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