Have you ever thought that it sure would be nice to understand the rules of soccer. Most of us did not have the opportunity to play soccer growing up, nor did we have the chance to learn the rules. It only takes someone trying to explain the "offside rule" for you to realize that soccer is a little more complicated than kicking a ball in the goal.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has established 17 rules that we call the Laws of the Game. To help you become a better player, or a better fan of the game, we've provided a simplified version that is a little easier to understand.
Law No. 1 - The Field of Play
The soccer field must always be rectangular with a maximum length of 130 yards and a minimum length of 100 yards. The width shall be a maximum of 100 yards and a minimum of 50 yards. Junior fields are proportionately smaller depending on the age level.
Law No. 2 - The Ball
The ball must be round with a circumference of 27-28 for regulation adult play. The weight should be 14-16 oz. The size varies for youth age groups.
Law No. 3 - Number of Players
Each side is composed of 11 players, one of whom shall be designated goalkeeper. A complete roster of players and subs must be presented to the referee before the game starts. The referee must be notified before a substitution can occur. Any player ejected from the game may not be replaced. There must be a minimum of 7 players to play a game. For youth, the number of players, both minimum and maximum, will vary with age group.
Law No. 4 - Players Equipment
The uniform for a soccer player is a jersey, shorts, calf socks, shin guards, and shoes. Nothing potentially injurious may be worn. Cleats are normally rubber, plastic, aluminum or leather. The goalkeeper must wear a different color than the other members of the team. For improper equipment, the player is sent off the field at a stoppage in play and may not return until equipment has been corrected and there is a stop in play.
Law No. 5 - The Referee
The referee, also called a center, is in charge of all game activity and is to make sure each team abides by the rules. All decisions are final. It is the referee’s responsibility to enforce the laws, keep the game clock, stop for injuries, remind players of proper game conduct and keep a record of the game. The referee can eject players who do not show proper conduct. The referee instructs assistant referees on how to assist during the pre-game. Referees must wear proper uniform. Each referee/assistant referee game situation may dictate a different approach with the way the officiating team performs. Player, parents, and coaches should be especially aware of these.
Law No. 6 – Assistant Referee
There are two assistant referees one for each touchline. Their main responsibility is to assist the referee by calling the ball out of play, indicating which side is entitled to a throw-in, indicating offside, and indicating corner kicks, goal kicks and substitutions. The referee can overrule assistant referees; it is the center referee that makes the call.
Law No. 7 - Duration of the Game
Soccer games are divided into 45-minute halves. Time continuously runs unless the center referee decides time needs to be added for injuries or unexpected interruptions. Half time shall not exceed 5 minutes, except by referee consent. The game length is shortened for younger players.
Law No. 8 - Start of Play
To start play, at the start of the game, half time and after a goal has been scored, there is a kick off. A player standing near the centerline kicks the ball forward to a fellow player. After the ball moves it is in play. The kicker may not touch the ball until another player has kicked it. The penalty is an indirect free kick for the other team. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off. A drop ball is used to re-start play where there has been a stop in play without a foul, i.e. for an injury.
Law No. 9 - Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play after the ball has wholly crossed the touchline or goal line or the referee has stopped the game. Any ball striking the referee, goal post, corner flag, and remains on the proper field, is in play.
Law No. 10 - Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball wholly crosses the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kickoff, throw-in, goal kick, or an untouched free kick into your own goal.
Law No. 11 - Offside
While in the opponent half of the field, a player is in an offside position if she is ahead of the ball and there are not at least two defending players between her and the goal. The exception to this statement is when the player is in her own half of the field of play, the ball was last touched by an opponent, or the player received the ball directly from a throw-in, corner kick, goal kick, or the ball was dropped by the referee. The player is called offside if she is a) in an offside position, b) the ball is last played by her teammate, and c) the referee determines that the offending player is gaining or seeking to gain an unfair advantage. Being offside is not a foul, but gaining advantage by being offside is. Being even with second to last defender is considered onside. The penalty for being offside is an indirect free kick.
Law No. 12 - Fouls and Misconduct
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A.
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There are nine major fouls for which a referee shall award a direct free kick to the offended team. |
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1.
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Kicking
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2.
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Tripping
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3.
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Jumping into a player
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4.
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Violent Charging
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5.
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Charging From Behind
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6.
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Striking or Spitting
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7.
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Holding
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8.
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Pushing
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9.
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Handling the Ball (except goalkeeper)
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B.
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There are five minor fouls for which a referee shall reward an indirect free kick to the offended team. |
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1.
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Dangerous Play
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2.
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Charging Away From the Ball
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3.
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Obstruction
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4.
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Charging the goalkeeper when she doesn't have the ball
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5.
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Goalkeeper taking more than four steps or delays games. Having taken possession of ball and released it, the keeper takes possession again before it has passed outside penalty area and played by teammate, or an opponent. Taking possession means the keeper has control of the ball. A player cannot deliberately kick the ball to his own goalkeeper's hands. |
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C.
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A player shall be cautioned and an indirect kick awarded for: |
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1.
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Entering or leaving the field without without referee's permission |
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2.
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Persistent infringement of the laws
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3.
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Dissent
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4.
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Poor sportsmanship
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D.
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A player will be sent off the field and an indirect kick awarded (provided no other offense occurred) for: |
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Violent conduct or serious foul
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2.
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Uses foul or abusive language
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3.
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Persistent misconduct after being cautioned.
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E.
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A player will be sent off the field and a direct kick awarded for: |
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Committing a direct free kick foul on a player who is on a clear breakaway run toward the goal. (Keeper hands ball outside penalty area on breakaway.) |
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2.
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Intentional hand ball (except keeper) to keep obvious goal from scoring. |
Law No. 13 - Free Kicks
The two basic kicks awarded by the referee are:
A. Direct Free Kick - a goal can be attempted or a pass made to a teammate.
B. Indirect Free Kick - ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.
Law No. 14 - Penalty Kicks
A penalty kick is awarded after a serious rule infraction (Law No. 12, Part A) takes place in the penalty area by the defending team. It is a direct kick taken 12 yards from the goal line. All players except the goalie and a kicker must stay outside of the penalty area and arc. The goalie must stand on the goal line and may not move his feet until the ball is kicked forward.
Law No. 15 - Throw-in
After the ball has wholly crossed the touchline, the team that didn’t touch the ball last shall be awarded the throw-in. When taking a throw-in:
A. Both feet must be on or behind the touchline
B. Both feet must be touching the ground as the throw is made
C. The throw must be made with two hands from directly over the head and
D. The throw must be taken from the spot (+ 1 yard) where it went out.
For an incorrect throw-in, a throw-in is awarded to the other team.
Law No. 16 - Goal Kicks
A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball (after being played by the offense) wholly crosses the goal line outside the goal scoring area. The ball is placed anywhere in the goal area for taking the goal kick. The ball must travel out of the penalty area before it is in play and before another player can play it.
Law No. 17 - Corner Kicks
A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the ball wholly crosses the goal line outside the goal scoring area and was last touched by a defensive player. One member of the attacking team takes the kick on the quarter circle nearest the corner flag. A goal may be scored directly from this kick. The defending team must remain 10 yards from the ball as it is kicked. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until it is touched by another player.
Common Sense (the unwritten Law No. 18)
Common sense must be used to interpret and exercise the spirit of the laws of the games. A foul might not be called in situations where it would give an advantage to the offending team, or take away an advantage of the offended team. if it were to take away the advantage from the offended team having the ball. To call the foul would be giving the offending team the advantage, because they would have time to regroup. In this case the referee most likely would permit the offended team to keep the ball in play by calling advantage.
