The following was prepared for coaches to distribute to parents in the Tigard Soccer Club. Parents who are educated about the sport will make better fans! You may want to modify it to be consistent with your club’s rules and hand out a copy to each player’s parent or guardian.

The rules and officiating of soccer are rooted in the philosophy and spirit of the game. Soccer is played by gentlemen (and gentlewomen). The referee is ALWAYS right. Dissent is not allowed or tolerated. Unfair or unsportsmanlike advantage is neither sought nor taken.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Tigard Soccer Club (TSC) rules dictate that each player must play at least half of each game. Coaches, however, are permitted to substitute only in certain situations, including: half time (quarters for younger players), after a goal is scored, on a goal kick, on their own throw-in, or after an injury (for the injured player).

EQUIPMENT: All-purpose shoes with square or rectangular cleats are not permitted. No hard cast is permitted. No jewelry is permitted, including watches, bracelets, necklaces, hair clips and earrings. If players intend to get their ears pierced, we suggest that they do so a month before games begin, or after the season is over.

KICK-OFF: The kick-off must travel toward the opponent’s goal a distance equal to the circumference of the ball (about 2 feet) before it is in play. It must then be played by another player. If the ball is kicked backward, or forward less than about two feet, then it never went into play and the kick is retaken. If the kicker touches the ball a second time without another player touching it, then the opposing team is awarded a free kick.

OUT OF BOUNDS: The ball is in play unless all of the ball passes beyond all of the sideline (touchline) or goal line (end line). If the ball is out over the sideline, the team opposite the last touch throws it in. If the ball is over the goal line and not in the goal, it is kicked off the ground by the opposing team from the corner if last touched by a defender, or from the goal area if last touched by an attacker. A corner kick can go directly into the goal for a score. If the goalie, in possession of the ball, falls or rolls into the goal carrying all of the ball over all of the goal line, a score results. If play is stopped for any reason with the ball in play, it is restarted by a drop-ball.

INFRACTIONS: The conduct infractions are listed elsewhere. "Handling" the ball prohibits intentionally playing the ball with the hand or arm. Accidental contact is not an infraction. No player, except the goalie, is allowed to put self or other in danger of injury; thus the rule against dangerous play. Most calls for dangerous play are the result of a high kick or a low head. High kick is defined in relation to the other player’s head, not the kicker’s waist. You can’t kick the ball while you are on the ground in traffic because you place your head in danger. If, in the judgment of the referee, the team offended by an infraction has a clear advantage which could lead to a scoring opportunity, the advantage rule may be invoked with the clear call of "Advantage - play on!" and a forward sweep of the hands.

FREE KICKS: The infractions result in free kicks awarded to the offended team. They are either direct or indirect kicks. On a direct free kick the kicker can put the ball directly into the goal for a score. On an indirect free kick another player on either team must touch the ball before it can score. The referee will indicate an indirect free kick by holding one arm directly overhead. A penalty kick is awarded for a direct free kick infraction committed by the defense in its own penalty area. This call is determined by the position of the defending player; the ball need not have advanced into the penalty area. In Tigard Soccer Club play below the fifth grade level, there are no penalty kicks and all free kicks are indirect.
 
 
 
 

