2torial #0413:
Learn2 Understand Soccer (continued)

Learn the basics

Soccer is played by two teams of 11 players each. The object of the game is to control the ball using everything but your hands and arms, and boot it into the opposing team's goal. Only the goalkeeper, a team's last line of defense, is allowed to pick up the ball. All other players move the ball toward their opponent's goal using their feet (mainly), torsos, and heads. The action centers around the player in control of the ball and the different options he or she has to pass, shoot, or continue moving the ball.

The entire ball must cross the goal line and travel into the goal to count as a score. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins, although many games finish tied or scoreless. If that happens, teams play an overtime period ranging from 5 to 15 minutes, and then a second period of equal duration if the score still remains even. If the game is still tied following a second overtime period, the match may be ruled a draw, or tie. When a winner must be determined (to decide a league or World Cup champion, for instance), the two sides conduct a shootout.

In a shootout, teams alternate five penalty kicks and the side with the most goals wins. A penalty kick is taken from 12 yards (11 meters) in front of the goal, with only the goalkeeper defending. If the teams are tied after five, then additional kicks are taken until one side has more goals after an equal number of attempts. Note: In some leagues, overtime is played in a sudden death format, in which the first team to score is declared the winner, ending the game.