Soccer Rules
Rules in any game provide a form of control that makes the game interesting. Different sports have different rules. The rules are what define the identity of the sport. There are several rules, which define a soccer game. Firstly, the most common rule is the time or duration of the game. According to Wang (233), a complete soccer game is supposed to last for 90 minutes. Each half lasts for 45 minutes. The two halves are separated by a fifteen-minute break. In soccer games where teams are competing for a trophy, there is normally an additional thirty minutes of overtime play that is normally played. Resting break between the two halves, which are fifteen minutes long, is five minutes (Wang 233). Subsequently, cases of injuries or ball being played out of bounds may require the referee to add time at the end of each half depending on the situation at hand.
The number of players in a soccer field is normally eleven. This is based on the FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) soccer rules (Wang 233). In case of red cards or injuries, a team can complete a soccer game with seven players. For the World Cup competitions, team usually has eighteen players. This comprises of eleven starting players and seven non-starting players. Further, each team in a soccer game is allowed a maximum of three substitutions.
Different types of fouls exist in a soccer game. Consequently, this results to the awarding of a penalty or free kick (Wang 235). A free kick is normally awarded when a foul is committed anywhere in the field other than the penalty area. Penalties are awarded when a player is tackled unfairly in the penalty area (Wang 235). During the penalty kick, no player is positioned in the penalty area apart from the penalty taker and the goalkeeper (Wang 235).
Offside rule is also another common rule in football. This occurs under several occasions when the offensive player is in following situations. Firstly, the offensive player will be in an offside situation when he or she is ahead of the ball (Wang 236). Secondly, the offensive player will be in an offside position when his or her position is in the defense team’s half field. Thirdly, when the offensive player has an advantage position, he or she is deemed to have committed an offside foul.
Several violations in the soccer game may warrant the referee to give a player a yellow card or a red card. The yellow cards are given to a player who commits a less serious violation of illegal play or unacceptable behavior. The player is allowed to continue playing the game. Red cards, on the other hand, are awarded when a player commits a serious illegal play. A player that is awarded a red card is expelled from the game immediately. Additionally, a player who receives a second yellow card is also expelled from the game. A normal soccer game starts with the team that wins a coin toss done by the referee.
Hockey Rules
The International Federation of Hockey (FIH) is the main body that is responsible for providing and maintaining rules of the hockey game. Just like soccer, the number of hockey players in a game of hockey is eleven. In addition, the hockey game starts with the team that wins a coin toss done the umpire. Hockey differs from soccer in that the players use hockey sticks to hit a small hard ball to score goals. In soccer, the players themselves use their legs to kick the ball and score goals. A hockey game is split into two halves. Each half lasts a period of thirty-five minutes (Hickey 11). The goalkeepers in a hockey game usually have protective gear to protect them from being harmed by the small hard ball. Rules for hockey are separated into three sections. According to Hickey (11), there are rules for playing the game, field, and field equipment specifications and for umpiring. A few rules for each section will be discussed below.
When playing the game, hockey game has no limits to the number of players substituted in a game. Additionally, players must use the required hockey stick and ball and mostly will have some form of protective gear.
A hockey game is normally controlled by two umpires. In a soccer game, one referee controls the game guided by the assistance of two linesmen. A similar concept in both soccer and hockey is that the referee or the umpire may decide to play advantage in case of a foul situation. Further, the referee and the umpires have different hand signals that they use to communicate during the different stages or scenarios in a game.
The goalposts of a hockey game are smaller compared to those of a soccer game. Additionally, as part of the equipment, the hockey stick has to meet the standards that are laid down by the International Federation of Hockey. Moreover, the hockey ball, made from hardened plastic unlike the soccer ball, has to be of a specific weight and dimension.
Analysis
Both these two sports require a form of control during playing. For instance, the lack of using equipment may result to harm in the game of hockey. In addition, the differences that exist between these two sports provide each with a form of identity of its own. Each sport has a different governing body that maintains the rules for each sport. Understanding of rules for both cases is essential to the players to provide and develop harmony during the game and off the pitch.
The idea behind developing rules is to promote cohesion among the players. Situations will always develop that will require a form of a solution to ensure fair play. Rules of the games provide this form solution by addressing the problem through the right procedures. Rules of the game in a community ensure there is discipline. A community that has rules is a sign of a high level of maturity and organization. A whistle is for both sports is a common signal that can be easily understood by the players.
Having a written Ordung provides more information to the people or players. This further promotes the understanding of the different rules of the game. Individuals that are more informed about the different rules of a sport can also develop discipline and learn to respect the sports. For example, most spectators may be able to avoid violent behavior based on decisions that are made by the referee. The rules may contain information such as fines that may be imposed on a team in case violence is started by their own spectators.
Works Cited
Hickey, Julia. Understanding hockey. Leeds: Coachwise, 2007. Print.
Wang, Jin. Soccer made easy: from fundamental skills to championship play. Kennesaw, Ga.:
Ameriscientific, Inc., 2006. Print.
