Every now and then it’s good to get into something new. Staying in the same old routine can become dull and repetitive. This can apply to any aspect of your life, but for now, let’s focus on sport as entertainment. So, you’ve probably spent years rooting for a local team from the NBA, or a player in the American Football Association. Turning up to matches, watching games on the TV and maybe even trying the sports out yourself. But where should you turn when you want to experience something new? An alternative spectator sport? Well, why not look over the pond and get to know English soccer. Chances are the extent of your soccer knowledge rests with the World Cup. While this is a good introduction to the game, the matches on a world stage can vary a little from everyday face offs. So, let’s get back to basics. Here’s everything you need to know about English soccer. From the basic rules to what team to support.
The Game
First things first, while the game is known as soccer in America, it is referred to as “football” by the British, so when getting into the game, make sure you are aware that some may refer to football matches, footballs, football players and football teams. A football match consists of two rival teams and the aim of the game is to score the most goals by the end of the ninety-minute match. The game is played in two halves of 45 minutes each, in the middle there is a fifteen-minute break referred to as “half time”. Each team will have eleven players (ten outfield players and one goalkeeper). To score points the ball must be kicked into the opponent’s goal. The whole ball needs to be over the line of the goal’s mouth and can be scored with any part of the body other than the hand or arm up to the shoulder. The ball is to be passed up and down the pitch by kicking the ball from one player to another (passing) or “dribbling”. The whole match will be overseen by a referee, who can issue players with yellow or red cards if they act inappropriately. A yellow card is essentially a warning and a red card results in a player’s removal from the game.
Leagues
England has a football league system, which consists of a series of interconnected leagues of football clubs. Its format is hierarchical, with clubs being able to progress up a league (experiencing a promotion) or fall down a league (experiencing a relegation). There are, on average, fifteen clubs in each division. The top division is the English Premier League. Current teams in the Premier League include world famous clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspurs. You will find most people supporting Premier League Teams and taking their chances on sites like Unibet whilst rooting for them to win. Below the Premier League is the English Football League, which is divided into three sections: the Championship, League One, and League Two. In theory, any club can rise to the top or fall to the bottom depending on their performance.
So, now you know the basic concept of the game and how the system works, it’s time to choose a team to support and start tuning into matches. You’ll soon become used to the rules, key names in the game and particularly impressive techniques.
