With well over a billion players stretching around the globe from North America to Oceania, soccer is the most widely played sport in the world. The reasons for its success are simple: all that's required to play it is an open space and a ball. This book is an illustrated guide with a simple approach to the sport, aimed at children and young teens. A brief introduction includes facts about the history of football, from its origins to its present state of development. The core of the book covers the principal rules and basic techniques of the game: the dribble, stop, pass, shoot, head shot, defense, and possession of the ball. It defines not only individual moves but also those required by the team as a whole, with a focus on tactics, that is, on behaviour in the field. AGES: 5 to 12 AUTHOR: Alberto Bertolazzi started out as a journalist, first at a radio station, then at a newspaper, where he worked and collaborated with local and national syndicates, as well as popular and travel magazines. He also served as editor, and later editor-in-chief of the periodical Notizia Oggi. As an author, he has published numerous illustrated books on history, nature and the arts. SELLING POINTS: . simple in terms of organisation and language . comprehensive, offering a broad overview of soccer . fun, thanks to the extensive illustrations and subjects depicted . instructive, with concrete advice on how to start playing the sport