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History Of Football
History books dictate that people have had plenty of good times in the field kicking a ball around for
thousands of years, but not all those games are recognised now as what we consider football today.

The earliest record of football was in China, as early as the third century BC, where there are mentions of
a game resembling football in military manuals. The Han Dynasty played a game called Tsu’ Chu, which
involved kicking a ball through a 30-40cm opening and into what we’d now see as a goal makes of canes
with a net attached to it.

‍The Origin Of Football

Football's modern origins began in England more than 100 years ago, in 1863. Rugby football and
association football, once the same thing, went their separate ways and the Football Association, the first
official governing body for the sport, was established.

Records show that, in 1314, the Lord Mayor of London banned football in the city due to it causing
‘chaos’. Despite opposition for the game, football thrived in Britain from the 8th to 19th centuries,
however, a standardised version of the game was still a rarity as regional versions often gained favour.
These different versions of the game were neatened up to eventually become association football, rugby
football and Gaelic football, all of which contributed to the contemporary equivalent of the game we play
today.

Even though the official rules of modern football were dictated in 1863 when the Football Association
was established, the specifications of the ball were not standardised for another eight years. Eight years
after it was founded, The Football Association had established 50 member clubs. That’s when, in 1872,
the FA Cup was born, with the first championship in the works by 1888.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was established in Paris in 1904. Its founding
members included Belgium, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. By the
1950s, after the Second World War, there were more than 73 FIFA members.

‍History Of Football In India

The history of football in India can be traced back to the pre-independent period when the British people
brought the game to the sub-continent.
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In India, the first football game was organized between 'Calcutta Club of Civilians' and the 'Gentlemen of
Barrackpore', in 1854. The first football club of India, named 'Calcutta FC', was founded in 1872.
Dalhousie Club, Traders Club and Naval Volunteers Club were also established in the following years.

Women's football in India was administered by the Women's Football Federation of India (WFFI) until the
early 1990s when the AIFF took over the administration of women's soccer in the country. Just like the
men's game, the women's game had its early pioneers from the state of West Bengal.

How To Play Football?

Though numerous rules play part in a game of football but if you want to know how to play the game in
simple theory, it’s this. Outfield players move the ball with any part of the body except their hands or
arms, whilst the ball is in play. Only the goalkeeper can use their hands and this is only in their penalty
area. When the ball goes out of play at either side of the pitch an opposing player from the side which did
not put the ball out of play can throw the ball back into play using their hands. Both feet must remain on
the floor behind the throw line. Both hands must remain on the ball until it is released from behind the
throwers head.

A match consists of two 45 minute periods known as the first and second half. In some instances, extra
time can be played, two 15 minute periods.

Dimensions of The Pitch

Football fields, or football pitches, are the rectangular playing surfaces used for the sport of football
(soccer). While grass is the typical playing surface, football can also be played on artificial turf or
informally on dirt surfaces. The long length of the field, bounded by the touchlines, must be between
295’-394’ | 90-120 m, while the shorter width, defined by the goal lines, is between 148’-295’ | 45-90 m.
Goals are located on the center of each opposing goal line and are 24’ | 7.32 m wide. The football pitch is
split with a half-way line and a center circle with a radius of 30’ | 9.15 m.

Other crucial areas of the football field include the goal area and the penalty area/marks. The goal area is
a rectangular zone centered on the goal starting 18’ | 5.5 m out from both goalposts and extending 18’ |
5.5 m into the pitch. Around this area is the larger penalty area that is 54’ | 16.5 m from the posts and 54’
| 16.5 m out. For penalty kicks, the penalty mark is centered at 36’ | 11 m from the goal. A
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circular penalty arc extends at a radius of 30’ | 9.15 m from the penalty mark. Corner radii are set at 3’
| .9 m.

Details
Width:

148’-295’ | 45-90 m

Length:

295’-394’ | 90-120 m

Center Circle (Radius): 30’ | 9.15 m

Goal Area: 18’ | 5.5 m from goal edge, 18’ | 5.5 m from front
Penalty Area: 54’ | 16.5 m from goal edge, 54’ | 16.5 m from front
Penalty Mark: 36’ | 11 m centered from goal
Penalty Arc: 30’ | 9.15 m from penalty mark
Corners (Radius): 3’ | .9 m
Materials:

Grass, artificial turf, dirt

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Rules in football
 Football matches are played between two teams and typically last for 90
minutes. The match is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each.

