History In every country except the United States, soccer is referred to as

football. The history of soccer goes back some 2,000 years ago, evidenced
by records of different types of soccer in ancient Greece and Rome. But it
was in England during the Middle Ages that football began to take the
Answer the questions.
shape recognized as soccer (or football) today.
1. What do you know
Originally considered a vulgar, rowdy pastime, constant efforts were
about soccer?
made by law-abiding mayors, sheriffs, and clerics to suppress the game. It
2. What are the impor-
was thought that the game kept men from their Christian duties and from
tant aspects of drib-
“proper” occupation, and it wasted valuable time that might otherwise have
bling?
been profitably spent in the practice of archery and other military skills. De-
3. How do you perform
spite these efforts to stamp it out, however, the people went on playing.
a throw in?
What came to be known as mob football, soccer was little
4. In what ways can you
more than a violent street battle in early England. The field was the length
legally defend the
of the town, the number of players might be as many as 500, the conflict
ball?
continued for an entire day, and vast numbers of windows and legs were
5. How do you perform
broken. There were even some deaths. It was upon this turmoil that some
a punt?
order was finally imposed, and from that order the game of soccer
6. Describe how the
emerged.
goal keeper can posi-
Formal soccer rules were first adopted by the English Football Asso-
tion themselves to
ciation. As is the case with the evolution of all sports, with each passing de-
cover the goal effec-
velopment, rules were amended and changed to increase safety and allow
tively.
for fair play. Field dimensions, starting and playing positions, goal parame-
7. Describe when a cor-
ters, and other specifics were introduced along the way.
ner kick is used and
Soccer is much more popular in Europe and South America than in
how it is performed.
the United States. In fact, soccer is the focus of the largest sporting event in
8. Describe when a goal
the world. The World Cup, the international professional soccer champion-
kick is used and how
ship held every four years, draws crowds in the millions. Today soccer is
it is performed.
gaining popularity in the United States. The game is unique among other
9. Draw and Label the
U.S. sports because players (except the goalkeeper) use only the feet,
soccer Field
chest, and head, not the hands. With an emphasis on kicking instead of
10. What makes the pass
catching, soccer skills remain quite distinct from the majority of other team
and go so effective
sports played around the world.
for scoring a goal?
11. Passing is a critical
aspect of being a Rules
successful soccer
player. What are the  Objective is to score as many points as possible buy putting the ball into
key elements of the opponents goal.
passing?  Eleven players per team.
12. What are some of-
 A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line and is
fensive strategies
your team should worth one point.
use?  The player who begins the game by kicking off may not touch the ball
13. What are some de- again until another player has.
fensive strategies
 Players must use their feet, head, or chests to play the ball, with the ex-
your team should
use? ception of the goalkeeper and of making a throw-in.
 Players are not allowed to trip, slide tackle, hold, or push another player
in order to gain control the ball.
 Vocabulary
1. Corner kick a kick made from the corner arc after the defensive
team kicks the ball over the end line.

2. Goal kick a kick made by the goalkeeper after the offensive team
kicks the ball over the end line
Questions Continued
3. Throw-in putting the ball back in play after it is kicked out of bounds.
14. What is the best way for
defensive players to help Two hands must be used and both feet must be on the ground
the goal keeper?
15. Describe the best way to 4. Punt kicking the ball in the air after it is dropped from your hands
steal the ball from a
more advanced player. 5. Save keeping the ball from crossing the goal line
16. Communication is a very 6. Assist a pass to a teammate who scores a goal
important part of team
sports. How can your 7. Penalty kick a bonus kick given if a penalty is committed.
team use effective com-
munication to be suc- 8. Passing kicking or redirecting the ball to a teammate.
cessful?
17. What strategies did your 9. Dribbling an individual moving the ball across the field using
team use to be success- different parts of their feet.
ful?
18. Why do you think soccer 10. Man-on a warning given to a teammate to indicate the presence of a
is one of the most popu-
lar sports in the world? defender
Explain.
19. What soccer skill where 11. Trapping using the feet or legal part of the body to control the ball.
you most successful at 12. Bending (Banana Shot) a shot or pass that curves
performing?
13. Goalkeeper the only player on the field that can use any part of the
body to stop the ball. They may also pick up a ball kicked by the op-

posing team.

14. Goalie Arch an invisible line that curves around the center of the
goal in which the goalie adjusts their position to best defend the goal.

Goalkeeping-Throws
Positions  Underhand: release the ball close to the ground using an underhand
 Forwards or Strikers- motion, rolling it smoothly to teammate. Short range pass.
attacking side of the field  Side Arm: using dominant hand, while body twisted backwards, sling
 Midfielders– play both the ball forward keeping arm parallel to the ground.
offensive and defensive  Two hand overhead: same throw as the throw in.
sides of the field. Goalkeeping-Stops
 Backs or Fullbacks–  Basket Catch: using the body and arms to stop an airborne ball in front
play the defensive side of the goalkeeper. Like hugging the ball.
of the field.  Two hand stop: forming a “W” with thumbs together, forming a wall with
 Goalkeepers-last line of the palm of the hands. Used when the ball is off of the ground, but
defense for the goal. above or to the side of the goalkeeper.
 Scoop: using hands, fingers pointing downward and slightly forward.
Used when the ball is on the ground.