The world's most popular sport, football also may be the world's simplest game. But while the laws of the game are easy to understand, the interpretation of these rules often has been the cause of fervent debate among the sport's enthusiastic fans.
Each goal is worth 1 point and is scored by kicking, dribbling or heading the ball across the opponent's goal line between the goal posts. Each match consists of two 45-minute halves. Once teams reach the quarterfinal round for men or semifinal round for women, an additional 30 minutes of sudden-death overtime, or extra time, is played in games tied at the end of regulation play. In extra time, the first team to score wins the match. If the score remains tied at the end of extra time, the teams compete in a five-kick, penalty shoot-out.
Goalkeeper The only player allowed to touch the ball with his or her hands when the ball is in play. Dressed in a contrasting uniform to distinguish him or her from the rest of the players, the goalkeeper may catch, punch or tip the ball while protecting the 192-square-foot area in front of the goal.
Defenders The four or five players expected to stop opposing players from taking open shots at the goal. One player may be assigned as a sweeper or "libero," roving behind the other defenders as the final line of defense before the goalkeeper.
Midfielders Players working primarily as playmakers, setting up scoring opportunities for the forwards. They also must react quickly on defense as the first line in slowing an opponent's attack.
Forwards Generally the team's premier goalscorers, the forwards are responsible for putting the ball into net.
Advantage Rule At the referee's discretion, an infraction may not be called if the team that was fouled maintains possession of the ball. For example, the referee might allow play to continue or "play on" if stopping play due to a foul would benefit the defending team by halting the attack.
Corner Kick A free kick awarded to the offensive team after an opponent knocks the ball out of play over its own goal line. The corner kick is taken by the attacking team from the corner area of the goal line marked by the small quarter circles. A corner kick may result directly in a goal, but look for teams to run a variety of well-designed set plays in an attempt to score.
Direct Free Kick A free kick awarded to a fouled team for infractions such as tripping, holding or playing the ball with the hands or arms. A direct kick may result directly in a goal.
Extra time: The international football equivalent to "overtime". In second-round matches that must produce a winning team to advance in the tournament, 30 minutes of extra time is played in matches that are tied or "level" at the end of regulation time.
Fouls: Infractions such as tripping, kicking, holding, touching the ball with the hands and unsportsmanlike conduct are considered fouls and result in a free kick for the opposing team.
Goal: To score a goal, the ball must pass completely over the goal line between the posts.
Goal Kick: A free kick awarded to the defensive team after the attacking team knocks the ball out of play over the goal line.
Golden Goal: In international football's version of "sudden-death" overtime, the team that scores the first or "golden" goal in extra time is declared the winner.
Indirect free kick: A free kick awarded to a fouled team for infractions such as dangerous play, charging without the ball and obstructing an opponent while not attempting to play the ball. The kicked ball must touch another player before scoring a goal.
Injury Time: The official time of the match is kept on the field, and the referee may add time at the end of either half to allow for time lost due to injury or other stoppages in play.
Mark: To closely defend an opposing player.
Offsides: An infraction occurring if there are fewer than two opponents (including the goalkeeper) between an attacking player and the opposing goal at the time a ball is passed to him or her.
Pitch: The field of play.
Penalty Kick: A dramatic one-on-one confrontation between the attacker and the goalkeeper, penalty kicks are awarded for direct fouls committed inside the penalty area. The shot is taken from the spot about 11 meters (12 yards) in front of the goal, and the goalkeeper may not move until the ball is kicked. In matches requiring a winning team to advance, penalty kick shoot-outs are used to determine the winner if the match remains tied at the end of extra time. Each side selects five players to a take alternating penalty kicks in an attempt to decide the outcome.
Red Card: The referee may eject or "send off" a player from a match by showing that player the red card. Flagrant fouls, persistent misconduct or abusive language may result in a red card. Red Carded players may not return to the game or receive a substitution.
Wall: A human wall of defenders lined up to prevent a direct kick from scoring.
Yellow Card: The referee will show a yellow card to a player as a caution for unsporting conducd. If a player recieves two yellow cards in a match, he or she will be expelled from the match and the team will continue to play "a man down."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for
the Olympic Games Sports Publication Department. Written by Howard
Thomas.
| The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July). |