1. SOCCER

2. History
The sport of soccer (called football in most of the world) is
considered to be the world's most popular sport. In soccer
there are two teams of eleven players. Soccer is played on a
large grass field with a goal at each end. The object of the
game is to get the soccer ball into the opposing team's goal.
The key to soccer is that, with the exception of the goalie,
players cannot touch the ball with their hands, they can only
kick, knee, or head the ball to advance it or score a goal.
Soccer is a form of football which originated in England (1863)
but the evolution of Soccer or "Association Football" can be
traced back hundreds of years to a ball game known as
"Shrovetide football". The word "football" is from the English
language and from early medieval times the term "fote-ball"
(first recorded c.1400) was used to describe a 'ball game
played on foot' not necessarily with the foot.

3. EQUIPMENTS
The Soccer Ball
The soccer ball is spherical (round) and made of leather. For FIFA soccer,
the ball must have a circumference of 27 to 28 inches and weigh between 14
and 16 ounces. However, there are other sizes that are used for different
ages of kid's competition.
•Size 3 - this is generally the smallest ball and is used for players under 8
years old. Its circumference is 23-24 inches.
•Size 4 - Used for players 8 to 12 years old. It has a 25 to 26 inch
circumference.
•Size 5 - This is the standard sized ball (27 - 28 inches) and is usually used
for players older than 12.

4. Uniforms and Kit
The uniforms for soccer players consist
of a jersey and shorts. Players on the
same team wear the same colored
uniforms generally with a number and
name on the back of the jersey. The
goalkeepers wear a uniquely colored
jersey so they will stand out to referees
during play.

5. Shin Guards
Shin guards, or shin pads, are required.
They help protect the front of the leg, or
shin, from getting injured and bruised.
Shin guards must fit under the socks.
Goalies and forwards generally have the
lightest weight shin guards while
midfielders and, especially, defensemen
wear heavier, more sturdy shin guards.

6. Soccer Field

7. The soccer field, or football pitch, is flexible in size. It is 100 to 130
yards (90-120m) long and 50 to 100 yards (45-90m) wide. In
international play the field dimensions are a bit stricter in that the
length must be 110 to 120 yards (100 - 110m) long and 70 to 80
yards (64 - 75m) wide.
An additional rule is that the length has to be longer than the
width, so you couldn't have a square field of 100 yards by 100
yards.
Even though these are the official rules, many kid's soccer games
are played on even smaller fields than the minimum. Although the
length and width are flexible, other areas of the field are generally
fixed in size.

8. The Goal
At each end of the field is the goal. The goal is 8 yards wide and 8
feet high and is placed at the center of the goal line. They have nets
to catch the ball so you don't have to chase it, plus it helps the
referee to determine if a goal was scored.
The Boundary
The boundary of the field is drawn with lines. The lines on sides, or
the long side of the field, are called the touch lines or side lines. The
lines at the end of the field are called the goal lines or end lines.
The Center
At the middle of the field is the center line which cuts the field in
half. At the very center of the field is the center circle. The center
circle is 10 yards in diameter.

9. The Goal Area

10. Areas around the goal
Goal Area - The goal area is a box that extends 6 yards
out from the goal posts. Free kicks are taken from this
area.
Penalty Area - The penalty area is a box that extends 18
yards out from the goal posts. In this area the goalkeeper
may use their hands. Also, any penalty by the defense in
this area will result in a penalty kick from the penalty
mark.
Penalty Mark - This is the spot where the ball is placed
for penalty kicks. It is at the center of the goal and 12
yards away from the goal line.
Penalty Arc - This is a small arc at the top of the penalty
box. Players other than the goalkeeper and kicker may
not enter this area during a penalty kick.

11. The Corners
At each corner is a flag post and a corner arc.
The corner arc is 1 yard in diameter. The ball
must be placed within this arc for corner kicks.
Flag posts must be at least 5 feet tall to
prevent injury.

12. RULES AND REGULATIONS
When the ball is in play the rules of soccer are fairly simple. You
cannot touch the ball with your hands or arms intentionally
unless you are the goalie. You cannot foul another player or be
offside (these soccer rules are described below). Other than
that, the main rules of soccer are around the starting and
stopping of play.
At the start of a soccer period or after a goal, there is a kick-off
from the center circle. At the kick-off all of the soccer players
must be on their side of the field (the side they are defending).
Only the player kicking the kick-off is allowed inside the center
circle. After the kick-off the ball will be in play until the ball
goes out of bounds or the referee calls a penalty.

13. Throw-in: When the soccer ball has gone out of bounds, the
team that last touched the ball loses possession and the opposing
team gets to throw-in the ball from the point where the ball
crossed out of bounds.
Corner kick: When the defending team last touches the ball and
it crosses the goal line (and not scoring a goal), the opposing
team gets to kick the ball from the corner of the field.
Goal kick: When the offensive team last touches the ball before it
crosses the goal line, the goalie gets to kick the ball from the goal
box.
Penalty kick: When a foul occurs in the penalty area, the fouled
team is awarded a penalty kick.

