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Soccer, overtime, has gone from a very disorganized and dangerous sport to a now much disciplined sport. However there are many rules that accompany the sport. There are rules and regulations set down by FIFA and MLS that determine the size of the ball, the dimensions of the field, and the equipment that must be worn. These rules are created to keep soccer the same all over the globe and to support respectful, appropriate behavior.
Rules and Regulations
	The first major regulation that is enforced by FIFA is the ball. The soccer ball should be spherical and made of a suitable material such as leather. The soccer ball should be no more than 28 inches in circumference. It also should be no less than 27 inches in circumference. It also should way no more than 16 ounces and no less than 14 ounces at the start of the match. The ball is very important in soccer. A standard ball should be used all over in order to assure that play is as similar as possible
	The size, dimensions, and material of the field are also strictly enforced. Depending on the competition, the field should be made of either natural grass or artificial material. The playing field should be rectangular with the goals centered opposite each other on the short sides. The long sides, also called touch lines, should be between 100 and 130 yards. The width of the field, also known as the goal lines, should be no more than 100 yards and no less than 50 yards. The entire field must be marked. The field is split into two halves. The middle line should include a circle with a 10 yard circle centered along it.
There are goal areas on both halves of the field which surrounds the goalposts. From each side of the goal, the line extends 6 yards outward and then extends into the field of play at a right angle. This line runs six yards into play where it makes another right angle and forms a line parallel to the goal.
There is another boundary very similar to the goal box around the perimeter of the goal box. This is called the penalty box. This is exactly the same as goal box, except, instead of extending 6 yards, it extends 18. It also extends 18 yards into the field, and the sides are connected by a line running parallel to the goal line.
The end result should look like this:


Another vital part of soccer is the goal. The goal is fairly simple. It is made primarily of two main parts. The main part, the frame, is the main structure. The frame consists of a crossbar, and tow side posts. The two side posts should be eight yards apart. The crossbar and the ground should be eight feet apart. The net is connected to the back of the side posts and the crossbar. It loosely extends backward to stop the ball from going too far past the goal.
During soccer, players are required to wear certain pieces of equipment for protection. All players must wear plastic or some other hard mater, shinguards. These help protect soccer players from being kicked in the shin, and to prevent balls from hurting their shins. Players are also required to wear cleats. These help give players a good grip on the grass. This can often prevent slipping, sliding, and prevent loss of traction. Jerseys must be worn to show whose team everyone is on. Shorts are often required to be worn; however, referees will allow pants in the event that cold weather is present. Goalies, the players who protect the goal, are supposed to wear a different colored jersey that will help distinguish them from other people on the field.
Positioning
Like all sports, soccer has certain positions in which everyone plays. Most games have eleven people per team. All teams play with one goalie; however, goalies may be taken out if an extra attacker is needed. The goalies are the only players on the team who are allowed to use their hands. However, they are only allowed to use their hands inside the sixteen yard box. If they use their hands in any other part of the field, it is considered a hand ball and the other team is awarded a free kick. The goalie’s job is to keep the other team from kicking (or heading) the ball into the net.
The next position is called the defense. Most teams play with three defenders, a center, right, and left. Defenders’ primary job is to help the goalie defend the net. However, they are not allowed to use their hands as goalies are. Most defenders are not supposed to go on the opponent’s side of the mid-line. They are allowed to, however, most coaches want players to stay back as to not allow the other teams attackers behind them.
The next position is the midfielders. The midfielders are a mix between defenders and forwards. They play in front of the defenders (the farthest back except for the goalie). There are usually five midfielders. There are two attacking midfielders and three defending midfielders. As their name describes, two of them slightly favor offense and the other three slightly favor defense. The attacking mids are usually either on the right side or the left. There is usually a center, left, and right defensive mid. The attacking mids play a few feet in front of the defending midfielders. The midfielders can score and defend, and they are permitted to cover the entire field.
The final position on the field is the forwards, or attackers. These are the people that are expected to score most of the goals. There is a left, center, and right forward. They do not defend much, as they are almost an exact opposite of defenders. They are not usually allowed to go on their side of the mid-line however, in the situation where the coach wishes to bring back more defenders; they can come past the mid-line. These are how most soccer teams are set up. However, some teams use different formations to utilize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
Fouls and Penalties

Like every sport, soccer has fouls. Players must abide by the rules, otherwise they will be punished. Most penalties result in a free kick, near the spot of the foul, for the apposing team. Fouls such as these include hand-balls, unintentional or light tripping, shouldering, or not playing the ball. A hand-ball is when a player, not the goalie, touches the ball with their hands, whether incidental or not. A goalie can be called for a hand-ball if he touches the ball outside of the 18 yard box. A tripping is when you trip the apposing player. If the referee determines that the penalty is intentional or very severe, they may award you with a card (See below paragraph). Another penalty is shouldering. This is when a player purposely lowers his shoulder or attempts to knock over the other player, it is called shouldering. Unless very severe and intentional, you cannot usually be carded for it. Not playing the ball is very similar to shouldering. It is when a player doesn’t play the ball, or when he or she doesn’t even attempt to go for the ball, only tries to move the apposing player away from the ball purposely.
If a field player touches the ball, or commits any other foul inside his or her own 18 yard box, the other team is awarded a penalty kick. The penalty kick is a one-on-one match between the goalie and the player taking the kick. The ball is placed about 10 yards out from the goal and in the center.
However, a severe penalty may result in a card. A card is like a warning. A yellow card can be given to a player when they commit a moderately bad foul. Such as purposely tripping someone, a dangerous slide in the back, or swearing can result in a yellow card. Two yellow cards and you are thrown out of the game. A red card, is an immediate ejection. Penalties such as a hard, intentional slide in the back of the legs, slide tackling the goalie, or arguing with the referee can result in a red card. Often, you are suspended for future games as well.