SOCCER RULES


Below you will find some of the Rules of the Game according to the Federation International de Football Association (F.I.F.A.) For a more detailed description of the Rules of the Game, please visit the F.I.F.A. web site.


The Field of Play (Law 1)


The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch-line must be greater than the length of the goal-line


minimum maximum

Length: 90m (100 yds) 120m (130 yds)

Width: 45m (50 yds) 90m (100 yds)


The Ball (Law 2)


The ball should be spherical. The outer easing should be leather or an approved synthetic. No dangerous materials should be used in the construction of the ball. The circumference of the ball should not be more than 70cm (28 in) and not less than 68cm (27 in).


The Number of Players (Law 3)


A match is played by two teams and each team should not have more than eleven players. One of these eleven players must be the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players.


The Players Equipment (Law 4)


The basic equipment of a player consists of the following:

A jersey or shirt

Shorts

Stockings (Socks)

Shinguards (need to be totally covered by the stockings)

Footwear (no metal cleats and no toe/baseball/football cleats)


The Referee (Law 5)


Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed. The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.


The Assistant Referees (Law 6)


Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties are subject to the decisions of the referee.


The Duration of the Match (Law 7)


A match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two participating teams. Players are entitled to an interval at half-time, which must not exceed 15 minutes.


The Start and Re-start of Play (Law 8)


At the start of the game, a coin is flipped to determine which team will attack and which team will take kick-off.


The Ball In and Out of Play (Law 9)


The ball is out of play during the following circumstances:


  1. When it has completely crossed the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air.

  2. When the game has been halted by the referee.


The ball is in play at all other times, including when:


  1. It rebounds from the goalpost, crossbar or corner flagpost and remains in the field of play.

  2. It rebounds from either the referee or an assistant referee when they are on the field of play.


The Method of Scoring (Law 10)


Goal Scored


A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line. The ball must cross the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar provided that the team scoring the goal has committed no infringement of the Laws of the Game.


Winning Team


The team scoring the greater number of goals during a match is the winner. If both teams score an equal number of goals, or if no goals are scored, the match is drawn.


Offside (Law 11)


A player is considered offside if:



A player is not considered offside if:


  1. He/she is in his/her own hall of the field of play, or

  2. He/she is level with the second last opponent, or

  3. He/she is level with the last two opponents


A player is only penalized for being offside if the ball is played or touched by one of his team, he is involved in active play in one of the following ways:


  1. Interfering with play, or

  2. Interfering with an opponent, or

  3. Gaining an advantage by being offside


Fouls and Misconduct (Law 12)


Any player who commits one of the following offenses shall be penalized by the opposing team being awarded a direct free-kick:


  1. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

  2. Trips an opponent

  3. Jumps at an opponent

  4. Charges an opponent

  5. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

  6. Pushes an opponent

  7. Tackles an opponent, but touches opponent before the ball

  8. Holds an opponent

  9. Spits at an opponent

  10. Handles the ball deliberately (except for goalkeeper within his own penalty area).


Free Kicks (Law 13)


For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.


Free kicks are one of two types:



The Penalty Kick (Law 14)


A penalty-kick is awarded against a team, which commits one of the offenses for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick. Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of periods of extra time.


The Throw In (Law 15)


At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:


The Goal Kick (Law 16)


A goal kick is awarded when the whole ball, having touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10.


The procedure:


The Corner Kick (Law 17)


A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10.


The procedure: