Whether you want to impress friends and colleagues with new-found football wisdom, brush up on details you're unsure about (the offside rule, anyone?) or improve your practical skills, this is the book for you! Covering all the basics of the game, rules and tactics, as well as giving an in-depth history of the sport and how it has evolved to the present day, this indispensable guide will get you up to speed on the most popular game in the world in no time. With dream team formations, 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, football expert and Guardian journalist Scott Murray keeps it fun, fresh and knowledgeable to get you through the major tournaments and beyond. Football For Dummies includes:PART 1: KICK OFFChapter 1: The bare essentialsChapter 2: A rich historyChapter 3: Get your boots on - the gear you needPART 2: PLAYING THE GAMEChapter 4: Laying down the lawsChapter 5: Positions and tacticsChapter 6: Honing your skillsChapter 7: Talented trainingChapter 8: Coaching, managing and leadershipChapter 9: Putting it all into practicePART 3: THE WORLD OF FOOTBALLChapter 11: The World CupChapter 12: The international sceneChapter 13: The British club sceneChapter 14: Taking on the worldChapter 15: Women's footballPART 4: FANS ENCLOSUREChapter 16: Going to the matchChapter 17: Read all about it...Chapter 18: Compulsive viewing: Football on TV (and film, and DVD...)Chapter 19: Joining in (sort of...)PART 5: THE PART OF TENSChapter 20: Great playersChapter 21: Great managersChapter 22: Great matchesChapter 23: Bad behaviourPART 6: APPENDICESAppendix 1: Appendix A: Honour BoardsAppendix 2: GlossaryAppendix 3: Key Football Organisations