The Men's World Cup is the most watched program on the planet.Many people find it hard to watch and enjoy soccer.Part of the reason for this is a lack of understanding, and the other part is the perceived "un eventful" nature of soccer compared to other sports.The beautiful game is accessible to everyone, and the drama, intrigue and excitement doesn't just come from goals.You just need to know where to look.
Step 1: Understand the basics of the game.
Soccer is a relatively easy game to play.The goal is to score more goals by putting the ball in the other team's net.Each team has 11 players working together to move the ball and defend against attacks, but they cannot use their arms or hands to do so.Each team has one goalie who is allowed to use his/her hands to defend their goal, but only in the boxes around the goal.A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line and is within the frame.While light contact is accepted, a team of 3 referees is on the field to enforce the rules and make sure the players are trying to attack the ball, not the other team.
Step 2: The clock can be counted up to 90 minutes, not down to zero.
The clock is one of the first things that confuses new soccer watchers.The clock doesn't count down to zero, it counts up to 90:00.There is a break in the middle of the game.The game ends with the referee blowing the final whistle, and the clock never stops.The game doesn't stop suddenly.The game of soccer would take forever if the clock was constantly stopped, started, and checked like in football or basketball.The game doesn't stop until the 90's.The referee adds "stoppage time" to account for when the ball is out of bounds.The game might stop at the 93-minute mark.Most TV broadcasts will show you how many extra minutes are added in the corner of the screen as halftime or the end approaches.
Step 3: You should know the parts of the field.
There is a soccer pitch.The essential marks are easy to read and there are a few extra marks.Where play begins.The starting team gets to pass the ball in the middle of the field.The other team can't enter the circle until the ball is touched.The 18-yard box is also known as the penalty box and is located in front of the goals.The goalie can only use their hands.The sides of the field are long.The last team to touch the ball gives it to the other team for a throw-in if it crosses over the line completely.The field has two end lines.If the ball crosses the line, it is a goal.If it crosses the line but not in the goal, it is a goal kick or corner kick.
Step 4: You can learn how to judge what is and what isn't a foul.
A foul is when a player makes illegal contact with another player on the other team by hitting, tripping, or kicking them.There is a lot of physical contact that is never called.Figuring out what is a foul and what isn't is one of the most difficult exercises in soccer, because there are few clear cut "infractions" to call like in football or basketball.The best way to remember a foul is to ask yourself if the player made contact with the ball or if they played the other player to win possession.Kicking, or attempting to kick, is a type of foul.Attempting Tackling Spitting Holding, jumping/charging at someone Striking, or attempting punching.The ball is being handled.
Step 5: Understand the rules.
A lot of people are confused by this rule.If a player is behind the last defender, they cannot receive the ball from a teammate.Alex Morgan ran past the defender and left the goalie between herself and the goal.Alex ran by the defender and Megan Rapinoe passed the ball to Alex.The referee blew the whistle to stop the game.The rule is complicated because of the speed of play.They are straightforward if Alex is not on the field.If Megan passes the ball.Where she is when the ball is passed is more important than where she gets it.If Alex and Megan are you, you get the ball before anyone else.The other team cannot pass or shoot the ball.
Step 6: A free kick restarts most violations.
A free kick is awarded to the other team if there is a foul or someone is not on the field.Normal play stops when the other team can't be within 10 yards of the ball.The throw-in must be done with both hands over the head if the ball goes out on the side of the field.The goalie gets a free kick if the attacker misses the goal.If a defender kicks the ball out over their own end line the offensive team gets a free kick from the corner of the field.
Step 7: The yellow and red cards are given for serious fouls/infractions.
A yellow card tells the player that their foul was careless, reckless, or excessive.A red card means the player is immediately ejected from the game and their team is forced to play with one less player.The player with two yellow cards in the same game will get a red card.Automatic red cards are issued for violent play, intentionally fouling or using your hand to stop and obvious goal, and swearing or threatening the referee.
Step 8: The goals should not be the focus of the game.
Soccer is not high scoring, but that doesn't mean it is boring.Soccer is about flow, the give and take between teams as they try to figure each other out and attack weak spots while simultaneously defending their own.Soccer is about constant scoring and sudden changes of pace.Each goal is difficult to score, making it a special moment many minutes in the making.Consider goals the culmination of a long attack, like a battle being fought in the trenches before one side makes a big push.The more you know about soccer, the more enjoyable it becomes.Soccer isn't broken down into individual plays.
Step 9: Pay attention to the individual match-ups on the field.
There are hundreds of small challenges and individual battles in a soccer game.It could be a wing player trying to slice and dice a defender in the box.The entire game is determined by these individual battles.An attacker could barely get by his defender before being tackled.He is beginning to get the upper hand if you notice that he is getting more and more shots off.All it takes is one goal to decide the game.
Step 10: Understand the rights and responsibilities of each position.
Individual players help their team by moving, attacking, and defending.When they don't have the ball, what are they doing?All 11 players need to be working together, no matter where the ball is, because games are won and lost here.They should give the other team space or follow them everywhere.Do they stay close to home or on the move?A fast and attacking defender like Philip Lahm or DeAndre Yedlin is often the most exciting player on the field.Weaker teams give the offense lots of time and space, waiting for a 2nd defender to join them instead of attacking on their own.What are the players doing in the middle of the field?The most important tactical players on the field are in this area.Are they going backwards or forwards a lot?They're likely to sit back and wait for a chance if that's the case.Midfielders that dribble, attack, and pass forward a lot are trying to push the team forward for a goal, exposing their defenses by pressuring the other team to respond quickly to their attacks.Are they getting the ball and passing it quickly?Are they using size and speed to get the ball up the field?They put moves and tricks on defenders to win space.The most important match-ups are when the defenders don't have the ball.
