Soccer (Football)

The sport of soccer (called football in most of the world) is considered to be the
world's most popular sport. In soccer there are two teams of eleven players. Soccer is
played on a large grass field with a goal at each end. The object of the game is to get the
soccer ball into the opposing team's goal. The key to soccer is that, with the exception of
the goalie, players cannot touch the ball with their hands or arms, they can only kick,
knee, chest, or head the ball to advance it or score a goal.

Soccer is played at all levels throughout the world from youth leagues to professional
and international teams. Perhaps the most famous soccer tournament is the World Cup.
Held every four years, the World Cup is a soccer competition between countries and is
one of the most watched events in the world. One of the reasons soccer is so popular is
that it really only takes a ball and a flat open area to play. Kids throughout the world will
set up fields and goals just about anywhere and start playing the game. The game is also
fun and competitive. Soccer is a great form of exercise as there is lots of running for
good distances. The sport is also a good test of dexterity and a great way to learn
balance.

How big is the soccer field?

The soccer field, or football pitch, is flexible in size. It is 100 to 130 yards (90-120m) long
and 50 to 100 yards (45-90m) wide. In international play the field dimensions are a bit
stricter in that the length must be 110 to 120 yards (100 - 110m) long and 70 to 80 yards
(64 - 75m) wide. An additional rule is that the length has to be longer than the width, so
you couldn't have a square field of 100 yards by 100 yards. Even though these are the
official rules, many kid's soccer games are played on even smaller fields than the
minimum. Although the length and width are flexible, other areas of the field are
generally fixed in size.

The Goal Area

 Goal Area - The goal area is a box that extends 6 yards out from the goal posts.
Free kicks are taken from this area.
 Penalty Area - The penalty area is a box that extends 18 yards out from the goal
posts. In this area the goalkeeper may use their hands. Also, any penalty by the
defense in this area will result in a penalty kick from the penalty mark.
  Penalty Mark - This is the spot where the ball is placed for penalty kicks. It is at
the center of the goal and 12 yards away from the goal line.
 Penalty Arc - This is a small arc at the top of the penalty box. Players other than
the goalkeeper and kicker may not enter this area during a penalty kick.

The Corners
At each corner is a flag post and a corner arc. The corner arc is 1 yard in diameter. The
ball must be placed within this arc for corner kicks. Flag posts must be at least 5 feet tall
to prevent injury.

Soccer: Rules and Regulations

When the ball is in play the rules of soccer are fairly simple. You cannot touch the ball
with your hands or arms intentionally unless you are the goalie. You cannot foul another
player or be offside (these soccer rules are described below). Other than that, the main
rules of soccer are around the starting and stopping of play.
The Starting and Stopping of Soccer Play
At the start of a soccer period or after a goal, there is a kick-off from the center
circle. At the kick-off all of the soccer players must be on their side of the field (the side
they are defending). Only the player kicking the kick-off is allowed inside the center
circle. After the kick-off the ball will be in play until the ball goes out of bounds or the
referee calls a penalty.
Other ways of restarting soccer include:
 Throw-in:
Throw-in is literally throwing of the football into the field of play after it goes out
of the pitch sidelines during a soccer game.

What’s the proper throw-in?

