Soccer is one of the world's most exciting sports and is followed by millions of fans all across the globe. Now, a new variation on the world's most popular game is aiming to make the sport more appealing to an even wider audience, while also providing people with the opportunity to meet like minded people and get fit while doing this. This game is known as soccer 7's.

Soccer 7's is almost identical to soccer except for two major rule differences. The first of these rules is pretty obvious and is where soccer 7's gets its name from: instead of the usual 11 players per team, teams are limited to 7 players per team; thus the name soccer 7's!

The second major difference between the rules of traditional soccer and soccer 7's is that there is no offside rule in Soccer 7's. The offside rule is often the greatest source of frustration to those new to soccer and is often at the heart of some of the most controversial decisions in matches. Getting rid of this rule makes soccer 7's an easy way for those new to soccer to have the opportunity to play the game without getting frustrated at trying to understand this often confusing rule.

Just like traditional soccer, there are a number of ways in which coaches organize their soccer 7's teams. Many soccer 7's coaches favor a 2-2-2 formation, placing an equal number of players in every position in order to have every part of the field covered. Others prefer to flood the midfield and control the game from the middle of the park, using a 2-3-1 formation.

Soccer 7's is growing in popularity all over the world and tournaments are being held in all corners of the world, from China to the United Kingdom and America to Africa. These tournaments are held for people of all ages from 5 years old to 45 years and up!

While these tournaments are taken very seriously by those involved in them, soccer 7's is not a professional sport and so is often played for the love of the game of soccer. Also, because huge money is not involved in soccer 7's, unlike traditional soccer, it is much easier for new and established players to get involved with the sport purely for the fun of it.

The focus of soccer 7's on having fun and getting fit, at the same time, make it a very appealing sport for those who are looking to lose a few pounds or just get healthier. Because there is such a large number of individuals looking to get fit, especially in the image conscious world we live in, soccer 7's provides a great opportunity for people to meet new people and make friends with those who have similar interests.

So to improve fitness while at the same time meeting new people and making friends, grab a pair of boots, pull up a pair of socks and get out on that field!