Laws of the Game

Coaches, parents, and players should all have a good understanding of the laws of soccer!  Many web sites and books (many  listed on this page) are readily available that can provide both a basic understanding of the laws as well as explanations of more complex situations that sometimes occur during the soccer match. 

Overview 

The rules of soccer are maintained by the international soccer organization FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and consist of 17 Laws of the game.  

Downloads

• The 2002 FIFA Official Rules of soccer can be downloaded as a PDF file by clicking here.
• To view a condensed version (The Cliff Notes of Soccer) of the laws click here

Summary of the Laws of Soccer

• Law 1 - The Field of Play
• Law 2 - The Ball
• Law 3 - The Number of Players
• Law 4 - The Players Equipment 
• Law 5 - The Referee
• Law 6 - The Assistant Referees
• Law 7 - The Duration of the Match
• Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 
• Law 9 - The Ball In and Out Of Play
• Law 10 - The Method of Scoring
• Law 11 - Offside
• Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct
• Law 13 - Free Kicks
• Law 14- The Penalty Kick 
• Law 15 - The Throw-In
• Law 16 - The Goal Clearance
• Law 17 - The Corner Kick

Other web sites that provide useful information concerning the Laws of Soccer are:

• AskTheRef - provides answers to frequently asked questions about the laws of soccer.  Enables you to e-mail a question to a qualified referee.
• SOCCER-COACH-L LOTG Project - A review of the laws for coaches and others
• US Soccer Referee Training Material - provides a PDF slide show of USSF Entry Level training material
• US Soccer Referee Web Page

A short summary of the  "most commonly misunderstood" rules by recreational soccer parents:

• Offsides
• Advantage
• Handball

Laws of Soccer Condensed

• Rule 1 - The Field Click here to see Field Diagram.
• Rule 2 - The Ball Regulation is circumference 27-28", weight 14-16oz. In youth soccer, ball size is adapted by age group (size 3 for U6-U8, size 4 for U9-12, and size 5 for U13 and up).
• Rule 3 - Number of Players Normally 11, but may be as few as 7 including the goalkeeper. BSA Youth Adaptations allow for a minimum of 5 players at ages U7 and U8.
• Rule 4 - Player Equipment Shin guards, shirt, shorts, socks and shoes. Shin guards are required. Shoes may not contain metal spikes/cleats. Goalkeeper must wear a different color shirt.
• Rule 5 - Referees One per game. Controls the game. All referee decisions are final.
• Rule 6 - Linesmen Two linesmen assist referee by indicating offsides, which team receives possession when ball is out of play, and which team is entitled to a corner kick.
• Rule 7 - Duration of Game A regulation game consists of two 45-minute halves. In Youth Soccer the game times are adapted by age.
• Rule 8 - Start of Play A flip of a coin decides which team will choose which goal to attack. The team that loses the coin flip kicks off. Each team must be in its own half of the field during kickoff and defending players must be at least ten yards from ball (outside of center circle) until it is kicked. After a goal, the team scored upon kicks off. After halftime, teams change ends and the kickoff is taken by the team that did not kick off at the start of the game. A goal can be scored directly from a kickoff, i.e., kickoffs are direct kicks.
• Rule 9 - Ball In and Out of Play The ball is only out of play when: a) it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air; b) when the game is stopped by the referee.
• Rule 10 - Method of Scoring A goal is scored when the whole ball has completely crossed the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar.
• Rule 11 - Offsides A player is offside when they are nearer the opponent’s goal line than the ball unless: a) the player is in their own half of the field, or b) there are at least two opponents (including the goalkeeper) between them and the opposing team’s goal. If a player is declared offside, the referee will award an indirect free kick (see Rule 13) to the opposing team at the point where the infraction occurred.
• Rule 12 - Fouls and Misconduct A player who intentionally attempts to, or actually: a) kicks, b) trips, c) jumps at, d) charges violently, e) charges from behind, f) strikes, g) holds, h) pushes, or i) intentionally touches the ball with their hands or arms shall be penalized by the awarding of a direct free kick (see Rule 13) to the opposing team. Any one of these nine offenses committed in the penalty area will result in a penalty kick (see Rule 14) being awarded. Less flagrant offenses, such as offsides, dangerous play, obstruction, or unsportsmanlike conduct, will result in an indirect free kick.
• Rule 13 - Free Kicks Free kicks are awarded for violations cited in rule 12. They are classified in two categories: a) Direct Free Kicks, from which a goal can be scored directly against the offending team, and b) Indirect Free Kicks, from which the ball must touch another player other than the kicker before entering the goal. The offending team must be at least 10 yards from the ball on all free kicks.
• Rule 14 - Penalty Kicks A direct free kick is taken at the penalty mark in front of the goal. It is a one-on-one situation with the kick against the goalkeeper. Everyone else must stay outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from the ball (the reason for the arc at the top of the penalty area) until it is kicked. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line facing the kicker until the ball is touched, although the goalkeeper may move sideways along the goal line prior to the kick.
• Rule 15 - Throw-Ins When the ball has wholly crossed the touchline, it is put back into play at the spot it crossed by a player from the opposite team that last touched the ball. The player throws the ball over their head, with equal force from both hands. The player must have both feet touching the ground, and be on or behind the touchline. When throwing the ball in, the thrower must loft the ball in the air (not spike it). A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. There is no offsides on a throw-in.
• Rule 16 - Goal Kicks When the ball has wholly crossed the goal line after last being touched by a player from the attacking team, it is put back into play by a kick from the goal area of the defending team. The attacking team must stay outside of the penalty area before the kick. The ball may not be touched by another player until it has exited the penalty area, or it will be rekicked.
• Rule 17 - Corner Kicks When the ball has wholly crossed the goal line after last being touched by a player from the defending team, it is put back into play by a kick by the attacking team from the corner on the side that the ball went out. The ball is placed on the ground anywhere over or within the corner-arc, and the kick is taken by a member of the attacking team. The defending team must be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked. There is no offsides on a corner kick.