SOCCER

Eleven players on each soccer team: An official soccer game is played between two teams, each having no more than 11 players and not less than 7 on the field at one time.

If more than 11 players for one team are on the field at one time, the game shall be stopped until extra players are removed, then game restarted. Any score made when a team has too many players on the field is not allowed.

One member of each team must be a goalkeeper with a different uniform. A goalkeeper may change places with another teammate, but the referee must be notified, stop the game, and make sure the player changes to the goalkeeper’s uniform. The game must be restarted.

Substitution rules vary locally: In international games only injured players may be substituted unless agreed otherwise prior to the game. Free substitutions are permitted in high school and college games.

Referees enforce laws, decide disputed points of game. A referee’s jurisdiction begins when he signals for game kick-off and ends when game is finished. This includes dressing room and field, before game, when ball is out-of-play and when game is temporarily suspended for a rule infraction.

A foul committed in the penalty area by the defending team is called a penalty kick because most of the time it deprives the offending team of a scoring opportunity. But if the offending player survives the foul and scores immediately, the referee should allow the goal.

Timekeeping done by referee: He also keeps records of the game, and has authority to examine players’ uniforms to make sure they meet association regulations. If shoes and equipment are dangerous or incorrect the referee can suspend a player from the game or send him out until he get proper equipment. A player deliberately wasting time must be cautioned because this is considered as misconduct.

If a player commits two fouls at the same time, he is penalized for the more serious one.

Referee may suspend any player for violent or unsportsmanlike conduct.

Two linesmen serve in each game: Linesmen’s duties are to help referee, indicate when ball is in or out of play and which team is off-side, entitled to corner-kick, goal-kick or throw in, and generally assist referee.

Linemen equipped with flags: (usually bright red of yellow) Home team is responsible for proper equipment of field and linesmen. Linesmen should be neatly dressed, different from either team and similar to referee.

Linemen inform referee: If a linesman sees an incident on the field unnoticed by the referee, he should report it to him immediately. However, the referee overrules the linesmen.

Game is two equal 45 minute periods: The length of the game may vary if mutually agreed upon

before the game, but must be divided into equal halves. Time shall be extended to permit penalty-kick at or after normal period of either half. Allowance for lost time in either half due to accidents or other causes is made at discretion of referee, who is game’s timekeeper. At the beginning of the second half, the other team (than one winning pre-game coin toss) always kicks-off.

Half time - 5 or more minutes: All players must have half-time rest period of at least 5 minutes. More time must be mutually agreed upon before the game.

Time shall be extended to permit a penalty kick being taken at or after expiration of the normal period in either half.

Referee blows whistle to signal kick-off: The game starts by centre forward taking a place kick from center of field (ball stationary on ground). All players must be in their own half of the field and opposing players must be and stay 10 yards (30 feet) away from the ball until it has been kicked and traveled forward at least its full circumference (27 or 28 inches) or a re-kick-off will follow. Opponents are not allowed to run into the 10 yard circle until the ball is kicked, after referee’s starting whistle has blown or a re-kick-off must follow. Kicker cannot touch ball again until it has touched another player (if he does an indirect free-kick is awarded). If the ball is started backward or defending player comes closer than 30 feet, the ball must be re-kicked. Goals cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.

Kick-offs occur after goals are scored and at beginning of periods. If over-time game is necessary, captains must toss coins again to choose ends or kick-off. If game temporarily suspended and ball still on field, referee must drop ball in front of one player on each team at the place play was suspended. Players shall not touch ball until it has touched the ground or a repeat drop until the rule is observed. The ball is in play only after it touches the ground.

Ball is out of play only when whole ball crosses all of goal or touch line, on the ground or in the air, ans when play has been stopped by referee. If goalie catches ball while standing on field yet puts it all the way over goal line with their hands (outside goals posts) ball is out. If he pushes ball outside goal line while he is on the field, ball is out. Corner kick awarded for both offenses.

Ball is in play at all other times from beginning to end of game, including rebounding from goal posts, cross bars or corner flag posts into playing field and rebounding off either referee or linesmen when on playing field.

