Sports Analysis
Brief History
The origin of football / soccer can be found in every corner of geography and history. The Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Ancient Greek, Persian, Viking, and many more played a ball game long before our era. The Chinese played “football” games date as far back as 3000 years ago. The Ancient Greeks and the Roman used football games to sharpen warriors for battle. In south and Central America a game called “Tiatchi” once flourished.
But it was in England that soccer / football really begin to take shape. It all started in 1863 in England, when two football association (association football and rugby football) split off on their different course. Therefore, the first Football Association was founded in England.
On October 1963, eleven London clubs and schools sent their representatives to the Freemason’s Tavern. These representatives were intent on clarifying the muddle by establishing a set of fundamental rules, acceptable to all parties, to govern the matches played amongst them. This meeting marked the birth of The Football Association. The eternal dispute concerning shin-kicking, tripping and carrying the ball was discussed thoroughly at this and consecutive meetings until eventually on 8 December the die-hard exponents of the Rugby style took their final leave. They were in the minority anyway. They wanted no part in a game that forbade tripping, shin-kicking and carrying the ball. A stage had been reached where the ideals were no longer compatible. On 8 December 1863, football and rugby finally split. Their separation became totally irreconcilable six years hence when a provision was included in the football rules forbidding any handling of the ball (not only carrying it).
Equipment Used

Soccer Ball
Probably the most important equipment used for soccer is the soccer ball. Soccer balls come in different sizes: 3, 4, & 5.

The soccer goal
You can’t have a game of soccer without a goal. There are many types of soccer goals. Some are permanent and some can be quickly set up.
The Soccer Jersey
Soccer jerseys come in many styles and colours. Some styles date back to the early days of soccer and some have a more modern look.
Soccer Shorts
Soccer shorts come in many styles and colours also. They are designed for comfort and durability.
Soccer Shorts
Soccer shorts come in many styles and colours also. They are designed for comfort and durability.
The soccer shoe
Soccer shoes are especially designed for the sport of soccer. Some have cleats and some are made for indoor soccer
Shin Guard
In the heat of the game, having good shin guards is very important. They need to be strong but light weight and durable.

Players, Numbers and Positions

11 players. One is a keeper, 3 or 4 are defenders (different types of defenders a team may have are fullbacks, stoppers and sweepers), 3 or 4 midfielders (different types that some teams have are right or left outside, defensive midfielder, offensive midfielder, right centre, left centre, and centre), and 2 or 3 forwards (right, left, and sometimes centre).

Field, court or pitch dimensions

Official soccer field dimensions
The field of play is rectangular. The length of the sideline must be longer than the length of the goal line. Measurements are as follows:
 length ─ minimum 90m maximum 120m
 width ─ minimum 45m maximum 90m
International matches
 length ─ 105m
 width ─ 68m
It is recommended that there is a minimum 3m space around the pitch. In the interest of player safety it is advisable to increase this distance wherever possible.

Basic Soccer Rules

Aim of Soccer – Basic Rules of Soccer
The basic aim of soccer is very simple: using all body parts except your arms, try to kick the ball into your attacking goals to score a goal (1 point). Defend your goals in an attempt to stop the opposition from scoring goals. You may run dribbling the ball as far as you like although there is a high chance you will be dispossessed of the ball by the opposition.
Tackles And Fouls – Basic Rules of Soccer
The basic rules of soccer say that tackles may be made in an attempt to take the ball off your opponents. However, if you miss the ball or deliberately hit your opponent you will have a foul against you. If the tackle is dangerous enough, you may be either yellow carded (warning) or red carded, which means that you must leave the field and your team must play one man short. You must also not grab onto shirts or point your studs up. This is seen as dangerous and will get you fouled against or carded. The biggest mistake you can make in soccer is to tackle the opposition team’s goalkeeper. Do this and you will be automatically red carded.
Free Kicks and Penalties – Basic Rules Of Soccer
The reward to a team for being fouled against is a free kick. This is a kick, off the ground, from the place you were fouled. The only exception to this rule is if the foul against you occurs in your attacking goal box. You will not receive a free kick, but instead a penalty. A penalty is when one man takes a shot on goal with only the goalkeeper to stop it, and all other players from both teams must stand outside the goal box.
Throw-in’s- Basic Rules of Soccer
Section 2: Athlete Profile
Luis Nani
Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (Nani) is Manchester United and Portugal’s latest footballing sensation. He normally plays as a winger, though he is equally adept in the middle.

Nani was born in Praia, Cape Verde, but emigrated with his family to Portugal at an early age. He grew up in the Amadora district of Lisbon. Nani started his career in junior football at Real de Massamá before joining the youth setup at Sporting.

Nani made his debut for the Sporting first team in the 2005-06 season, in which he made 32 appearances and scored five goals. In the 2006-07 season, he was again a regular, making 29 appearances for the first team and scoring five goals. He also played three games in the Portuguese Cup, which Sporting won, as well as six Champions League matches, scoring one goal.

In May 2007, Sporting and Manchester United agreed an undisclosed fee for Nani to sign for the Manchester club. Nani passed his medical at United’s Carrington training ground on 6 June 2007, before being confirmed as a Manchester United player on 2 July.

On 9 July, Nani was revealed to the press along with fellow newcomer Owen Hargreaves. He was handed the number 17 shirt for the 2007-08 season.

Nani scored on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Shenzhen FC, in which United ran out 6-0 winners. He also scored in the following game against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical with a chip off the right post from the left side of the penalty area.

Nani made his competitive debut for Manchester United on 5 August 2007, coming on as a substitute in the Community Shield against Chelsea. He marked his debut with a trophy after the Red Devils won 3-0 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Nani’s Premier League debut came in United’s opening match at home to Reading on 12 August as a substitute for Wayne Rooney, who had suffered a foot injury. He scored his first goal in United’s 1-0 win over Spurs.

Throw-in occurs when a player is the opposite team touches the ball last before it goes outside either sideline. One member from your team must take the ball and throw it over his head into the field of play to a teammate. The ball MUST be released before your hands move over your head. Defenders and midfielders usually take throw-in.
Offside – Basic Rules of Soccer
Offside occurs when the attacking team has a man on the attacking side of the opposing team’s last defender when the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper is not a defender. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team in the location where the offside occurred as a result.
Drop Ball’s – Basic Rules of Soccer
Drop ball’s are a rare occasion and occur when the referee stops the game for a particular reason. E.g. an injury. The ball is dropped from shoulder height between two opposing players and they aim to kick the ball out to a team mate.
Soccer Field and Game – Basic Rules Of Soccer
A soccer game consists of two halves of 45 minutes each, plus injury time. Between these halves is half time, in which the team gather to recover and discuss tactics. The field played on must be rectangular with a length of 90 – 120 metres and the width being 45 – 90 metres.