❖ HISTORY

❖ FIELD
SURFACE

❖ LAWS OF
FOOTBALL

❖ EXERCISES

❖ SKILLS

❖ STRATEGIES

❖ THE
OFFICIALS

❖ FORMATION
S

1
 HISTORY
Soccer is considered by many to be the king's sport worldwide. In Europe especially, it is undoubtedly
the sport that has more followers, well above basketball or tennis, to name a few. Move passions, move
people, move a lot of money, move to televisions. But to understand all this social phenomenon you
have to look a little in history, know its origins and its evolution until now. We could go back to past
times to talk about the first origins of football, but we will only refer to the birth of modern football,
which dates back to the end of the 19th century. During this period the rules of the sport began to be
written as we know it today. In 1848 the different rules that were used in the regions of England to play
football are unified in a document known as the "Cambridge Rules", although no originals are preserved
from these texts. However, a few years later, in 1856, new rules are developed that are still used today:
the start and restart of the game after each goal, the goal and band kicks, the use of the hands to touch
the ball and push or hold the rivals, the definition of the matches and even an offside rule. The
Cambridge rules were taken as the basis for the creation of the football association and the Football
Association in 1863. The only differences were that the rules of the Association did not allow rough
play and the use of the hands to move the ball of feeling . They were stuck in the trees of Parker's Piece,
a large park in the city of Cambridge used for popular games, and there the first game was played
following the new rules. Parallel to these rules emerged the so-called "Sheffield Rules" in 1857, which
allowed the creation of the oldest football club in the world according to the Football Association: the
Sheffield Football Club, recognized by FIFA with an Order of Merit. The "Sheffield Rules “provided
several rules that are currently used in modern football: the use of a solid material crossbar to join the
vertical goalposts, the introduction of corner kicks, free throws after receiving a foul and the throw-ins,
the first matches with artificial lighting and the tie-breaker systems, including the notion of extension
and the gold goal. Although it is difficult to establish a specific date, the birth of football is usually
dated October26, 1863, the day of the founding of The Football Association, which governs the designs
of football in England. Despite the unification in a single code, disputes over the creation of a definitive
and universal code continued until the late 1870s, particularly with the followers of the Sheffield rules.
In 1878there was the definitive merger between Sheffield and London (FA). The creation of the
International Football Association Board put an end to all differences. The FA Cup, a tournament that
is still played every year in England and was founded in 1871,laid the foundations of modern football
in terms of making players real professionals. It was the first time that they began selling tickets to
watch the games and thus offer money to the players to play the games with the participating teams. In
1885 the world's first football league began to be played: the Football League. You can watch live
football matches [Link] gradually spread to the rest of the European countries at the
end of the 19th century thanks to the activity of soldiers, sailors, civil servants, businessmen, engineers
and English teachers, who practiced the new sport and promoted its dissemination. Among the locals.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, best known for its acronym FIFA, was founded
on May 21, 1904 in Paris, France, by representatives from 7 countries: Belgium (Union Belgedes
Sociétés de Sports), Denmark (Dansk Boldspil Union), Spain (Madrid Football Club),France (Union
des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques), the Netherlands(Nederlandsche Voetbal Bond), Sweden
(Svenska Bollspells Förbundet) and Switzerland(Association Suisse de Football); Germany (Deutscher
Fußball-Bund) confirmed its affiliation the same day by telegram. FIFA's foray into the Olympic Games
from 1924 led to the creation of its own and higher-level tournament. Thanks to the work of Jules Rimet,
on May 28, 1928 in Amsterdam the realization of a Soccer World Cup was approved every four years.
Due to the number of existing national associations, from the beginning and especially in the middle of
the 20th century, sub-organizations affiliated to FIFA began to be created with the aim of organizing
football in the different regions of the planet. Today, football is constantly evolving. Adapting to the
development of new technologies, today itis precisely controlling phantom goals, those balls in which
it is not possible to know for sure if the ball has crossed the goal line or not completely. With 14 cameras

2
watching each of the goals it is possible to know in real time (thanks to a device worn by the referee on
the wrist) if the ball has entered or not. Currently, the Premier League incorporates this new system and
other competitions begin to incorporate it.

According to FIFA, the Chinese competitive game cuju (蹴鞠, literally "kick ball") is the earliest form
of football for which there is evidence. Cuju players could use any part of the body apart from hands
and the intent was kicking a ball through an opening into a net. It was remarkably similar to modern
football, though similarities to rugby occurred. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), cuju games
were standardised and rules were established.
Phaininda and episkyros were Greek ball games. An image of an episkyros player depicted in low relief
on a vase at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens appears on the UEFA European
Championship Cup. Athenaeus, writing in 228 AD, referenced the Roman ball game harpastum.
Phaininda, episkyros and harpastum were played involving hands and violence. They all appear to have
resembled rugby football, wrestling and volleyball more than what is recognizable as modern football
As with pre-codified "mob football", the antecedent of all modern football codes, these three games
involved more handling the ball than kicking.
Association football in itself does not have a classical history. Notwithstanding any similarities to other
ball games played around the world FIFA has recognised that no historical connection exists with any
game played in antiquity outside Europe. The modern rules of association football are based on the mid-
19th century efforts to standardise the widely varying forms of football played in the public schools of
England. The history of football in England dates back to at least the eighth century AD.
The Cambridge Rules, first drawn up at Cambridge University in 1848, were particularly influential in
the development of subsequent codes, including association football. The Cambridge Rules were
written at Trinity College, Cambridge, at a meeting attended by representatives from Eton, Harrow,
Rugby, Winchester and Shrewsbury schools. They were not universally adopted. During the 1850s,
many clubs unconnected to schools or universities were formed throughout the English-speaking world,
to play various forms of football. Some came up with their own distinct codes of rules, most notably
the Sheffield Football Club, formed by former public school pupils in 1857, which led to formation of
a Sheffield FA in 1867. In 1862, John Charles Thring of Uppingham School also devised an influential
set of rules.
These ongoing efforts contributed to the formation of The Football Association (The FA) in 1863, which
first met on the morning of 26 October 1863 at the Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen Street,
London.[31] The only school to be represented on this occasion was Charterhouse. The Freemason's
Tavern was the setting for five more meetings between October and December, which eventually
produced the first comprehensive set of rules. At the final meeting, the first FA treasurer, the
representative from Blackheath, withdrew his club from the FA over the removal of two draft rules at
the previous meeting: the first allowed for running with the ball in hand; the second for obstructing such
a run by hacking (kicking an opponent in the shins), tripping and holding. Other English rugby clubs
followed this lead and did not join the FA and instead in 1871 formed the Rugby Football Union. The
eleven remaining clubs, under the charge of Ebenezer Cobb Morley, went on to ratify the original
thirteen laws of the game. These rules included handling of the ball by "marks" and the lack of a
crossbar, rules which made it remarkably similar to Victorian rules football being developed at that time
in Australia. The Sheffield FA played by its own rules until the 1870s with the FA absorbing some of
its rules until there was little difference between the games
The world's oldest football competition is the FA Cup, which was founded by C. W. Alcock and has
been contested by English teams since 1872. The first official international football match also took
place in 1872, between Scotland and England in Glasgow, again at the instigation of C. W. Alcock.
England is also home to the world's first football league, which was founded in Birmingham in 1888 by

3
Aston Villa director William McGregor. The original format contained 12 clubs from the Midlands and
Northern England.
The laws of the game are determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The
board was formed in 1886 after a meeting in Manchester of The Football Association, the Scottish
Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, and the Irish Football Association. FIFA, the
international football body, was formed in Paris in 1904 and declared that they would adhere to Laws
of the Game of the Football Association. The growing popularity of the international game led to the
admittance of FIFA representatives to the International Football Association Board in 1913. The board
consists of four representatives from FIFA and one representative from each of the four British
associations.
Today, football is played at a professional level all over the world. Millions of people regularly go to
football stadiums to follow their favourite teams, while billions more watch the game on television or
on the internet. A very large number of people also play football at an amateur level. According to a
survey conducted by FIFA published in 2001, over 240 million people from more than 200 countries
regularly play football. Football has the highest global television audience in sport.
In many parts of the world football evokes great passions and plays an important role in the life of
individual fans, local communities, and even nations. R. Kapuscinski says that Europeans who are
polite, modest, or humble fall easily into rage when playing or watching football games. The Côte
d'Ivoire national football team helped secure a truce to the nation's civil war in 2006 and it helped further
reduce tensions between government and rebel forces in 2007 by playing a match in the rebel capital of
Bouaké, an occasion that brought both armies together peacefully for the first time. By contrast, football
is widely considered to have been the final proximate cause for the Football War in June 1969 between
El Salvador and Honduras. The sport also exacerbated tensions at the beginning of the Yugoslav Wars
of the 1990s, when a match between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade degenerated into rioting in
May 1990.
WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION FOOTBAL
Early women's football-Women may have been playing "football" for as long as the game has existed.
Evidence shows that an ancient version of the game (Tsu Chu) was played by women during the Han
Dynasty (25–220 CE). Two female figures are depicted in Han Dynasty (25–220 CE) frescoes, playing
Tsu Chu. There are, however, a number of opinions about the accuracy of dates, the earliest estimates
at 5000 BCE.
Association football, the modern game, also has documented early involvement of women. An annual
competition in Mid-Lothian, Scotland during the 1790s is reported, too. In 1863, football governing
bodies introduced standardised rules to prohibit violence on the pitch, making it more socially
acceptable for women to play. The first match recorded by the Scottish Football Association took place
in 1892 in Glasgow. In England, the first recorded game of football between women took place in 1895.
The most well-documented early European team was founded by activist Nettie Honeyball in England
in 1894. It was named the British Ladies' Football Club. Nettie Honeyball is quoted, "I founded the
association late last year [1894], with the fixed resolve of proving to the world that women are not the
'ornamental and useless' creatures men have pictured. I must confess, my convictions on all matters
where the sexes are so widely divided are all on the side of emancipation, and I look forward to the time
when ladies may sit in Parliament and have a voice in the direction of affairs, especially those which
concern them most." Honeyball and those like her paved the way for women's football. However, the
women's game was frowned upon by the British football associations, and continued without their
support. It has been suggested that this was motivated by a perceived threat to the 'masculinity' of the
game.

4
Women's football became popular on a large scale at the time of the First World War, when employment
in heavy industry spurred the growth of the game, much as it had done for men fifty years earlier. The
most successful team of the era was Dick, Kerr's Ladies of Preston, England. The team played in the
first women's international matches in 1920, against a team from Paris, France, in April, and also made
up most of the England team against a Scottish Ladies XI in 1920, and winning 22-0.
Despite being more popular than some men's football events (one match saw a 53,000 strong crowd),
women's football in England suffered a blow in 1921 when The Football Association outlawed the
playing of the game on Association members' pitches, on the grounds that the game (as played by
women) was distasteful. Some speculated that this may have also been due to envy of the large crowds
that women's matches attracted. This led to the formation of the English Ladies Football Association
and play moved to rugby grounds.
Association football has been played by women since at least the time of the first recorded women's
games in the late 19th century. It has traditionally been associated with charity games and physical
exercise, particularly in the United Kingdom. In the late 1960s and early 1970s women's association
football was organised in the United Kingdom, eventually becoming the most prominent team sport for
British women.
20TH AND 21ST CENTURY
The growth in women's football has seen major competitions being launched at both national and
international level mirroring the male competitions. Women's football has faced many struggles. It had
a "golden age" in the United Kingdom in the early 1920s when crowds reached 50,000 at some matches;
this was stopped on 5 December 1921 when England's Football Association voted to ban the game from
grounds used by its member clubs. The FA's ban was rescinded in December 1969 with UEFA voting
to officially recognise women's football in 1971. The FIFA Women's World Cup was inaugurated in
1991 and has been held every four years since, while women's football has been an Olympic event since
1996.
HISTORY OF INDIAN FOOTBALL
The history of Indian football is a long and detailed one, as it was the national sport at one time. The
impetus for this was to unify the Indian Army. There is evidence for refereed team football games being
played in the Indian Army since at least 1949. India is home to some of the oldest football clubs in the
world and the world's third oldest competition, the Durand Cup.
1800
Football was introduced to India by British soldiers in the mid-nineteenth century. It spread because of
the efforts of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari. In 1888 the Durand Cup was founded by then India's
Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand at Simla, India. The Durand Cup is the third oldest football
competition behind the FA Cup and the Scottish Cup. It was initiated, as a recreation for British troops
stationed in India. Royal Scots Fusiliers won the first edition of the cup by beating Highland Light
Infantry 2–1 in the Final. In 1893 the IFA Shield was founded as the fourth oldest trophy in the world.
Calcutta, then capital of British India, soon became the hub of Indian football. Sarada FC was the oldest
Indian football club.
Calcutta FC was the first club to be established in 1872. Other early clubs include Dalhousie Club,
Traders Club and Naval Volunteers Club.
In 1889 India's oldest current team Mohun Bagan A.C. was founded as "Mohun Bagan Sporting Club".
This was the first club to be under the rule of the army. Both Hindus and Muslims players played in
[Link] football clubs like Calcutta FC, Sovabazar and Aryan Club were established in Calcutta

5
during the 1890s. Tournaments like the Gladstone Cup, Trades Cup and Coocbehar Cup also started
around this time.
R B Ferguson Football Club was established in February 20, 1899 in Thrissur, Kerala (Kingdom of
kochin) and it was the oldest football club in the southern part of India. The club was named after the
Kochi Police Superintendent, R B [Link] club was famed by the nickname Young Men's
Football Club and played a huge role in promoting football in Kerala during early 1900's.
The first Indian Federation, the Indian Football Association, was founded in 1893 but did not have a
single Indian on its board.
1900–1950
Several clubs were founded, more Cup competitions were introduced and Indian players became more
common. The major event that showed a rise in Indian Football was in 1911 when Mohun Bagan AC
defeated East Yorkshire Regiment 2–1 in the final of the IFA Shield. This was the first time an Indian
team won a major national tournament. The Durand Cup, first held in Shimla in 1888, was the first
Indian football competition and is incidentally the third oldest surviving competition the World over. It
was started by Sir Mortimer Durand.[1]
In 1940's "Aurora Football Club" the second oldest club in southern India is formed in [Link] was
formed by the football loving fans of Ollur,Thrissur. Which is started its football journey from Thrissur.
Indian teams started touring Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand in the late 1930s. The
All India Football Federation (AIFF) was formed in 1937. The 1948 London Olympics was India's first
major international tournament, where a predominately barefooted Indian team lost 2–1 to France in
the opening match, failing to convert two penalties. Sarangapani Raman scored the only goal for India
in that match and thus the first Indian international goal ever in the Olympics.
The 1950 World Cup
India qualified by default for the 1950 FIFA World Cup finals as a result of the withdrawal of all of
their scheduled opponents. But the governing body AIFF decided against going to the World Cup, being
unable to understand the importance of the event at that time. Reason shown by AIFF was that there
was the cost of travel, although FIFA agreed to bear a major part of the travel expenses, lack of practice
time, team selection issues and valuing Olympics over FIFA World cup.
Although FIFA imposed a rule banning barefoot play following 1948 Olympics where India had played
barefoot, the suggestion that the Indian team refused to play because they were not allowed to play
barefoot is not entirely true; according to the then-Indian captain Sailen Manna, it was invented to cover
up. The team had not made it past the first round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers until 2018, when
they defeated Nepal 2–0 over the course of two home-and-away games.
1951–1962: The Golden Era of Indian Football
The period from 1951 to 1962 is considered the golden era in Indian football. Under the tutelage of
legendary Syed Abdul Rahim India became the best team in Asia. The Indian team started the 1950s
with victory in the 1951 Asian Games which they hosted. India beat both Indonesia and Afghanistan
3–0 to reach the final where they beat Iran 1–0. In 1952, India continued their form by winning the
Colombo Quadrangular Cup held in Sri Lanka. This is called as the Golden time of Indian football. As
four years earlier, many of the team played without boots but after the result in the Olympics AIFF
immediately made it mandatory to wear boots.
India also won three further editions of the Quadrangular Cup, which were held in Burma, Calcutta and
Dhaka in 1953, 1954 and 1955 respectively. India then went on to finish eighth in the 1954 Asian Games
held in Manila.