1. Both hands are holding the ball.
2. Should start holding the ball from behind, then above the head and finishes at the
front.
3. Both feet should be on the ground at the time the ball is thrown. Be it in standing
position or walking position, as long as both feet or any part of the feet are placed on
the ground (see image below).
 When the soccer ball has gone out of bounds, the team that last touched the ball
loses possession and the opposing team gets to throw-in the ball from the point where
the ball crossed out of bounds.
 Corner kick:
A corner kick in soccer is a means of restarting a game after the ball has left the
field of play. The referee will award a corner kick when the ball has gone over the goal
line at either end of the field without a goal being scored, and a defending team’s
player was the last player to touch the ball. When the defending team last touches the
ball and it crosses the goal line (and not scoring a goal), the opposing team gets to kick
the ball from the corner of the field.
The rules for corner kick
1. The ball must be placed in the corner area nearest to where the ball
crossed the goal line
On a soccer field, there are four corners. When the ball goes out of play, the
attacking team can’t just decide amongst themselves where they want to take the
kick from.
At a corner kick, a player must place the ball within the corner arc of the
nearest corner from where the ball went out of play.
This can be seen as a disadvantage to some teams if they have a corner kick
specialist who is better with one foot rather than the other. Most teams plan for this
happening, though, and will have decided who will take the corner kick before the
game. Often it can be a different player depending on the side of the field the corner
needs to be taken from.
2. The ball must be stationary when it’s kicked, and it has to be taken by someone
from the attacking team
The reason for insisting that the ball is stationary at a corner kick is to prevent
the attacking team from taking a rushed kick.
A player will sometimes try to take the kick quickly to catch the defense out
before they’re ready. When they do this there is a higher chance that the ball will
not have come to a complete stop before they kick it.
By slowing down and making sure the ball is stationary before it’s kicked all
the players are given time to get into position and be ready to contest the corner
kick.

3. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not need to leave
the corner area
This rule ties in with the previous rule. The ball has to start from a stationary
position as once it is moving it is once again in play.
 Although most of the time you will see the ball kicked through the air straight
into the penalty area from a corner kick, occasionally you will see a player just gently
tap the ball a few inches to one of their team players.
The most common reason this is done is when a team is trying to slow down
the game. At this point in a game, the team taking the corner is usually in the lead
and they don’t want to lose that lead.
The thinking is that by kicking the ball straight into the penalty area there is a
chance that the other team could get the ball rather than someone their own team.
And the opposition has a much higher chance of scoring a goal if they have the ball!
For the attacking team in these moments keeping possession of the ball is
more important than the possibility of creating another goal-scoring opportunity.

4. The corner flag must not be moved

At no point in a soccer game must the corner flag be moved. They are not
an optional item in a game and they must stay in position for the duration of the
game.
The reason a player may want to move the flag is if they feel it is in the
way of their run-up for the corner kick. This does not change the rules though. A
player cannot even try to bend or lean the corner flag away from the upright
position to try to get around the rule.
It is acceptable for a player to return the corner flag to its position if it has
fallen over or been moved accidentally.

5. Opponents must remain at least 10 yds (9.15 m) from the corner arc until the
ball is in play
The team defending the corner kick may want to get as close to the ball as
possible to try to block the kick from getting to close to their goal.
It used to be the case that no other player could be within 6 yards of the
ball at a corner kick but in 1888 the rules were changed to allow any player on
the same team to be as close as they wanted and in 1914 the rules we changed
to restrict any opposition players from coming within 10 yards of the ball.
If the opposition players could stand immediately in front of the ball, it
would make the corner kick a little pointless and frustrating for the attacking
team as they are unlikely to be able to get the ball past the defending player.
  Goal kick:
A goal kick is a means of restarting the game after the ball has gone out of play. In
soccer, a game is restarted in a number of ways depending on where the ball left the
field.
When the ball goes over the goal line at either end of the field, then the only way
to bring the ball back into play is through a corner kick or goal kick. (We’ll look at the
difference between these two further down this article.)
A team gets a goal kick when a player on the attacking team was the last person
to touch the ball before it went out of play over the goal line.
When the offensive team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line, the
goalie gets to kick the ball from the goal box.
Goal Kick Rules
The organization that governs the laws of soccer – the International Football
Association Board (IFAB) – has dedicated a whole section of the rules to the goal kick.
Law 16 gives you all the details about what can and can’t happen.

1. The Whole Ball Has to Pass Over the Goal Line

The first rule for a goal kick is that the whole ball has to have passed entirely over
the goal line at the end of the soccer field for the referee to award a goal kick.
When the referee, or the referee’s assistant, sees the ball go across the goal line, they
will stop the play and signal that the defending team must take a goal kick.
A referee’s signal for a goal kick is their arm straight, parallel to the ground, and
pointing towards the goal where the defending team will take the goal kick.
It also doesn’t matter how far off the ground the ball is at this moment. Whether
the ball is in the air or on the ground, it is out of play when it crosses the goal line.

