Are you a soccer fan or a football fan? Or maybe you like both? Either way, you might be wondering what’s the difference between soccer and football.
For starters, soccer is also known as football outside of the United States. In fact, the word “soccer” comes from the official name of the sport, “association football.”
So what’s the difference between soccer and football?
- the way the game is played is different. Soccer is played with a round ball, while football is played with an oval-shaped ball.
- the number of players. Soccer teams have 11 players, while football teams have anywhere from 11 to 50 players.
- the goal of the game is different. In soccer, the object is to score by kicking the ball into the other team’s net. In football, the object is to score by carrying the ball into the end zone.
- the equipment each sport uses. In soccer, players are only allowed to use their feet, while in football players can use their feet and their hands. This means that football players have to wear more protective gear, including pads for their knees and elbows, as well as a helmet.
- the size of the field. A soccer field is bigger than a football field.
- the amount of time each game is played. Soccer is played for 90 minutes, while football is played for 60 minutes. This difference in time means that soccer players have to be in excellent shape to be able to play the entire game, while football players can be a bit more relaxed since they don’t have to play as long.
- soccer is a continuous game with no timeouts, while football is a stop-and-start game with timeouts and breaks in between plays.
- the ball can be played with any part of the body except arms and hands, while in football, the ball can only be played with hands and feet. This difference means that soccer players have to be more creative in their approach to the game, while football players can be more direct.