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes behind the goal line and goal posts - between goal posts and under cross bar.

The Off-Side Rule was introduced to prevent uninteresting plays and method of attack. The purpose of the game is to score but if a player or players are allowed to wait in front of the opponent’s goal without restrictions the game becomes dull. The off-side rule provides technical features of the game, so the law must be thoroughly understood because when it is broken, attack stops immediately.

Offside pointers: You are offside if less than two defensive players are between you and their defending goal line when the ball is passed.

When the ball is passed to a teammate he must have two opponents in front of him and start running only when the ball started traveling from the foot of his teammate.

You are not offside on the first play on a goal-kick if you are outside the penalty area. There is no offside on the first play of a throw-in or corner-kick. Players are not off-side on their own half of the field.

Offside punishment: Is an indirect free-kick taken by the opponent at point where violation occurred. However, a player in an off-side position shall be penalized unless he is:

a) interfering with play

b) interfering with an opponent

c) trying to gain an advantage by being in an off-side position (this is left to the discretionary power of the referee, which is one reason it is important to study this rule carefully).

Remember if the ball is in front of you when the ball is kicked you cannot be off-side

providing you starting running from an on-side position.

Caution: Remember off-side situations appl when a free or penalty-kick is taken. You must not stand off-side on either a direct or indirect free-kick. If defending team member commits any of above violations within the penalty area, a penalty-kick is awarded to attacking team.

Note: International signal for an indirect free kick is right hand raised with 2 fingers showing.

Indirect-free-kick awarded to opposing side at spot where violations for any of the following.

For an indirect free-kick, the referee raises his arm, then blows whistle, and he should remind players of this before the game.

Cautioning player often causes an indirect free-kick award. Cautioning a player for ungentlemanly conduct, repeatedly breaking laws of game and show by word or action disagreement of displeasure with any decision by referee causes indirect-free kick to be given opposing team at spot where offense occurred.

A player is cautioned if he enters the playing field to rejoin team after game has started without signaling referee and receiving “OK” sign from him.

Sending player off field results in indirect free-kick. A player is sent off the field if:

1. Misconduct continues after “caution”

2. Foul or abusive language is used or he is guilty of violent action on field.

If play must be stopped to send player off field and no other law is broken, game is started with indirect free-kick by opposing side at spot where violation occurred.

Fair Charges important to game: Learning to charge correctly as it is vital to the game.

Goal cannot be scored directly from free kicks resulting from violations listed below:

1. Player playing ball second time before it has been played by another player at: kick-off,

throw in, free-kick, penalty-kick, corner-kick, goal kick.

2. Any kind of play interference, or when off side.

3. Carrying of ball by goalkeeper.

4. Charging an opponent at wrong time, when ball is not in playing distance.

5. Obstructing an opponent.

6. Not kicking the ball forward at penalty-lick.

7. Dangerous play.

8. Charging goalkeeper with his own goal area, except when he is hold ball with both feet on

the ground.

9. Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct.

10. Causing game to be stopped so referee can caution player for repeated law violation, or

order player off field for repeated misconduct or foul language.

Penalty-kick is punishment awarded opposing team when defending team commits any one of nine fouls in their penalty area.

Penalty kick taken from penalty mark: All players, except kicker and opposing goalkeeper, must be on playing field but outside penalty area and at least 10 yards (30 feet) from penalty mark. Opposing goalkeeper must stand still, on his own goal line between goal posts, until ball is kicked (or penalty kick retaken if no score is made)

Kicker must kick ball forward at least its circumference and he cannot touch ball again until another player touches it or plays it (or an indirect free-kick will follow). Goal may be scored directly by penalty-kick. If any defender causes any infringement on a penalty-kick and goal is not scored; kick will be retaken. If any attacker causes infringement and goal is scored, kick must be retaken. Off-side does apply during penalty-kick.

Time runs out as penalty kick awarded. If half-time or end of game occurs as penalty-kick is awarded, time must be allowed to kick the penalty. If goal is scored, time is out. If goal is not scored, and ball bounces off goalkeeper, off post, off referee, into field or off field, time is out.