 There's a 15-minute break called half-time which separates the two halves.

A match kicks off from the centre circle with one team in possession of the
ball.

The teams switch sides after half-time, with the other team in possession and kicking
off proceedings.

The objective of each team is to kick or head the football within the opposing team’s
goalposts to score a goal.

 The entire ball must cross the goal-line for it to count as a goal for the
attacking team. The side which scores more goals within the 90 minutes wins
the match.

Match officials can also add a few minutes at the end of each half, called added or
injury time, to account for injuries or other stoppages during play.

 There are 11 football players on each team including one designated

goalkeeper. The goalkeepers are the only players on the pitch who are
allowed to handle the ball during a football match.

However, they can only catch the ball or use their hands to block it as long as the
ball is inside the penalty area.

The remaining 10 players of a team are called the outfield players. Each team can
also make three substitutions throughout the game.

Outfield players are assigned different roles. While some are defenders and play
closer to their goal area, others are more skilled at attacking and play higher up the
pitch.

The entire team, however, works together to score goals while keeping the opposing
team at bay.

Outfield players cannot use their hands or arms to take or keep possession of the
ball. Players generally kick the ball around with their feet to maintain possession but
heading it and using the torso to control it is also allowed.

Players can move the ball quickly around the field by passing it to team-mates. They
can also run and dribble with the ball to move it towards the opposition goal.
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 Throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks

If the ball crosses the side-lines after taking a touch from a player, it results in a
throw-in for the opposition team.

During a throw-in, a player stands outside the side-lines and throws the ball back into
play, usually to a team-mate.

However, the player taking the throw-in needs to have both his feet planted to the
ground while releasing the ball from above his head for it to count as a legal throw.

If a ball crosses the goal-line from either side of the goalpost or over it, two outcomes
are possible.

If the ball is sent out because of an attacking player, it results in a goal kick to the
defending team.

A goal-kick allows the defending team to kick the ball back into play from anywhere
inside the 6-yard-box.

If the ball is sent out by a player from the defending team, then the attacking team
gets a corner kick. During a corner kick, a player from the attacking team can place
the ball near the corner flag (which is the closest to the area from where the ball
went out of bounds) and kick it in play.

Corner kicks are considered good scoring opportunities.

 Fouls, cards, free kicks and penalty kicks

When a team is in possession, the opposing team tries to intercept the ball or tackle
the player in possession to gain control over the ball.

However, if the tackle is deemed too dangerous or illegal by a referee or assistant

referee, a foul is called.

Players touching the ball, intentionally or unintentionally, with their hands is also
considered a foul. This rule doesn’t apply for goalkeepers as long as they are in their
own penalty area.

Depending on the severity of the foul, a referee can either let a player off with a
warning or show them a card. Every foul, though, doesn’t warrant a card.

 A yellow card is shown if a foul is considered severe enough and the

accumulation of two yellow cards in a match results in a red card. The player
shown a red card has to immediately leave the field and is also suspended for
the next match.
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 A direct red card can also be shown if the foul is deemed too
serious. Conduct or behaviour which breach the sportsman
spirit and rules of the game can also be penalised with yellow
or red cards.

If a player commits a foul, the opposition team is awarded a free

kick.

During a free kick, the ball is placed on the spot where the offence
took place and the defending players need to be at least 9.15m
away from that mark. A player can either take a direct shot at goal
from a free kick (direct freekick) or pass the ball to a team-mate
(indirect freekick).

If a foul is committed by a defending team inside their own penalty

area, however, a penalty kick is awarded to the attacking team.

During a penalty kick, the ball is placed on the penalty spot inside
the 18-yard-box and a player from the attacking team can take a
shot directly at the opposition goal with only the goalkeeper to get
past.

The remaining players have to be outside the penalty area while a

penalty kick is being taken.

Penalty kicks, more often than none, result in goals.

