Each side has a goal or net defended by their goalkeeper. The object of the game is to kick, head or deflect the ball past the keeper into the net of the opposing team. Any part of the body may be used EXCEPT shoulders, arms and hands. Spectacular goals can result when players 'use their heads'!

Teams usually place their players into forward, mid-field and defender positions along the length of the field. Each of these positions in turn is divided into mid-field, inside- and outside-wings across the width of the field.

A goal counts as 1 point. Penalty shots taken from a spot 12 yards (11 metres) in front of the goal line are awarded to the attacking team when infractions are committed inside the 18-yard penalty area in front of the goal.

Tied games are sometimes decided by shoot-outs taken from the penalty kick spot. Shoot-outs can be an exciting finalé pitting goalkeepers against kickers from the opposing team to decide the winner.

"Fun Fact: Pelé was arguably the best soccer player ever. He scored more goals than anyone else, banging in 1,279 over a career spanning 21 years playing for two clubs: Santos of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the New York Cosmos. He scored on his club début for Santos in September 1956 at age 16, and he scored his 1,000th goal for the same team in November 1969."

"Sandlot" or "street" soccer is played by children around the world and involves two or more players. Sometimes a whole crowd chases the 'ball', which can be a tin can, a ball of string or a bundle of rags!

Organized soccer is generally played on grass or artificial turf defined by white lines laid out according to regulation dimensions and uses official-sized balls for the players' age group. Younger players use smaller and lighter balls.

Regulation Soccer is played with 11 players on each team including one goalkeeper. When played on a full-sized field, the game demands good running endurance and stamina for the 60 to 90 minutes of regulation time (depending on age group).

Mini-Soccer or Small-Sided Soccer (SSS) is preferred for younger players on smaller fields. Teams are made up of 6 to 8 players, or a minimum of 4-a-side, in which case, games are played without a goalkeeper. The field size may vary depending on the age and number of players on each team. Mini-soccer demands speed and agility more than endurance.

Indoor Soccer is a cross between soccer and hockey. As in hockey, there are boards and the game is played 6-a-side, including the goalkeeper. Also, there are boards to reflect the ball and fouls result in 2 to 5 minutes in the penalty box for the offending player, depending on the offence. Unlike hockey, there are no off-sides and balls kicked out-of-bounds result in a free kick for the other team.

The Sweeper is the last player in defense. His/her job is to close down gaps left by other defenders. The sweeper should be very perceptive (usually an experienced player) with good skills and confidence on the ball.

The Libero roams laterally, a few metres behind the last line of fullbacks. She/he analyzes the development of plays, anticipates where open angles and passing lanes are forming and makes quick decisions about dealing with them.

The Stopper / Centre Fullback is the centre player in a defensive line. His/her main task is to mark the enemy forwards and handle aerial battles. Stoppers need to have good heading skills and be aggressive in one-on-one encounters.

Fullbacks are the defenders positioned on each side of the stopper. His/her main job is to cover the space along the entire flank. A fullback must be fairly quick to challenge enemy wingers.

The Winger / Outside Midfielder should be one of the fastest players on the team because she/he covers a lot of ground on both defense and offense. On defense, the winger must pick up the widest enemy on his/her side while staying in position to make his team defense more compact. On offense, the winger has to stay wide to stretch out the enemy defensive line.

The Defensive Midfielder is the backbone of the team. His/her job is similar to that of the sweeper with the exception that she/he operates in front of the defense, between the offensive midfielders and the stopper.

In offense, the defensive midfielder must stay behind the attacking line, collecting rebounds and miss-kicks.

The Attacking / Offensive Midfielders are the fittest players on a team because they have to be in line with the ball nearly all the time. They also need to have good technical ability to skillfully dribble while scanning the field for open spaces and teammates making runs.

The Striker's main ability must be strength and heading skill. His/her job is to stay in front of the enemy goal, attract enemy defenders and possibly score, often off a pass from his/her winger. On defense, the striker pressures the opposing defenders while they are initiating an attack.

In addition to fitness and game sense, aspiring soccer players will be keen to develop the technical skills required to be competitive in the higher leagues.

Ball Control is vital for a player to be able to create space, keep possession, and beat defenders. Control means being able to keep the ball under control and close to the player. The best players are able to dribble as if the ball is attached to their boot!

Running with the ball is the first stage of close control. The two aims are to keep the ball within 30-50 cm of your foot, and to avoid breaking stride.

Receiving is redirecting the ball to a spot useful for shooting or dribbling.

Trapping is stopping the ball completely by cushioning it.

The easiest way to practise control is with a partner, passing the ball back and forth.

For solo practice, stand 2-3 meters (10 feet) away from a wall, kick the ball and receive/trap the rebound.

As you get comfortable, practise using both the left and right foot.

Kicking ranges from basic shooting and passing skills to advanced techniques, such as bending the ball around a wall and overhead kicks.

Kicking

The real skill is being able to kick accurately under pressure. Useful drills for beginners include passing the ball in pairs over 10-20 metres within a narrow corridor and, for solo practice, kicking the ball at targets on a wall.

Heading is vital in the game of soccer, especially in front of the goal on offense. When learning, children should start with a light, soft ball, rather than a heavy one.

Passing is key to keeping possession and controlling the game. The instep is used for long passing, the heel is used to pass behind, and the outside of the foot is used to pass the ball quickly to the side.

Dribbling skills are the key to beating defenders, creating space to shoot or passing the ball. Sudden changes in speed and direction help beat the defender.

Tackling involves slowing the ball carrier and denying him/her a direct route to the goal. There are several methods of tackling.

