Covering all the basics of the game, rules and tactics, as well as giving history of the sport and how it has evolved to the present day, this guide provides tips on football betting and supporting, essential coverage on the World Cup, and stats on current teams, players and managers both at home and abroad.

Introduction 1 Part I: Kicking Off 7 Chapter 1: Welcome to Planet Football 9 Chapter 2: The Ball Starts Rolling: A Potted History of Football 19 Chapter 3: Getting Your Boots On: The Gear You Need 31 Part II: Playing the Game 45 Chapter 4: Laying Down the Laws 47 Chapter 5: Players, Positions and Tactics 67 Chapter 6: Honing Your Skills 91 Chapter 7: Keeping Fit for Football 115 Chapter 8: Coaching, Managing and Leadership 129 Chapter 9: Getting the Game On 141 Part III: Exploring the World of Football 153 Chapter 10: The World Cup 155 Chapter 11: Surveying the International Scene 169 Chapter 12: The Club Scene 187 Chapter 13: Focusing on Famous Clubs 213 Chapter 14: Women’s Football 239 Part IV: The Fans’ Enclosure: Following the Game 255 Chapter 15: Going to the Match 257 Chapter 16: Compulsive Viewing: Football on Screen 271 Chapter 17: Read All About It! 287 Chapter 18: Other Football-based Pastimes 305 Part V: The Part of Tens 319 Chapter 19: Ten Great Players 321 Chapter 20: The Ten Greatest Teams of All Time 331 Chapter 21: Ten Great Matches 339 Part VI: Appendixes 347 Appendix A: Roll of Honour 349 Appendix B: Glossary 361 Index 369

Discover how to get the most out of playing, watching and supporting the beautiful game Whether you're a wannabe football superstar, a seasoned fan or a complete novice when it comes to the mighty game, this easy-to-follow guide has it all. Covering everything from improving your goal-scoring skills and understanding the offside rule, to following foreign teams and managinga fantasy league, Football For Dummies is your ticket to becoming a football expert. Perfect if you need to prep for a big game! Find out how it started — explore the history of football (men's and women's!) and why it appeals to millions of people worldwide Enjoy a kickabout — understand the rules and positions, practise key techniques and join a local team Look further afield — access the latest information on the international scene, from La Liga and Serie A to the Copa America and the Olympics Home is where the heart is — discover how the most important leagues work and identify famous clubs Get into the fan's enclosure — use newspapers, fanzines and official sites to keep up-to-date with fixtures and transfer rumours and learn how to spot dodgy refereeing decisions Open the book and find: Handy diagrams to illustrate key points and techniques Advice on the kit you need to shine on the pitch Strategies for motivating your team Tips on supporter etiquette, home and away How to prepare yourself before a game Profiles of the greatest players and matches in history Information on spread and in-match betting A rundown of the best football films, internet clips and computer games Learn to: Get to grips with the history, rules and tactics of the game Perfect your skills and master star-player techniques Understand the club scene at home and abroad, from local tournaments to the World Cup Become a superfan and follow your team without missing a thing

"... Murray has compiled a guide to the game so simple and effective that any dummy can understand it." (Four Four Two, May 2010) "... offers those who are yet to climb on board the bandwagon a leg up." (ESPN.com)