What is a cap in soccer?

When you watch a soccer game whether it is on the Television screen, on that very slow and annoying internet stream, you might hear many soccer commentators, reporters, or even players talking about ‘caps’, ‘being capped’, ‘first cap’? You might have been puzzled about what a cap actually means.

In this post, I am going to explain what is a cap in soccer and I am going to give you some examples.

What is a cap?

What is a cap in soccer

In soccer, a cap is a word used to refer to an international appearance for their country by a soccer player. When they play their first international game, it is called their first cap or being capped for the first time. Each additional appearance adds to the number of caps a player has.

The history of the term cap

The word cap dates from the practice in the united kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match where they represented their country.

In the early days of soccer, the concept of each team a set of the same shirts and shorts was not universally adopted so each side will distinguish itself by wearing a certain type of cap.

The first player to reach 50 caps and 100 caps

 Imre Schlosser had the distinction of being the first soccer player to reach 50 caps, he did it in1916. While the first soccer player to have 100 caps was England Billy Wright, he did it in 1959.

Who is the player with ost caps in men’s soccer?

Soh Chin Ann from Malaysia is a soccer player with the most international caps in men’s football. He played 195 times for his country. 

The second place goes to Bader Al-Mutawa from Kuwait with 186 caps and the Egyptian  Ahmed Hassan comes number three with 184 caps.

Active players with the most caps are Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, both have 180 caps at the time of writing this.

Who is the player with ost caps in women’s soccer?

While none of the men mentioned above has reached 200 caps, the story is different when it comes to women’s soccer. At the time of writing this 23 women has 200 or more caps for their countries.

Kristine Lilly is the most woman with the most caps in women’s soccer, she represented the United States Women Soccer Team (USWST) 354 times.

Carli Lloyd also from the United States comes second with 312 caps while Christie Pearce comes third with 311 caps.

The active player with the most caps in women’s soccer is also Carli Lloyd with 312 caps, her last cap was 5 August 2021. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.

What is the role of a Goalkeeper in Soccer

We all know that in each soccer team someone must play as a goalkeeper. Do you know what is the role of a goalkeeper in soccer? in this article I am going to discuss the role of the goalkeeper in soccer.

the role of a goalkeeper in soccer

The role of a goalkeeper in soccer

The goalkeeper is the one player that has the very difficult role that is solely dedicated to keeping the opposing team from successfully scoring any goals.

Being on guard at the goal area, the goalkeeper is allowed to use both hands and legs to stop any balls from entering the goal area and thus scoring a point for the opposing team.

Characteristics of a good goalkeeper

Ideally, goalkeepers should be well built and agile in movements. Being alert and able to read the body movements of the players is also something goalkeepers are directed to master.

Most goalkeepers stay close to the goal area and depend on the defenders to help is keeping the ball maneuvered by the opposing team from successfully reaching the scoring area.

Ideally, the more experienced the goalkeeper the better the skills portrayed, and this usually means they are older than the other members of the team.

Most goalkeepers have a set stance and body position that they adopt when focusing on stopping the ball from getting into the goal post area.

This stance would ideally be, standing with hands at the side with palms facing the anticipated direction the incoming ball is going to take.

The feet would be placed as firmly as possible without actually being wider than the width of the shoulders and finally the low positioning of the body in a semi crouched position with the center of gravity providing a stable stance and weight distribution, the goalkeeper would be ready to stop the ball from finding its target.

Some of the catches the goalkeeper should be trained in executing would be such as the diamond or W catch, the chest catch, the scoop catch, the full extension dive, the cross catch, and the high cross catch. With regular practice and experience, the talented goalkeeper would have no problems exercising a high level of competency.

Why Are Soccer Balls Black And White?

We all like to watch a soccer game either by going to the stadium or catching it on TV, this does not matter. But what about the soccer ball? Have you ever wondered WHY are the soccer balls black and white?