6
At the 1956 Olympics they finished fourth, this is the second time India made second history in the
world of football. India first met hosts Australia, winning 4–2 with Neville D'Souzabecoming the first
Asian to score a hatrick in the Olympics and also making India the first Asian team to reach the Olympic
semi-finals. They lost 4–1 to Yugoslavia, and lost the third place play-off match 3–0 to Bulgaria.
India participated in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan where they finished fourth, and the
Merdeka Cup 1959 in Malaysia finishing second. The side started off 1960 with Asian Cup qualifiers
in which they failed to qualify. India went on to win the 1962 Asian Games where they beat South
Korea 2–1 in the final, and two years later finished second in the 1964 Asian Cup which was held in
round-robin format. India played in the Merdeka Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966 where they finished 2nd,
3rd and 3rd .
1963–1984: Post-Golden Era
Rahim's death in early 60s pegged Indian football back after a successful period. India played in the
1966 Asian Games in Bangkok but were eliminated in first round. India then took third place in the
1970 Asian Games, beating Japan 1–0 in the third place, play-off. In mid-70s, Indian youth team jointly
won the Youth Asian Cup with Iran. Indian football would go through a barren phase in 70s, 80s and
90s, gradually losing its foothold as a top Asian team.
In 1984 India qualified for the 1984 Asian Cup. The team were placed in Group B but ended in last
place after losing all but 1 match (which was a draw). India also failed to score during the Asian Cup
as well which brought up questions about team selection.
Mohun Bagan AC created history again when they went on to win the IFA Shield in 1978 after a 2–2
draw against FC Ararat Yerevan from Soviet Union. The club became the first Indian side, post-
independence, to win the title while competing with a non-Asian side.
East Bengal F.C. club went on to win the 1973 IFA Shield against Pyongyang City Sports Club of North
Korea.
In the 90's the first professional football club in India was formed in [Link] was called FC Kochin.
In the 1990s, it was the only Kerala football club in the National Football League. FC Kochin had
contributed substantially to the advancement of Kerala football within its short span.[1][2] The most
prestigious achievement for FC Kochin was winning the Durand Cup in New Delhi in 1997. FC Kochin
had also put up a consistent performance in the National Football League till relegation in [Link]
Kochin played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor, kochi.
1985–2000
India won gold medals in the SAF Games of both 1984 (in Dhaka) and 1987 (Calcutta). They won the
inaugural SAARC Cup in 1993 in Lahore, and finished runner-up in Colombo two years later. By 1997
the competition had been renamed as the SAFF Cup, and India won it in both 1997 and 1999 edition,
when they hosted it in Goa.
India also got a major boost when the All India Football Federation created the National Football
League in 1996. This was India's first ever national domestic league.
2000–2010:
The rebirth of Indian Footbal
Although India failed to qualify for the 2004 Asian Cup, the senior team gained the silver medal in the
inaugural Afro Asian Games, with victories over Rwanda and Zimbabwe (then 85 places ahead of India
in the world rankings), losing the final 1–0 to Uzbekistan. As a result, Indian football has steadily earned

7
greater recognition and respect, both within the country and abroad. In November 2003 then-India coach
Stephen Constantine was named AFC Manager of the Month.
India lost to Pakistan and Bangladesh in the 2003 SAFF Cup, and defeats in the 2006 World Cup
qualifiers meant Stephen Constantine was sacked. The LG Cup win in Vietnam under Stephen
Constantine was one of the few bright spots in the early part of the 2000s. It was India's first victory in
a football tournament outside the subcontinent since 1974. India defeated hosts Vietnam 3–2 in the final
despite trailing 2–0 after 30 minutes.
In 2005 Syed Nayeemuddin was appointed as India coach but he was immediately sacked the following
year after heavy defeats in 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Much traveled and experienced coach Bob
Houghton was later appointed coach of team in 2006. Under Houghton India saw a huge revival in
World Football. In August 2007, the Indian national team won the Nehru Cup for the first time in its
history beating Syria 1–0. In August the following year, India defeated Tajikistan 4–1 to lift the 2008
AFC Challenge Cup and in turn qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. In 2009 August, India
again won the Nehru Cup beating Syria again but this time in penalties (6–5).
Club wise Indian Football took a turn for the better as the National Football League folded in 2006 and
in 2007 the brand new I-League was started. The first I-League season was won by Goa club Dempo.
During the 2008 AFC Cup Dempo made history when they made it all the way to the semi-finals of the
AFC Cup before losing out to Safa Beirut SC.
East Bengal F.C. club of Kolkata won now-defunct ASEAN Club Championship in 2003.
2011: The 2011 AFC Asian Cup
In the beginning of 2011 India took part in the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years. India were
placed in Group C with Australia, Bahrain, and South Korea. On 10 January 2011 India played their
first match against Australia where they lost 4–0. Then on 14 January 2011 India played Bahrain where
again they lost 5–2 with Sunil Chhetri and Gouramangi Singh scoring. Then on 18 January 2011 India
played their final match of the tournament against South Korea where they again lost 4–1. Sunil Chhetri
was the goal scorer for India which meant that he scored the most goals for India in the tournament with
two goals in three matches.
2011: A new beginning
Since the 2011 Asian Cup the All India Football Federation has been working very hard on Indian
Football. They allowed former coach Bob Houghton to coach the Indian side in the 2012 AFC Challenge
Cup qualifiers. India played its first match in 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification on 21 March
winning 3–0 against Chinese Taipei, with Jewel Raja Shaikh, Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua scoring
the goals. On 23 March they faced Pakistan. India came from behind and defeated Pakistan 3–1 with
Jeje Lalpekhlua scoring 2 goals and Steven Dias scoring one. On 25 March they faced Turkmenistan
their last 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying game and India drew the game 1–1. The result meant
that they finished on top of Group B and qualified for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.
In April 2011 Houghton was resigned as India coach after reports of racial abuse to an Indian referee
during a match against Vietnam. In May 2011 the AIFF appointed Armando Colaco as Indian head
coach. The Indian senior team defeated Qatar 2–1 in an historic international friendly before the start
of the world cup qualifier against UAE (United Arab Emirates). India went on to lose the qualifying
encounter by 5–2 on aggregate over two legs, having contentiously suffered two red cards and two
converted penalties in the first 23 minutes of the opening leg, which the UAE won by 3–0. The Indian
national team went on a friendly tour to the Caribbean Islands, which turned out to be very unsuccessful.
Recently they were beaten 2–1 by Guyana.

8
In 2016, Mohun Bagan AC of Kolkata became the first Indian club to qualify for the second round of
AFC Champions League Qualifier, when they defeated Tampine Rovers FC of Singapore on 27 January
2016. In addition, they created another history by defeating South China AA of Hong Kong with a
margin of 4 goals in 2016 AFC Cup on 9 March 2016. This is, till date, the highest margin of victory
by any Indian club side on foreign soil. Now in 2017, The FIFA under -17 world cup will be held in
India.
Origin
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. The initial football matches were played between army
teams. A number of football clubs in India were soon created, during the British Empire. In fact, these
clubs pre-date the most renowned clubs and organizations of football, such as FIFA. 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.
The First Tournament
Calcutta (the present day Kolkata) is considered the home of football in India. This is probably the
reason why a number of football clubs originated from the state, including Mohun Bagan Athletic Club
(later named as the National Club of India), which came into existence in 1889. After a few years, the
Indian Football Association (IFA) came into existence in 1893. In 1898, the oldest football tournament
in India, (the third oldest in the world) was commenced in Shimla. Referred to as the Durand Cup, the
tournament was named after the then Foreign Secretary of India - Sir Mortimer Durand, who
inaugurated it.
The First Victory
The first victory of Indian footballers was registered in 1911, when Mohun Bagan Club won the IFA-
Shield Trophy. This victory has secured a special place in the history of football in India, because the
trophy was previously won by the British teams based in India. Subsequently, the number of football
clubs in India increases, which led to the formation of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 1937.
In 1948, the AIFF was affiliated to FIFA, the international governing body for football. In 1954, AIFF
became one of the founder members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Golden Period
The period stretching from 1951 to 1962 deserves special mention, because it is the golden era in the
history of Indian football. As the Indian football clubs put up commendable performances year after
year, they qualified for a number of international competitions and competed overseas. The Indian
footballers brought laurels to the homeland, by winning gold medals in the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games
held at New Delhi and Jakarta, respectively. India registered another record in 1956, when she became
the first Asian nation to make it to the Olympic football semi-finals in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
Present Day
The Indian football teams have performed reasonably well in the recent years, though the sport at the
domestic level still needs upliftment. Some of the great performances have been witness at the Nehru
Cup, held in August 2007 and the AFC Challenge Cup held in August 2008, both of being won by the
Indian football team. The national football team has qualified for 2011 Asian Cup, to be held in Qatar.
Although the Indian football clubs have delivered consistent performances in the near past, the Indian
football still team needs to mark its presence at the important international tournaments.
Women's Football In India

9
 Women's football in India was administered by the Women's Football Federation of India (WFFI) until
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. The women's clubs
were started by East Bengal and Mohun Bagan clubs in 2000-01 season. National championships for
both senior and junior girls are also held. The majority of players in the Indian women's national football
team are from Manipur and West Bengal. However, women's football in India has not gained as much
popularity as the men's teams have.
The History of the Football Clubs in Calcutta (1947—1985); Bengali Identities Since Partition
Although the Indian national football team occupies a rock bottom position in FIFA rankings, the
country boasts of a thriving domestic circuit, thanks to a number of quality football clubs. These football
teams are stepping-stones for India's aspiring footballers, who dream of making it big at the international
stage. The journey of these clubs began from Kolkata, which is considered the home of Indian football.
A number of clubs originated in the pre-independent India itself, from Calcutta (the present day
Kolkata). 'Calcutta FC' and Mohun Bagan Club are to name a few.
Going back to the history, Mohun Bagan became the first Indian club to break the stranglehold of British
teams (based in India), over the IFA Shield. This victory gave a major shot in the arm of Indian football
and heralded the emergence of other football clubs in different corners of the country. The East Bengal
clubs is one of the recent clubs in India, which has registered enviable record both in India and abroad.
In 1996, the AIFF started the National Football League to give a fillip to club-level competition in the
country. In order to grab the top NFL honors, Indian clubs have invested heavily on overseas players
and coaches.
a. East Bengal Club
b. Mohun Bagan Club
c. Mahindra United
d. Mohammedan Sporting Club
e. Sporting Clube de Goa
f. Salgaocar Club
g. Dempo Sports Club
h. FC Kochin
i. JCT Mills
j. Churchill Brothers

EAST BENGAL CLUB

The East Bengal Club is one of the oldest and prestigious football clubs in India. It stands tall among
its peers by virtue of an enviable record both in India and abroad. Over the years, East Bengal's classic
battles with city-rivals Mohun Bagan have become a part of Indian football folklore. The football
culture in India is said to have been given a prominent boost by the East Bengal Club. This club has
been the mentor of several national and international level players and even decades after its formation,
it stands as one of the most active football clubs in the country. In 1998, the name of the club was
changed to Kingfisher East Bengal Club.

HISTORY
In the early twentieth century, football became a popular sport among the Bengali youth especially after
Mohun Bagan's historic success in the 1911 I.F.A. Shield final. However due to the monopoly of British
and I.F.A. Governing body, except for two Indian clubs including Mohan Bagan, all the other Indian
football clubs were restricted from playing the first divisions of the league. Thus The Indian clubs were

10
restricted to domestic trophies like Coochbehar Cup and Trades Cup. This led to immense
dissatisfaction amongst the talented players of other football clubs.
Under the above mentioned circumstances, when star halfback Sailesh Bose of the Jorabagan club was
dropped without any reason in a Coochbehar Cup tie against the Mohan Bagan Club, Jora bagan's Club's
Vice- President and Industrialist Suresh Chandra Chaudhuri out of anger and dissatisfaction, cut his
relation with his club and led the foundation of East Bengal Club on 1st August 1920. The East Bengal
was named so because the founders of the club hailed from that region of Bengal. Finally, the East
Bengal Club began with Raja Manmatha Nath Chaudhuri, Bose, Ramesh Chandra (Nasha) Sen and
Aurobinda Ghosh.
INITIAL MATCHES
The East Bengal club played its maiden tournament as soon as it was established. The team managed
to win its maiden tournament, the Hercules Cup without any Herculean effort. The first managing
committee of the club was then set up and Prof. S. Roy, Principal of Vidyasagar College assumed the
post of the President. East Bengal Club never looked back after that. In 1942, East Bengal club won its
first league triumph, and the following year it won the IFA Shield. The club was the record winner of
the IFA shield for three consecutive years from 1949-1951. Since then, the red and gold brigade has
only got better and has earned the reputation of being one of the most outstanding clubs in the country.
CURRENT STATUS
The East Bengal Club has been one of the most consistent performing football clubs in the country. The
club created sensation in Asia in July 2003 when they won LG Asean Cup from Jakarta beating BEC
Tero Sasana in the finals. Currently, the team runs under the supervision of Subhash Bhowmik, the
national football team player. Kingfisher, the famous Mallaya Group Company has been the chief
sponsor of the company since 1998 and is also 50% stake holder in the club. The company has always
been a consistent performer in the last eight decades and has a frenzy fan following alloverthecountry.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES
The Club has made it a habit of rewriting record books. East Bengal was the first team to win the coveted
National Football League in back-to-back years (2002-2003 & 2003-2004). In 2003, East Bengal
became the first Indian club to win any Asian level football tournament when they demolished
Thailand's BEC Terro Sasana 3-1 in the final of the LG ASEAN Cup in Jakarta. Other than this, the
club has been the winner of the Calcutta Super Division Championship for 30 times, the IFA Shield for
27 times and the Durand cup for 16 times.

MOHUN BAGAN ATHLETIC CLUB

Mohun Bagan Athletic Club is one of the most renowned national sports club. Based in Kolkata West
Bengal, it is one of the oldest and prestigious football clubs not only in India but entire Asia. The rivalry
of Mohan Bagan and East Bengal Club fill the folklores of the Indian football history. The football team
has been hugely successful since its inception and has upheld the status of being India's most successful
club with multiple trophies in its kitty. Mohun Bagan club has a well-known Football Academy in
collaboration with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) at Durgapur. This football club has frenzy
fan following throughout the country.
HISTORY
The Mohan Bagan Club was established on August 15, 1889 and was later declared as the National
Club of India. The first President of the Mohan Bagan club was Bhupendra Nath Bose. In 1911, this
football club became the first Indian football team to win the IFA Shield by defeating the East Yorkshire
Regiment. In that era of pre-independence, the historic win over an English team came as a reason for

11
immense celebrations and since then Mohan Bagan has become an become an inseparable part of Indian
Football World. In 1989, during the club's centenary year, the Government of India even issued a
postage stamp to celebrate the 1911 victory of the team.
CURRENT STATUS
Mohun Bagan has been the most successful teams in India even till date. The club now plays most of
their CPL matches at its own home ground, the 22,000 capacity Mohun Bagan Ground which is within
its club premise. Mohun Bagan is also the first club of India to have a mascot and a theme song. Baggu,
the team mascot is a lovely tiger in green and maroon jersey of the club. The theme song for the Mohun
Bagan club is prepared by Mr. Bappi Lahiri. Eminent players like Baichung Bhutia have been associated
with the team for long.
ACCOLADES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The Mohun Bagan Club has innumerable awards in its credit. As it has been one of the most talented
teams of the country, it has an exhaustive list of awards and accolades. In the domestic league, Mohun
Bagan has been the winner of the Federation Cup (India), Rovers Cup, Durand Cup, IFA Shield and
National & Domestic League to name a few. Apart from this, it would be a noteworthy fact that it has
won the Kolkata Super Division 26 times, the Durand Cup 16 times, the IFA shield 21 times and
Federation Cup 13 times, the recent in 2009.

