The football , also known as football or soccer , is a sport of equipment played between two teams of 11 players each (players) and a referee who deals with compliance with the rules; it is considered the most popular sport in the world . It is run by FIFA (International Federation of Football Associations). The most important events in soccer are the Soccer World Cup , the Eurocup and the America’s Cup .
History
Soccer is said to have been first played in Egypt , as part of a fertility rite , in the 3rd century BC. n. and. The ball of leather was invented by the Chinese in the fourth century. n. and. The Chinese stuffed these balls with bristles. This arose when one of the five great rulers of China in ancient times, Fu-Hi , a passionate inventor, caked several hard roots into a spherical mass which he covered with pieces of rawhide. This is how he invented the ball. The first thing that was done with it was simply to play hand to hand. This ball was not used in championships.
The Hindus , the Persians and the Egyptians adopted this element for their games, using it in a kind of handball or handball .
The Greeks and Romans played soccer. When the ball reaches Greece , it is called a sphaira (‘sphere’). It was an ox bladder . The Roman harpastum is the antecedent of modern football. The Romans begin to call it with the name stack , which over time would become Pilotta , the term evolved to the present name, ball. The Romans, at the time of the empire, brought this game to Britain , where a kind of native football was played.
Also in the Middle Ages there were many knights obsessed with ball games, including Ricardo Corazón de León , who even proposed to the Muslim leader Saladino that they settle their questions about the ownership of Jerusalem with a ball game. During a time in the Middle Ages, soccer was banned for being violent.
The game became a British national sport, and in the early 19th century it gave birth to rugby .
Game rules
Soccer is played with a ball or ball of spherical shape. It must be made of leather or other suitable synthetic material, the circumference varies between 68 and 70 centimeters, the mass varies between 410 and 450 grams and the pressure between 0.6 and 1.1 atmospheres at sea level. Players can touch and move the ball with any part of the body except the arms and hands.
The goalkeeper has the advantage of being able to use any part of his body for this, but only within his penalty area.
The objective of this game is to move a ball across the field to try to place it inside the opposing goal, an action that is called a goal.
This sport is played on a rectangular grass field, its dimensions range from 90 to 120 meters long and 45 to 90 meters wide, with a goal or goal on each side of the field. It has a penalty point in front of each goal at a distance of 11 m and that is used when an offense is committed against the player in attack within the goal area that has a dimension of 16.5 m long and 40 m wide. width. There are also corner points that are in the four corners of the field and a central point that is from where the game starts and restarts whenever there is a goal.
In the match that has a duration of 90 min divided into two periods of 45 min plus the extension time estimated by the main referee in which the team that scores the most goals is the winner, if there is an even, the match remains in tie except in discussions of the semifinals and finals of the most important events, which would end in two extra times of 15 min each, if a goal was not scored by one of the teams, they would have to go to penalties and in that case it consists in which each team shoots penalties alternately until adding 5 each. If after 10 penalties taken the equality persists, one penalty per team will continue to be taken until a winner is defined.
Tactical position of the players
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper, also known as a goalkeeper, goalkeeper or goalkeeper, is the player whose main objective is to prevent the ball from entering its goal during the game, an act known as a goal.
The goalkeeper is the only player who can touch the ball with his hands during active play, although only within his own area. Each team must have only one goalkeeper in their line-up. In the event that the player must leave the field of play for any reason, he must be substituted by another footballer, either one who is currently playing or a substitute. These types of players must wear different clothing than their teammates, their rivals (including the goalkeeper) and the refereeing body. They usually wear the number 1 stamped on their shirt.
Defending
The defender, also known as a defender, is the player located one line in front of the goalkeeper and one behind the midfielders, whose main objective is to stop the opponent’s team’s attacks. Generally, this line of players is in an arched form, with some defenses being located closer to the goalkeeper than the others.
If only one player is located further back, he is called the Libero; if there are two or more, they are called defenders. Defenders located on the sides of the field are called wingers, and because of their location (closer to the midfielders) they can advance further on the field if they wish. To name them, the zone is added to the word defense: for example, a defender who plays on the right (looking towards the opponent’s goal) would be a right back.
Midfield player
The midfielder , also known as a midfielder or midfielder, is the player located in the area of the center of the field, one line in front of the defenders and one behind the forwards, whose objective is to coordinate the game between the other lines and assist the same if necessary. Like the defense line, the players located in a middle line are named according to where they play on the field: center, left or right.
In some cases one or more players, generally the centers, are located further forward, between their line and that of the forwards, to collaborate with the latter. Players in this particular position are called setters, hookers, or playmakers.
Due to the position of the latter, the midline can obtain a rhombus appearance. It can be seen how the midfielders form a rhombus. These are responsible for helping the defense and forward of your team.