The history of Soccer balls

The game of soccer or football as it is known in some parts of the world can be traced back to around 200 BC, and back then, players usually kicked around an inflated animal bladder or stomach, usually covered in leather.

Around 1844, Charles Goodyear (the investor of Goodyear tires)  started making balls from vulcanized rubber with internal, plastic bladders replacing animal organs.

Soccer ball colors at this time spanned the spectrum from light brown to dark brown; not exactly mind-blowing. Eventually, they started being dyed white.

When black and white soccer ball first used?

At this time and up until the 1970s, black and white televisions were more popular than color TVs because the color TVs we still have are still too expensive for most people. This means that most people watch football matches on a black and white screen.

Watching soccer games on black and white screens made it very difficult to track so Adidas had to come up with a new ball design which was black and white and they called it Telstar, this ball was used for the first time in the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico

Why are soccer balls black and white?

Why Are Soccer Balls Black And White?

The reason the soccer ball is black and white is to make it easier to see on a black and white television screen. The contrast between black and white makes it easy for onlookers to follow the path of the ball as it moves around the field.

Also, some people believed that black and white balls helped players to be able to track the trajectory of the ball after hitting them ( as it was easier to see how the ball was moving), this helped them to practice how to hit the balls better and this led to some players becoming very good at dead balls ( free kicks, penalties, corners, and fouls).

Modern  soccer balls

Due to the advance in technology and now everyone has color tv, soccer balls have evolved substantially from the classic black and white soccer balls of the 70s.

These days soccer balls are manufactured in a variety of intricate designs and a combination of vibrant colors.

Even with the evolution of soccer balls, brands still continue to pay homage to the icon, by applying a modern take to the classic black and white soccer ball designs of the past.

Final words

I hope this article has answered any questions you had about the reason why are soccer balls black and white. Thank you for reading.

 

What Does a Yellow Card Mean in soccer?

Ever you wonder, what does a yellow card mean in soccer? if this is you, today you’re in luck as in this article I am going to explain what does it mean and how it can affect a player who receives it.

What Does a Yellow Card Mean in soccer?

What Does a Yellow Card Mean in soccer?

Along with the red card, the yellow card is a penalty in a soccer match. The yellow card penalty is heavier than the warning and is lighter than the red card penalty.

The yellow card is valid to warn players playing on the field, the substitute player, or the player who has been substituted.

When the yellow card was invested?

The idea of the yellow card was bought by referee Ken Aston. One day Aston was driving a car and when he was at the traffic lights in London, he saw the lights change from amber to red and back to amber again.

As he sat watching the changing lights sequence, he thought: “Amber, get ready to stop”; “Red, stop!” This sparked the idea in his mind on how to communicate with soccer players on the pitch no matter what language they speak.

Ken presented his idea to FIFA (International Federation of Association Football). They approved, and after some trials, the yellow-red carding system was introduced in the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico.

How a Player Gets a Yellow Card

To get a yellow card during a soccer game a player has to commit an offense that is deemed deserving of receiving a caution.

When the referee judges that a player has committed an offense, they will blow their whistle to stop the game, caution the player, show them a yellow card, and then award a free kick to the opposing team.

Yellow Card For Fouls

Most yellows we see are given for fouls, often resulting from a heavy tackle. The referee has to decide if the action was reckless or simply careless. If he thinks it is reckless, then he will take out his yellow card.

  • A reckless tackle that could cause an injury.
  • Preventing a player from getting to the ball by holding or shirt-tugging.
  • Preventing an attack by handling the ball.
  • Trying to influence the referee with a feigned injury to punish an opponent.
  • The Player has unsporting behavior.
  • The player uses words or actions to protest against the referee’s decision.
  • Players constantly violate the rules
  • Players do not comply with distance rules in free-kick, penalty, or corner.
  • Leave yourself or enter the field without the referee’s consent on purpose
  • Take off the shirt to celebrate the goal
  • Take off the shirt when changing people while feet are still in the field
  • Repeatedly committing fouls or misconduct.
  • Time-wasting and delaying play.
  • Obstructing a ‘dead-ball situation, such as a free-kick.

