FOOTBALL
Football is the world's most popular
game.It is a ball game played by two teams each consisting of 11 on-field
players and less than 5 substitutes.
This game involves:
1)a
clearly defined area in which to play the game;
2)scoring goals and/or
points, by moving the ball to an opposing team's end of the field and either
into a goal area, or over a line;
3)goals and/or points resulting from
players putting the ball between two goalposts
4)the goal and/or line being
defended by the opposing team;
5)players being required to move the
ball-depending on the code-by kicking, carrying and/or hand passing the
ball(only the goalkeeper); and
6)players using only their body to move the
ball.
The team that scores the most goals by the end of the match wins.
If the score is tied at the end of the game, either a draw is declared or the
game goes into extra time and/or a penalty shootout, depending on the format of
the competition.A penalty is a shot taken from a distance of 11 metres from the
goal where the goal is guarded only by the goalkeeper.
The primary rule
is that players (other than goalkeepers) may not deliberately handle the ball
with their hands or arms during play (though they do use their hands during a
throw-in restart). Although players usually use their feet to move the ball
around, they may use any part of their bodies other than their hands or
arms.Within normal play, all players are free to play the ball in any direction
and move throughout the pitch, though the ball cannot be received in an offside
position.A player is said to be offside when there is less than two opponent
players between him and the goal.
In typical game play, players attempt
to create goal scoring opportunities through individual control of the ball,
such as by dribbling, passing the ball to a team-mate, and by taking shots at
the goal, which is guarded by the opposing goalkeeper. Opposing players may try
to regain control of the ball by intercepting a pass or through tackling the
opponent in possession of the ball; however, physical contact between opponents
is restricted. Football is
generally a free-flowing game, with play stopping only when the
ball has left the field of play or when play is stopped by the referee. After a
stoppage, play recommences with a specified restart.
Competition rules may state a minimum number of players required
to constitute a team; this is usually seven else the match is abandoned and the
opponent team wins. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to play the ball
with their hands or arms, provided they do so within the penalty area in front
of their own goal. Though there are a variety of positions in which the outfield
(non-goalkeeper) players are strategically placed by a coach.
A number of
players may be replaced by substitutes during the course of the game. The
maximum number of substitutions permitted in most competitive international and
domestic league games is three, though the permitted number may vary in other
competitions or in friendly matches. Common reasons for a substitution include
injury, tiredness, ineffectiveness, a tactical switch, or timewasting at the end
of a finely poised game. In standard adult matches, a player who has been
substituted may not take further part in a match.
A game is officiated by
a referee, who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection
with the match to which he has been appointed, and whose decisions are final.
The referee is assisted by two assistant referees. In many high-level games
there is also a fourth official who assists the referee and may replace another
official should the need arise.
Equipment
The basic equipment or kit players are
required to wear includes a shirt, shorts, socks, footwear and adequate shin
guards. Headgear is not a required piece of basic equipment, but players today
may choose to wear it to protect themselves from head injury. Players are
forbidden to wear or use anything that is dangerous to themselves or another
player, such as jewellery or watches. The goalkeeper must wear clothing that is
easily distinguishable from that worn by the other players and the match
officials.Without the proper kit a player is not allowed to play the
match.
Pitch
The length of
the pitch for international adult matches is in the range 100-110 m (110-120 yd)
and the width is in the range 64-75 m (70-80 yd). Fields for non-international
matches may be 91-120 m (100-130 yd) length and 45-91 m (50-101 yd) in width,
provided that the pitch does not become square. The longer boundary lines are
touchlines or sidelines, while the shorter boundaries (on which the goals are
placed) are goal lines. A rectangular goal is positioned at the middle of each
goal line. The inner edges of the vertical goal posts must be 7.3 m (8 yd)
apart, and the lower edge of the horizontal crossbar supported by the goal posts
must be 2.44 m (8 ft) above the ground. Nets are usually placed behind the goal,
but are not required by the Laws.
In front of each goal is an area known
as the penalty area. This area is marked by the goal line, two lines starting on
the goal line 16.5 m (18 yd) from the goalposts and extending 16.5 m (18 yd)
into the pitch perpendicular to the goal line, and a line joining them. This
area has a number of functions, the most prominent being to mark where the
goalkeeper may handle the ball and where a penalty foul by a member
of
the defending team becomes punishable by a penalty kick. Other markings define
the position of the ball or players at kick-offs, goal kicks, penalty kicks and
corner kicks.