Step 11: Teams create and destroy space.
A good soccer team has the ability to manage the field on the fly.Sometimes passing is used to attack the goal.It is used to force the other team to move, shift, and adapt, potentially making a mistake and leaving a hole open.Soccer tactics include manipulating the other team to give you space in front of the goal for a shot when you're attacking, or closing down space so that they don't move forward when playing defense.The number of balls played to players on the run is shown.They are running into open space.They need to get the ball before a defender closes the opening.Is a team "bunkering in" by putting all of their defenders near their goal?If they have a lead, this is used to prevent goals.It can lead to a lot of free shots from farther out.To see how a team masterfully controls space, watch the defense of a great team.They move as one line, eliminating pockets of space in front of and behind them as a unit.
Step 12: Look at the team's formations.
Soccer teams have general patterns for their players that affect their style of play.The formations are written from the back up.There are 4 defenders, 4Midfielders, and 2 attackers/strikers.The "classic" formation is a well-rounded strategy that has been used for decades.It lacks in creativity and is often used for defensive teams.A team's formation tells a lot about their strategy.Do they have a big player in the middle?They're most likely looking to control the center of the field and run players up into space on the wings.Are they sitting back?The team wants to attack and defend where the players are placed.
Step 13: A team's style is noted.
Once you notice what teams and players are doing, you will appreciate soccer even more.The tactics, match-ups, and pace of play come together in a good team.How are they attacking through the middle and along the sides of the field?How successful are they?Is everyone on the field touching the ball, or do all of their passes go through one player?The best teams in the world play a recognizable game.Brazil is known for its speed.Italy is known for its defense.The USA tries to make the most of its limited chances against better teams with lightening-fast attacks.Think about a play in football if you watch a lot of American sports.A soccer team might rely on the wings to attack defenders and put crosses into the box or a few big players to muscle out and attack up the middle if they wanted to.Soccer plays are fluid and organic and strategies are constantly evolving.
Step 14: You can watch a great game in the theater.
They are beautiful contests marked by technical brilliance, passionate players, and commercial free push and pull.Good teams fail to find the goal when they should have 5 goals already, and good teams can sneak a goal in even after 85 minutes of constant pressure.Soccer climaxes in the middle of an intense game and is best enjoyed as such.
Step 15: You can attend a game in person.
The best place to catch the soccer bug is in the stands.You can feel the collective rise and falls of emotion from your fellow fans, see both team's tactic happening across the entire team, and learn a few colorful chants in the process.Soccer is best enjoyed in person when you can really get into the game.
Step 16: You can switch between leagues and tournaments to watch soccer.
Soccer is on year-round, as there are so many different leagues, tournaments, and teams across the world that you can almost always find a game.While the availability of certain games depends on where you live and your TV provider, following your favorite teams is getting easier in the online era.Almost every country and area will have a team to watch because of the widespread nature of soccer.If you want to watch a game but can't find it on TV, you can search for the game and date in your internet browser.There are many ways to see a soccer game.Check out your local teams.After several years, soccer players and teams can move up and down in the rankings and become national stars.The global market means players move frequently.
Step 17: The national leagues are currently in season.
In order to make room for international tournaments later in the year, most of the countries that have a soccer league play through the winter months.The teams are referred to as "clubs."The best league in the world plays from late August to early May.The other major European leagues all have the same timelines.America's league runs from March to October.The Mexican league runs during the summer and winter.
Step 18: Get invested in the scores by following a team or league.
If you have someone to root for, sports are more fun.Pick a team or league based on what feels right to you, whether it is your hometown, has your favorite player, or just seems like a fun team to root for.It is where the best players go because it has the most money.There are a lot of teams that can compete in any given game, because the play is crisp, tactical, and fast.The Spanish League is fast.Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the best clubs in the world because of their technical players and beautiful game.Many of the best players in the world are produced by Germany's league.Some of the highest quality play can be found in the league, which is less watched than other European leagues.The league is young and growing quickly.
Step 19: There are major club tournaments.
Every league in the world doesn't have a playoffs.The highest point total wins the league.The highest quality soccer you can watch every year is usually found in the major tournaments for club teams.The best clubs from all over Europe compete for the title of European champion.The final is in May and takes place over the summer and winter.Every pro or semi-pro team in England plays in the FA Cup no matter what their standing is.The European League is the best-known cup in the world.
Step 20: Follow your country's team in world tournaments.
A country's national team is made up of only citizens of that country, and they compete in the World Cup.Every 4 years, the World Cup is held in the summer and consists of a series of games, qualifications, and tournaments.Practice games are important for team building and testing out players.These are important practice games for coaches since most players leave to play for their club team during the year.Every single year, there are major tournaments, such as the Gold Cup, the World Cup and the Confederations Cup.What 32 countries make it to the World Cup are determined by these crucial games.The knock-out events are what every national team lives for.You can get an automatic free bid to the World Cup if you win the Gold Cup.
Step 21: To be in the know about upcoming games, follow soccer accounts.
It's hard to not watch soccer on TV at any given time.New fans can be overwhelmed by the amount of information.The English premier league is the best place to start if you can't figure out who to watch.It's easy to get a good game even if you don't know about the schedules because all of the games are played on Saturday and Sunday.