| 1) The fundamental objective of soccer is to score | | | | towards the opposing teams goal. The object is to |
| more goals than your opponent. A goal is scored by | | | | serve the ball into position to allow the forwards to |
| putting the soccer ball across the goal line of your | | | | make an attempt on the goal. |
| opponents goal. A regulation soccer goal measures 8' | | | | 6) Defensive players try to take the ball away from |
| high by 24' wide and has a net attached to the back | | | | the offensive team by interfering with with the |
| of the goal to catch the ball. | | | | offensive player trying to knock loose the ball or by |
| 2) Players may only use their feet, body or heads | | | | intercepting passes made to the attacking team |
| Inside for the players may not use their hands they | | | | members. Each player essentially can play either an |
| are only allowed to use their feet, legs, body or their | | | | offensive or defensive role on the field depending on |
| heads to control, to pass and to attempt to score. | | | | the action. |
| The players may not catch or throw the soccer ball | | | | 7) The offensive player tries to repel the defensive |
| using or even knock down a pass using their hands. | | | | player through dribbling skills and by passing. An |
| 3) The regulation soccer team has 11 players on the | | | | offensive player who has exceptional ball handling |
| field at any one time. The team typically consists of | | | | skills places their body between the defensive player |
| a goal keeper, three or four defenders possibly a | | | | and themselves to maintain control of the ball while |
| fullback, a stopper or a sweeper. Three or four | | | | moving it down field towards the opponent's goal. |
| midfielders who play an outside right position, an | | | | 8) Plays are designed and executed to put the |
| outside left position and a center midfield position. | | | | offensive players in position to attempt shots on goal |
| And two or three forwards playing right, left and | | | | for the attacking team. Teams members must put |
| center positions. Depending on the age of the other | | | | themselves into positions on the field to be able to |
| players there may be fewer than 11 players many | | | | receive passes and to further move the ball |
| youth leagues will play only five or seven players at a | | | | downfield to attempt a shot on goal. |
| time. | | | | 9) Players may be called for penalties for holding or |
| 4) The goalies are the only players that are allowed | | | | for purposely tripping or spiking an opponent. Pulling |
| to use their hands. The goalie can use their hands | | | | the opposing player to the ground or holding may |
| while defending the goal by either blocking or | | | | result in penalties. |
| catching the ball. The goalie may also use their hands | | | | 10) Play is ended when time runs out and the team |
| to throw the ball back out into the field of play or to | | | | with the most goals scored is the winner. A regulation |
| execute a drop kick sending the ball far down the | | | | game is 90 minutes long with two 45 minute halves. |
| field. | | | | The exact time left in a game is known only to the |
| 5) The ball is moved by the offensive team down | | | | officials as time may be added to the game based to |
| the field through the use of dribbling and passing the | | | | make up for stoppage during the game. |
| ball by a series of kicks to other team members | | | | |