Rules That Sometimes Cause Confusion

1. Throw-ins (Law XV)
1. A team loses possession of the ball whenever one of its members is the last one to touch the ball before it goes completely over the touchline (sideline). The ball is brought back in play by awarding a throw-in to the other team.
2. In addition to having at least part of each foot on the ground (either on or outside the touchline) at the moment when the ball is thrown, the player must also:
1. face the field of play (with some part of his body);
2. bring the ball back completely behind his head using both hands;
3. maintain the arms parallel through the throw.
3. A foul throw results in the ball being awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in. For the younger players, however, the referees in many clubs will give the thrower a second chance after an errant throw.
4. Other key points related to the throw-in include the following:
1. undue delay in making a throw-in may be cautioned as ungentlemanly conduct for time-wasting;
2. the ball is in play immediately when it enters the field of play, but the thrower may not play the ball again until it has been touched or played by another player;
3. if, during an attempted throw-in, the ball does not cross the touchline, it has not been put into play and the throwing team is allowed to repeat the throw-in;
4. a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in;
5. a throw-in taken from any position other than the point where the ball passed over the touchline may be deemed a foul throw (however, players frequently will run the ball several yards toward the goal and the referee must exercise judgment in determining when this becomes a violation).
5. Finally, if, when a throw-in is being taken, any of the opposing players "dance about or gesticulate in a way calculated to distract or impede the thrower", it is considered ungentlemanly conduct, for which the offender(s) can be yellow carded.
2. Goal kick (Law XVI)
1. A goal kick is awarded to a team when the ball is kicked over the goal-line (excluding that portion between the goal posts!) by the attacking team.
2. All the players on the team not in possession of the ball must get out of the penalty area; the team awarded the ball may have as many players in the penalty area as desired and any of these players is allowed to take the goal kick.
3. If the ball is not kicked beyond the penalty-area, the kick is retaken.
4. No one can touch the ball after it is kicked until it passes out of the penalty area;
1. this includes the goalkeeper who cannot receive the ball into her hands from a goal kick in order that she may thereafter kick it into play;
2. if a player of either team touches the ball before it passes out of the penalty area, the kick is retaken.
5. The kicker may not play the ball a second time until it has touched or been played by another player (of either team).
6. The FIFA rule has been changed to allow goal kicks to be taken anywhere in the goal-area (not necessarily within the half of the goal area nearest where the ball went out).
7. A goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick
8. For the younger players, it is often a good idea to keep several defenders in the penalty area while the goal kick is made to help defend against a quick return (defenders must position themselves so that they do not block the goalkeeper’s view of the play).
3. Goalie 4-step rule (Law XII)
1. The keeper is not allowed to take more than 4 steps before he punts or throws the ball.
2. This is a call that is not made very often, especially for the younger players, unless the goalie is using extra steps to delay the game or otherwise gain unfair advantage.
3. A goalkeeper who, in the judgment of the referee, holds onto the ball for an undue length of time may be cautioned for ungentlemanly conduct.
4. Goalie no pass back rule (Law XII)
1. The goalkeeper may touch the ball with her hands anytime she is within the penalty area, except when the ball is deliberately kicked back to her by a teammate;
1. the goalie must play such a deliberate kick from a teammate with her feet just like any other field player;
2. the goalie may play the ball with her hands if it is passed back to her by a teammate’s head, chest or knee.
2. If the goalie does play a ball kicked back to her with her hands, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick with the ball placed at the spot where the goalie improperly handled the ball;
1. because it is an indirect free kick, two players must touch the ball before it goes into the goal for a score.
5. Off-sides (Law XI)
1. To be whistled for off-sides, a player must first be in an off-side position.
2. A player is in an off-side position if he is nearer to his opponents’ goal-line than the ball, unless:
1. he is in his own half of the field of play; or
2. he is not nearer to his opponents’ goal-line than at least two of his opponents (one of whom may be the goalie);
3. a player who is level with the second to last opponent, or with the last two opponents, is not in an off-side position.
3. A player is only penalized for being in an off-side position, if, at the moment the ball touches, or is played by, one of his teammates, he is, in the opinion of the referee:
1. interfering with play or with an opponent, or
2. seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position.
4. Thus, a player is not declared off-side by the referee merely because of his being in an off-side position, or if he receives the ball direct from a goal kick, a corner kick or a throw-in.
5. If a player is whistled off-side, his/her team loses the ball; the other team is awarded an indirect free kick at the place where the infringement occurred (unless the offense is committed by a player in his opponents’ goal area, in which case the free kick may be taken from any point within the goal area).
6. Off-side is frequently not called for younger teams; however, the referee may warn a coach or young player about "strategic off-sides", the practice of intentionally placing a player near the opponents’ goal throughout play (i.e. cherry-picking).
7. The following examples help illustrate this confusing rule (for additional illustrations see the appendix to the official FIFA rule book).

 

 

• Glossary of Soccer Terms

A method of unbalancing the player who has possession, or is attempting to gain possession, of the ball. The maneuver of using a "shoulder" (actually from elbow up to and including the shoulder) against an opponent’s shoulder to gain an advantage; permissible only when the ball is playable (i.e. within 3 feet).

Clearing

The act of moving the ball out of the vicinity of one’s own goal area by throwing (goalkeeper only) or kicking it (generally up the sideline).

Corner kick

A kick made by the attacking team from the corner arc on the side of the field where the ball went out of play. A corner kick is awarded when the ball is last touched by a defensive player and goes out of play over the goal line without resulting in a goal. Opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the ball when the kick is taken. A goal may be scored directly (without being touched by another player) from a corner kick.

Cross

A pass in which the ball is kicked from one side of the field to the other side.

Dangerous play

Play that is likely to cause injury. Examples are high kicking, playing while lying on the ground, or playing the ball while it is in the possession of the goalkeeper.

Defender

Also called fullback. A player who functions primarily in the defensive third of the field and whose major role is to repel attacks on the goal by the opposing team.

Direct free kick

A free kick from which a goal can be scored directly (i.e. without first being touched by another player). It is awarded for substantial infractions of the rules (see Summary of the FIFA Laws of the Game, Law XII, this section). Opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the ball (opposing players may stand on their own goal line between the goal posts), but the player taking the kick may do so without waiting if he/she wishes. The ball is not in play until it has traveled its own circumference. The ball must be stationary when kicked and the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has been played by another player (of either team).

Drop ball

A ball held by the referee and allowed to fall directly to the ground between two opponents. The ball is in play after it touches the ground. A drop ball restarts the game after play is stopped for no penalty situation (e.g. after an injury). The ball is dropped where it was last in play or at the nearest point outside the penalty area. A goal may be scored directly from a drop ball.

Forward

Player who functions primarily in the attacking third of the field and whose major responsibility is to score goals.

Free kick see Direct free kick and Indirect free kick

Fullback see Defender

Goal

A one-point score occurring when the whole of the ball passes entirely over the goal line, between the vertical goal posts, and under the horizontal crossbar. A goal is not scored if the ball was not touched by another player (of either team) after an indirect free kick, goal kick, kick off, or throw in.