How Long Does A Yellow Card Last In Soccer?

Once the game is over, the caution is removed from the player, and they start the next round with no yellow card to their name. However, in competitions that run over a season, yellow cards may be accrued up to a particular previously decided number, and then that player will be suspended for a game.

Do Players Get Fined For Yellow Cards?

They are not classed as fines, but they have to pay some administrative fees. In some countries, if one team gets too many yellow cards in one game (more than three), the team might be fined.

Do Yellow Cards Expire?

Depends on the competition. They expire at the end of the match but, if previously decided, may count towards a predetermined number, say five, and then lead to a one-match suspension.

How many yellow cards a soccer player can get in a game?

In any soccer game, it is entirely possible for a player to be shown not just one but two yellow cards.

Once a player has committed an offense that warrants a yellow card that same player can then go on to commit another offense that also deserves a yellow card.

If any player does get 2 yellow cards in one game they will immediately be shown a red card which means they must leave the field of play straight away and will be suspended for at least one game.

Can You Be Suspended For A Yellow Card?

Not as a rule for one yellow card but possibly for an accumulation of cards over several matches.

Although you will most commonly see players on the field is shown a yellow card, the referee isn’t restricted to only showing the card to them.

Any team official, including managers and coaches, can receive a yellow card for committing an offense during a soccer game.

And if an offense is committed and it’s not clear to the referee who the offender was then the referee is permitted to caution the most senior member of the coaching staff present.

What is a red card in soccer?

Ever you wonder, What is a red card in soccer?? if this is you, today you’re in luck as in this article I am going to explain what does it mean and how it can affect a player who receives it.

What is a red card in soccer?

What is a red card in soccer?

A player who is given a red card is instantly sent off of the field and is forbidden to play for the remainder of the match. They are also handed a suspension starting from the next game.

This leaves the team in a vulnerable position as they are left with 10 men on the pitch, giving the opposite side the advantage.

Why yellow and red cards are used in a soccer game?

Yellow and red cards are used as a means to discipline players for misconduct during the game. A yellow card is used to caution players, while a red card results in the player’s dismissal from the field of play. Thus, yellow cards are used to punish milder forms of misconduct than red cards.

When the yellow card was invested?

The idea of the yellow card was bought by referee Ken Aston. One day Aston was driving a car and when he was at the traffic lights in London, he saw the lights change from amber to red and back to amber again.

As he sat watching the changing lights sequence, he thought: “Amber, get ready to stop”; “Red, stop!” This sparked the idea in his mind on how to communicate with soccer players on the pitch no matter what language they speak.

Ken presented his idea to FIFA (International Federation of Association Football). They approved, and after some trials, the yellow-red carding system was introduced in the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico.

How a Player Gets a Red Card?

A player will receive a red card if they:

  • are guilty of serious foul play
  • are guilty of violent conduct
  • spits on a person
  • deny the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball
  • deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick
  • use offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
  • receive a second yellow card in the same match.

What Happens If a Player Gets a Red Card?

If a soccer player gets a red card during a game then they are required to immediately leave the soccer field. The player can then no longer take any part in the game and the team cannot bring on any other player to replace this player.

How Many Players Can Be Sent off in One Game of Soccer?

A maximum of 4 players from one team can be sent off in a single game of soccer. If after this a 5th player on the same team is shown a red card the referee will end the game immediately and the team who had 5 players shown a red card will forfeit the game.

What happens if a goalkeeper gets a red card?

If a goalkeeper receives a red card, the same thing happens to any other on the pitch – they get dismissed.

The team is then reduced to 10 players and must call on the substitute goalkeeper to replace the dismissed one and change their formation.

If, in the event that a team has used all three of their substitutes by the time that their goalkeeper has been sent off, the manager will have to select one of the outfield players to be the makeshift goalkeeper.