Whether played on the ground or on a synthetic field, football is a team game, based on passing a ball from player to player. Players may spend most of the game in a particular position. The number of players in each position determines the style of play. The game is played with a round ball covered in leather and inflated.
The game is played by two teams of eleven to 18 players. The game is officiated by a referee. The referee is assisted by two assistant referees. The referee is also the timekeeper. The referee calls fouls and decides if a player can continue play. Players may be sent off for committing specific fouls. The referee may also add time to the game if a player is injured. The referee may also penalize a player with a red or yellow caution card.
The first meeting of the Football Association took place in Great Queen Street, London, at the Freemason’s Tavern in 1863. It was at this meeting that a set of rules was devised and adopted. The four British football associations were the first to have supreme authority within IFAB.
During the early 20th century, football spread throughout Europe. Its popularity grew as the sport became more accessible. A survey in 2001 found that over 240 million people played football in 200 countries around the world. Some countries have leagues with high-paid star players, while others have amateur clubs with players who are aspiring to play in the top leagues.
The first formal set of rules for football were developed in the early modern period, enabling matches to be played between schools. Teachers and former students wrote down the rules. The game was introduced to the Olympics in 1908, the first time it was played in an international competition. It has been played in each Summer Games since then.
The standard adult football match consists of two periods of 45 minutes each. In each half, the teams change ends. The second half lasts 15 minutes. The game is a two-sided affair, with the goalkeeper defending the goal. The game is played with a round-ball that is 27 to 27.5 inches in circumference. Players must be at least 14.5 to 16 ounces in weight.
The goalkeeper is a defender who guards the goal and requires height and agility to reach the ball. He or she must also head the ball away from danger. Central defenders must make tackles and win tackles to keep the ball in play.
Some other common fouls are tripping, pushing or handling the ball. The referee may issue a red card to a player who commits a serious foul. Other fouls may result in an indirect free kick.
Although football has become a popular sport worldwide, it has also revealed a recurrent inequality between the developed and developing world. Players in the developing world are often tied into long-term contracts with clubs, and their skills may be used to secure their careers.
