Free Kicks in Shooting Range - Setting Up The Wall - SeriousGoalkeeping.net Soccer Goalkeeping - Techniques - Tactics - Equipment - Drills - Tips Free Kicks in Shooting Range - Setting Up The Wall In the modern game a large percentage of goals are scored from set plays. One of the most dangerous types of set plays is the free kick that is within direct shooting distance of the goal. Many outfield players now specialize in these situations and being able to make their task more difficult is of utmost importance to the goalkeeper if he wants to be successful. In most of these situations it will be impossible for the goalkeeper to cover the entire goal by himself. He will require assistance from his teammates. This assistance will usually come in the form of a defensive "Wall" placed 10 yards away and directly in front of the ball. These Free Kicks may be Direct or Indirect. When dealing with direct or indirect free kicks within shooting range, the first question always asked is 'How Many Players in the Wall' or 'Do I Even Need a Wall'? There is no clear or definitive answer and there are many factors to consider. How close is the ball? What is the ability level of the kick taker? What is the ability level of the goalkeeper? Etc.

The diagram above can help to serve as a guideline for determining the minimum number of players needed in the wall. Distance of the ball from the goal is the main determining factor and the goalkeeper may decrease the number of players who are in the wall if the ball is further away, or he may not require a wall at all. The goalkeeper is always in control of how many players are in the wall. It is the goalkeepers decision, and his decision alone. The goalkeeper must communicate quickly and effectively to his teammates when the time comes. He should shout and use his hands to signal the number of players required in the wall. Here we clearly see the goalkeepers signalling how many players in the wall. Here we see some examples of how many players might be in the wall based on the positioning of the ball. Again, we empahasize that these are merely guidlines that we recommend. Every goalkeeper is different and only experience will tell the goalkeeper what works best for him. Once the goalkeeper has decided how many players to have in the wall, he must then ensure that the wall is lined up properly to effectively cover one side of the goal. We highly recommend that the wall be positioned to cover the side of the goal at the nearest post to the ball.

The goalkeeper is then responsible to cover the arear at the far post of the goal. If the ball is positioned in a central area the goalkeeper can choose one post or the other to be covered by the wall and then he will cover the open side. When lining up the wall there are two different options. Some suggest that you line up the last man in the wall with the near post. Others recommend that you line up the second last man to cover the near post. Our recommendation is to use option #2 if you know the kick taker has the ability to bend the ball around the wall at the near post. Better to be safe then sorry. If possible, you should also try to line the players up from tallest to shortest so that the tallest player is in line with the near post. The goalkeeper should then take up a position in the goal so that he lines up with the last player in the wall. This will give the goalkeeper the best option to see the ball as it is kicked. The goalkeeper should try to avoid standing behind the wall as he will not see the ball at the point of contact and this will cause a delayed reaction.

"Left!" Once a free kick has been given it is someones responsibility to make sure that the wall is lined up properly. The person who lines up the wall will be the choice of the head coach. Some coaches prefer an outfield player to line up the wall, while others prefer the goalkeeper. The person responsible for lining up the wall will stand in front or next to the near post. He will then communicate with the `Ànchor Man`. The Anchor Man is the player designated to stand at the end of the wall closest to the near post. Often times the Anchor Man will turn around and face the direction of the goal so that he can clearly see what direction the wall needs to move. Once the wall has been lined up, the Anchor Man will then turn back around to face the ball. The person responsible for lining up the wall should use both his voice and hand signals to communicate with the Anchor Man so there is no confusion. The player yell Right! (pointing to the right), Left! (pointing to the left) or Stop! (hand up). If the goalkeeper is responsible, once the wall is lined up, he should quickly move back into position in order to be able to see the ball. BEWARE!

