SOCCER hand out History

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SOCCER HAND-OUT
Soccer Basics.
Every sport has a history. But none of them as interesting as
the history of football.
Soccer’s obscure origin is ironic considering its popularity today. Historians tried to
trace the individual who began the history of football but soccer’s very ancient
origins has clouded him in mystery.
Yet historians successfullytraced the cultures that first played football-like games.
To see more clearly how football began, we can divide its origins into two. First, the
ancient times that goes back as old as 4,500 years (A) and then the modern period,
the immediate predecessor of the football we love today (B).
A. The Ancient Origin of Football
Historic artifacts and enduring traditions make it clear that football has been played
in Egypt, Ancient China, and Rome. The game’s basic principles survived through
the years and went on to be played during the medieval times.
Soccer’s Origin in Ancient Egypt
Balls made of linen have been discovered in Egyptian tombs that date way back to
2,500 BC. Some of these balls were made from animal intestines or skin to improve
their bouncing.
Based on drawings, scholars theorize that Egyptians played a football-like game
during feasts of fertility.

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They wrapped their balls in bright-colored cloth and kicked them around the ground
to celebrate the abundance of the earth.
Approximately 2,000 years later, a different form of football-like
game appeared in China.
Football in Ancient China
Around 476 BC to 221 BC, a sport called cuju was
popularly played in China. The name is roughly
translated as “kick the ball with foot.” The ancient
Chinese stuffed feathers inside a leather ball
which they kick inside a rectangular playing field.
To score a goal, they have to shoot it through a in
a piece of cloth hung between two poles.
The game became so popular because it was used
by military leaders as a competitive sport to keep
soldiers physically fit.
As the game became more widely played, royal
courts began organizing cuju matches played by
professional cuju players. Teams composed of women and civilians participated in
tournaments as well.
Just like today’s soccer, cuju players are allowed to touch the ball with any part of
their body except their arms and hands. Referees are present in the game to make
sure that players follow the rules.
Unlike modern-day football, the number of players who can play cuju is flexible. It
could range from two to 10 while in matches sponsored by the royal court, the
number is usually around 12 to 16.
But not all cuju matches are won by goals. In some tournaments, the games are
decided by scores given to players according to how they played the game. For
instance, players who make passes that are too short or who kick the ball outside
the field’s limits are penalized with point deductions. The team that has the smallest
deductions wins.
During the mid-17th Century, cuju began to decline in popularity. Its codes of play,
however, survived throughout the ages, making it possible to still play the game
today.
About the same period the Chinese were playing their referee-monitored cuju, the
Ancient Romans were enjoying another version of football.

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The origin of soccer in Ancient Rome
Soccer in Ancient Rome has no rules, strategies, or tactics. It was played by 54
players (27 on each team) whose only aim is to get the ball to the opposing team’s
goal.
It became so popular that it was included in the early Olympics. Naturally, many
players went home injured during that game.
Aside from football played on the field, there was another one played on the streets.
Roman orator Cicero noted that it was mostly played by young boys. These boys
would run around the town, kicking the ball on the ground.
He wrote about an incident where the carelessness of players led to death. It
happened because they accidentally kicked the ball towards a barber who was
shaving a customer.
The barber lost control of his blade and cut the customer’s throat.
Soccer during the Middle Ages
It can be said that English people in
general were the ones who kept the
tradition of football alive during the Middle
Ages.
A very popular form of the sport in the
mid-14th Century England is called mob
football. It was played by an unlimited
number of players. At that point, there was still no one who created football rules.
Players were allowed to go on playing as long as their actions do not lead to
manslaughter. They played the games on the streets and turned towns into giant
pitches.
Since anyone can join in the games and there were very few rules, medieval football
often went out of hand and ended in riots. Playing on the streets also caused
trouble to residents and merchants.
These forced rulers to issue decrees banning the sport. However, it has already
become so popular that its playing was not stopped at all.
By the end of the 14th Century, the game has become deeply embedded in the
English culture.

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B. The Beginning of Modern-Day Football
While the sport was widely played by youngsters all over England, it was banned in
schools because of its fierceness. Lack of rules governing player conduct often
resulted in injuries and chaos.
This prompted the clubs in the 19th Century to create rules that will ensure fair and
honest play. These rules are the foundation of the football rules we now follow.
That is why in the 19th Century clubs felt the urge of creating rules. So they
gathered together and formed the Football Association. In the United States, the
sport became known as soccer.
Creation of the Football Association
As the 1860s began, rules regulating
play and roughness in the field were
made. It can be said that the clubs
that created more strict football rules
are the ones who invented the game
as we know it today.
But there was one problem during
that time: each club or town played
with their own set of rules. So when
there were meetings from different
teams, it often ended in dispute as to what rules should be followed.
This problem was finally solved in 1863 when twelve London clubs met to discuss
common rules for the game. These clubs then formed a governing body called The
Football Association, the same FA that holds today’s popular FA Cup.
From England, it easily spread to other European countries such as Spain, France,
the Netherlands, and Sweden. Eventually, these countries gathered to form a
governing body of football that will oversee international games and the FIFA came
to be.
FA increased the popularity of football and helped in spreading it throughout the
world.
It became known as football, futbol, futebol, and fussbol in different countries but in
the United States it became known as soccer.

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Who invented the word soccer?
In some countries, such as in the United States, Philippines, and Korea, the world’s
most popular sport is referred to as soccer.
The word soccer was first invented in England to distinguish between rugby football
and associationfootball.
In order to avoid confusion, students referred to associationfootball “assoccer”
while they called rugby football “rugger.” They later on omitted the letter “a” in
“assoccer” to make it sound fancier.
Soccer eventually outgrew the popularity of rugby football by far. The distinction
between rugger and soccer was no longer necessary. People already knew which
sport was meant when someone says “football.” Hence, the word football stuck in
English usage.
Americans, however, have their popular sport of gridiron or American football, which
goes by the plain name of football. And so they have to use the word soccer to
avoid confusion.
Basic soccer rules, get a better understanding of the football laws and regulations
through this simplified article.
Main Football Rules
A newbie’s companion to understanding the basic soccer rules & regulations
The main objective of soccer is to score a goal with any part of the body except the
arms and hands. There are 17 Laws of the Game to ensure order and fairness in
play. These were formulated by FIFA, the highest governing body of football in the
world. The laws were mostly based on the first set of rules formulated by the
Football Association, England’s football body, in 1863. Below are the 17 Laws of the
Game.

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Soccer rule 1: Field of Play
The field of play must be between 90 and 120 meters long (100-131 yards) and
between 45 to 90 meters wide (49-98 yards). In international games, the football
field dimensions are 100-110 meters (109-120 yards) and 64-75 meters (70-82
yards).
The following areas of the football field must be marked: touchlines/sidelines,
goal lines & goal areas, halfway line, center circle, penalty areas, arcs, & spots, and
corner arcs. A flag post should be planted on each corner of the field.
Soccer rule 2: The Ball
Soccer Balls
Charles Goodyear is considered as the inventor of the modern soccer ball. When and
where the very first soccer ball was made is impossible to tell. Soccer-like games
have been played since the earliest part of human civilization and the evolution of
the game was accompanied by the soccer ball’s development.
The oldest soccer ball can be traced to ancient times (A). It was filled with different
materials to make it round. It was in the Middle Age (B) that football balls were first
filled with air.
Rapid developments came when soccer reached its modern period (C). Balls made
of rubber were being produced and FIFA’s rules on soccer balls were established.
The football balls of current times (D) are radically different from their predecessors.
Advanced production technology and materials are being used, and the balls that we
play with just keep on getting better and better.

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A. Ancient football – the first foot
ball in history
The first ever soccer ball in history was invented
by ancient civilizations, 3000 years ago. The
Chinese, Aztec and Maya Indians, and Egyptians
each had their own contributions to the first soccer
ball in history.
 The Chinese made their own football with animal skin stuffed together to
form a sphere.
 Maya and Aztec Indians in Central America made a rubber ball, which they
formed from the latex of rubber wood.
 The Egyptians invented a football made of seeds wrapped in linen. They
also made balls out of animal skin or catgut for improved bouncing.
 The Greeks, just like the Egyptians, created a ball wrapped in linen, but it
contains hair inside instead of seeds.

