Soccer is a very popular sport which many people enjoy watching on television or in person. Some of the most famous soccer games are by professional teams playing for decades.
But how long do professional soccer games last? We will explore how long professional soccer games last and what factors influence the duration of each game in this blog post.
How Long Do Professional Soccer Games Last?
Soccer is a sport that has been there for centuries. It originated in England and then spread to the rest of the world. Soccer, also known as football, is a game between two teams of 11 players each.
The object of the game is to score more goals than your opponent. Each team is given half of the playing field and tries to get the ball into their opponent’s net. A professional soccer game goes for 90 minutes, with an added 15-minute halftime break in between halves.
Depending on the weather, soccer games are usually on surfaces such as grass fields, turf fields, or even indoor arenas. Soccer players wear cleats, shin guards, and different kinds of protective gear depending on where they are playing their game or what league they play in.
Some leagues require that goalies (the player who defends the net) wear a helmet, while other leagues do not allow them to wear helmets at all. Many kids start out playing soccer in their backyard with friends. There are also many youth leagues around the country for kids to join.
Soccer is a very popular sport worldwide, and there are many professional leagues that people can watch and enjoy. The English Premier League, La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy, and Bundesliga in Germany are the most popular professional soccer leagues.
Soccer is a very physical sport which might be dangerous at times. Players often collide with each other while trying to get the ball and get injured. This is why soccer players need to wear all the proper gear while playing.
What Are The Rules Of Professional Soccer?
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) sets the official rules of professional soccer. These rules cover all aspects of the game. This is from how players must behave on the pitch to the size and shape of the playing area.
One of FIFA’s primary aims is to ensure that the gameplay is correct. The rules are in place to provide this guidance and ensure a fair game.
The list below details some of FIFA’s official soccer rules, including examples for each rule.
Every soccer team has 11 players on the pitch at one time. The duration of a professional soccer game is 90 minutes, with an added 15-minute halftime break in between halves.
A player cannot be offside if he is in his half of the playing area. Offside is when a player is in an advantageous position to play the ball instead of being in line with the ball and the second-last defender.
This rule prevents players from unfairly obstructing their opponents. For example, if a player is in an offside position and tries to intercept a pass, their opponents may be disadvantaged.
The referee will stop the match if they believe that there is a serious risk to the safety of any of the players. In some cases, play may resume once the danger has passed, but they may abandon the match in other instances. This rule aims to ensure the safety of all players and officials.
If a player commits an infringement or foul, the ref must show them a yellow card. If they get two cautions in one match, it results in the offending player being sent off (shown a red card) and not allowed to play for the remainder of that game.
The ref will show a player a yellow card if they believe that they have committed a minor offense, such as deliberately wasting time or tripping an opponent. A red card is for more serious offenses, such as violent conduct or spitting at an opponent.
One can’t score a goal directly from a throw-in. When taking a throw-in, the ball must be thrown from behind and over the player’s head taking the throw-in. This rule is in put there to prevent teams from scoring easily from a restart. For example, if a team is attacking and their opponent takes a throw-in deep in their half, it would be difficult for them to score directly from the throw-in.
One can score a goal directly from a corner kick. A team gets a corner kick when the ball has passed over the defending team’s goal-line last touched by an attacking player of that side, having been previously kicked or headed by a member of either team at least once while it was still in play.
This rule aims to make corner kicks a more attacking option, as teams are no longer limited to shooting from a distance. For example, if the ball goes into the corner of the penalty area, a player can shoot at goal. They can do so without waiting for another player to take a touch.
Players must respect the referee’s authority, even if they feel a decision is incorrect or unfair. The whole team should help referees ensure that play continues safely at all times.
If it does not, both teams may make substitutions as appropriate to maintain fairness in numbers. Goalkeepers must not handle the ball outside of their penalty area, with a few exceptions. They will be penalized with an indirect free kick if they do so.
For example, they can do so if a goalkeeper handles the ball in their penalty area and then kicks it out to a teammate. If they handle it outside of their penalty area and then kick, head, or throw it to a teammate, this will be penalized with an indirect free kick.
The goalkeeper also cannot pick up the ball when someone else is trying to control it unless that person has deliberately kicked or thrown the ball away to ensure the game restarts safely.
Professional Soccer FAQs
Who is a professional in soccer?
Professional soccer players play in a league where they receive payment to be on the team. The major leagues for men’s and women’s professional teams include NFL (National Football League), MLS (Major League Soccer), NBA (National Basketball Association), and MLB (Major League Baseball). Even though some college-level athletes receive payment, they are not professional because they do not play in a league.
Professional soccer leagues include Europa League, UEFA Champions League, and CONCACAF Championship League. Even though these leagues include teams from other countries, they are seen as professional because the players on each team receive payment.
Is soccer played in high school?
Yes, an increasing number of schools worldwide offer soccer as part of their sports program and require students to participate. In America, some public secondary schools have programs that allow boys and girls to try out for the team, and in some cases, these students can earn a varsity letter.
What is the difference between professional and amateur soccer?
The main difference between professional and amateur soccer is that professionals receive payment from playing while amateurs are not. Another key difference is that amateurs typically play for fun or improve their skills, while professionals play to win and earn a living.
Do all soccer players go pro?
No, many soccer players never make it to a professional league. The vast majority of soccer athletes at the amateur level will never turn pro. The reason for this is only a limited number of spots are available in the professional leagues.
What is soccer’s most popular competition?
The World Cup, also known as FIFA World Cup or simply The Football World Cup, is considered the world’s biggest sporting event by viewership and ticket sales.
Except for 1942 & 1946, it happens every four years since 1930, with Italy, France, and Brazil taking home the most titles.
Is the World Cup only for national teams?
The World Cup is an worldwide tournament where countries compete against each other to win the title of the best team worldwide.
There is a men’s and women’s World Cup, with the men playing every four years and the women competing every four years on even-numbered years.
How does the MLS work?
MLS is a professional soccer league in Canada and the United States. It comprises 24 teams, including an expansion team in Cincinnati this year. The regular season goes on from March to October, with each team playing 34 games.
At the end of the regular season, the top six teams in each conference compete in a playoff tournament to determine the MLS Cup Champion. The Eastern and western conference champions play each other in a single game to determine who wins the MLS Cup.
Conclusion
Professional soccer games last for 90 minutes. This is the standard length of time that professional soccer matches run for in most leagues worldwide, including Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
If you want to watch a full match, the best way is to find a local team and go see them in person or follow your favorite players on social media for updates when they are playing somewhere near you.
