, who won World Cup for Germany in 2014.

6. SOCCER RULES

FIFA has decided 17 rules for playing soccer, which is generally termed as the “Laws of the Game.”

i. The Soccer Field
The length of a soccer field should be between 100 and 130 yards.
The width of a soccer field should be between 50 and 100 yards.
The optimum dimensions are 120 x 75 square yards.

ii. The Soccer Ball

The circumference of a soccer ball should be about 70 centimeters.
The weight of a soccer ball is about 14 ounces at the start of a match and about 16 ounces at the end of a match.

iii. The Number of Players
Two teams play a soccer match.
Each team comprises of 14 players.
Only 11 players including a goalkeeper are allowed to stay on the field.
Only 3 players are available as substitutes.
Once substituted, the player cannot return to the game

iv. The Players’ Equipment
The players wear a standard team uniform.
The team uniform includes a team shirt, shorts, socks, shoes, and shin guards.
The players are not allowed to wear jewelry and other clothing.

v. The Referee
A referee controls the game and ensures all the rules of the game are followed in the ground during a match.

vi. Other Match Officials
Two assistant referees and linemen help the referee to make decisions.
The assistant referees call offsides and throw-ins.
The linemen carry a flag. They signal when the ball touches a boundary line or goes out of the field.

vii. The Match Duration
A match consists of two halves of 45-minute each.
A halftime interval is about 15 minutes.
Additional time can be awarded for the match id there is any time wasted during substitutions and injuries.

viii. Kick-off 
Kick-off represents which team will get the first kick.
The kick-off of the first half of the match is decided by a toss, while the other team gets the kick-off for the second half.
The players are not allowed to go to the opponents’ side before or during the kick-off.

ix. The Ball in and out of Play
The soccer ball remains is out of play when it rolls across the goal line or touches the boundary lines.
Moreover, the soccer ball remains is out of play the referee stops the play.

x. Match score
Goals represent a score. It is the act when the soccer ball crosses the goal line legally.

xi. The Offside
Offside means on the wrong side. It is foul for a player to get offside.
The referee immediately stops the game, if a player gets offside.
A player will be an offside player if he stands ahead of the ball and the second-last opponent player in the opponent teams’ half.

xii. Fouls and Misconduct
The offside, cheating, touching the ball with hands, throwing the ball out of the boundary, kicking and touching the opponent players are called fouls.
In response to a foul, the opponent team is awarded the chance to hit the ball.

xiii. The Free Kick
If a foul is committed by a player, then the referee may grant a free kick to the opponent team.
Own teammates and opponents can stay ahead of the free kick executing player.

xiv. The Penalty Kick
If a serious foul is committed by a player near the goal line, then the referee may grant a penalty kick to the opponent team. Only the opponent team’s goalkeeper can stay ahead of the penalty kick executing player.

xv. The Throw-ins
Throw-in means that a player can throw the soccer ball with hands.
When a player kicks the ball out of the touchline, the opponent team is awarded a throw-in.
Throw-in is done from outside the touchline.

xvi. The Goal Kicks
Goal kick means that the game will be given a pause, and the goalkeeper will be allowed to place the ball in front of him, and kick the soccer ball.
When a player kicks the ball out of the goal line of the opponent’s team, the opponent team is awarded a goal-kick.

xvii. Corner Kicks

Corner kick means that the game will be given a pause, and the player will be allowed to place the ball on the corner of the ground in the vicinity of opponent teams goal, and kick the soccer ball towards opposing teams’ goal.
When a player kicks or gets touched by the ball when the ball is going out of the goal line own half, then the opponent team is awarded a corner kick

7. SOCCER ACCESSORIES

The game of soccer is very simple and inexpensive, as not too many accessories are required for playing it. The gear needed to train and play soccer is described below.

a. Soccer ball
The most essential accessory for playing soccer is a soccer ball. A soccer ball, also known as football, is a round ball, which has a diameter of 22 cm. The weight of a soccer ball ranges from 410 to 450 g.

b. Apparel for soccer
Soccer players usually wear their team apparel. The apparel includes team jerseys, shorts, gloves, socks, and cleats. Additionally, few safety gears including shin guards and goalkeeper gloves are also included.

i. Soccer cleats
Soccer cleats refer to the shoes used in soccer. These are protrusions attached to the bottom of the soccer shoes, which help in speed, agility, and control during running. Soccer shoes are also called cocker cleats.

ii. Shinguard
Shin guards are an important safety accessory for soccer players, which prevents injury during getting kicked by an opponent player.

iii. Goalkeeper gloves
A pair of goalkeeper gloves are important safety gear for soccer goalkeepers, which prevents finger and hands injury during a soccer game.

c. Water bottle

Since soccer is an extremely aerobic game, staying hydrated is important to stay healthy. A water bottle is an absolute essential for soccer players to drink water and juices during training and playing games. A good water bottle should be easy to hold, maintain water temperature, easy to commute, and good looking.

d. Backpack
A backpack is the luggage bag that every soccer player needs. A backpack is used for placing and traveling the importance of soccer accessories of the players, which include the soccer ball, gloves, cap, shin guards, towel, and water bottle, etc.

e. Soccer Training Marker Cones

Plastic and rubber marker cones are usually used during the training of soccer. These are usually used to train speed and agility during the performance improvement of soccer players.

f. Goal Posts and Net
Two goalposts make one goalkeeping assembly, on which a net is installed. The target of a team is to kick the soccer ball into the goalposts of the opponent team. The football net installed on the goalposts prevents the soccer ball from sailing away from the playground and hitting the spectators.

8. CONCLUSION

Soccer is the most liked sports in the world. Soccer is among the best games to stay healthy and active. FIFA is the organizing body, which manages matters of soccer worldwide. Soccer World Cup is the biggest sports event in the world, which is held every 4th year.

Almost every soccer-playing country has a soccer league. A few of the famous soccer clubs are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, Chelsea, and Arsenal. National teams of countries play soccer WorldCup.

Scoring a goal is the main target of soccer players. In soccer, the player formation of 4-4-2-1 is used, which represent defenders, midfielders, forwards and goalkeeper, respectively.

Generally, 17 rules govern the play of a soccer game, which are briefly described in this article.

Good quality soccer apparel is an utmost necessity to play the game. Moreover, the quality of other soccer accessories also plays an important role in the quality of the game. This article gave a brief outline of important soccer training and player accessories. If you have any comments regarding high-quality accessories, please feel free to leave comments in the comment box below.