MAHINDRA UNITED
Mahindra United is a professional football club based in the city of Mumbai in Maharashtra, India. The
club is popularly referred as India's MU after English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United.
The Mahindra United football club is one of the most popular football clubs in the country along with
East Bengal, Mohan Bagan and JCT FC. This football club is known for its consistent good performance
in last four decades of its existence. The Mahindra united club also has many prestigious awards and
recognition in its kitty. It has also been a key player in raising the standards of professional football
culture in India.
HISTORY
Mahindra Football Club was founded in 1962 as Mahindra & Mahindra under the patronage of the
automobile mogul Mahindra Group. The simplestr philosophy behind the formation of this club was
that all work and no play can indeed make a company very dull. That is why a simple sports club with
basic facilities was set up in 1950. Nobody ever imagined that this sports club would grow into an
establishment that ran a professional team of international standards.
The major shift in this sports club came six years after its formation when in 1956; a group of young
boys enrolled themselves in the Mahindra official team in the Bombay Football League and made
fearless efforts to reach the top. The shift then reflected in the infrastructure of the sports club which
improved the standards as the company granted a full- size football field for practice and training. At
this point, with the football teams representing the company at tournaments in Bombay felt the need of
a specific football club. This is when Mahindra & Mahindra Allied Company Sports Club came into
being in 1962. The football club then never looked back and has registered a record of success in last
few decades of its existence.
CURRENT STATUS
In 2000, the Mahindra Football Team went a total renovation. The name of the club was changed to
Mahindra United from the Mahindra & Mahindra Allied Company Sports Club. The Uniform was of
the Orange Brigade turned red. Currently, under the patronage of Mahindra Group and guidance of
Denis D'Souza, the General Manager of the club has shown tremendously good performance in last few

12
years. The current coach of the team is Derrick Pereira. Players like Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Manjit
Singh and Surojit Bose have been associated with the team presently. As a matter of fact, the right now
the Indian football team too, is led by the captain of Mahindra United. The club has even started the
Mahindra club under 19 and under 15 branches in order to nurture the young talent in the country.
ACCOLADES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Mahindra United has a lot of prestigious awards and championships to its credit. It is the only team to
win the Durand Cup twice, which is the second oldest trophy in the world. It is also the first
Maharashtrian team to triumph the Harwood League and the Nadkarni Cup three times in a row. The
list of the victorious adventure of this club is exhaustive. The company has been three times winner of
the Durand Cup, two times winner of IFA shield and Federation Cup (India). There are several other
championships like Mammen Mappillai Cup, Rovers Cup, AFC Cup, CM Cup and Super Cup where
Mahindra United has registered victory.

MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING CLUB

Mohammedan Sporting Club was founded in 1891 at Kolkata is one of the oldest and prestigious
football clubs in India. It is one of the most popular football clubs in India with a support base from all
parts of the country. It is one of three clubs apart from the East Bengal and Mohan Bagan club of the
country which once stood as a synonym for the Indian Football. The club is currently plays the first
division of I-League and premier division of CFL. It is renowned for its consistent performance and the
raising the professional sports culture in the country. The traditional jersey of this club is black and
white and the club is followed by a large number of people all over the country.
HISTORY
Mohammedan Sporting Club as established in the year 1891 even before the East Bengal Club came in
existence. It first tasted success when it emerged as the victorious team in the Calcutta Football League
in 1934 and then created a history of records by winning the Calcutta Football League continuously for
5 yrs during 1934 to 1938. The club also emerged as a champion from 1940 and 1941 along with the
IFA Shield Championship. It was the Indian first team to destroy the monopoly of the British teams in
the Durand Cup when it won it in 1941. The club also set a record after becoming the second Indian
team to win Rovers cup after the Bangalore Muslims. It also became the first Indian team to win the Du
Mont Morency Cup in the year 1939 in Lahore.
CURRENT STATUS
The club has a glorious past but it has been suffering from financial and official crisis in the recent years
though the officials, supporters and sports lovers are trying their level best to renovate the club to bring
it again in old status. Recently, Anil Ambanis Reliance Group has granted a sposnsorship of INR 10
million which will be very crucial in rebuilding the infrastructure of the team of black panthers once
again.
ACCOLADES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The Mohammedan Sporting Club has won all the major Indian cahmionships namely the Durand Cup,
Rovers Cup, I.F.A. Shield, Calcutta League, DCM trophy and Airlines Gold Cup. The exhaustive list
of its victorious adventure can also be extended to other championships like AIFF federation Cup,
Nizam Cup, Aga Khan Gold Cup, Bodoland Martyrs Gold Cup, Kaligna Cup and DCM trophy. The
most recent victory of the Mohammedan Sporting Club has been the victory in the second division
AIFF NFL in 2004-2005.

SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA

13
Full Name: Sporting Clube de Goa
Known As: Flaming Oranje
Hometown: Panjim, Goa
Founded: 1999
Ground: Jawaharlal Nehru Fatorda Stadium (NFL home ground)
League: NFL Premier Division, Goa Professional League

Sporting Clube de Goa, a professional football club, came into existence in 1999, when the public of
Panjim decided to launch a football club after Cidade de Goa disbanded its football team. Thus, after
Vasco Sports Club, Sporting became the second club of public shareholding in Goa. The club, built on
the lines of Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal, has made rapid strides in the national circuit.
Sporting shot to prominence by an impressive performance in the 2001-02 Federation Cup, the team
made it to the last four after victories over stronger teams like East Bengal and Indian Bank.
Sporting Club de Goa made its debut in the 2003-04 season of the Indian National Football League
Premier Division. Although the team was in the verge of winning the League, it missed out the top
honors by a whisker, when the Dempo Sports Club defeated it. The season was not in favor of Sporting
Club de Goa, because the team met with a horrific bus accident, which left many players injured.
Consequently, the four key players of the club were ousted from the team, due to their injury.
PERFORMANCE AT NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The Sporting Clube de Goa emerged as champions in the Second Division National Football League
2002-2003 season. Thereafter, it qualified for the 2003-2004 First Division National Football League.
The club managed to secure the 8th place and since then, it has been playing for the top honors in
football. Sporting won the ONGC Super Cup, by defeating the NFL Champions Dempo Sports Club 3-
0. Sporting Club de Goa finished 4th at the 10th ONGC Cup National Football League 2005-06,
followed by a 6th position in the 11th ONGC Cup National Football League 2006-07.
PERFORMANCE AT FEDERATION CUP
With the scintillating performance at the national football scenario, Sporting Club de Goa made it to
the 2001-02 Federation Cup at Chennai, by making it to the last four after defeating the teams including
Indian Bank, Tollygunge and East Bengal, before bowing out to Dempo Sports Club in the semifinals.
Although Sporting lost to Mahindra United at Calcutta in 2002-03 season, it made a comeback at
Federation Cup 2004, held at Bangalore, by defeating Mohamedan Sporting and East Bengal, before
losing to Mohun Bagan. Sporting entered the finals of 2005 Federation Cup, and emerged as the runner-
up. In the following season, the club reached the finals once again, but lost in penalty shoot-out to
Mohun Bagan.
PERFORMANCE AT DURAND CUP
The performance of Sporting Clube de Goa has been reasonably well at the Durand Cup. After entering
the quarter finals of the 117th Duran Cup 2004, it became the runner-up in the following year. Sporting
was among the semi-finalists of the 119th Durand Cup 2006 and reached the quarter final in the 120th
Durand Cup 2007. In the 121st Durand Cup 2008, the club reached the semi finals.

SALGAOCAR SPORTS CLUB

14
Salgaocar Sports Club is an Indian football club based in Vasco, Goa. It is sponsored by the V. M.
Salgaocar Group of Companies and has proved to be one of the most successful Goan sports club in the
recent years. The Salagaocar is also one of the oldest football clubs in the country and has been the
mentor of several well known football players in the country. Eminent players and Arjuna awardees
like Bruno Coutinho, Bramhanand Shankhwalkar has been associated with this club for long. Salgoacar
club mainly plays in the I-League-1 and Goa Professional League and has been the winner of the
Salgaocar club 16 times. Dressed in green with a bit of white at the home ground and red and white
jersey on trips, the Salgaocar Sports Club has a very loyal fan following in the state. Read on to know
more about the Salgaocar Sports Club.
HISTORY
Salgaocar Sports Club came in existence in 1956 when Mr. V.M. Salgaocar, founder President of the
VM Salgaocar Group laid the foundation of the Goan sports club in Vasco City. This club was formed
with the sole objective of giving a platform to the Goan youth to showcase their talent to the country,
and to the world. The sports club however got the Indian recognition only when Goa liberated from the
rule of the Portuguese in 1961. A year later, the Salgaocar Football club became the first Goan team to
be invited to participate in the prestigious Durand Cup in New Delhi. There was no look back since
then. The Salgaocar club then successfully annexed all the possible trophies in the Indian football arena
thereby engraving their name amongst the top teams in the country.
CURRENT STATUS
The last few years for the Salgaocar club can be described as the years of glory light fading away.
Relegation, a successful promotion, and then again relegation has badly shattered the Salgaocar faithful.
Even the critics have been two harsh in their comments by writing that the club hay days are over, but
as the famous saying goes, What makes a man isnt how he falls, but the grace by which he rises up
again. Salgaocar Sports Club backed by the VM Salgaocar group of companies shows hopes to the host
of Salgaocar faithful that they will try their heart out to gain their past glory again. Under the patronage
of Shivanand Salgaocar the club is making evident efforts to rise over again and mark its presence once
again.
ACCOLADES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
There is an exhaustive list of the awards and accolades of the Salgaocar club. The club has been a
winner of the National League triumph in 1999, Federation Cups in 1988, 1989 & 1997, Super Cup in
1997 and 1999. The club has also registered a triumph over the prestigious Rovers Cup, Mumbai, in
1989, 1996 1999 and the Durand Cup, Delhi in 1999 & 2003. The Salgaocar Sports Club has also made
an unbreakable record by winning the Goa State Champions for a record 19 times. Apart from this, the
club has also registered a win over Governors Cup, Asian Club Championships and TFA shield.

DEMPO SPORTS CLUB

Dempo Sports Club is a sports club based in the city of Panjim, the capital of Goa. It is a renowned
sports club in India and the football team of the club is one of the most popular team in the country.
The team has several accolades and honors in its kitty. Many famous players of the national football
team of the country have once been associated with this team. Popularly known as the whites, the team
has been a constant performer in all the national football championship and gained immensely
popularity in the last four decades of its existence.
HISTORY
Dempo Sports Club began as Bicholim Football Club which was a top First Division league side in the
1960s. Football lovers in the country remember the Bicholim Football Club as one of the most talented

15
football club in the country. Players like Subhash Sinari, Bernard Olivera, Tolentino Serrao, Bhaskar,
Kalidas Gaad, Manohar Pednekar, Bhai Pednekar, Ganpat Gaonkar and Pandurang Gaonkar are still
remembered to the Bicholim Football Club on a completely different standard compared to the other
sports club existing at that moment.
Bicholim Sports Club was later adopted by Dempo Souza in 1967 and was renamed Dempo Souza
Sports Club. Even then the team remained one of the strongest team in the country with players like
Eustaquio, Dass, Balaguru, Olavo, Colaco, Inacio, Felix Barreto, Thapa, Ramesh Redkar, Socrates
Carvalho, Sadanand Asnodkar and Tulsidas Alornekar. In 1969, the team stood as the first runner up in
the Vasco Sports Club in the Senior Division League.
The Dempo Souza Sports Club finally became Dempo Sports Club, after Dempo bought Mr Michael
DSouza's stake in the Dempo Souza enterprise. However, Dempo Sports Club prospered when
Vasantrao Dempo, the chairman of the House of Dempo, extended his benefaction to football team in
an extensive manner. Dempo then came at par with the other business houses, like Salgaocar, Agencia
Commercial Maritima, Shantilal and Sesa Goa who had their own teams.
CURRENT STATUS
Dempo Sports Club has prospered extensively under the chairmanship of Srinivas Dempo and the
supervision of the Armando Colaco, a former Dempo Sports Club stalwart. Players of prominence
namely Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda and Mahesh Gawli and Ranty Martins Soleye of Nigeria
are associated with this football club. The team has showed tremendous performance in the last two
decades and gathered enormous fan following.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES
Dempo sports club has won umpteen numbers of awards and prestigious trophies in past few years. It
has emerged as the winner of the several national trophies in the last few years. The club has won the
prestigious Indian League in 2004, 2005, 2008 respectively. It also emerged as a winner in the recently
concluded inaugral-I-league 2007-08. The club has also been a consistent performer in the other
prestigious championships like Federal club, Durand Cup and Indian Super Cup. The club has been the
winner of the prestigious Durand Cup in 2006 and Federal Cup (India) in 2004. The club had been four
time winner of Rovers Cup and record eleven times winner of the Goa League.

FC KOCHIN
F. C. Kochin is a football club based in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is one of its own kind first professional
football clubs in India. It was founded in April 1997 under the auspicious of Football Club Kochin
Trust. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the F.C. Kochin was the only Kerala football club in the
National Football League. The home ground for F.C. Kochin is Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor,
formerly known as Kaloor International stadium. The club has shown some really good performances
in last one decade of its existence. The club has contributed a lot to the football culture in Kerala in
short span of its existence.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the F. C. Kochin club is to develop and promote the sports culture in Kerala. It
also aims at the development and promotion football in a professional way and to contribute to the
youth and sport development programs being envisioned by the state and the country. To a great extent,
this football club has also succeeded in the attainment of its objective. In only few years of its existence,
it has come up with new talents of international standard and also raised the level of awareness and
professionalism in the arena of football in the state.

16
MANAGEMENT
The successful management of the club is done in the guidance of FC Kochin Trust with Mr. P.V. Paul
as the Managing Trustee. Other prominent members of this club are [Link] Kannookadan &
[Link] who are the trustees of this club. The head office of the F. C. Kochin is at Kaloor, Kochi.
Mr. Paul Varghese is the chief Patron of the club and Mr. [Link] is the Manager. With very dedicated
management staffs, the team has touched the zeniths of success in only a short period of 10 years.
ACHIEVEMENTS
FC Kochin has contributed substantially to the advancement of Kerala football in a very limited period
of time. The most prestigious achievement so far for FC Kochin has been winning the Durand Cup in
the national capital of India,New Delhi in 1997. FC Kochin has also been a consistent performer in the
National Football League. This football club has also been the winner of the Kerala State League several
times and also the winner of Kerala State Championship. The FC Kochin club also won the Central
Railway Open in 1998 and the All India Central Revenue Cup in 1998.