A goal kick is awarded defending team if one of the offensive players kicked or touched the ball the last time before it goes entirely over the goal line (outside of goal posts) on the round or in the air. Defensive player takes goal-kick from point with the half of the goal area nearest to where the ball left field. Ball must pass penalty line in single kick before it is played by another player.

Free kick awarded defense, must clear their penalty area (diagonal lines) or must be re-kicked.

If the ball is not kicked beyond penalty area, the ball in to in play. After the ball crosses the penalty line, the kick cannot play the ball the second time until it has been touched or played by another player (or an indirect free-kick is awarded the opposing team).

A goal keeper cannot receive ball in his hands from goal-kick so he can kick it further into playing field. He must kick it outside of penalty line first and then a teammate kicks ball back to goalkeeper in penalty area if they want to kick ball far.

Corner kick caused by whole ball going over goal line (outside of goal posts) and touched by defending player: corner kick is taken by member of offensive team nearest half of field where ball went over goal line.

Field of Play

A regulation field measure 90 to 110 m in length and 60 to 70 m. in width. The dimensions and areas can easily be modified to suit the number, age, and sex of participants. The field can be made longer or shorter and various grids can be applied to provide practice areas for modified games.

In the list below, the numbers correspond to the number in the diagram of Figure 18-1.

End Line - When the ball goes out of play over this line it is put in play with either

a) goal kick (offense last touched the ball) or

b) corner kick (defense last touched the ball

Goal Area - The area where the ball is placed for the defending team to take a goal kick.

It is placed on the front line of the area in that half field in which the ball went out of play.

Penalty Area - Restriction area where

a) the goalie is allowed to play the ball with his hands

b) the offensive team has to stay out of when the defending team is taking a goal kick

c) on the goal kick the ball must be kicked out of this area for the ball to be legally

in play

d) if a foul committed in this area by the defending team results in a direct free kick, then

a penalty kick is awarded to the team fouled.

Side or Touch Line - A ball going out of bounds over this line is put in play with a

throw in by the opposite team which last touched the ball.

Penalty Kick Mark - the spot where the ball is placed when a penalty kick results

Penalty Kick Arc - This arc is a ten yard radius from the ball, and players from both

teams must stand behind it. On a penalty kick both teams (except one offensive player

and the goalie) must be out of the penalty area and at least ten yards from the ball

Center, Mid, or Halfway Line. This line

a) insure that both teams are in their own half of the field on the kickoff, and

b) is used to help regulate the offside rule

Center Circle - a ten yard radius circle to restrict players of the defending team on the

kick-off. They must stay out of the circle until the ball is contacted.

Corner Arc - One yard from each corner there is a corner arc. The ball is placed on this

arc when the offensive team is taking a corner kick.

Goal Line - The line between the uprights of the goal. When the whole ball crosses it below the crossbar either on the ground or in the air a goal results.

Corner Flag - The flag is at least 5 feet high and located in each of the four corners to

assist in locating the boundary lines.

BASIC RULES

Kickoff - At the beginning of the game, choice of ends ands the kickoff are decided by the toss of a coin. The ball is placed in the center of the field on the half-way line and the team kicking off plays the ball forward from the line. The player usually kicks the stationary ball legally (one circumference of the ball) forward to his teammate attempting to maintain control of the ball. All players from both teams are in their own half of the field with the defending team at least ten yards from the ball. A goal cannot be scored from the kickoff.

Fouls - Fouls and misconduct committed during the course of play result in a free kick to the offended team. The severe infractions, which are most often injurious, result in a direct free kick, meaning a goal can be scored directly from that kick. A direct free kick foul occurring in the penalty area and against the defending team results in a penalty kick, the most severe infraction. Less severe infractions result in an indirect free kick, meaning someone else must contact the ball following the kick before a goal can be scored. When making a free kick, the opponents must be ten yards from the ball, unless standing on their own goal line between the uprights, until the ball is kicked. The ball must be stationary on the free kick, must travel the circumference of the ball to be in play and may not be re-contacted by the kicker until someone else touches it.

