Soccer

The Game:

  • Two teams of 11 players try to score goals.
  • The ball is propelled using the feet and head – no hands or arms.
  • A ball that completely crosses the goal line between the goal posts counts as a point.

Kick-off:

One team performs kick-off a) to begin game, b) after half time, and c) after a goal is scored.

  • All players must be in their own half of the field.
  • Only the team kicking the ball can have players inside the centre circle.
  • The player who kicks the ball cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Ball out of play:

  • A ball is out of play when it crosses the sidelines or endline.
  • A throw-in occurs to put ball back into play when it crosses the sidelines. The team that touched the ball last loses possession and the other team performs the throw-in.
  • A goal kick occurs when the offensive team kicks the ball out of bounds over the endline. The defensive team places the ball within the goal area and takes a kick. Usually the goalkeeper takes this kick.
  • A corner kick occurs when the defensive team kicks the ball out of bounds over the endline du ballon).

Fouls:

a)The official will call for a direct free kick - a free kick that may be shot directly at the goal – when a major foul occurs:

  • Handling the ball
  • Kicking an opponent
  • Striking an opponent
  • Tripping an opponent
  • Jumping at an opponent
  • Pushing an opponent
  • Charging an opponent
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct.

b)The official will call for an indirect free kick – the kick must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored – when a minor foul occurs:

  • Dangerous play
  • Obstruction
  • Offsides

c)The official will call for a penalty kick – a kick taken from the penalty spot (12 yards from goal line) – when a defensive player commits a major foul in the penalty area.

Offside:

  • An offside occurs when the ball is passed to an offensive player positioned near the goal without at least 2 defensive players between the offensive player and the goal.

The field:

A – Goal

B – Goal Area

C – Penalty Area

D – Penalty Spot

EE – Centre Line

FF – Goal Line

FG – Sideline

H – Centre Circle

O – Goal Keeper

X – Players (in a 3-4-3 formation)