The Quickly Taken Free Kick When the opposing team is awarded a direct or indirect free kick they are not required to wait for the whistle before putting the ball back into play with a quick shot or pass. They are only required to wait for the whistle when specifically instructed by the referee. This will only happen if the attacking team asks for their required yards or the referee feels a defender is encroaching on the ball, in which case a yellow card may be issued. Here we clearly see the referees signalling to wait for the whistle. As the goalkeeper, do not get caught leaning on the post trying to set up the wall unless the referee has signaled that the attacking team must wait for the whistle (see video below). If the referee does not signal to wait for the whistle then the goalkeeper must remain in position to save any quickly taken shots at goal. Don't Let This Happen To You! Soccer free kick rules | Direct & indirect free kicks in football Free Kick Rules in Soccer Published on Jun 20, 2014 Learn the rules of football's direct and indirect free kicks that you may not have known before There are two types of free kick , direct and inderect. A free kick is used to restart a play after a foul in football .

Free kick rules are specified in Law 13 of the FIFA Laws of the Game . Generally, in any free kick, an opposing player cannot stand closer than 10 yards (9.15 meters) from the free kick spot. The only exception to this is when an indirect free kick is awarded inside the penalty area (see: Parts of a soccer field ). Here, the opposing players form a wall on the goal line. When a player is taking free kick inside his penalty area, the opposing players should stay outside the penalty area, at least 10 yards from the ball, till the ball is played or kicked. Direct free kick rule Direct free kicks are also known as one touch kick, since only one touch is required for a goal to be awarded. This kick should always be taken at the spot where the offence took place, and the ball should always be in a stationary position when taking the kick. A player can kick the ball straight into the goal from a direct free kick. However, when an offence worth of a direct free kick is committed inside the penalty region; a penalty kick is awarded instead. According to FIFA's law, a direct free kick is granted for infractions like: - Jumping at an opponent player.

- Kicking or attempting to kick a player. - Tackling a player illegally. - Charging at an opponent player. - Pushing an opponent player. - Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent player. - Handling the ball with a purpose. - Holding a player. About the video: In 2001, David Beckham hit an unstoppable direct free-kick against Greece following a foul called to a Greek defender, he used the curving shot technique to secure England's qualification for the following year's World Cup finals. Indirect free kick rule The rule of indirect free kick states that, a player cannot score a goal straight from the kick. The indirect free kick rule was derived from the Sheffield rules that stated that no goal could be scored from this kind of free kick. The rule was absorbed into the Laws of Game in 1877. Generally, an indirect free kick is given to the opposing team when a player commits a foul other than a penalty one (dangerous play) or violates certain technical requirements of the football rules. Most indirect free kicks are given due to fouls committed by goalkeepers.

According to soccer's free kick rules, indirect free kicks are awarded when the goalkeeper: Touches the ball with his hands after his teammate has purposely kicked or made a trickery back pass to him. Holds the football with his hand for more that 6 seconds before releasing it. Touches the ball with hands after releasing it from his possession, before another player has touched it. Touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate Indirect free kick can as well be awarded when an opposing player: Stops the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands. Plays in a dangerous way. Interferes in the movement of an opponent player unless when shielding. About the video: An indirect free kick scored by Cristiano Ronaldo inside the penalty box against Aston Villa on a pass back from James Milner. General rules for direct and indirect free kicks in soccer A kicker should not kick the ball a second time before ball being touched by another player, otherwise an indirect free kick (IFK) is awarded to the opponent from the point where the foul occurred, unless the infringement is committed by a player in his opponent's goal area, whereby the free kick is taken from any spot inside the goal area.

An indirect free kick is indicated by the referee raising his arm above his head, and the arm remains in that position until the kick is taken and the ball is touched by another player (see: Soccer referee hand signals ). In case the referee fails to raise his arms so as to point out for an indirect one, and the kicker kicks the free kick straight into the goal, then the indirect free kick (IFK) should be retaken. Players should not gesticulate in a way assumed to distract their opponents, when any type of free kick is been taken. Otherwise, the offender should be cautioned. Feinting to take either a direct or an indirect free kick is allowed, although it should not be an act of unsporting behavior. Players who do not position themselves in the allowed distance, when any free kick is been taken shall be cautioned and if they repeat the offense they should be ordered off. A referee should also allow the free kick to be retaken in such circumstances. However, if the kicker, takes a quick free kick before the opponents are beyond the recommended distance, the referee must allow the play to continue. Soccer Rules - Free Kick Soccer Rules Soccer Rules - Free Kick Youth modifications.

