Grade 9th and 10th

The 17 Laws of Soccer Explained

Soccer’s rules and regulations are maintained and updated
annually by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
The board consists of eight members, four of which come from FIFA,
and the other four coming from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland,
and Wales all countries that contributed to the development of the
sport. FIFA’s most recently published rule book is 140 pages long,
which is a bit ambitious for the casual player who is just becoming
familiarized with the game. For this reason, we have prepared a
simplified version below that should allow you to learn the basic
rules of soccer. It is also important to note that although FIFA
publishes an established set of rules, they are often modified by
national and regional leagues and organizations. With that, you
should ensure that you inquire with your coach, fellow players or
league manager regarding any rules that deviate from the norm.
Laws of the Game
IFAB currently acknowledges 17 laws of soccer that are the
standard for any professional or international match played. They
are as follows:
Law 1: The Field of Play
Soccer can be played on either grass or artificial turf, but the
surface must be green in color. The field must be rectangular in
shape and distinctly marked by two short goal lines and two long-
touch lines. The field is divided into halves, separated by the halfway
line, which runs from the midpoints of each touchline. At the
midpoint of the halfway line is a marked center point surrounded by
a lined center circle with a radius of 10 yards. Opposing players are
not allowed to enter this circle during the possessing team’s kick-off.
The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the
goal line. Regulation lengths are:
Touch line: Minimum 90 meters (100 yards), maximum 120
meters (130 yards)
 Width (goal line): Minimum 45 m (50 yds.), maximum 90 m
(100yds).
 at each end of the field is an eight-yard-wide (7.32m) goal
centered along the goal line.
5.5m (6yards) from each goal post along the goal line and 5.5m (6
yards) out into the field (perpendicular to the goal line) is the goal
box.
 Extending 16.5m (18 yards) from each goal post along the goal
line and (16.5m) 18 yards out into the field (perpendicular to the
goal line) is the penalty box.
 in each of the four corners of the field is 1.5m height corner flag.
Law 2: The Ball
A soccer ball must be spherical in shape and made of leather or
another comparable medium. Its circumference must be in the range
of 27 to 28 inches. This rule is only applicable for official authorized
matches, as youth leagues often employ the use of a smaller ball that
is better suited to children.
All balls must be:
• spherical
• made of suitable material
• of a circumference of between 68 cm (27 ins) and 70 cm (28 ins)
• between 410 g (14 oz) and 450 g (16 oz) in weight at the start of
the match
• of a pressure equal to 0.6–1.1 atmosphere (600 –1,100 g/cm2) at
sea level (8.5lbs/sq in–15.6 lbs/sq in)
Law 3: The Number of Players
Matches are generally played by two teams of 11 to a side. The
goalkeeper is included in the 11-playertotal. If a team cannot field at
least seven players at match time, the game is a forfeit. Teams of
fewer than 11 a side can often be seen in youth leagues where
smaller teams are used as a developmental tool. FIFA-authorized
matches are generally limited to three substitutions per match, with
the exception of friendly matches. Most youth leagues allow an
unlimited number of substitutions, which must also be listed on the
game card prior to the beginning of the match, otherwise those
players are ineligible. Substitutions may only enter at the halfway
line, upon the referee’s approval, and after the player being
substituted has left the pitch. The goalkeeper may be substituted
with anyone on the pitch or any eligible substitute on the bench
during a game stoppage.
Law 4: The Players’ Equipment
All players are required to wear a jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks
and cleats. The socks must cover the shin guards entirely. If the
referee deems a player’s equipment unsatisfactory, the player can
be sent off until the issue is resolved.
Other equipment
Non-dangerous protective equipment, for example headgear,
facemasks and knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight
padded material is permitted as are goalkeepers’ caps and sports
spectacles.
Head covers
Where head covers (excluding goalkeepers’ caps) are worn, they
must:
• be black or the same main colour as the shirt (provided that the
players of the same team wear the same colour)
• be in keeping with the professional appearance of the player’s
equipment
• not be attached to the shirt55
• not be dangerous to the player wearing it or any other player (e.g.
opening/ closing mechanism around neck)
• not have any part(s) extending out from the surface (protruding
elements)
Law 5: The Referee
The referee is the authority on the field, and his word is law. If you
question a referee’s decision, you can be disciplined further simply
for dissent.
Referee’s equipment
Compulsory equipment
Referees must have the following equipment:
• Whistle(s)
• Watch (es)
• Red and yellow cards
• Notebook (or other means of keeping a record of the match)
Other equipment
Referees may be permitted to use:
• Equipment for communicating with other match officials –
buzzer/beep flags, headsets etc.
• EPTS or other fitness monitoring equipment
Referees and other ‘on-field’ match officials are prohibited from
wearing jewelry or any other electronic equipment, including
cameras.