JCT MILLS
Jagatjit Cotton and Textile Mills Football Club or JCT Mills Football Club has long been synonymous
with football in Punjab and the rest of northern India. Like the other two institutional teams from the
state, Border Security Force and Punjab Police, JCT have played a key role in lifting the standard of
football in Punjab. Also known as Millmen, this football club has played an important role in grooming
the raw football talent of the state into the players of international standard. Read on to explore more
about the Jagatjit Cotton and Textile Mills Football Club based in Phagwara, Punjab.
HISTORY
JCT Football Club is a part of the flagship JCT group that was started by the late Karam Chand Thapar.
JCT Football Club was founded in 1971 an Indian professional football club based in Phagwara, Punjab.
However, the club got identification after 1974 when several players joined the club leaving the Leader
Club of Jalandhar. Some of the famous player amongst them was Inder Singh, who captained the Indian
national team in previous years and had the Arjuna Award in his kitty. Since the inception, the only aim
of this football club has been developing professional standard of football in the state. JCT Limited has
also been involved in the Punjab Football Association (PFA) for the last three decades. In 1997, the
name of the club was changed from JCT Mills Football Club to JCT Football Club.
CURRENT STATUS
Sponsored by the Jagatjit Cotton and Textile Mills under the leadership of Samir Thapar, the Jagatjit
Cotton and Textile Mills Football team has emerged as one of the most successful Indian football clubs
in recent years. They play in the national I-League and Punjab State Super League. JCT Limited has
also set up the JCT Football Academy at Phagwara, Punjab in 2000 to skill the budding football players
in the state. JCT Academy as well as Club is known for producing high quality skilled youth players
for the national team of the country.
ACHIEVEMENTS
In last 3 decades of its existence, the JCT is the first Indian team outside Kolkata to win the IFA Shield.
Apart from this, the JCT Club have won many prestigious tournaments and brought laurels to the State
of Punjab. They also won the opening edition of the National Football League in 1996. JCT Club has
also been the winner of the Asain Club Championship and finished 3rd in the 2007-2008 season of the
newly formed I-League. The team has been 8 times winner of the Punjab Football League and 5 times
winner of the Durand club. The success and the constant good performance of the club is attributed to

17
its owner, the Thapars who apart from being business moguls, have been in constant effort to enhance
the bar of their club at all the levels.

CHURCHILL BROTHERS SPORTS CLUB

Full Name: Churchill Brothers Sports Club
Hometown: Salcete, Goa
Founded: 1988
Ground: Jawaharlal Nehru Fatorda Stadium (NFL home ground)
League: NFL Second Division, Goa Professional League

Apart from the All Indian Football Federation, various professional football clubs have also been
influential in upbringing the standard of football in India. The clubs, located in different parts of the
Indian sub continent, have produced a number of outstanding players, who have brought laurels to the
country, at the national level. One such establishment is the Churchill Brothers Sports Club, which came
into existence in 1988. Located at Salcete in Goa, players of the club have participated in important
leagues including the NFL Second Division and Goa Professional League. Read on to know more about
Churchill Brothers Sports Club.
The NFL home matches are played by Churchill Brothers Sports Club at the Jawaharlal Nehru Fatorda
Stadium in Margao, Goa, on a regular basis. The Club is one of the top teams in the state of Goa. The
team has managed to be the winners of the Goa League for six times. They registered their last win at
the Goa League in 2001. However, the Club faced relegation from the Premier Division at the end of
the 2004-2005 season. Consequently, the Club played in the Second Division in the following season
(2005-2006), when it was placed in group A. George Ekeh and Odafe Okolie have emerged as the star
players of Churchill Brothers Sports Club.
Churchill Brothers sports club has contributed a lot in the promotion of football at the regional and
national level, in India. It has worked for the upliftment of the game in the country, as well as instilling
the ideas of sportsmanship and fair play in the budding sportspersons. It aims to provide greater
opportunities for the football professionals. The mission of the club is to provide a fulfilling
environment wherein the football players and the coaches are able to build a strong base of quality
talent, to excel in the tournaments organized both at the national and international levels. It also aims
to gain recognition for the sport, as a worthwhile career in India. Apart from this, the club aims to be
the most successful professional football club in India.

FIELD SURFACE
Matches may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition. The
colour of artificial surfaces must be green. Where artificial surfaces are used in either competition
matches between representative teams of member associations affiliated to FIFA or international club
competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Football
Turf or the International Artificial Turf Standard, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA.
FIELD MARKINGS

18
 The field of play must be rectangular and marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which
they are boundaries. The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines. The two shorter lines are
called goal lines. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the

19
midpoints of the two touch lines. The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A
circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) is marked around it. Marks may be made off the field of play,
9.15 m (10 yds) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines and the touch lines, to ensure
that defending players retreat this distance when a corner kick is being taken.
DIMENSIONS
The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length (touch line): minimum 90 m (100 yds) maximum 120 m (130 yds)
Width (goal line): minimum 45 m (50 yds) maximum 90 m (100 yds)
All lines must be of the same width, which must be not more than 12 cm (5 ins).

INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds) maximum 110 m (120 yds)
Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds) maximum 75 m (80 yds
THE GOAL AREA
Two lines are
drawn at right
angles to the
goal line, 5.5
m (6 yds)
from the
inside of each
goalpost.
These lines
extend into the
field of play
for a distance
of 5.5 m (6

20
yds) and
are
joined by
a line
drawn
parallel
with the
goal line.
The area
bounded
by these
lines and
the goal
line is the
goal area.

LAWS OF FOOTBALL
LAW 1 – THE FIELD OF PLAY
THE PENALTY AREA
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5 m (18 yds) from the inside of each goalpost.
These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yds) and are joined by a line drawn
parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within
each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 11 m (12 yds) from the midpoint between the goalposts and
equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) from the centre of each penalty
mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
FLAGPOSTS
A flag post, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag must be placed at each
corner. Flag posts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less than 1 m (1 yd) outside
the touch line.
THE CORNER ARC
A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yd) from each corner flag post is drawn inside the field of play.
GOALS
goal must be placed on the centre of each goal line. A goal consists of two upright posts equidistant
from the corner flag posts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar
must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round or
elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players. The distance between the posts is 7.32 m (8
yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins).
The goal lines must be of the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached to the
goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere
with the goalkeeper. The goalposts and crossbars must be white.

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SAFETY
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this
requirement.

LAW 2 – THE BALL

QUALITIES AND MEASUREMENTS
The ball is:
• spherical
• made of leather or other suitable material
• of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
• not more than 450 g (16 oz) and not less than 410 g (14 oz) in weight at the start of the match
• of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1,100 g/cm2 ) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in – 15.6
lbs/sq in)
REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE BALL
If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match:
• the match is stopped
• the match is restarted by dropping the replacement ball at the place where the original ball became
defective, unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the replacement
ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the original ball was
located when play was stopped
If the ball bursts or becomes defective during a penalty kick or during kicks from the penalty mark as
it moves forward and before it touches any player or the crossbar or goalposts:
• the penalty kick is retaken
If the ball bursts or becomes defective whilst not in play at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick,
penalty kick or throw-in:
• the match is restarted accordingly the ball may not be changed during the match without the authority
of the referee.

LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

NUMBER OF PLAYERS
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the
goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players.
NUMBER OF SUBSTITUTIONS
Official competitions
Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition
organised under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the member associations. The rules of the
competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of twelve.
Other matches

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In national “A” team matches, up to a maximum of six substitutes may be
used. In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided that:
• the teams concerned reach agreement on a maximum number
• the referee is informed before the match
If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the match, no more than six
substitutes are allowed.
Return Substitutions
The use of return substitutions is only permitted in the lowest levels (grassroots/ recreational) of
football, subject to the agreement of the member association concerned.
SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE
In all matches, the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match.
Any substitute whose name is not given to the referee at this time may not take part in the matchTo
replace a player with a substitute, the following conditions must be observed:

• the referee must be informed before any proposed substitution is made

• the substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after
receiving a signal from the referee
• the substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
• the substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
• from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced becomes a
substituted player
• the substituted player takes no further part in the match, except where return substitutions are
permitted
• all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to
play or not
CHANGING THE GOALKEEPER
Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that:
• the referee is informed before the change is made
• the change is made during a stoppage in the match
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
If a substitute or substituted player enters the field of play without the referee’s
permission:
• the referee stops play (although not immediately if the substitute or substituted player does not
interfere with play)
• the referee cautions him for unsporting behaviour and orders him to leave the field of play
• if the referee has stopped play, it is restarted with an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the
position of the ball at the time of the stoppage (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If a named substitute enters the field of play instead of a named player at the start of the match and the
referee is not informed of this change:

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• the referee allows the named substitute to continue the match
• no disciplinary sanction is taken against the named substitute
• the number of substitutions allowed by the offending team is not reduced
• the referee reports the incident to the appropriate authorities
If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee’s permission before the change is
made:
• the referee allows play to continue
• the referee cautions the players concerned when the ball is next out of playIn the event of any other
infringements of this Law:
• the players concerned are cautioned
• the match is restarted with an indirect free kick, to be taken by a player of the opposing team from the
position of the ball at the time of the stoppage
(see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES SENT OFF
A player who has been sent off before the kick-off may be replaced only by one of the named substitutes.
A named substitute who has been sent off, either before the kick-off or after play has started, may not
be replaced.

LAW 4 – THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

SAFETY
A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player
(including any kind of jewellery).
BASIC EQUIPMENT T
he basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items: • a jersey or shirt
with sleeves – if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve must be the same main colour as the
sleeve of the jersey or shirt • shorts – if undershorts or tights are worn, they must be of the same main
colour as the shorts • stockings – if tape or similar material is applied externally it must be the same
colour as that part of the stocking it is applied to • shinguards • footwear
SHINGUARDS
• are covered entirely by the stockings • are made of rubber, plastic or a similar suitable material •
provide a reasonable degree of protection
COLOURS
• The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each other and also the referee and the
assistant referees • Each goalkeeper must wear colours that distinguish him from the other players, the
referee and the assistant referees
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
In the event of any infringement of this Law: • play need not be stopped • the player at fault is instructed
by the referee to leave the field of play to correct his equipment • the player leaves the field of play
when the ball next ceases to be in play, unless he has already corrected his equipment • any player

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required to leave the field of play to correct his equipment must not re-enter without the referee’s
permission • the referee checks that the player’s equipment is correct before allowing him to re-enter
the field of play • the player is only allowed to re-enter the field of play when the ball is out of play A
player who has been required to leave the field of play because of an infringement of this Law and who
re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission must be cautioned.
RESTART OF PLAY
If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution: • the match is restarted by an indirect free kick
taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when the referee
stopped the match (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)

LAW 5 – THE REFEREE

THE AUTHORITY OF THE REFEREE
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in
connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
POWERS AND DUTIES
The Referee:
• enforces the Laws of the Game • controls the match in cooperation with the assistant referees and,
where applicable, with the fourth official • ensures that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2
• ensures that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Law 4 • acts as timekeeper and keeps a
record of the match • stops, suspends or abandons the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of
the Laws • stops, suspends or abandons the match because of outside interference of any kind • stops
the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field
of play. An injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted • allows play
to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured • ensures that
any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a
signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped • allows play to continue
when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and
penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time • punishes the
more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time • takes disciplinary
action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences. He is not obliged to take this
action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play• takes action against team
officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them
from the field of play and its immediate surrounds • acts on the advice of the assistant referees regarding
incidents that he has not seen • ensures that no unauthorised persons enter the field of play • indicates
the restart of the match after it has been stopped • provides the appropriate authorities with a match
report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players and/or team officials
and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match
DECISIONS OF THE REFEREE
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is
scored and the result of the match, are final. The referee may only change a decision on realising that it
is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that
he has not restarted play or terminated the match.

LAW 6 – THE ASSISTANT REFEREES

DUTIES

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Two assistant referees may be appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to
indicate: • when the whole of the ball leaves the field of play • which team is entitled to a corner kick,
goal kick or throw-in • when a player may be penalised for being in an offside position • when a
substitution is requested • when misconduct or any other incident occurs out of the view of the referee
• when offences have been committed whenever the assistant referees have a better view than the referee
(this includes, in certain circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area) • whether, at penalty
kicks, the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and if the ball crosses the line
ASSISTANCE
The assistant referees also assist the referee in controlling the match in accordance with the Laws of
the Game. In particular, they may enter the field of play to help control the 9.15 m (10 yds) distance. In
the event of undue interference or improper conduct, the referee will relieve an assistant referee of his
duties and make a report to the appropriate authorities.

LAW 7 – THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

PERIODS OF PLAY
The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee
and the two teams. Any agreement to alter the duration of the periods of play (e.g. to reduce each half
to 40 minutes because of insufficient light) must be made before the start of play and must comply with
competition rules.
HALF-TIME INTERVAL
Players are entitled to an interval at half-time. The half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes.
Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval. The duration of the half-time interval
may be altered only with the consent of the referee.
ALLOWANCE FOR TIME LOST Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through: •
substitutions • assessment of injury to players • removal of injured players from the field of play for
treatment • wasting time • any other cause The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee.
PENALTY KICK
If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the duration of either half is extended until the penalty kick
is completed.
ABANDONED MATCH
An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise.
DEFINITION OF KICK-OFF
A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play: • at the start of the match • after a goal has been scored
• at the start of the second half of the match • at the start of each period of extra time, where applicable
A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
PROCEDURE
Before a kick-off at the start of the match or extra time
• a coin is tossed and the team that wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the
match. • the other team takes the kick-off to start the match. • the team that wins the toss takes the kick-
off to start the second half of the match. • in the second half of the match, the teams change ends and
attack the opposite goals.

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Kick-off
• after a team scores a goal, the kick-off is taken by the other team. • all players must be in their own
half of the field of play • the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from
the ball until it is in play • the ball must be stationary on the centre mark • the referee gives a signal •
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward • the kicker must not touch the ball again until
it has touched another player.
LAW 8 – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player: • an indirect
free kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the position of the ball when the infringement
occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
In the event of any other infringement of the kick-off procedure: • the kick-off is retaken
DEFINITION OF DROPPED BALL
A dropped ball is a method of restarting play when, while the ball is still in play, the referee is required
to stop play temporarily for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game.
PROCEDURE
The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped, unless play was
stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the ball on the goal area line parallel to the
goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped. Play restarts when
the ball touches the ground.
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
The ball is dropped again: • if it is touched by a player before it makes contact with the ground • if the
ball leaves the field of play after it makes contact with the ground, without a player touching it If the
ball enters the goal: • if a dropped ball is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded
• if a dropped ball is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing
team.

