Association football, otherwise called simply football league, is an international team sport generally played between two teams of eleven players each. It is played professionally by about 250 million people in more than 200 different countries and dependencies, which make it the most popular sport worldwide. The game is divided into three divisions – North, Central and South. Each division features a number of international teams, as well as domestic amateur teams.
The object of football is for the team on offense to score more points than the other team in the span of a short period of time. The match is completed when the two teams have scored more points than the other team. In this way, the winning team becomes the “world champion”. To win the championship, the two teams have to play an endless series of matches, the first against the other from their region, then the other teams from all over the globe, and finally the winners are selected.
The game of football can be played either via a ball or by using something else as a substitute. The former method is easier to learn and play with, but it is also the oldest; the latter requires more practice and skills. A ball is passed by two teams in the center of the field, the opposite team receiving the ball from the goalkeeper. If the ball is intercepted by the defending team, the defenders can take possession of the ball and use it in any way they see fit. However, the opposing team may only take the ball from the center, not the side or back.
The main concept behind the play of football is for the two teams to connect on every play. The two teams need to be in sync, attacking and defending simultaneously. Unlike basketball, a football match has more than one play. The offensive and defensive lines must form a line and form a rigid formation to prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal. Two offensive and three defensive players can play on each team, with one player in reserve to replace anyone out for injury or any reason.
The referee will usually give the green light for kick off, but depending on the laws of the game, he may allow the use of a red card before the ball is kicked off. After the ball is kicked, the opposing teams have three minutes to score a goal or to equal the goal line. If the score is more than midway through the 90-minute period, another penalty foul will be given to the team that just scored, forcing them to play a further two minutes. Another penalty will be given if the teams are playing in two different venues, with the exception of home and away games.
A penalty kick will result in the sending of the ball into the penalty area, where the clock is stopped and play re-opened. The referee will then signal for a corner kick. Depending on the location of the special teams goal, either the ball is automatically sent to their end zone or the defenders must try to clear it from there. The last penalty is when the ball is touched by an opponent and the play results in a foul. These are the main points of the game, and I hope I have explained it in a simple way.