United States Soccer Article

Some Common Soccer Rules and Terms

The basic rules of soccer are easily understood. Even the penalty rules are just common sense rules put up for the safety and enjoyment of the soccer game. Once a beginner starts playing soccer they can begin picking up rules and skills. They learn how great soccer is and start enjoying it even if they do not become the next world cup star.

Free-Kick Penalties

If a player breaks a rule during the soccer game, he is penalized. A penalty kick is awarded to the opponent. There are two different types of penalty kick when a soccer game rule is broken. One is the “direct” free kick wherein the player taking the free kick is allowed to kick the soccer ball directly between the opponent’s goalposts scoring a goal. Second free kick is called as “indirect” wherein the ball must be “touched” by another player before it can be sent into the opponent’s net.

Violations that can be awarded “indirect” free kick penalties include dangerous play, impeding the progress of an opponent, preventing an opponent’s goalkeeper from releasing the ball and whenever a penalty card is issued. “Direct” free kicks are usually awarded for certain violations such as kicking or attempting to kick, holding, tripping or attempting to trip, pushing or jumping at and charging into an opponent, and touching the soccer ball with the hands. The goalkeeper who is within his own goal area or a player taking a throw-in is the only one permitted to do this.

The Card System

Soccer game rules uses a colored card system for imposing penalties on a player who persistently or deliberately breaks the rules. The match referee places a mark on the match card alongside that player’s name to indicate that a penalty card was issued to the player.

These are the guidelines in issuing of colored penalty cards by the match referee:

Yellow card – issued for persistent violations of soccer game rules, defying the referee’s instructions, dissent, and unsporting behavior.

Red card – issued for more serious violations such as spitting, deliberately attacking an opponent and offensive behavior and is automatically issued if a player receives two yellow cards. The player who receives a red card must leave the field immediately and cannot take further part in the game.

Throw-ins and Corner Kicks

The soccer rule for throw-ins and corner-kicks are simple. If the ball passes over the outer edge of the sideline, then restart becomes a throw in. It is taken by the soccer team which didn't touch the ball last. If the soccer ball goes over the goal line, was last touched by a defensive player, and a goal wasn't scored, the restart becomes a corner kick. The goal kick is awarded when the ball passes the goal line, was previously touched by an attacking player, and a goal was not scored.