What are the Top 10 rules of soccer?

What are the rules of soccer?

1. Game Structure
2. Positions
3. Offsides
4. Fouls
5. Yellow and Red Cards
6. Goal Kicks
7. Corner Kicks
8. Throw Ins
9. Equipment
10. The Field

1. Game Structure

Soccer is played in two 45-minute halves, separated by halftime. Soccer uses a running clock, meaning that the time does not stop when the play does. However, at the end of each half, there is stoppage time. This is time that the referee adds up during each half accounting for time missed for injuries and other stoppages. When watching a soccer match, you will see stoppage time indicated below or next to the scoreboard showing how many minutes have been added.In most league play, if the score is tied at the end of the game, a draw will be the result of the game. In comparison, tournaments will have overtime in which two 15-minute periods will be played, and whoever is winning at the end of the second overtime period wins the game. If the game is still tied, the game will go to a penalty shootout. Each team will take turns shooting from the penalty spot, and whoever has more goals at the end of five turns wins the game. If the game is still tied, the process is repeated except one round at a time.

2. Positions

Each team has eleven players on the field at a time in any given soccer game. Each one of these players has a position with special responsibilities. This is also called a formation, and different teams use different formations. All formations have forwards/strikers, midfielders, defenders, and a goalkeeper. If you are a striker, you are probably very speedy and can finish well. Midfielders are very well-rounded players who excel at passing and setting up the play. Defenders are good at one vs. one defense and are good at stopping an opponent’s attack.Goalkeepers are special in that they can touch the ball with their hands as long as they are inside the 18-yard box. They are charged with the responsibility of protecting the goal and must do all they can to keep the ball out of the goal.

3. Offsides

In soccer, you are not allowed to wait behind the defense for the ball to come to you, also known as ‘cherry picking’. Offside states that when you are passed the ball, you must be in front of the last defender, excluding the goalkeeper. In the example above, player F is beyond the last defender (player D) and would be considered offsides if the ball was passed to him or her. The play would be stopped and the defending team would get a free kick where the offsides occurred.However, it is important to note that offsides only occur if the player is behind the defense at the moment the ball is passed to them. Once the player passes them the ball, they can receive the pass behind the defense as long as they are in line with them when the ball is kicked. Offside creates strategies for both the offense and defense. If the whole defense pushes up at the same time, they can draw an opponent offsides and nullify the play.

4. Fouls

Many fouls can occur in a soccer game. Some of these include: kicking an opponent, tripping, tackling, pushing, slide tackling, and unsportsmanlike behavior up to the discretion of the referee. If you want to avoid committing fouls, try to play without being too aggressive or dangerous. Fouls may result in a direct or indirect free kick, depending on how severe the penalty was.Direct free kicks can go straight into the goal, and indirect free kicks have to touch a teammate before going into the goal. If a foul occurs inside the 18-yard box, then a penalty kick is awarded, meaning the player has a direct free kick from the penalty spot with only the goalkeeper. Fouls can be a game-changer in a soccer game, so you should try and avoid them.

5. Yellow and Red Cards

If a foul is severe enough in soccer, a card may be issued to the player who committed the foul. This card will either be yellow or red. A yellow card is for a moderately severe play in which a player is too aggressive or a play is deemed dangerous by a referee.A red card is for an egregious act in which a player makes an extremely dangerous or aggressive tackle, or if a defender deliberately fouls an attacker with a clear goal-scoring opportunity. If a player receives a red card, he or she is immediately sent off the field and the team will play with one less player for the rest of the game. If a player gets two yellow cards in one game, then it is equivalent to a red card and the player will be sent off the field. A red card will also usually result in suspension from the next game.

6. Goal Kicks

A goal kick occurs when the ball goes out of bounds on either goal line, and the defense has possession of the ball. This means that the last player to touch the ball was on offense. During a goal kick, the ball is placed on the 6-yard box, and a player kicks the ball back into play. The goalie is usually the one to take the kick, and they try to pass it to one of their teammates.

7. Corner Kicks

A corner kick occurs when the ball goes out of bounds on either goal line, and the offense has possession of the ball. In this instance, an offensive player kicks the ball from the corner and tries to pass to a teammate. On corner kicks, players all pack into the box and wait for the ball. Scoring is relatively rare in soccer, so corner kicks are usually a golden opportunity for a goal. Many goals are scored on crosses from the corner and headers from players in the box.

8. Throw Ins

A throw-in occurs when the ball goes out of bounds on either sideline of the field. A player must throw the ball from over their head. Your feet cannot cross the boundary line and both of the player’s feet must be touching the ground when they do a throw-in. A common practice when throwing the ball is to get a running start and drag your feet to get more power.

9. Equipment

Soccer is very cheap and accessible to play. The only equipment you need to casually play soccer is a ball and a goal, however, that changes when you play competitive soccer. Almost all leagues require cleats and shinguards. This is for the player’s protection. Soccer players typically wear an athletic short-sleeve shirt and shorts, as well as long socks that help hold a player’s shin guards in place. If you do not have the correct equipment, you will not be allowed to play.

10. The Field

A soccer field is a large rectangle of grass or turf, with goals on either end. The ball must stay in bounds or there will be a throw-in, goal kick, or corner kick. The long side of the field, also known as the touchlines, can range from 90 m (100 yds) to 120 m (130 yds). The shorter boundary is called the goal line and ranges from 45 m (50 yds) to 90 m (100 yds). There is a half line, an 18-yard box, and a 6-yard box. There is also a dot called the penalty spot where penalties are taken from.