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B. The soccer ball of the Middle Age
By the Middle Age, football was already established as
a popular sport and so more attention was given to the
making of the ball. Bladders were the most common
material for soccer balls in Medieval Europe, such
as the pig bladder ball played by the Italians in the
1600s.
However, bladder balls were easily punctured and their irregular shape made them
difficult to control. To solve these problems, bladder balls were wrapped in leather,
making them more durable and rounder.
C. The ball at the beginning of the modern period of
football
Football has become a well-recognized sport in the 1800s. It is in this era that
professional football began and more attention was given to improving the quality of
the ball.
1855: The first round foot-ball by Charles
Goodyear
The year 1855 marked a significant event in the
development of the soccer ball. It was in the
year that the first round soccer ball was made,
by a man named Charles Goodyear.
Prior to that, soccer balls were not totally round
because they were made from animal bladders.
Also rubber was not used as a material for competitive soccer balls because it is
sticky and easily deforms in hot playing conditions.
Goodyear solved those problems by discovering a method of treating rubber so it
becomes more solid and durable, without losing its bounce. The method was called
vulcanization.
1872: The official soccer ball size & shape were set
Until the mid-1800s, there were no rules yet on the size and shape of the ball. The
dimensions of the football ball depended on the animal bladder but with Goodyear’s

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invention meant that the shape of the soccer ball could already be set.
So in 1872, the English Football Association(FA) officially declared that the ball
should be spherical and between 27 and 28 inches in circumference. It remains
the official soccer ball size today.
This specification coincided with the Charles Goodyear rubber ball. Therefore
Goodyear can be considered as the inventor of the modern soccer ball.
1880’s: The laced ball, the first World Cup ball
Leather balls were still widely used despite the
introduction of the rubber ball. The establishment of the
English Football League in 1888 spurred the first mass-
production of leather soccer balls.
The soccer ball of this era was made of several panels
of pure leather, laced at one surface to keep the bladder inside intact. This type of
ball was the one used in the first ever World Cup, the1930 World Cup.
1950’s: The water-proof ball
Leather soccer balls began to be water-proofed in the
1950s with the use of synthetic paints. The lace was also
removed to make the surface smoother and the ball
easier to control.
In 1951, white footballs were manufactured to improve ball visibility for players and
spectators. In snowy venues, orange soccer balls were used.
D. Soccer ball of current times
The World Cup prompted many innovations of the
soccer ball.
Adidas Telstar

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The black and white ball that remains today as soccer’s icon was first introduced by
Adidas in 1970. Made specifically for the 1970 World Cup, it has 32 panels that
were alternately painted in black and white (20 panels were in white and 12 in
black).
It is called the Telstar, after the space satellite that resembles its geometry. Its color
made the ball more visible on black-and-white television.
The Telstar was once again used in the 1974 World Cup, and it was in that world
cup that FIFA declared an “official” soccer ball for the first time.
Teamgeist, Jabulani, and beyond
The 32-panel ball was the norm until the 2006
World Cup when Adidas introduced a 14-paneled
ball called Teamgeist (German for “Team Spirit”).
Fewer panels made the ball smoother. Instead of
being stitched, the panels were bonded together
for a more even surface.
For the 2010 World Cup, Adidas introduced an
8-panel ball called the Jubalani (a South African word for “celebrate”). Fewer panels
and better polyurethane materials improved the ball’s performance and feel.
Some prototype soccer balls today are already made with astounding technology. A
soccer ball called CTRUS no longer need air inflation changes colors when it goes
out of bounds or when it crosses the goal line.
What is a soccer ball made of? Look into the material composition of a soccer ball
and get a better understanding of their qualities.

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Do you plan to buy a soccer ball? Knowing the materials used to make a soccer ball
will help you choose the right one. There are different materials for the outer cover
(A), inner lining (B), bladder (C), stitch (D), and valve (E).
A. Outer Cover: Polyurethane (PU) or PVC
The outer cover is the outermost part of a soccer ball, which protects it from wear
and gives the ball its appearance.
Traditionally, the material for the outer cover is made of pure leather. But leather
has poor water resistance and gets heavy in wet playing conditions. In the
1970s, soccer ball manufacturersbegancoating leather with polyurethane, a
synthetic material, to protect the ball from damages like scuffs and scratches. It also
made the ball playable even on wet weather.
The outer cover of modern soccer balls are made of synthetic leather for enhanced
water resistance. Synthetic leather (coated with polyurethane) is the material for
soccer balls used at professional and top-flight level because it has the best feel for
the ball.
PVC is another material used for outer cover. This plastic-like material is highly
durable but offers less feel for the ball. PVC covers are also hard, which do not
make them ideal for playing.
The cover for an indoor soccer ball is made of a material called felt, the same
material that coats a tennis ball. Felt makes the ball more controllable on smooth
surfaces.
B. Inner lining: Cotton & polyester
The inner lining is located between the bladder and the outer cover. The material it
is made of determines how bouncy or how responsive a ball is.
Professional soccer balls, such as the ones used in the World Cup, have inner

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linings made of multiple layers. Often, they have four layers of polyester and cotton.
Cotton gives softness to the ball while polyester makes it durable and responsive.
Cheap footballs only have two layers of polyester for inner lining. These balls are
still durable but they are harder and more difficult to control.
C. Bladder: Butyl or latex
The bladder is the part of the soccer ball which holds air.
The most common bladder material is butyl because it is durable and retains air
very well. Butyl's disadvantage is that it is easily deformed so it is less responsive
when kicked.
Latex is the preferred material in professional level because of its responsiveness.
The problem with a latex bladder is that it easily loses air so it has to be filled
regularly. Also, it is not as durable as butyl.
Indoor soccer and futsal (Futsal) balls have their bladders filled with foam instead of
air to reduce bouncing.
D. Stitch: Polyester, Kevlar or glued by thermal eating
Stitches hold the panels of a soccer ball together.
The panels on a professional soccer ball are mostly stitched with polyester, a
durable, non-absorbent material. Kevlar thread can be also used for enhanced
durability and water-resistance.
Some football balls these days are no longer stitched. Instead, the panels are glued
together using thermal heating. These balls are now the norms in international
competitions such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup because the absence of stitches
makes the ball smoother and more accurate.
E. Valve: Butyl or silicone
The valve is the part of a soccer ball where air passes through when inflating it. It is
a needle-like structure which looks like a tiny hole from the outside.
Soccer ball valves are typically made of butyl, a rubber material that easily opens
when the air pump needle is inserted. Because of its elasticity, it quickly closes
when the pump is removed.

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Many professional football balls these days have silicone valves for better air
retention.
Soccer ball sizes, what is the official ball size in football? A close look at the five
different football ball sizes
The soccer ball used in professional leagues and in the FIFA World Cup is called
“size 5”. The following are the specifications of an official size 5 soccer ball:
 Circumference: 27 to 28 inches (69 to 71 cm)
 Weight: 14 to 16 oz (400 to 450 grams)
 Official pressure: between 8.5 to 15.6 PSI
 Diameter: 8.6 to 9 inches (22 to 23 cm)
 Radius: 4.3 to 4.5 inches (11 to 11.5 cm)
However, the size 5 soccer ball is not used at all times. The soccer ball sizes for
official match use vary according to the type of soccer being played or the age
group of players. Below are the soccer ball circumference for different age groups
and game variations.
A. Kids’ & youth soccer ball circumference
 U-6, U-7, & U-8: Size 3 is the official soccer ball for toddlers and young
children. It has a circumference of 23-24 inches and a weight of 11-12
ounce. Size 3 is the smallest official ball.
 U-9, U-10, & U-11: Size 4 is the standard soccer ball for kids aged
between nine and 11 years old. It has a circumference of 25-26 inches
and a weight of 11-13 ounce.