LAW 9 – THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

BALL OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play when: • it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground
or in the air • play has been stopped by the referee
BALL IN PLAY
The ball is in play at all other times, including when: • it rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar or corner
flagpost and remains in the field of play • it rebounds off either the referee or an assistant referee when
they are on the field of play
LAW 10 – THE METHOD OF SCORING
GOAL SCORED

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 A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under
the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by
the team scoring the goal
WINNING TEAM
The team scoring the greater number of goals during a match is the winner. If both teams score an equal
number of goals, or if no goals are scored, the match is drawn.
COMPETITION RULES
When competition rules require there to be a winning team after a match or home-and-away tie, the
only permitted procedures for determining the winning team are those approved by the International
F.A. Board, namely: • away goals rule • extra time • kicks from the penalty mark
GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY (GLT)
GLT systems may be used for the purpose of verifying whether a goal has been scored to support the
referee’s decision. The use of GLT must be stipulated in the respective competition rules
LAW 11 – OFFSIDE
OFFSIDE POSITION
It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if: • he is nearer
to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent A player is not in an offside
position if: • he is in his own half of the field of play or • he is level with the second-last opponent or •
he is level with the last two opponents
OFFENCE
A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one
of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by: • interfering with play or •
interfering with an opponent or • gaining an advantage by being in that position
NO OFFENCE
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from: • a goal kick • a throw-in • a
corner kick
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
In the event of an offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be
taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick).
LAW 12 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
Fouls and misconduct are penalised as follows:
DIRECT FREE KICK
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven
offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: • kicks
or attempts to kick an opponent • trips or attempts to trip an opponent • jumps at an opponent • charges
an opponent • strikes or attempts to strike an opponent • pushes an opponent • tackles an opponent A
direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three
offences: • holds an opponent • spits at an opponent • handles the ball deliberately (except for the
goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

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 A direct free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free
kick).
PENALTY KICK
A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences is committed by a player inside his own
penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.
INDIRECT FREE KICK
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area,
commits any of the following four offences: • controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds
before releasing it from his possession • touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it
from his possession and before it has touched another player • touches the ball with his hands after it
has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate • touches the ball with his hands after he has
received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate An indirect free kick is also awarded to the
opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player: • plays in a dangerous manner • impedes the
progress of an opponent • prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands • commits any
other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a
player
The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred (see Law 13 – Position of
free kick).
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
The yellow card is used to communicate that a player, substitute or substituted player has been
cautioned. The red card is used to communicate that a player, substitute or substituted player has been
sent off. Only a player, substitute or substituted player may be shown the red or yellow card. The referee
has the authority to take disciplinary sanctions from the moment he enters the field of play until he
leaves the field of play after the final whistle. A player who commits a cautionable or sending-off
offence, either on or off the field of play, whether directed towards an opponent, a team-mate, the
referee, an assistant referee or any other person, is disciplined according to the nature of the offence
committed.
CAUTIONABLE OFFENCES
A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences: •
unsporting behaviour • dissent by word or action • persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game •
delaying the restart of play • failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner
kick, free kick or throw-in • entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission •
deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
A substitute or substituted player is cautioned if he commits any of the following three offences:
• unsporting behaviour • dissent by word or action • delaying the restart of play
SENDING-OFF OFFENCES
A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if he commits any of the following seven offences:
• serious foul play • violent conduct • spitting at an opponent or any other person • denying the opposing
team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply
to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) • denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an
opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick •
using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures • receiving a second caution in the same

29
match A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the
field of play and the technical area.
LAW 13 – FREE KICKS
TYPES OF FREE KICK
Free kicks are either direct or indirect.
THE DIRECT FREE KICK
Ball enters the goal
• if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal is awarded • if a direct free kick
is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team
THE INDIRECT FREE KICK
Signal
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in
that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.
Ball enters the goal
A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal: • if
an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded • if an indirect
free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team
PROCEDURE
For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker
must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
POSITION OF FREE KICK
Free kick inside the penalty area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team: • all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from
the ball • all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play • the ball is in play
when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area • a free kick awarded in the goal area may be taken
from any point inside that area
Indirect free kick to the attacking team:
• all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their
own goal line between the goalposts • the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves • an indirect free
kick awarded inside the goal area must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point
nearest to where the infringement occurred
Free kick outside the penalty area
• all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play • the ball is in play when
it is kicked and moves • the free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred or from
the position of the ball when the infringement occurred (according to the infringement)
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the
ball than the required distance: • the kick is retaken If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team

30
from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area: • the kick is
retaken
Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has touched
another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where
the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick) If, after the ball is in play, the kicker
deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player: • a direct free kick is awarded to the
opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of
free kick) • a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area
Free kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball again (except with his hands), before it has
touched another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the
place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick) If, after the ball is in play,
the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player: • a direct free kick is
awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be
taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick) • an indirect
free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty
area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
LAW 14 – THE PENALTY KICK
A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free
kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play. A goal may be scored directly
from a penalty kick. Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or
at the end of periods of extra time.
POSITION OF THE BALL AND THE PLAYERS
The ball: • must be placed on the penalty mark
The player taking the penalty kick: • must be properly identified
The defending goalkeeper: • must remain on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until
the ball has been kicked
The players other than the kicker must be located: • inside the field of play • outside the penalty area •
behind the penalty mark • at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the penalty mark
PROCEDURE
• After the players have taken positions in accordance with this Law, the referee signals for the penalty
kick to be taken • The player taking the penalty kick must kick the ball forward • He must not play the
ball again until it has touched another player • The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time
or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between
the goalposts and under the crossbar:
• the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar and/or the goalkeeper
The referee decides when a penalty kick has been completed.
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS

31
 If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the
following occurs:
the player taking the penalty kick infringes the Laws of the Game: • the referee allows the kick to be
taken • if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken • if the ball does not enter the goal, the referee stops
play and the match is restarted with an indirect free kick to the defending team from the place where
the infringement occurred
the goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game: • the referee allows the kick to be taken • if the ball
enters the goal, a goal is awarded • if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken
a team-mate of the player taking the kick infringes the Laws of the Game: • the referee allows the kick
to be taken • if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken • if the ball does not enter the goal, the referee
stops play and the match is restarted with an indirect free kick to the defending team from the place
where the infringement occurred
a team-mate of the goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game: • the referee allows the kick to be taken
• if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded • if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken
a player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game: • the kick
is retaken
If, after the penalty kick has been taken:
the kicker touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has touched another player: • an
indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the
infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of Free Kick)
the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player: • a direct free kick is
awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13
– Position of free kick)
the ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward: • the kick is retaken
the ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts and is then
touched by an outside agent: • the referee stops play • play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place
where it touched the outside agent, unless it touched the outside agent inside the goal area, in which
case the referee drops the ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where
the ball was located when play was stopped
LAW 15 – THE THROW-IN
A throw-in is a method of restarting play. A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who
last touched the ball when the whole of the ball crosses the touch line, either on the ground or in the air.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
PROCEDURE
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower: • faces the field of play • has part of each foot either
on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line • holds the ball with both hands • delivers the
ball from behind and over his head • delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play
All opponents must stand no less than 2 m (2 yds) from the point at which the throw-in is taken.
The ball is in play when it enters the field of play.
After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

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INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
Throw-in taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has
touched another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the
place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement
occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick) • a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred
inside the thrower’s penalty area
Throw-in taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball again (except with his hands), before it has
touched another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the
place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another
player: • a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the
goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 –
Position of free kick) • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred
inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see
Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower: • he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour
For any other infringement of this Law: • the throw-in is taken by a player of the opposing team

LAW 16 – THE GOAL KICK

A goal kick is a method of restarting play.
A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in
the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored in accordance with
Law 10.
A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.
Procedure
The ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team • Opponents
remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play • The kicker must not play the ball again until it
has touched another player • The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
If the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area from a goal kick: • the kick is retaken
Goal kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper

33
 If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has touched
another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where
the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement
occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick) • a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred
inside the kicker’s penalty area
Goal kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has
touched another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the
place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another
player: • a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the
goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 –
Position of free kick) • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred
inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see
Law 13 – Position of free kick)
In the event of any other infringement of this Law: • the kick is retaken
LAW 17 – THE CORNER KICK
A corner kick is a method of restarting play.
A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or
in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored in accordance
with Law 10.
A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.
PROCEDURE
• The ball must be placed inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line
• The corner flag post must not be moved • Opponents must remain at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the
corner arc until the ball is in play • The ball must be kicked by a player of the attacking team • The ball
is in play when it is kicked and moves • The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched
another player
INFRINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS
Corner kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has touched
another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where
the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement
occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick) • a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred
inside the kicker’s penalty area
Corner kick taken by the goalkeeper

34
 If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has
touched another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the
place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another
player: • a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the
goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 –
Position of free kick) • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred
inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see
Law 13 – Position of free kick)
In the event of any other infringement: • the kick is retaken
PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE WINNER OF A MATCH OR HOME-AND-AWAY
Away goals, extra time and kicks from the penalty mark are the three methods approved for determining
the winning team where competition rules require there to be a winning team after a match has been
drawn.
Away goals
Competition rules may provide that where teams play each other home and away, if the aggregate score
is equal after the second match, any goals scored at the ground of the opposing team will count double.
Extra time
Competition rules may provide for two further equal periods, not exceeding 15 minutes each, to be
played. The conditions of Law 8 will apply.
Kicks from the penalty mark
PROCEDURE
• The referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken• The referee tosses a coin and the team
whose captain wins the toss decides whether to take the first or the second kick• The referee keeps a
record of the kicks being taken• Subject to the conditions explained below, both teams take five kicks•
The kicks are taken alternately by the teams• If, before both teams have taken five kicks, one has scored
more goals than the other could score, even if it were to complete its five kicks, no more kicks are taken•
If, after both teams have taken five kicks, both have scored the same number of goals, or have not scored
any goals, kicks continue to be taken in the same order until one team has scored a goal more than the
other from the same number of kicks• A goalkeeper who is injured while kicks are being taken from
the penalty mark and is unable to continue as goalkeeper may be replaced by a named substitute
provided his team has not used the maximum number of substitutes permitted under the competition
rules• With the exception of the foregoing case, only players who are on the field of play at the end of
the match, which includes extra time where appropriate, are eligible to take kicks from the penalty
mark• Each kick is taken by a different player and all eligible players must take a kick before any player
can take a second kick• An eligible player may change places with the goalkeeper at any time when
kicks from the penalty mark are being taken• Only the eligible players and match officials are permitted
to remain on the field of play when kicks from the penalty mark are being taken• All players, except
the player taking the kick and the two goalkeepers, must remain within the centre circle• The goalkeeper
who is the team-mate of the kicker must remain on the field of play, outside the penalty area in which
the kicks are being taken, on the goal line where it meets the penalty area boundary line• Unless
otherwise stated, the relevant Laws of the Game and International F.A. Board Decisions apply when
kicks from the penalty mark are being takenIf at the end of the match and before the kicks start to be
taken from the penalty mark, one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, it must reduce

35
its numbers to equate with that of its opponents and the team captain must inform the referee of the
name and number of each player excluded. Any player thus excluded may not participate in kicks from
the penalty mark.• Before the start of kicks from the penalty mark, the referee must ensure that an equal
number of players from each team remains within the centre circle and they shall take the kicks
THE TECHNICAL AREA
The technical area relates to matches played in stadiums with a designated seated area for technical staff
and substitutes as described below.
While the size and position of technical areas may differ between stadiums, the following notes are
issued for general guidance:
• the technical area extends 1 m (1 yd) on either side of the designated seated area and extends forward
up to a distance of 1 m (1 yd) from the touch line
• it is recommended that markings are used to define this area
• the number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is defined by the competition rules
• the occupants of the technical area are identified before the beginning of the match in accordance with
the competition rules
• only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions from the technical area
• the coach and other officials must remain within its confines except in special circumstances, e.g. a
physiotherapist or doctor entering the field of play, with the referee’s permission, to assess an injured
player
• the coach and other occupants of the technical area must behave in a responsible manne

THE FOURTH OFFICIAL AND THE RESERVE ASSISTANT REFEREE

• A fourth official may be appointed under the competition rules and officiates if any of the three match
officials is unable to continue, unless a reserve assistant referee is appointed. He assists the referee at
all times
• Prior to the start of the competition, the organiser states clearly whether, if the referee is unable to
continue, the fourth official takes over as the referee or whether the senior assistant referee takes over
as referee with the fourth official becoming an assistant referee
• The fourth official assists with any administrative duties before, during and after the match, as required
by the referee
• He is responsible for assisting with substitution procedures during the match
• He has the authority to check the equipment of substitutes before they enter the field of play. If their
equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game, he informs the referee
• He supervises the replacement balls, where required. If the match ball has to be replaced during a
match, he provides another ball, on the instruction of the referee, thus keeping the delay to a minimum
• He assists the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game. The referee,
however, retains the authority to decide on all points connected with play.

36
• After the match, the fourth official must submit a report to the appropriate authorities on any
misconduct or other incident that occurred out of the view of the referee and the assistant referees. The
fourth official must advise the referee and his assistants of any report being made
• He has the authority to inform the referee of irresponsible behaviour by any occupant of the technical
area
• A reserve assistant referee may also be appointed under competition rules. His only duty shall be to
replace an assistant referee who is unable to continue or to replace the fourth official, as required
THE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT REFEREE
Additional assistant referees may be appointed under the competition rules.
They must be active referees of the highest category available.
The competition rules must state the procedure to be followed when a referee
is unable to continue, and whether:
1. the fourth official takes over as the referee, or
2. the senior additional assistant referee takes over as the referee, with the fourth official becoming an
additional assistant referee
DUTIES
Where appointed, the additional assistant referees, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate:
• when the whole of the ball leaves the field of play over the goal line
• which team is entitled to a corner kick or goal kick
• when misconduct or any other incident occurs out of the view of the referee
• when offences have been committed whenever the additional assistant referees have a better view than
the referee, particularly inside the penalty area
• whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and if the
ball crosses the line
ASSISTANCE
The additional assistant referees also help the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws
of the Game but the final decision will always be taken by the [Link] the event of undue interference
or improper conduct, the referee will relieve an additional assistant referee of his duties and make a
report to the appropriate authorities.

37
 EXERCISES
WARMING UP
Every game of soccer should start with a warm-up. Soccer’s twists and turns and its demand for fast
accelerating movements will quickly pull or damage cold muscles, and stiff joints and tendons.
Similarly, the body’s metabolism works best if it is gradually coaxed into life, by systematically
raising the heart and body temperature of the player. There are four stages to the typical warm-up
routine used by professional teams—jogging and gentle stretches, static stretches, dynamic stretches,
and footwork and agility. The session is always followed by a cool-down.
STAGE 1: JOGGING AT INTERVALS TO STRETCHAND GENTLE STRETCHES
To get the body ready for the demanding tasks ahead, start by raising your body temperature, pushing
up your heart rate, and beginning the process of stretching tendons and mobilizing joints.
STAGE 2: STATIC STRETCHES
The body is warm, but big muscle groups are not yet ready for a full workout. The quadriceps in the
front of the thigh and the hamstrings in the back of the leg need stretching. Groins, calves, and ankles
may be damaged if used when cold.
STAGE 3: DYNAMIC STRETCHES
Pick up the pace now and combine aerobic work (which raises the activity rate of the heart and lungs)
with full muscle stretches. Work in pairs, moving through a series of routines that push your heart rates
upward. Use your partner for balance during the moves. The intention is also to raise the body’s
temperature by approximately 2°F (1°C).
STAGE 4: FOOTWORK AND AGILITY
Now that the muscles have warmed up and the joints have relaxed, you can move onto faster, sharper
movements more closely related to actual game play. Work concentrates on the feet and ankles and
higher-tempo movements.
THE COOL-DOWN
After training, you need to lower your heart rate and body temperature steadily, and allow your body
to disperse the build-up of lactic acid that forms in well worked muscles. Repeat the gentle stretches at
a steadily lower pace. Then repeat long static and dynamic stretching of all the key muscle groups.

POST WARM-UP
Ballwork drills should be practiced after you have warmed up. There should be one ball for every two
or three players and these should remain in play throughout the session.
Training without the ball - There are two aspects to training without the ball. The first consists of
running and building stamina; players recovering from injuries also do strength work in the gym. The
second concerns how players look after themselves away from the training field: diet, rest, and self-
discipline are all important (see panel, opposite).

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 SKILLS

CONTROLLING THE BALL

Possession is the key to controlling a game and a team can only be said to be in possession when one
of its players has the ball under his control. Achieving this is one of the fundamental skills of soccer.
No matter how perfectly a pass is delivered, it will be wasted if you fail to control the ball effectively.
Flexibility and first
touch Controlling the
ball is easiest when it
is passed gently to the
feet but you must be
prepared to reach it at
any height, from any
angle, and at any
speed. The quality of
a player’s first touch
is crucial. The best
players are able to put
the ball exactly where
they want it with the
same touch they use
to bring it under
control, giving them
time and space to
consider their next
move.
Using the body If you receive the ball at a level too high to control with your feet, you have three main
options: to use your thigh, chest, or head. An excellent way to practice these skills is via a game of
“head tennis.” Played over a volleyball net, you must keep the ball from touching the ground, and return
it over the net by using your head, chest, thigh, and feet. The more frequently you play this enjoyable
game, the better your skills will become.
Using the feet The easiest way to control the ball with your feet is to get into a position to receive the
ball early. To practice this, kick a ball against a wall at varying heights, strengths, and angles, and
control the rebound. As you improve, ask a friend to rebound the ball for you so you have to make quick
adjustments. Basic foot-trapping techniques involve the inside and sole of the foot (see below).
Gradually, you will be able to move on to the outside, top, and side volley trap (see opposite).

