| Soccer rules are deceptively simple. The Laws of the | | | | Then comes soccer's offside rule, a Law so |
| Game, still heavily based on their forerunners from | | | | contentious it has its very own number: eleven. The |
| the 1860s, govern this sport worldwide, and although | | | | offside rule in soccer can be hard to pick up, but the |
| the intricacies can be complex you can learn the | | | | basics are this: if a player waits near an opponent's |
| basics in literally minutes of watching the Beautiful | | | | goal with fewer than two opponents between him |
| Game. | | | | and the goalline, and the ball is played to him, he is |
| It's important to note that soccer does not even | | | | committing an offside offence. Practically speaking, |
| have rules, but rather Laws. This officious term | | | | this in 99% of cases means that if a striker has only |
| indicates that there is something very bookish about | | | | the goalkeeper to beat when the ball is kicked |
| the game, even though the actual Laws document is | | | | towards him, he will be flagged offside. (Of course, if |
| just a few pages long compared to some other | | | | he receives the ball onside and then runs one-on-one |
| sports. These rules are available via FIFA for any | | | | with the 'keeper, he's done nothing wrong - and will |
| player to read for free. | | | | probably score!) |
| The first four of soccer's Laws of the Game relate | | | | Laws twelve right through to the final one - |
| to the mechanics. They describe the dimensions of | | | | seventeen - explain why the game might be stopped |
| the field (which can vary depending on whose | | | | for a foul, and what happens when this takes place |
| stadium you're at), the ball (which can also vary | | | | (a free-kick, either direct or indirect, depending on |
| between 27-28 inches in circumference), the players | | | | the severity of the offence; or even a penalty kick |
| (eleven per team), and what the players can wear | | | | one-on-one with the goalkeeper), and also how |
| (soccer jerseys, soccer shorts, soccer socks, soccer | | | | throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks work. |
| boots/cleats, and mandatory shin pads.) | | | | The best part is that you can read these laws in an |
| Laws five and six outline the powers and | | | | afternoon and pick up the basics that quickly. But the |
| responsibilities of the referees and his assistants (the | | | | best way of all is to watch a soccer game with the |
| latter of which are not mandatory in all leagues, but | | | | laws in your hand and refer to them as needed. You'll |
| are found in pro soccer the world over.) After that, | | | | be a soccer expert in no time. |
| how the game is started and halted (when the | | | | There are various forms of soccer, ranging from |
| referee detects an infraction, or when the ball goes | | | | micro soccer (3 a side) to the standard game of 11 a |
| out of play, or when a goal is scored) are looked at | | | | side. |
| in laws seven through ten. | | | | |