If I were watching a soccer match, and counted every player on the playing field how many would I count?

UK	11 a-side = 22 players unless this is a trick question! Feb 03 03, 3:56 PM

Linus

There should only be 22 players on the pitch at any one time, eleven on each team. Substitutes waiting to come onto the pitch in place of another player wait at the edge of the pitch (on the touchline) and enter onto the playing area as the replaced player leaves it. The referee and two linesmen (who on Earth thought up the term ''Referee's assistants''?) do not count as players. Feb 03 03, 4:17 PM

ET	I was wondering if the goalies are considered part of the playing field. That would make it 20 on the playing field. What do you think? Feb 03 03, 4:39 PM

Baloo55th

...nitpicking again... The goalies aren't considered as part of the playing FIELD unless a particularly heavy centre forward has flattened them. They are, however, definitely part of the TEAMS! Referees, linesmen, ballboys and (I hate to say) sometimes even cheerleaders are not players. Feb 04 03, 5:31 PM