The rules of soccer may be intimidating to some, but they are not as complex as newly found soccer fans might think. The basic rules of soccer may vary slightly from league to league, but they are essentially all the same. There are seventeen laws in the official Laws of the Game. In addition to the laws there are numerous regulations decided by the IFAB (International Football Association Board). There are also some key terms one must know to fully understanding the rules of soccer:
No game-play is allowed with the hands of the player (with the exception of the goalkeeper). When a player’s hand makes contact with the ball, this is called a handball. Depending on where the handball occurs, the opposing team will either be awarded a direct or indirect free kick. An indirect kick is a kick awarded for a less serious foul. During an indirect kick, the ball must be passed to another teammate before being kicked into the goal. Players on the opposing team are forced to stay 10 yards from the spot of the penalty. Direct kicks can be shot directly into the goal. During game-play, if a ball is kicked out of bounds on either sideline, a throw-in is awarded. A correct throw-in is when a player uses both hands behind his head, and while keeping both feet on the ground, throws the ball back into game-play. If this is done incorrectly, possession is granted to the opposing team and they get a throw-in at the same spot. If the ball crosses the goal line, and is last kicked by a player of the offensive team, a goal kick is awarded. This is a kick taken from inside the goal box and kicked away from the goal. If the defending team is the last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line, a corner kick is awarded. A corner kick is taken from inside a corner arc. It is typically kicked into the penalty box in hopes of creating a goal scoring opportunity.
When unsafe game-play occurs that endangers the safety of a player, a foul may be called. A foul is called when a play occurs where the opposing team makes an attack on a player that is not directed at the ball but causes the player to lose the ball (such as tripping, pushing, pulling on the player’s jersey, kicking of the player, or any other dangerous play). If a foul occurs and the player remains in possession of the ball, player advantage may be awarded and a call may not be made. This is left to the digression of the referee. If a foul is committed inside of the penalty box, a penalty kick is awarded. This kick is taken from the penalty kick mark and is shot directly into the goal. All players but the goalkeeper must remain outside of the penalty box and penalty box arc into the shot is made. If the shot is blocked, additional kicks may be taken on the rebound. If too many fouls or an unnecessarily dangerous foul occurs, a yellow card may be awarded to the unsafe player. If a player perpetrates an act that bypasses that of a yellow card (such tripping a player from behind or fighting) he may be awarded a red card (a player will also be awarded a red card if he or she obtains two yellow cards).
Perhaps the most difficult rule for an inexperienced player to comprehend would be the offside rule. Offside may be called if a player is in an offside position when the ball is kicked, and then becomes involved in playing the ball. A player is in an offside position when there are less than two opposing players between him and the goal on the offensive half of the field. A player is not considered offside if he or she does not participate in the play of the ball. A player is not offside if he stands even with the defensive player (the goalkeeper counts as one of the two players).
During a match there are no timeouts. Game-play is continuous. There are, however, three substitutions allowed per team per game. A substitution is when a player on the bench replaces a player on the field. These are the basic rules and terms to know when watching a regulation soccer match. They may change slightly from game to game, but they are all basically the same.
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