Football is undoubtedly known as the most popular sport in the world, and the pinnacle is the World Cup, which pits all the best teams from all the continents. However, club football overshadows international football, as it is synonymous with prestigious leagues and tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League, the Barclays Premier League, La Liga, and the A-League among others. If you are entirely unfamiliar with the sport, this guide will enlighten you on the basic rules.
Equipment
Football is played on artificial turf or a grass pitch measuring 120 yards by 75 yards, give or take. Definitely, each team has one half. Inside the half, there is a six-yard box also known as the penalty area and an 18-yard box. The same is replicated on either half symmetrically. The only other equipment needed is a round ball which should have a circumference of between 58 and 61 cm. Each team should have their ball, whether playing at home or away.
Participants
There have to be two teams, each with their captain, vice-captain, coach and technical bench. A team includes 11 infield players and up to seven substitutes depending on the game. Out of the 11 players in the field, one is a goalkeeper who is allowed to handle the ball in the 18-yard box only.
There shall also be one centre referee assisted by two linesmen. Of course, with the coming of VAR in some tournaments and leagues, we have seen video assistants being used as well.
Winning
To win the match, a team must have the most goals. A football match’s regular time is 90 minutes, divided into two halves by a 15-minute break. For league matches, the match may end as a draw, but for finals, including knockout matches, it goes to extra time. A further 15 minutes with no break should decide the fate of the game; otherwise, it goes to penalties when a winner has to be found.