Word Count: 610 Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 4:26 AM
How to Break a Tie Game in Soccer
Soccer is a very exciting game that often comes down to the wire in the last minutes of play. But what if there is no winner at the end of the game? What happens if there is in fact a tied score? The rules of soccer take the possibility of a tie game into account, and provide a way to deal with just such a situation.
A standard soccer match is made up of 90 minutes of playing time. This time is broken up into two 45-minute periods of play. If, at the end of this time period, the score is tied, there are two options the officials can take. One is to end the game, and allow the game to be called a draw. However, this does not work for all games. Tournament games, such as the World Cup, require that there be one clear-cut winner. The second option for the referee to take in that case is to call for a tie breaker.
A tie breaker in a soccer game is accomplished using one of three methods. The first method of breaking the tie is simply to play extra time. The game will generally continue for another 30 minutes of play, which is split up into two 15-minute time periods. If, at the end of this extra time, one team is ahead, then that team will be declared the winner of the game. All goals scored during the extra play period will count as part of the final score of the game. However, if the two teams are still tied after the extra time play, the referee must turn to the second tie breaking method.
The second tie breaking method in soccer is known as a penalty shoot-out. In a penalty shoot-out, each team selects five players to represent them. These ten players will then attempt penalty kicks, alternating between the teams. If, at the end of these ten penalty kick attempts, one team is finally ahead, then that team will be declared the winner of the game. The successful penalty kicks will not be added to the final score of the game. However, there are occasions when the players from each team will successfully make the same number of penalty kicks during this round. The game will still be considered to be a tie game, should this occur. In this case, there is one final tie breaking method at the referee's disposal.
The third tie breaking method is the final tie breaking method. This tie breaking method is a sudden death penalty shoot-out. Each team now selects one player to represent them in the sudden death penalty shoot-out. Should both players make their penalty kick, or if both players miss their penalty kick, the sudden death penalty shoot-out will continue. The first team whose player makes his or her penalty kick in the same round that the other team's player misses his or her penalty kick will be declared the winner of the game. The teams will participate in as many sudden death penalty shoot-out rounds as it takes to finally determine a winner of the game. Again, these kicks do not count toward the final score of the game.
As you can see, the tie breaking process of soccer can be both exciting and nerve wracking for everyone involved. Fans, coaches, and players alike will endure nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat suspense during the tie breaker rounds, as they await the final outcome of the game. This drama serves to make the game of soccer very exciting, and makes a win well-deserved and therefore something to celebrate even more.
About the Author
Eric Bau was born in Toronto Ontario and started playing soccer at the age of 4. He has played in many leagues though his 23 years in the game and on many different competitive levels.
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