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The World's Game. Soccer is one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world. In the United States, the sport is called soccer. In most other places, it's known as football. The Basics. In soccer, two teams play with a round ball on a large field. Each team tries to put the ball into the other team's goal. Goalies. A player called a goalkeeper, or goalie, guards each team's goal. Goalies are the only players who can touch the ball with their arms and hands on the field. Moving the Ball. The other players move the ball around the field by kicking it. They can also "trap" the ball by stopping it with their feet, knees, or chests. They can even "head" a ball in the air using their heads! Players run with the ball by dribbling it. They kick the ball to themselves with short, quick taps. Offense and Defense. Whenever a team has the ball and is trying to score, they are on offense. The team playing defense tries to keep the offense from scoring. They also try to take the ball away from the other team. Each team plays offense and defense many times during a match. Fouls. The referees make sure the players follow the rules. Players are not allowed to push, hold, or trip members of the other team. A referee can call a foul if a player breaks a rule. The referee can give the other team a free kick or a penalty kick. Equipment. Players often wear cleats on their feet so they can run on the grass without slipping. Players also wear shin guards to protect their legs. Out-of-Bounds. If a ball goes out-of-bounds, a player throws it back into play. The player uses a special throw that starts with both hands behind the head. Scoring and Winning. A team gets one point for each goal it scores. At the end of the game, the team with the most goals wins. If the game ends in a tie, the teams may keep playing until someone scores. They may also take turns doing penalty kicks to decide the winner. Soccer Is Good for You. Soccer is great exercise and lots of fun to play! Players learn how to work together and be good sports. | Quizalize