Rules of soccer

Like any other sport, the game of soccer is governed by a set of rules and regulations

FIFA, the world regulating body of soccer worldwide, maintains a document listing the fundamental rules of the sport known collectively as the Laws of the Game. When most people talk about "FIFA rules" or "FIFA regulations," they are referring to the Laws of the Game.

Each competition -- whether it be a Division I professional league like MLS, an AYSO youth league in the suburbs of Chicago, or an annual tournament of international amateur teams -- provides a set of its own guidelines and regulations that can add to, revise, or otherwise amend FIFA's Laws.

The Laws form the skeleton of a league's rules, while the competition guidelines provide the flesh.