Soccer Rules

There are links below to over 70 soccer rules, official soccer rules and soccer rules-related definitions.

Who makes the rules? The official soccer rules are called the "Laws of the Game" and are revised annually (usually in July) by FIFA (pronounced "FEE' fuh"), the world soccer governing body, but youth organizations usually adjust the rules to fit children. Typical adjustments are field sizes, game lengths, number of players per team, the number and frequency of substitutions, "offside" is sometimes not called, and slide tackling is sometimes not allowed. Field sizes, ball sizes, length of games & rules vary by age group. The FIFA rules do not require separate teams for girls and boys, but many soccer clubs and associations have separate leagues for boys and girls. Discuss the rule variations with an official of your league. You can find the "Laws of the Game" at FIFA.com (on the FIFA Home Page enter "Laws" in the search feature).

Why is it necessary to simplify and interpret the rules? In brief, the "Laws of the Game" are not simple and can be difficult to understand. The official FIFA rules have 17 sections and the rule book is about 70 pages long. There are also an additional 44 pages titled "Questions and Answers". In addition, how to interpret the rules is discussed in referee clinics, special memos, videos for referees, and a guidebook for soccer officials that is over 300 pages long. There is also the problem that the rules use many soccer terms that are not defined in the rules (we try to define all of these terms in the SoccerHelp Dictionary) and there are quirks, such as the fact that terms which are commonly used such as "Hand Ball", "obstruction", and "Linesmen" are not defined in the official rules. Another confusing aspect of the rules is the way "Fouls" are defined; basically, they are defined not only as "Fouls" but also in the rules regarding "Cards". For this reason, to understand "Fouls" you must also read "Cards". One of the biggest problems is that the official rules don't have a good index and there aren't good cross-links to related topics. At SoccerHelp we have tried to solve these problems by simplifying the rules and providing easy to use the links so you can go from one topic to another. In some cases, such as for "offside", we have even provided a simplified explanation and a more detailed definition.

Specific questions or topics: If you have a specific question, we suggest you start below. For example, if you want to read about fouls, start at "Fouls" and then read "Cards" and follow the links. Keep in mind that many of the rules are designed to promote Fair Play and to prevent players from being hurt.

For an overview of the official rules: If you want an overview of the official rules, we suggest you go to FIFA.com and review the Table of Contents of the "Laws of the Game" (on the FIFA Home Page enter "Laws" in the search feature).

Keep in mind that most youth leagues, women's leagues and adult recreational leagues modify the rules: In the topics listed below we mention the typical modifications to the rules that are made by most youth leagues. The modifications that are made are usually to make matches more fun (e.g., smaller fields), safer (e.g., no slide tackling), more evenly matched or to promote a better learning environment (for example, by playing "small sided").

Links To Simplified Soccer Rules on SoccerHelp: (We have started most of these topics with the word "soccer" so they can be found by the search engines. Except for the first four, they are in alphabetical order.)

Soccer field diagram - Soccer field diagram

Soccer field size - Soccer field size

Fouls in Soccer - Fouls in Soccer

Cards (Red and Yellow) - Cards (Red and Yellow)

Soccer field size - Soccer field size

Soccer advantage clause - Soccer advantage clause

Soccer age rules (U-6, U-8, etc.) - Soccer age rules (U-6, U-8, etc.)

Soccer assistant referee - Soccer assistant referee

Soccer ball (sizes and selecting a ball) - Soccer ball (sizes and selecting a ball)

Soccer booking - Soccer booking

Soccer "box" (aka the Penalty Box) - Soccer "box" (aka the Penalty Box)

Soccer cards - Soccer cards

Soccer caution - Soccer caution

Soccer center circle - Soccer center circle

Soccer center mark - Soccer center mark

Soccer coaching Do's and Don'ts - Soccer coaching Do's and Don'ts

Soccer coaching during games - Soccer coaching during games

Soccer corner flags - Soccer corner flags

Soccer corner kick - Soccer corner kick

Soccer dangerous play - Soccer dangerous play

Soccer direct free kick - Soccer direct free kick

Soccer encroachment - Soccer encroachment

Soccer end line (aka the goal line) - Soccer end line (aka the goal line)

Soccer equipment - Soccer equipment

Soccer "fair charging" (see shoulder charge) - Soccer "fair charging" (see shoulder charge)

Soccer field "center" (see "middle" below) - Soccer field "center" (see "middle" below)

Soccer field corner arc - Soccer field corner arc

Soccer field lines - Soccer field lines

Soccer field "middle" (the terms "middle" and "center" are often misused) - Soccer field "middle" (the terms "middle" and "center" are often misused)

Soccer Forwards ("F's") - Soccer Forwards ("F's")

Soccer fouls - Soccer fouls

Soccer free kick - Soccer free kick

Soccer Fullbacks ("FB's") - Soccer Fullbacks ("FB's")

Soccer goal, when scored? - Soccer goal, when scored?

Soccer goal area (aka the "Goal Box) - Soccer goal area (aka the "Goal Box)

Soccer goal kick - Soccer goal kick

Soccer goal line (aka the "end line") - Soccer goal line (aka the "end line")

Soccer goalkeeper (GK or goalie or Keeper) - Soccer goalkeeper (GK or goalie or Keeper)

Soccer halfway line - Soccer halfway line

Soccer hand ball - Soccer hand ball

Soccer impeding (see "obstruction") - Soccer impeding (see "obstruction")

Soccer indirect free kick - Soccer indirect free kick

Soccer injuries (expected behavior) - Soccer injuries (expected behavior)

Soccer injury time - Soccer injury time

Soccer kick off - Soccer kick off

Soccer late tackle - Soccer late tackle

Soccer "Laws of the Game" - Soccer "Laws of the Game"

Soccer lines (rules relating to stepping on lines and the ball crossing the line) - Soccer lines (rules relating to stepping on lines and the ball crossing the line)

Soccer linesman - Soccer linesman

Soccer Midfielders ("MF's") - Soccer Midfielders ("MF's")

Soccer number of players - Soccer number of players

Soccer obstruction - Soccer obstruction

Soccer offside rule (simplified and detailed versions) - Soccer offside rule (simplified and detailed versions)

Soccer penalty area (aka the "Penalty Box" or "Box") - Soccer penalty area (aka the "Penalty Box" or "Box")

Soccer penalty box arc - Soccer penalty box arc

Soccer penalty kick ("PK") - Soccer penalty kick ("PK")

Soccer playing time - Soccer playing time

Soccer positions - Soccer positions

Soccer red card - Soccer red card

Soccer referee - Soccer referee

Soccer re-start - Soccer re-start

Soccer sandwiching - Soccer sandwiching

Soccer serious foul play - Soccer serious foul play

Soccer shoulder charge - Soccer shoulder charge

Soccer side line (aka the "touch line") - Soccer side line (aka the "touch line")

Soccer slide tackle - Soccer slide tackle

Soccer small sided - Soccer small sided

Soccer stoppage time - Soccer stoppage time

Soccer substitutions - Soccer substitutions

Soccer throw in - Soccer throw in

Soccer touch line - Soccer touch line

Soccer Unsporting Behavior - Soccer Unsporting Behavior

Soccer warning - Soccer warning

Soccer worrying the goalkeeper - Soccer worrying the goalkeeper

Soccer yellow card - Soccer yellow card

Things you are not allowed to do - Things you are not allowed to do

Soccer Practice Plans - Soccer Practice Plans

SOCCER RULES