Association football, more commonly
known as football or soccer, is
a sport played between two teams of
eleven players with a spherical ball.
The term soccer originated in
England, first appearing in the 1880s as
an Oxford "-er" abbreviation of the word
"association".
Han Dynasty Period: Cuju-ancient code of football with similarities
to association football.
The Ancient Greeks and Romans are known to have played many ball
games, some of which involved the use of the feet. The Roman game
harpastum is believed to have been adapted from Greeks
The Japanese version of cuju is kemari and was developed during
the Asuka period.
1848: The Cambridge Rules were first drawn up at Cambridge University
1863: The formation of The Football Association; rugby football and
association football branched off on their different courses
1872: The world's oldest football competition, FA Cup started.
1886: The formation of The International Football Association Board (IFAB)
1888: England became the home to the world's first football league.
1904: The formation of FIFA
1970: The system of red and yellow cards is introduced for the 1970 FIFA
World Cup ™ finals.
The maximum length of the ground shall be 200
yards (180 m), the maximum breadth shall be 100
yards (91 m), the length and breadth shall be
marked off with flags; and the goal shall be defined
by two upright posts, eight yards (7 m)
apart, without any tape or bar across them.
After a goal is won, the losing side shall be entitled
to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals
after each goal is won.
A goal shall be won when the ball passes between
the goal-posts or over the space between the goal-
posts (at whatever height), not being
thrown, knocked on, or carried
In case the ball goes behind the goal line, if a player on the side to
whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his side shall
be entitled to a free kick from the goal line at the point opposite the
place where the ball shall be touched.
No player shall run with the ball.
Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall
use his hands to hold or push his adversary.
A player shall not be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another
with his hands.
No player shall be allowed to take the ball from the ground with his
hands under any pretence whatever while it is in play.
No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron
plates, or gutta-percha[2] on the soles or heels of his boots.
Kick-off: following a goal by the opposing team, or to begin each period of play.[
Throw-in: when the ball has crossed the touchline; awarded to opposing team to that which last
touched the ball.
Goal kick: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and
having last been touched by a player of the attacking team; awarded to defending team.
Corner kick: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored
and having last been touched by a player of the defending team; awarded to attacking team.
Indirect free kick: awarded to the opposing team following "non-penal" fouls, certain technical
infringements, or when play is stopped to caution or send-off an opponent without a specific foul
having occurred. A goal may not be scored directly (without the ball first touching another player)
from an indirect free kick.
Direct free kick: awarded to fouled team following certain listed "penal" fouls.[53] A goal may be
scored directly from a direct free kick.
Penalty kick: awarded to the fouled team following a foul usually punishable by a direct free kick
but that has occurred within their opponent's penalty area.
Dropped-ball: occurs when the referee has stopped play for any other reason, such as a serious
injury to a player, interference by an external party, or a ball becoming defective. This restart is
uncommon in adult games.