Introduction to Soccer Coach R. McDuffie

History of Soccer Soccer is a game played by two teams on a rectangular field, with the object of driving the ball into the opponent's goal. The ball is controlled and advanced primarily by using the feet; only goalkeepers are allowed to handle the ball. All that is needed to play is an area of open space and a ball. Much of the world's soccer is played informally on patches of ground, without field marking or real goals. In many places, the game is played barefoot using rolled-up rags or newspapers as a ball. Soccer is the world's most popular sport, played by men and women of all ages, with millions of fans throughout the world. A chief reason for soccer's vast popularity is that it has proved to be among the most accessible and adaptable of the world's sports. Outside the United States, the game is commonly called football and officially association football. The word soccer is a slang corruption of the abbreviation “assoc.”

Rules of the Game The Field of Play A soccer field is 100 to 110 m long and 64 to 75 m wide. Lines are marked on the field as, shown in the diagram. Fields vary in size (and quality!) hut don't use this as an excuse for a had performance! Players Each team has 11 players, plus two substitutes who can take the place of injured players. Equipment Don't wear rings, chains or watches. Boots, of course, must be legal. All studs must he at least l3mm in diameter and less than l9mm deep; sharp studs are not allowed. In any case you will probably have moulded soles, which are safer and better for Australian conditions. Fouls The referee will blow the whistle for tripping, pushing, obstructing, dangerous play, etc. They may also give free kicks for swearing or shouting. Direct Free Kicks A direct free kick allows you to kick directly for a goal without the ball being touched by another player. It is awarded for serious offences, such as charging, holding, pushing, kicking, tripping or jumping at a player, and handling the hall. If the offence happens in the penalty box, a penalty shot is given. Indirect Free Kicks When an indirect free kick is given, the ball must be played to another player before a goal can be scored. Indirect free kicks are awarded for offences such as off-side, obstruction, wasting time, a throw-in at the wrong spot. Offside The lines official and the referee will be watching for this. The off-side rule causes a lot of argument but is quite simple.

Throw-in You must throw the ball in, using one movement, with two hands from behind your head. Keep both feet on the ground behind the sideline. Scoring a Goal Goalkeeper The whole ball must cross the line for a goal to be awarded. Ball in and Out of Play The ball is only out of play when the whole ball crosses the line. If it swerves over the line and comes back in, it is out of play. A throw is taken where the ball goes out. Kick-off The ball must be played forward from the kick-off. The opposition cannot come into the centre circle until the ball is played. Length of the Game A game is played in two halves, each of 35,40 or 45 minutes, with 5 to 10 minutes for half-time, depending on your age group. Goalkeeper The goalkeeper can handle the ball anywhere in the penalty box-but can only take four steps before throwing or kicking the ball. The goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball and roll it. Dropped Ball Sometimes when the referee starts play, for instance, after an injury, the ball will be dropped from waist height between two players. The players cannot challenge until the ball touches the ground.

Field Play and Laws The Simplified Laws Of Soccer Laws 1 through 6 describe the game environment. (The field is rectangular, the ball is a sphere, each team has 11 players in jerseys and shinguards, and there is a referee and two assistant referees.) Law 1. The Field of Play A typical soccer field is shown here. The rectangle nearest the goal is the goal area. The larger rectangle outside the goal area is the penalty area. The lines on the ends of the field are called goal lines. The lines on the sides of the field are called touch lines.

The penalty area has three uses. The goalkeeper may touch the ball with hands or arms when inside the penalty area. Direct free kicks become penalty kicks when a major foul occurs inside the fouling team's penalty area. Free kicks taken by a team inside its own penalty area (including goal kicks) must leave the penalty area before being touched a second time. In addition, all opponents must be outside of the penalty area during these free kicks. The goal area has four uses. All goal kicks are taken from inside the goal area. No player may charge the goalkeeper if the goalkeeper is in the goal area without the ball. Free kicks taken by a team inside its own goal area (including goal kicks) may be placed anywhere inside the goal area, not just where the infraction occurred. Indirect free kicks awarded to a team inside the opponent's goal area, and all drop balls inside the goal area, are brought to the top boundary (6-yard line) before being kicked. The halfway line across the middle of the field has two uses.

Diagram of a Soccer Field