| It is crucial to understand that rules in soccer are | | | | goal kick or corner (out over the goal lines). |
| really decisions taken by the IFAB under relevant | | | | For a goal to be scored in soccer, the entire ball must |
| laws of the game. There are really basic laws of | | | | cross the goal line between the uprights and under |
| soccer- 17 of them. To get a good idea of soccer, | | | | the crossbar, whether in the air or on the ground. For |
| one only needs to peruse a few fundamental laws of | | | | a goal to stand, no infringement should have been |
| the game. | | | | committed by the team scoring the goal. |
| The soccer field must be rectangular, between 45 | | | | The Offside Law is a major feature of soccer. It is |
| and 90 metres in width and between 90 and 120 | | | | an offside offence to be involved in active play if at |
| metres in length. It has designated markings that | | | | the moment the pall is played by a teammate you |
| denote certain areas such as the corners, penalty | | | | were in an offside position. This definition assumes |
| area and goal area. A soccer field must be properly | | | | that the passing and involvement occurs in the same |
| marked in order for a match to occur. | | | | phase of play. The phases of play change when the |
| Association soccer must be played with approved | | | | ball is touched or controlled. |
| soccer balls. These balls should have a certain | | | | There are prescribed fouls and misconduct in soccer. |
| pressure, weight and size. For FIFA sanctioned | | | | The difference is that a foul is committed when the |
| tournaments, the balls will have a prescribed logo. | | | | ball is in play, by a player and on the field of play. |
| Association soccer matches must begin with a | | | | Fouls and misconduct carry different penalties. They |
| minimum of seven players and a maximum of 11. | | | | can result in free kicks or players or substitutes being |
| These players must be outfitted in certain gear- | | | | cautioned or sent off. Misconduct applies to team |
| stockings, shinguards, footwear, a jersey and shorts. | | | | officials as well. |
| A soccer match has two equal periods of 45 minutes | | | | The rest of the laws cover the kicks from certain |
| each. Changes to these must be sanctioned by | | | | areas that are taken during the game. This is a very |
| tournament rules or provisions. Each half of a soccer | | | | brief overview of the basic, however. Each law is in |
| match is started with a kick-off. The kick-off is also | | | | depth and takes much time and effort to learn and |
| used to restart play after a goal has been scored. | | | | apply. However, if you have an idea of these laws, |
| When the ball goes out of play, the match is | | | | you can consider yourself a true soccer (really |
| restarted by a throw-in (out over the touch lines), a | | | | football) fan. |