PASSING

39
Passing is the lifeblood of any team and a vital skill for all players to learn, including goalkeepers. There
are several good reasons why you might choose to pass—to clear the ball from a danger area, to help
your team keep possession, or to try to set up a scoring opportunity, for example. There is only one
good time for you to make the pass,
however, whenever there is a
teammate in a better position than
you. Sometimes, when you have
ball possession, there may be no
obvious teammate to pass the ball
to. In such cases, you should either
run with the ball or pass it into a
“safe” channel (usually directly
ahead of you, see above) which
gives a teammate a realistic chance
of winning the race with the
defender to receive it.
Types of pass Players pass in order
to develop attacks, or to work the
ball away from opponents. These
passes can be along the ground or in the air, over short distances or long range. Short passes are the
easiest to execute; long-range airborne passes the most difficult. Each type of pass has its advantages
and disadvantages.
1. Short pass-This pass is the most accurate kind for two reasons: the ball is struck with the side
of the foot; and any slight miscue can be masked by the small distance the ball has to travel.
• Approach the ball at a 30-degree angle, giving
yourself room to swing your passing leg.
• Strike the ball with the side of your foot and
keep the ball down. Keep your ankle firm.
• The length of follow-through reflects the
weight you want to give the pass.
2. long pass-Long passes or crosses can be very
effective, largely because defenders tend to
guard their opponents less thoroughly the farther
away they are from the action. Accuracy in
executing this pass is crucial as any error will be
magnified.
• Fix your eyes on the ball and approach it at an
angle of about 30 degrees.
• To keep the pass low, make sure the knee of your striking leg is over the ball at impact.
• Your follow-through should be more pronounced than for a short pass.
3. The science of spin-Spinning a ball is a skill every good player should know. Once struck, the
ball naturally seeks the path of least resistance, swerving in the direction of the spin— to the
right if the ball is spinning clockwise and left if it is spinning counter clockwise.
• Sideways spin- If a ball is spinning through the air sideways, one side of it will move
in the direction of its flight while the other will move counter to it. The forward
spinning side develops a greater force than the backward-spinning one. This is called
the Magnus force.

40
 • Top- and backspin- If a ball is rotating forward or backward, the same principle applies
but it has different effects. A ball given topspin will move downward faster than it
otherwise would, while the reverse is true of a ball given backspin.
4. Adding curve to a long pass -Putting curve onto the ball can be useful during attacking moves
because the path of a curving ball is much harder to anticipate, and therefore defend, than one
that flies straight.
• Outswinging pass or cross- To swing the ball left to right, strike the left side of the ball
with the outside of your foot, if you are right-footed.
• Inswinging pass or cross-To get the ball to swing right to left, strike the ball on its
right side with your instep, if you are right-footed.

RUNNING WITH THE BALL

Running with the ball under control is known as dribbling. In its basic form, the skill involves you
kicking the ball ahead of yourself, running to catch up with it, kicking it forward again and so on. In
practice, however, you will rarely have clear spaces ahead of you for long as opposing defenders will
arrive to try to check your runs. You, therefore, need to keep the ball close to your feet and develop a
repertoire of skills to avoid would-be tacklers.

• Beating opponents- As a dribbler, you may employ a variety of techniques to get past
opponents without checking your runs. One of the most important is the shoulder drop,
in which you lower the level of one shoulder to fool the defender into thinking you are
heading in that direction. Another is
having the ability to anticipate
tackles and the dexterity to jump over
them.
• Stop-turns while running-
While dribbling, you will often want
to change direction, either to develop
a different angle of attack, run into
space, or evade a defender. To do
this, some of the most popular
techniques are the inside and outside
hooks, and the Puskás turn or drag
back.
1. How to dribble- The best
dribblers give the impression that the
ball is tied to their shoes. These players also have the ability to easily alternate between both
feet (using the inside and outside of the feet). A dribble is executed as follows.
• Using your left foot, gently kick the ball between 12 and 19in (30–50cm) ahead of you
and to the right.
• Keep your eyes on the ball while running forward, occasionally looking up to assess
the situation ahead of you.
• When you reach the ball, continue with the dribble, using your right foot. Repeat this
sequence, using your left foot then right.
2. Inside hook- This hook technique is easier than the outside hook (see below). It is used to move
inside (to the left for a right-footer) when an opponent is on your outside.
• Start the inside hook by dribbling forward with the ball under close control, while
paying attention to the presence of defenders.
• Place one foot slightly ahead of the ball and use the instep to push the ball in the
direction you wish to turn.

41
 • Spin to the left, push off your back foot, using your front foot to continue the dribble
away from your opponent.
3. Outside hook- This skill is more demanding than the inside hook (see above), since you must
use the outside of your right foot to move 180 degrees to the right (for a right-footer).
• As with the inside hook
turn, start the maneuver
by dribbling forward,
feeding the ball between
each foot alternately.
• Using the outside of your
foot, hook the ball back in
the direction you wish to
go.
• Turn 180 degrees to the
right then push off with
your back foot and
accelerate away, using the
front foot to continue the
dribble.
4. Puskás turn- Named after the great Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás, this trick involves a
quarter turn that allows you have to rapidly move at right angles to the direction in which you
were originally dribbling.
• Start with the ball in line with the center of your body, then swing one foot forward as
if to kick the ball.
• Turn 180 degrees to the right then push off with your back foot and accelerate away,
using the front foot to continue the dribble.
• Putting your weight on the other foot, drag the ball back and then knock it sideways
with the outside of your shoe.

STEPOVERS
The stepover, also known as the scissors maneuver, is one of the most visually striking moves in soccer.
It is used to fool an opponent into
thinking that you are about to
pass sideways when you are in
possession, whereas, in fact, you
just continue your run. Stepovers
were considered an exotic skill,
but in recent years they have
become almost commonplace.
TYPES OF STEPOVER- In
the classic stepover, you move
while in possession as if to push
the ball one way with the outside
of one foot, but actually pass the
foot over and around the ball (from inside to outside) without touching it before picking it up with the
other foot and moving in the opposite direction. There are two more developed styles of the stepover—
the Rivelino (see opposite) and the double stepover.

42
 1. The Rivelino- In this variation of the stepover, named after the Brazilian winger, the legs move
around the ball in the opposite direction, that is from outside to inside. The Rivelino requires
precise balance.
• Dribble the ball slowly toward the defender. Plant your front foot and bring the trailing
leg toward the ball.
• Instead of making contact with the ball, bring the trailing leg up and over the ball,
placing it on the other side.
• Swivel 180 degrees, place your weight on the right foot, then play the ball with your
left.

2. Double stepover- In the double stepover, you have to perform the trick twice in quick
succession, once with each foot. Technically, this is a more difficult tactic to master.
• Dribble the ball forward and prepare to set your standing leg.
• Then move your right foot around and over the ball in a clockwise direction.
• This will bring you back to the starting point, but farther forward than before.
• Perform a second stepover, this time with the left foot and in a counter clockwise
direction.
• You will again be back to the starting position, but farther forward than before.
• Knock the ball forward with your right foot and continue the dribble.

SPINS AND TURNS

Some of the most spectacular moves in soccer involve players spinning or turning in unexpected ways.
These require great technical accuracy and often only the world’s best known and most skillful players
use them successfully in a match situation.
FINDING SPACE- Complex turns are more challenging than the turns covered under the dribbling
section and need lots of practice. Making a successful turn is a great way to lose a marker or wrong-
foot an opponent, both of which will buy you time to run into space or make a considered pass to a
teammate. Two of the best maneuvers for achieving this are the Zidane spin and the Cruyff turn.
1. The Zidane spin- The Zidane spin is a form of pirouette in which you have to spin through
360 degrees while keeping the ball under close control. It is as difficult to describe as it is to
do, but can be broken down into five stages. Zidane has performed this technique at the highest
level on many occasions. If executed well, it can buy you good time in crowded midfield
situations.

43
 • Dribble forward with the ball as normal, then stop and put your stronger foot on top of
it.
• Roll the ball backward, spin 180 degrees around it, then collect it with your weaker
foot.
• Roll the ball back gently with your weaker foot and turn 180 degrees in the same
direction.
• After completing the full spin, collect the ball again with your stronger foot.

• Finally, continue with your run, leaving the opposition defenders perplexed.
2. The Cruyff - This maneuver, a complex drag back that always leaves defenders behind, is
named after Netherlands forward Johan Cruyff. When executing this tactic, your goal is to feign
execution of a long pass or cross but instead spin 180 degrees and continue the dribble.
• Plant one foot by the ball and make as if to shoot or hit a long pass with your other leg.
• Bring the leg toward the ball, but instead of kicking it, pass your foot over the ball.
• Using the inside of the same foot, drag the ball back behind you and turn your body.
• Complete the turn through 180 degrees and run off with the ball.

FAKES
Deception is a vital ingredient in top-class soccer. Many of the most effective moves rely on players
fooling their opponents into thinking they are going to do one thing and actually doing another. When
this works, it cons members of the other team into moving out of position and buys crucial time for the
team in possession.
TYPES OF FAKE-
“Selling” someone a
dummy—acting as if to
kick the ball but in fact
leaving it to run on,
usually to a teammate —is
one of the most common
forms of fakes in soccer.
But there are also several
others, including shuffles,
fake kicks, and “flip-
flaps.” All have the effect
of confusing and wrong-
footing the opponent.

44
 1. The fake kick- In this fake, you have to mime a shot or a pass, causing the defenders to flinch,
but instead you simply pass your foot over or just to the side of the ball. This gives you time
and space to turn or deliver a pass.
• Give every indication of taking a long-range shot at goal or making a long pass. Draw back
your leg in preparation for a strike.
• Swing your foot down hard, but as it approaches the ball, slow it down rapidly and pass the
foot over the ball.
• While your opponent turns away in anticipation of a shot, place your foot lightly on top of
the ball and drag it back quickly.
2. The elastico or flip-flap- Brazil striker Ronaldinho is associated particularly with the
“elastico” or “flip-flap.” It involves you moving your foot very quickly from right to left while
dribbling, keeping the ball in such close proximity that it appears connected to your foot by
elastic.
• Prepare for the elastico by looking in the direction you want the approaching defender
to think you are about to play the ball.
• Push the ball with the outside of your right foot as though you are about to dribble to
the right.
• At the last moment, gather the ball in with the instep of the same foot and pull it back
in the other direction, confusing the defender.
3. The Beardsley shuffle- The most famous shuffle in sport, a high-speed shimmy that
mesmerized opponents, belonged to Muhammad Ali. The soccer equivalent, essentially an
abbreviated stepover, was perfected by Peter Beardsley.
• Jogging slowly with the ball under close control, bring your right leg toward the ball
as if feigning to pass it or change direction.
• Bring your right foot very close to the ball so the defender is convinced that you are
about to change your direction.
• In one rapid, fluid movement, shift your balance back to the right side, leaving the
defender confused as to your chosen path.
• Move away quickly with the ball in the direction you were traveling in in step 1. You
will gain precious space as a result.

SHOOTING
Soccer would be nothing without goals. Besides heading the ball, benefiting from an own goal, or a
lucky deflection, the only way to score is
to shoot. This can be done from almost
any position on the field, but the closer
you are to the opponents’ goal when you
take a shot the higher the chances of
success. There are many ways of scoring
a goal; however, always strike the ball as
hard as you can without sacrificing
accuracy.
I. The basic shot-Certain principles
apply whether a shot is longor short-
range, placed, or blasted. You should aim
the ball either side of the goalkeeper and
keep it down, so it doesn’t fly over the
crossbar.

45
 • Place your standing foot firmly next to the ball and pointing toward the goal.
• Make contact with the center of the ball or a spot slightly below it.
II. The curving shot-A difficult shot
to execute well, it requires a
highly precise strike, both in terms
of the part of the foot used and the
impact position on the ball. For
the inswinging strike (see right),
connect with the instep on the
base of the ball; for the
outswinger, use the same spot on
the outside of your foot.
• Approach the ball and
ensure that your
standing leg is about
18in (45cm) to the
side.
• Sweep your leg on an
in-to-out arc and connect with the bottom right portion of the ball.
• Follow the path of the ball with your foot to stand a better chance of curving it.

VOLLEYING
There are few sights in soccer as satisfying as seeing a cleanly hit volley fly into the net. This technique,
defined as striking a ball that is in full flight, is also used to make rapid crosses, clearances, and passes.
A high level of foot-eye coordination is essential for volleying. When it is executed well, the results can
be spectacular. Keep your eyes on the ball. Position yourself in its line of flight to stand the best chance
of making good contact.

VOLLEYING STYLES- The first type of volley is the full volley, where the ball is struck “on the
fly.” The second is the half-volley, where the ball is struck shortly after it has bounced. A third
technique, the bicycle (or overhead) kick is normally performed by experienced, very athletic players.
I. The full volley-You use the full volley when the ball arrives at you without touching the
ground. A well-executed full volley requires good timing, composure, and concentration.

46
 • Keep your eyes on the ball. Position yourself in its line of flight to stand the best
chance of making good contact.
• Strike the ball with the top of your foot, either on the rise or as it drops toward the
ground heading for a second bounce.
II. The half-volley -You perform the half-volley when the ball bounces just before you strike it.
It is, therefore, sometimes on the rise at the moment of impact. If you can hit the ball at the
exact moment it touches the ground the shot gains more momentum as the ball has lost less
energy through not bouncing.
• Watch the ball closely as it drops toward you. Position yourself and pull back your
striking leg before connecting with the ball.
• Starting with your knee, bring your leg toward the ball and turn your hips. Strike
the ball above center to keep it down.
• Follow through with your kicking leg parallel to the ground and rotate your hips
through the impact area.

BICYCLE KICK
Also known as the overhead kick, the bicycle kick is one of soccer’s most spectacular techniques. It
was invented in the Peruvian port of Callao during a game between the locals and some European sailors
in the early 1900s. Residents of the
city are known as Chalacos and
“Chalaca,” the Latin American term
for the trick, literally means “from
Callao.”
I. Making an overhead kick
-You can use the bicycle
kick when an apparently
misplaced cross arrives
behind you. Alternatively,
you can “tee” yourself up
for an overhead kick with
your back to the goal by
flicking the ball up to strike.
• Launch
yourself into the air by raising your non-kicking leg and pushing off the ground
with the other foot.
• Once you are airborne, swing your kicking leg beyond the other leg and toward the
ball.
• Make contact with the ball with your back parallel to the ground. You should
practice this in training before attempting it in a match.

HEADING
Heading the ball is counterintuitive for any young players learning the game, because they think it will
hurt. However, it is an essential skill to master because, on an average, the ball is in the air for 30 percent
of the match time.
TYPES OF HEADER -There are many different types of header—basic, flick, tactical, defensive, and
diving. You need to practice all of them so you know which one to use in a match situation.

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 I. Basic header- The basic header is used for passing and attempts on goal. It is made with the
forehead as this provides the most power and accuracy, and doesn’t hurt, unlike heading with
the top of your head. To get power on a header, bend your knees and arch your back as you
jump for the ball, turning yourself into the shape of a bow. Tilt your head back initially, then
bring it forward rapidly using your neck muscles.
• Get into position early and
watch the ball come onto your
head, keeping your eyes open
throughout.
• Without taking your eyes off
the ball, tense your neck
muscles to provide maximum
power.
• To head the ball downward at
the moment of impact, you
need to rise above the ball
when you jump.
II. Flick header-The flick header, a staple
tactic in professional games, is used on
crosses, free kicks, and corners to change
the direction of the ball and confuse the
opposition defenders. The flick header is
used to head the ball sideways or backward.
It is useful when a defender facing upfield
wants to head the ball back to his
goalkeeper; when a midfielder wants to
flick the ball back to a defender; or when a
forward wants to get the ball into the
penalty area from a near post cross or
corner without revealing his intentions.
• Arch your body forward when you make contact with the ball.
• Use your forehead if your neck is supple, otherwise, use the side of your head.
• The ball bounces off your head and continues on its new path.
III. Defensive header- The most important thing when making a defensive header is to get good
height and distance on the ball. It is usually safer to direct it away from the center of the field.
• You should get in position early, since you will probably be competing with an
attacker to get to the ball.
• Make contact with the bottom half of the ball using the very top part of your
forehead. Make sure you keep your neck braced.
• If you approach the ball from a sideways position, you stand less chance of clashing
with the attacker.
IV. Diving header- Use your whole body as a battering ram to strike the ball. This skill is usually
used only to attempt to score, since you face the risk of getting a kick in the face from a
defender. It is an option when the ball arrives in front of you at a height between your neck and
your knee.
• Keeping your eyes on the ball, launch yourself into the air with the foot nearest to
the goal.
• When you make contact with the ball, you should be parallel to the ground. Head
the ball with the top of your forehead.