Many rec leagues have initiated a 10 yard rule which does not allow ANY player, even the same team, to be within 10 yards of the ball until kicked. (This is rare.) Common myth... Many people say the ball must role one full revelation before an INDIRECT kick becomes a DIRECT kick. This is not true. Another player simply must TOUCH the ball and it is now in play and can be kicked directly into goal. Free kicks are either direct or indirect. Ball Enters the Goal • if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal is awarded • if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team Signal The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.

Ball Enters the Goal A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal: • if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded • if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team: • all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball • all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play • the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area • a free kick awarded in the goal area may be taken from any point inside that area Indirect free kick to the attacking team: • all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts • the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves • an indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred Free Kick Outside the Penalty Area • all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play • the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves • the free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred or from the position of the ball when the infringement occurred (according to the infringement) If

, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance: If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area: • the kick is retaken Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has touched another player: • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of Free Kick) If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player: • a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of Free Kick) • a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

A free kick can be taken by lifting the ball with a foot or both feet simultaneously. Feinting to take a free kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football. However, if in the opinion of the referee, the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behavior, the player must be cautioned. If a player, while correctly taking a free kick, intentionally kicks the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but neither in a careless nor a reckless manner nor using excessive force, the referee must allow play to continue. An indirect free kick must be retaken if the referee fails to raise his arm to indicate that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly into the goal. The initial indirect free kick is not nullify ed by the referee’s mistake. If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue. If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents him taking the kick, the referee must caution the player for delaying the restart of play.

If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, one or more opponents remain inside the penalty area because the defender decides to take the kick quickly and the opponents did not have time to leave the penalty area, the referee must allow play to continue. Feinting to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football. However, if, in the opinion of the referee, the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behavior, the player must be cautioned. The referee must confirm the following requirements before the penalty kick is taken: • the ball is properly placed on the penalty mark • the goalkeeper is on the goal line between the goal posts and facing the kicker • the team-mates of the kicker and the goalkeeper are: – outside the penalty area Soccer kickoff | How to kick off in football, rule, law, plays, technique Jun 20, 2014 A simple guide to the rules & mechanics of the kickoff in football A kickoff is the method of starting a football game or restarting it after a goal is scored. It is taken at the center part of the soccer field .

During a kickoff, both teams must be on their own halves and only the kicker and the receiver can be inside the center circle (the big circle on the middle of the soccer field). When is the kickoff used in football? Rule 8 of the FIFA Laws of the Game determines the start and restart of play. According to the highest governing body of football, a kickoff restarts a play: at beginning of a match after a goal has been scored at the start of each period of extra time in a football game Who takes the kickoff in soccer? Before the start of a soccer game, the referee tosses a coin. The winners choose ends for the first half and the losers kick off. The team that did not kick off will do so at the beginning of the second half. The kick-off is taken from the center spot and the ball must move into the opposition's half. After a goal, the kickoff is given to the team that has been scored against. How to do a proper kick-off in soccer? Players should follow a set of rules when they kick start a match.

Below is the procedure: the ball must be placed stationary on the center spot all players must be on their respective halves before the ball is kicked players from both sides who are not kicking off should be outside the center circle (10 yards away from the ball) until the ball is played the referee blows the whistle to signal that the kickoff can already be made the kicker has to push the ball forward and cannot touch it again until the ball is played by another player Can a goal be scored directly from a kickoff? Yes, a player may attempt to score a goal after the ball is touched by the kicker. (See video) What is the sanction if a kick-off is wrongly executed? An indirect free-kick is given to the opposing team if the kicker touches the ball twice before it is played by another player. The kickoff has to be repeated for any other infringement of the kickoff rule. Soccer Glossary Soccer Glossary Soccer Glossary Glossary of Soccer Terms Note: some definitions assume full size fields, goals, and teams (11 v 11). Most NYSL games are played with fewer players, on smaller fields. Some items included, are not part of NYSL games (like Golden Goal overtime), but are included here for your reference.

