Soccer What are soccer? Soccer is the world's most popular sport. It is the national sport of many nations, including most of the countries in Europe, South America, and Central America. Millions of people throughout the world play soccer. Soccer's most famous international contest, the World Cup, is held every four years.

Soccer How is it played? Soccer is played on a rectangular field. A large net called a goal stands at each end. The field is divided into various areas by lines. In a soccer game, two teams of 11 players try to get a ball into each other's goal. They do so by kicking the ball or bouncing it off their heads.

Soccer How is it played? Soccer games played according to international rules are divided into two 45- minute halves. A soccer game begins with a kickoff in the center of the field. First, the opposing captains flip a coin to see which team will kick off. Then a player starts play by kicking the ball to a teammate.

Soccer How is it played? The team with the ball, called the attacking team, then tries to move the ball toward the opposing team's goal. The attacking team then tries to pass the ball to a player who is in a good position to score a goal. A player may kick or hit the ball into the goal with any part of the body except the hands and arms.

Soccer How is it played? The defending players try to break up attacks. They cover their opponents in order to intercept, or take away, passes and steal the ball. Hard bumping with the body is allowed only when it is done by accident when trying to kick the ball or hit it with the head.

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What do you wear? A soccer ball is usually made of leather and filled with air. Players wear uniforms made up of a shirt, shorts, knee socks, and shoes with spikes called cleats.

soccer How long has it been played? A game similar to soccer was probably played in China about 2,500 years ago. More than 2,000 years ago, the Romans played a game in which two teams tried to score by moving the ball across a line on the field. About 900 years ago, children in London, England, played a form of soccer.

soccer How long has it been played? Soccer as it is played today developed in Britain during the 1800's. In 1848, the first set of soccer rules was written down. The game began to spread throughout the world in the late 1800's. In 1930, the first World Cup was played in Uruguay.

soccer How did it get knowen? It quickly spread to other countries. During the early and mid-1900's, soccer, especially professional soccer, was not very popular in the United States. But amateur soccer grew in popularity during the late 1900's. Today, soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports in U.S. high schools. Soccer at the college level has also become more popular.

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