Simplified Laws of Soccer

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Simplified Laws of Soccer
The following are brief descriptions of the (17) FIFA Laws of Soccer as they apply to AYSO. If you are interested in the complete rules as published by FIFA then click HERE.
Click on a Law to get a brief description.

Law 1---The Field of Play
Law 2---The Ball
Law 3---Number of Players
Law 4---Players' Equipment
Law 5---Referees
Law 6---Assistant Referees (formerly Linespersons)
Law 7---Duration of the Game
Law 8---The Start of Play
Law 9---Ball in and out of Play
Law 10--Method of Scoring
Law 11--Off-Side
Law 12--Fouls and Misconduct
Law 13--Free-Kick
Law 14--Penalty-Kick
Law 15--Throw-In
Law 16--Goal-Kick
Law 17--Corner-Kick

The Advantage Rule

Law 1--The Field of Play
AYSO does not have set rules for the dimensions of its fields. We use those fields that are available to us. Obviously we use the smallest fields for the lower divisions. As long as the field is safe we use it. It is the referee's decision, along with the Safety Director, as to the safety of the field.
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Law 2--The Ball
Because we have children from 5 to 18 years playing soccer, we use different size balls depending upon age

Divisions 1,2 and 3----Size 5 ball
Divisions 4 and 5 ----Size 4 ball
Divisions 6 and 7 ----Size 3 ball

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Law 3--Number of Players
All games, except for Div 6 and 7, shall be played with (11) players, one of which shall be the goalkeeper. A team must have (7) players to start the game. If a team plays short, the opposing team will be asked not to play more than (2) players above the short team. Substititions will occur:

At the end of the first quarter
At the commencement of the second half
At the start of the fourth quarter.
Remember it is an AYSO policy that "everyone plays" at least (2) quarters and in Area 10B we request that every member of a team play at least (3) quarters.
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Law 4--Players' Equipment
Each player is supplied with a shirt, shorts and socks and is required to wear this equipment to all games. Shinguards are mandatory. Footwear can be either a regular soccer shoe or tennis shoes. All purpose shoes with a cleat in the front (toe) of the shoe are not permitted. Goalkeepers shall wear colors which distinquish them from all other players and referees. NOTE: AYSO requires that shinguards are worn for all AYSO practices and games.
Casts and splints are prohibited in AYSO practices and games, players are not allowed to wear anything which is dangerous to themselves or other players.This includes such things as bracelets, any kind of ring, ear/hand etc.
The final responsibility on the safety of players equipment resides with the referee.
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Law 5--Referees
A referee shall be assigned to every AYSO game. The Referee is responsible for:

Enforcing the Laws of the Game
Keeping a record of the game.
To act as timekeeper
Have discretionary authority to stop the game for infringement of the Laws.
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Law 6--Assistant Referees (Formerly Linesperson)
Two assistant referees will be assigned to every AYSO game, whose duties are:

Determine when the ball is out of play
Offside.
Follow center referee's pre game instructions.

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Law 7--Duration of Game
The following are the duration of each half:

Division 1---45 mins
Division 2---40 mins
Division 3---35 mins
Division 4---30 mins
Division 5---25 mins
Division 6---20 mins
There will be a minimum of 5 mins at half time. Remember AYSO requires us to play quarters to allow for substitutions, so the referee will stop play approximately half way between the above times. The clock will not be stopped at the quarters, so it is important that substitutions are made quickly to maximize the playing time.
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Law 8--Start of Play

At the beginning of the game
After coin toss by captains, the referee will indicate start of play by blowing the whistle.

After a goal is scored.
Ball is returned to center circle and kick-off is taken by a player of the team scored against.
Ball must travel forward from the kick-off.

After half time When restarting after half-time, ends shall be changed and the kick-off shall be taken by a member of the opposite team who started the game.

