Match (“Game”) Objective
The object is to score goals. A goal counts as one point and is scored when the soccer ball completely crosses the opposing team’s goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. The team scoring the greater number of goals in the allotted time wins the game.
The Match
Players move a ball along a field by dribbling, passing, heading, and kicking. Two teams of eleven players are on the field at one time. Generally, teams line up with three forwards, three midfielders, four defensemen, and one goalkeeper. Any player on the field may score a goal and every player should help defend when necessary. Substitutions may take place only when play is stopped, [...]
The Soccer Pitch (Field)
A pitch is an open outdoor area on which a soccer match is played. In most sports the official technical term is field of play. Matches may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition. The color of artificial surfaces must be green. A soccer pitch is 91.4 meters long and 55 meters wide. The two longer boundary lines [...]
Player Positions
Forwards (one Center Striker and two Wings) -The team’s primary players on offense and goal scorers. Their role is to advance the ball from midfield toward the opposing goal by dribbling, passing, and shooting. Midfielders (or Halfbacks) – Play between the forwards and the defenders. Halfbacks play both offense and defense. Their primary objective is to receive the ball when it is “cleared” by teammates [...]
The Soccer Ball
The ball is made from synthetic leather patches sewn together in a design based on the “Buckminster Ball.” The American architect Richard Buckminster Fuller came up with the design when he was trying to find a way for constructing buildings using a minimum of materials. The shape is a series of hexagons, pentagons and triangles, which can be fitted together to make a round surface. [...]
Match Timeline
A soccer match is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Times vary depending upon the league. The game begins with a “kickoff ” at the center circle with each team positioned on its own side of the field (“pitch”). Teams switch sides at halftime. If a game ends in a tie, the contest is declared a draw, [...]
Officials
Professional soccer games are run by four officials, usually dressed in black or some bright color designed to contrast with the jerseys of both teams. Each has a separate but important function during the match, and they are all in constant communication with each other using various methods depending on the league. The Referee The referee is the most important of the four officials on [...]
Common Penalties
Rules regulate player conduct and how the ball may be played. When a player commits a foul, a penalty is called. Depending on the severity, degree of intent, and location of the foul, the referee will award either a “free kick” or a penalty kick to the opposing team. A player commits a foul if he kicks, hits, pushes, holds, charges, or trips an opponent, [...]
