Soccer

Your Guide

Alex Waite

•  ‘GF’ in Soccer Stands for ‘Goals for’, Referring to the Number of Goals a Team Scores Throughout a Season.
• A Team’s GF Is Tallied Throughout a Season and Their Total Is Shown in the League Table. 
• The Total Goals Scored by a Team Are Vital in Soccer. It Can Impact Their League Position at the End of the Season. 

GF in soccer stands for ‘Goals For’.

This is shown in a league table to show how many goals a team has scored during the season.

GF can also be used in group stages in competitions like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Years ago, as a young soccer enthusiast, I was completely unaware of how league tables worked.

This was made even harder when following English soccer.

There are five national leagues and 14 further semi-professional leagues in English soccer. 

Yet, I VIVIDLY REMEMBER watching the scores on Teletext and then seeing the league tables after the final whistle on a Saturday afternoon.

Initially, I couldn’t make heads or tails of the data presented IN FRONT OF ME.

I simply knew Man United would generally be near the top of the Premier League.

In comparison, my team, Crystal Palace FC, would be NEAR THE BOTTOM of whatever league they were in.

But understanding WHY was confusing. 

With help from my equally soccer-mad friends and family, I learned about all the numbers and their abbreviations.

This includes GF, ‘Goals For’. At the time, it helped me understand the league standings more thoroughly.

But, in the long-term, understanding abbreviations like GF helped me understand how some in-game situations in soccer would have a bearing on the outcome of a league table.

Below, we explain what GF is in soccer.

But we also highlight why it is an important abbreviation to understand when fans are following or playing soccer AT ANY LEVEL.

What Is the Point of GF in Soccer?

Like me when I was a young soccer fan, you may be thinking, what is the point of GF?

Why keep track of how many goals a team scores across the season?

GF in soccer keeps track of how many goals an individual team scores in a single season or competition.

In the rules of some soccer competitions and leagues, the number of goals scored CAN DETERMINE final positions. 

If two teams battling for the league title have the same number of points, and the same goal difference (or GD), then the number of goals they have scored can be used to determine THE WINNER. 

In the 2011/12 Premier League season, the closest-ever goal difference margin decided the eventual winners of the league…

..Man City JUST EDGED their rivals, Man United, to the Premier League title as they had a +64 goal difference, compared to United’s +56 goal difference. 

However, the official Premier League rules changed recently. Instead of using GD, head-to-head results are used TO FINALIZE team positions under rule 17.

This means that the team with the most wins against their rivals will determine the eventual winner of the league.

This can also apply to relegation places as teams with the worse head-to-head results may get relegated. 

Most GF in Soccer History

The title for most GF in top soccer leagues goes to Real Madrid who scored 121 goals in the 2011/12 season. 

Soccer can be enjoyed for its tactical depth.

For instance, I enjoy watching an underdog team digging in defensively and scoring one goal on the counter-attack as much as I enjoy one team scoring five goals per game. 

One of my favorite games was when Celtic beat Barcelona 2-1 at Parkhead in the Champions League.

Celtic had 27% possession and five shots but still won.

However, many would rather see Barcelona win 5-0 in this instance because goals equal entertainment, a view that I totally accept also. 

Ultimately, netting goals at the top level of soccer is no mean feat and VERY FEW TEAMS have surpassed the 100 goals mark in the leading soccer leagues.

Below are some of the highest-scoring teams in some of the most competitive soccer leagues in the world. 

• Premier League – Man City GF: 106 goals
• La Liga – Real Madrid: 121 goals
• Serie A: Atalanta: 98 goals
• World Cup – Hungary: 27 goals
• UEFA Champions League – Barcelona: 45 goals
• MLS – LAFC: 85 goals

Your Guide

Alex Waite

• Baseball Was Invented in the United States and Its Popularity Grew in the Late 19th Century.
• As Us Expansion Began Into Central America in the Early 20th Century, Explorers and Industrialists Introduced the Sport to Countries Like Panama, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
• Soccer Has Lagged Behind in the United States and Only Gained Widespread Attention When Major League Soccer Began in the 1996 Season. 

