The game of soccer is played by two teams. For most games, each team has 11 players on the field. The objective of the game is to put the ball in the opponent's net. The winning team is the team with the highest number of goals. Soccer is traditionally played on a rectangular field. A typical size of the field would be 100 metres in length and 75 metres wide. The field size may decrease with the play of a younger age level. The playing surface is well-maintained with short grass, but due to weather conditions some people play on a gravel surface. The field is divided by a center line. At each end of the field is a goal (2.44m tall and 7.32m wide). Surrounding each goal is a square 5.5m box (the 6 yard box) and a 16.47m box (the 18 yard box). At each corner of the field is a corner flag which is a minimum of 2m tall. 

The game is controlled by a head referee. The referee enforces the laws, keeps the playing time, and keeps the flow of the game moving. The referee has two assistants who run up and down the touchlines. The linesman is a referee's second eye to the play and is the key official in determining offside, when the ball has left the field of play, and controlling substitutions.

The ball can be played with every part of the body except the arms. The only person who can handle the ball when it is in play with his hands is the goalkeeper. He may only do so when the ball is inside the 18 yard box. The only other time a person can handle the ball is during a throw-in. A throw-in takes place when the play has stopped due to the ball being kicked across one of the touchlines. The player has to throw the ball from behind his head in a forward motion while keeping his feet planted on the ground.

Play of the game is stopped only by the referee in certain situations. To signify a stoppage in play the referee will blow his whistle. Play is stopped if the ball crosses over any outside line of the field including the line inside the goal net. For the ball to be out of play, it must COMPLETELY cross over one of the touchlines or goal-lines. Another reason for a stoppage in play is if any player causes a foul or misconduct as set out in the FIFA Laws of the Game. The game duration is two halves of 45 minutes each and playing time may be extended at the referee's discretion if there was an injury during the half. 

Positions on a Soccer Team
Each soccer team has 11 players, 1 goalkeeper and 10 field players. Every player, whether playing an offensive or defensive position, works to help the team score goals ? as many as possible. The following list explains the role of each position: 

Goalkeeper: The keeper is the only player allowed to use his hands, and that activity is restricted to an 18-yard by 44-yard area called the penalty area. If a goalkeeper handles the ball outside of the box, he/she should be awarded a red card and the attacking team given a free kick from that spot. 

Defenders: They play in front of the goalkeeper, and their primary duty is to stop the opposition from scoring or taking shots at goal ? quality and quantity. Their assignments and responsibilities can vary from man-to-man coverage or zone defence, in which they defend a particular area. Outside fullbacks play on the left and right wings and patrol the flanks and rarely move from their sides of the field. Central defenders play in the middle of the field and usually cover the opposition's leading goal scorer or center forward(s). 

Midfielders: These players are the link between the defence and attack. Midfielders must be the most physically fit players on the field because they are expected to run the most in a game. They should be able to penetrate deep in enemy territory on attack and make the transition to defence when the opposition has possession of the ball. Midfielders can specialize as attacking or defensive players. 

Forwards: Their primary job is to score goals or to create them for teammates. There are several types of forwards. Wings play on either the left or right side and usually run up and down the sides of the field. They can either take the ball into the penalty area for a shot or keep it on the flank and try to pass it to a teammate in the area. Center forwards play in the middle of the field, but they are allowed to wander if open space is there. A center forward, also known as a striker, should be a team's leading goal scorer and most dangerous player up front.

Sources:
Fifa
Safa

Page Last Updated 8 June 2010