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Ever wanted to know the rules of soccer (Football)? Or need a simple explanation of Soccer’s (Football’s) offside rule? Here, we have sorted through a host of references and written an article explaining the rules of Soccer in a simple, understandable way.

Brief History of Soccer

Soccer is also known as football or association football. It originated in England in the 19th century with the modern game based on the rules set by the Football Association in 1863. The first official soccer match was played in 1863 between two London clubs. It quickly gaining popularity in the UK before spreading to other parts of the world, particularly South America, Europe and Africa.

The first international soccer match was played in 1872 between Scotland and England. The first World Cup tournament, soccer’s most presitigious international tournament, was held in 1930 in Uruguay. The World Cup has been held every four years since then, with the exception of 1942 and 1946 due to World War II. The FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the sport’s governing body.

The Very Basics of Football

Soccer is played between two teams of 11 players , who play with a round ball on a field called a pitch. The aim of the game is to kick the ball into your opponents goal. Players cannot touch the ball with their hands (except for the goalies) and the team with the most goals at the end of the 90 minutes wins the match. Simple, right?

What kit is needed to play Soccer?

Soccer is played with a round ball, originally made of leather (or a sheep’s stomach!), these days balls are made from plastics and rubber. To be an approved ball it must be between 27-28 inches in circumference and 14-16 ounces in weight. Adults are recommended to play with a size 5 football.

We recommend the Senston soccer ball due to it’s robust construction and competitive price.

Most soccer clubs require the use of studded football boots, shin pads covered by high soccer socks and a soccer jersey. Goal keepers or ‘goalies’ will also wear gloves. However, those who just play for fun may only need a decent set of trainers.

The Set up

Soccer is played on a flat rectangular, grass field, known as the soccer pitch. The field must be between 100-130 meters long and 50-100 meters wide. However, many children and adults play soccer on beaches, tennis courts, school playgrounds or anywhere with enough space. The goals are set at each end of the pitch or playing area and in a full size pitch are 24 foot wide, 8 foot tall backed by a net that is 5 foot deep.   

The Teams
Each team consists of eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Many high-level teams will often keep up to 7 reserves on the bench. The goal keepers are the only players who can touch the ball with their hands and the other players are divided into defence, midfield, and attack.

Playing the game
The game is 90 minutes long, consisting of two 45-minute halves. The ball is considered in play at all times, except when it has fully crossed the goal line or touchline (the lines that mark the edge of the field).

A goal is scored when the ball is kicked into the opponent’s goal and simply, the team that scores the most goals wins the game. Fun fact: The average number of goals per game is 2.5.

The Rules of Football (Soccer)

The rules define how the game is played. Adhering to the rules is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the game and providing a level playing field for all participants. The rule that gives football its name; the goal keepers are the only players who can touch the ball with their hands!

The famous “Offside Rule”
Players are not allowed to be closer to the opponent’s goal than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent (usually the last defender). When in this position a player is in an offside position. The penalty for being so is a free kick to the opposing team.

The Throw-in
If the ball goes over the touchline (sideline), the opposing team is awarded a throw-in. When taking a throw-in, the player must throw the ball with both hands over their head and have both feet on the ground outside the touchline.

The Corner Kick
If the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line (but not in the goal) after being last touched by the defending team, the attacking team is awarded a corner kick. A corner kick is taken from the corner of the field nearest to where the ball went out of bounds.

The Goal Kick
If the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line (but not in the goal) after being last touched by the attacking team, the defending team is awarded a goal kick. A goal kick is taken from anywhere within the goal area.

Fouls and penalties

Fouls are actions committed by players that are against the rules of the game. If a player commits a foul, the opposing team is awarded a free kick or a penalty kick, depending on the severity of the foul.

A free kick is when a player is allowed to kick the ball with no intrusion from the opposing team. However, in a direct free kick (shot at goal) the opposing team will create a line of 4 men to try and block the ball and the goalie will attempt to block the goal.

A penalty kick is similar but without the 4 guarding players of the opposing team. A penalty is awarded when a defensive player fouls in the penalty area ( marked 18 yard area around each goal). A penalty kick is taken from the penalty spot, 12 yards from the goal-line.

A player can be warned or sent off by the referee depending on the severity of the foul. A “yellow card” is a warning. If a player is shown a “red card” they are removed from the game and cannot be replaced

Soccer is a beloved sport around the world, and the rules of soccer play a crucial role in ensuring a fair and exciting match for players and fans alike. From offsides and fouls to free kicks and penalties, understanding the rules of soccer can greatly enhance one’s enjoyment of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a casual fan, understanding the rules of soccer can deepen your appreciation for the sport and the strategies used by teams on the field.

As the sport continues to evolve and grow in popularity, it’s important to stay informed about the rules of the game and the changes that may occur in the future. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the skill and athleticism of the players, as well as the strategies and tactics used by teams to win.

If you’d like to get up to date scores of Soccer matches around the world check out this webpage or if you want to continue learning the rules of another popular sport, have a look at our take on the rules of basketball!