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Published:
August 2, 2022

Soccer For Dummies

Overview

Flick, fake, and dribble your way to soccer mastery

Prepare for the World Cup or learn the rules for your own indoor or outdoor league, with Soccer For Dummies. We cover the world’s most popular sport from one end of the field to the other, starting with the history of soccer and the basics of the game. Discover the positions on the field, the best tactics for winning, and the skills the players (including you!) need in order to dominate. This update to the comprehensive guide introduces you to all the soccer greats and up-and-comers whose moves you’ll want to know. You'll find extensive coverage of women's soccer, including women’s world cup, the NWSL, Women’s Super League, and the UEFA Women’s Championship, and get descriptions of various leagues around the globe, and the lowdown on where you can find soccer games and resources, online and elsewhere.

  • Learn how soccer got to be the #1 most popular sport in the world
  • Get up to speed on the world’s best leagues, teams, and players, so you can follow and enjoy the World Cup
  • Discover tips on playing and coaching, plus fun soccer facts and resources for learning more
  • Become the ultimate soccer fan with your newfound knowledge of the game

Soccer For Dummies is for anyone who wants to learn more about soccer, the rules, how the game is played, how professional leagues operate around the world, and how to follow them.

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About The Author

Tom Dunmore is the author of a Historical Dictionary of Soccer and a sports executive who has helped launch multiple professional soccer clubs in the United States.

Scott Murray is a soccer writer for Guardian, Fiver, GQ and Men’s Health. He is author of two soccer books, And Gazza Misses The Final, and The Title: The Story of the First Division.

Sample Chapters

soccer for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

Soccer is a game played by two teams with 11 players each on a field with a goal for each team. It’s the most popular team sport on the planet, a fast-paced game with few breaks and one simple aim — to score a goal.On some continents, the game is called football; on others, it’s called soccer. Other names for the sport include: footy, fitba, fútbol, calcio, futebol, voetbol, le foot, foci, sakka, and bong da.

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Articles from
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Each soccer team has 11 players — 1 goalkeeper and 10 field players. Every player, whether playing an offensive or defensive position, works to help the team score goals — and to prevent the other team from scoring. The following list explains the role of each general position on the field: Goalkeeper: The keeper is the only player allowed to use his hands, and that activity is restricted to the rectangular penalty area extending 18 yards from each side of the goal.
Soccer is a game played by two teams with 11 players each on a field with a goal for each team. It’s the most popular team sport on the planet, a fast-paced game with few breaks and one simple aim — to score a goal.On some continents, the game is called football; on others, it’s called soccer. Other names for the sport include: footy, fitba, fútbol, calcio, futebol, voetbol, le foot, foci, sakka, and bong da.
Before a game or practice, every soccer player should run through some sort of stretching routine. A qualified fitness coach can put together a personalized program. If a customized routine isn't possible or practical, try the following stretches. Quadriceps: Stand by a wall. Bend one leg up behind you using one hand to steady yourself against the wall and the other to keep your leg in place by holding onto your foot.
The offside rule is the most debated soccer principle (no matter where the game is played), even though what is known as Law 11 isn't terribly difficult to grasp. Here’s what offside is all about:A player is caught offside if he’s nearer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-last opponent (including the goalkeeper) when his teammate plays the ball to him.
A soccer field (sometimes referred to as “the pitch”) is at least 100 yards long, 50 yards wide, and has a goal centered at both ends. Within the field are markings including those for the penalty area and spot, the center spot for kick-offs, and, of course, the corners — without which corner kicks would just be kicks.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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