There is no proper documentation that can state date and place of origination of most popular modern day sport—Soccer. However, depending on socio-historical facts and data we can assume that some type of a ball game was played somewhere in this planet for at least over 3000years now.

The earliest evidence of soccer was found in Kyoto, Japan where a field marked to play a ball-kicking game was found.

There is also proper documentation that supports fact that Chinese military forces around 2nd and 3rd century BC (Han Dynasty) played a game that involved kicking a ball into a small net. This was then an essential skill building exercise for armed forces.

Historical evidence also shows that some form of Soccer was played also by Greeks and Romans, however, primitive form involved a larger team on each side. At times team strength would go up even to around 27 people on each side. The Greeks were playing four different forms of ball game, namely "Episkyros", "Ourania", "Pheninda" and "Keritizein". Episkyros was closest to football. In this 2 equally numbered teams, would try to throw ball over heads of other team. There was a white line between teams and another white line behind each team. Teams would change ball often until one of team is forced behind line at their end.

Now, how many of you would believe that modern day soccer actually originated as a war game?

Unbelievable, but true! The first Football (as Soccer is called in Britain) game was played by locals of east of England, where they started a game, kicking around severed head of a Danish prince whom they have defeated in a war. That marked origination of Football as a war game.

If Pele, Maridona, and Beckham don't sound at all familiar to you, or if you think Freddy Adou is a guy you may have gone to high school with, keep reading... please. This article covers all equipment and skills you'll need to join rest of world in playing wonderful game of soccer.

Actually, rest of world plays football - they call sport that Steve Young used to play American football. The term 'soccer' came into being in later part of 19th century when people began abbreviating French variation of 'association football' to soccer. Whatever name you use (I'll call it soccer for purposes of this article), it refers to fast-paced, exciting game that has captured interest of more and more Americans in recent years. If you've found that you've been left behind when it comes to sport, here's a few equipment tips and skills you'll need to have to start playing.

As name 'football' suggests, you'll need a ball. Soccer balls come in many different sizes, materials, and styles; and league specifications vary depending on age and level of players. If you just want to buy a 'normal' ball, double check with store clerks to make sure you've chosen right one; or if you're buying online, you can check ball size against standards found at www.fifa.com. The best material for your ball depends on type of surface you're going to play on. If you'll spend any time at all kicking ball around on street or playground, I would shy away from buying a nice leather ball - asphalt will tear it up. Synthetic materials will usually hold up better on those surfaces, and typically cost less.

Once you've got your ball, you're going to need at least one pair of feet; however, if you want to do more than just kick ball against your garage you're going to need at least two sets. There are a number of different techniques when it comes to kicking soccer ball - I'll just summarize them all by saying that goal of kicking ball is to hit it with some part of you're foot and make it go in direction you want it to. In fact, in soccer matches you may use any part of you're body to move ball except your hands and arms. If you grew up playing catch in back yard, first couple of times you try to kick ball you'll probably look even more awkward than you feel, and it's very likely your kids are going to laugh at you. Practice makes near perfect, and you'll get better over time. Kicking ball back and forth between two or more people helps. Once you feel like you might be able to kick ball and jog/run at same time, you're ready to graduate to playing a game.