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 U-12, U-13 & up: The regulation size soccer ball, size 5, is played by
youth players when they reach the age of 12. Size 5 is also the ball used
in high school soccer.
B. Ball sizes for other
forms of football
 Five-a-side
football: Five-a-
side football is played
with slightly different rules
from regular football but it
is still played with the
standard soccer ball.
 Beach soccer: The ball used in official beach soccer games is a size 5
but is slightly lighter, 14-15½ ounces. It is often brightly colored to make
it more visible on a sandy playing ground.
 Futsal: A size 4 soccer ball is used in futsal. However, the ball material
for futsal is different than the one in youth soccer: a futsal ball is filled
with foam to make is less bouncy since the sport is played on a hard
surface. It is also typically covered with felt or suede for more friction.
 Indoor soccer: Like in futsal, the ball size for indoor soccer is number
4 and is covered with felt or suede. However, indoor soccer balls are
typically bouncier than in futsal.
C. Special soccer ball sizes
 Size 1 soccer ball: Also called
the miniball, this ball is very small
with a circumference of only 17
inches. This ball is typically
bought by parents for play for
their one- to three-year old
children. The size 1 soccer ball is not used in tournaments but is used by
some clubs or teams to train players in ball control.

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 Size 2 soccer ball: This ball is slightly bigger than size one, with a
circumference of 20-22 inches. This ball is usually given for play for
children four years old and below. Some coaches use the size two ball for
ball control drills.
The soccer ball’s diameter must be 68-70 millimeters and must weigh 410-450
grams. If it bursts while in play, the game is stopped and resumed by the referee
dropping the ball between two players from opposing sides.
Soccer rule 3: Number of players
A football match is played by two teams of no more than eleven players each, with
one player per side playing a goalkeeper. The minimum number of players in a
soccer team is seven.
A match is not started or continued if there are less than seven players in a team. In
official football competitions, the maximum number of substitutions is three.
However, in friendly tournaments, there can be as many as six or unlimited
substitutions, depending on what each side have agreed on together with the
referee.
Soccer rule 4: Player’s equipment
The following soccer equipments are required of each player: a shirt, shorts,
socks, shin guards, and football boots. Goalkeepers from both sides should wear a
kit that will distinguish them from the outfield players and the referees. Players are
allowed to wear head gears but are discouraged from wearing most forms of
jewelry.
Soccer rule 5: Head referee
The duties and responsibilitiesof the head referee in soccer include:
ensuring that players wear the proper strip and equipment, signaling the start and
end of game, citing and punishing violations of rules, stopping play if a player
requires medical attention, deciding whether or not to continue a game, and
keeping time.
The referee cites fouls and infringement of the rules and prevents repeated
occurrences of unsportsmanlike conduct by cautioning players with a yellow card or
sending them off with a red card. Two yellow cards in football is equivalent to a
red card. A player who receives a red card in football cannot be replaced so his
team must continue the game with one man less.
Soccer rule 6: Assistant referees

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The role of assistant referees in football or linesmen is primarily to assist the
main referee by signaling for corner kicks, throw-ins, and violations of the offside
law.
They may also bring to the referee’s attention the infringements that he has not
noticed of. However, it is always the head referee who has the final word.
Soccer rule 7: Match duration
The length of a soccer match is 90 minutes, played in two equal halves of 45
minutes. Additional minutes in a soccer game may be played at the end of
each half to compensate for lost time during the game.
The added minutes are called “injury period” and should not be confused with
the overtime in soccer, which is played in some competition if a winner is not yet
decided after regulation time.
Soccer rule 8: Start/restart of play
A kickoff starts a football game and restarts it at the second half or after a goal is
scored. The team which kicks off the ball at the beginning of the match is
determined by a coin toss.
During the kickoff in football, only two players are allowed inside the center
circle: the one kicking and the one receiving the ball.
Soccer rule 9: Ball in and out of play
The soccer ball is out of bounds when it has crossed the goal line or touchline
whether on the ground or in air. If it rebounds off the referee, an assistant referee,
a goal post, crossbar, or corner flag post and remains inside the field, then it is still
in play.
Soccer rule 10: Method of scoring
A goal is scored in football if the ball crosses the goal line between the two
goalposts and under the crossbar, as long as no violation of the rules has taken
place. The side that scores the most goals wins. If both teams have the same
number of goals at the end of the match, it is considered a draw even if neither of
them scored a goal.
Soccer rule 11: Offside

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A player is in offside position if there are fewer than two defenders (including the
goalie) between him and the goal line. A violation of the offside rule in
football occurs if he is in that position and the ball is played to him. A free kick is
awarded to the opposition if a player is caught offside.
Soccer rule 12: Fouls and misconducts
The following are the most common fouls in football: kicking, tripping, pushing,
or charging another player recklessly; striking or attempting to strike an opponent or
any member of the opposing side. A foul is called if a player: makes a tackle but hits
the player before the ball; deliberately handles the ball (except the goalkeeper in his
proper area); or if he uses excessive force in defending an opponent.
Soccer rule 13: Free kicks
A free-kick in football restarts a play after a foul or rule infringement is
committed and is usually taken from the spot where the violation was committed. A
free-kick can either be “direct”, in which a kicker may score directly, or “indirect”, in
which another player must touch the ball before a goal can be scored.
Soccer rule 14: Penalty kick
A penalty kick in football is awarded if a defender commits a foul inside his own
penalty area. The kick is taken from the penalty spot and all the players (except the
kicker and the goalkeeper) must be outside the penalty area and penalty arc.
Soccer rule 15: Throw-in
A throw-in in football is awarded to a team if the ball goes over the touchline. It
is awarded to the team opposing the side that touched the ball last. The throw is
taken from the spot where the ball goes out of bounds. The taker must throw the
ball with both hands, both feet on the ground, and facing the field of play.
Soccer rule 16: Goal kick
A goal-kick in football is awarded to the defending team if the opposing team
causes the ball to go over the goal-line. Any player from the defending side is
allowed to take the goal kick. It must be taken anywhere on the goal area and must
go beyond the penalty area or it will be retaken. The ball must be touched by
another player before the taker can play it again.
Soccer rule 17: Corner kick

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A corner kick in football is awarded to the attacking team if an opposing player is
the last to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds on the goal-line. The
attacking team resumes play by placing the ball in the corner arc nearest to where it
crossed the goal line.
Different types of football, distinguish the different variants of soccer that were
derived from the original
There are many games that descended from football; check out its 7 most popular
variants
The popularity of football has led to the development of many variations of the
game.
Some were developed out of necessitywhile others were modified to cater to people
with disabilities. For example, indoor soccer was invented so football can be played
all year round in a controlled environment and wheelchair soccer was adapted to
make the game accessible to people with disabilities.
Over time, these types of football gained foothold among fans and leagues were
established to facilitate tournaments. Below are the most popular variants of football
that you can play.
5 a side football
Five-a-side football is an informal
variant of football played with five players,
with one taking the position of a
goalkeeper. The game is played on a
smaller field and with a smaller goal. It can
be played indoor or outdoor and the field
may be enclosed with barriers or not.
There is no governing body that establishes the rule for five-a-side and the game

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rules are often decided right before kickoff. Despite that, there are rules that are
widely used in five-a-side games like:
 the ball is not allowed to go over the head
 there is no offside law
 sliding tackles are forbidden
Futsal (Futebol de Salao)
Futsal is the fastest-growing variant of
football in the world. The game is played
indoors on a hard playing surface defined
by lines. Five players play for each team
and the number of substitutions is
unlimited. The ball used in futsal is smaller
than regular football and has lesser
bounce.
Two major bodies govern the rules in futsal, FIFA and the World Futsal Association.
The biggest futsal tournament is the FIFA Futsal World Cup, held every four years.
Brazil and Spain are the two nations that dominate this sport.
Beach soccer (Beasal)
Beach soccer is a variant of football
played barefooted on a sandy surface that
measures 30 by 40 yards. Five players on
each side, who can be replaced anytime,
compete in three 12-minute periods.
Beach soccer is no longer considered a mere pastime by vacationers, having been
officially recognized by FIFA in recent years. It has become a discipline in its own
right and now has its own World Cup.
The sport owes its success to its dramatic
and intense nature, with high number of
goals per game that are often scored in
acrobatic and stunning ways.
Indoor soccer (Arena soccer)

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Indoor soccer is a six-a-side variant of football played on a field delimited by walls
or boards instead of touchlines. The ball can be played directly off the boards, which
makes goal kicks, throw-ins, and corners unnecessary and the game very fast-
paced.
Different leagues in the world have their own version of indoor soccer but they all
have similar features:
 the game is typically played in four 15-minute periods
 there is no offside
 the ball is not allowed to go over head height and headers are not
permitted
Street soccer
Street football is an informal variant of
football that has no fixed rules: it can be
played anywhere by any number of
players, there is no time limit unless agreed
upon, and players can decide on the
method of winning.
The rules for street soccer are created before the game to suit the playing
environment and can evolve during play to deal with any new situation(for
example, the addition of players or the intolerance of the neighborhood).
Many of soccer’s greatest technicians like Maradona and Zidane are products of the
streets. The lax rules of the game
encourage creativity and the crudeness of
the playing area and equipments develop
technical skills.
Freestyle football
Freestyle football is basically juggling a
soccer ballin creative and impressive ways. Any part of the body can be used with
the exception of the arms and hands. It is originally a street game but has become
a sport in its own right with competitions like Red Bull street style.

