Basic Rules:

The Field of Play

Simply put, the field must be a clearly delineated rectangle, with the sidelines longer than the length of the goal line. The exact measurements of the field may vary depending on age of players and number of players on the field.  A standard field of play must conform to the following:  The fields must be between 100 and 130 yards long (90-120 meters) and between 50 and 100 yards wide (45-90 meters).

The field is bordered by a series of markings that show the outer boundaries - the sidelines and the goal lines -- the cccenter of the field, the goal area, and the penalty area. The goal area, also known as the "6-yard box," is created by drawing a line at a right angle to the goal line 6 yards from the inside edge of each goalpost. These lines are drawn 6 yards into the field of play, and are joined by another line drawn parallel to the goal line. The area marked off by these lines is known as the goal area.

The 6-yard box is surrounded by a similar, larger box measured 18 yards out from the inside edge of the goalposts. This penalty area extends 18 yards into the field of play, and is crowned with a semicircle centered along the long edge. Known as "the box," the penalty area plays a vital role in the flow of a game, as will be illustrated in the discussion of later Rules.

At each corner, and sometimes at either end of the center line, brightly colored flags act as a visual cue for players and referees, reminding them of the boundaries of the field.

Goals

At either end of the field -- centered along the short edges of the field -- are the goals.  In Major League Soccer, the distance between the posts is 8 yards (7.32 meters), while the space between the underside of the crossbar and the ground is 8 feet (2.44 meters).

Player Equipment

All players are required to wear certain, compulsory equipment to prevent injury to themselves and to others. All players must wear a jersey along shinguards. In addition, if players are wearing cleats, they must ensure no sharp metallic objects are protruding.

Start and Restart of Play

Kickoffs

The winner of the pre-game coin toss decides which goal his team will attack in the first half. The two teams take up their positions in their defensive half of the field, waiting for the opening kickoff. When the referee blows the whistle, the team that did NOT win the coin toss kicks the ball forward, and the game begins.

When a team scores a goal, the other team repeats the kickoff process to restart the game. At the start of the second half, the two teams switch sides and the team that won the original coin toss takes the kickoff.

Once the ball is kicked forward, the player that kicks off may NOT touch the ball again until another player from either team has touched it. In the event that he does, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the point where the infraction occurred.

The Drop Ball

In rare cases, the match may be stopped for some reason not explicitly covered by the Rules of the Game (for example, if play is temporarily abandoned due to lightning while the ball is in play, the referee will restart the match with a dropped ball once the weather clears).

In such an event, the referee drops the ball at the point where the ball was when play was stopped. Similar to a jump ball restart in basketball, the two sides attempt to win possession of the ball the second it touches the ground.

Ball In and Out of Play

The ball is considered in play when it is located inside the boundaries marked by the sidelines and the goal lines, whether the ball is on the ground or in the air. If the entire ball crosses the sideline or goal line, or if play has been stopped by the referee, then the ball is considered out of play.  The ball is still considered in play even if it hits the goalposts, crossbar, corner flags, or referee and rebounds into the field of play.  In order to be considered out of play, the entire ball must cross the line (either on the ground or in the air). If any part of the ball remains on the line, then it is still in play. As a result, you will often see players run out of bounds to tap a ball off of the line and back into play.

Scoring

A goal is scored when the ball ENTIRELY crosses over the goal line in the area defined by the inside edges of the goalposts and the crossbar.

Fouls and Misconduct

Direct Free Kick

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits one of a number of offenses by playing in a careless, reckless, or overly forceful manner. If a player kicks, trips, charges, strikes, or pushes an opponent, he can expect the referee to blow the whistle and award a free kick from the spot of the infraction. Making contact with the other player is not even necessary, as the referee can call the foul if a player attempts to kick or otherwise strike the opposition.

Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the offenses above are committed by a player while inside his own penalty area while the ball is in play. It does not matter where in the penalty area the foul occurs, or even if the ball itself is inside the box.

Indirect Free Kick

The referee will also award a team an indirect free kick in several situations over the course of a game.

If a player impedes the progress of an opponent, prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands, plays in a dangerous manner, or commits any other offense not specifically covered in Rule 12, then the opposition is awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the infraction.

Players are most often called for impeding the progress of their opponent when two players are racing for a loose ball and one uses his arms and body to steer or shield his opponent away from the ball. Goalkeepers have an additional list of offenses that would warrant an indirect free kick, mainly dealing with when and how the goalkeeper handles the ball inside his own penalty area.

Crime and Punishment

In addition to awarding free kicks, the referee can further punish an offending player through the distribution of red and yellow cards. These cards can result in players and coaches being ejected from the game, being fined, or even being suspended from league games for a period of time.

A yellow card, or "caution," is an indication of some foul play. It is intended as a warning that the referee will not tolerate any further infringements from the rules. If a player receives a second yellow card in a match, that player is ejected from the game and suspended as if he had been shown a red card.

A red card ("sending off") is an instant dismissal and ejection from the game. The player must immediately leave the field and head to the locker room, as well as sit out the next league game. Red cards are shown to players and coaches for the most serious infringements of the game.

Throw-ins

Throw-ins are a method of restarting play in a situation where the ball has entirely crossed the sidelines.

The player delivering the throw-in must face the field of play, have part of each foot on the ground either outside the side line, and deliver the ball from behind and over his head with both hands.  The ball is considered in play as soon as it enters the field of play, and cannot be touched by the player taking the throw-in until it has been touched by another player (of either team).

Corner Kick

If the ball crosses the goal line - not resulting in a goal - with the defending team being the last to touch the ball before it crossed the line, then the referee will award the attackers a corner kick.

The ball is placed on the corner arc markings by the nearest corner flag post and kicked into play by the attackers. Though the corner flag itself may not be moved out of the way, it is not uncommon to see players adjust the signboards at in order to get more space on the approach.

The defensive players must remain at least 10 yards away from the corner until the ball is put back into play by the kicker. Once the ball is in motion, the kicker may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by at least one other player.

Goal Kick

The goal kick is awarded to a defending team when the ball last touched an attacker before crossing the whole of the goal line (and not resulting in a goal).  A player on the defending team, usually the goalkeeper, can place the ball at any point inside the goal area, including on the lines defining the six-yard box. Once the ball has completely left the penalty area, it is considered in play. The kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by at least one other player, nor can another player touch the ball until it has left the penalty area.