The Rules of Soccer Explained
The Setup
Local soccer organizations usually adapt the IFAB laws as a template, making modifications for recreational leagues. This includes smaller field sizes, different player numbers, and omitting goalies or the offside rule to help young players focus on improving their ball skills.
Two Tricky Soccer Rules
Parents and new coaches often struggle with understanding the handball and offside rules.
Handball: It is considered a handball when the ball touches anywhere from a player's fingertip to their shoulder. The call depends on whether the touch was intentional or unintentional, which can be difficult to determine from the sidelines. In recreational leagues, referees can be more lenient with younger players.
Offside: According to FIFA, "a player is offside if he/she is nearer to their opponents' goal line then both the ball and the second last opponent." However, a player is only called for being offside if they are involved in active play, such as receiving a pass. Many recreational leagues do not enforce the offside rule, particularly for younger players.
Four Types of Kicks, Explained
Kickoff: The game starts with a kickoff, determined by a coin toss. Players are positioned on their side of the field, and the ball is placed on the ground in the center. The player taking the kickoff can kick the ball in any direction, as long as it moves. Kickoffs also restart the game after a goal is scored.
Corner kick: If the defending team kicks the ball out of bounds over their own goal line, the attacking team takes a corner kick from the corner of the field.
Goal kick: If the attacking team kicks the ball out of play over the goal line, the defending team gets a goal kick. The goalie, or another player, kicks the ball upfield from the goal box.
Free kick (direct or indirect kick): After a foul is called, a player on the opposing team can take a free kick. The type of kick depends on the foul. Excessive force or a handball results in a direct kick, while being offside or a goalie handling the ball illegally results in an indirect kick. Direct kicks can score, while indirect kicks require another player's touch before going into the goal.
Three More Rules
Throw-in: When the ball goes out over the sidelines, the team that didn't touch the ball last gets a throw-in to restart play. The player must keep both feet on the ground, hold the ball with two hands, and throw it over their head.
Two-touch: A player cannot touch the ball twice in succession without another player touching it in between. This rule applies to corner kicks and throw-ins.
Foul: Soccer is a contact sport, and shoulder-to-shoulder contact is generally allowed. However, pushing, intentional tripping, or holding can result in a foul, leading to a direct kick for the opposing team.