14. Soccer Fouls
Soccer fouls can be any number of unfair advantages taken by a player that are called
by the referee. These can include tripping, pushing, and touching the ball with the
hands. Free kicks or penalty kicks may be awarded to the opposing soccer team. Very
unsportsmanlike behavior may result in a yellow card or a red card. Players that get
red cards are ejected from the game.
Offside Rule
The offensive player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both
the second and last opponent and the soccer ball.
Out of Bounds
Out of bounds occurs when the ball completely crosses over the boundary line.
Throw-in
When throwing the ball in at throw-in, the ball must be thrown from behind and over
the head using both hands. When the ball leaves the thrower's hands, both of his/her
feet must be touching the ground.

15. FOULS AND PENALTIES
Minor offenses - The opposing team is
awarded an indirect free kick.
More serious offenses - The opposing team is
awarded a direct free kick. This will be a
penalty kick if it occurs within the penalty
box.
Caution - A yellow card can be given for
repeated fouls. A second yellow results in a
red and expulsion from the game.
Expulsion - The player must leave the game
and cannot be substituted for.

16. Types of Fouls
The following actions are not allowed in soccer and will result in a foul call:
 Kicking an opponent
 Tripping
 Jumping into an opponent (like when you are going for a header)
 Charging into an opponent
 Pushing
 Tackling from behind
 Tackling an opponent and you make contact with the player prior to
making contact with the ball.
 Holding
 Touching the ball with your hands (if you are not the goalkeeper)
The free kick is awarded from the spot of the foul, except in the case where
it took place in the opponent's penalty box. In that case a penalty kick can
be awarded.

17. Caution (Yellow Card)
The referee can choose to give a caution or
yellow card to a player for the following actions:
• Unsportsmanlike behavior (note that this
includes trying to trick the referee)
• Arguing with the referee
• Fouling a lot
• Delaying the game
• Entering or leaving the game without
informing the referee

18. Expulsion (Red Card)
When the referee shows a red card, this means
the player has been kicked out of the game. A red
card can be given for the following actions:
• A serious foul
• Violent actions against the referee or other
players
• Using their hands to stop a goal (when not the
goalkeeper)
• Using bad language
• Receiving a second caution

19. The Goalkeeper
There are also special rules and fouls regarding the
goalkeeper. The goalkeeper can be called for a foul
for the following actions:
Holding the ball for more than 6 seconds
Touching the ball again with his hands after a
teammate has kicked the ball to him
Touching the ball with his hands directly after a
throw-in by a teammate

20. Head Referee
The head referee is responsible to enforce the laws and rules of the game. This
includes keeping track of the time, calling penalties, stopping play for an injury,
checking that the ball meets the proper requirements, and even providing a
match report after the game.
Assistant Referee
The assistant referees are generally called linesmen. Each assistant covers one
of the touch lines. They make calls regarding whose ball it is when the ball goes
out of bounds as well as offside. The assistant referee also provides advice to
the head referee.
The assistant referee often uses a flag to signal calls such as offside and
possession of the ball.

21. REFEREE SIGNALS
Direct Free Kick - Pointing one hand and
arm indicating the direction.

22. Indirect Free Kick - The referee holds
one hand straight in the air until the
ball is played.

23. Goal Kick - The referee points in
the direction of the goal.

24. Play on (Advantage) - Holds both
arms out in front with palms up

25. Corner Kick - Points with one
hand and arm toward the corner.

26. Caution or Expulsion - Holds the card
high in one hand so all can see. The
yellow card for a caution and red card for
an expulsion.

27. Penalty Kick - Points directly
at the penalty mark.

28. ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
(using flags)
Substitution - Holds the
flag in both hands above
the head.

29. Offside - The linesman will point the flag when
the offside occurs. The angle of the flag is used
to indicate where the offside occurred.
Downward at a 45 degree angle = on the third of
the field or pitch nearest to the referee
Even to the ground = in the middle of the field
Upward at a 45 degree angle = on the third of
the field or pitch furthest from the referee

30. Throw In - Points the flag in the
direction of the throw in.

31. The Whistle
The whistle is generally used
to signal the starting or
stopping of play.

32. CONTROLLING THE BALL
FIRST TOUCH
TRAPPING THE BALL
FEET
KNEES AND THIGHS
CHEST
HEAD

33. PASSING THE BALL
DIRECT PASS
PASSING TO OPEN SPACES
WALL PASSES (one-two)
LONG PASS
BACKWARD PASS

34. SOCCER FORMATIONS
• 4-4-2 = 4 Defensemen, 4 midfielders, 2
forwards. The 11th player is the goalie.

36. 4-3-3

37. 4-2-3-1
This is a popular formation used by professional and World Cup
teams today. It is complex and is built for a team with a strong
offensive lineup, especially one with strong midfielders.
Offensive or Defensive Focus (3-5-2 and 4-5-1)
Two other common soccer formations are the 3-5-2 and the 4-
5-1. The 3-5-2 has more of an offensive focus than the 4-4-2
having an additional midfielder to assist with the forwards. The
4-5-1 is a strong defensive formation and is often used by
weaker teams to keep the score close and then hope for a quick
strike goal.