Welcome to football basics! In football, also known as soccer, the main objective is to score goals. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. The attacking team must maneuver the ball towards the opponent's goal and successfully get it past the goalkeeper.
There are several ways to score goals in football. The most common is through open play, where players pass and dribble to create scoring opportunities. Goals can also come from set pieces like free kicks when a foul occurs, corner kicks when the ball goes out near the goal, or penalty kicks for serious fouls in the penalty area. Players can score with their feet or head the ball into the goal from crosses.
For a goal to be valid, the entire ball must completely cross the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. It's not enough for just part of the ball to cross - the whole ball must be over the line. The moment the ball fully crosses this line, a goal is scored immediately. Let's watch as the ball approaches and crosses the goal line to score.
Sometimes goals are scored accidentally by the defending team, called own goals. This happens when a player accidentally puts the ball into their own net, often while trying to defend. The goal counts for the opposing team, not the player who scored it. Own goals can occur from deflections, goalkeeper errors, or miscommunication between teammates. While unfortunate for the defending team, they are a valid part of the game.