# Everybody Plays!

# Soccer

Paralympic symbol

Soccer is a ball sport played on a large grassy field. There are 10 outfielders and one goalie playing for each team with several substitutes on each team's bench. The object of the game is to kick the ball down the field to your teammates and to score points by kicking the ball into the other team's goal. The soccer goal is a metal frame that measures 24 feet x 8 feet with a net on the back. The game is played in two 45-minute halves. Each player has a position and stays in a specific area and focuses on either offense or defense. Offensive players try to score goals. Defensive players are responsible for protecting their goal from the other team. Most countries call soccer "football," and it is very, very popular. The biggest soccer competition is called the "World Cup."

In The Paralympics there is soccer for players who are blind or visually impaired. They play with five people on each side so they do not bump into each other. It is very auditory especially after a country scores!

A boy prepares to kick the soccer ball.