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Laws of Soccer Made Simple
Players, parents, and coaches should become familiar with the rules of soccer (called "Laws of the Game"). This summary is meant to increase your enjoyment of the game through a better understanding of the laws of soccer. The Colorado Ice provides a two hour course on the Laws of the Game before each season. This course is open to anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of soccer. Please check this site, or the newsletter, for times and dates.
Field
The field must be rectangular. Size depends on the age of the players and the format they are playing. The lines on a soccer field are considered to be part of the field. Lines should be five inches wide. Thus for a ball to be out it must completely cross over a line. It doesn't matter whether the player is in or out of the field of play. As long as the ball is in the field play continues.Goal
A score occurs if the ball passes under the crossbar, between the goal posts, and all of the ball passes completely over the outside edge of the goal line.Uniforms
Each team should have a distinctive uniform consisting of jersey, shorts, socks and shinguards. Shinguards are required and a player should not be allowed to compete without appropriate shinguards. The socks must be worn over the top of the shinguards. At U9 and above the uniforms should have a unique number on the jersey.Throw-in
If all of the ball passes completely over the outside edge of the touchline (sideline), the restart is a throw-in. The throw-in is taken by the team that did not last touch the ball. An improper throw-in or a throw-in taken from the wrong spot results in a throw-in for the opposing team. If a throw-in is take and the ball does not enter the field the throw-in is re-taken by the team. There is no offside on a throw in.Goal Kick
If all of the ball passes over the goal line, it was last touched by an attacking player, and a valid goal was not scored, the restart is a goal kick. The ball is placed in the goal area and kicked by a member of the defending team. All attacking players must remain outside the penalty area until the ball leaves the penalty area. A goal kick may be taken from anywhere inside the goal box. There is no offside on a goal kick.Corner Kick
If all of the ball passes over the goal line, it was last touched by a defensive player, and a valid goal was not scored, the restart is a corner kick. The ball is placed in the corner arc and kicked by an attacking player. There is no offside on a corner kick.Drop Ball
When the game is stopped while the ball is in play, for reason other than an infraction of the Rules, the game is restarted with a drop ball.
Handling
This is one of the most misunderstood of the rules of soccer. In order for a ball to be handled the player must touch the ball with the arm or hand. The player must direct the ball in order to achieve and advantage. The player must "play the ball". If the ball hits the player and there is no attempt to direct the ball it is not handling. This is a judgment call on the part of the referee.
Penal Foul (foul resulting in a direct or penalty kick)
A direct free kick is the sanction awarded at the point of infraction for any one of the ten penal fouls. For the complete working and understanding of these infractions you must read the actual laws of the game. This is an overview of the infractions that result in a direct kick.- Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
- Tripping an opponent
- Jumping at an opponent
- Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
- Pushing an opponent
- Making contact with opponent before contacting the ball when making a tackle
- Holding an opponent
- Spitting at an opponent
- Deliberately handling the ball (except by goal-keeper in penalty area)
Penalty Kick
If one of the ten penal fouls is committed by the defense in their own penalty area, the sanction awarded to the attacking team is a penalty kick. The ball is placed on the penalty mark, the kicker is identified, the goal-keeper is positioned on the goal-line and all other players must remain outside the penalty area and penalty arc and not closer to the goal-line than the penalty mark until the ball has been kicked. Time is extended for a penalty kick taken at the end of half-time, full-time, or overtime.Non-Penal Foul
An indirect free kick is the sanction awarded at the point of infraction for any non-penal foul. Again, this is an overview. The law book must be consulted for a complete working and understanding.- Dangerous play
- Charging fairly when the ball is not within playing distance
- Obstruction, impeding progress of an opponent and not playing the ball
- Charging the goal-keeper
- Goal-keeper taking more than four steps while in possession of the ball, double possession, or otherwise wasting time
Free Kicks
Direct Free Kick
On a direct free kick, the ball may be kicked directly into the opponent's goal.Indirect Free Kick
On an indirect free kick, the ball must touch another player in addition to the kicker prior to a goal being scored. The referee signals an indirect free kick by holding a hand in the air until the ball is played or touched by another player or goes out of bounds.Advantage
The referee applies the advantage clause to allow play to continue if, in the opinion of the referee, the fouled team would lose their advantage by stopping play to award them a free kick. If the referee applies the advantage clause and the advantage that was anticipate does not develop at that time, the referee shall penalize the original offense.Off-side
A player is in an off-side position if he or she is nearer to the opponents' goal-line than the ball, unless the player is in his or her half of the field, or there are at least two opponents between them and the goal-line. It is not an offense in itself to be in an off-side position. A player shall only be penalized for being in an off-side position if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by a teammate, he or she is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in the play by:- interfering with play
- interfering with an opponent
- gaining an advantage by being in that position
A player shall not be declared off-side by the referee merely because of being in an off-side position or if the ball is received directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, or a throw-in. If a player is declared off-side, the referee shall award an indirect free kick, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the offense is committed by a player in the opponents' goal area, in which case the free kick shall be taken from any point within the goal area.
Misconduct Resulting in a Caution (Yellow card)
- Dissent with the referee's decision
- Unsporting conduct
- Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
- Entering or leaving the field of play without the referee's permission
Misconduct Resulting in a Send-off (Red card-teams plays down that player)
- Violent conduct
- Serious foul play
- Abusive or foul language
- Guilty of a second cautionable offense after having already received a caution
Two of the most misunderstood
laws are handling the ball, and off-side. As spectators and coaches, please try
to refrain from helping the referee by hollering HANDS! or OFF SIDES! It will
help the referee if we let them call the game on the field and then if we have
serious concerns talk to the referee or someone from the TMSA Board after the
game.
