How Many Calories Are Burned Playing Soccer?

How Many Calories Are Burned Playing Soccer?
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Soccer is a fast paced game that requires skill, knowledge, and quick thinking. Each team is trying to kick a ball into the opposing team’s goal without using their hands or arms. A game of soccer is 90 minutes long, with a continuous clock and one break at half-time. The team with the most points wins.

The Basics

Soccer is most commonly played on a grass field that is 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. On each end of the field is a goal that is 8 yards long and 8 feet high and the ball must cross between the goal posts to be counted.

The teams consist of 11 players on the field at any one time. The positions include: forwards, which are the attackers and goal scorers; midfielders/halfbacks who are the centers and the playmakers; the wings which are the outside midfielders and responsible for crossing; and the defenders/full backs who are responsible for keeping the opposing team from scoring.

Each team also has one goalie that stays inside the goal box and blocks the opposing team’s attempts to get the ball into the goal.In front of each goal is a large rectangular area called the goal box.The goalie is the player inside the goal defending it. The goalie is the only player that can freely use his hands to block, catch, and throw the ball.

Although the game can get physical, it is not a full contact sport. Fouls are frequently called during the game due to tripping, charging, kicking, pushing, handballs, going offsides, or other similar violations of the rules. When a foul is made, the opposing team gets an unobstructed kick to restart the game, or a free kick. When a foul is made inside the goal box against the team trying to score, a penalty kick is awarded. If the defending team kicks the ball past its own endline, the opposing team gets a corner kick. Offsides is called when a player goes beyond the line of the opposing team’s defense, and they are awarded the ball.

Equipment

Little equipment is required to play this game. The main items you will need to get started are cleats, socks, shinguards, and a ball. To purchase cleats, you need to know what type of ground you will be playing on, such as firm or hard ground conditions, soft ground conditions, turf or artificial surfaces, or an indoor surface. Socks should be long enough to fully cover your shin-guards and tight enough to firmly hold them in place. Shin-guards are one of the most important pieces of protective gear a player needs. Choose a shin-guard that is comfortable, fits well and stays in place. This is the only protection between you and the other players’ toes.

A soccer ball is made of synthetic leather, covered with stitched panels, a fabric liner and rubber bladder to hold the air. Balls come in many sizes and varieties, including professional quality, balls designed for training, indoor playing, practicing, weighted, or even at the beach for a fun game in the sand. Goalies will also need gloves and padded pants or shirts for added protection.

Calorie Burning

Whether you are playing competitively or recreationally, you may have wondered how many calories are burned playing soccer. This is a high-intensity sport involving all muscle groups of the body, combining both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. For an average 155 pound person, a casual 90 minute game burns about 740 calories, and for that same person, a competitive 90 minute game burns 1,056 calories.

To stay in shape for this sport it is always important to work on a variety of drills, as well as increasing your endurance, speed training, plyometric training, ball handling and refining your shooting techniques. Keep in mind that as you practice and play more, your skills will improve, you will get in better shape, and you will be able to play longer and harder, thus burning more calories.

References

Soccer Training Guide: What is Soccer Fitness? - https://www.soccer-training-guide.com/soccer-fitness.html

EliteSoccerConditioning.com: https://www.elitesoccerconditioning.com

Image Courtesy of : WikiMedia Commons – Christopher Bruno