User:Madisonk2

Introduction
Soccer, also sometimes referred to as football based on geographical location, is a sport that involves a soccer ball, any type of field (grass, turf, dirt, etc.) two teams of eleven players, and two goal nets. The sport can be played by anyone, regardless of gender, age or skill level. Soccer is considered to be the world’s most popular sport, with an estimation of over one billion people who play it. The popularity of the sport can be attributed to the fact that one really only needs a ball and a flat area to play it.

History
The early history of soccer can be traced back to over 3,000 years ago in old Mesoamerican cultures in which a rock was used as a ball in a game with two teams. Soccer can also be found in 2nd and 3rd century China, where a game involving the kicking of a round ball in a square area was called Cuju. This game spread to Japan where it was practiced for certain ceremonies. Additional games of early soccer also occurred in Ancient Greece where a ball was made from pieces of leather filled with hair. While soccer in Ancient Greece could not be played in arenas for entertainment, it was often used as a form of exercise for the army.

What is known to be the typical game of soccer today was developed in England during the 12th century. Games of soccer in England were usually played on meadows and roads, and were often more violent than what the typical soccer player is familiar with today. The early English version of soccer involved punching the ball with one's fist and an unlimited number of players on the field. In 1848, an attempt to finalize the proper rules of soccer took place in Cambridge, but final rules were not achieved. It was not until 1863 when the first football association was formed in London that final rules for the game of soccer were created.

How to Play
The objective of soccer is to score more goals than the opposing team. There are defenders, midfielders, forwards, and a goalie on each team. The ball begins in the center of the field where a forward must kick the ball to a teammate or somewhere on the field. They are followed by the midfielders who provide backup to both the defenders and forwards. If the ball is on the opposing team’s side of the field and in possession of the forwards, their goal is to try and score. If the defenders on the opposing team gain possession of the ball, their job is to get it to their forwards on the other side of the field, often passing the ball along to the midfielders who will bring the ball up the field to the forwards. Soccer is considered to be a great form of exercise as it requires constant moving, specifically running, at great distances.There are two halves in a game, and each team is allotted a short break on the sidelines for halftime. If the game ends in a tie, it is possible that the game will either go into overtime or a shootout, depending on the level of skill or league the game is played in.