This document provides an overview of key information about football/soccer, including: a brief history noting its origins and spread to Europe; summaries of basic rules and field measurements; definitions of common terminology; listings of important tournaments, stadium venues, players, and awards. The history section outlines how early ball games evolved in places like China and ancient Greece before becoming established as modern football in Europe.

1. FOOTBALL

2. CONTENTS
 History of football
 Rules and regulations
 Measurements of football fields
 Terminology
 Important tournaments
 Important venues
 Important personalities
 Important awards

3. History of football
 The origin of soccer can be found in every corner of geography and
history. The Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Ancient Greek, Persian, Viking,
and many more played a ball game long before our era.
 The Chinese played "football" games date as far back as 3000 years ago.
The Ancient Greeks and the Roman used football games to sharpen
warriors for battle.
 As we go forward on the history of soccer timeline, we notice that the
game has gradually entered European territory, Europe being the place
where modern day soccer will start in several centuries.
 In England, the game was surrounded by an aura of violence and was
considered a dangerous and sinful game. As such, it was banned in 1314
by Nicholas de Farndone, the Mayor of London.

4. Rules and Regulations
 Ball-In and Ball-Out
 Method of Scoring
 Offside
 Fouls and Mis-Conducts
 Free-Kicks
 Penalty Kick
 Throw-In
 Goal-Kick
 Corner-Kick

5. Measurements of football fields

6. Terminology
 Attacker: A player whose job is to play the ball forward towards the opponent's goal area to
create a scoring opportunity.
 Back Heel: A ball kicked using the back (heel) of the foot.
 Back Pass: A pass that a player makes back toward their own goal, usually made back to the
goalkeeper. This is often a defensive move to restart a new phase of play.
 Center Spot: The spot marked at the center of the field from which the kickoff is made.
 Corner Kick: A free kick taken from the corner of the field by an attacker. The corner kick is
awarded when the ball has passed over the goal line after last touching a defensive player.
The shot is taken from the corner nearest to where the ball went out.
 Cross: A pass played across the face of a goal.
 Defender: A player whose job is to stop the opposition attacking players from goal scoring.
 Direct Free Kick: A free kick in which a goal may be scored by the player taking the free kick.

7.  Goal Area: The rectangular area in front of the goal. It is also known as the 6-yard box
because of its dimensions.
 Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball is played over
the goal line by the attacking team. It can taken by any player though it is normally
taken by the goalkeeper.
 Goal Line: The two boundary lines located at each end of the field.
 Goal Mouth: The area in front of the goal.
 Goalkeeper: The specialized player who is the last line of defense, who is allowed to
control the ball with his hands when in the goal area.
 Header: Using of the head to pass or control the ball.
 Kickoff: The kickoff is taken from the center spot at the start of play at the beginning of
each half and after a goal has been scored.
 One-Touch Pass: A pass in which the ball is played on with a player's first touch.
 Red Card: A red card is issued to a player when that player has committed a serious
infraction or has been issued with two yellow cards within the same game. The red
held up by the referee to signal that a player is being sent off. The player sent off
be replaced.
 Yellow card : A yellow card is used to caution players, while a red card results in the
player's dismissal from the field of play. Thus, yellow cards are used to punish milder
forms of misconduct than red cards. However, if a player receives two yellow cards in
one game, he gets an automatic red card.

8. Important tournaments
 FIFA World Cup : There is no greater competition than the World Cup.
 UEFA Champions League : The UEFA Champions League is the most
glamorous club competition in world football. This tournament brings together
the greatest teams in the world.
 Copa America : The Copa America is the oldest existing continental football
competition. The first formal Copa America was held in Argentina in 1916 to
commemorate the first century of Argentina's independence.
 Africa Cup of Nations : Africa is a continent that is seemingly in love with
football. This tournament pits Africa's greatest international sides against each
other in a fascinating battle for supremacy.
 Copa del Rey : The Copa del Rey, or "King's Cup," is one of European football's
most prestigious cup competitions.The history of the Copa del Rey is both rich
and regal. Until the formation of the Campeonato de Liga in 1928, the Copa
was Spain's principal domestic competition. It is the longest-running
competition in Spanish football.

9. Important venues
 Wembley, United Kingdom
Wembley Stadium is, without doubt, the most iconic stadium in world
football. (Capacity: 90,000)
 Old Trafford, United Kingdom : Opened in 1910, the home of the Red
Devils now seats over 75,000 fans—after its 2006 renovation—and is
England's largest club stadium.
 Camp Nou, Spain : The Camp Nou is Europe's largest football
stadium(Capacity: 98,757) and is home to one of the great football teams.
 Santiago Bernabeu, Spain : The Santiago Bernabeu is home to one of
Europe's most successful club.
 The Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro : The Maracanã is one of the most notable
stadiums in world football, situated in one of the most beautiful cities
throughout the world.

10. Important personalities
 PELE : Inarguably the king of football, Pele the legendary Brazilian was
born on 21st October 1940.
 LIONEL MESSI : The 21st-century magician, Lionel Messi is certainly the
greatest player to be still playing and has been more successful than any
other player of this age.
 CRISTIANO RONALDO : The wonder-boy from Portugal was born on 5th
February 1985, and since then, has been one of the best players in the
world while with Manchester United (till 2009) and with Real Madrid (2009
onwards).
 ZINEDINE ZIDANE : Described as the ‘God of Football’ by UEFA President
Michel Platini, the former French captain was born on 23rd June 1972.
 David Beckham : David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE is an English former
professional footballer, the current president of Inter Miami CF and co-
owner of Salford City.

11. Important awards
 Ballon d’Or : The "Ballon d'Or", which translates into "Golden Ball", is an
annual award that is presented by France Football Magazine to the male
football player who is regarded to be the very best in the world.
 FIFA World Player of the Year
 FIFA team of the year
 PFA Player of the year
 FIFA golden shoe/ball