It can be very frustrating and embarrassing at times watching a sport and you have no idea what is going on because you do not understand the rules.  If you are just starting out [tag-tec]coaching youth soccer[/tag-tec] or if you are a new[tag-tec] soccer parents[/tag-tec], you need to understand the basic [tag-tec]soccer rules[/tag-tec]. At the end of this article, I provide a link where you can obtain further information on the [tag-tec]official soccer rules[/tag-tec], however I only intend to cover the very basic soccer rules here to give you a bit of an idea of what the game is about.  As a soccer coach, knowledge of the rules is essential, as soccer parents, knowledge of the rules will increase the enjoyment of watching your child play.

First of all, we will start off with some information about the game, more so than a specific [tag-tec]soccer rule[/tag-tec].  A soccer game is divided into two halves. Playing times do vary depending on the league and the level of play. They can be as little as twenty and as long as forty-five minutes. The half time break usually consists of about 10 minutes. The official numbers of players on each side is 11, however this can change depending on age group and the [tag-tec]soccer associations[/tag-tec].

The kickoff starts in the middle of the halfway line. Both sides gather around the center circle in the field.  Teams will switch around at halftime and run in the opposite direction.   A corner kick happens when a player kicks the ball behind his own goal line and a goal kick happens when a player from the opposing team kicks the ball over his opposition’s goal line.  When the ball goes out over the sideline, a throw in is awarded to the team that did not touch it last. This [tag-tec]soccer rule[/tag-tec] can be one of the most frustrating for coaches and [tag-tec]soccer parents[/tag-tec].  It can take some children a little time to learn the correct way to throw the ball in.

There are several [tag-tec]soccer rules[/tag-tec] that if broken, can result in a penalty or a free kick being awarded to the opposition. Players are forbidden from touching the ball with their hands while it is in play. The only exception to this is the [tag-tec]soccer goalie[/tag-tec]. If a player touches the ball then the opposing team gets what is called a free kick (except if the offence occurs in the players own penalty area).

Other soccer rules where a free kick can be awarded include holding and tripping and high kicking.  High kicking occurs when a player raises his leg over waist height to kick, it is deemed to be dangerous play.  Additionally, if any player deliberately uses their body to trip or knock down another player then that player is also awarded a free kick.

When a referee determines that a specific soccer rule has been breached, they may award either a direct free kick or an indirect free kick. An indirect free kick is generally awarded for a less serious offense. When taking the kick, the player cannot score directly from this kick unless it touches another player first. A direct free kick is awarded generally for more serious offences like tripping or holding onto an opposition player.  These free kicks can be directly scored off.

When there has been a serious foul then a penalty kick can be awarded. An example of this may be a deliberate hand ball in the penalty box.  When the penalty is awarded, only the player taking the kick and the soccer goalie are allowed in the penalty box area. The kicks are made from the penalty line and the [tag-tec]socer goalie[/tag-tec] may not move off his line until the player has made contact with the ball.

Yellow cards may be given to players who breach a specific soccer rule where the referee considers it to be a serious or if in the opinion of the referee the player is behaving badly on the field. It acts as a warning that if the behavior continues they will be sent off. If the player commits another foul or is accused of committing a seriously “un-sportsmanlike” act, they can be given a red card. When this happens the player is ejected from the rest of the game. This player cannot be replaced forcing the team to play a man down.  If you are coaching when this happens, you need to ensure the player leaves the field immediately as he is not allowed to stay in the confines of the playing area.

For the official soccer rules, you can visit www.fifa.com .  FIFA updates the [tag-tec]official soccer rules[/tag-tec] annually, generally around July.  FIFA refers to the rules as the ‘Laws of the Game’. The rules can be found on their site by typing in ‘laws of the Game’ into their site search facility. You will find that most youth [tag-tec]soccer associations[/tag-tec] will adjust the rules for the younger players and it would be best to check with your local soccer association on the changes for your age group.  Some of these adjustments may include the number of players on the field, the [tag-tec]soccer field size[/tag-tec] and the playing time.

These are just some very basic [tag-tec]soccer rules[/tag-tec] for those coaches and [tag-tec]soccer parents[/tag-tec] that have had not previous exposure to the game. Soccer is a great sport for everyone to enjoy. Players benefit from increased fitness and spectators receive non-stop action and excitement.  Knowledge of some basic soccer rules is important. It will lead to a better understanding of what is happening and a greater enjoyment level overall.