Football originated in China but took shape in England where the first organized rules were developed by Ebenezer Cobb Morley and approved by the Football Association in 1863. This was done to standardize the game across clubs and reduce fights. Today, about 60 nations consider soccer their national sport, especially in South America, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Soccer became popular worldwide because it requires little expensive equipment to play, is inclusive allowing many players at once, and has relatively simple and easy to understand rules. Different regions have developed distinct styles of play that suit their local players, such as the physical British style, cunning Italian style, and possession-focused Latin style.

1. Football Criterion A Assignment By Sana Amin

2. Intro Soccer is a sport the unites the world. Peopl from all over the world watch it. The FIFA even has more countries as members then the UN!

3. Where did Football/Soccer originate from?

4. The ancient Chinese people were known to play a game called “cuju” that was a game like soccer. The players had to kick a leather ball through a small hole in a piece of silk cloth which was fixed on bamboo canes and hung about 9 m above ground. Evidence shows that other variations of soccer were played in many different parts of the world. It was in England were the sport of soccer started to really take shape and be the sport it is now. Their may have been a few changes here and there but over all its almost the same. So it is safe to say that Soccer as we know today was invented in England and the rules and regulation were all made in England.

5. Who made up the first organized set of rules for Football? Why did they do this?

6. The English in the 19th century created the first rules for the game of soccer . Ebenezer Cobb Morley was the first to draw up the laws in the Laws of the Game. The laws were approved at a meeting of the Football Association (FA) on 8 December 1863. This was done because the rules of soccer were still relatively free and easy, with no standard form of the game. Each school or club in fact developed its own adaptation and, at times, these varied considerably.Without a referee to enforce them, or clear specifications to these rules. For example, what would have been considered a foul in Liverpool might have been accepted as a fair tackle in London. Since soccer sparks some pretty intense competition at times, it caused serious troubles in mid 19th century England. And Soccer fights became common. This caused most of the London clubs to meet in the Freemasons' Tavern in London on 26 October 1863, forming the Football Association (FA). They decided that they would need certain rules for the game of soccer if they were to keep on playing competitively.

7. How many countries play Football as their national sport?

8. About 60 nations play soccer as their national sport. Most of South America Western Europe (all countries ranging form Norway down to Greece). South East Asia (Countries ranging from Indonesia to the Thailand and Cambodia are not particularly strong in football, but it is very popular to watch). Middle East (countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq , Qatar etc all play soccer as their national sport) African Nations: Almost all African nations excluding South Africa have football as their national game.

9. Why do you think Football has become so popular around the world? (Describe 3 reasons and explain in detail why you think they were important).

10. One reason its so popular is because its cheap to play. You just need a ball and goal. For other games you need a lot of expensive equipment and special conditions. For example to play American football you need to spend money to by all the gear like the body pads , helmets etc. In Tennis you need expensive rackets and in Ice hokey you need to have smooth ice and expensive hockey sticks and skates. Another reason is that soccer is a good social game. A lot of players are needed to play a game . So people don’t have to sit out a lot. Unlike badminton or tennis were you can only have 2 or 4 players playing at a time. Also the rules are also easy to learn So even if you just learned it you can still play even though you may not be the best. The basics of the game a pretty simple so its easy to understand. Instead of the complicated rules of the sports.

11. Do you think there are different ways of playing, or styles, of Football in different areas around the world? Explain your answer using Football terms.

12. Most regions in the world have grown diverse, not only in their customs but also in their football. Many countries have developed a unique style of playing the game, which suits the characteristic properties of their local players. The British style is physical, quick, direct. Attacks are set up quickly with few touches on the ball. Passes are direct, often sent over the enemy defense. Italian style is skillful, cunning, cautious. They make forward runs at all angles which is unpredictable and difficult to contain. Defenders prefer to slow the tempo down, shield and play the ball back. Latin style is confident with the ball, good dribblers. They keep the ball in possession very well.

13. Bibliography http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/game/historygame4.html http://www.soccer-for-parents.com/history-of-soccer.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_countries_is_football_a_national_game#ixzz17MU5aDsb http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mobfooty.jpg