Teams
2 teams of 11 players including goalie
Officials
Referee controls game, assisted by 2 linesmen or assistant referees
Duration
2 halves of 45 minutes each
Playing ball
Players cannot use hands or arms to play the ball. Only goalkeeper is allowed to within their own penalty area.
Scoring
Goal scored when whole ball crosses goal line btwn goal posts and under crossbar
Starting the game
- 2 captains toss a coin for choice of ends or for the right to kick off.
- All players must be in their own half and no opponent may come into the center circle until the ball is played.
- The player taking the kick off must not kick it again until it has been touched by another player.
- The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward or back.
- After a goal, play is restarted the same way by the team that was scored upon.
- Second half is begun with the team that did not start the first half.
Field of play
ball out of play when completely crosses boundaries of pitch
Throw in
- Taken along the touchline at the point where the ball went out of play.
- Awarded against the team that last touched the ball before it went out of play.
- Thrower must face the play, use both hands and deliver the ball from behind and over his head.
- As the ball is released, part of each foot must be on the ground behind the touchline.
Goal kick
- Awarded to the defending team when the ball crosses their goal line after having been touched by an opponent.
- Ball is placed within the goal area.
- Kicker will send the ball outside of the penalty area or pass to a teammate inside the penalty area, all opponents must be outside the penalty area until the kick is taken.
Corner kick
- Awarded to the attacking team if the ball crosses the goal line having been last played by one of the defending team.
- A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick
Free kick
- Taken from where offense occurred.
- All opponents must be 10 yards from the ball.
- Direct free kick: player taking the kick can score directly (one touch).
- Indirect free kick: goal cannot be scored until the ball has been touched by another player ( two touch).
Penalty kick
- Awarded to opposing team when offense is committed by a defending player in his own penalty area.
- All players except the goalkeeper must stand outside the penalty area and penalty arc
- Player taking the kick may not play it a second time until it has been touched by another player.
- Goalkeeper must stand on or along the goal line until the ball is kicked.
Offside
- An attacking player is offside if when the ball is played he is nearer the opposing goal than two opponents and the ball.
- A player is not offside if…
a) he is in his own half of the field
b) an opponent was the last player to touch the ball
c) he receives the ball directly from a goal kick, a corner kick or a
throw in.
Fouls and Misconduct
- A direct free kick is awarded for the following intentional fouls:
· Tripping, holding, hand ball, kicking or attempting to kick an
opponent, charging in a violent or dangerous manner,
charging from behind, striking or attempting to strike an
opponent, pushing. - An indirect free kick is awarded for:
· Dangerous play, charging without the ball, obstruction,
dissenting from the referees decisions, entering or leaving
the game without referees permission, offside, passing the
ball with your foot directly to the keeper and unsportsmanlike
conduct.
Cards
Yellow card: unsporting conduct, dissent to referee, infringes of rules, delay of restart of play, leaves field without permission. Yellow card is essentially a warning.
Red Card: serious foul, violent conduct, offensive language, receives 2 yellows. Red card, the player is out of the game and the team must play a person short.
Formations
Soccer formations are based on a team’s tactics and style of play. Formations include the 10 players outside the goal keeper and are listed from the back or defending end. For example a 4-4-2 would suggest 4 defenders or full backs, 4 half backs or midfielders and 2 strikers or forwards. Other common formations 4-5-1, 3-4-3 and 3-5-2.
