Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the entire world.  Most popular in England and South America among their youth, soccer has more international acclaim than any other sport.  Soccer has sought more popularity in the United States recently too; especially with the arrival or English soccer star David Beckham. 

Soccer is a team sport played with two teams of eleven players.  Soccer fields are made of grass or Astroturf and are long and rectangular in shape.  At each end of the field there are two large nets.  Players try to score by kicking the ball into these nets which are protected by a goalie, who is the only player on the field permitted to use his hands.  The rest of their players use their feet to kick the ball. 

Soccer is governed by a set of rules that are referred to as the Laws of the Game.  The primary rule is that players attempt to kick the round ball to their opponents net and kick it in, past the goaltender.  It is important that the players, other than the goalkeeper, not touch the ball with their hands.  Doing so results in a turnover to the other team.  There are seventeen laws in all, but they vary in application based on the competitiveness of the particular game being played. 

As said before, there can be eleven players from each team on the field at once, one player on each team being the goalkeeper.  A team must have at least seven players on the field to play.  Goalkeepers are the only players who can touch the ball with their hands, as long as they do so in their penalty box, which is an 18-yard box in front of the net.  There are different positions used for strategy in soccer, although the rules technically do not define these different positions. 

The only required equipment, besides a soccer ball and net, it the kit for players.  A kit includes a shirt, shorts, shoes, and shin guards.  Players are not allowed to wear any jewelry or anything else that could harm another player.  In addition, the goalie must wear a shirt that distinguishes him from the rest of the players on the field. 

During a typical match, only three substitutions are allowed.  Once a player has been substituted he or she cannot return to the field, however this rule often varies in less competitive play.  Substitution is used as a tool to rest tired or injured players. 

Soccer games are officiated by a referee who is entitled to make calls in accordance with the laws of the game.  Of course the referee must keep in mind any variations that are in place for the particular match over which they are officiating.  Variation most often occurs in youth leagues or lesser competitive adult leagues.  Games are usually officiated by three referees, except for very competitive games which are usually officiated by four. 

The soccer field, which is actually called the pitch, was originally laid out in Imperial measurement, because it was developed in England, however today it is measured in metric units.  A standard pitch is typically between 100 and 110 meter long and between 64 and 75 meters wide.  In international matches, the pitch can be as wide as 100 meters, however the pitch cannot be laid out so that it is square.  The two longer boundaries on the length sides of the rectangular field are the sidelines.  The shorter boundary lines are the goal lines.  A rectangular goal is placed at each goal line. The posts of the goals must be 8 yards apart.  In front of the net is the penalty area, which is an area where the goalie can touch the ball with his hands. 

Standard matches consist of two forty-five minute periods.  Each half the clock runs continuously, which means the clock is not stopped when the ball is out of play like in standard clocked games.  The end of the game is referred to as full time.  The referee manages the clock during the game and may allow stoppage for injury or substitution.  If the game is tied after the two halves the game is a draw unless inside special rules or a major competition. Then a fifteen minute break is allotted and another time is allowed for play.  If after another period, the game is still tied, there is a penalty shootout where each team selects five players to shoot and attempt to score on the opposing goalkeeper.  The team who makes the most out of its five kicks wins. 

Referees also call fouls for disorderly or disruptive play.  A yellow card is given to a player who has committed a foul and is permitted to continue play.  It acts as a warning.  The red card, however, is giving to a player who already has a yellow card, or to someone who commits a bad foul.  If given a red card, player must leave the pitch. 

Gamblers bet on point spread and favorites in soccer.  It is important to be aware of a team’s record and individual roster to determine either the favorite or the point spread.  It is helpful to use websites that show odds of games as a tool for betting.