SOCCER REVIEW:

Basic Soccer Rules

The basic soccer rules for kids. The best way to learn how to play soccer as well as soccer equipment and the best soccer practice plan for the seasonal coach.

Basic Soccer Rules: Soccer is one of the simplest sports in the world. This may be the reason why it's the most popular sport in the world. Here you will find the basic soccer rules to play the game. The rules become more complicated and technical with the level of play. But even at the professional level they are quite simple. FIFA, International Federation of Football, holds the official rules to the game. According to them, the official rules may be modified in their application for players of under 16 years of age, female soccer players, veteran players (over 35 years of age), and for players with disabilities. Any or all of the following modifications are permissible:

• size of the field of play

• size, weight and material of the ball

• width between the goal posts and height of the crossbar from the ground

• duration of the periods of play

• substitutions

Size of field: The field must be rectangle, that's pretty much it. Soccer field size depends on good judgment of how many players on each side. and the size of your goals. The more you coach the better you will get at judging a field size. You want it big enough to keep ball in play but small enough to engage all players and prevent boot ball. To be considered true international competition basic soccer rules (11 vs 11) field must be:

Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds) maximum 110 m (120 yds)

Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds) maximum 75 m (80 yds)

For a 5v5 soccer experience I use futsal regulation size dimensions. This creates an amazing experience pushing technical versus kick and chase ball. Visit our Soccer field layout page for dimensions specific to age and group size.

Ball Size:The ball size depends on age. Below is basic soccer rules sizes according to our programs. We use the following sizes for all development programs.

3-5 y/o - size 4 - Size 3 is a good size to kick inside the house or back yard play. However, they will outgrow size 3 fast and because of limited size the tow kick becomes a problem.

6-12 y/o - size 4- Size 4 will be used until about 11-12. It is a great size for development and a futsal ball is size 4 so I prefer to develop players under 12 with 4's.

12-adult - size 5- This is the standard size for professional and adult soccer. Some countries introduce size 5 to kids as young as 4. The ideas is more surface of ball = more surface of boot.

Players: soccer is played by two teams preferably equal number. Max players per team is 11 (Goalie + 10 field players). Team size is reduced by age. Some leagues play with 8 players for youth aged ten and under. And down to 6 per side for the under 5's. For optimum development I use futsal rules 5v5. 

Substitutions: Officially, you are only allowed 3 subs per game, however, depending on modified rules this may be different. For youth leagues usually there is no cap on subs. A substitution can only be performed when the ball is not in play which means it is out of bounds. (Ex) it's a throw in for your team, or goal kick for your team. Substitutions cannot be made when the ball is in play (even if your goalie has the ball in his/her hands.. this is still in play) This is different if your playing futsal rules.

Starting the Game: The game is started at the center of the field. The team who kicks off passes the ball Forward to a teammate at the referees signal. The opposing team is not allowed to enter the center circle until the team kicks off.

Game in play: as long the ball stay in the field the game is in play. only exceptions is when the referee blows his whistle for an infraction or offside. The ball is considered in play as long as it is in side the goal and side lines. Furthermore, it's still in play as long as it has contact with the line. Therefore, the ball may be touching the outer part of the goal or side line and still be considered in play (This applies if the ball is in the air as well). contact with the goal post, corner flag, and referee back in the field is still considered in play. The referee is considered a fixture of the field.

GOAL: In the basic soccer rules the point of the game is to get the ball in the opposing teams goal and the team with the most goals after the specified time is the winner. The ball must cross the goal line to be a goal. Therefore, if the ball is still in contact with the goal line in the inner part of the goal it is not a goal! I have seen pro's sweep through the goal line to save their team from a goal. Everybody swears that it was already in but the cameras show the ball was still in contact with the line (This applies if the ball is in the air as well). This has happened in the world cup and causes some controversy and drama as the human eye decides if it was a goal or not. No computer or sensor is used and FIFA is against using technology for that purpose. However MLS (Major League Soccer) has been looking into being the first professional league to introduce this technology. The MLS has a reputation for "trying" new things.

How long is a game? For basic soccer rules a game is no more than 90 min long. Two halves of 45 min (that's what the pros play..with a 15 min half time break)

Youth games range from 15-30 min halves with a 7-10 min half time.

NO HANDS! Alright, I know you probably knew this but here it is anyway. Only the goalie can use their hands. the definition for hand ball is any part of between your fingers (including nails) to your upper arm. Your shoulder is actually legal to use! One side note about goalies. the goalie is not allowed to use their hands if the ball was kicked back to them intentionally by any of his/her team mates. This rule is about 25 years old. in the old days defenders, when under pressure, would pass the ball back to their goalie to secure in their hands (this was a good rule change for spectators). Youth leagues under 10's don't really enforce this rule as most of the time it isn't an intentional pass back. Coaches should not be teaching this as an option.

Out of Bounds: if the ball crosses the side line it is a throw in. The team who did not touch the ball last before the ball crossed the line gets the throw in. If the ball crosses the goal line two things may occur. If the team that is defending that goal line touches it out it is a corner kick. If the team attacking that goal kicks it out it is a goal kick.