Baseball is more popular than Soccer in the following countries:

• United States
• Canada
• Cuba
• the Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico
• Venezuela and
• Japan

Although soccer is the most popular global sport by a long stretch, with an estimated 4 billion fans.

Baseball is played more often and supported more in specific countries and regions due to a range of SOCIAL and HISTORICAL FACTORS.

For me, soccer was always the most talked about, most played and MOST ENJOYED SPORT from my childhood.

In fact, its presence was everywhere in British culture.

From adverts on the television to drop-down games played in school playgrounds and on neighborhood streets, soccer was ALMOST UNAVOIDABLE to an extent. 

In different countries and cultures, other sports are more prevalent, which is why they become more popular in these societies.

When I have visited other continents and countries, most of which have been in continental Europe and South America, the presence of soccer is everywhere.

Much like the UK, small soccer pitches are built into concrete estates, in the favelas of Brazil and some form of soccer is shown in bars EACH DAY. 

For baseball, similar histories exist, but they stem from the US instead.

When soccer spread around the world as part of British industrialization, baseball followed a similar path after its invention in the US in the late 18th century.

In this article, we highlight some countries where baseball is more popular than soccer and we compare the popularity of each sport. 

Why is Baseball More Popular Than Soccer in the United States?

As baseball was invented in the US, it is no surprise that the sport is more popular here compared to soccer.

Early, informal games of baseball were played since the 1700s when English colonists brought rounders and cricket to the US.

The two games were blended to create baseball in the late 18th century.

By the time of the American Revolution, baseball was played in major cities, mostly on the East Coast where many British colonists landed.

Then, the game went from strength to strength and the first codified set of rules was created in September 1845.

A group of New York City men who founded the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club came together to improve the gameplay and structure of baseball.

Eventually, Major League Baseball began in 1869, and the sport has been a favored pastime, particularly on the East Coast, ever since.

By comparison, Major League Soccer didn’t begin until 1996, the first time soccer was given a NATIONAL AUDIENCE and platform in the US. 

Although soccer has been unable to compete with MLB for around 150 years, there are signs that the tide is shifting.

Soccer is reportedly becoming more popular and a 2018 survey by American analytics company, Gallup, found that 9% of participants had baseball as their favorite sport, while 7% chose soccer.

How Did Baseball Become More Popular Than Soccer in Japan and Central America?

US culture, including sports like baseball, was introduced into Central America in the early 20th century.

Military personnel, explorers, and business people working in this region brought a piece of home WITH THEM.

Also, the conditions in these countries and regions suited a slower-paced sport like baseball rather than an INTENSELY physical sport like soccer.

The same happened in Japan after the end of World War II as military GIs and overseas workers continued to play baseball when stationed in the country.

However, baseball was already popular in Japan as the aims of the sport suited the Japanese philosophy of teamwork, making it a popular team sport before the US influence from 1945 onwards.

This introduction of baseball has had a POSITIVE EFFECT in these countries.

It is the most popular sport in countries like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Japan.

Alternatively, the reach of British and European colonists, who introduced soccer to new countries and regions, had VERY LITTLE INFLUENCE on the central American countries or Japan. 

Your Guide

Alex Waite

• Soccer Cleats Should Be a Tight Fit but Have a Small Space in the Toe.  
• Different Players Have Different Needs for Their Cleats Based on Playing Time, Conditions and Playing Surfaces. 
• Preparation, Trying On Cleats and Breaking Them in Is Essential. 

Soccer cleats should not fit tightly around your foot and some space is required between the end of your toes and the cleats.

Ultimately, you want the cleats to be a SLIGHTLY EXTENSION to your foot size for comfort and some room to maneuver. 

There is no substitute for a well-fitting pair of soccer cleats as problems will occur if players get the wrong size.

I have experienced poorly fitting cleats in the past from hand-me-down pairs and, honestly, it becomes PAINFUL IF YOU PERSIST.

When I saved up and eventually brought my pair of cleats, I was SO EXCITED to try them out that I came back with bloodied feet and was sidelined with injury for two weeks because I got the size wrong.

On the other hand, when I played soccer at university, I rushed to get a pair of cleats from the local sports shop, opting for a couple of sizes bigger as that was all the shop had.

Needless to say, my performance suffered as a result, and felt like I was playing on an ice rink. 

