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 OFF

Chapter 1: The bare essentials

Chapter 2: A rich history

Chapter 3: Get your boots on - the gear you need

PART 2: PLAYING THE GAME

Chapter 4: Laying down the laws

Chapter 5: Positions and tactics

Chapter 6: Honing your skills

Chapter 7: Talented training

Chapter 8: Coaching, managing and leadership

Chapter 9: Putting it all into practice

PART 3: THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

Chapter 11: The World Cup

Chapter 12: The international scene

Chapter 13: The British club scene

Chapter 14: Taking on the world

Chapter 15: Women's football

PART 4: FANS ENCLOSURE

Chapter 16: Going to the match

Chapter 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 TENS

Chapter 20: Great players

Chapter 21: Great managers

Chapter 22: Great matches

Chapter 23: Bad behaviour

PART 6: APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Appendix A: Honour Boards

Appendix 2: Glossary

Appendix 3: Key Football Organisations