Advantage rule: A choice the referee makes to allow the teams to keep playing when a foul is committed because the team that was fouled is better off. Attacking midfielder: Midfielders play between the forwards and defenders. The attacking midfielder plays right behind the forwards. He helps with the offense by providing passes to forwards to set up goals. Back: A defender. Most teams play with three or four defenders. Bicycle kick (scissors kick): When a player jumps in the air and kicks the ball back over his own head. Cap: Recognition given to a player for each appearance in an international game for his country. Caution: See Yellow card. Central Defender: When teams use four defenders, the two central defenders guard the other teams most forward attacking players. Challenge: An attempt to take the ball away from another player; legal if done from the front or side of the ball carrier; illegal against a player without the ball or from behind. Chest trap: When a player uses his chest to slow down and control a ball in the air. Chip: A pass lofted into the air from a player to a teammate or as a shot on goal. Clear: To kick the ball away from one's goal.

Club: A team that plays in a league. Corner Flag: The flag located at each of the 4 corners of the field. Corner kick: Corner kicks are awarded when a defending player makes contact with the ball last before it crosses the end line. The attacking team then kicks the ball back into play from the corner of the field. Counterattack: A quick attack by a defending team after it regains possession of the ball. Creating space: When a player from the attacking team passes the ball, he runs into an open area, causing the defenders to follow him. This creates open space for the player with the ball. Cross or serve: A pass from an attacking player near the sideline to a teammate in the middle or opposite side of the field; used to give the teammate a good scoring opportunity or to relieve defensive pressure. Dangerous play: When a player attempts a play that the referee considers dangerous to that player or others, such as kicking the ball when another player is already playing it with his head. Defenders: The 3 or 4 players on a team whose primary task is to stop the opposition from scoring. Defensive midfielder: The defending midfielder plays right in front of the defenders. He helps guard the most dangerous attacking player on the other team.

Direct free kick: A kick awarded to a player for a serious foul committed by the opposition. The player kicks a stationary ball with no opposing players within 10 feet of him. A goal can be scored from this kick without the ball touching another player. Diving header: A ball struck near ground level by the head of a diving player. Draw: A game that ends with a tied score. The American term "Tie" refers to a scheduled match. Dribbling: The basic skill of advancing the ball with the feet while controlling it. Drop kick: When a goalie drops the ball from his hands and kicks it after it hits the ground. European Cup: The championship tournament played between Europe's top national teams. Football Association (F.A.): The English Football Association, the governing body of English soccer. Far post: The goal post furthest from the ball. FIFA: Federation Internationale de Football Association - the official governing body of international soccer since 1904. FIFA World Cup: A solid gold statue given to the champion of each World Cup tournament every four years. Football: Name for soccer everywhere except in the U.S.

Formation: The arrangement into positions of players on the field; for example, a 4-3-2 formation places 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 forwards on the field. Forwards: The players on a team who are responsible for most of a team's scoring; they play in front of the rest of their team where they can take most of its shots... Foul: A violation of the rules for which an official assesses a free kick. Fouls can either be direct, meaning the ball doesn't have to touch anyone before it goes into the net, or indirect, meaning it has to touch at least one other player before going into the net. 4-4-2: A formation that consists of 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 forwards. Also the name of a popular British soccer magazine. Free kick: A kick awarded to a player for a foul committed by the opposition; the player kicks a stationary ball without any opposing players within 10 feet of him. Fullbacks: See Defensemen.

Goal: A ball that crosses the goal line between the goalposts and below the crossbar for which a point is awarded; also, the 8-foot high, 24-foot wide structure consisting of two posts, a crossbar and a net into which all goals are scored. Goal area: The rectangular area 20 yards wide by 6 yards deep in front of each goal from which all goal kicks are taken; inside this area, it is illegal for opposing players to charge a goalie not holding the ball. Goal kick: A type of restart where the ball is kicked from inside the goal area away from the goal; awarded to the defending team when a ball that crossed the goal line was last touched by a player on the attacking team. Goal line: The field boundary running along its width at each end; also called the end line; runs right across the front of the goal; the line which a ball must completely cross for a goal to be scored. Goalkeeper(goalie): The player positioned directly in front of the goal who tries to prevent shots from getting into the net behind him; the only player allowed to use his hands and arms, though only within the penalty area.

