Littleton Soccer Club

Littleton Massachusetts Youth Soccer

Soccer Rules


Laws of Soccer Made Easy

We encourage players, parents, and coaches to become familiar with soccer rules (called "laws") to better enjoy the game. This brief summary is no substitute for reading the "Laws" of soccer to get a full explanation of what all the laws mean, but should help you get familiar with the most commonly applied laws.

Goal

A score occurs if the ball passes under the crossbar, between the goal posts, and all of the ball passes completely over the outside edge of the goal line.

Throw-in

If all of the ball passes completely over the outside edge of the touchline (sideline), the restart is a throw-in. The throw-in is taken by the team that did not last touch the ball. An improper throw-in or a throw-in taken from the wrong spot results in a throw-in for the opposing team.

Goal Kick

If all of the ball passes over the goal line, it was last touched by an attacking player, and a valid goal was not scored, the restart is a goal kick. The ball is placed in the goal area and kicked by a member of the defending team. All attacking players must remain outside the penalty area until the ball leaves the penalty area.

Corner Kick

If all of the ball passes over the goal line, it was last touched by a defensive player, and a valid goal was not scored, the restart is a corner kick. The ball is placed in the corner arc and kicked by an attacking player.

Drop Ball

When the game is stopped while the ball is in play, for reason other than an infraction of the Rules, the game is restarted with a drop ball.

Penal Foul (foul resulting in a direct or penalty kick)

A direct free kick is the sanction awarded at the point of infraction for any one of the ten penal fouls. For the complete working and understanding of these infractions you must read the actual laws of the game. This is an overview of the infractions that result in a direct kick.
  1. Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
  2. Tripping an opponent
  3. Jumping at an opponent
  4. Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
  5. Pushing an opponent
  6. Making contact with opponent before contacting the ball when making a tackle
  7. Holding an opponent
  8. Spitting at an opponent
  9. Deliberately handling the ball (except by goal-keeper in penalty area)

Penalty Kick

If one of the ten penal fouls is committed by the defense in their own penalty area, the sanction awarded to the attacking team is a penalty kick. The ball is placed on the penalty mark, the kicker is identified, the goal-keeper is positioned on the goal-line and all other players must remain outside the penalty area and penalty arc and not closer to the goal-line than the penalty mark until the ball has been kicked. Time is extended for a penalty kick taken at the end of half-time, full-time, or over-time.

Non-Penal Foul

An indirect free kick is the sanction awarded at the point of infraction for any non-penal foul. Again, this is an overview. The law book must be consulted for a complete working and understanding.
  1. Dangerous play
  2. Charging fairly when the ball is not within playing distance
  3. Obstruction, impeding progess of an opponent and not playing the ball
  4. Charging the goal-keeper
  5. Goal-keeper taking more than four steps while in possession of the ball, double possession, or otherwise wasting time

Free Kicks

Direct Free Kick

On a direct free kick, the ball may be kicked directly into the opponent's goal.

Indirect Free Kick

On an indirect free kick, the ball must touch another player in addition to the kicker prior to a goal being scored. The referee signals an indirect free kick by holding a hand in the air until the ball is played or touched by another player or goes out of bounds.

Advantage

The referee applies the advantage clause to allow play to continue if, in the opinion of the referee, the fouled team would lose their advantage by stopping play to award them a free kick. If the referee applies the advantage clause and the advantage that was anticiapted does not develop at that time, the referee shall penalize the original offense.

Off-side

A player is in an off-side position if he or she is nearer to the opponents' goal-line than the ball, unless the player is in his or her half of the field, or there are at least two opponents between them and the goal-line. It is not an offense in itself to be in an off-side position. A player shall only be penalized for being in an off-side position if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by a teammate, he or she is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in the play by:

A player shall not be declared off-side by the referee merely because of being in an off-side position or if the ball is received directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, or a throw-in. If a player is declared off-side, the referee shall award an indirect free kick, which shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the offense is committed by a player in the opponents' goal area, in which case the free kick shall be taken from any point within the goal area.

Misconduct Resulting in a Caution (Yellow card)

  1. Dissent with the referee's decision
  2. Ungentlemanly conduct
  3. Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
  4. Entering or leaving the field of play without the referee's permission

Misconduct Resulting in a Send-off (Red card-teams plays down that player)

  1. Violent conduct
  2. Serious foul play
  3. Abusive or foul language
  4. Guilty of a second cautionable offense after having already received a caution

Two of the most misunderstood laws are handling the ball, and off-side. As spectators and coaches, please try to refrain from helping the referee by hollering HANDS! or OFF SIDES! It will help the referee if we let them call the game on the field and then if we have serious concerns talk to the referee or someone from the LYS Board after the game.

Click Here to Return to Littleton Soccer Home


This page has been visited times.

Comments or questions?
Send email to Secretary.

Littleton Soccer Club
c/o Littleton Park & Recreation
P.O. Box 934
Littleton MA 01460
(978) 486-3120