Soccer Unit Information Sheet
The Field
· A regulation field is 100 to 120 yards long and 65 to 75 yards wide.
· The dimensions can be modified to suit number, age, and sex of participants
· The goal net is 8 feet high and 24 feet wide
Equipment Required
1. Soccer ball
2. Two goals
Basic Rules
Soccer consists of two continuous 45-minute periods with no time outs and one half-time rest break. Play is stopped only for an injury, temporary suspension by the official, the end of a period, or a score.
Kickoff – A coin toss determines choice of ends and the kickoff. The ball is placed in the center of the field on the half-way line. All players are on their own side of the field with the defending team at least ten yards from the ball. The kicker attempts to kick the ball to a teammate to start play.
Fouls – Fouls during the course of play result in an indirect free kick, a free kick, or direct free kick depending of the severity of the foul. A direct free kick foul that occurs in the penalty area and against the defending team results in a penalty kick. When making a free kick, the opponents must be ten yards from the ball until the ball is kicked. The ball must be stationary on the free kick, must travel the circumference of the ball to be in play, and may not be re-contacted by the kicker until someone else touches it.
Direct Free Kick Offenses (goal can be scored from a direct kick into goal)
1. Handling the ball with hands or arms
2. Holding an opponent or pushing an opponent with hands or arms
3. Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
4. Jumping at an opponent
5. Kicking or tripping an opponent
6. Using the knee on an opponent
7. Charging an opponent violently or dangerously
Indirect Free Kick Offenses (goal can be scored but must be touched by another player first)
1. One player playing the ball twice before another player plays it at kickoff, throw-in, on a free kick, corner kick, or goal kick
2. A goalkeeper carrying the ball more than four steps or delaying getting rid of the ball
3. Substitution or resubstitution being made without reporting to the referee or a replacing the goalie without informing the referee
4. Non-players entering the field without the referees permission
5. Disrespecting the referee or discourteous behavior
6. Dangerous play by raising the foot too high or lowering the head to low; thus endangering another player
7. Resuming play after a player has been ejected
8. Offside
9. Charging illegally
10. Interfering with the goalkeeper
11. Obstruction other than holding
12. Leaving the field of play during the game without referee’s permission
Physical Contact - Legal body contact is allowed. A legal charge consists of a gentle nudge, shoulder to shoulder, in an upright position, one foot contacting the ground, arms close to the side of the body, and playing the ball at the exact moment of contact.
Penalty Kick – taken from any spot on the penalty mark and all players besides the kicker and the goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area.
Ball Out of Play – When the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line and was last touched by the attacking team, it is put in play with a goal kick. If last touched by the defending team, it is put in play with a corner kick. A ball put out-of-bounds over the sideline is put in play with a throw-in.
Offsides – If a player is nearer the opponent’s goal line than the ball at the moment the ball is played, they are offsides.
Dropped Ball – if play is stopped while the ball is still playable, the game is restarted by the referee dropping the ball between two opponents for either to contact at the place where play was stopped.
Goalkeeper – may use hand and arms to stop a ball from scoring; may take four steps with the ball while in possession; may punt, throw, or drop-kick the ball; and is free from interference by opponents while in possession of the ball. Only has these privileges inside the penalty area.
Scoring – A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts, and under the crossbar. May not be scored if the ball was propelled by hand or arm, or carried by an attacking player. Goals can be scored on direct free kicks, penalty kicks, and corner kicks. Goals count for one point. After a goal, a kickoff is made at the center of the field by the team scored against. Teams change ends after each regular and extra period.
Time and Players – length of game, number of substitutes, and when subs are allowed depend of the age and ability levels of the players. Each team consists of eleven players which include a goalkeeper; two backs; three midfielders; three strikers; and two wingers.
Basic Strategy
Offensive strategy is maintaining possession of the ball to score. Defensive strategy is to gain control of the ball.
History
Soccer, or football, as it is known in most of the world, is thought to have begun around 200 BC. The Chinese played the game early on as a form of military training, using a ball stuffed with hair in 400 B.C. Eskimos played aqsaqtuk, in which they played football with goals 10 miles apart. During the 1300s, football became popular in England. And in 1863, the London Football Association was formed. Then, in 1904, the Federation Internationale de Football Association was founded in Paris.
Safety
1. On the field, know where the ball is and where other players are. Be observant.
2. Watch where you are going; especially when running near the goal.
3. Wear the proper equipment: Shin guards, cleats, jerseys and proper fitting shorts and socks
4. Be very careful if playing in the rain or after rainy conditions. The field may be wet and more dangerous.