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Freestyle football came into prominence when Nike launched an ad in 1998
featuring the Brazil squad performing tricks in an airport. Football superstars Wayne
Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have also performed freestyle tricks for
soccer ads.
Paralympic football
Paralympic football is a form of football
that has been adapted for people with
handicaps. Its two most common versions
are five-a-side, for people with visual
impairment, and seven-a-side, for people
with cerebral palsy.
Other versions of football for people with handicap exist and are becoming more
structured and popular:
 deaf football – adopts FIFA rules, has grown out of the community of deaf
people around the world
 wheelchair football – played with a bigger ball by people on electric
wheelchair
 football for amputee – outfield players must have one leg amputated and
goalkeepers may have two legs but must have one amputated hand
Football jersey numbers, how do footballers get their number? Get an answer to
this question and more in this guide to soccer shirt number.
The reason behind the printing of jersey numbers is simple: it helps referees and
fans distinguish players on the pitch.
Numbered shirts were first worn in professional football by English clubs Arsenal and

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Sheffield Wednesday in August 1928. At that time, starting players were wearing
numbers 1 to 11 according to their positions on the field, and higher numbers for
substitutes.
Fixed numbers assigned to each player, called squad numbers, for the duration of a
competition was introduced first during the 1954 World Cup. 40 years later, The
Football Association(governing body of English football) abandoned the required
use of 1-11 for the starters and squad numbers became the rules during the 1993-
94 English Premier League season. Nowadays most of the top football leagues in the
world adopted the squad numbers system.
Methods of assigning jersey numbers in football
Different methods to assign a shirt number to a player exist:
Assignment by football position
The jersey number traditionally denotes the position of a soccer player. Despite the
establishment of squad numbers, jerseys 1 to 11 are often given to the first choice
line-up according to their positions on the field.
Belowisthe traditional numberingof playersinamodern4-2-3-1 formation:
1 – Goalkeeper
2 – Right fullback
3 – Left fullback
4 – Centerback
5 – Centerback
6 – Defending/Holdingmidfielder
7 – Right midfielder/wingers
8 – Central/Box-to-boxmidfielder
9 – Striker
10 – Attackingmidfielder/Playmaker
11 – Leftmidfielder/wingers
Because the assignmentof jerseynumbersby football position isatraditionandnota rule,
teamsare free togive numberstotheirplayersastheywant.

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Assignment by alphabetical order
During 3 consecutive World Cups (1974, 1978, and 1982) Argentina numbered the
team alphabetically by surname. In consequence, starting goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol
wore the number 5 jersey during the 1978 World Cup and the number 7 in 1982
letting the number 1 to an outfield player. An exception was made in 1982 to let
Diego Maradona wore his favored 10 instead of the 12.
During the 1982 World Cup, England used the same alphabetical order system
except for the goalkeepers and the number 7 of the captain, Kevin Keegan.
Assignment by “oversight”
Before the 1958 World Cup, Brazilian officials sent the list of selected players to
the FIFA, but forgot to assign shirt numbers to each of them. This is a delegate of
Uruguay, Lorenzo Villizzio, which distributed the numbers trying to do his best. He
gave the number 10 to an unknown 17 years old player, Pelé, and the number 3 to
the first choice goalkeeper Gilmar!
Famous soccer jersey numbers
Some jersey numbers became more popular than the rest
through the history of football. Below are the three
legendary football jersey numbers:
7 – the number seven, dedicated traditionally to right
wingers (Luis Figo, Marc Overmars, Pierre Littbarski,
Garrincha), has been worn also by many brilliant forward
like Raul, Claudio Caniggia, Pato, David Villa, Bebeto or
Shevchenko.
But number 7 jersey became iconic in one club
particularly: Manchester United. Indeed, many players
who have worn this number marked the history of the
Red Devils like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona,
David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo recently.
9 – the number nine football jersey is worn by pure strikers, deadly anywhere near
the penalty area and brilliant finishers. Ronaldo de Lima, Romario, Gabriel Batistuta,
Marco Van Basten, Samuel Eto’o and Alan Shearer are some of the great footballers
who donned the number 9 shirt.

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10 – on the shirts of all football teams in the world, there is a number that is more
prestigious than all the others, the No. 10. Mythical, this number is usually reserved
for the most skillful player of the team.
The most iconic footballers in history like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Zinedine
Zidane, Michel Platini, Ferenc Puskás and Messi today wore or wear the legendary
number 10.
Retired jersey numbers
You may have come across the term “retired jersey number”. In football, like in
other sports, a retired jersey number is one which can no longer be used by other
players of the same squad.
Numbers are retired to honor a player who has given significant contributions to a
club or national team. Below are some retired jersey numbers:
#3 of Milan – for Paolo Maldini, the greatest player of AC Milan
#6 of Milan – for Franco Baresi, one of the finest defenders in football history
#6 of Roma – for Aldair, one of the best Brazilian fullbacks
#6 of West Ham United – for Bobby Moore, one of England’s greatest
footballers
#10 of Brescia – for Roberto Baggio, the best Italian footballer ever
#10 of Kispest AC/Honvéd – for Ferench Puskas, considered as the best Hungarian
players of all time
#10 of Napoli – for Diego Maradona, who gave lifted them from one of the poorest
to the best club in Serie A
#14 of Ajax – for Johan Cruijff, considered as Netherland’s best ever player
#23 of Manchester City – for Marc-Vivien Foe, City player who died while playing for
his country Cameroon
Jersey number retired for fans
In football, the fans are dubbed the 12th player because their support is equal to
having an additional player on the field. Some football clubs that received strong
support from fans retire the number 12 jersey to honor them.
Thus, Fenerbahce, RC Lens, Bayern Munich, Feyenoord, Portsmouth, Dynamo Kiev,
Lazio or Zenith St. Petersburg are some of the clubs where the number 12 has been
permanently withdrawn to pay tribute to the loyalty of supporters.
Soccer tactics

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Identify & study the different tactics & strategies of
football.
Soccer positions explained, look into the roles & duties of the different football
positions.
Football positions are as varied as the skills of players and
the tactics of the game. Find out which spot you belong.
Soccer has many different positions and many different names that come along with
them.
Each player position has his own very specific task, from defending against
opponent attacks to scoring.
To simplify, we will categorize the football positions into four: the goalkeeper,
defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
Goalkeeper (GK)

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The goalkeeper is simply known as the guy with gloves who keeps the opponents
from scoring. He has a special position because only him can play the ball with his
hands (provided that he is inside his own penalty area and the ball was not
deliberately passed to him by a team mate).
Aside from being the last line of defense, the goalkeeper is the first person in attack.
That is why keepers who can make good goal kicks and strategic ball throws to
team mates are valuable.
The goalie has four main roles: saving, clearing, directing the defense, and
distributing the ball. Saving is the act of preventing the ball from entering the net
while clearing means keeping the ball far from the goal area.
The goalkeeper has the role of directing the defense since he is the farthest player
at the back and he can see where the defenders should position themselves.
Distributing the ball happens when a goalkeeper decides whether to kick the ball or
throw it after making a save. Where the keeper throws or kicks the ball is the first
instance of attack.
Some of history’s finest goalkeepers are Lev Yashin, Gordon Banks, Dino Zoff,
Peter Schmeichel, and Gianluigi Buffon.
Defenders
A defender’s task is to keep the ball away from the keeper, prevent opposing
attackers from passing or receiving, and block shots. Defending requires a player to
be well-fit, hard-working, and quick at anticipating the movement of the opponents.
Defenders must protect the keeper: they should think of the goalie as an important
person that opponents are not allowed to get near to. Typically, teams play with
four defenders.