A lot of younger players I have coached also head into the game unaware of the potential injuries that come with ill-fitting cleats, such as blisters and friction burn.

In a recent season, one of my players was out of action for a month as they continued to wear poorly fitting cleats. 

To help find the best cleats for you, we have compiled a useful step-by-step guide to follow when purchasing cleats. 

How Should My Soccer Cleats Fit?

As a general guide:

1. You should be able to press your thumb on the toe of the cleats and feel half of the space.
2. If you can only feel your toe and nothing else, the cleats are too tight.
3. If you cannot feel your toe at all, they are too loose. 

In an ideal world, soccer players would be able to go into a sports shop or head online, select their preferred cleats in their shoe size and start playing.

However, soccer cleat manufacturers update and change their styles and fits so much that no two boots are the same.

By the time you come to upgrade your cleats, they may be a completely different fit from YOUR PREVIOUS PAIR.

Research conducted by podiatrist Emma Cowley outlines all the factors that can play a part in ill-fitting cleats and the knock-on effect they can have on player injuries.

Her research outlines the fine details of getting soccer cleat fittings correct as movements in soccer are so reliant on the foot as a base. 

Whether you are a new soccer player or experienced and looking for an upgrade, we have outlined some questions to ask yourself below when trying to find well-fitting cleats.

How Can I prepare for My New Soccer Cleats?

Spending a bit of time researching your soccer needs and requirements for soccer cleats can save time, money and help you perform better on the pitch.

When I have rushed into purchases in the past, by choosing a cheap, ill-fitting pair to fill the void after my old cleats have broken, it has NEVER ENDED WELL.

The immediate knock-on effects were missed training sessions and matches while my feet recovered from blisters and burns.

However, long-term injuries mean I now have one permanently swollen little toe on my right foot from continuous friction and wear and tear, which occasionally becomes painful.

The steps below can help to PREVENT INJURIES like mine and they make for a smoother playing experience.

My failures were the result of being young, inexperienced and simply wanting to get on the pitch and play, completely unaware of the damage I caused to my feet.

A short amount of prep time would have led to more playing time.

1. Know Your Shoe Size First 

Any footwear shop will help you to measure your feet to find your correct shoe size.

Alternatively, you can measure your feet and use an online guide to find out.

From here, you may want to get a half-size bigger soccer cleats so you have the additional wiggle room in the toe area. 

2. Playing Conditions 

If you are playing in hot and dry conditions, a more breathable, lightweight fitting cleat will help.

Alternatively, wet and cold playing conditions may need more heavy-duty cleats made from natural leather. 

Also, think about how different layers may affect the fit.

When I played in the winter months in the UK, I would sometimes wear two pairs of thick socks and an ankle brace so I would get one size up from my natural shoe size. 

3. What Are Your Playing Needs? 

Are you playing soccer outdoors multiple times a week on a grass surface?

Or do you play the occasional small-sided match on artificial surfaces?

One of the joys of soccer comes from the multiple gameplay formats available.

Knowing your needs will help you prepare for the cleats you need, For example, a player who plays once a week on artificial grass may need more snug-fitting cleats with multiple, smaller studs.

Alternatively, a player who plays on grass multiple times a week may need soft ground cleats that allow some space for the toe.

When Should I First Try On My Cleats?

Once you have done your preparation and found the cleats you want, it is time to get them and TRY THEM ON.

But, never get your cleats out of the box and head straight on to the pitch as you could be heading back to the changing room in minutes. 

I have seen countless players of all ages, including myself, showing off their brand new cleats, ready to get on the pitch and take them for a spin, only to be limping by the end of the training session or match.

In many cases, players literally cannot jog after ten to 15 minutes of wearing badly fitting cleats.

Often, players don’t have time to break in their cleats as they fit in soccer between work, family, school etc.

However, just taking your new cleats out of the box and trying them on with a pair of soccer socks in your home will give you some kind of guide about how your cleats fit.

If the toe feels cramped in any way, or your heel is rubbing and feels sore, the cleats are too tight. 

Is Breaking In Important?

There is no substitute for breaking in a pair of cleats.

Even if you have found a pair of cleats you absolutely worship and they feel like they fit perfectly once they have arrived, you are likely to still encounter injuries or problems WITHOUT BREAKING THEM IN.

