Soccer History Essay

With each sport there is a history, but no other sport’s history compares to that of soccer. Though the origin of the sport is mysterious, it has grown to be the most popular sport in the modern world. Many have tried to pin down the singular person that started soccer, but none have been successful. However, historians have been able to find the cultures that primarily played soccer, dating back to ancient times. From its conception, soccer has proven to be a complex sport that truly tests the athleticism of its competitors. To have a clear understanding of the intricacies of soccer and how much the sport has grown, we must look at its long history, the rules and regulations and the current teams in play.
Soccer is derived from a sport
Some historical facts even mention that the first ball used was the head of a Danish “Brigand”, or bandit. As the fourteenth century rolled around, England called soccer, mob football. It is said that during medieval times, the old form of soccer used to allow many ill practices like kicking, punching, biting and gouging (History of Soccer). Popularity of the game grew, so much so that England soldiers missed archery practice to watch the competitions. It is said that the English population were the ones who truly kept football alive during the Middle Ages. In the nineteenth century, the Football Association was formed and creation of official rules for the game began. Ebenezer Morley, a London solicitor who formed Barnes FC in 1862, could be called the ‘father’ of The Association (The FA). During the time FA was created the clubs represented were: Barnes, War Office, Crusaders, Forest (Leytonstone), No Names (Kilburn), Crystal Palace, Blackheath, Kensington School, Perceval House (Blackheath), Surbiton, Blackheath Proprietory School and Charterhouse (The FA). Six meetings were organized to set forth the laws of the Association and the rules of the league. England, Scotland, and German individuals then introduced football into the United States. In October of 1911 American Amateur Football Association was set in the United States and recognized by the Federation International Football Association (The
If an attacking player hits the ball out of bounds it is restarted with a goal kick. A goal kick is the only time any player is allowed to take it from the defending team. If a defending player hits the ball out of bounds it is resumed with a corner kick. Where the goal kick is taken from is also called the goalie box. The goalie box is 18 by 44 yards. A corner kick is a method of attack from either side of the goal line; whichever side the ball goes beyond the lines is where the corner kick shall be taken. Within the goalie box is the penalty spot that has a distance from the goal line is by 11 meters (Soccer Field Dimensions & Marking). Above the penalty area is a penalty arc that doesn’t allow any players inside it. To receive a penalty, an attacker must be fouled inside the penalty box that sets a punishment for the defending team with a penalty kick. Importantly the center circle is the huge round separation of the field. This is where the starting point of the match is taken, only two players are allowed in the area, the ball must be played forward of the halfway line. The halfway line has no real use but to help divide the field into two equal halves (Soccer Field Dimensions & Marking). By having the field broken down into its proper uses is essential to understand the