Golden Goal (also called Sudden Death): A type of overtime where the first goal scored by a team ends the game and gives that team the victory. Hacking: Kicking an opponent's legs. Halfback: See Midfielder. Hand ball: A foul where a player touches the ball with his hand or arm; the opposing team is awarded a direct free kick. Header: The striking of a ball in the air by a player's head. Indirect free kick: A kick awarded to a player for a less-serious foul committed by the opposition; the player kicks a stationary ball without any opposing players within 10 feet of him; a goal can only be scored on this kick after the ball has touched another player. Injury time or stoppage time: Time added to the end of any period according to the referee's judgment of time lost due to player injuries or intentional stalling by a team. The referee is the sole keeper of time in a soccer match. Juggling: Keeping a ball in the air with any part of the body besides the hands or arms; used for practice and developing coordination. Laws of the Game: The 17 main rules for soccer established by FIFA.

Linesmen: The 2 officials who assist the referee in making his decisions; they monitor the sidelines and goal lines to determine when a ball goes out of bounds and they carry a flag to signal their observations. Marking: Guarding a player to prevent him from advancing the ball towards the net, making an easy pass or getting the ball from a teammate. Match: A soccer game. Midfield: The region of the field near the midfield line; the area controlled by the midfielders. Midfielders: The 3 or 4 players who link together the offensive and defensive of a team. MLS: Major League Soccer - the U.S. outdoor league that began play in the Spring of 1995. NASL: North American Soccer League - an outdoor league formed in the U.S. in 1967 that attracted great international players including Pele and huge audiences to the U.S. in the 1970s. It folded in 1985. National team: A team consisting of the best players in a country chosen to represent it in international competitions such as the World Cup. Near post: The goalpost closest to the ball.

Obstruction: When a defensive player, instead of going after the ball, uses his body to prevent an offensive player from playing it. Officials: Consists of a referee and 2 linesmen. The referee is the only one that carries a whistle and keeps the official time of the match. Offside: A violation called when a player in an offside position receives a pass from a teammate; an indirect free kick is awarded to the non-offending team. Offside position: An attacking player positioned so that fewer than 2 opposing defensive players (usually the goalie and 1 other defender) are between him and the goal he is attacking; a player is not offside if he is exactly even with one or both of these defensive players. On-side: The opposite of offside. Outlet passes: When a goaltender or defender passes the ball from close to his own goal toward the other team's goal; used to start a counterattack. Overlap: When a winger moves away from the sideline towards the center of the field to create space for a teammate to advance the ball undefended along the side of the field. Overtime: The extra periods played after a regulation game ends tied; used in international tournament matches to determine a winner.

Penalty: Short for penalty kick; also, a punishment given by the referee for a violation of the rules. Penalty arc: A circular arc whose center is the penalty spot and extends from the top of the penalty area; designates an area that opposing players are not allowed to enter prior to a penalty kick. Penalty area: A rectangular area 44 yards wide by 18 yards deep with its long edge on the goal line; the goalkeeper may use his hands to block or control the ball only within this area. Penalty kick: See Penalty shot. Penalty shot: A kick taken from the penalty spot by a player against the opposing goalie without any players closer than 10 yards away; awarded for the most severe rule violations and those committed by the defense within its own penalty area; also taken in a tiebreaker to decide a match. Pitch: A British term for soccer field. Play on: A term used by referees to indicate that no foul or stoppage is to be called; used by referees when applying the Advantage Rule. Possession: Control of the ball. Professional foul: A foul committed intentionally; used to prevent a scoring opportunity without incurring a penalty shot.

Red card: A playing card-sized card that a referee holds up to signal a player's removal from the game; the player's team must play the rest of the game shorthanded; presented for violent behavior or multiple rule infractions (two yellow cards = one red card). Referee: The chief official; he makes all final decisions, acts as timekeeper, calls all fouls and starts and stops play. Rugby: An offshoot from soccer started in the early 1800s; rugby players are allowed to pick up the ball with their hands and run with it, and also make full contact with each other whether going after the ball or not. Set piece: A planned play that a team uses when a game is restarted with a free kick, penalty kick, corner kick, goal kick, throw-in or kickoff. Shielding: A technique used by a ball carrier to protect the ball from a defender closely marking him; the ball carrier keeps his body between the ball and the defender. Shinguards: Pads that strap onto a player's lower leg to protect the shins should he or she be kicked there. Sideline or touchline: A line that runs along the length of the field on each side.

