The Starting and Stopping of Soccer Play

SOCCER (FOOTBALL)

Soccer Rules

When the ball is in play the rules of soccer are fairly simple. You cannot touch the ball with your hands or arms intentionally unless you are the goalie. You cannot foul another player or be offsides (these rules are described below). Other than that the main rules are around the starting and stopping of play.

The Starting and Stopping of Soccer play

At the start of a soccer period or after a goal there is a kick-off from the center circle. At the kick-off all the soccer players must be on there side of the field (the side they are defending). After the kick-off the ball will be in play until it goes out of bounds or the referee calls a penalty.

Kick-off: a kick from the middle of the field that starts play. This takes place at the start of the period of play or after a goal.

Throw-in: This happens when the ball goes out of bounds. The team that last touched the ball loses possession and the opposing team gets to throw the ball in from the point where the ball crossed out of bounds.

The ball must be thrown from behind the head and over the head using both hands, with both feet touching the ground.

Corner Kick: Happens when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line (and not scoring a goal). The opposing team gets to kick the ball from the corner of the field

Goal Kick: Happens when the offensive team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line. The goalie gets to kick the ball from the goal box.

A Soccer ball should be dribbled, kicked or passed with the inside, outside or laces of the foot. When passing concentrate on your Power and Accuracy. Your heel should down and toes should be up when using inside of your foot.

Soccer Fouls: Soccer fouls can be any number of unfair advantages taken by the players that are called by the referee. These include tripping, pushing and touching the ball with your hands. Penalty Kick: This happens when a foul occurs in the penalty box. The fouled team gets a penalty kick. It is taken 12 yards out from the goal and with only the goal keeper and the kicker.

Direct Free Kick: a free kick where the kicker is allowed to score a goal.

Indirect Free kick: a free kick where the kicker is not allowed to score a goal. The ball must touch another player prior to scoring a goal.

Pass and Move: A strategy of offensive soccer. A player moves to open space as soon as they pass the ball.

Marking: When a defender covers an offensive player without the soccer ball.

Tackling: A defensive move that steals the ball, but does not make contact with the offensive player.

Some Positions

Goalie: The defensive player that defends the goal and the only player allowed to touch the ball with their hands while in the penalty box.

Sweeper: A defender who roams the area behind the other defenders looking to “clean up” any passes that get through.

Center Midfield: One of the most versatile players on the field, they are responsible for both offense and defense.

Center Forward: Players main job is offense and is one of the main goal scorers