The Simple Rules of Soccer

Soccer does not have many rules, but some are very confusing!I have seen many parents (and coaches!) yelling at referees when they obviously don't understand the rules! Just remember that you are not alone and that learning even some of the rules will make you smarter than 95% of soccer parents.

Here are the simplified rules for the soccer parent.

What do you need to play soccer?

Usually a jersey, shorts, socks, shinguards, and soccer shoes. The league will usually provide the jersey, shorts and socks, but you will always need to buy the shinguards and soccer shoes. Technically, any sneakers are okay, but leagues will usually not allow, baseball or football cleats (they can be dangerous). The goalkeeper must wear a different type of jersey so they look different from anyone else on the field.

Children also can't wear anything that would be dangerous to themselves or others, including any type of jewelry. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc., must be removed or taped to the skin.

Can you use your hands in soccer?

Of course not, you say! That's a hand ball! (unless it's the goalkeeper, of course!)

The fact is, it's usually NOT a handball. If the ball touches the hand or arm, anywhere up to the shoulder it COULD be a handball. But if the ball was kicked or played ONTO the hand (unintentional, in other words) it should not be called!

Hand balls must be intentional (you'll see many referees miss this call).

What's a kickoff?

A kick-off is the way a soccer game is started or restarted at the start of a game, after a goal has been scored, at the start of the second half and at the start of each period of extra time, if used.

The ball is placed in the center of the field. All players must be in their own half of the field and the opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be at least 10 yards from the ball. This distance is indicated by the center circle on the field and will vary some with age.

Normally the referee will blow his/her whistle to indicate they are ready for the kick- off. The ball is in play when it is kicked and must move forward.

What's a legal throw in?

A throw-in is taken when the ball crosses completely over a sideline (if the ball has any part over the line it is not out!)

The two basic soccer rules for a proper throw-in are to have both feet on the ground and to throw the ball with both hands over the head. That's it. You can drag your feet or do flips, as long as both fit are touching the ground when you release the ball.

Spinning is not illegal. I've seen referees call this and they're WRONG! It's usually not intentional anyway.

How about corner kicks and goal kicks?

A corner kick or goal kick is taken when the ball leaves the field across a goal line – you know, either end of the field with a goal.

If the offensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a goal kick. If the defensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a corner kick.

The goal kick is taken from ANYWHERE inside the “goalie box” It can be taken by any player, not just the goalkeeper.

If a goal kick does not leave the penalty area (the big box) it needs to be retaken.

What are direct and indirect kicks?

The way a referee restarts the game after an infraction.

For both of these the ball must be stationary before it is kicked and the opposing players should be a minimum of 10 yards away. The 10 yard allowance is often reduced for the smaller age groups and is left up to the discretion of the referee.

The simple difference between the two is this: On a direct kick you can score by kicking the ball directly into the goal. On an indirect kick you cannot score. An indirect kick must be touched by another player before it can go into the goal – that is the kicker and a second person.

As a parent on the sideline, you can tell whether the kick is direct or indirect by looking at the referee. For an indirect kick, the referee will hold one arm straight up in the air until the second person touches the ball. No arm up, it’s a direct kick.

In general, a direct kick comes from a contact foul or hand ball. Everything else is indirect.

What's a penalty kick?

A penalty kick results from a contact foul or hand ball by the defending team within the penalty area – the large box on either end of the field. So it’s a type of direct kick also.

The ball is placed on the penalty spot or mark, 12 yards in front of the center of the goal.

All players must remain outside the penalty area and the penalty arc until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line until the ball is kicked.

If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the keeper and stays on the field, the ball is “live” and anyone can play it.

If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the goal and stays on the field, the ball is “live” and anyone can play it with the exception of the person who just kicked the ball. If the ball rebounds off of the goal and back into play, the person who kicked the ball cannot play it until the ball is touched by another player – otherwise he/she will be called for two touches.

What are the fouls in soccer?

A player cannot kick, trip, jump at, charge, strike, push, hold, or spit at an opponent.

But soccer is a physical game. So when your child ends up th on the ground, think befor you shout "foul!" Bumping or pushing shoulder-to-shoulder while trying for the ball is not a foul by itself.

The normal consequence of a foul is a direct kick for the opposing team. However, depending on the type of foul and severity, the playing “dishing it out” may be punished.

Punishment is given in soccer with yellow and red cards. The FIFA soccer rules give the guidelines for when to give a yellow card to a player and when to give a red card. I’m not going to get into the specifics here.

If a player is given two yellow cards in the same game, that is equal to a red card.

A red card can be given at any time without the player first receiving a yellow card. When a player gets a red card, they must leave the game and their team must play short. An ejected player cannot be replaced (unless they are ejected prior to the start of the game).

What the heck is offsides?

It's basically when a player is closer to the opponents goal then both the ball and everyone (except the goalkeeper) on the other team.

You cannot be offside on a corner kick, goal kick, or throw-in.

Also, it is not an offense for a player to be in an offside position. The player must be involved in active play as determined by the referee to be called offside.

Basically, it keeps players from hanging in front of the goal.

This rule gets very complicated, so if you want to know more read the official rules. This is really all you need to know for now.

Do you need more information? Interested in

learning soccer rules to the fullest? Here's the offical rules!