Facts About the Game

The Soccer Field
A soccer field, also called a pitch, must be a rectangular plot of land between 90 and 120 meters wide and 45 to 90 meters wide. The goal must be 7.32 meters long and 2.44 meters high, and the diameter of the center cirlce must be 18.3 meters. Obviously the variations in length / width will necessatite differing strategies at play, and accomodate spectator arrangements in different capacities.

The Soccer Ball
The ball used for this game must be 68 to 70 cm in circumference. It must weigh between 410 and 450 grams and be made from a leather like material.

The Players
During a soccer match each team has 10 players on the field and a goalkeeper. Officially the rules allow for 3-9 players on the bench with 3 substitutions per match. In less official games, it has become accepted to allow unlimited players on the bench and substitutions.

Uniform
The rules of the game require the players to wear a jersey, shorts, socks, shin pads, and shoes, and that the uniform somehow indentify the team the player belongs to. The accepted look of a soccer jersey includes the badge of the team on the chest, the number (and sometimes name) of the player on the back, along with team sponsor logos.

The Referee
The Referees task is to ensure that the rules of the game are followed throughout a soccer match. Today there are 4 referees appointed to each match. The main referee oversees the pitch, with 2 secondary referees supervising the pitch from either side. The fourth referee takes care of peripheral issues, such as injuries and substitutions.

Timing
The duration of a soccer match includes two 45 minute halves of 'play time' and a 15 minute break in between. This, however, does not mean that the ball will actually be in play for 90 minutes, as time is expended for substitutions and injuries etc. If a game is tied at the end of 90 minutes, additional time - up to 30 minutes - is allowed. If the winner is still unresolved at that point, a penalty shoot-out decides the winner.