How Football Evolved
Association football, also called simply football, is a well-known game played between two teams of eleven players each. It is regularly played throughout the world by about 250 million players, making it the most popular recreational sport in the world. The name “football” was derived from the German word “fahnt”, which means “the forward”. The game of football can be played on a rectangular field with four corners and three lines. The object of the game is to score more points (“yards”) than the opponent. Points are scored when a player carries the ball forward and then returns it, touches another player, runs across the field without being touched and scores a point.
Considered one of the greatest sports in the world, football has been the leading sports competition for many years. In its early days, football was primarily played between two groups of people in a stadium, but overtime and special rules were added to make the game more competitive. Currently, there are professional football leagues in thirty-two countries and dependencies.
Association football is played between teams of eleven players. The sport is similar to baseball in that each team plays every other team once; however, there are significant differences. Unlike baseball, in which a team plays every other team twice, in association football each team plays only one opponent twice. The object of the game is to form the winning team by scoring more points (“points”) than the opposition.
As a part of the game, there are two distinct phases: normal play and stoppage time. During normal play, players on both sides take turns attempting to kick the ball through the goal frame. When a team scores, the opposing team gets a point. When the game is suspended for “referee” reasons, the players stop playing and place their clothes on the ground before they resume play.
Rugby is another popular and unique football sport that is commonly played throughout the American South and Midwestern regions. It is a rough game where players attempt to tackle each other using their feet, as well as their hands and legs. A penalty is given when a player is tagged by an opponent; thus, rugby rules state that a penalty will be paid if a player deliberately tries to hurt another player with his/her foot. Touching an opponent without his permission is also a foul, and results in a penalty.
As you can see, there are a wide variety of sports that can be played during the year in America. Football evolved from simpler pastimes during the pre-professional era of the sport when players would play neighborhood games at night in backyards or play in local Sunday schools. Today’s professional football players earn six or seven-figure salaries and play in the Super Bowl, so it’s not just for kids anymore. To play football professionally, you must first become a professional athlete, which is currently being taught in the United States through the NCAA. If you want to learn more about American football, you can visit a number of websites and get additional information on how the game is played and who are playing it.