Rules of Soccer

Equipment ------------ Out of Bounds

Positions -------------- Laws

Equipment

To play the game of soccer you need the proper equipment. You can find this equipment in your local sports store.

Soccer Ball: You can't play soccer without the ball! Different levels and ages use different balls. Balls come in three sizes, 3, 4, and 5. Your age and level decides which size of ball you use. The younger you are the lower nuber ball you use, because it is smaller, for smaller feet!

Soccer cleats: Cleats are great for when you play in the rain. They grasp the ground so you are able to run without slipping. They come in any size.

Shin guards: These are really important. They protect your shin (lower part of thes leg) from being hurt. If you play a lot and seriously you will probably be kicked in the shin a lot of times- most likely, hardly any of them will not be on purpose. Without shin guards your poor shins will be killing you before you are even half-way through the game.

Goalie gloves: These are optional; however if you are a serious goalie, you should use these. They give a better grip on the ball for when you have to dive in hard shots. They also cushion the hand so your hand does not hurt.

Out of Bounds!

When you are playing soccer it is important to know where the boundarys are. There are many different ways the ball can go out of bounds, and will be illegally hit.

Use the above image as a guide.

Whenever the ball goes past the goal line or the touch line it is out of bounds. If the ball is kicked passed the goal line of that own team's goal line, the opposing team gains procession of the ball. One player from the opposing team puts the ball on the corner and stands behind it. Then that player kicks the ball into playing area. The corner is decided by which side the ball went passed; it is the same corner as the side. If the opposing team kicks the ball passed the corner, the other team gains possession of the ball. Then, one person from the team places the ball at the goal area line and kicks the ball past the penalty area line. When the ball goes passed the touch line the opposing team has a throw-in. A throw-in is done by picking up the ball up and throwing the ball straight over their head into the playing area while keeping their feet planted on the grown.

Positions

The game consists of many team players. Each player, in official games, will play one position for the whole game. When you are playing, you should specialize in one position.

Forward

The forwards are also commonly called offense. The job of the forward is to score as many goals possible. They score by kicking or hitting the ball with legal parts of the body into the opposing team's goal. They do not go back more than halfway back on their side. That is because if the defense clears the ball,s they need to be able to get it. A strong forward needs to have a hard kick and good aim, so he or she can score goals. On a team there can be three or four forwards playing at one time. They can be set up two ways.

1.) LEFT --------------- CENTER ---------------- RIGHT

OR

2.) LEFT --------------- INSIDE LEFT--------------- INSIDE RIGHT ---------------- RIGHT

Midfield

The midfielders are nicknamed "middies." That is because they play all over the field. At the kickoff, they stay in the middle of their half of the field. When the forwards on their team have the ball, the midfields move forward and assist the forwards. When the forwards from the opposing team have the ball, the midfields drop back and help the defenders. Sometimes the midfield will score a goal, but they assist goals more often. A good midfielder needs to be a strong runner, so he or she can get from one side of the field to the other quickly and repeatedly. They are set up one way.

1.) LEFT --------------- CENTER ---------------- RIGHT

Defenders

Defenders are often also called fall-backs. They play behind the midfielders and in front of the goalie. They stop the opposing team from making a goal. They do not s go farther up than halfway of the whole field. They need to be aggressive, so they can beat the forward to the ball and gain control of the ball. They are set up this way.

1.) LEFT --------------- CENTER ---------------- RIGHT

Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper is also called the goalie. The goalkeeper plays in front of the goal. The goalkeeper is the only player who is allowed to use his or her hands. Because there is only one goalkeeper, he or she is positioned anywhere in front of the goal and behind the defense. This is the set up.

DEFENSE

GOALKEEPER

GOAL

Forwards, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers are the main players in the game. All of these players must be playing for there to be a game. There is also two more optional players. These players are NOT needed to play.

Sweeper

The sweeper plays in front of the defense and behind the midfield. Their job is to attack the opposing player before he or she gets to the defense. This player is optional. There can only be one sweeper playing for each team.

Stopper

The stopper plays behind the defense and before the goalkeeper. The stopper's job is to stop the opposing team's player before he or she can get a shot on the goal, if the defense fails. This player is optional. There can only be one stopper for each team.

Laws

There are many details in the laws of the game. The laws are the rules of Soccer. Use this link to read all of them and about who makes them.

http://www.soccerhelp.com/Soccer_Rules_Rules_Of_Soccer.shtml