So How Does Soccer Work?

There are some major differences that make soccer a little bit different than any other major sport, so I'll cover them as simply as possible.

How long is a game?

90 minutes, played in two 45 minute halves.  Interestingly, the clock counts up instead of down to zero like most sports.  Another interesting thing is that the clock never stops running, except at half time, no matter if there's an injury or the ball goes out of bounds.  For this reason, the referee can add a few extra minutes at the end of each half, to roughly make up for the time lost for injuries or the ball being out of play.  This is called "stoppage time."

How many players?

Each team can have 11 players on the field.  Also, each team is allowed 3 substitutions.  Once a team has used all three subs, they are stuck with those players for the rest of the game even if someone has to leave the field after the last sub is made.

What are these "cards?"

There are essentially three levels of discipline the referee can use during a game: a foul, a yellow card, or a red card.  A foul simply stops the play and gives the ball to the opposite team.  A yellow card can be given on a more physical foul, so a player must play the rest of the game "on a yellow card."  A red card is the worst offense, which can be given for either a very serious incident, or for receiving two yellow cards in one game.  A red card means that the player is kicked out of the game, and he cannot be replaced for that game, and that player is also ineligible for the team's next game as well.  In an even more serious incident, a player can be banned for even longer depending on how violent the foul was.


I'll follow up with more tactical and specific information in the near future, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!