Direct Free Kick Offenses - Offenses for which a direct free kick is awarded are:

Handling the ball: intentionally contacting the ball with the hands or arms. This includes

the goalie when outside the penalty area.

Holding an opponent with the hands or arms.

Pushing an opponent - includes the hands or arms

Striking or attempting to strike an opponent; the goalie is not allowed to use the ball to

strike a player

Jumping at an opponent

Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent

Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent

Using the knee on an opponent

Charging an opponent violently or dangerously; includes the goalie in the penalty area or

from the rear unless being obstructed.

All direct kicks awarded to the attacking team in the penalty area are penalty kicks.

Indirect Free Kick Offenses - Offenses for which an indirect free kick is awarded are:

A player playing the ball a second time before it is played by another player at the kickoff, on a throw in, on a free kick, on a corner kick, or on a goal kick (if the ball has passed outside the penalty area.)

A goalkeeper carrying the ball more than six seconds or the goalie delays getting rid of the

ball.

A substitution or re-substitution being made without reporting to the referee, or a substitute replacing the goalie not informing the referee and then handling the ball in the penalty area.

Persons other than the players entering the field of play without the referee’s permission.

Dissenting by word or action with a referee’s decision.

Ungentlemanly behaviour. For persistent infringement of the rules, a warning, or expulsion may follow.

Dangerous play by raising the foot too high or head too low while attempting to play the

ball, thus endangering a player.

Resuming play after a player has been ordered off the field.

Offside

Charging illegally (not violent or dangerous)

Interfering with the goalkeeper or impeding him in any manner until he releases the ball,

or kicking or attempting to kick the ball when it is in his possession.

Physical Contact Body contact is allowed provided it is legal. A legal charge consists of a gentle nudge (not violent or dangerous). Shoulder to shoulder, in an upright position, at least one foot contacting the ground, the arms close to the sides of the body, and playing the ball at the exact moment. The body may not be used as an obstacle to shield an opponent from getting to the ball unless actually playing the ball at that moment. This is obstruction and allows for an opponent legally to charge the person obstructing, provided the contact is not dangerous or violent.

Penalty Kick The penalty kick (Figure 18.4) is taken from any spot on the penalty mark and all players except the kicker and the goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area. The goalkeeper must stand, without moving his feet, on the goal line between the goal posts until the ball is kicked. For any infringement by the defending team the kick is retaken if a goal does not result.

On an infringement by the attacking team, other than the player making the kick, the kick shall be retaken if a goal results. An infringement by the player making the kick results in an indirect free kick by the opposing team at the spot where the violation occurred.

Goal Kick - The ball is in play as long as it is not totally across the boundary lines (goal line or side line), either on the ground or in the air. When it goes out of bounds over the goal line, the ball is put in play either with a goal kick (last touched by the attacking team) or a comer kick (last touched by the defending team). A ball put out of bounds over the sideline by a player is put in play with a throw-in by the opponents.

On the goal kick the ball is placed on the front line of the goal area in that half of the field nearest to where it crossed the goal line. Any player on the team may take the kick. It is kicked from the ground. The opposing players remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked, and the ball must travel beyond the penalty area for it to be in play. The kick is retaken for any infringement.

Corner Kick - The comer kick is taken by the offense from the arc in that half of the field nearest to where the ball crossed the goal line. A goal may be scored directly from the comer kick.

Throw In - The throw in is taken from where it went out of play. It is thrown equally with both hands on the side of the ball from a point behind the head and delivered directly over the head. Both feet must remain on the ground during the throw and be either on the sideline or outside the field of play.

Qffside - The players must be concerned with their position in reference tot he ball as play progresses. An offside infraction is called if a player is nearer his opponent's goal line than the ball at the moment the ball is played, with limited exceptions. The offside rule is for assisting the defending team so that the offense will not be able to have players continually lurking in front of the goal. This would lead to an unskilled game with team strategy consisting of no more than long, uncontrolled kicks from one end of the field to the other, and back again. A player nearer his opponent's goal line than the ball at the moment the ball is played is considered offside unless he is in his own half of the field of play.