Dear Coach Karl,
I have signed to be my 8 year old sons soccer team coach for
this spring season. Could you please help me with the rules and
regulations of soccer? I would appreciate it very much, thank
you for your time!!
Cindy
Dear Cindy
Knowing the laws and Understanding the laws of the game are two different
things. I strongly recommend that you (and every soccer coach) attend a
referee course. There is more to the 'laws' than just these simple words:
Here is a synopsis for you:
LAWS OF THE GAME
LAW 1. The FIELD of play.
-Is rectangle...it must be longer than wider.
LAW 2. The BALL.
-Is a sphere.
LAW 3. NUMBER of Players.
-A team cannot have more than eleven players on the field at anytime
one
of which will be the goalkeeper.
LAW 4. Players EQUIPMENT.
-Shall not wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or others.
LAW 5. REFEREES.
-Authority begins when they arrive at field and ends when they leave
field.
LAW 6. ASSISTANT REFEREES.
-Assist the Referee.
LAW 7. DURATION of the game.
-Played in two equal time periods called "half."
LAW 8. The START of Play.
-With a place-kick from the center spot...ball rotates forward.
LAW 9. Ball IN and OUT of play.
-When it has entirely crossed the goal or touchline.
LAW 10. Method of SCORING.
-Ball wholly crosses over goal line, under cross bar and between
posts.
LAW 11. OFFSIDE.
-Must have two players between self and goal at the time of the pass.
LAW 12. FOULS and MISCONDUCT.
-Nine Major Infractions: Result--DIRECT FREE KICK...
(Hand)--Holding, Pushing, Striking and Handling the ball.
(Body)--Violent or dangerous charge, charging from behind, jumping at
opponent.
(Feet)--Kicking, tripping.
-All other fouls not part of the above (Nine) shall result in:
INDIRECT
FREE KICK...
-Caution (yellow card):
In the opinion of the Referee --persistently infringes the Laws of the
Game.
-Ejection (red card):
In the opinion of the referee - is guilty of violent or serious foul,
using foul or abusive language, persists in misconduct after
having received a caution.
LAWS of the GAME
LAW. 13. FREE KICKS.
The kicker may score -Goal from a direct free kick (Major
infraction).
-Goal may not be scored from an indirect free kick (All other
infractions).
--Unless the ball is played or touched by another player of either
team.
LAW 14. PENALTY KICK.
-Direct Free Kick resulting from a player inside own penalty area
intentionally committing any of the nine major offenses.
LAW 15. THROW-IN.
-Restart play after ball has passed entirely over the touchline.
LAW 16. GOAL KICK.
-Restart play after ball has passed entirely over the goal line
and was last touched by the attacking team.
LAW 17. CORNER KICK.
-Restart play after ball has passed entirely over the goal line
and was last touched by the defending team.
LAW 18. COMMON SENSE:
Editors Note: THE FUNDAMENTAL SOCCER FAMILY
STRONGLY URGES ALL YOUTH COACHES TO ATTEND
A REFEREE COURSE!!
Cindy, you will enjoy the game more, once you understand these laws.
Have a great time attending a 'Referee Course' in the near future...
