Changes In Women’s Soccer The sport of soccer has overcome many changes through the years. In particular, women’s soccer compared to men’s soccer has gained much notoriety. The widespread knowledge of soccer has spread throughout numerous countries. Soccer began as a men’s sport, but today soccer is considered a significant sport for both genders. Women’s soccer has changed dramatically over the years with the new style and rules of the game as well as increase in popularity. Over the years, women’s soccer has made some drastic changes which includes the playing field.
Many years ago the playing field used to be too long and narrow, about 120 yards by 55 yards. Today, the fields are the best size for a great game, 110-120 yards long by 70-80 yards wide (Vogt 7). The standard size of the goals that are used in an adult women’s soccer game are eight feet in height by twenty-four feet in width (Howard 4). Not only have the size of the field and goals changed, but also what the fields are made of. When soccer first became a sport, it was primarily played on any large area of grass.
Nowadays, there are several different types of grass fields: natural soil fields, modified soil fields, and soilless fields. Natural soil fields consist of the natural soil located in the ground. This type of field is the most common because it is relatively inexpensive, costing approximately $50,000 to $150,000. Modified soil fields are made with of a mixture of material, such as sand, which helps to prevent puddles from forming on the soccer field. Soilless fields consist of 99% sand which causes it to be the most expensive ranging from $250,000 to $350,000.
This type of field is the most effective for water drainage (Wolfson 4-9). With the rise in the interest of soccer, artificial turf fields have been developed. Artificial turf is preferred in many areas that have climates that prevent the growth of grass (Geier 11). The cost of artificial turf can range anywhere from $850,000 to $1,000,000 to install and the materials must be replaced every eight to ten years which costs nearly $500,000 (Wolfson 14). Throughout the years, women’s soccer has modified their style of the game.
In some countries, the game was played with large teams consisting of more than twenty seven people. The player’s main goal was to get the ball across the goal line by either kicking or passing. Other countries played soccer with smaller teams of two to twelve players using a ball filled with sawdust (Football 6). Today, women’s soccer is played with a standard sized ball that is 27-28 inches (size 5), weighing 14-16 ounces of air (Hutchison 2-3).
The game is played with 12 players on the field. Each player on the field is assigned their own position and given a task to te. One position is the goalie where their main focus is to stop the ball and not allowing the other team to score. To do this goalies are allowed to use all objects of their body, including their hands to stop the ball. Goalies are allowed to use their hands only inside their own penalty area, known as the box. Another position that is closest to the goalie is defense. The defender’s task is to make sure the ball does not get past them and allow their opponent to shoot the ball or even score a goal. Another position, a midfielder, is located in front of the defense.
Their job is to keep the ball controlled in the middle field and help advance the ball up the field. The last position available in women’s soccer is to the forward. Forwards are in charge of kicking the ball trying to score goals. For the goal to count, it must pass their opponent’s goal line. All players must get back to help the defense except for forwards. Women’s soccer has developed new rules over the years. In the beginning of 1863, the rules of the game were made uniform by the English Football Association. The game was made safer for women which helped to increase its popularity (Bayer 1).
In 1920, however, the English Football Association felt intimidated by the size of the women playing soccer and so they stopped allowing women to play on the same fields as the men. This was a minor setback for women’s soccer for a short while (Bayer 4). Referees joined the game of soccer following an Irish Association’s proposal noting that penalties had to be recognized (History 7). Throughout the game, numerous rules apply to the soccer game leading to a goal kick, corner kick, or penalty kick. In 1869 goal kicks were introduced.
A goal kick happens when the opposing team kicks the ball out on their opponent’s side where the goal is. If the ball goes out from their opponents anywhere from the goal to the two corner kick spots on that half of the field, then a corner kick will be awarded. In 1872, the corner kick was introduced. A corner kick happens when a team has the ball on their opponents half of the field and then their opponent kicks the ball out anywhere from the two corner kick positions on that side and perimeter beside the goal. In 1891, the penalty kick was formed.