Law 6: The Assistant Referees

The assistant referees are primarily responsible for assisting the
referee in performing his duties
– This includes signaling with a flag when a ball goes off play, when
a player is fouled, or when a player is in an offside position.
Law 7: The Duration of the Match
A soccer match is comprised of two 45-minute halves, with extra
time added for each at the referee’s discretion. The halves are
separated by a half-time period not to exceed 15 minutes. The extra
time generally corresponds with the referee’s determination of how
much time was taken up due to substitutions and injuries. The
amount of extra time is announced and displayed at the half line at
the end of each 45-minute period. Although soccer does have an
allotted time limit, it is ultimately up to the referee’s as to when to
end a match.
Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play
Kick-off is generally determined by a coin toss, whereby the
winning team can either choose to start with the ball or choose
which goal they would like to attack. The losing team is then
afforded whatever choice the winner does not elect to take. Kick-off
occurs at the start of each half, and after each goal scored, and is
taken at the center of the halfway line. If a team scores a goal, the
opposing team is given the kick-off to restart the match.
Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when it fully crosses either the goal line or the
touch line. It is also out of play if the referee stops play for any
reason. If, for any reason, the ball strikes the frame of the goal or the
referee and remains within the goal and touch lines, it is still in play.
1. Ball out of play
The ball is out of play when:
• it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground
or in the air
• play has been stopped by the referee
• it touches match official, remains on the field of play and:
• a team starts a promising attack or
• The ball goes directly into the goal or
• The team in possession of the ball changes
In all these cases, play is restarted with a dropped ball.
2. Ball in play
The ball is in play at all other times when it touches a match official
and when it rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar or corner flagpost and
remains on the field of play.
Law 10: The Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line within
the frame of the goal. At the end of the match, the team with the
most goals is the winner, barring the circumstantial necessity for
extra time.
1. Goal scored
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line,
between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no
offence has been committed by the team scoring the goal.
If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents’ goal, a
goal kick is awarded.
If a referee signals a goal before the ball has passed wholly over the
goal line, play is restarted with a dropped ball.
2. Winning team
The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner. If both
teams score no goals or an equal number of goals, the match is
drawn.
When competition rules require a winning team after a drawn
match or homeand-away tie, the only permitted procedures to
determine the winning team are:
• Away goals rule
• Two equal periods of extra time not exceeding 15 minutes each
• Kicks from the penalty mark
A combination of the above procedures may be used

Law 11: Offside

When an attacking player receives the ball while on his opponents
half, he must be level or behind the second to last defender (the last
typically being the goalkeeper). However, this rule only applies if he
is involved with the play. To get a better understanding of the
offside rule, please see the guide section for a more detailed
explanation. Offside position
It is not an offence to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
• Any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half
(excluding the halfway line) and
• Any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal
line than both the ball and the second-last opponent
The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not
considered. For the purposes of determining offside, the upper
boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.
A player is not in an offside position if level with the:
• Second-last opponent or
• last two opponents
Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
A direct free kick is awarded when a player:
 Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
 Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
 Jumps at an opponent
 Charges an opponent
 Assaults or attempts to assault an opponent
 pushes an opponent
 tackles an opponent
 holds an opponent
 handles the ball deliberately
If any of these are fouls are committed by a player in their team’s
penalty area, the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick.
Indirect free kicks are awarded if a player:
 Plays in a dangerous manner
 Impedes the progress of an opponent
 Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her
hands
 Commits any other unmentioned offense
Yellow cards are awarded as a caution or warning to a player and
can be issued for the following offenses:
 Unsporting behavior
 Conflict by word or action
 Persistent violation of the Laws of the Game
 Delaying the restart of play
 Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted
with a corner kick, free kick, or throw-in
 Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s
permission
deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s
permission
Red cards are used to send a player off the field, and can be issued
for the following offenses:
 Serious foul play
 Violent conduct
 Spitting at an opponent or any other person
 Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring
opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (the goalkeeper being
an exception)
 Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent
moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free
kick or a penalty kick
 Using offensive or abusive language and/or gestures
 Receiving a second caution (yellow card) in the same match
Law 13: Free Kicks
Free Kick is broken into two categories, direct and indirect. A direct
kick can be shot directly into the opponent’s goal without touching
another player. An indirect free kick is indicated by the referee
raising is hand during the kick. An indirect kick can only go into the
goal if it has subsequently been touched by another player before it
enters the goal. The ball must be stationary for both types of kicks.
Law 14: The Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded either when a defensive player fouls an
attacking player or commits a handball in his/her team’s penalty
area. The penalty kick is placed at the penalty spot, and all players
on both teams must remain outside the penalty box during the shot.
They may enter the box immediately after the shot is taken. The
goalkeeper may move horizontally along the goal line before the
shot is taken, but he may not come off the line until the ball is struck.
Law 15: The Throw-In
A throw-in is awarded when the possessing team plays the ball out
of bounds over the touchline. While taking a throw-in, a player must
release the ball with both hands simultaneously and keep both feet
firmly planted on the ground. If these conditions are not met, play is
stopped and the throw-in is given to the opposing team. Players are
not allowed to score directly off a throw-in and no offside during
throw-in.
Law 16: The Goal Kick
A goal kick is awarded when the offensive team plays the ball out of
bounds over the defensive team’s goal line. After the ball is out of
play, the defender or goalkeeper may place the ball anywhere within
the 5.5m goal box and kick the ball back into play.
Law 17: The Corner Kick
A corner kick is awarded to the offensive team when the defensive
team plays the ball out of bounds over its goal line. The ball is placed
within the corner area and is kicked back into play by the offensive
team. Players can score directly off a corner kick.
Video assistant referees (VARs)
In matches using VARs there must be a video operation room (VOR)
and at least one referee review area (RRA).
Video operation room (VOR)
The VOR is where the video assistant referee (VAR), assistant VAR
(AVAR) and replay operator (RO) work; it may be in/close to the
stadium or at a more distant location. Only authorized persons are
permitted to enter the VOR or communicate with the VAR, AVAR
and RO during the match.
A player, substitute, substituted player or team official who enters
the VOR will be sent off.
Referee review area (RRA)
In matches using VARs there must be at least one RRA where the
referee undertakes an ‘on-field review’ (OFR). The RRA must be:
• in a visible location outside the field of play
• clearly marked
A player, substitute, substituted player or team official who enters
the RRA will be cautioned.