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 • After heading the ball toward goal, put your arms in front to protect yourself as you
fall to the ground.

THROW-INS AND CORNERS

Statistically, corners and throw-ins are the most commonly awarded set pieces. A team is likely to make
several of each during the course of a game. These can often lead to scoring opportunities—about a
third of all goals are scored from set pieces—so coaches ensure players practice them extensively on
the training ground.
THROW-INS- Throw-ins are used to restart play from the sideline. They can be taken either short or
long. You need to be alert to the movements of your teammates and have a good aim when you throw.
Throwing onto the field can be risky—if the opponents win possession they may quickly
counterattack—so most throws are aimed upfield along the sideline, out of harm’s way. The exception
is the long throw aimed directly into the penalty area. This can be more potent than a corner as the
thrown ball is delivered more accurately.

I. Taking a throw-in-Throw-ins awarded in a team’s own half are usually taken as a means of
getting the ball back in play. But those taken near the opposition’s penalty area can be as
effective as a free-kick. There are three basic rules for taking throw-ins: you are permitted a
run-up; you have to throw the ball from behind your head with both hands; and you must keep
both your feet on the ground at the moment of release.
• Hold the ball fully behind your head with both your hands. You are permitted to
make a short run-up.
• Bring your arms over your head and whip your body forward as you release the
ball. This generates the power for the throw.
CORNER-KICKS -As with free-kicks, there are several options open to a player taking a corner. Aside
from the inswinging and outswinging corners, there are five key variations.
Five corner styles -A corner represents a good opportunity to score a goal, so teams always work on
these set piece routines. The following corner techniques are all practiced during training sessions:
penalty spot, near post, far post, long, and short.

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 I. Taking a corner -The rules of taking a corner are simple: you are allowed to place the ball
anywhere within the segment (the quarter circle between the goal line and the sideline) and you
are not permitted to remove the corner flag. For more detailed techniques on taking a corner,
see “Passing” and “Free-kicks”.
•Place the ball anywhere in the segment, and take a step back. Pick a target (a teammate
in the penalty area) and take a short run-up.
•Connect with the bottom of the ball on the right- or left-hand side, depending on the
intended curve, if any, and follow through.

FREE-KICKS
All free-kicks are awarded against the team that has committed some infringement. There are various
options open to you when you take the free-kick. You can strike the ball directly at the goal with force,
or you can chip, curve, or pass to a teammate. Anything, in fact, that catches the opposing team
unawares.
TYPES OF FREE-KICK
-There are two types of
free-kick—direct and
indirect. Many direct free-
kicks that are taken from
the edge of the opposition
penalty area represent
good goalscoring
opportunities, while most
indirect free-kicks (except
those taken from inside the
penalty area) are little
more than a means of
restarting play.
I. Direct free-KICK
A direct free-kick
is awarded against
a team for
committing a
penalty foul, such
as kicking a player
instead of the ball,
pushing, tripping,
and similar
infringements. If the referee deems the foul to be too malicious or dangerous, he will issue a
yellow or red card. Direct free-kicks can be struck directly into the goal without the need for
another teammate to touch the ball. The most punitive direct free-kick a team can face is a kick
from the penalty spot.
II. Indirect free-kick-An indirect free-kick is awarded against a team for committing a foul other
than a penalty foul (for example, dangerous play) or for infringing certain technical
requirements of the laws (for example, offside). An indirect free-kick requires the ball to be
touched by more than one player on the same team before it can enter the goal.

THE CURVING FREE-KICK

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If the free-kick is awarded close to the goal, the defending team will build a defensive wall. When
taking the free-kick, if you give the ball enough curve, it will bend around the wall and also make it
difficult for the keeper to judge its flight. The principles of getting the ball to curve are the same whether
the kick is taken from a dead ball situation or on the move.

PENALTIES
Penalties are awarded for fouls committed in the penalty area, such as tripping and pushing. They are
taken from the penalty spot, which is located directly between the goalposts, 12yd (11m) from the goal
line. Scoring from penalties requires composure and skillful ball placement, saving penalties requires
agility and anticipation. Goalkeepers are rarely expected to save penalties.
PENALTY SHOOTOUTS -Draws are acceptable in some matches (almost all league games), but not
in matches where a winner has to be found in order for a tournament to progress or reach a conclusion
(cup ties, cup finals, and play-offs). Penalty shootouts are a way of forcing a result when the scores are
level at the end of such a game, usually after a period of extra-time.
PENALTY RULES -The penalty is not just a battle of wits between the taker and the keeper, there are
various rules and restrictions to be adhered to for other players, too.
TYPES OF PENALTY -You have three options when taking a spot kick: attempt to pass the ball into
the net, try a cheeky chip, or strike the ball firmly. A penalty struck firmly into the bottom or top corner
will register a goal but there is little margin for error; you cannot kick the ball wide.
I. Penalty pass -When you place a penalty, you effectively pass the ball into the net. This provides
accuracy and is a good option if the keeper has dived early.
II. Penalty chip-This is the most audacious kind of penalty, but extremely risky. You have to rely
on the goalkeeper diving before you make the strike.
III. Power shot -You sacrifice accuracy for speed with this option and stand a good chance of
success if you don’t blast the ball wide or high.

GOALKEEPING
Goalkeeping is so different from other soccer roles that it almost seems to belong to another sport.
All players need agility, bravery, a strong physical presence, and good distribution and
decisionmaking abilities, but goalkeepers have to have these characteristics in abundance. The three
fundamentals that an aspiring goalkeeper needs to master are: stance (being “athletically primed”);
body positioning (being aware of angles of attack and your position in relation to the goal); and
shot-stopping.
STANCE-You have to be continually alert to the possibility of a shot, leaning slightly forward so
that your weight is on your toes rather than your heels. This places you in the optimum position to
dive quickly or run toward an attacker if the situation demands it.
BODY POSITIONING-You should always know where you and the ball are relative to the goal.
To avoid turning around to check, construct a mental image of the goal area. Imagine a capital “T”
with the shaft running through the penalty spot and the cross stroke stretching between the posts.
SHOT-STOPPING-The key task for any goalkeeper is knowing how to catch or stop the ball.
There are two differing techniques for this depending on whether the ball is traveling along the
ground or in the air—the “W” and the “M.” Whenever possible, you should attempt to use both
your hands when gathering the ball or making a save. Two hands together are stronger and cover
more area than one.

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 ❖ THE “W”- The basic hand position when dealing with a shot close to the body and above
the waist forms the letter “W” with the thumbs touching and the fingers pointing upward—
a good position to catch the ball.
❖ THE “M”- When dealing with a ball that reaches you below waist height and close to the
body, you should form a downward pointing “M” with your hands, with the four fingers in
the middle squeezed together and the thumbs pointing out.
I. Narrowing the angle-As a goalkeeper, the nearer you are to an attacker running toward you
with the ball, the less chance he has of seeing the goal clearly. This method is known as
“narrowing the angle.” When an attacker is running toward the goal with the ball or charging
onto a through pass, you need to decide instantly whether to stay back or run forward. You
don’t want to be caught in no man’s land, where you have run away from the goal but are still
not close enough to the ball to prevent or block a shot.
•STAY BACK The attacking player has a large area of the goal in which to aim when
you stay back.

•MOVE FORWARD By maintaining height and keeping your arms outstretched you
present a large obstacle.
II. Grounding -When you catch a ball but have no chance of staying on your feet, you need to
ground the ball as soon as possible to bring it under control and keep from spilling it into the
path of incoming attackers.
•Dive with your hands in the “W” position, watching the ball closely as it approaches.
•As you hit the ground, land on one knee with the other leg outstretched. Catch the ball
slightly above its center.
•Bring the ball firmly down to the ground, holding it tightly, with the hands still in the
“W” position.
III. Diving save -The diving save is the most spectacular in a goalkeeper’s repertoire. The keys to
achieving this successfully are quick reactions, good footwork, and getting into position early.
•Bend the leg closest to the ball and watch its flight. Spring to the side with one arm
outstretched and the wrist held firm.
•Push the ball away from the goal to prevent attackers from capitalizing on a rebound,
then brace yourself for landing.

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GOALKEEPER’S ROLES- Being a good goalkeeper isn’t all about eye-catching saves and a strong
physical presence. As a keeper, you have a duty to start attacks by distributing the ball well and being
the unofficial captain of the team’s defense.

➢ Distribution distances You need to tailor your distribution method to the player you are trying
to reach. Often your target will be on the other side of the halfway line, which will usually
necessitate a long punt or a half-volley.
Distribution-If you catch or pick up the ball while keeping, you have exactly six
seconds to put the ball down again and restart play, otherwise you can be penalized.
Your goal should be to launch a speedy counterattack, so look up quickly to find a free
teammate. There are four methods you can use to start a new attack, each with its own
merits.
• THE PUNT Drop the ball from your hands and volley it. It is possible to cover
long distances with this technique.
• THE HALF-VOLLEY This is similar to the punt, but here you let the ball hit
the ground a fraction of a second before making contact.
• THE OVERARM THROW Grip the ball tightly, then move your throwing arm
around in an arc over your shoulder to launch the ball upfield. T
• HE ROLL OUT Rolling the ball out is a good option over short to medium
distances and is extremely accurate.
➢ Catch or punch?-While goalkeeping, you have to decide whether to deal with high balls
played into the penalty area by catching them, punching them, or staying on your goal line. You
should only do the latter if you believe you stand a poor chance of getting to the ball first.
• CATCHING THE BALL Your best option is to catch the ball, since this will
end the attack. However, you have to reach the ball unimpeded.
• PUNCHING THE BALL The next best option is to punch the ball. Try to use
both your arms although you may be able to get only one to the ball.
➢ Dealing with crosses- The task of catching a cross or corner is ostensibly a simple one —
follow the flight of the ball clearly and time the jump. Complications arise, however, with the
number of players in the penalty area. You must shout loudly to indicate your intentions to the
defenders. Also, you must be strong enough to compete with the opposition’s attackers.
• DEFENDING A CROSS The secret of defending a cross is all about
organization. Defenders need to pick up the players they are supposed to be
marking and you need to be authoritative as a keeper.
➢ Marshaling the defense- Being a goalkeeper, you are the only player able to see the whole
game in front of you. You are best placed to organize defenses for the general benefit of the
team.
• Under orders A quiet keeper is not doing his job properly. You should be
extremely vocal in warning your teammates when an opponent is unmarked,
and in announcing your intention to clear or catch a ball. You should bark
orders at your defense when setting up defensive walls, as you alone know
where they should stand to give you the best chance of saving a shot.

TACKLING

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Tackling is hugely important—it’s the principal means of wresting possession from the opposition. It
is a skill that every member of a team, including forwards, needs to be prepared to use, coining the
phrase “defending from the front.”
TYPES OF TACKLE -There are several kinds of tackle, each requiring different techniques, but two
principles apply to them all. The first is timing: as a good tackler, you should know exactly when to
attempt to win the ball. You are likely to miss the ball altogether if you lunge in prematurely. The second
is safety, not only in terms of avoiding injury but also in making sure that a clumsy tackle doesn’t lead
to a free-kick.
I. Poke tackle- Stay on your feet and poke or prod the ball away from your opponent into the
path of a teammate. It is best used when the ball has bounced up between knee and waist height.
• Get yourself as close as possible to your opponent before making the tackle
and wait for the ball to come into view.
• Time yourself carefully and flick your foot out and through your opponent’s
legs to poke the ball away.
II. Block tackle-The block tackle is made when a defending player meets an attacker head on.
Both players use the inside of their tackling foot, forceably making contact with the ball. Both
players stay on their feet. The block tackle is used more often than any other kind of tackle.
• Before you make your challenge, “jockey” your opponent. This involves
standing in front of the opponent and denying him room.
• When the opponent draws his leg back to kick the ball, bring your tackling
foot toward the ball.
• Once the tackle is engaged, you still have to work hard to control the ball and
win possession.
III. Slide tackle-Both dramatic and emphatic, you should use this technique only when there are
no alternatives. This is because you will always end up on the ground and invariably out of the
game.
• Approaching from the side, make your tackle with the leg farthest forward.
Bend your other leg to allow yourself to slide in.
• Knock the ball away, ideally to a teammate. Get back on your feet as soon as
possible after making the tackle.
IV. The “hook” tackle-This is a variation of the slide tackle in which you “hook” your foot around
the ball. You begin behind the player in possession at an angle of about 45 degrees. Challenge
him, and hook your foot around the ball and steal possession. Then pass to a teammate.
V. Recovery tackle-Similar in many ways to the sliding tackle, the recovery tackle is not intended
to gain possession or set up a pass to a teammate. It’s usually made when an attacker has the
ball near the sideline and needs to be stopped from advancing. Your best option is to kick the
ball into touch.

FREESTYLE SKILLS
Freestyle soccer is essentially juggling with a ball in as creative a fashion as possible. As in the real
game, any part of the body can be used except the hands and the arms. Although most of the skills
associated with freestyle soccer are not directly relevant to match play, they are worth mastering as
they develop ball control and encourage creativity and improvisation.
THE MOVES- There are many different moves that an aspiring freestyler can learn and, as with
other freestyle sports (such as skateboarding), new tricks are constantly being invented. Tricks
usually fall into three main categories: juggling (keeping the ball airborne), flick-ups, and catches.

54
 I. Keepy-uppie-In the simplest form, you have to keep the ball from touching the ground for as
long as possible, usually with the feet and head. A fundamental skill, keepy-uppie is also known
as juggling.
II. Head stall- In this trick, you have to balance the ball on your forehead. Keep your eyes on the
ball while performing and make small neck and body adjustments to keep it in place.
III. The rainbow- In this trick, you have to flick the ball behind you and then back-heel it over
your head before bringing it under control at the front of your body. The flight of the ball forms
an arc over your head, hence the trick’s name.
• Place your weaker foot in front of the ball, touching the heel. Roll the ball a
short distance up the back of your ankle with your other foot.
• When the ball is just above your heel, hop forward, leading with your stronger
foot, and flick up the ball over your head with the weaker one.
• Concentration and skill is required to anticipate the path of the ball over your
head and onto your feet. Then start juggling.

IV. Around the world- In this trick, you have to kick the ball up in the air during a keepy-uppie
session and circle your kicking foot around it before it begins to drop. This must be done
smoothly enough to get your foot back in position to continue the juggling at the end of the
maneuver. The kicking foot can go around the ball either on the outside (away from the center
of your body) or on the inside.
• Start by juggling as normal, keeping the ball under close control, then begin the
trick by kicking the ball higher than usual.
• As the ball rises, circle your foot over the ball, then control it and continue
juggling as it drops.