This is called when a person is fouled in their opponent’s penalty box. Once the foul is called, the team who received the foul is allowed a free shot at their opponents goal 12 yards away. In 1878, a referee used a whistle for the first time. Now a days, referees use their whistles several times during the game game. In 1863, the offside rule was announced. A player is deemed offside if they positioned their body in front of the last defender of the opposing team (History 4). A decision was made in 1902 for award fouls in the penalty box (History 11).
There have been numerous changes to the game of soccer but there are still changes in the future that are going to be made. When soccer first began, mostly men participated more than women. Back in the history of soccer, women joined together from different locations in large groups to play in the “mob” games. These games were a mixture of rugby and soccer (Women’s 3). Women’s soccer informally began in 1917 when a group of women that worked at an apprentice company bragged to others that they could play the game of soccer better han the men. This created a challenge which led to a match being played. The score of the game was never released to the press, but this event led to the formation of the Dick, Kerr Ladies Team. This occurrence sparked interest in other women competing in soccer, despite creating much distraction as women rarely worked outside of their homes (Women’s 5). In the early 1930’s, countries such as France and Italy formed women’s soccer leagues. It was not until after World War II when other countries joined in and women’s soccer gained notoriety.
In 1950 Italy created its national association. In 1951, the first women’s league, the Craig Club Girls Soccer League, was formed. Prior to this establishment, women participated in soccer during gym class, occasional pickup games, and sometimes intramural college competition. The Craig Club Girls Soccer League had four teams and lasted for two seasons. This occurrence was a milestone in women’s soccer (Women’s 12). During the late 1960’s numerous regional and national leagues had been organized as well as the building of club competitions all over (Women’s 9).
The ban from the English Football Association was lifted in 1971 that allowed women to play on the same soccer fields as men (Bayer 6). Originally, only 25% of soccer teams consisted of girls, as today half of the players are girls in youth soccer. (Vogt 2). Not only has youth soccer developed for girls, more girls are participating at the high school level. In 1976, less than ten percent of girls were engaged in high school soccer. By 1980, the number had increased to approximately 25%. The number continued to grow and by 1990, 35% of players were female. By 2000, 42% of high school soccer players were female.
This drastic change highlighted not only the growth of soccer but also the number of females partaking in the sport of soccer (Women’s 19). A major event that helped women’s soccer to grow was the Educational Amendments of 1972. These amendments created equal access and spending on the college institution athletic programs. Colleges began to form varsity Soccer programs which provided female athletes new opportunities (Women’s 15). As women’s soccer became more well-known, more women were able to attend college with a sports scholarship at colleges all over (Bayer 8).
In 1982, the NCAA sponsored women’s sports (Women’s 16). The growth of women’s soccer involved a long process. A combination of youth programs, college soccer, national team, United States Open Cup, and a professional team help soccer excel in the United States. The United States had quickly bloomed to a premier soccer program that inspired women to play soccer all over the world (Women’s 69). Women’s soccer was added to the Olympics in 1996 (Women’s 40). Women’s soccer was widely accepted by sports fans and the media which had a large impact on the adoption of women’s soccer (Women’s 2).
As women’s soccer became more popular, the style of clothing dramatically changed. Women’s soccer used to be played in whatever clothes they wished to wear. In 1869, there was a photo taken of women playing soccer in their dresses (Bayer 13). Today, women’s soccer has established uniforms that they wear for every game. In summary, women’s soccer has had many changes. A new style of women’s soccer has been developed based off of the number of players on the field, how the game is played, and the field that this sport is played on.
New rules have been brought into the game of soccer such as the goal kick, corner kick, and penalty kick. Since referees have been brought into the game of women’s soccer, it has made a dramatic impact. Women’s soccer has gained enormously in popularity. It is no longer just a men’s sport and it is not only played in gym classes or occasion pick up games. Women’s soccer has now developed tournaments which requires participants to wear uniforms. Overall, women’s soccer has had several changes in their style of the game, new rules, and number of participants.