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Center-back/center-half/central
defender (CB)
In a four-player defense, the center-backs are the two defenders in the middle.
They are erroneously called center-halves, because in an obsolete football
formation called the 2-3-5, the “3” players are designated with that name. As
tactics evolved, the “3” dropped to “center-back” but still retained the name “center-
half.”
A center back must be strong, fearless, and good at timing tackles. Being tall is an
advantage for a center-back as it allows him to win the ball in the air, an essential
skill in corner kick situations. Ronald Koeman, Fabio Cannavaro, and Franco Baresi
are some of the greatest center backs of all time.
Full-back (LB, FB)
A full-back is a defender positioned on the side. They are either classified as left
back (LB) or right back (RB). The defenders positioned between them are called
centerbacks.
The full-back is tasked to prevent opponents from attacking on the sides. He must
be quick and must be able to prevent opponents from making a cross. He is often
assigned to mark the opposing winger.

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Wing-back (LWB, RWB)
A wing-back is a full-back that advances up to the opponent’s goal end. He runs the
whole length of the football pitch: he defends the flanks like a dedicated full-
back and attacks like a winger.
This is the most physically demanding position on the field. Cafu and Roberto Carlos
are two of the best wing-backs ever.
Sweeper (SW)
A sweeper is located at the back of the defensive line, just in front of the keeper.
This position is no longer popularly used in the modern game but was popular in the
past especially with the catenaccio system of Italy.
A sweeper’s task is to clear the ball in case it breaks through the defenders. He does
not man-mark an opponent so he can collect loose balls or go upfield to bring the
ball forward in attack. The German football legend Franz Beckenbauer is the
most remarkable of all sweepers.
Midfielders

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Midfielders link the offense and the defense: they bring the ball up to the forwards
in attack and prevent the ball from reaching the defenders when not in possession.
You can think of them as the telephone line that connects two people.
Without a solid midfield, it is very difficult for the forwards to score and the defense
is often put at risk of the opponents’ attacks. Below are the many types of
midfielders and the roles they perform.
Defending/Holding midfielder (DM)
A defending or holding midfielder is stationed just in front of the defensive line. His
responsibility is to prevent the ball from reaching the defensive line. He must be
skilled at intercepting passes, tackling the ball, and positioning themselves
strategically.
Claude Makelele and Dunga are two of the great holding midfielders.
Central/Box-to-box midfielder (CM)
A central midfielder is stationed at the center of the field. If he plays both offense
and defense, he is called a box-to-box midfielder. The name implies that he runs
from his own penalty box to the opponent’s to fulfill different roles.
A box-to-box midfielder does the following: create opportunities for the striker and
stop the opponent’s attacks. Stamina, technical ability, and relentless hard-work are
the attributes of this type of midfielder. Steven Gerrard is the best box-to-box

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midfielder of his era.
Attacking midfielder/playmaker (AM)
The attacking midfielder is an advanced midfield player who is primarily inclined to
attack. He must have excellent ball control abilities and tactical awareness.
A playmaker occupies the same position as an attacking midfielder but performs a
different role. This guy is considered the brain of the team, the most skilled player
who orchestrates the attack and distributes the ball. A playmaker must be good in
decision-making and as the football saying goes: when you don’t know what to do
with the ball, you pass it to him.
The playmaker often wears the number 10 jersey. Some of the most famous
playmakers in football are Zico, Zinedine Zidane, and Juan Riquelme.
Wide midfielders/wingers (LW, RW)
The winger plays the same role as the attacking midfielder but he focuses his
attacks from the side. This position is often utilized in “odd” formations like 4-3-3
and 4-5-1.
Since the winger often plays between the midfield and the offensive line, he is
sometimes classified as a forward. A player who occupies this position must be fast,
have excellent dribbling abilities, and accurate with passes.

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A modern winger is typically flexible and can attack from the center, which makes
him take over the role of a forward. Ryan Giggs and Garrincha are two excellent
examples of wide midfielders.
Forwards
Forwards are the most celebrated players in the team because they are often the
ones who score goals. Since there are many ways to score a goal, there are also
many types of forwards.
Accuracy, head ability, and ball control are the typical qualities of a forward. A
forward does not have to as much work as the midfield or defense but he must be
able to convert when his teammates give him the ball.
Center-forward/striker (CF)
Center-forwards are positioned closest to the opponent’s goal. They have two roles:
first, they score goals through passes from teammates; second, they distract the
defense to give room for the attacking midfielder, winger, or withdrawn striker to
attack.
A striker must be brilliant at receiving and controlling the ball, must be strong, and
capable of winning the ball in the air. Skills at playing with the back to the goal is a
prerequisite. Some of the greatest strikers of all time are Batistuta, Ruud van
Nistelrooy, and Ronaldo.

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Withdrawn striker/deep-lying
forward/second forward (WF)
The withdrawn striker plays behind the forward. It is typical in attacking football
strategies to put him as the main scorer while the person in front of him serves as
decoy. The deep-lying forward is often utilized in the 4-4-2 formation.
A deep-lying forward must have excellent passing skills as he is expected to feed
the striker and at the same time possess technical abilities with the ball as he often
receives back passes from the striker. Pele played as second striker during his
illustrious career.
Other types of forwards
Some strikers are further distinguished by their playing style, not just by where they
stay on the field.
The “off-the-shoulder” striker is a center-forward who is very skilled at breaking the
offside trap and frees himself to face one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He is called
such because he often positions himself parallel with the opposing defenders’
shoulders (in line with the second-to-the-last defender). Davor Suker of Croatia and
Thierry Henry of France are off-the-shoulder strikers.
The goal poacher is a type of striker who often scores goal from inside the
opponent’s penalty area. He does not create his own opportunities but relies on
passes and second-chances to score goals. The poacher often capitalizes on the
mistake of the defense. Examples of goal poachers are David Trezeguet and Pippo
Inzaghi.
Football formations types & names, a simple guide to popular modern soccer
formations: their strategies, tactics, & the famous teams that use them.
Football formation names & types

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List of the best modern soccer formations and how they
work
A football formation is a number set that describes the positions of players on the
field. It determines how many players play on defense, the midfield, and the
frontline. The first number always describes the defender, and so on.
For example, a formation like 4-3-3 plays with four defenders, three midfielders, and
three forwards. The goalkeeper is never mentioned in a soccer formation. Most
formations are described in three numbers but four- and five-rank formations are
also possible.
The coach’s choice of formation is usually dictated by the type of players a team
has. A coach may also change his team’s formations during a game to adapt with
different situations (for example, when a goal is scored, a player is sent off by a red
card, or a key player is injured). Below are the most dominant formations in
football today:
4-4-2 formation (4-4-1-1 / 4-1-2-1-
2)
4-4-2 is the most basic of modern football
formations. It is composed of four defenders (two
center-backs, two fullbacks), four midfielders (two
central midfielders, two side midfielders), and two
forwards.
In the 4-4-2 formation, one of the two forwards
often plays outside the penalty box to bridge the
midfield and frontline. This gives the team the
appearance of playing a 4-4-1-1 formation.
The advantage of this formation is having an extra player that can help the striker

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attack without having to wait for midfield support. Another advantage of the 4-4-2
formation is width: the two side midfielders and two fullbacks allow a team to cover
the space on the sides in defense and utilize it in offense.
A team can split the function of the two central midfielders: one can be assigned a
deep role in defense while the other can be placed further up to push the ball in
offense. This creates a diamond-shaped midfield and turns 4-4-2 into a 4-1-2-1-2
formation.
4-4-2 came to prominence in European football with A.C. Milan under legendary
football managerArrigo Sacchi. Milan utilized this formation to win three European
Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, and three UEFA Super Cups between 1988 and
1995.
4-3-3 & 4-5-1 formations
4-3-3 sounds like a very offensive formation and 4-5-
1 a very defensive one but, amusingly, both
formations are basically the same. Both play with
four defenders, three central midfielders, two
wingers, and one striker. However, in 4-3-3 the
wingers are considered as forwards while in 4-5-1
they are considered more as midfielders.
In the 4-3-3, the central midfielder in the middle is
primarily assigned on defense and is positioned just
in front of the back four. The other two midfielders
play an all-around role: they participate in defense as
well as in offense.
Wingers in the 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 have the following responsibilities: they bring the
ball up to the striker, provide him crosses, or cut inside the penalty area to support
the striker. When their team loses the ball, it is their task to mark the opposing
fullbacks.
In this type of formation, the striker is typically good at playing with his back to the
goal: he can control passes and distribute the ball to teammates or make pivot
shots. Because the striker is expected to receive many crosses, teams who play 4-3-
3 or 4-5-1 often field a tall striker who has a great heading ability.
Barcelona adapted a version of 4-3-3 formation in winning back-to-back La Liga
championships in 2005 and 2006 as well as the UEFA Champions League title in