Forward
The striker, also known as an attacker, pointer, tip, gunner, or battering ram. He is the player located further ahead than his teammates, one line ahead of the midfielders, whose main objective is to score goals. Their function is usually limited to attacking, leaving aside the act of defending, which does not mean that in any dangerous situation, the striker becomes just another midfielder to adopt a defensive strategy. The forwards are usually the best known, since they are the authors of the team’s goals.
These players are also named according to the position where they play: center, left or right. Sometimes the word extreme is used to indicate that said player is farther from the center of the court (at its width): for example, a far left striker.
Reception
Soccer players must be able to control the balls they receive. The easiest way is usually to stop the ball; in this case, the ball should be placed in the ideal position for the next hit. Advanced players can use the first touch to quickly move the ball to where they plan to run. They can also use the first touch to pass the ball. Avoiding the ball instead of receiving it can mislead opposing defenders and is an offensive weapon in some situations.
Pass
To maintain possession of the ball it is essential to have the ability to pass it short between nearby players accurately and on time. Accurate long passes allow for a greater variety of situations and more direct play.
Threw
Players must have a balance when it comes to shooting on goal: neither do it too many times nor stop trying when they have the chance. Shots should be accurate and powerful, although this precision and power is generally not achieved at the same time.
Choosing precision or power depends on the situation and the characteristics of the player. Choosing where to shoot on the goal is a controversial issue and depends on how many players are covering it. When the player faces the goalkeeper alone, the shots should be placed near one of the posts. Ideally, the shot should be aimed at the squad, but it is less difficult and also effective to do it at ground level. When the goalkeeper is too far ahead, a balloon can be attempted.
Playing field
Football is played on a rectangular-shaped natural or artificial grass pitch. The allowed measurements of the terrain are 90 to 120 meters long and 45 to 90 meters wide, but for international matches the following measurements are recommended: between 100 and 110 meters long, and between 64 and 75 meters wide.
The two lines located along the field are called sidelines or touchlines, while the others are called goal or end lines. The midpoints of each sideline are joined by another line, the midline. On the center of each goal line and entering the field, the penalty areas, the goal areas and the goals or goals are located.
The so-called goals, also known as goals or arches, consist of two vertical posts (known as sticks or verticals) 2.44 meters high located 7.32 meters apart and on the center of each goal line. The tops of the posts are joined by another horizontal post, known as a crossbar or stringer.
Penalty areas are rectangular areas located in the center of the goals and into the field. These are drawn 16.5 meters from the vertical posts, also entering 16.5 meters into the ground, and then joining by another larger line. The layout of the goal area is the same, but using a measurement of 5.5 meters.
Modern soccer
In 1848 the first Cambridge regulations emerged , consigned to unify the different rules that were used up to that moment. In 1863 new rules were created and football was definitively separated from rugby.
The modern game was created in the United Kingdom after the formation of the Football Association, whose 1863 rules are the basis of the sport today. The governing body of football is the International Federation of Associated Football – better known by its acronym FIFA -, founded in 1904, which for the first time establishes world-wide rules.
Soccer in Cuba
In 1907, the Football Association of Cuba was created by a group of enthusiasts, among whom were Manolo Rodríguez and Raúl Lombardo. [1]
Also that year (1907), although the exact date could not be specified, the first Cuban soccer club was created, the Club Sportivo Hatuey (in honor of the Taino chief Hatuey ). [1] At the end of 1907 (or perhaps February 10, 1910) [1] the first known football game in Cuba was played, on the grounds of Palatino Park (an amusement park in the city of Havana ), between the crew of the British ship Cydra and the members of the Hatuey team. The Cubans won eight goals to zero.
In 1908, the first game between Hatuey and a team made up mostly of young British residents in Havana was played at the Columbia Camp polygon.
Months later (in 1909) the Prado Football Club was created, made up mostly of these young British amateur footballers. Under that name he played his first games. Later it would change its name by Rovers Football Club, and ended up being the first national champion of Cuba.
On February 10, 1910, a match was played between the crew of the British ship Cydra and the members of the Hatuey (possibly this match was played at the end of 1907). The Cubans won eight goals to zero. [1] Only four days later (on February 14, 1910), in the city of Cienfuegos , the Sport Club football team of that city was defeated zero to two before the crew of a British ship (perhaps the same Cydra).
On December 11, 1911, the first official match in Cuba was played in the now defunct Campo Palatino in the Cerro neighborhood , between the Sport Club Hatuey and Rovers Athletic Club teams, beyond which some sources indicate that before this match the he had made one with two complete teams of eleven players inside one of the capital’s barracks.
In 1925, the Cuban soccer team, constituted by the Fortuna club, went to play abroad for the first time, in Costa Rica. Different teams were formed under the auspices of the Spanish social clubs and societies, among them Fortuna, Asturian Youth, Hispano, Iberia, Centro Gallego, San Francisco and others. [1] Cuban teams participated in the II Central American Sports Games and, in 1930, in the first World Cup, held in Uruguay . In 1940 there were ten first-rate football teams.
