Whether you play, coach, or watch from the sidelines...
To grasp what's going on during a match, you must first learn the fundamental rules of soccer.
Fortunately, the soccer regulations are fairly straightforward!
There are 8 fundamental "Laws of the Game" that I will go over below.
By the end of this blog post, you'll know what a red card is, why a player was marked offside, why a team was awarded a penalty kick, and much more.
"Laws of the Game" - The 8 Soccer Regulations:
The Playing Field:
The first rule considers how the field is set up.
The pitch for a regular 11 a side competition must be 90 to 120 metres long and 45 to 90 metres wide, with touchlines that are longer than goal lines.
The field of play is marked with white lines all around the pitch and is divided in half by the halfway line along the middle, which runs parallel to the goal lines.
The center circle (where the game begins) is positioned in the middle of this line.
Each corner of the pitch features a flag post, which helps determine if a ball has been sent out for a corner, goal kick, or throw in.
The goal line is positioned in the middle of the goal at both ends of the field. A small goal area is located in front of both goals, but a wider penalty area surrounds them.
The goalkeeper can use their hands and pick up the ball across this region.
Eleven meters from the goal line is the designated penalty spot, which is also indicated in the penalty area.
Even though all of these lines and sections may seem intricate, you'll understand exactly how the pitch should be set up for a match after seeing just one soccer match.
Ball condition:
Soccer balls should be spherical and weigh between 410 and 450 grams.
Furthermore, the ball should be inflated to 0.6–1.1 standard atmospheres.
While this seems extremely scientific, if inflated to a reasonable pressure, all soccer balls will weigh around that much.
Adult and adolescent soccer use size 5 balls, U 12 use size 4 balls, and U 4 (toddlers) use size 3 soccer balls.
Total number of players:
Standard soccer, according to the official soccer rules, consists of two teams, each having ten outfield players and a goalie on the field.
This means that each team should start with eleven players.
Although you can play with nearly any number of players while hanging out with your buddies.
The number of substitutes vary based on competition.
However, in general, replacement rules specify that teams can only use three substitutes every match.
If a player obtains a red card and is sent off the field, that team must continue playing with only ten men since you cannot substitute off a player who has been red carded.
Equipment used by the player:
Equipment that could injure players or any other player is prohibited from being worn by players.
For example, watches and jewellery are not authorized.
Regarding their basic equipment,
Soccer players need their team's shirt, shorts, and socks.
They also have to wear shin pads (which must be covered by socks) and soccer footwear with the required studs.
The Length of the Game:
Soccer games are typically 90 minutes long.
The game will be divided into two 45 minute halves.
Between these two halves, there is a 15 minute half time break during which play is paused and the two teams take a break before continuing.
The referee may add extra time at the end of each half of the contest as needed.
Extra time can be awarded for any substitutes made during the game, any injuries sustained, the time it took for injured players to depart the field of play, and, in rare situations, time wasting.
The Beginning and Restart of Play:
To select which team will start the match, a coin is tossed, and the winner decides whether their team will start the first or second half.
In the second half, teams switch ends to attack the opposing goals.
A kick off can happen at any stage during a game.
- To begin the match.
- After a goal is scored.
- To begin the second half
- To begin extra time
The Ball Enters and Exits the Game:
When the ball has completely passed the touchline or goal line, it is no longer in play.
When the referee blows his whistle to end the game, it is deemed out of play.
Aside from these two scenarios, the ball is always deemed to be in play, including whether it bounces off the goalpost, referee, or corner flag and remains on the pitch.
The Kick in Penalty:
A penalty is only handed against a team if one of its players commits one of the offenses listed above inside their team's penalty area.
Here are a few penalty kick rules:
a. The ball must be placed on the designated spot, with the penalty taker clearly identifiable.
c. The goalie must stay on the goal line and between the goalposts until the penalty taker hits the ball.
c. Other than the defending goalkeeper and penalty taker, no other players are permitted in the box.
d. The player must kick the ball onward and cannot touch it once it has been struck until another player does.
The Intrusion:
A throw in restarts play and is awarded to the opponents of the last player to touch the ball when it went out of play anywhere along the touchlines.
To correctly return the ball into play, the player must have both feet on the ground, face the pitch, and throw the ball over their head with both hands.
If the player performs anything incorrectly, the referee may call a foul throw, which could be awarded to the opposing team.
Additionally, a player may not score immediately following a throw in.
The Shot in the Goal:
A goal kick is awarded when the attacking side takes the ball out of play behind the goal line without passing it between the goal posts.
To resume play, the opposing team kicks the motionless ball from any location within the goal area.
The ball must pass outside the penalty area for it to count, and the kicker cannot touch it again until another player does.
No opposing players are permitted within the penalty area while the goal kick is being taken.
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