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2006. During the same period, Chelsea used the more defensive 4-5-1 formation
with coach Jose Mourinho to win back-to-back Premier League titles.
5-3-2 & 3-5-2 formations
5-3-2 and 3-5-2 are two football formations that are
the same. Their only difference is how the two
players on each flank are seen. In the 5-3-2, these
players are considered as fullbacks while in 3-5-2
they are considered more as wingers. In practice, 3-
5-2 is simply 5-3-2 in an offensive mode.
In the 5-3-2, there are five defenders (three central
defenders, two defenders/wingers), three central
midfielders, and two forwards. One central defender
may drop back to play as sweeper to convert the 5-
3-2 to a 1-4-3-2 formation.
The key players in the 5-3-2 formation are the fullbacks: their primary tasks are to
defend the flanks but they also give width to a team’s offense by providing support
from the sides. Since those players have to work the whole length of the pitch, they
are typically versatile players with high stamina.
Of the three midfielders in the 5-3-2, one is positioned in front of the defense to
perform defensive tasks. The two other midfielders play a more offensive role even
if they also participate in the team’s defense. Usually, one forward plays as a striker
while the other plays a supporting role.
One of the most remarkable team that played with this formation is 2002 World
Cup champion Brazil, which played an offensive 5-3-2, relying on its able fullbacks
Cafu and Roberto Carlos.
4-3-2-1 formation (the “Christmas
tree”)
The 4-3-2-1 is a narrow football formation played
with four defenders (two fullbacks, two center-
backs), three central midfielders, two attacking
midfielders, and one striker. Because of its pointed
shape on the blackboard, 4-3-2-1 is dubbed the
“Christmas tree” formation.
Defense in the 4-3-2-1 is the same with other flat

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back four formations, except that the defense on the flanks is left solely to the
fullbacks. Like in the 5-3-2 and 4-3-3, one player on central midfield is assigned a
defensive role while the other two are more offense-oriented.
Unlike the 4-5-1, the two attacking midfielders focus more on the middle instead of
the wings. However, a coach can give more width to its offense by letting the
fullbacks work the whole length of the pitch.
Carlos Ancelloti, as coach of AC Milan, implemented the 4-3-2-1 formation in
winning two Champions League titles (2003 & 2007).
4-2-3-1 & 4-2-1-3 formation
The 4-2-3-1 is a football formation made up of four
defenders, two central midfielders, three advanced
midfielders (one playmaker, two wingers), and a
striker. When people consider the wingers in the 4-2-
3-1 as forwards, this formation is listed as 4-2-1-3.
However, 4-2-3-1 and 4-2-1-3 are essentiallythe
same.
The two central midfielders in this formation are
primarily defensive and so they are often called
“holding midfielders”. Ahead of them are the
wingers, who usually work very near the touchline to spread out opposition defense
and provide crosses to the striker.
The playmaker is the key player in this formation, being the one who controls the
team’s offense. He is typically the most skillful, creative, and tacticallyaware player
of a team. Usually, he is not assigned to a fixed position and is free to play on any
part of the football field (parts of a football field).
This formation has the big advantage of having both a playmaker, who coordinates
the attack, and wingers, who give width to the offense.
The 4-2-3-1 formation was the basic formation of the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa. It was used by more than half of the 32 teams in that tournament and was
the formation of three of the four semi-finalists: Germany, Spain, and Netherlands.
Other football formations
The evolution of football strategies and tactics brought about the birth of numerous
new formations. Below are some unorthodox football formations:

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3-4-3 formation (3-3-1-3)
3-4-3 is a football formation popularized by Barcelona and AC Milan in the 1990s,
which evolved from the 4-3-3. It looks very offensive, with only three players left to
defend in front of the goal. However, the midfield and the backline can work closely
together on defense, especially when the ball is near their goal.
A popular three-forward formation similar to the 3-4-3 is 3-3-1-3, which was used
by the Dutch total football team of the 1970s and West Germany in the 1972
World Cup.
3-4-2-1 formation
3-4-2-1 is a football formation that is played with three defenders, four midfielders
(two center midfielders, two side midfielders), two attacking midfielders, and one
striker. It is similar to a 3-4-3 except that the wingers are replaced by as attacking
midfielders instead.
3-6-1 formation
3-6-1 is a football formation with three defenders, six midfielders (two defensive
midfielders, two wide midfielders, two offensive midfielders), and one striker. This
unusual formation is often used when a team is leading to constrain play to the
midfield. 3-6-1 can easily be converted into a more balanced 4-4-2 formation by
dropping back one midfielder in defense and putting one midfielder on the frontline.
1-4-3-2 formation
1-4-3-2 is a football formation that became popular with Italy’s catenaccio
system in the 1960s. It is typically played with one sweeper, four defenders (two
center-backs, two fullbacks), three central midfielders, and two strikers.
When used with the catenaccio tactic, players often lie deep in their own half
playing defense primarily and waiting for good opportunities to counter-attack. The
key player in the formation is the sweeper, who provides an additional line of
defense behind the center-backs.
4-6-0 formation
4-6-0 is a football formation that assigns no dedicated striker. It is similar to a 4-3-3
or the classic football formation 4-2-4, except that there are actually no

38 | P a g e
forwards since the frontline is withdrawn deep into the midfield. 4-6-0 can also be
described as a 4-3-3-0 formation.
This formation was dubbed by Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira as the
“formation of the future” and was used by Manchester United to become
2008 UEFA Champions League winner.
Old football formations, study how the soccer formations of the past work and
the famous teams that utilized them.
Get a better understanding of how classic soccer formations
worked
In the earliest days of football there were no specific formations or designated
positions. Football was played like a children’s game of kick and run: the ball was
kicked long and all the players ran towards it.
In 1863, the offside rule in football was formalized with the creation of the
English Football Association. The rule stated that any player in front of the kicker is
offside and cannot play the ball. The kick and run game was no more and became a
game of charge-and-dribble: players dribbled the ball as far as they can towards the
opponents goal with several teammates to their sides. Players rarely passed the ball
and there was no real formation.

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Because of excess of dribbling and the poor number of goals scored, the FA
amended the offside rule. Forward passes were allowed again as long as there were
three players between the receiver and the goal line. With the new rule, teams
began to play a more organized football which led to the creation of tactical
formations.
Below are the most influential formations in the formative years of football.
The earliest football formations: 1-2-
7
1-2-7 is the most popular formation in the 1860-70s.
With only one center back, two halfbacks, and seven
forwards, it reflects the all-attacking nature of
football in that era. The strategy at that time was
mostly based on long ball to the upfield and charge-
dribbling.
The English team played with a 1-2-7 formation
when they faced Scotland in 1872. The Scots,
represented by Queen’s Park Rangers, utilized a 2-2-
6 formation.
Unlike the English, who played a game based on individual skills, the Scots relied on
short passing and teamwork. By passing the ball among each other, the Scots were
able to grind an unexpected 0-0 draw against highly favored England.
1880 – 1925: The Pyramid (2-3-5
formation)
The 2-3-5 formation is popularly known as the
“pyramid” because of its triangular shape on the
blackboard. It was popularized by English football
team Preston North End, which had many Scottish
players on its lineup. (The arrival of Scots in English