Sliding tackle: An attempt by a defender to take the ball away from a ball carrier by sliding on the ground feet-first into the ball. Square pass: A pass made by a player to a teammate running alongside him. Stopper: The defender that marks the best scorer on the attacking team, often the opposition's striker; exists only in a man-to-man defense. Striker: A team's most powerful and best-scoring forward who plays towards the center of the field. Substitution: Replacement of one player on the field with another player not on the field; FIFA rules allow only 3 substitutions per game. Sudden death (also called Golden Goal): A type of overtime where the first goal scored by a team ends the game and gives that team the victory. Sweeper: The defender that plays closest to his own goal behind the rest of the defenders; a team's last line of defense in front of the goalkeeper. Tackling: The act of taking the ball away from a player by kicking or stopping it with one's feet; only a minimal amount of shoulder-to-shoulder contact, called a charge, is permitted to knock the ball carrier off balance.

Through pass: A pass sent to a teammate to get him the ball behind his defender; used to penetrate a line of defenders. Throw-in: A type of restart where a player throws the ball from behind his head with two hands while standing with both feet on the ground behind a sideline; taken by a player opposite the team that last touched the ball before it went out of bounds across a sideline. Trap: When a player uses his body to slow down and control a moving ball, most often using his chest, thighs or feet. USSF: United States Soccer Federation - organization formed in 1913 to govern soccer in America; America's link to FIFA, providing soccer rules and guidelines to players, referees and spectators nationwide. Volley: Any ball kicked by a player when it is off the ground. Wall: A line of defending players pressed together shoulder-to-shoulder to protect their goal against a close free kick; creates a more difficult shot by reducing the amount of open goal area the kicker has to shoot at. The wall must stand 10 yards away from where the free kick is taken from.

Wall pass: A pass by a ball carrier who sends the ball to a teammate, then runs behind his own defender and quickly receives a pass back; used to get a player past his defender without having to dribble by him; same as the "give-and-go" in basketball. Wings or wingers: The outside forwards who play to the sides of the strikers and whose primary task is to provide them with accurate crossing passes so they can shoot at the goal; often the fastest players and best dribblers on a team. World Cup: The international soccer competition held by FIFA every 4 years between the top professional teams in the world, pitting nation against nation; the most watched event in the world, attracting a television audience of over 3 billion viewers. What Are The Rules? � The 17 Laws of Soccer Explained - Syosset Soccer Club What Are The Rules? � The 17 Laws of Soccer Explained Soccer’s rules and regulations are maintained and updated annually by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The board consists of eight members, four of which come from FIFA, and the other four coming from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales – all countries that contributed to the development of the sport.

FIFA’s most recently published rule book is 140 pages long, which is a bit ambitious for the casual player who is just becoming familiarized with the game. For this reason, we have prepared a simplified version below that should allow you to learn the basic rules of soccer. It is also important to note that although FIFA publishes an established set of rules, they are often modified by national and regional leagues and organizations. With that, you should ensure that you inquire with your coach, fellow players or league manager regarding any rules that deviate from the norm.• Laws of the Game IFAB currently acknowledges 17 laws of soccer that are the standard for any professional or international match played. They are as follows: Law 1: The Field of Play Soccer can be played on either grass or artificial turf, but the surface must be green in color. The field must be rectangular in shape, and distinctly marked by two short goal lines and two long-touch lines. The field is divided into halves, separated by the halfway line, which runs from the midpoints of each touchline. At the midpoint of the halfway line is a marked center point surrounded by a lined center circle with a radius of 10 yards.