2. A Player on the Att acking Team Must Have Touched the Ball Last
As soon as the ball has gone out of play, the first thought a referee will have is,
“who touched the ball last?”.

This is important because the referee can only award a goal kick if the last player
to touch the ball was on the attacking team. If the last player to touch the ball was on
the defending team, the referee would award a corner kick. (This is one of the significant
differences between a goal kick and a corner kick that we’ll look at in just a moment.)

3. A Player Must Take the Kick From Within the Goal Area
Having been awarded a goal kick, there are several rules the kicker must follow
when taking the kick.
One of the most important rules is that a player must take a goal kick from within the
defending team’s goal area.

Although you will often see a goalkeeper take a goal kick from near the edge of the goal
area that runs parallel to the goal line, the kicker can take the goal kick from anywhere
within the goal area.

It often makes sense to take the kick from the location nearest to where you want the
goal kick to go.

The ball also needs to be stationary at the moment it’s kicked. A goalie can’t roll the ball
out in front of them and then kick it while it’s still moving. If this happens, the player will
have to retake the goal kick.

4. Oppositi on Players Must Stay Outside of the Penalty Area Unti l the Ball Is
Kicked
Another important rule to be aware of at a goal kick is:

No opposition player can enter the penalty area until the kicker has taken the goal kick
and the ball has clearly moved.

There are no exceptions to this rule. If an opponent of the player taking the goal kick
does enter the area before the defending player takes the kick, the goal kick will have to
be retaken.

You’ll also have noticed that the rule only says opposition players can’t enter the
penalty area.

In 2019 the IFAB introduced a new goal kick rule that removed the requirement for
defending players to stay outside the penalty area at a goal kick. The ball is now in play
once the ball is kicked. Only the opponents of the kicker must remain outside the
penalty area. 

5. The Goalkeeper Can Score From a Goal Kick

One question many people have about goal kicks is whether a goalkeeper can score a
goal from one.

A goalkeeper can score a goal directly from a goal kick. A goal kick is a “direct” kick in
soccer, which means any player can score a goal directly from that kick. 
Although it is rare to see a player score directly from a goal kick, occasionally, it does
happen. Mostly when a gust of wind catches the ball and takes it further up the field
than expected, but sometimes when the opposing goalie makes a mistake.

In soccer, the rules of the game designate some kicks as “direct” and others as
“indirect”. 

6. A Player Can’t Score an Own Goal From a Goal Kick

Although a player can score in the opposition’s goal at a goal kick, it’s a different story if
the ball ends up in their own goal net.

A goalie cannot score an own goal from a goal kick. If a goalkeeper scores an own goal
from a goal kick, then the referee disallows the goal and awards a corner kick to the
opposing team.

It is incredibly rare to see a player score an own goal from a goal kick and I can’t
remember ever seeing it happen. Something extraordinary would have had to have
happened for this scenario to play out!

7. Any Player Can Take a Goal Kick

Throughout the list of rules so far, you may have noticed that I have often referred to a
“player” taking the goal kick and not just the goalie.

The reason for this is because it isn’t only the goalkeeper that can take goal kicks.

Any player on the defending team can take a goal kick. The rules of soccer permit the
goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards to take a goal kick. 

It is unusual to see any player other than the goalie or a defender take a goal kick. Both
the goalkeeper and defenders are the primary defensive players on the team and play in
the positions closest to their team’s goal.

When a team is in a position to kick the ball up the field, they want their attacking
players to be there, ready to receive the ball. Because of this, it is the goalkeeper or
defenders that often take goal kicks for a team.

8. The Kicker Can’t Touch the Ball a Second Time Aft er Kicking It
The last rule for a goal kick concerns when the kicker can touch the ball again.

A player cannot touch the ball again after taking a goal kick until the ball has touched
another player. If a player touches the ball again after they have kicked it and before
another player has come into contact with the ball, the referee will award an indirect
free kick to the opposing team.

This rule is common throughout every set piece in a soccer game. Just take a look at my
article about free-kicks in soccer, and you will discover the same rule applies there.

