Soccer is a sport played between two teams, with each team consisting of eleven players. According to research, soccer is played in 200 countries and with approximately 250 million players. It is the world’s most popular sport (Cricket being the second) and a national sport for over 50 different countries. Football has its root over 20 centuries ago. The first Football Association was formed in 1863. With a large fan base, soccer is not just a sport; in fact, some people see it as a lifestyle, while others even see it as a religion. Here, we will tell you a little bit about soccer and why it’s an excellent workout.
Benefits of Playing Soccer
Like any other sport, playing soccer improves your mental, emotional, and physical fitness. Some of the health benefits of playing soccer are;
Improves Your Aerobic Capacity
Running for 90 minutes enhances your aerobic capacity. This means that you can change from walking to sprinting and your recovery period becomes shorter.
Strengthens Your Muscles
Playing soccer frequently helps different muscles of the body to acquire strength. For example, lower body gains strength when kicking, jumping, or tackling. On the other hand, upper body obtains strength during throw-ins and holding off your opponents.
Burns Fat and Excess Calories
Playing soccer enables you to burn fat and excess calories, hence improving your muscle tone. However, if you’ve been inactive for a long time, participating in a high-intensity soccer match can be a daunting task. But worry not, Musclesfax have got your back, you can shop for legit workout supplements that can help you bring your fitness levels up to scratch.
Burning fat and excess calories minimizes the risk of suffering heart issues later in life too.
Facts About the Game
The majority of soccer lovers may already know some soccer facts. However, for newbies, here are some soccer facts which might amaze you.
Pakistan manufactures and produces at least 80 percent of all soccer balls which makes Pakistan the largest soccer ball producing country.
China hosted the first Women’s Soccer match in 1991.
Soccer was first televised in 1937.
In China, the first soccer balls were manufactured from layers of synthetic leather, while the tube inside the ball was made from latex or butyl.
How to Play Soccer
There are 11 players on each team and here are the different positions;
Goalkeeper
Commonly referred to as a goalie or keeper. His/her central role is to prevent the opposing team from moving the ball between the sticks and over the goal line.
Defenders
There are four types of defenders in soccer: the center-back, sweeper, full-back, and wing-back. They are responsible for protecting the goalie.
Midfielders
Midfielders play between a team’s defenders and strikers/forwards. They have several roles, including defending and creating attacks.
Strikers
Often called forwards, and their main objective is to score goals for their teams.
Soccer is played on a grass field called a pitch. The pitch is rectangular and must have standard measurements of between 100 and 130 meters long and 50 to 100 meters wide.
FIFA
The global soccer governing body is called the Federation Internationale de Football Association, shortened to FIFA, and was founded in France in the year 1904. Gianni Infantino is the current FIFA president.
Hope you have liked “A Little Bit About Soccer and Why It’s an Excellent Workout”.