Opposing players are not allowed to enter this circle during the possessing team’s kick-off. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line. Regulation lengths are: Touch line: Minimum 90 meters (100 yards), maximum 120 meters (130 yards) Width (goal line): Minimum 45 m (50 yds), maximum 90 m (100 yds). At each end of the field is an eight-yard-wide goal centered along the goal line. Six yards from each goal post along the goal line and six yards out into the field (perpendicular to the goal line) is the goal box. Extending 18 yards from each goal post along the goal line and 18 yards out into the field (perpendicular to the goal line) is the penalty box. In each of the four corners of the field is a five-foot-high corner flag. Law 2: The Ball A soccer ball must be spherical in shape and made of leather or another comparable medium. Its circumference must be in the range of 27 to 28 inches.

This rule is only applicable for official sanctioned matches, as youth leagues often employ the use of a smaller ball that is better suited to children. Law 3: The Number of Players Matches are generally played by two teams of 11 to a side. The goalkeeper is included in the 11-player total. If a team cannot field at least seven players at match time, the game is a forfeit. Teams of fewer than 11 a side can often be seen in youth leagues where smaller teams are used as a developmental tool. FIFA-sanctioned matches are generally limited to three substitutions per match, with the exception of friendly matches. Most youth leagues allow an unlimited number of substitutions, which must also be listed on the game card prior to the beginning of the match, otherwise those players are ineligible. Substitutions may only enter at the halfway line, upon the referee’s approval, and after the player being subbed out has left the pitch. The goalkeeper may be substituted with anyone on the pitch or any eligible substitute on the bench during a game stoppage. Law 4: The Players’ Equipment All players are required to wear a jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks and cleats. The socks must cover the shin guards entirely.

If the referee deems a player’s equipment unsatisfactory, the player can be sent off until the issue is remedied. Law 5: The Referee The referee is the authority on the field, and his word is law. If you question a referee’s decision, you can be disciplined further simply for dissent. Law 6: The Assistant Referees The assistant referees are primarily responsible for assisting the referee in performing his duties – this includes signaling with a flag when a ball goes of play, when a player is fouled, or when a player is in an offside position. Law 7: The Duration of the Match A soccer match is comprised of two 45-minute halves, with extra time added for each at the referee’s discretion. The halves are separated by a half-time period not to exceed 15 minutes. The extra time generally corresponds with the referee’s determination of how much time was taken up due to substitutions and injuries. The amount of extra time is announced and displayed at the half line at the end of each 45-minute period. Although soccer does have an allotted time limit, it is ultimately up to the referee’s as to when to end a match.

Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play Kick-off is generally determined by a coin toss, whereby the winning team can either choose to start with the ball or choose which goal they would like to attack. The losing team is then afforded whatever choice the winner does not elect to take. Kick-off occurs at the start of each half, and after each goal scored, and is taken at the center of the halfway line. If a team scores a goal, the opposing team is given the kick-off to restart the match. Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play The ball is out of play when it fully crosses either the goal line or the touch line. It is also out of play if the referee stops play for any reason. If, for any reason, the ball strikes the frame of the goal or the referee and remains within the goal and touch lines, it is still in play. Law 10: The Method of Scoring A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line within the frame of the goal. At the end of the match, the team with the most goals is the winner, barring the circumstantial necessity for extra time.

Law 11: Offside When an attacking player receives the ball while on his opponents half, he must be level or behind the second to last defender (the last typically being the goalkeeper). However, this rule only applies if he is involved with the play. To get a better understanding of the offside rule, please see the guide section for a more detailed explanation. Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct A direct free kick is awarded when a player: Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Jumps at an opponent Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent Pushes an opponent Spits at an opponent Handles the ball deliberately If any of these are fouls are committed by a player in their team’s penalty area, the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick.

Indirect free kicks are awarded if a player: Plays in a dangerous manner Impedes the progress of an opponent Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands Commits any other unmentioned offense Yellow cards are awarded as a caution or warning to a player and can be issued for the following offenses: Unsporting behavior Dissent by word or action Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game Delaying the restart of play Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick,free kick, or throw-in Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission Red cards are used to send a player off the field, and can be issued for the following offenses: Serious foul play

Question: In soccer, how far does "the wall" of players have to be from the spot where a free kick is to be taken?
Answer: 10 yards