Containing is forcing the attacker towards the sideline or staying between the ball carrier and your goal until she/he loses control of the ball.

Block tackling involves extending your free foot perpendicular to the direction in which the carrier is trying to push the ball.

Block Tackle

If executed properly, a block tackle will cause your opponent to stumble or cough up the ball.

Poke tackling is stabbing the ball away from your opponent with your foot closest to the ball. This method does not guarantee gaining possession of the ball.

Slide tackling is spectacular, but should not be used except in desperation or away from one's own goal because of the penalty risk.

Goalkeeping skills are important to prevent goals by either clearing or catching the ball.

Settling the ball with 'The W' which is formed by the position of the goalkeeper's hands is used for rising shots (or shots above shoulder level).

Cushioning is for shots below shoulder level (or dropping balls). Like handling a baby, the keeper catches the ball from underneath, and presses it against his/her chest.

Rolling ball pickup is getting down on one knee, scooping it up with your hands and bringing the ball to your chest as if cradling a baby.

Grounding the ball is raising the knee of the foot furthest away from the ball and springing sideways off your other foot. The near arm is parallel to the ground with fingers and thumb forming the bottom part of 'The W' while the other hand is used for guiding the ball down.

Diving for high shots is the most spectacular goalkeeping skill. The knee of the foot furthest from the ball is raised and, with the knee up, you spring from the foot nearest the ball. Catch and bring your hands on top of the ball and use it as a landing cushion. The ball should touch the ground before the rest of your body and you must land on your side to avoid an uncomfortable belly-flop.

Crosses On high crosses (a long kick from one side of the field) and dropping balls, the goalkeeper must be the first person to contact the ball. Take off from one leg with the knee of the other raised as high as you can. This provides protection against opponents (as well as teammates) who could collide with you.

Caution - a disciplinary action in which the referee shows a player a yellow card for violating a soccer rule. A second caution in the same match results in the player being shown a red card and being ejected from the game.

Corner kick - a direct free kick that is awarded when the defending team puts the ball out-of-bounds over the end line. A corner kick is taken by the offensive team from next to the corner flag.

Dangerous Play - an action by a player that the referee considers dangerous to him/herself or to others. Examples are high kicking, playing while lying on the ground, or playing the ball while it is in the possession of the goalkeeper.

Direct Free Kick - a free kick that is awarded at the spot of the infraction for a physical contact foul such as tripping, holding, pushing, tackling from behind, jumping into an opponent, or for hand balls. A direct free kick can score by going directly into the goal. It does not have to be touched by anyone other than the kicker.

Drop Ball - a method of restarting a game where the referee drops the ball between two players facing each other. A drop ball restarts the game after play is stopped for no penalty situation (e.g. after an injury). The ball is dropped where it was last in play or at the nearest point outside the penalty area.

Foul - when the referee judges a violation against an opposing player. The team that suffers the foul is awarded with a direct free kick unless the foul is committed by a defensive player inside his own penalty area, in which case the foul results in a penalty kick.

Goal Kick - is awarded when the attacking team puts the ball over the end line. The ball is kicked from anywhere inside the goal area and the ball cannot be touched again by any player until it is outside of the penalty area.

Hand Ball - is when a player deliberately plays the ball with any part of his/her arm, or puts the arm in an unusual position and contacts the ball (i.e. arms out to the side, as in basketball).

Indirect Free Kick - a free kick that is awarded at the spot of the infraction for non-contact fouls that are judged not to be serious such as obstruction, dangerous play or charging as well as for offside. Indirect kicks must touch another player (either team) before the ball goes into the net in order to score.

Offside - this most misunderstood soccer rule occurs when an offensive player is closer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-to-last opposing player at the time that the ball is passed to the offensive player by his or her teammate. Players cannot be called offside if they are in their own half of the field or if they receive the ball from a throw in, corner kick, or goal kick. When a player is called offside, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.

Penalty kick - A kick taken from 12 yards (11 metres) in front of the goal as a result of a contact foul or hand ball that takes place inside the penalty area.

Red card - a referee shows a player a red card to signal that the player has been banned from the rest of the match. A red card can be shown for a single serious offence or as the result of being shown a second yellow card in the same game. The player must leave the field of play and cannot be replaced by a substitute, meaning that his/her team must finish the match with one less player.

Throw-in - a way to restart play when the ball goes out-of-bounds over the sidelines. The team that did not touch the ball last is allowed an overhead throw.

The game of soccer has been played for over 2,000 years and is the world's most popular sport. Today, the national teams of over 190 countries participate in the World Cup which attracts an accumulated television audience of over 40 billion viewers.

If Kara Lang is typical of the talent emerging from the junior ranks, then the future of Canadian soccer looks very promising! Born October 22, 1986, this native of Oakville, Ontario made her international debut with the Canadian Women's World Cup team playing Scotland in the Algarve Cup. At only 15, the 5' 9" (175 cm) Kara was the youngest ever to play for Canada and during the tourney became the youngest player ever to score a goal in international senior women's soccer, scoring four in total. Kara has represented Canada internationally on numerous occasions, most recently as a member of Canada's silver medal winning Under-19 team at the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championships. In February 2003, at the age of 16, this gifted athlete joined the Vancouver Whitecaps of the W League where she plays defender, midfield and forward.

Soccer is the most popular organized team sport in Canada with some 900,000 players registered in 2004 and Ontario comprising about 35% of this total. In Ontario, one out of three kids plays soccer and two out of five players are female. To find a league near you, visit the Ontario Soccer Association web site.

Ontario Soccer Association

7601 Martingrove RoadVaughan, ON
L4L 9E4
905-264-9390x222
http://www.soccer.on.ca