 Extra time in football games

If both teams don’t score any or end up scoring the same number of
goals at the end of 90 minutes and injury time, the match is
declared a draw.

However, in certain situations like knockout games and finals of

tournaments, a winner needs to be decided.

Situations such as these are solved through extra time and penalty
shootouts.
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Extra time is played over 30 minutes (two 15-minute halves) after

the regulation 90 minutes are over. If a team emerges as the winner
in the extra time, the match is over.

If the teams are still deadlocked after the 120 minutes and injury
time, penalty shootouts are forced.

 In

penalty shootouts, players from the two teams take penalty kicks
alternately.

There’s an initial set of five rounds, with each team taking a kick
each in a single round. The team which leads in the shootouts after
the five rounds is the winner. If they are still tied after the five
rounds, the shootout continues and sudden death comes into effect.

In sudden death, if a team scores and the other misses its kick in a
set, the scoring team is the winner.

Sudden death continues till a winner is determined.

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MAJOR TOURNAMENTS
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 Important PERSONALITIES
 Lionel Messi

For a man that I would say most people pick as their guy, Messi himself does not
share that sentiment. Although he has stated his adoration for several legends
and even looked up to Pablo Aimar as a kid, he’s only ever spoken with absolute
certainty about one player.

 Cristiano Ronaldo

On the other hand, CR7’s pick isn’t all that surprising. This question has been
posed to him several times over the years and his answer has pretty much been
the same each time.

 Pelé

As we all know, to this day, Pelé counts each and every goal that he scored
throughout his career in his overall tally. Friendlies included. Refusing to
relinquish any records that may tarnish his legacy. Regardless of how many may
perceive the man nowadays, there is no denying he was an absolute legend. 3
World Cup trophies tells you all you need to know.

 Diego Maradona

As for the Golden Boy, Diego Maradona, you would think the most obvious
answer on his part was one of either himself or his fellow countrymen, Lionel
Messi. However, as recently as 2019, his pick was one that many modern fans
might not state in today’s day and age.

 Ferenc Puskas

Ferenc Puskas, Di Stefano’s former teammate and fellow Real Madrid Legend,
also sang high praise for him. And even went as far as calling him the greatest
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player of all time. Although that was only because he refused to classify Pelé as a
player.

 Ronaldo Nazario

R9 on the other hand has given conflicting statements over the years. All the way
back in 1997, he noted that Zico had to be the best ever. Which makes sense as
Zico was a legend for Flamengo, the club Ronaldo supported as a child.

 Zinedine Zidane

On the opposite end of the spectrum, in a completely unbiased pick, R9’s former
Real Madrid teammate, Zidane, felt that Cristiano Ronaldo was the greatest to
ever do it. Kind of hard to argue with that when you had the best view of them
all as CR7 ravaged the Champions league for years on end.

 Paolo Maldini
And on the subject of players Ancelotti has coached, let’s see what Maldini
had to say. He didn’t say it directly, but in 2017, he labelled Maradona as
the best player he ever played against. However, all the way back in 2015,
although they never played one another, he noted that Messi was
overtaking Maradona. So we’ll count that as a stamp of approval for
Messi.

 Lev Yashin

I wanted to include Lev Yashin’s opinion on the matter, seeing as he remains to

this day, the only goalkeeper in history to win the Ballon d’or. but try as I did, I
could not find any credible sources that indicated who he thought was the
greatest. This of course, is not helped by the fact that he passed on in 1990.

HE WAS THE ONLY GOALKEEPER TO WIN AN BALLON DIOR IN HIS

CAREEAR WITH MORE THAN 679 CLEAN SHEETS.
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 SERGIO RAMOS
Sergio Ramos García is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defender
for La Liga club Sevilla. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all
time, he is known for his exceptional tackling skills, aerial abilities and strong
leadership. Having formerly played for Real Madrid for sixteen seasons

 NEYMAR JUNIOR
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (born 5 February 1992), known as Neymar
Júnior or mononymously as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who
plays as a forward for Saudi Professional League club Al Hilal and the Brazil
national team. A prolific goalscorer and playmaker.

THE BEST TEAM OF THE YEAR

EVER !!!!!!