WARREN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

PHYSICAL EDUCATION LIVE F.I.T.T.

SOCCER HISTORY TIMELINE 2500 B.C. Ancient China; the earliest mention researchers have found of a soccer-like game states that balls made of animal skin were kicked through a gap in a net stretched between poles 30 feet high. Records indicate that tsu chu was played as a part of the emperors birthday celebration. Soccer was a sport that stayed active through Rome, Greece, Japan, and China. Slowly moving into England, Italy, then to Mexico and Central America. 1609-U.S.A.; in the original Jamestown settlement native American Indians play a game called pasuchuakohowog, meaning they gather to play ball with the foot. The game moved on to the Pacific Islands, Alaska, and Canada. 1820s U.S.A.; football is played among the Northeastern universities and colleges of Harvard, Princeton, Amherst, and Brown. 1827- U.S.A.;Harvard freshman and sophomore classes institute an annual intramural football contest played on the first Monday of the new school year. The games are evidently quite rowdy as the event is known as Bloody Monday. 1830s-England; the modern form of soccer is originated. 1862- U.S.A. Oneida Football Club is formed in Boston, the first soccer club anywhere outside of England. 1863-England; The Football Association is founded. 1885 U.S.A. versus Canada, first international match is played between teams outside of Great Britian. 1886-Begin training match officials. 1888-League system is inaugurated-professional footballers are allowed and referees are given extensive power of control. 1888-The introduction of the penalty kick. 1908-Football becomes an Olympic event. 1930-First World Cup in Uruguay with 13 teams. 1958-First live worldwide TV coverage of the World Cup. Two football leagues were started in the 1967, the United Soccer Association and the National Professional Soccer League. These merged to form the North American Soccer League in 1968, which survived until 1984. The NASL also ran an indoor league in the later years. 1970-World Cup in Mexico is beamed by satellite to Europe. Spain leagues are pioneered. 1991-First FIFA World Championship for Womens Football is held in China is won by the U.S.A. 1991-. 1996-Major League Soccer (MLS) begins as the top U.S.A. pro-soccer league. 1999-Vomens World Cup Final in Los Angeles sees the U.S.A. beat China in front of 90,185 fans. This is the largest attendance for womens sporting event in history. After U.S.A. wins Mia Hamm takes off her shirt and runs wild on the field; officials seeing her sports bra make it illegal for men or women to perform this act after a win/score a goal to this day. Indoor soccer was a great success in the 1980s to the 90's, in part due to the input of the North American Soccer League. When the NASL folded, other leagues, including the Major Indoor Soccer League filled in to meet the demand. A new MISL with eight teams for the 2007-2008 season. The highest level of football in the United States is Major League Soccer.
League expands to 18 franchises, tweaks postseason format and hopes attendance continues to rise with help of new signings.

SOCCER PLAYERS AND POSITIONS Goalkeeper Also called goalie, or keeper, goalkeepers are unique in that they are the only players allowed to touch the ball with their hands. They may use their hands within the penalty area to keep the opposing team from scoring. Defensive Players Their primary role is to take the ball away from the offense and start the attack in their teams favor. Their secondary role is to shut down the attack of the opposing team. Defensive players include: Right Fullback, Left Fullback, Sweeper, and Stopper. FULLBACKS Spread out (create width) the attacking offense. Man-to-Man or zone defense. Create balance for cover. Start the attack out of the defensive end. STOPPERS Defend against opponents center forward. Deny the ball to opposing forwards. Help support the midfielders. SWEEPERS Must be aware at all times of what is going on within the field. MIDFIELD PLAYERS They are often among the most hard-working players. They play both offense and defense. They are the link between offense and defense. Right, Left and Center. FORWARDS They finish the attack and try to score. They must be willing to come back and aid in the midfield or defense to start an attack. Often, forwards are required to help defend corner kicks and free kicks. Right Wing, Left Wing, and Center Forward. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Soccer is played by two teams preferably equal number. Max player per team is 11 (Goalie + 10 field players). Leagues and ages change teams sizes. SUBSTITUTIONS Officially, you are only allowed 3 subs per game, however, depending on modified rules this may be different. A substitution can only be performed when the ball is not in play and your team has possession. STARTING THE GAME The game is started at the center of the field. The team who kicks off passes the ball Forward to a teammate at the referees signal. The opposing team is not allowed to enter the center circle until the team kicks off. GAME IN PLAY As long as the ball stays in the field the game is in play. The only exception is when the referee blows his/her whistle for an infraction or offside. The lines surrounding the soccer field are in play. GOAL The ball must cross the goal line to be a goal completely to be scored a goal. HOW LONG IS THE GAME? A game is no more than 90 minutes long. There are two halves of 45 minutes with a 15 minute halftime. Some games may vary depending on tournaments, age, and leagues.

NO HANDS! Only the goalie can use their hands in the field of play. The definition of a hand ball is any part of between your fingers to your upper arm. Your shoulder is legal to use. NOTE: The goalie is not allowed to use their hands if the ball was kicked intentionally by any of their teammates to the goalie. OUT OF BOUNDS If the ball crosses the side line it is a throw in. The team who did not touch the ball last before the ball crossed the line gets the throw in. If the ball crosses the goal line two things may occur; if the team that is defending that goal line touches it out it is a corner kick. If the team attacking that goal kicks it out it is a goal kick. OBSTRUCTION Obstruction is when a player stops another player from getting the ball by running in the way purposely without any intent of going for the ball. OFFSIDE An offside call is made if an attacking player has less than 2 or fewer defending players between him or her and the goal he or she is attacking. FREE KICK Any time any foul or hand ball is committed, the other team receives a free kick. Teams must stay back 10 yards from the ball. PENALTY KICK This is the direct result of a foul in the large box, or penalty box. The goalie of the team will have to try and stop the kick from the person the other team chooses to take the free kick.