What is soccer?
Soccer, also known as football or association football, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players each who primarily use their feet to propel a ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team by moving the ball beyond the goal line into a rectangular-framed goal defended by the opposing team. ²³
How much does a soccer ball weigh?
The weight of a soccer ball (for adults) typically ranges between 14 to 16 ounces (approximately 400 to 450 grams).
According to FIFA rules, the weight and size of a soccer ball vary depending on the age group and level of play. The table below shows the standard soccer ball specifications: ⁵
| Numeric Value | Ball Type | Age Group | Circumference | Weight of Football |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball Size 1 | Pee-Wee or Mini-Ball | A skills ball best for small kids | 45 – 51 cm (18 – 20 inches) | 205 grams (7.23 ounces) |
| Ball Size 2 | Training | A skill ball best for kids around 4 | 52 – 56 cm (20 – 22 inches) | 210 – 280 grams (7.41 – 9.88 ounces) |
| Ball Size 3 | Junior | Players of 8 years and under | 58 – 60 cm (23 – 24 inches) | 300 – 320 grams (10.58 – 11.29 ounces) |
| Ball Size 4 | Youth | Players of 8 to 12 years old | 63 – 66 cm (25 – 26 inches) | 359 – 390 grams (12.66 – 13.76 ounces) |
| Ball Size 5 | Adult | Players of 13 years and older | 69 – 71 cm (27 – 28 inches) | 410 – 450 grams (14.46 – 15.87 ounces) |
Some FAQs about soccer
What is a soccer game called?
In most parts of the world the game is called football or association football. Both men and women play soccer in schools, clubs, and on national and professional teams. In a soccer game two teams compete to score more points, which are called goals. The players move the ball around a rectangular field, usually by kicking it. ⁶
What is the difference between soccer and football?
Soccer is a sport that’s played with a round black and white ball that players pass to each other using their feet. To win a soccer match, your side has to kick the ball into the goal more times than your rivals do. In most parts of the world, soccer is known as football, which makes sense since players use their feet to move the ball. ⁷
What is the meaning of football?
Football is a general term that can refer to any of several games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other’s goal. The most popular type of football is association football, which is also called soccer. Other types of football include American football, rugby, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, and Canadian football. ⁷
How does a soccer game work?
In a soccer game two teams compete to score more goals than the opposing team by moving the ball beyond the goal line into the opposing team’s goal. The World Cup soccer tournament is the world’s most popular sports event. ⁶
Some fun facts about soccer
- The modern 32-panel ball design was developed in 1962 by Eigil Nielsen, and technological research continues to develop footballs with improved performance. The 32-panel ball design was soon joined by 24-panel balls as well as 42-panel balls, both of which improved on performance prior to 2007. ²
- The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. The host country won the tournament by defeating Argentina in the final. The most recent FIFA World Cup was held in Russia in 2018. France won the tournament by defeating Croatia in the final. ²
- The highest scoring game in soccer history was between Australia and American Samoa in 2001. Australia won the game by an astonishing score of 31-0. Archie Thompson scored 13 goals for Australia, setting a world record for most goals scored by an individual player in an international match. 7
- The fastest goal ever scored in a soccer game was by Nawaf Al Abed of Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia in 2009. He scored just two seconds after kickoff against Al Shoalah in a league match. He took advantage of the opposition’s lack of concentration and lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper from the halfway line.
Source:
(1) Soccer Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soccer.
(2) Association football – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football.
(3) FIFA Soccer Ball Specifications | Weight of Football Ball and Size. https://www.theukrules.co.uk/rules/sport/football/fifa-soccer-ball-specifications.html.
(4) . https://bing.com/search?q=soccer+ball+weight.
(5) Ball (association football) – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_%28association_football%29.
(6) How Much Does a Youth Soccer Ball Weigh. Guide to Soccer Ball Weights. https://www.soccer-for-kids.com/soccer-ball-weigh.html.
(7) SOCCER | English meaning – Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/soccer.
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