THE RULES OF A FOOTBALL GAME
Law 1: The Field of Play
Soccer can be played on either grass or artificial turf, but the surface
must be green in color. The field must be rectangular in shape, and
distinctly marked by two short goal lines and two long-touch lines. The
field is divided into halves, separated by the halfway line, which runs
from the midpoints of each touchline. At the midpoint of the halfway
line is a marked center point surrounded by a lined center circle with a
radius of 10 yards. Opposing players are not allowed to enter this circle
during the possessing team’s kick-off. The length of the touch line must
be greater than the length of the goal line.
Regulation lengths are:
Touch line: Minimum 90 meters (100 yards), maximum 120
meters (130 yards)
Width (goal line): Minimum 45 m (50 yds), maximum 90 m (100
yds).
At each end of the field is an eight-yard-wide goal centered along
the goal line.
Six yards from each goal post along the goal line and six yards out
into the field (perpendicular to the goal line) is the goal box.
Extending 18 yards from each goal post along the goal line and 18
yards out into the field (perpendicular to the goal line) is the
penalty box.
In each of the four corners of the field is a five-foot-high corner
flag.
Law 2: The Ball
A soccer ball must be spherical in shape and made of leather or another
comparable medium. Its circumference must be in the range of 27 to 28
inches. This rule is only applicable for official sanctioned matches, as
youth leagues often employ the use of a smaller ball that is better suited
to children.
Law 3: The Number of Players
Matches are generally played by two teams of 11 to a side. The
goalkeeper is included in the 11-player total. If a team cannot field at
least seven players at match time, the game is a forfeit. Teams of fewer
than 11 a side can often be seen in youth leagues where smaller teams
are used as a developmental tool. FIFA-sanctioned matches are
generally limited to three substitutions per match, with the exception of
friendly matches. Most youth leagues allow an unlimited number of
substitutions, which must also be listed on the game card prior to the
beginning of the match, otherwise those players are ineligible.
Substitutions may only enter at the halfway line, upon the referee’s
approval, and after the player being subbed out has left the pitch. The
goalkeeper may be substituted with anyone on the pitch or any eligible
substitute on the bench during a game stoppage.
Law 4: The Players’ Equipment
All players are required to wear a jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks and
cleats. The socks must cover the shin guards entirely. If the referee
deems a player’s equipment unsatisfactory, the player can be sent off
until the issue is remedied.
Law 5: The Referee
The referee is the authority on the field, and his word is law. If you
question a referee’s decision, you can be disciplined further simply for
dissent.
Law 6: The Assistant Referees
The assistant referees are primarily responsible for assisting the referee
in performing his duties – this includes signaling with a flag when a ball
goes off play, when a player is fouled, or when a player is in an offside
position.
Law 7: The Duration of the Match
A soccer match is comprised of two 45-minute halves, with extra time
added for each at the referee’s discretion. The halves are separated by a
half-time period not to exceed 15 minutes. The extra time generally
corresponds with the referee’s determination of how much time was
taken up due to substitutions and injuries. The amount of extra time is
announced and displayed at the half line at the end of each 45-minute
period. Although soccer does have an allotted time limit, it is ultimately
up to the referee as to when to end a match.
Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play
Kick-off is generally determined by a coin toss, whereby the winning
team can either choose to start with the ball or choose which goal they
would like to attack. The losing team is then afforded whatever choice
the winner does not elect to take. Kick-off occurs at the start of each
half, and after each goal scored, and is taken at the center of the halfway
line. If a team scores a goal, the opposing team is given the kick-off to
restart the match.
Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when it fully crosses either the goal line or the
touch line. It is also out of play if the referee stops play for any reason.
If, for any reason, the ball strikes the frame of the goal or the referee and
remains within the goal and touch lines, it is still in play.
Law 10: The Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line within the
frame of the goal. At the end of the match, the team with the most goals
is the winner, barring the circumstantial necessity for extra time.
Law 11: Offside
When an attacking player receives the ball while on his opponents half,
he must be level or behind the second to last defender (the last typically
being the goalkeeper). However, this rule only applies if he is involved
with the play. To get a better understanding of the offside rule, please
see the guide section for a more detailed explanation.
Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
A direct free kick is awarded when a player:
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.
Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
Jumps at an opponent.
Charges an opponent.
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.
Pushes an opponent.
Tackles an opponent.
Holds an opponent.
Spits at an opponent.
Handles the ball deliberately.
If any of these are fouls are committed by a player in their team’s
penalty area, the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick. Indirect free
kicks are awarded if a player:
Plays in a dangerous manner.
Impedes the progress of an opponent.
Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands.
Commits any other unmentioned offense.
Yellow cards are awarded as a caution or warning to a player and can be
issued for the following offenses:
Unsporting behavior
Dissent by word or action
Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
Delaying the restart of play
Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with
a corner kick, free kick, or throw-in.
Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s
permission
deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s
permission
Red cards are used to send a player off the field, and can be issued for
the following offenses:
Serious foul play
Violent conduct
Spitting at an opponent or any other person
Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring
opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (the goalkeeper being
an exception)
Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent
moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a
free kick or a penalty kick
Using offensive or abusive language and/or gestures
Receiving a second caution (yellow card) in the same match
Law 13: Free Kicks
Free Kick is broken into two categories, direct and indirect. A direct
kick can be shot directly into the opponent’s goal without touching
another player. An indirect free kick is indicated by the referee raising
his hand during the kick. An indirect kick can only go into the goal if it
has subsequently been touched by another player before it enters the
goal. The ball must be stationary for both types of kicks.
Law 14: The Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded either when a defensive player fouls an
attacking player or commits a handball in his/her team’s penalty area.
The penalty kick is placed at the penalty spot, and all players on both
teams must remain outside the penalty box during the shot. They may
enter the box immediately after the shot is taken. The goalkeeper may
move horizontally along the goal line before the shot is taken, but he
may not come off the line until the ball is struck.
Law 15: The Throw-In
A throw-in is awarded when the possessing team plays the ball out of
bounds over the touchline. While taking a throw-in, a player must
release the ball with both hands simultaneously and keep both feet
firmly planted on the ground. If these conditions are not met, play is
stopped and the throw-in is given to the opposing team. Players are not
allowed to score directly off a throw-in.
Law 16: The Goal Kick
A goal kick is awarded when the offensive team plays the ball out of
bounds over the defensive team’s goal line. After the ball is out of play,
the defender or goalkeeper may place the ball anywhere within the six-
yard goal box and kick the ball back into play.
Law 17: The Corner Kick
A corner kick is awarded to the offensive team when the defensive team
plays the ball out of bounds over its goal line. The ball is placed within
the corner area and is kicked back into play by the offensive team.
Players can score directly off a corner kick.
