Basic Soccer Rules

Since soccer originated in Great Britain in early 1800's, it has captivated the imagination of billions, all over the world. The basic soccer rules were put forward by London Football Association which was founded in 1863. Earlier Americans preferred American Football over soccer, but today, the scenario is changing, soccer is liked by many. Today there are over 3 million soccer players in America. Soccer is a delightful game with many rules and regulations that help to make the game interesting. To play any sport, it is important to know the rules of the game. There is a popular saying, 'Soccer is simple, but it is difficult to play simple.' So let's find out what are the basic soccer rules.

Basic Rules of Soccer

Before starting the explanation for basic soccer rules, I would like to tell you how the game is played. Soccer is played between two teams of 11 players each. The game duration is 90 minutes. It is played on a rectangular shaped ground with a goal post at each end. The goal posts are guarded by goal keepers, who must stop the ball from going in his goal. The goal keepers are the only players who can use their hands to stop the balls. Each team should kick the ball into the opposition team's goal post. The team that scores maximum number of goals win. A referee is the one who enforces the rules on the field. He is the controller of the game. His main job is to take decisions of the fouls and free kicks. So now let's start with the basic soccer rules, which will help you play in the spirit of the game.

Duration
The total duration of the game is 90 minutes, which is split in two halves of 45 minutes each. There is break time of 15 minutes after the first half. If there is a tie or no goal is scored in this 90 minutes then in order to have a result 2 periods of 15 minutes extra time is awarded. If the team scores are still level then penalty shoot outs are taken. Penalty shoot out are taken from the penalty mark with only the goalkeeper guarding the goalpost. Five penalty kicks are taken alternately by each team. The team which is ahead with maximum goals in five kicks wins the match. In a case where the scores are still level even after penalty kicks then the game proceeds to sudden death. Sudden death is like a tie breaker, the team which is ahead of another after taking one penalty kick each wins.

Fouls
If a player pushes or kicks an opponent when he is trying to get the ball, it's termed as a foul. If the player has pushed or kicked the opposite player knowingly it's a misconduct. Referee can signal a yellow card, if it's less severe or a red card in a worst case scenario. Apart from this, referee can signal a free kick or penalty kick.

Free Kick
Free kick are of two types one is direct and the other is indirect. Direct free kick is awarded when it's a foul or a handball. A player can directly hit the ball into the goal. Indirect free kick is awarded in case of an offside. Unlike direct free kick, the ball cannot be hit directly in the goal. But if it goes inside the goal post directly, without touching any player, the goal is not counted. When taking free kicks, the opposition players must at least be 9 meters away from the ball. Once a player takes a free kick, he cannot touch the ball, until his team player or opposition player touches the ball.

Penalty Kick
Penalty kick is awarded when the opposition player commits a foul or there is a case of a handball, inside the D or the penalty box, which is of 18 yard. The attacking player shoots the ball from 11 meters with only the goalkeeper guarding the goalpost.

Offside Rule
When an attacking team's player is passing the ball to his teammate, who is standing beyond the opposing teams last defender, it is termed as an offside. Another important thing is that, the player is not called offside if he receives the ball in a position beyond the last defender. This rule can be confusing for many you, but you can learn about it by reading more on offside rule in soccer.

Throw-in
When a player knowingly or unknowingly kicks the ball out of the play, on the side lines, the opponent player takes a throw in. There are rules for 'throw in' like the player should stand outside the side line with the ball over his head while throwing.

Corner Kick
Corner kick is offered when the opposition team's player touches the ball, and it passes over the opposition teams goal line. If the ball passes from the left side of the goal, corner kick is taken from the left corner, whereas if it passes from the right side the corner kick is taken from the right. Corner kick is like a free kick taken from the corner with the opposition players at a 9 meter distance from the corner. The player who is taking a corner kick, can directly hit the ball inside the goal post, just like a direct free kick.

Substitution Rules
There are ten outfield players in each team with one goalkeeper in each team. The number of players allowed on the bench for an official match is up to 9 players. However, only 3 substitutions are allowed in a match.

Apart from these basic soccer rules, some facts you need to know are that, the rectangular field on which the game is played is officially about 100 to 130 yards long, and 60 to 100 yards wide. A soccer ball is of 27 to 28 inches in circumference. It weighs about 450 grams and is made of leather.

That's all from my side on the basic soccer rules, you can also watch few soccer matches to get more accustomed to them. If you find some rules confusing or don't understand them then just remember, "The only rule to play soccer is to win!"