Not much equipment is needed to play soccer. Buying equipment for a whole soccer team is less expensive than buying equipment for one American football player.
The first games of soccer were probably played with a ball made out of an inflated animal bladder, or a stuffed bag covered with moss or vines, or even a skull! Today soccer must be played with a round ball no more than 28 inches and no less than 27 inches around. The ball must not weigh more than 16 ounces or less than 14 ounces. The ball is constructed of 32 five-sided panels made out of leather or another type of suitable material.
The field is a rectangular shape. The length may be between 100 and 130 yards. The width is between 50 and 100 yards. The lines on the field are usually white and should be easy to see.
A goal is made with two upright posts that are 8 yards apart. A crossbar is connected to the posts and is 8 feet above the playing field. A net is attached to to the crossbar and the ground behind the goal. The nets are made of hand-knotted cotton or nylon cord. When soccer was first played they did not use nets. When big crowds of people started to watch the games many balls were kicked into the crowds and never returned. The nets helped keep the ball on the field and not so many were lost.
Players wear cleats to get better traction on grass. The cleats on the soles may not be less than half an inch in width, and they cannot stick out more than one-half inch beyond the sole or heel of the shoe. Long sharp cleats are not allowed because of safety factors.
Soccer players wear shorts, shirts, and long socks. Players wear shin guards under their socks to protect their shins. The goalie's uniform is not the same color as the rest of the team. He wears different colors so he can be spotted easily. The goalie may wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and goalie gloves
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