Essay two Written by Pacey Mason-Jones

As a passionate player of Tawa Football, and supporter of football especially: Manchester United and FC Barcelona.  I maybe only be a first season player,  but  I can tell you, that anybody can play football,   with a few rules and the right equipment  you will be on your way to having a life time supply of football fun.  I will discuss, the equipment needed, how to play the game and most importantly the off-side rule.

Football is a team game;   you need at least eight players, because you need eight players on the field to play, but helpful to have two subs, ready to play with fresh legs, a ground (field) to play on.  A coach and if you’re lucky like me an assistant coach to help you train.  Two goals, one at each end of the field and most importantly a football.  As a player you need to wear football boots, as the game is played in winter and it can be very muddy, and you must wear shin guards this is compulsory in club games.

 At the beginning of the game, each team stands on one side of the field, facing each other, before the ball is kicked off from the centre of the field. The formation of teams can be any combination of eight.  The objective of the game is to get as many balls in the opposition’s goal.  When one team scores a goal, the opposite team kicks off; this kick is taken by the strikers.  An important rule I have had to learn as a striker is the off side rule.  This rule is when a striker must be between the opposition’s goalie and their last defender when you are in the opposition’s side of the field.  The duration of the adult club game is 45 minutes a half and 90 minutes a game.  Don’t forget the oranges for half time, to give everyone an energy boost and remember of lots of support for your team.

If you follow my guide to playing football remembering to: follow rules, train hard, and stay onside.  Don’t forget lots of support for your team.  Playing football is fun.  Hope to see you play next season