Ball In And Out Of Play
Under the Laws, the two basic states of
play during a game are ball in play and ball out of play. From the beginning of
each playing period with a kick-off until the end of the playing period, the
ball is in play at all times, except when either the ball leaves the field of
play, or play is stopped by the referee. When the ball becomes out of play, play
is restarted by one of eight restart methods depending on how it went out of
play:
1)Kick-off: following a goal by the opposing team, or to begin each
period of play.
2)Throw-in: when the ball has wholly crossed the touchline;
awarded to opposing team to that which last touched the ball.
3)Goal kick:
when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored
and having last been touched by an attacker; awarded to defending
team.
4)Corner kick: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a
goal having been scored and having last been touched by a defender; awarded to
attacking team.
5)Indirect free kick: awarded to the opposing team following
"non-penal" fouls, certain technical infringements, or when play is stopped to
caution or send-off an opponent without a specific foul having occurred. A goal
may not be scored directly from an indirect free kick.
6)Direct free kick:
awarded to fouled team following certain listed "penal" fouls.
7)Penalty
kick: awarded to the fouled team following a foul usually punishable by a direct
free kick but that has occurred within their opponent's penalty
area.
8)Dropped-ball: occurs when the referee has stopped play for any other
reason, such as a serious injury to a player, interference by an external party,
or a ball becoming defective. This restart is uncommon in adult games.
Misconduct
A foul occurs when
a player commits an offence listed in the Laws of the Game while the ball is in
play. The offences that constitute a foul are listed in Law 12. Handling the
ball deliberately, tripping an opponent, or pushing an opponent, are examples of
"penal fouls", punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick depending on
where the offence occurred. Other fouls are punishable by an indirect free
kick.
A player scores a penalty kick given after an offence is committed
inside the penalty areaThe referee may punish a player or substitute's
misconduct by a caution (yellow card) or sending-off (red card). A second yellow
card at the same game leads to a red card, and therefore to a sending-off. If a
player has been sent-off, no substitute can be brought on in their place.
Misconduct may occur at any time, and while the offences that constitute
misconduct are listed, the definitions are broad. In particular, the offence of
"unsporting behaviour" may be used to deal with most events that violate the
spirit of the game, even if they are not listed as specific offences. A referee
can show a yellow or red card to a player, substitute or substituted player.
Non-players such as managers and support staff cannot be shown the yellow or red
card, but may be expelled from the technical area if they fail to conduct
themselves in a responsible manner.
Rather than stopping play, the
referee may allow play to continue if doing so will benefit the team against
which an offence has been committed. This is known as "playing an advantage".
The referee may "call back" play and penalise the original offence if the
anticipated advantage does not ensue within a short period, typically taken to
be four to five seconds. Even if an offence is not penalised due to advantage
being played, the offender may still be sanctioned for misconduct at the next
stoppage of play.
International And Domestic Competitions
The major international competition in
football is the World Cup, organised by FIFA. This competition takes place over
a four-year period. More than 190 national teams compete in qualifying
tournaments within the scope of continental confederations for a place in the
finals. The finals tournament, which is held every four years, involves 32
national teams competing over a four-week period. The 2006 FIFA World Cup took
place in Germany.The next World Cup will be held in South Africa in in
2010.
The governing bodies in each country operate league systems,
normally comprising several divisions, in which the teams gain points throughout
the season depending on results. Teams are placed into tables, placing them in
order according to points accrued. Most commonly, each team plays every other
team in its league at home and away in each season, in a round-robin tournament.
At the end of a season, the top team is declared the champion. The top few teams
may be promoted to a higher division, and one or more of the teams finishing at
the bottom are relegated to a lower division. The teams finishing at the top of
a country's league may be eligible also to play in international club
competitions in the following season.
The majority of countries
supplement the league system with one or more cup competitions. These are
organised on a knock-out basis, the winner of each match proceeding to the next
round; the loser takes no further part in the competition.Some countries' top
divisions feature highly paid star players; in smaller countries and lower
divisions, players may be part-timers with a second job, or amateurs. The five
top European leagues-Serie A (Italy), La Liga (Spain), the Premier League
(England), the Bundesliga (Germany) and Ligue 1 (France)-attract most of the
world's best players and each of the leagues has a total wage cost in excess of
£600 million.





Goutham
Govind
S/O Ganga GOvind