THE PRESENTATION
This is what a typical football field looks like in terms of layout. The field is divided into three sections: a centre circle, two penalty boxes at either end, and a goal. Each penalty box contains a penalty spot as well as what is known as a 6-yard box. Not all pitches are the same size, but the length of the pitch must be between 90m and 120m, and the width must be between 45m and 90m. The width of the pitch must be between 45m and 90m. The penalty box measures approximately 16m by 40m, with a radius of approximately 9m around the centre circle. Located at either end of the field, there are a pair of goalposts, with the penalty spot located 11 metres (12 yards) directly in front of them.
THE PARTICIPANTS
The field is populated by 11 players on each team, though both teams have substitutes on hand to cover for any injuries. There is no mandatory formation for players on the field, but you will typically see something along the lines of a 4-4-2, which denotes four defenders, four midfielders, and two strikers on the field.
A typical line-up is depicted in the diagram below. Despite the fact that a team may choose to use this formation, players are free to move around the field. It is not uncommon to see the wingers switch sides in order to unsettle the defence on occasion.
There are some common positions that are not depicted in the illustration below.
CDM is an abbreviation for Center Defensive Midfield. These players play in the midfield, but they are defensively minded, so they must always be on the lookout for opportunities to sit back a little more when the ball is played forward. These players are usually excellent playmakers, but they are also excellent tacklers.
CAM stands for Center Attacking Midfield. In a similar vein, these players play in central midfield but are more aggressive in their approach to the game, making them excellent when taking shots on goal.
Right and left wing backs are referred to as RWB and LWB, respectively. These are defenders who enjoy sprinting up the wing to get involved in the action on the field. They are still defenders, however, and must return to their positions as quickly as possible if a counter-attack is launched.
Right and Left Wings are referred to as RW and LW, respectively. However, these players play out wide on the wing, usually as part of a 4-3-3 formation. This allows them to run up the wing before cutting inside or crossing the ball to the striker waiting in the middle, which is a legitimate attacking position.
The centre forward is referred to as the CF. This position is virtually identical to that of a striker, with the exception that he plays slightly more forwards towards the goal and does not have a specific area of the field in which he must remain.
THE PRINCIPLES OF APPLICATION
When playing soccer, the objective is to score more goals than your opponent, which is accomplished by kicking the ball into their goal while simultaneously defending your own. A player may pass the ball to any other player on the field, and, unlike in some sports, he or she is permitted to run with the ball in his or her possession. When it comes to passing, there are only a few rules that must be followed. The first is the offside rule, which we will discuss in greater detail later. The next one is when the ball is returned to the goalkeeper. If you pass the ball to your goalkeeper with your feet, he must also use his feet to play the ball back to you. In the event that you head the ball back to him, he is permitted to pick it up.