The rules prevent the kicker from touching the ball a second time to prevent a player
from taking a goal kick to themselves and then attempting to move further up the
soccer field with the ball before passing it to a teammate.

By simply kicking the ball a few yards in front of them, outside of the goal area, before
kicking the ball up the field, a player could gain a five to ten-yard advantage.

Goal Kick Vs. Corner Kick

When they first start watching soccer, many people are confused about the difference
between a goal kick and a corner kick. If that’s you, let me take a moment at this point
to explain the difference between the two.

There are three differences between a goal kick and a corner kick:

1. The location a player takes the kick from

2. The team that takes the kick
3. The team that was the last to touch the ball before it went out of play
The difference between a goal kick and a corner kick is that a goal kick is taken from
within the goal area by the defending team. A corner kick is taken from the corner of
the field by a member of the attacking team.
A referee will award the defending team a goal kick when the ball goes out of play
across the goal line, and the last player to touch the ball was a player from the attacking
team.

The referee will award the attacking team a corner kick when the ball goes out of play
across the goal line, and the last player to touch the ball was a player from the
defending team.

 Penalty kick:
 A penalty kick is awarded when a foul punishable by a direct free kick is
committed within the penalty area.  It is important to note that it is the location of the
foul, and not the ball, which determines where a foul is committed.  
Rules
1. The shooter cannot take the penalty kick until the referee blows his whistle.
2. The goal keeper must remain on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
3. Other players must stand outside the penalty area and penalty arc until the ball is
kicked.
4. After the shooter kicks the ball, he cannot be the next player to touch the ball, even if
the ball bounces off the post.

 Soccer Fouls:
Soccer fouls can be any number of unfair advantages taken by a player that are
called by the referee. These can include tripping, pushing, and touching the ball with the
hands. Free kicks or penalty kicks may be awarded to the opposing soccer team. Very
unsportsmanlike behavior may result in a yellow card or a red card. Players that get red
cards are ejected from the game.
 Offside Rule:
The offensive player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than
both the second and last opponent and the soccer ball.
According to the FIFA rulebook, a player is in an offside position if:

 He is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last
opponent.
 A violation will occur when he is in an offside position (previous bullet point) at
the same time the ball is being passed forward to him.

A player is NOT in an offside position if:

  He is in his own half of the field of play.
 No part of the attacking player (head, body, or feet) is closer to the opponents
goal than the final defender (not including the goalkeeper) .
 He is receiving the ball from a throw-in.

 Out of Bounds:
Also known as out of play, it is the area of a soccer pitch outside the area formed
by the sidelines and end lines. If the ball crosses these boundary lines, the ball is
declared dead by officials and must be put back into play via a corner kick or throw in.

SOCCER GAMES AND DRILLS

Sharks and Minnows - Play the soccer version of this classic game. First define two sides
with an area in between. Place one or two players in the middle, they will be the sharks.
The rest of the players each have a ball and are the minnows. The minnows will now try
to dribble the ball from one side to the other. The sharks try to kick the soccer ball away.
When the shark steals a ball, then that minnow becomes a shark. Keep going until only
one minnow is left. Note: You need to have the rule that a minnow can't just kick a long
shot to the other side, they need to have the ball under their control when they cross
the line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tONiMWAgIAA
Soccer Golf - You need a big area like a park for this one. Mark out a course using
various far away items that will be okay if they are hit by a golf ball. For example, a wall,
a tree, the goal post, a bench, etc. You could even use different parts of the soccer field
like the center circle or a corner area. Play the game just like golf. Pick a tee off point
and see who can hit the object in the fewest number of kicks. Keep score if you want.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzrBMsP0vpc

Red Light Green Light - Players line up a distance from the coach or leader. Each player
has a ball. The leader yells "green light" and the players start dribbling toward the
coach. The coach turns around, back to the players. When the coach yells "red light"
they must stop themselves and the ball. Any players still moving or with the ball still
rolling when the coach turns back around, is out. Keep playing until one player is left or
they reach the leader. For some fun, the leader can mix up red light and green light to
test who is really paying attention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0bEW0nLPEk

Name Passing - Players get in a circle. They say the name of the person they are passing
it to and then pass the ball. Great way for a new team to learn each other's names. Add
more balls near the end and see what happens.