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clubs in the 1880s led to the dominance of the passing strategyover the dribble and
long ball type of play.)
The pyramid can be considered the first formation that relied on teamwork rather
than individual effort. In defense, the left and right halves mark the opposition
wingers and the center backs mark the inside forwards. The key player is the center
half, who marks the opposition striker and is in charge of pivoting the team from
defense to offense. After retrieving the ball in defense, he organizes his team’s
attack and feeds the ball to the forwards.
Preston North End used the 2-3-5 formation to become the first winners of the
English Double: winning both the English League and the FA Cup in 1889. They
went through the entire season without conceding a loss, earning them the
nickname “The Invincibles” and encouraging other clubs to adopt the pyramid. The
formation continued to dominate English football until 1925, when the offside rules
were changed to allow players to receive forward passes if there are at least two
defenders between him and the goal line.
In the 1930s, a modified 2-3-5 formation was popular in Austria, Hungary, and
Czechoslovakia. Called the Danubian school, its primary strategy is to distribute the
ball through short ground passes. It reached its peak when Austria finished fourth in
the 1934 World Cup (Football world cup 1934).
1925 – 1945: W-M formation (3-2-2-
3)
The 3-2-2-3 formation was popularized by Arsenal
manager Herbert Chapman in 1925 when the offside
rule was changed. Chapman countered the increased
pressure on defense by putting an equal number of
players on the offensive and defensive ends.
Three defenders (two fullbacks, one center back)
and two halfbacks make up the defensive end while
two inside forwards, two wingers, and one striker
make up the offense. This 3-2-2-3 formation was
more popularly called as the W-M formation because the defenders’ arrangement on
the field forms a “W” while the forwards form an “M.”
In a game, the W-M formation works with three forwards in front of the opponents’
goal, three defenders in front of the team’s own goal, and four players forming a
square in the middle. Teams that have high-endurance midfielders can play this

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position with seven forwards or seven defenders at a time. This can be done by
halfbacks moving up in offense and inside forwards dropping back in defense.
Arsenal is the most famous team associated with W-M. Using this formation, the
club won five First Division titles and two FA Cups between 1931 and 1939. Such
achievement from a previously unsuccessful club spread the use of W-M formation
in all of England.
1934 & 1938: Il Metodo (2-3-2-3)
“Il Metodo” (the method) was a football formation
developed by Italian manager Vittorio Pozzo in the
1930s. Fundamentally, it is a defensive adaptation of
the 2-3-5 formation, formed by withdrawing two
forwards from the frontline.
Two center backs protect the shoulders of the
goalkeeper while the left and right halves take up the
opposition wingers. The center half marks the
opposing striker while two inside forwards lie deep to
help on defense. The center half, just like in the
pyramid position, serves as the transition from defense to offense. The offensive
strategy is based on counterattacking and long balls, which the center half initiates
with the inside forwards.
The Italian football team brought il metodo to prominence by winning the 1934
and 1938 World Cup titles.
1950s: M-U formation (3-2-3-2)
MU is a flexible football formation that was derived
from the WM formation. It places equal number of
players on both halves of the field and was
popularized by the Hungarians in the 1950s.
The formation works with three defenders, two
halfbacks, three forwards (two inside forwards & one

42 | P a g e
withdrawn striker), and two wingers. The key player is the deep-lying striker, who
draws out the opposing center back to make room for the other forwards. In
defense, MU works the same way as the WM formation.
It can be considered that MU brought the death of the then-famous WM formation,
when Hungary defeated England by a score of 6-3 in 1953. Hungarian forwards
constantly swapped places, which confused a man-marking English defense and
ultimately led to the blow out. The game was played in Wembley Stadium and was
the English’ first defeat at the venue.
Late 1950s: 4-2-4
4-2-4 is the predecessor of modern football
formationsand was developed by the Hungarians
and Brazilians independently in the late 1950s. It is
the first formation that featured a four-man backline.
In defense, this formation can become a 4-3-3, with
one forward dropping back to defend in midfield. The
two halfbacks are tasked to block off counterattacks.
Because of a weak middle, much of the defending
will be left to the back four. The defenders should
look to passing the ball as quick as possible to the forwards to exploit their numeric
advantage.
When attacking, the formation works as 3-3-4, with one defender going up to push
the ball. The two strikers give depth to the attack while the two wingers give width.
Brazil brought 4-2-4 to prominence by winning the 1958 World Cup. Since then, it
has evolved to different four-back formations like 4-3-3 and 4-4-2.
Catenaccio style football, know how the catenaccio defense works. Learn its
definition and how to play this “door bolt” formation.
Catenaccio soccer philosophy: if the opponents cannot
score a goal, they cannot win the match

43 | P a g e
Catenaccio is a defense-oriented strategy first introduced by Austriancoach Karl
Rappan in the 1930s. It became popular during the 1960s when Argentinea coach
Helenio Herrera used it to lead Serie A club Inter Milano to several championships.
The success of Inter Milano under Herrera encouraged many Italian teams to adopt
catenaccio style soccer. This same strategy was utilized by the Italian national team
when Herrera was appointed its manager.
Because of its popularity in Italy, catenaccio calcio became almost synonymous with
Italian football in the 1960s.
But in the 1980s catenaccio began to decline as it proved to be ineffective against
attack-oriented strategies such as total football. Yet there remain teams today that
still used the old soccer style that once dominated Europe.
How does catenaccio
calcio work?
Catenaccio calcio literally translates
as “door bolt football.” It is
a football strategy that employs a
very tight man-marking defense, with
players staying deep in their own half
to prevent any offense by the
opponents.
Catenaccio defense seems to block any passage towards the goal, and so the name
“door bolt” soccer. The most significant innovation of catenaccio is an additional
defensive player called the libero or sweeper.
The libero is an Italian word which means “free”. Most often, he freely roams in
front of the goal to prevent any penetration by the opponents. The sweeper or
libero also performs a number of other defensive tasks for the team.

44 | P a g e
The sweeper covers an opponent who manages to break the two lines of defense.
He is also tasked to control loose balls and double-mark an opponent when
necessary. If the opposing team has a talented striker, the sweeper may be
assigned to man-mark him.
With the libero to provide an additional line of defense, the other defenders and
midfielders perform other assignments to prevent the opponents from scoring.
The midfield and the defensive back keep the ball from getting near the goal. Their
primary objectives are to disrupt any offensive flow, put pressure on the attackers,
and deny the best offensive players from getting the ball.
While teams utilizing catenaccio focus primarily on defense, it does not mean that
they are not dangerous offensively. The catenaccio tactic can easily be used for
counterattack, which may leave the offensive team with no time to react to the
quick play switchof catenaccio calcio.
Fouling and conceding free kicks is alright in catenaccio, as long as they are far from
the goal and they do not lead to bookings. Since this tactic employs additional rank,
the catenaccio formation is often 1-3-3-3, 1-4-4-1, or 1-4-3-2.
The pros and cons of the catenaccio
formation
Strengths
 Catenaccio is an effective defensive
football strategy. The double line of
defense prevents opponents from getting
the ball near the goal. In case these two
ranks are broken, the libero and
goalkeeper will still be there to protect the
goal.
 The libero is useful if the opposing team
has a brilliant striker. By closely marking the striker, the libero weakens
him as it would require him extra effort to get the ball. Having a man that
marks the striker also means that he will never be left open to use his
offensive skills to score.
 Catenaccio is an excellent formation for counterattacking. By creating
strong defensive walls, the opponents will be forced to add more players

45 | P a g e
to their offense. This weakens their defense and creates a chance for the
catenaccio formation to make a long pass to its forwards.
 Catenaccio relies primarily on collective hard work and not on individual
skills. Therefore, it is an effective strategy for weaker teams. It is also
effective for teams who become undermanned after a red card.
 Emphasis on a defensive style of play greatly improves the defense of
players. Some of thebest soccer defenders are product of catenaccio
calcio. They are Claudio Gentile, Gaetano Scirea, Paolo Maldini, and
Alessandro Costacurta.
Weaknesses
 Although catenaccio was extensively used in the 1960s and 1970s by
the Italian national football team, it is nearly obsolete at present.
Teams need to adopt more offensive strategies in order to advance in
football competitions since wins are now given bigger points. Before,
teams are rewarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 for a
loss. The same points are awarded today for loss and draw, but a win is
already awarded with 3 points to encourage teams to true spirit of
football—lively and attacking.
 Catenaccio calcio is a poorly balanced playing style since it focuses too
much on defense. It is not practical for stronger teams to play catenaccio
since it nullifies their offensive force.
 Catennacio football requires players to man-mark. This can easily lead to
confusion when playing against a team whose players regularly switch
positions, as in total soccer.
 Since teams prioritize defense when playing catenaccio soccer, they will
have to adopt a retreat game style. This can make teams unpopular and
will subject them to criticism for using an anti football strategy.
Catenaccio in the past
Catenaccio was first introduced by Austrianfootball
coach Karl Rappan in the 1930s. As a coach for Swiss
football club Servette in 1932, Rappan first introduce
the libero then known as “verrou” which means “lock”
in French.

