Rules

Soccer has resulted in many fight over the ages. In 19th century England

they had no rules so soccer fights often occurred. During these times is

when they started applying rules. Without strict rules, the officials,

referees, would often get into fights constantly with players and coaches.

The rules are called The Rules Of The Game. Because there are so

many, this page will only explain the seventeen main ones. The rules are

directly from http://soccersite.com/coaches/rules.html .

1. The field of play shall be rectangular. The width should not exceed the length
2. The ball should be spherical. The outer casing should be leather or an approved synthetic. No dangerous materials should be used in the construction of the ball
3. The match will be played by two teams. Each team should not have more than eleven players. One of these eleven players will be the goalkeeper.
4. The basic equipment of a player consists of the following.
   1. A jersey or shirt
   2. Shorts
   3. Stockings
   4. Shin guards
   5. Footwear
5. A referee shall be appointed to officiate each game.
6. Two assistants shall be appointed to the referee
7. The time of play is two periods of 45 minutes. (length of periods can change if agreed upon before the start of the game)
8. At the start of the game, choice of field ends and kickoff are determined by the flip of a coin.
9. The ball is out of play during the following circumstances:
   1. When it has completely crossed a boundary line. (on ground or airborne)
   2. When the game has been halted by an official.
10. A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line. The ball must cross the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar. A goal is not scored if the ball was intentionally thrown by hand, by a player of the attacking side.
11. A player is considered off-side if he is nearer to the opponents' goal-line than the ball, except in the following cases:
    1. He is in his own half of the field.
    2. He is not nearer to his opponents' goal-line than at least two of his opponents

    A player is only penalized for being off-side if the ball is played or touched by one of his team, he is involved in active play in one of the following ways:

    1. interfering with play
    2. interfering with an opponent
    3. gaining an advantage by being off-side
12. Any player who commits one of the following offences shall be penalized by the opposing tem being awarded a direct free-kick
    1. Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
    2. Trips an opponent
    3. Jumps at an opponent
    4. Charges an opponent
    5. Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
    6. Pushes an opponent
    7. Tackles an opponent, but touches opponent before the ball
    8. Holds an opponent
    9. Spits at an opponent
    10. Handles the ball deliberately
13. Free kicks are one of two types:
    1. Direct - Goal can be scored directly against the offending side
    2. Indirect - Goal cannot be scored unless ball has been played or touched by a player other than the kicker before passing through the goal
14. A penalty-kick is taken from the penalty-mark.
15. When a ball passes over a touch-line, it will be thrown in from the point where it crossed the line.
16. A goal kick is taken by a member of the defending team when the ball crosses the goal line outside of the goal area.
17. The attacking team is awarded a corner kick when the ball passes completely over the goal line outside of the goal area after last being played by a member of the defending team.

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