Soccer Marbles Game - You need one soccer ball that is a unique color or pattern. Split
up the kids and divide the area into two sides. Have them line up each with a ball. The
unique ball goes in the middle. Players must kick their ball and hit the unique ball. They
try to move the unique ball across the other team's side only hitting it with soccer balls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1bqfJ29ij8

SOCCER GAME STRATEGIES

Long Ball

The long-ball strategy is the most basic tactic in soccer. The ball is moved from defense
to attack in the most direct manner possible, with long, lofted passes often bypassing
the midfield altogether. The long-ball strategy is most effective when a team possesses a
tall and physically strong forward or striker. This “target man” uses his height and
strength to gather up the long ball or direct the ball to a supporting player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoKdRsbYG54

Possession

Possession soccer is a strategy designed to give a team greater control of the game. A
short passing system is used, often combined with a slow tempo, to deny the opposition
possession of the ball. Possession soccer is a highly technical strategy, requiring skillful
players and good team awareness on the field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Ipw_q0wRs

Counter Attack

Counter attacking soccer can be very effective, particularly for teams with fast attacking
players. A counter attack is launched as soon as an opposing attack is snuffed out, the
defending team surging forward in an attempt to catch the opposition off guard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X7ic9PvDNY

Wing Play

Wing play is a strategy that focuses upon playing the ball wide down both sides of the
field. There are two main reasons why this strategy could be implemented. Firstly, a
team in possession of quick and talented wingers or wide midfielders may wish to give
these players more of the ball in order to maximize their effectiveness. Secondly, a
coach may spot a weakness in the opposing defense that could be exposed by attacks
down the wings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVEy8hyw5Es
Overlap

The overlap strategy is a style of wing play. Wide defenders, known as fullbacks, are
given permission to get forward and attack by advancing up the field and overlapping
the wide midfielders, or wingers. According to Jens Bangsbo and Birger PeitersenIt in
“Offensive Soccer Tactics,” the overlap is “used mainly in the opposition’s half of the
pitch and is an effective weapon for creating depth and width in the attacking play.”
Other players need to cover for the defender when he attacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3QxUs_hIVA

Closing Down

Closing down, or shutting down, is a defensive strategy. It is a high-pressure form of

defense often applied to all parts of the field. When the opposing team has possession
of the ball, the defending players will close them down immediately. This can unsettle
the opposition, giving them little time to choose their passes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mclj_QPF2M

Offside Trap

The offside trap is a defensive strategy and has little influence upon a team’s attacking
play. As described by Robyn Jones and Tom Tranter in “Soccer Strategies: Defensive and
Attacking Tactics,” the defenders “step up in front of an opposing forward when
appropriate, thus stranding the latter in an offside position.” This strategy relies upon
good organization. If one defender fails to advance with the rest of the back line, the
opposing attacker may not be caught in an offside position, leading to a clear goal-
scoring opportunity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtkRaAkA_j0
 FOULS AND PENALTY
In order to allow players to play the game in a fair manner, the referee can call fouls.
The penalty from a foul can vary depending on the type and severity of the foul.
 Minor offenses - The opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.
 More serious offenses - The opposing team is awarded a direct free kick. This will
be a penalty kick if it occurs within the penalty box.
 Caution - A yellow card can be given for repeated fouls. A second yellow results in
a red and expulsion from the game.
 Expulsion - The player must leave the game and cannot be substituted for.
Penalties for the most part are up to the discretion of the referee and what they
determine to be unfair play. The referee always has the final say. Any arguing with
the referee could result in a yellow or red card.
Types of Fouls
The following actions are not allowed in soccer and will result in a foul call:
 Kicking an opponent
 Tripping
 Jumping into an opponent (like when you are going for a header)
 Charging into an opponent
 Pushing Tackling from behind
 Tackling an opponent and you make contact with the player prior to
making contact with the ball.
 Holding
 Touching the ball with your hands (if you are not the goalkeeper) The free
kick is awarded from the spot of the foul, except in the case where it took
place in the opponent's penalty box. In that case a penalty kick can be
awarded.
Caution (Yellow Card)
The referee can choose to give a caution or yellow card to a player for the
following actions:
 Unsportsmanlike behavior (note that this includes trying to trick the
referee)
 Arguing with the referee
 Fouling a lot
  Delaying the game
 Entering or leaving the game without informing the referee
Expulsion (Red Card)
When the referee shows a red card, this means the player has been kicked out of
the game. A red card can be given for the following actions:
 A serious foul Violent actions against the referee or other players
 Using their hands to stop a goal (when not the goalkeeper)
 Using bad language
 Receiving a second caution
The Goalkeeper
There are also special rules and fouls regarding the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper
can be called for a foul for the following actions:
 Holding the ball for more than 6 seconds
 Touching the ball again with his hands after a teammate has kicked the
ball to him
 Touching the ball with his hands directly after a throw-in by a teammate

