Rules in Brief

The following is a brief summary of the rules for soccer and should not be read except as a summary. For a full outline, please refer to the "Laws of the Game, Universal Guide for Referees" published by the Federation Internationale de Football Association, commonly known as FIFA (the governing body over the universal playing rules of soccer).
The rules of the game are known as Laws. There are seventeen official laws and one unofficial law known to many; it is COMMON SENSE, please apply it.

Law 1 - The Field of Play

This relates to the field of play outlying all the dimensions regarding size of the field & markings and size of nets. These measurements vary depending on age of participants, skill level and available land.
 

Law 2 - The Ball

This describes the circumference, weight and air pressure of the ball to be used for each age group.
 

Law 3 - Number of Players

This law deals with the number of players in a game and on a team and how substitutions are handled. There are some local regulations on substitution and coaches should familiarize themselves for each league and/or competition for which their team is entered.
 

Law 4 - Players Equipment

Basic compulsory equipment, safety of player and other players, shin guards, color of uniforms are all discussed in Law 4. Note that shin guards are mandatory and must be covered entirely by the sock. Shirts must be tucked in. No watches or unsafe jewelry are allowed. For any questionable apparatus worn by a player, i.e. cast or knee brace, the referee must be consulted and their decision is final.
 

Law 5 - Referees

The referee shall

• Enforce laws of game

• Refrain from penalizing if he/she is giving an advantage to a team

• Keep records on game

• Act as timekeeper, adding lost time for injuries or delays

• Stop game for infringement of laws

• Caution players accordingly, write and file reports

• Allow no other person on the field without permission

• Stop game only for serious injury-not for slightly injured (usually when children are involved all injuries involve stoppage)

• Dismiss players & coaching staff for violent conduct, serious foul play, foul or abusive language

• Restart game

• Decide that equipment meets specifications

• Delay/cancel games due to bad weather
   

Law 6 - Assistant Referee (Linesman)

The assistant referee shall

• Signal when ball is out of play

• Indicate which side is entitled to a corner kick or throw in

• Indicate substitution

• Assist referee in game control

• Call fouls (official only)

• Call off sides (official lineman only)
   

Law 7 - Duration of Game

This varies with age of player and tournament rules. The play is made up of 2 equal halves. If overtime is involved, it is usually governed by the type of competition. Again it is 2 equal halves, unless otherwise stated. There is no "sudden death" except in tournaments where stated.
 

Law 8 - Start of Play

• A toss of the coin shall decide choice of ends

• The ball shall be kicked into play in a forward motion from a stationary position at the centre of the field

• Player taking kick cannot again touch the ball until it has been touched by another player

• After goals have been scored or after half time games shall be restarted in the same manner
   

Law 9 - Ball out of Play

• The ball must wholly cross the goal line or touch line (on the ground or in the air)

• When the referee blows the whistle
   

Law 10 - Scoring

• The ball must pass between the goal posts and under the cross bar and must wholly cross the line

• Cannot be thrown or propelled into the net by a hand or arm
   

Law 11 - Offside

• A player is in an offside position if he/she is nearer to his/her opponents goal line than the ball unless: He is in his/her own half of the field or He/She is not nearer to his/her opponent's goal line than at least two opponents

• A player is called offside if in the opinion of the Referee he/she is interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage by being in an offside position

• A player shall not be declared offside merely because of being in an offside position or if he/she receives the ball from a goal kick, corner kick or throw in

• If a player is offside then the Referee shall award an indirect free kick from the place where the infringement occurred (OFFSIDES ARE NOT CALLED IN YOUNGER GAMES)
   

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

Direct Free Kick - A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following 9 offences:

1. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

2. Trips or attempts to trip

3. Jumps at an opponent

4. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

5. Pushes an opponent

6. When tackling an opponent makes contact with the opponent before contact is made with the ball

7. Holds an opponent

8. Spits at an opponent

9. Handling the ball with hand or arm (this does not apply to the goalkeeper in penalty area but all other ages and gender)
   
   If a foul to an attacking player occurs in the defenders penalty area then it is a penalty kick

Indirect Free Kick (or commonly known as 2 touch) is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offenses:

1. Plays in a dangerous manner

2. Impedes the progress of a player (obstruction)

3. Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball

4. Goalkeeper
   o When he/she has control and holds the ball for more than 6 seconds.
   o Releases the ball into play and then touches it again with his/her hands within the penalty area unless it is touched by a player of the opposite team inside or outside their area or a member of the same team outside the area
   o Wastes time
   o Parries the ball forward with hands and then again touches the ball with his/her hands
   o When the ball is passed from the foot deliberately or throw-in to the goalie's hand by a member of his/her own team

A player shall be cautioned and shown the yellow card if:

1. Enters or re enters the field of play without the permission of the referee

2. Persistently infringes the laws of the game

3. Shows by word or action dissent for the referees decisions

4. Delays the restart of play

5. Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted

6. Deliberately leaves the field without the permission of the referee

7. Guilty of unsporting like conduct
    

A player shall be sent off the field of play if the player is:

1. Guilty of violent conduct

2. Guilty of serious foul play

3. Uses foul or abusive language

4. Guilty of a second caution able offence

5. Spits at an opponent or any other person

6. Denies an opponent a goal in an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball

7. Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the players goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty kick
    

Law 13 - Free Kicks
Direct - ball can be kicked directly into the net from the ground. Opponents must stand 10 yards back. Referee indicates this by pointing the direction of the kick
Indirect - ball cannot be kicked directly into the net from the ground. Opponents must stand back 10 yards back. Referee indicates this by raising his/her arm and pointing the direction of the kick
 

Law 14 - Penalty Kick

The Referee awards this kick when a defender commits one of the 10 fouls within the Penalty Area. All players must stand outside the penalty area and be 10 yards from the ball. The ball is spotted 12m for Standard soccer from the goal line. The goalie may move along the goal line but not closer to the ball. If the ball rebounds off the goal post or cross bar it is still in play and players may them enter the box area. The penalty kick taker cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
 

Law 15 - Throw Ins

When the whole of the ball passes over the side or touchline a throw in is awarded to the team that did not kick or direct the ball out. The thrower must face the field of play and both feet must touch the ground or on behind the touchline. The ball must be thrown from behind and over the head using two hands. A bad throw will result in possession being given to the other team. Micro and Mini players will be given a second chance to make a correct throw
 

Law 16 - Goal Kick

When the whole of the ball, last touched by the attacking team, passes the end line or goal line without entering the net, the ball is placed anywhere in the goal area and kicked into play off the ground. The ball must leave the penalty area without being touched by any player. The attacking team must be positioned outside the penalty area. The goalkeeper does not have to take the kick. If the kick is not taken in accordance with the above text it shall be retaken
 

Law 17 - Corner Kick

When the whole of the ball, last touched by the defending team cross the goal line without entering the net, the attacking team shall place the ball in the 1m radius arc on the same side of the field that it goes out and kick the ball into play.  The defending team must be 10m away from the ball
 

Unwritten Rule

"Common Sense & Fair Play"
PLEASE HELP ENSURE THIS IS PART OF YOUR TEAM'S APPROACH TO THE GAME