Street Football

Street football is a term used to describe all informal variations of football. These games usually forgo many standard requirements that are used in a formal football game like match officials, size of the field, goal apparatus, and the field markings.

Street Football Facts

There are many interesting facts when it comes to street football. One of these is that the game is more similar to futsal and beach football than the actual formal football. Another interesting fact is that the most basic set-ups used will only involve a fence or wall that will serve as a goal and a ball. There are those who even use pieces of clothing as goalposts.

The easy ways on how street football is played, without the conventional rules and standard equipment, make it very popular for many football enthusiasts. It is also the one that made football the most popular sport in the whole world.

In addition, street football also comes with organized groups. The most famous ones in the USA are SISM Street Soccer and Streetfootballworld. Other organizations include the Street Soccer USA, Buntkicktgut and the WhizzKids United as well as the International Street Soccer Association.

Lastly, informal sport is used by coaches as avenues for teaching young football players. In fact, the fields or areas where these games are played with the young players became so popular that the brand Nike used it in many of their television advertisements.

History of Street Football

Street football began even before the 19th century. There had been many adults and kids alike who played with balls on an open field in Europe even during the time of the Middle Ages. These games were often called mob football or folk football and became the precursor of the formal football games.

After World War II, many kids popularized street football. This game was mainly played on open courtyards, the streets, and on empty fields.

It was not until the early part of the 21st century when organizations were formed to create a formal structure for street football. By September 2016, the first international competition for street football happened in Manchester. On the other hand, the United States held its own international competition in 2014 which happened in San Jose, California, and hosted by SISM Street Soccer. Many professional football players all over the world witnessed and served as judges during this competition.