Understanding the Basic Soccer Rules

Soccer is a fast and furious game, and many spectators understand little of basic soccer rules. While most understand that a goal is scored when the ball goes into the net, beyond that they know little of how the game is played. Whether you are a regular spectator or someone who is interested in learning to play the game, understanding some basic soccer rules will make it much more enjoyable.

FIFA Soccer Rules
The basic soccer rules are defined by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Not all leagues play by FIFA soccer rules, particularly if they are leagues for younger players, but FIFA soccer rules provide a standard for leagues to use as they set up their basic soccer rules. These are also the rules that most professional leagues follow, with the exception of indoor leagues. Indoor soccer rules vary tremendously from league to league and may not follow FIFA soccer rules too closely.

Basic Soccer Rules: No Hands
While FIFA soccer rules might be more complex than the rules used on your child's soccer team, there are some basic soccer rules that apply to just about anyone who is playing the game. The first is the "no hands" rule. Even those who have no understanding whatsoever of soccer rules regulations know that you cannot use your hands in this game, unless you are the goalie. The FIFA soccer rules actually state that you cannot use any part of your body from the tips of your fingers to your shoulder to handle the ball. Of course, if the ball is kicked toward you and bounces off of your arm or hand, this is not considered using your hands under basic soccer rules.

Basic Soccer Rules: Throw-ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks
If the soccer ball crosses the sideline, the opposing team will use a throw-in to bring it back into play. Basic soccer rules require players to have both feet on the ground and to throw the ball over their head when performing a throw-in. However, many children's leagues do not follow FIFA soccer rules quite as strictly as an adult or professional league might. In many youth leagues, players are given a couple of tries to get the throw-in correct. Similarly, goal kicks and corner kicks put the ball back into play if it leaves the field on the end line.

FIFA Soccer Rules: Yellow and Red Cards
Anyone who has ever watched soccer has seen red and yellow cards being thrown by the referees. FIFA soccer rules provide the guidelines for when yellow or red cards can be given to a player. Infractions that draw a yellow card under FIFA soccer rules include the following:
• Unsporting behavior
• Dissent by words or actions
• Persistent breaking of FIFA soccer rules
• Delaying the game's start
• Entering the field without permission
• Not staying away from the kicker during free kicks, throw-ins, or corner kicks
• Leaving the field without permission

If a player receives two yellow cards, FIFA soccer rules state that it equals a red card, and the player is ejected.

FIFA soccer rules also outline the circumstances when a red card, which means an ejection under all soccer rules regulations, can be given to a player. These include:

• Spitting at someone
• Violent conduct
• Offensive, threatening, insulting language or gestures
• Deliberately touching the ball with a hand to stop a goal (unless the player is the goalie in the penalty box)
• Deliberately fouling to stop a goal
• A serious foul (such as an over the top tackle or lunging at an opponent - FIFA soccer rules outline several situations that could fall into this category)

Basic Soccer Rules: Offsides
Offsides is perhaps one of the most misunderstood of the basic soccer rules. In children's leagues, offsides may not be called, as children are still learning the other basic soccer rules. According to FIFA soccer rules, an offside position is called if the player is "nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent." With that definition, it is no wonder that this is the least understood of all basic soccer rules.

In general, a player is considered offsides if he is an attacking player and is ahead of the ball, involved in the play, and there is no defender between his position and the goalkeeper. The rule is designed to keep players from camping near the goal waiting for the ball.

Indoor Soccer Rules
Indoor soccer rules are slightly different than basic soccer rules for outside games. First, indoor soccer rules do not have throw-ins and corner kicks, because the ball rarely leaves the field. It simply bounces off of the wall and play continues. The only time play stops under indoor soccer rules due to the place the ball lands is if it hits the ceiling or flies over the wall. Most leagues use indoor soccer rules that do not include the offsides rule. Also, indoor soccer rules only allow for six active players on the field for each team.