REFEREE
Referees are part of the game of soccer in order to make the game as fair as
possible. There may be times when we don't agree with the referees, but the reality is
that referees make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
The referee's decision is always final including the final score. In professional
soccer there are usually one referee and two assistant referees. In some games there
may be a fourth or even fifth referee calling the game.
Head Referee
The head referee is responsible to enforce the laws and rules of the game. This
includes keeping track of the time, calling penalties, stopping play for an injury, checking
that the ball meets the proper requirements, and even providing a match report after
the game.
Assistant Referee
The assistant referees are generally called linesmen. Each assistant covers one of
the touch lines. They make calls regarding whose ball it is when the ball goes out of
bounds as well as offside. The assistant referee also provides advice to the head referee.
The assistant referee often uses a flag to signal calls such as offside and possession of
the ball.

REFEREE SIGNALS
Direct Free Kick - Pointing one hand and arm indicating the direction.

Indirect Free Kick - The referee holds one hand straight in the air until the ball is played.

Goal Kick - The referee points in the direction of the goal

Play on (Advantage) - Holds both arms out in front with palms up

Caution or Expulsion - Holds the card high in one hand so all can see. The yellow card
for a caution and red card for an expulsion.

Corner Kick - Points with one hand and arm toward the corner.

Penalty Kick - Points directly at the penalty mark.

Assistant Referee Signals (using the flag)

Offside - The linesman will point the flag when the offside occurs. The angle of the flag is
used to indicate where the offside occurred. Downward at a 45 degree angle = on the
third of the field or pitch nearest to the referee Even to the ground = in the middle of
the field Upward at a 45 degree angle = on the third of the field or pitch furthest from
the referee

Substitution - Holds the flag in both hands above the head.

Throw In - Points the flag in the direction of the throw in. The Whistle The whistle is
generally used to signal the starting or stopping of play.
Length of the game and timing
A typical professional soccer match will consist of two periods each 45 minutes
long with a half-time of 15 minutes. Each soccer league may have different times. Youth
leagues will generally have shorter periods. High school matches are generally two 40
minute periods or four 20 minute periods. Youth soccer games are often two 20 minute
periods or four 10 minute periods.

Additional Time
The referee can allow for time lost due to substitutions, injuries, or one team wasting
time. This rule was added because players would start to stall, fake injuries, or take a
long time making substitutions once they had the lead. Now the referee can just add
that time to the end of the period.
The end of the period is also extended to allow for a penalty kick, if needed.
A Tie Game
If the score is tied at the end of the second period, different things may happen
depending on the rules of the soccer league. In some leagues the game is called a draw
and is over. In other leagues they may go straight to penalty kicks. In FIFA World Cup
Soccer they have an overtime period and then move to penalty kicks.
Overtime in World Cup FIFA
Sometimes extra periods are added in the case of a tie. Often this is two periods of 15
minutes each.
Penalty Kicks
Often times the winner of a tie game is determined by penalty kicks. Generally
each team gets 5 shots on goal, with each team taking an alternate turn. A different
player must take each shot. The team with the most points after 5 shots wins. More
shots can be added, if needed.

Prepared by:
Prina, Baby Joyce P.
Virrey, Mark Gil