Taking things slowly and easing in your new boots is the ideal preparation to get them to match ready.

Rather than getting straight onto the pitch and going the whole 90 minutes in your new cleats, give them a 5-10 minute burst first.

This could be some passes, sprints, jogs, and jumps to get your new cleats used to the movement of your feet.

Furthermore, you get a feel for how your new cleats react on your feet and you can decide if they are the right fit for you and your playing needs. 

• Soccer players flop to deceive, gain an advantage or waste time.
• Some believe flopping in soccer is bad; arguing that it breaks the rules and is unsportsmanlike.
• Others argue that flopping is a learnt skill that is part of the game.

   Your Guide

   Alex Waite

Soccer players flop to deceive the referee, to Gain an Advantage or to Waste Time.

The act of flopping sometimes referred to as diving, has become a regular feature of modern soccer.

Its impact is the subject of much debate among players, pundits, fans and coaches. 

Flopping is when a player over-reacts to a slight tackle or contact.

This can result in rolling around on the floor and acting like a tackle has caused serious harm, when, in fact, the player is absolutely fine.

Below is a compilation from Sky Sports, showcasing some of the most extreme dives in the Premier League.

When I was learning the ropes as a soccer player in growing up in South East London, flopping or diving was CONSIDERED CHEATING and was discouraged by teammates, coaches and even the opposition.

My teammates and I were encouraged to stay on our feet whenever possible.

At times, we were even coached on how to ‘ride’ a tackle, where you could lessen the brunt of a full-blooded tackle from an opposition player and keep possession of the ball. 

If a player went down too easily from a tackle and flopped, there would be NO SYMPATHY.

Growing up playing soccer in a working-class environment there were certain connotations of being tough and competitive, but also by playing by the rules and calling out any cheating. 

However, as I grew up and started playing and discussing soccer with people from different backgrounds and cultures, such as people from South America and continental Europe when studying at university, I understood that there were different perceptions towards flopping.

Some now see it as a LEARNED SKILL and learning to flop to give your team the upper hand in some situations can be advantageous. 

This has led to many arguments about whether flopping in soccer is right or wrong.

In this article, we outline some of the reasons why soccer players flop, but also delve into the discussion of whether the act is acceptable in soccer. 

Why Do Players Flop?

There are many reasons why soccer players flop when playing the game.

Soccer is a competitive sport and many players will do anything in their power to gain a slight advantage, even if that involves making a meal out of a BIT OF CONTACT.

Below are some of the top reasons why soccer players flop:

1) To Deceive

In general, the act of flopping is aimed at deceiving the referee or other officials.

Over-reaction to a seemingly tame slide tackle or challenge can make it seem worse in the eyes of the referee.

As a result, match officials may brandish yellow or red cards for tackles that weren’t worthy of any action.

In 2011, a group of five Australian biologists published research on flopping in soccer for a peer-reviewed scientific journal, PLOS One.

Their research highlighted how players dive when they are in closer proximity to the referee, rather than in the mid or far range of the official’s sight.

Furthermore, they found that the diving player is sending a ‘cost free’ signal to the referee to gain an advantage against their opposition. 

2) Gain Advantage

In certain situations in soccer, gaining even the slightest advantage over the opposition can pay off.

Concerning flopping, this can apply to tricking the referee into giving a penalty or a free kick in a dangerous area of the pitch, even though there was little contact on a player in the first place. 

Another advantage a player can gain by flopping is getting an opposition player sent off by making a meal out of minimal contact.

Sometimes, this occurs when the game has been stopped for a foul, throw-in, penalty etc.

Certain soccer players are known to throw themselves to the floor at a slightly raised hand from an opposition. Their intention is clear, to try and get their opposition SENT OFF. 

One of the most notorious examples of flopping to get an opposition player sent off happened during the 2002 World Cup.

Brazilian great Rivaldo was waiting for the ball so he could take a corner in a semi-final match against Turkey.

Turkey trailed 2-1 and, in an attempt to speed up Brazil’s corner-taking process, Hakan Unsal kicked the ball towards Rivaldo and it struck him in the midriff.