The World Cup
On May 26, 1928, the Congress of FIFA (International Federation of Associated Football), located in Amsterdam (Netherlands), decided to organize a competition (the World Cup) of all affiliated nations. In 1930, he held the First Soccer World Championship in Uruguay .
The Uruguayan National Team is the First World Soccer Champion, after defeating the Argentine National Team by 4 to 2. Of the most outstanding points in the history of the World Cup we have Brazil as a country that has been present in more final phases since 1930, with a total of 15 times. It should also be noted that the Brazilians have won 49 of the 73 games they have played.
Among the most prominent footballers is Frenchman Just Fontaine , who holds the record for the most goals scored during a final phase, obtained at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden . And the Brazilian Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento), as the player who has participated and won in three world cups: 1958, 1962 and 1970.
World Cup Finals
Uruguay 1930 Soccer World Cup . 13 countries participate. Champion: Uruguay
Italy Soccer World Cup 1934 . 16 countries participate. Champion: Italy
Soccer World Cup France 1938 . 15 countries participate. Champion: Italy. Only Cuban participation.
Brazil 1950 Soccer World Cup . 13 countries participate. Champion: Uruguay
Swiss Soccer World Cup 1954 . 16 countries participate. Champion: West Germany
1958 Sweden Soccer World Cup . 16 countries participate. Champion: Brazil
Chile Soccer World Cup 1962 . 16 countries participate. Champion: Brazil
England Soccer World Cup 1966 . 16 countries participate. Champion: England
Soccer World Cup Mexico 1970 . 16 countries participate. Champion: Brazil
Federal Football World Cup Germany 1974 . 16 countries participate. Champion: West Germany
Argentina Soccer World Cup 1978 . 16 countries participate. Champion: Argentina
Soccer World Cup Spain 1982 . 24 countries participate. Champion: Italy
Mexico Soccer World Cup 1986 . 24 countries participate. Champion: Argentina
Italy 1990 Soccer World Cup . 24 countries participate. Champion: Germany
1994 United States Soccer World Cup . 24 countries participate. Champion: Brazil
1998 France Soccer World Cup . 32 countries participate. Champion: France
2002 Korea-Japan Soccer World Cup . 32 countries participate. Champion: Brazil
Soccer World Cup Germany 2006 . 32 countries participate. Champion: Italy
Soccer World Cup South Africa 2010 . 32 countries participate. Champion: Spain
Brazil 2014 Soccer World Cup . 32 countries participate. Champion: Germany
Football at the Olympics
Football was already present in the first Olympic Games of the modern era held in Athens in 1896 , although it was not officially recognized, only two matches were held and in the final, the team from the Greek city of Izmir won 15-0 to the delegation of Denmark.
It debuted as an Olympic sport in the 1900 games . The female modality debuted in the 1996 games . It is the only Olympic sport whose program starts two days before the opening ceremony due to the needs of the program.
The FIFA (International Federation of Football Associations) allows the participation of 416 athletes divided into 16 men ‘s teams and 8 women. With a squad of around 20 players each, with 11 players playing the game. This competition takes place over 12 days.
Champions
- Olympics in France 1900 . Champion: United Kingdom
- 1904 United States Olympic Games . Champion: Canada
- United Kingdom Olympic Games 1908 . Champion: United Kingdom
- Olympic Games in Sweden 1912 . Champion: United Kingdom
- Belgium Olympic Games 1920 . Champion: Belgium
- Olympic Games in France 1924 . Champion: Uruguay
- Netherlands Olympics 1928 . Champion: Uruguay
- Olympic Games in Germany 1936 . Champion: Italy
- United Kingdom Olympic Games 1948 . Champion: Sweden
- 1952 Finland Olympic Games . Champion: Hungary
- 1956 Australian Olympic Games . Champion: Soviet Union
- Italy 1960 Olympics . Champion: Yugoslavia
- Japan Olympic Games 1964 . Champion: Hungary
- 1968 Mexico Olympic Games . Champion: Hungary
- West German Olympic Games 1972 . Champion: Poland
- 1976 Canadian Olympics . Champion: Democratic Germany (socialist)
- Olympic Games of the Soviet Union 1980 . Champion: Czechoslovakia
- 1984 United States Olympic Games . Champion: France
- 1988 South Korean Olympics . Champion: Soviet Union
- 1992 Olympic Games in Spain . Champion: Spain
- 1996 United States Olympic Games . Champion: Nigeria
- Australia 2000 Olympics . Champion: Cameroon
- Greece Olympic Games 2004 . Champion: Argentina
- 2008 Chinese Olympics . Champion: Argentina
- 2012 UK Olympics . Champion: Mexico