A Brief History on the Soccer Ball

The iconic black and white hexagon panel balls of today did not make the scene of this historic sport until the 1950s, but was not even made popular until 1970. Ironically it was because of the visibility such a design offered television viewers at home, that the designed was chosen for the first “official” FIFA world cup series game. Soccer, as a basic game concept that involved using a ball, a goal, and relying on feet and not hands to maneuver the ball, is a very ancient sport.

In Ancient Times

Ancient Times Soccer

As far back as the ancient Greek and Mayans, the balls used ranged from preserved human heads, to patchworks of animal skins and bones. In medieval times, human skulls were being used in some European villages still, and the game roamed between neighboring village squares. As time progressed, the leather ball became increasingly popular, as opposed to those that incorporated human remains or animal skulls.

Rubber Changed the Soccer Ball

Rubber Changed the Soccer Ball

Up until the point that rubber was created, the size and shape of soccer balls were determined by the size and shape of the animal bladder, or stomach, that was used to create it. It was not until after vulcanized rubber was invented that soccer balls were began to be made in uniform sizes. The ability to use a standardized and consistent shape of rubber bladder was the start of the soccer ball used today. The first of the modern soccer balls was made in 1855. In 1862 however, the first inflatable bladder made of rubber, making it safer to do so than with bladders made from pigs, which could lead to lung disease.

Soccer Ball Regulations Begin

Soccer Ball Regulations

In 1872, the first regulations began to be set for soccer balls. It was decreed by the English Football Association Skor7.com that the ball used must measure 27 to 18 inches in circumference. This basic rule is still used for official FIFA matches today. The weight limitations that were first set in 1872 have not been changed much over the years as well. The weight limitations of no more than 16 ounces and no more than 14 ounces stands to this day as the requirements for official matches. The most changed feature of the regulation soccer ball has been the materials and patterns used to create them. Earlier soccer balls resembled either basketballs or what can be referred to as medicine balls. Since those days though, the soccer ball has come quite a long ways.

Football Game Play Terms

soccer game play

Assist: One of the few terms in the sport, and the only one to reference a maneuver, that is American in origin. It refers to when a teammate helps another by passing the ball to them so that they can make a goal.

Corner Kick: A corner kick is granted to the opposing team when the ball is knocked out of bounds by someone playing the defender role near the end-line, which is by the goal. The team that was trying to make the goal is allowed to kick the ball back into play from the nearest corner.

Clear: Is a term used to describe the play, either kick, head, or chest bump, that was used to defend a goal. Sometimes the term header can be applied if the goalie used his head, because that is the term used for such moves.

Dribble: Unlike the basketball terminology, dribbling in soccer refers to the feet movements a player uses to move the ball around an opponent.

Dive/Flop: One of the more comical acts in soccer, these are exaggerated and often mocked motions that players will go through to get a free kick or penalty. These include such antics as faking being hit/injured by another player.

Free Kick: Players can get a free kick against the opposing team if the other team is seen to cause potential harm via reckless behavior. As mentioned with the dive/flop maneuver, it is not uncommon for players to get free kicks by faking an injury as the result of another player being careless. A particularly good example is when one player did a flop after merely being flicked on the ear by a member from the opposing team.

Goal: Using the term points instead of goals might earn some glares from die-hard football fans. When it comes to international matches, if the score is 6-4, then it is stated as; six goals to four.

Supported by Dominoll Bet

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