Soccer Rules And Regulations

There are various soccer rules and regulations you should read up on prior to hitting the field. Soccer is a sport that centers around a single ball; the goal of the game is to score the most points (made via knocking the ball into the opponent's goal) by the end of the game. Soccer has a rich history dating back to pre-historic times, and with that in mind, it's not a real surprise that basic soccer rules have been changed drastically over time.

1. There are eleven players per team. In the game of association football (soccer), there are eleven players on each of the two opposing teams. In youth, intramural, and indoor leagues, this number may be reduced.
2. If a draw occurs, there are several things that could happen. Depending on the governing body of the league, a draw could either be acceptable or not acceptable. In the case of the latter, extra time is usually awarded or a penalty shootout commences.
3. Goalies have special rules. There is one goalkeeper (goalie) on each soccer team. The goalie typically inhabits and guards the penalty area around her own goal. Provided they are in that said area, goalies can grab the soccer ball with their hands.
4. Required equipment. All soccer players must have certain clothing items/equipment on them at all times while playing the game. Team shirts, team shorts, socks, soccer cleats, and shin-guards are required for all players. Goalkeepers wear different color clothing.
5. Soccer is officiated. Referees are the sole enforcers of soccer law on the field. Along with being the on-field executors, referees interpret the laws of the game and make the final decisions regarding plays, penalties, and violations. There is one head referee and two assistant referees.
6. Games last 90 minutes of play time. A typical soccer game will last one hour and thirty minutes. The game is divided into two, continuous, halves that are both 45 minutes in length. Half-time is usually a fifteen minute break that divides the two periods of play.
7. Throw-ins. The most common form of restarting a game after the ball has left the field of play, a throw-in occurs when a soccer ball has crossed the touch-line (or the sidelines of the field). The throw-in is awarded to the team that did not touch the ball last.
8. Goal-kicks. A goal-kick is awarded when the ball has crossed the goal-line (the lines at the end of the field that are not the sidelines). A goal kick is awarded when a player of the attacking team was the last to touch the soccer ball.
9. Corner-kicks. Corner-kicks are the opposite, in some ways, of goal-kicks. These kicks are designed to resume play when the goal-line at the end of the field has been crossed and the last person to touch it was on the defending team. The attacking team kicks off the ball from the field's closest corner.
10. Cards. There are yellow and red cards in soccer, both of which can be awarded by a referees. A ref might award a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct, delaying the game, or entering/leaving the field without permission. The yellow card indicates a warning. Red cards are commonly awarded for violent conduct, spitting, or receiving a second yellow card. The red card signifies that a player has been suspended from the game and cannot be replaced by a substitute.

There are quite a number of soccer rules and regulations out there, but most are simplistic in nature and not too overwhelming. Basically: don't use your hands, don't be unsportsmanlike, and have fun out there! Soccer rules are there for a reason, so don't worry about it, fellow futbolisto!