Rivaldo rolled around, feigned injury and Unsal was sent off for appearing to kick the ball intentionally towards Rivaldo’s head.

Ultimately, the Brazilian’s dramatics earned Unsal an undeserved red card.

3) Waste Time

Wasting time in soccer is a COMMON TACTIC.

Many teams and players use delay tactics in certain situations.

As I became a more experienced soccer player, and then when I was developing as a coach, I learnt more and more about game management.

This can involve slowing the pace of a match down when your team has a slender 1-0 lead, for example, by trying to keep possession or kicking the ball towards the opposition’s defensive corner to avoid a dangerous attack. 

However, some players and coaches use flopping to waste time too.

By STAYING DOWN and feigning injury, a player can slow the pace of the game down, especially if the physio has to come on and provide ‘treatment’ for the seemingly injured player.

This allows coaches to get instructions to players and bide time when a team needs to run down the clock. 

Is Flopping Good or Bad?

Ultimately, flopping in soccer is a rule-breaking offence. According to the FA Laws of the Game, flopping, also referred to as “attempts to deceive the referee…

..e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled” is classed as simulation under Law 12, Fouls and Misconduct.

The punishment for simulation is a yellow card.

However, while flopping is technically a bookable offense in soccer, and therefore against the rules, some see it as a skill and even several of the best-ever soccer players are remembered for their theatrics as much as their world-class ability. 

In 2016, sportswriter, Alejandro Chacoff, explained how, when growing up playing football in Brazil, flopping was part of the fabric of the game.

He explains that flopping was ingrained in his family generations before he started playing and the act was admired when professional players like Romanian Gheorghe Hagi flopped in international matches. 

Chacoff’s experience of flopping is in complete opposition to my own, which is that going down easily from a challenge was, and still is, completely unacceptable in any form of soccer.

However, the contrasting views highlight how the act is perceived in world football.

Although it is against the rules, flopping is considered either a skill or something that tarnishes the nature of the game.

Depending on CULTURAL DIFFERENCES and EXPERIENCES of soccer from a young age, flopping is perceived differently. 

• The first set of soccer rules for soccer were written at Cambridge University in 1843.
• Standardised rules for soccer were eventually agreed upon by the Football Association in 1863.
• Since the late 19th century, rules have changed and adapted to keep up with modern developments, such as goal-line technology and Video Assistant Referees (VAR)

   Your Guide

   Alex Waite

Cambridge University was where the early, fundamental and influential rules of soccer were written in 1843.

Since then, the rules of soccer have EVOLVED and they have become refined to modern-day soccer in professional and amateur games. 

Like the history of soccer rules, learning them requires the ability to adapt and change.

Personally, when I first started playing the game in the 1990s, I didn’t know my offside from my foul throw, or my free-kick from my red card.

There were so many things to wrap my head around, whilst also trying to learn the basics of ball control and technique. 

To make things more challenging, the rules change regularly, but this is reflective of how soccer has evolved over time to adapt to an ever-changing game.

The first rules that were written up by a group of enthusiastic soccer players at Cambridge University in 1843 may be a world apart from the modern-day soccer rules. 

But these fundamental laws got the ball rolling for future generations of organized and standardized soccer rules.

In this article, we look at the original laws created at Cambridge and we will analyze how the rules have changed over time. 

Cambridge University Rules

Before a group of Cambridge University students met in 1843 to decide how to create soccer rules, the game was largely unorganised and informal.

Early forms of the game included large numbers on each team (sometimes reaching the hundreds), chasing a ball around huge spaces, like fields or even entire towns, and trying to score in loosely defined goals.

There was also no defined rule on handling the ball WHIST IN POSESSION.

However, in the mid-1800s, public schools in the UK started to form their own rules.

Then, five years after the initial meeting in 1843, the group of Cambridge students published the first known set of standard soccer rules.

Once confirmed, the students pinned the 11 rules to trees around Parker’s Piece, a large common in Cambridge where soccer matches took place, and these became the first set of soccer rules ever.

The list included some of the rules still in use today, including:

• “At the commencement of the play, the ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground: after every goal, there shall be a kick-off in the same way.”
• “After a goal, the losing side shall kick-off; the sides changing goals unless a previous arrangement be made to the contrary.”
• “The ball is out when it has passed the line of the flag-posts on either side of the ground, in which case it shall be thrown in straight.”
• “The ball is behind when it has passed the goal on either side of it.”
• “Every match shall be decided by a majority of goals.”