46 | P a g e
Rappan also became the manager of Switzerland’s national team, which he led to
successful international matches against powerhouses like Germany and England.
Catenaccio football, however, is closely associated with Italy since it was the Italians
who played it extensively. In 1947, Italian coach Nereo Rocco used catenaccio calcio
to make Triestina finish second place in Serie A, the Italian football league.
In the 1960s, catenaccio soccer was
utilized by Helenio Herrera who
brought Internazionale Milano to 3
Serie A Championship titles and 2
European Championship Cups. In
1969, Herrera moved to AS Roma
where he won the Italian Cup using
the same defensive soccer strategy.
Herrera was famous for using catenaccio calcio to win 1-0 matches. The basic
elements to Herrera’s strategy were tight defense and rapid counterattacks.
But in 1970, catenaccio-style soccer began to decline because of more innovative
and more offensive strategies. In 1972, Herrera’s Inter was defeated 2-0 in the
European Cup finals by Ajax, with its total football strategy.
The following year, Nereo Rocco’s AC Milan reached the European Super Cup finals
only to be hammered by Ajax 6-0. These two major defeats of Inter and AC Milan
signaled the need for a change in catenaccio-style soccer. Italians began revising
their strategies in favor of more offensive play without having to give up their strong
defense.
By 1982, the Italian national team has come up with a semi-zonal system, which
they used to win over Germany in the 1982 World Cup Finals by 3 goals to 1.
It became apparent in that tournament that Italy was starting to evolve from a
highly defensive system in favor of more attack-oriented football strategies.
Catenaccio at present
Catenaccio is rarely used today after it diminished in the 1980s. However, hyper-
defensive styles similar to catenaccio are still used at present.
In the 2004 European Football Championship, underdog Greece used a

47 | P a g e
defense-oriented football to triumph over Portugal in the final. The Greek football
squad’s style of play reminded many of the catenaccio tactic Italy used to be
famous for.
In that game, the Portuguese soccer team kept possessionmost of the time but
were unable to score because of the tight Greek defense. Greece played defense
patiently until they had the chance to score.
In the 57th minute, Greece stole the ball and Angelos Charisteas dribbled all the
way to the top of Portugal's goal to score with a blaster. Greece’s defense prevented
Portugal from scoring and won the match 1-0.
One football manager closely associated with catenaccio calcio is Jose Mourinho,
who coached F.C. Internazionale Milano from 2008 to 2010.
In April 2010, when Milano beat Barcelona in the European Champion’s
League semis, the club used a defensive strategy similar to the catenaccio played
by Herrera and Rocco in Italy in the 1950s and 1960s.
Inter defended tightly and often doubled the man with the ball. Inter also played
tough defense against Barca’s strikers, such as Lionel Messi.
Mourinho’s catenaccio, however, required players to play further up the field, unlike
the traditional catenaccio where players stayed deep in their own pitch.
Today, most of the clubs noted for the catenaccio style of play are Italian. The list
includes Roma, with its strong four-man defense at the back and the Italian national
team itself, for its 4-3-3 formation which sometimes work as the classic catenaccio
formation of 1-3-3-3.
Total football strategy explained, this football tactics guide tells you how the
total football works.
Total football is considered as the most impressive tactic
ever. Find out how this strategy revolutionalized the game
in the 1970s.

48 | P a g e
When asked what total football is about, Johann Cruyff, one of the strategy’s most
famous proponents, simply said: “attackers could play as defenders and defenders
as attackers. Everyone could play everywhere.”
Total football is an attack-oriented strategy where players have no definite position.
With the exception of the goalkeeper, everybody is allowed to play anywhere on the
field. Coordination, spacing, and player movement are the key elements of total
soccer.
Total soccer strategy is most closely associated with Netherlands, where it has been
first played. In the1974 World Cup, the Dutch national team brought it to world
prominence under coach Rinus Michels.
How total football works
In total football, players switchto different positions to confuse the opponent’s
defense. For this strategy to work, there must be a midfielder who can coordinate
both offense and defense.
In the case of the Dutch soccer team of the 1970s, that man was Johan Cruyff. He
played as forward but he often moved to different roles as his team needed it. But
more importantly, he could tell his teammates where to go and what position they
should occupy.
Total football’s main strategy is to possess the ball as much as possible. Players
position themselves far from each other and pass the ball around. While the ball is
being distributed, some players move around to get into good scoring position.
There are three main objectives in a total football defense: keep the ball away from

49 | P a g e
the goal, intercept passes, and mark deadly strikers. Total footballers work as a unit
in defense. They narrow down passing lanes and work together aggressively
retrieve the ball as soon as possible.
Why do players have to switch position in total football?
When seeing total football for the first time, people may ask why players have to
switchpositions. To understand this, let us have a little historical background on
football in the 1960s.
During that decade, Europe was dominated by Italy with its hyper-defensive
football strategycalled “catenaccio.” In catenaccio calcio, players man-mark
their opponents closely to deny them the chance to score.
Such tight man-marking became a problem for many clubs. Coach Rinus Michels of
Ajax defeated it by making his players move to different positions. This soccer
strategy created a dilemma for the man-markers.
If they chased their man, they would find themselves in the wrong position when it
is their team’s turn to attack. If they let their man go, they are risking the chance of
leaving an attacker open.
Rinus trained his players so they can easily adapt to any position. Opponents who
were not as well-adapted as the Dutch total football players found it difficult to keep
up.
Total football history
Total football is most closely linked to Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff but its
invention precedes the Dutch. It was English coach Jimmy Hogan who laid the
foundations in 1910 of what would later be called as total soccer.

50 | P a g e
Hogan introduced the two basic concepts of total soccer as coach of Dutch
football club Dordecht: player stamina and ball passing. 15 years later, the strategy
that Jimmy Hogan brought to Netherlands was refined by fellow English coach Jack
Reynolds.
Reynolds managed Ajax Amsterdam intermittentlyfrom 1915 to 1947. He is the one
who brought the aspect of spacing into Hogan’s strategy. He did this by introducing
the winger, a soccer positionwhere a player widens the offense by running the
ball on the flanks.
One of the most brilliant players in Reynold’s Ajax squad was Dutchman Rinus
Michels. He had the mindset of a strategy maker which qualified him to become
Ajax’s manager in 1965 and Netherlands’ coach in 1974.
Michels trained his Ajax players to be versatile anywhere on the field. He also taught
his team to work well with each other. It is in Michels’ time that “totaalvoetbal”
(total football) acquired its name.
The total soccer of Ajax in the 1960s and 1970s became so popular mainly because
of the great players who executed it. Soccer legends Johan Cruyff and Johan
Neskeens are two of the players who worked this strategy to success on the pitch.
Using the total football system, Ajax won three consecutive European Football Cups
(1971, 1972, & 1973), the most prestigious club competition in Europe. These
impressive victories proved to the world the effectiveness of the concept of total
football.
In the 1974 World Cup, Cruyff and the Dutch football team executed total football to
perfection that they became known as “Clockwork Orange.” This nickname denotes
the team’s execution of total soccer, which is unfailing as the working of a clock.
The Dutch team’s execution of total football brought them to the final of the 1974
World Cup. Using the same strategy, they reached the 1978 World Cup final only
to see the championship elude them once more.

51 | P a g e
Total football today
After retiring from playing, Johan Cruyff pursued the career of a football manager. It
is during his tenure in Barcelona when he utilized the principles of total football to
create a style called “tiki-taka.”
Tiki-taka is characterized by consistent ball passing and player movement. It centers
on a midfielder who controls the team’s offense. Today, tiki-taka has also become a
significant strategy of the Spanish football team. Spaniards used it to win the
European Football Championships in 2008 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
Total football no longer exists in its purest form because of its huge demand on
player versatilityand stamina. Yet its principles of passing, wide spacing, and player
movement are evident in the attack-oriented football strategies of the present.
Prepared by
MR. ROCKY L. PENUELA
P.E. INSTRUCTOR

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