Goal area

Area (20 x 6 yd. on a full-size field) marked within the penalty area, and directly in front of goal, from which all goal kicks originate.

Goalkeeper

Player who functions primarily in the penalty area and whose major responsibility is to prevent the opponents’ shots from entering the goal for a score. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to touch or pick up the ball with his/her hands, and may only do so when the ball is within his/her own penalty area. The keeper is the team’s last line of defense.

Goal kick

Taken by any defending player to restart the game after the ball goes out of play over the goal line, having last been touched by an attacking player. It may be taken from any point within the half of the goal area nearest where the ball went out. All opposing players must stand outside the penalty area. To be in play, the ball must leave the penalty area (inbounds); otherwise the kick is retaken.

Halfback see Midfielder

Indirect free kick

A free kick from which a goal cannot be scored until the ball is touched by another player. It is awarded for technical and minor infractions of the rules (see Summary of the FIFA Laws of the Game, Law XII, this section). Opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the ball (opposing players may stand on their own goal line between the goal posts), but the player taking the kick may do so without waiting if he/she wishes. The ball is not in play until it has traveled its own circumference. The ball must be stationary when kicked and the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has been played by another player (of either team).

Kick off

Officially begins the game at each half and restarts play after a goal is scored. The ball must go forward (into the opponent’s half of the field) and is in play after rolling its own circumference (about 27 inches). The player kicking off must not play the ball again until it has been played by another player (of either team). Opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the ball in their own half of the field when the kick off is taken.

Linesperson

Person (often a parent volunteer) who assists the referee; one linesperson is assigned to each touchline. Their primary responsibility is to indicate when the ball is out of play (i.e. when the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the touchline or endline). The linesperson also signals which team has the right to put the ball in play again by using their flag to show the direction of play for the restart.

Marking

Guarding or covering an opposing player (with or without the ball) when he/she moves into your area of play.

Midfielder

Player who functions primarily in the center (neutral) third of the field and whose principal job is to link the defense and the attack through ball control and passing.

OFFSIDE

Offside is defined as occurring at the moment the ball is played by one of the attacking players to a teammate. A player is in an offside position if he/she is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than the ball, unless: (a) the player is in his/her own half of the field, or (b) there are at least two opponents (one may be the goalkeeper) nearer the goal line than the player.

A player is penalized if he/she is in an offside position AND if, in the judgment of the referee, the player is: (a) interfering with play or with an opponent, or (b) seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position.

A player is not declared offside (a) merely by being in an offside position; (b) if they receive the ball directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, a throw in, or a drop ball; or (c) if the ball is last played by an opposing player.

Penalty arc

The arc at the top of the penalty area; no player may be within this area while a penalty kick is being taken.

Penalty area

Large area (18 x 44 yd. on a full size field) in front of goal in which any of the "direct kick" fouls by the defending team result in a penalty kick. Also delimits the area where the goalie can use his/her hands. The penalty area includes the goal area.

Penalty kick

Awarded to the attacking team if the defending team commits a direct free kick violation within the penalty area. Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty mark. All players (of both teams) except the kicker and opposing goalkeeper, must remain on the field of play outside the penalty area and penalty arc. The opposing goalkeeper must stand (without moving his/her feet) on the goal line, between the goal posts, until the ball is kicked. The player taking the kick must kick the ball forward and may not touch the ball a second time until it has been played by another player (of either team). The ball is in play after it has traveled its own circumference. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.

For any infringement of the penalty kick rules by: (a) the defending team, the referee will allow the kick to proceed, but if a goal does not result, the kick will be retaken; (b) the attacking team, other than the player designated to take the kick, if a goal is not scored it will be disallowed and the kick retaken; (c) by the player taking the penalty kick, committed after the ball is in play, an opposing player will take an indirect free kick at the point where the infraction occurred.

The referee’s whistle always starts the taking of a penalty kick. Any penalty kick taken prior to the referee’s whistle will be retaken using the referee’s whistle as the proper start for the kick.

penalty mark

A mark on the field from which penalty kicks are taken; also called the penalty spot. It is located 12 yards from the goal line, equally spaced between the goal posts.

Referee

The official who is in complete charge of the soccer game. The safety of the players is the referee’s main concern. He or she is responsible for keeping time, enforcing the Laws of the Game (see Summary of the FIFA Laws of the Game, this section), stopping and restarting the game for penalties or injuries, cautioning or banishing offenders (including coaches or spectators) and ending the game, if necessary. All decisions by the referee are final! The referee is assisted by two linespersons.

SOCCER FIELD

Please see the accompanying diagram of a generic soccer field.

Tackling

A method of gaining possession of the ball by use of the feet. Unnecessary roughness and use of the hands are not permitted.

Throw in

Taken to restart the game after the whole of the ball crosses the outside edge of the touchline. The throw in, by any member of the team that did not touch the ball last, is taken at the point where the ball went out of play. The thrower must face the field and throw the ball with equal strength by both hands, in one continuous motion from the back of his/her head and over the top of his/her head. When the ball is released, the thrower must have some part of both feet on the ground on or behind the touchline.