Evolution of Soccer Rules

When I attend soccer matches, as a coach, player or fan, a big source of discussion about the rules and how they are implemented is common.

A lot of the time in post-match discussions, fans, players and other coaches criticise the referee about how they should have done this, seen that or not given a foul. 

However, I always have sympathy for the referee, largely because I cannot keep up with the law changes myself.

Luckily, coaches and players do not need to keep up with every detail and change to the rules. But referees do need to enforce rule changes. 

Considering how many times the rules of soccer have adapted and changed over the past 150 years, my personal take is that referees need a bit more slack.

As a general guide to showcase how much the rules change, we have listed some of the major dates and rule alterations to soccer below. 

1863 Football Association

Between 1848 and 1863, when the Football Association (FA) expanded the rules of soccer, there were different regional styles of play.

Sheffield rules, for example, were largely used in the north, while Cambridge rules were implemented in the south, as many ex-Cambridge students went on to found soccer clubs.

However, following meetings between soccer clubs in London in 1863, the FA was formed, and the new, revised rules were IMPLEMENTED.

The major change from the new rules was taking out any rules that involved holding the ball or running with the ball whilst it was in a players’ hands.

By 1889, when the English Football League was established, the FA’s rules were the most commonly used soccer rules. 

1886 IFAB

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) was founded by the English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh FA and it was announced as the worldwide governing body that vowed to develop and uphold the Laws of the Game. 

1891 Referee Introduced

Although umpires were used previously in soccer matches, they were hardly comparable to the referees were are used to today.

Before 1891, two umpires, one for each team, would stand on the sidelines and they were only consulted if the two teams had a DISPUTE OVER THE RULES.

But, referees were given a more active role in 1891 as they were armed with a whistle and given the power to signal for fouls, penalties and penalise players. 

1904 FIFA Established 

As soccer grew globally, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was established to bring organisation and professionalisation to the sport.

Representatives from France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland met in Paris on 21 May 1904 to sign the foundation act for FIFA.

Today, the organisation has 211 member countries from around the globe. 

1938 Rous Laws

Minor tweaks were made regularly to the rules of soccer after the FA standardisation in 1863.

However, then international referee and secretary of the FA spent two years re-wording and re-organising the existing Laws of the Game, so they applied to a modern, global game.

In 1938, the Rous Laws were accepted by the IFAB and they became the new, standardised Laws of the Game. 

1990 Modern Offside Law Introduced

This is a rule that has divided opinion between me, family members, friends and colleagues on many occasions.

Watching replays on Match of the Day on a Saturday evening to argue whether Thierry Henry had made a WELL-TIMED RUN

Or whether the Arsenal striker was being naive by timing his off the ball run incorrectly, was like presenting evidence in a court case in my household GROWING UP.

The modern offside rule was introduced in 1990 and the change meant an attacking player was onside if he was level with the last defender once the ball was played.

This law is still in use today and, for me, it remains one of the most controversial and debated in world soccer.

 2013 Goal Line Technology Introduced in England

Another issue that has caused pain and mass discussion and debate, especially as all England fans will remember from the 2010 World Cup.

England trailed Germany 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final before Frank Lampard thumped a volley that crashed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the GOAL LINE.

Watching the game with my friends in a crowded London pub, I remember the WHOLE PLACE ERUPTING IN CELEBRATION.

Even to this day, it was clear the ball bounced over the goal line, and the replays proved this by a good yard! 

Yet, there was no goal-line technology to check and angry England fans would have to wait until 2013 (three years too late for the Three Lions faithful) until goal-line technology was introduced.

It was first used in the 2013/14 Premier League and English cup competitions and remains a key component of the rules today. 

2017 Video Assistant Referee Debuts at Confederations Cup

One of the most significant developments of modern soccer was the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

The technology was debated for years before it was finally used in the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Major League Soccer (MLS) then brought in VAR a few months later for the new season.

In the 2018 World Cup, VAR was used, and it was then implemented in the Premier League in the 2018/19 season.