After any other temporary suspension

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Law 9--Ball In/Out of play
The ball is out of play:-

When it has wholly crossed the goal-line or the touch-line, either on the ground or in the air.
When the game has been stopped by the referee.
The ball is in play at all other times from the start to the finish of the game.

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Law 10--Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball has passed over the goal-line, between the goal-posts and under the cross bar.
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Law 11--Offside
The most controversial and misunderstood Law in Soccer. It really is quite simple. A player must have at least (2) defenders, one of which is usually the Goalkeeper, between themselves and the goalline when the ball is kicked to them by a team mate. The technical version of this Law for referees is far more complex.
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Law 12--Fouls and Misconduct
There are (10) fouls for which a direct free kick is awarded, they are:

Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
Tripping an opponent
Jumping at an opponent
Charging in a violent or dangerous manner.
Charging from behind.
Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
Holding an opponent
Pushing an opponent
Handling the ball
Spitting at an opponent
A goal can be scored directly from the restart following any one of these fouls.

There are (5) fouls for which an indirect free kick is awarded, they are:

Playing in a manner consider by the referee to be dangerous.
Charging fairly, but the ball not within playing distance.
Intentionally obstructing an opponent.
Charging the Goalkeeper.
No more than 4 steps are to be taken by the Goalkeeper after he/she has possession of the ball, or picks up the ball when deliberatly passed back.
A goal can only be scored indirectly (after touching another player) from the restart of any of these fouls.
The referee will indicate an indirect kick by raising one arm straight up and holding it up until the ball touches another player of either team.

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Law 13--Free-Kick
There are two types of Free-Kicks

Direct Free-Kicks, from which a goal can be scored directly also known as "one touch"
Indirect Free-Kicks, from which a goal can only be scored indirectly also known as "two touch" The referee will point in the direction he wants to kick to be taken. Any member of the attacking team can take the kick. The referee will indicate an indiect kick by raising one arm straight up in the air. If the referee's arm is not up, it is not an indirect free kick.

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Law 14--Penalty-Kick
This restart is probably the most emotional restart in the game. It is a one-on-one contest between a goalkeeper and a member of the opposing side. The referee has many tasks to perform to ensure that the kick is taken correctly. It is awarded if any of the (10) fouls described in Law 12 (Direct) are committed by defenders in their own penalty area.
Before the kick is taken the referee will see that the following activities have been observed

The Goalkeeper must stand on the goal-line.
All players, except the kicker, are at least 10yds from the penalty spot.
All players are behind the ball.
One of the assistant referees is standing outside the goal posts,on the goal-line, to observe if a goal is scored or not.

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Law 15--Throw-in
When the ball passes over any touch-line, either on the ground or in the air, it shall be thrown into the field by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who last touched the ball. There are foot and hand faults that referees must look for in this restart.

A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

A player cannot be offside from a throw-in.

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Law 16--Goal-Kick
When the ball crosses the goal-line but is not a goal, either in the air or on the ground, having last been played by one of the attacking team, the game shall be restarted from any point in the goal area by a member of the defending team.
There are things to understand about this restart

All members of the opposing team shall be outside the penalty area for this restart
A player cannot be offside from this restart
The ball must clear the penalty area before it is in play.

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Law 17--Corner-Kick
When the ball crosses the goal-line without being a goal, either in the air or on the ground, having last been played by one of the defending team, the game shall be restarted with a corner-kick by a member of the attacking team.
There are things to understand about this restart

A goal can be scored directly from a corner-kick
All members of the opposing team must be at least 10 yds from the corner flag.
The ball must be placed within the quarter circle.
A player cannot be off-side directly from a corner-kick.

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The Advantage Rule
This is purely a discretionary call by the referee. If, in the opinion of the referee, the team being fouled would be at a disadvantage by stopping the play to restart with a free-kick, the referee may decide to let play continue. However he may still want to proceed with the necessary disciplinary measure after the advantage has ceased. If the referee calls out "Play On" with both arms outstretched, he is indicating that he is invoking the Advantage Law.

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