STRATEGIES

DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES
Defenders, like all other players, need to master the basic skills of the game, such as passing and ball
control, but in some departments—notably tackling —they have to be considerably better than average.
Individual technical ability, though, is only part of the story. Defenders also need to address how they
are going to work together as a unit.
I. Defending as a unit -A good defense provides the foundation for every great team, and if a
defense wants to become impenetrable, it needs to become a coherent unit. That means working
together to regain possession of the ball, holding a tight defensive line, claiming responsibility
for marking attacking players, and disrupting the opposing side’s organization as much as
possible.
• Holding the line -Defenders form a line across the field exactly parallel to the goal
line, particularly when the opposition has possession of the ball. The line helps
increase the chances of catching opposing forwards offside, unless one of them
manages to cut through with a well-timed run. It also dictates how far upfield the
team as a whole plays. Midfielders should base themselves slightly ahead of the
defensive line. The same is true of forwards in relation to the midfielders.
II. Marking- Marking is about preventing the ball being passed easily among the opposing team.
Picking up an opponent, whether from set pieces or in open play, is one of the defender’s most

55
 important tasks. If several defenders decide to mark one opponent at the same time, they will
leave other opponents dangerously unmarked. There are two options to avoid this: zonal
marking and man-to-man marking.
• Zonal marking- Zonal marking was developed in the 1950s to deal with the
problem of playing against a team using withdrawn strikers. Here defenders are
responsible for specific areas of the field rather than particular opponents.
• Man-to-man marking- Man-to-man marking is simple: a defender is allocated an
opponent and has to stick to him no matter where he runs. The system’s advantage
is its clarity. The disadvantage is that it allows crafty attacking players to pull
defenders out of position.
III. Great defensive partnerships-Most formations pair two central defenders together at the back
and their partnership is one of the most important on the field. It helps if they are not too similar
in playing style (so they can offer more than one skill) and there are various theories about the
ideal combination.
• The perfect mix- One tried-and-tested formula is a ball-winner plus a ball-
player, with the former doing most of the tackling and the latter picking up
the ball and passing (such as Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro
Nesta). The most important ingredient is mutual understanding.

IV. Defending from the front- It’s not just defenders who need to defend. Forwards today are
expected to help out when their side does not have the ball. This puts pressure on the opposing
defenders, and on the goalkeeper when he receives a back pass. The purpose of this is to force
a defensive error and create goal-scoring opportunities.
• Condensing play- When the attacking team has possession of the ball, the
defending team can make life difficult for them by quickly filling the gaps
between players. Condensing the play in this way makes the field appear
smaller, denies the attacking team room in which to operate efficiently,
and increases the chances of forcing them to make a mistake. It is a major
weapon to use when trying to regain possession of the ball.
• Shielding- Shielding the ball involves a player positioning his body
between an opponent and the ball without actually obstructing the
opponent. It is a useful skill and one that can be used all over the field,
from a lone striker holding the ball up, to a defender shielding the ball
from an attacker to ensure that it goes out of play for a goal-kick or a
throw-in.
• Shepherding- Just as a shepherd uses a dog to control his flock without
touching them, a defender “shepherds” an attacker, trying to maneuver him
away from danger zones, without ever trying to take the ball away. This
tactic has two main purposes—to move attacking players away from the
goal and to force them to play the ball with their weaker foot.
• Doubling up- If an opponent becomes isolated, the defenders can
dispossess him by “doubling up”—putting two defenders on one attacker.
Defenders need to be careful: two defenders on one attacker means other
attackers are likely to be left unguarded.

ATTACKING STRATEGIES

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There are three main choices when it comes to attacking play. How many strikers do you employ? Do
you try to get into a scoring position via the sides of the field (“the flanks”) or through the middle? And
do you seek to get there through intricate or direct passing? The answers depend on the strength of your
team, the weaknesses of the opposition, and the way the game is unfolding.
I. Through the middle:the long-ball game- The long-ball game involves getting the ball from
the defenders to the forwards as quickly as possible. This entails passing the ball two-thirds of
the length of the field or more in the air, and for this reason the approach is also known as
“route-one soccer.”
• Ideal requirements- The long-ball game works best with a tall forward
(the “target man”), who is likely to win the long aerial balls, or with
wingers stationed near the sidelines. Teams use this strategy to get the ball
rapidly out of defense to minimize the risk of losing possession in a
dangerous area, and to get the ball up to the forwards before the defending
team has had a chance to organize its defense.
II. Intricate passing- Well-marshaled defenders can render the long-ball game ineffective by
packing the defense with extra players to leave attacking forwards hopelessly outnumbered.
When teams face such a defense, they have to rely on intricate passing to break through. It helps
if they have players who are skillful enough to pass the ball accurately and quickly in confined
spaces.
• Player movement- Static players are easy for defenders to mark.
Successful intricate passing depends on attackers moving around and the
player in possession of the ball anticipating his teammates’ movements.
The passer should also move into space as soon as he has played to provide
teammates with another passing option.
• Element of surprise- Tricks, such as back-heels, are invaluable in and
around the penalty area. They are impossible for defenders to anticipate
and can buy the attackers time and space. Ideally, all attackers will be alert
to their teammates’ tricks, but even if they aren’t, they may still find
themselves in a position to capitalize on them.
• Slide-rule passes- This pass is weighted so precisely that it reaches a
forward-running attacker the very moment he arrives in the desired
position. It is a vital tool for breaking even the most stubborn of defenses.
III. The one-two- The one-two is an excellent way to get past a defender who is standing between
the attacker (who has the ball) and the goal. It needs two attackers, one of them stationary and
one running with the ball. The running attacker passes to his stationary teammate, continues to
run forward past the defender, then receives the ball back from the stationary teammate. Also
known as the “wall pass,” the one-two is particularly effective around the edge of the penalty
area.
IV. Pressing-The pressing game involves never giving an opponent a moment’s rest when their
team has the ball, thereby pressurizing them into making an error. In the modern game, all
players are expected to press, including the forwards, who are expected to harry an opponent’s
goalkeeper and central defenders.
V. Probing-If a team is comfortable in possession, there is no need to rush into an all-out attack.
Instead, they can “probe” their opponents’ defense and frustrate them. The attacking team can
keep passing the ball between themselves until a clear shooting opportunity presents itself.
• Using the flanks- Instead of playing through the middle, teams use wide
players who have pace, dribbling skills, the ability to run past defenders,
and put in accurate crosses.

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 • Switching the attack -If one side of the field presents a better attacking
proposition, the team in possession can “switch the play,” and focus on the
less well-defended side.
• Stretching play- Just as teams condense play during defense, they stretch
the play in attack by increasing the distance between their players to create
space.
• Counterattacking- An instant switch from defense to attack, this strategy
can place huge pressure on an opponent’s defense. A few players must stay
upfield during an opposition attack.

SET PIECES
Set pieces are free-kicks, corners, and throw-ins. About 30 percent of goals are scored directly or
indirectly from set-piece situations, so they are extremely important for both the attacking and
defending side. Modern teams spend hours practicing, creating, and honing set-piece routines, from
both an attacking and defensive point of view.
I. Corners: the defending team -Although a defending team has no idea what kind of
corner an attacking side will deliver, it should always follow certain principles such
as adopting a marking strategy (be it zonal or man-to-man marking, see p.154) and
putting a man on the inside of each of the goal posts.
• Marking- Tactics vary depending on whether a team uses zonal or man-
to-man marking, but the basic principle is to stick to your man and stay
goal-side of him. If a defender lets the attacker get in front of him, the
latter will have a chance to direct a header on goal.
• Guarding the posts- The defending team should place one man on each
post. As the ball comes in, they need to position themselves on the goal
line, just inside the post they are guarding. If they do this, they will be
ready to clear any goal attempts heading for the inside of their posts.
II. Corners: the attacking team- A corner provides an attacking team with a fantastic
opportunity to create a goal-scoring chance. Numerous moves have been devised over
the years—some more innovative than others—all of which fall into one of the three
categories: a short corner, a near-post corner, or a far-post corner.
• Short corners- Unlike a standard corner, no attempt is made to cross the
ball directly into the penalty area; instead the corner-taker makes a short
pass to a teammate, moves into an onside position, receives the ball back,
and only then delivers his cross. The goal is to confuse the defenders’
plans.
• Near-post corners -A near-post corner is played to the goal post nearest
the taker. It eliminates the goalkeeper, since the ball does not reach him.
An attacking player is stationed on the near post who heads the ball,
hoping an incoming teammate will pick it up and score.
• Far-post corners A far-post corner is played to the goal post that is
farthest away from the taker. The goal is to bypass the goalkeeper. The
ball is struck with pace and the plan is for a teammate to escape his
marker, meet the ball, and score.
III. Free-kicks: the defending team-Because free-kicks provide an opponent with an
ideal opportunity to shoot on goal, it is vital that defenses are organized to deal with
the impending threat. Every defender needs to be on his guard. Marking (zonal or

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 man-to-man) needs to be tight, and then a wall needs to be created that directly blocks
the route to goal.
• Defensive walls- To defend a free-kick, the goalkeeper sets up the defensive
wall. He may have only one member or as many as five. The goalkeeper
needs to ensure that one side of the goal is covered, allowing him to
concentrate on the other side.
• Anticipating free-kicks- Defenders need to be alert to quickly taken free-
kicks or ones delivered to an unmarked opponent. If the free-kick is indirect,
a player should be nominated to close the ball down as soon as it has been
touched by an opponent.
IV. Free-kicks: the attacking team- Some free-kicks awarded in advanced positions
invite crosses, in which case—because the ball is crossed into the box—the tactics for
both sides are similar to those in the corners section (see pp.108–09). Others provide
opportunities for a direct shot on goal.
• Rehearsed free-kicks- Rehearsed free-kicks range from simple taps to the
side to complex passing routines. All have the same intention: to catch an
opponent unawares. Argentina showcased a perfectly executed free-kick
against England at the 1998 World Cup (see below). In a move honed on the
training ground, Gabriel Batistuta made a dummy run, Javier Zanetti peeled
into space from behind the defensive wall, was found by Juan Sebastian
Veron, shot, and scored.

THE OFFICIALS
In professional matches, the game is controlled by four officials: the referee, two assistant referees,
and the fourth official. The referee has full authority and, aided by the other officials, is tasked with
enforcing the 17 Laws of the Game.
THE REFEREE’S HAND SIGNALS
Referees use various hand signals to indicate decisions to players. They also blow a whistle to stop
play before making the signal. A short, quick whistle indicates a less serious offense, while more
serious fouls elicit harder blasts.
❖ YELLOW CARD- A yellow card is held up, above the head, to the player being cautioned.
❖ RED CARD- A red card is held up, above the head, to the player being sent off.
❖ DIRECT FREE-KICK- The referee blows the whistle and points in the direction of the kick.

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 ❖ INDIRECT FREE-KICK- A hand is held up until the taker and a teammate have touched the
ball.

❖ ADVANTAGE- The referee extends both arms to indicate that play can continue.
❖ PENALTY-KICK- The referee points to the appropriate penalty mark.
❖ GOAL-KICK- The referee points toward the appropriate part of the goal area.
❖ CORNER-KICK- The referee points toward the appropriate corner arc.
REFEREEING SYSTEMS
Early matches were played without the referee on the field, but from the late 1890s it became clear
that a coordinated and mobile approach to refereeing was needed. Several systems of patrolling the
field have since been developed.
❖ LINEAR SYSTEM- The referee patrols one side of the field, while one or two assistants
cover the opposite sideline. However, the referee may obstruct wing play.
❖ DIAGONAL SYSTEM- The referee patrols a diagonal area between two opposing corner
flags, while the assistant referees stand on opposite sides.
❖ ZIGZAG-PATH SYSTEM- If the referee officiates alone, he may move in a steady zigzag
path in a line between the two penalty arcs, changing positions for corners and penalty kicks.
ASSISTANT REFEREE
The assistant referee helps the referee to officiate a match. In professional games, two assistants patrol
each sideline. They each take responsibility for one half of the field, diagonally opposing each other.
They officiate in situations in which the referee is not in a position to make the best decision.
Although crucial, their role is purely advisory.
❖ THE ROLE OF ASSISTANTS- The more senior of the two assistants usually oversees the
side of the field that contains the technical areas, so that he can help supervise substitutions.
Typical duties for assistants include signaling for offside and determining which team should
be awarded a throw-in.

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 ❖ ASSISTANT REFEREE’S DUTIES- The assistant referee assists with refereeing decisions.
His or her duties include:

• Signaling for out of play- The assistant referee signals when the ball leaves
the field of play.

• Signaling for restarts- The assistant indicates which side is entitled to a goal-
kick, corner-kick, or throw-in.

• Signaling for offside- The assistant referee signals when a player is in an

offside position.

• Signaling for substitutions- He or she signals when a substitution has been

requested.

• Signaling for misconduct- The assistant signals when misconduct occurs out
of the referee’s field of vision.

• Monitoring the goalkeeper- He or she monitors the goalkeeper during

penaltykicks, signaling if he moves off his line before the kick.
FLAG SIGNALS
The flag is the assistant’s most important piece of equipment, as flag signals are the standard form of
communication with a referee (although a buzzer system is sometimes also used). The distinctive red
and yellow checkered design of the flag has been proven to be the most eye-catching color
combination over a long distance. The following signals are most commonly used during a match.
❖ OFFSIDE- The flag is held above the head to signal for an offside offense.

❖ NO OFFENSE- The assistant referee shows a lowered palm to indicate that no offense has
been committed.
❖ CALLING TIME- A clenched fist on the chest means 45 minutes have elapsed in the half.
❖ THROW-IN- A flag is held out to one side, pointing in the direction of play of the team
awarded the throw.

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 ❖ SUBSTITUTION- A flag is held above the head with both hands to indicate a substitution.
❖ OFFSIDE POSITION- A high flag is for far offside, a horizontal flag for middle, and a low
flag for near offside.
OTHER SIGNALS
In addition to using flag signals and a buzzer system, assistant referees employ a variety of other
forms of communication. Discrete hand signals, for example, indicate that a close ball has not gone
out of play or that no offense has been committed. In return, the referee can use hand signals to inform
an assistant the direction in which a throw-in should be taken if he or she is unsure.
❖ CALLING TIME- A clenched fist on the chest means 45 minutes have elapsed in the half.

❖ NO OFFENSE- The assistant referee shows a lowered palm to indicate that no offense has
been committed.
The fourth official assists the referee with administrative duties before and after the game, helps with
assessing players’ equipment, and may be called on to replace another match official (see below). He
also sets and holds up electronic display boards, acts as another pair of eyes for the referee, and keeps
an extra set of records.
❖ THE FOURTH OFFICIAL AS SUBSTITUTE- The fourth official may replace the assistant
referee or the referee. If an assistant is injured, for example, the fourth official replaces him
automatically. If a referee cannot continue, the fourth official may replace him directly, or an
assistant may replace the referee, with the fourth official taking the assistant’s position.
❖ FOURTH OFFICIAL’S DUTIES- The fourth official has the following duties:

• Assisting with record keeping- The fourth official keeps a duplicate set of records.

• Checking players’ equipment- He helps the referee check that the players’ equipment
meets the requirements set out in the rules.

• Overseeing substitutions- He ensures that substitutions are conducted in an orderly

manner.

• Displaying information- He uses numbered boards or electronic displays to inform

the referee of any substitution, and to show the amount of time added at the end of
each half.

• Maintaining control- He maintains control in the teams’ technical areas, intervening

when coaches, bench personnel, or substitutes become argumentative.

• Acting as an intermediary- He is the contact point between the match officials and
non-participants, such as stadium managers, broadcast crews, and ball retrievers.
OFFICIALS’ EQUIPMENT

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The referee and the assistant referees
make use of several different pieces of
equipment. These are all designed to help
the referee enforce the Laws of the Game
effectively.
❖ EARPIECE AND RADIO SET-
In all top-flight matches, referees
and their assistants communicate
by using a small radio set.
❖ ASSISTANT’S FLAGS- Flags
are used by the assistant referees
to signal to the referee.
❖ TIMEPIECE The referee must
have at least one timepiece—such as a wrist watch and a stopwatch.
❖ CARDS AND NOTEBOOK- The referee may decide to penalize players by issuing yellow or
red cards. Incidents are recorded in a notebook.
❖ WHISTLE- The referee blows his whistle to start play, stop or delay play due to a foul or
injury, and to end each half.
❖ PRESSURE GAUGE- A pressure gauge is used by the referees to check that the ball has
been correctly inflated.

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THANK
YOU

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