Soccer For Dummies

Description

By (author) Dunmore Tom; By (author) Murray, Scott

:

Flick, fake, and dribble your way to soccer mastery

Prepare for the World Cup or learn the rules for your own indoor or outdoor league, with Soccer For Dummies. We cover the world’s most popular sport from one end of the field to the other, starting with the history of soccer and the basics of the game. Discover the positions on the field, the best tactics for winning, and the skills the players (including you!) need in order to dominate. This update to the comprehensive guide introduces you to all the soccer greats and up-and-comers whose moves you’ll want to know. You”ll find extensive coverage of women”s soccer, including women’s world cup, the NWSL, Women’s Super League, and the UEFA Women’s Championship, and get s of various leagues around the globe, and the lowdown on where you can find soccer games and resources, online and elsewhere.

• Learn how soccer got to be the #1 most popular sport in the world
• Get up to speed on the world’s best leagues, teams, and players, so you can follow and enjoy the World Cup
• Discover tips on playing and coaching, plus fun soccer facts and resources for learning more
• Become the ultimate soccer fan with your newfound knowledge of the game

Soccer For Dummies is for anyone who wants to learn more about soccer, the rules, how the game is played, how professional leagues operate around the world, and how to follow them.

Table of contents:

Introduction
1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 2

Beyond the Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: Kicking Off
5

Chapter 1: Introducing Planet Soccer
7

Nothing as Simple as Soccer 8

The basic aim: It really is that simple! 8

So why is soccer so popular around the world? 8

Where do people play soccer? 9

Explaining a Few Rules 10

The field 10

The players 11

General behavior 12

Goal! 12

Keeping score 13

 and keeping time 13

Playing the Game 13

Playing solo 13

Playing with others 14

Watching Soccer and Supporting a Team 14

Following club and country 14

Winning trophies: The be-all and end-all? 15

Chapter 2: Getting the Ball Rolling: A Brief History of Soccer
17

Discovering the Ancestors of Modern Soccer 18

Anyone for Cuju? 18

Kemari, Marn Gook, and Calcio Fiorentino 19

Inventing Modern Soccer: How It All Began in Britain 19

The 1850s: Time to lay down some rules 20

Enter the FA 21

Step aside for the professionals! 21

Exporting Soccer Around The World 23

The game makes it in Europe 23

 then South America 24

 and finally the world 25

Becoming the World’s Biggest Game 26

Television switches on 26

Players become stars 26

Television changed everything 27

Establishing Soccer in America 28

An immigrant game 28

Shooting stars, the NASL-era 29

From indoor soccer to the 1994 World Cup 29

A future built to last: MLS and the NWSL 29

Chapter 3: Getting Your Game On: The Gear You Need
31

Having a Ball 31

Getting The Right Look 34

Jerseys 34

Shorts 35

Cleats 35

Shin guards 37

Goalkeeping gear 37

The referee 38

Additional garments 38

Approaching Equipment 39

Goals and nets 39

First-aid kits 40

Practice aids 40

Other gear and equipment 40

Meeting Up with Merchandise 41

Replica jerseys 41

Numbering and lettering 42

Retro jerseys 42

Scarves 42

Other official merchandise 43

Knowing Where to Get It All 43

Part 2: Playing the