PENALTIES
RULES
PLAYERS
INTRODUCTION
The ball is round, the game lasts ninety minutes, and everything else is just theory. josef
“sepp� herberger
Soccer is the most popular team sport in the world. A major part of the sport’s great allure is its simplicity, but if you are a little unsure of the basics, this guide will help you understand the sport a little better. Soccer is a game played by 2 teams with 11 players each on a field with a goal for each team. Every player, whether playing an offensive or defensive position, works to help the team score goals — and to prevent the other team from scoring. It is a fast-paced game with few breaks and 1 simple aim — to score a goal. While the premise of soccer seems simple, to kick the ball into the opposing team’s goal, the strategies are endless. A game of soccer will last for 2 separate periods, each lasting 45 minutes. The time between the periods is called half-time and lasted for approximately 10 minutes. Each team defends half of the pitch in order to prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal in the net at the end of the pitch. Soccer coaches have developed various methods to create ways to improve the offensive and defensive tactics of the game. Generally modern teams will defend the goal using 4 defenders and a player who protects the goal, known as the goal keeper. Offensively, the coach selects 4 players in midfield and 2 strikers to create and score the goals. With the exception of the goal keeper, the players can not handle the ball. Instead, good play is developed by passing the ball in various ways to attempt to breach the opponent’s defense. Goal scoring is low in the professional soccer game with most matches decided by just 1 or 2 goals.
Soccer was originally called association football. The word “soccer” came from an abbreviation of the word “association.”
INTRODUCTION
Let’s kickoff with an introduction of the game.
08 CORNER KICK
FREE KICK
PENALTY KICK
CAUTION
ASSIST
A corner kick is a method of restarting the play. A corner kick is awarded to a team when the ball crosses the goal line after touching the defending player, and without scoring a goal. A corner kick is taken from the corner arc. A free kick is a kick taken by the player of a team which has been fouled. The opposition players aren’t allowed to obstruct the player taking a free kick. The free kick need not be taken by the player who has been fouled, and can be taken by any person from his team. When a clear foul is committed by the defending team inside their penalty box, a penalty kick is given to the attacking team. The penalty kick is taken directly from the penalty spot, and only the goalkeeper is allowed to defend it. The penalty kick need not be taken by the player who has been fouled, and can be taken by any player from the team. If the referee sees a player making too many fouls, he has to ensure that the player is cautioned. Ignoring the caution, and continuing to commit fouls results in a yellow or a red card, depending on the nature of the foul. The last pass made by a player before the goal is scored.
HEADER
A header is when the player touches the ball with his head.
TACKLE
A tackle is when a player makes an effort to get the ball from an opposition player who has possession.
CROSS
A pass made from one wing of the pitch towards the forwards in the penalty area.
When the score is tied at the end of the regulation time, 2 halves of 15 minutes each is added as extra time. If the scores are still level at the end of extra time, the game goes into a penalty shootout.
FORMATION
A formation is the shape in which the players of a team are arranged.
HANDBALL
When a player touches the ball with his hands, it is called a handball.
HAT-TRICK
A player is said to score a hat-trick when he scores 3 goals in 1 game.
INJURY TIME
Injury time or stoppage time is the time added at the end of each half to account for stoppages in play due to injuries, fouls, etc.
KICKOFF
Marks the start of a game.
OFFSIDE
A player is said to be offside when he is closer to the opposition’s goal than the opposition defenders, when his teammate passes the ball to him, and is in the opposition half of the pitch.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
If the scores of both teams are still tied, there is a penalty shootout, where each team is given 5 penalty shots. The team that scores more penalties, wins.
LINESMAN
The linesman is the one who checks and tells the referee which team took the last touch before the ball went out. The linesman also decides the offside call, and in some instances, fouls that may have been overlooked by the referee.
SET PIECE
A free kick, corner, or a penalty is known as a set piece.
INTRODUCTION
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EXTRA TIME
key terms
I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion. mia hamm
PLAYERS
Each soccer team has 11 players — 1 goalkeeper and 10 field players. Every player, whether playing an offensive or defensive position, works to help the team score goals — and to prevent the other team from scoring.
A soccer player runs an average of 6 miles during an entire game.
positions
FORWARDS Striker, center forward, left and right, or two forwards The forwards may have the most straightforward job description on the field: score goals. Forwards are also known as attackers or strikers, in fact, the terms striker and forward are often times used interchangeable. Forwards come in all shapes and sizes and, accordingly, present different threats. A taller striker could be more dangerous in the air, while a smaller, quicker player may be more effective with the ball at his feet. Teams play with anywhere from 1 to 3 strikers (sometimes 4 if times get desperate) and try to blend different styles. The objective is for the forwards to have a good understanding of each other’s game to better set up opportunities for each other. Frequently, 1 forward will play a little deeper than the other to collect the ball sooner and open up a defense. Those players, who tend to be the most creative on the team, are traditionally called a “Number 10,� in reference to the jersey number they usually wear.
DEFENDERS
The defenders stationed in the center of the back line (known as central defenders or center backs) tend to be some of the taller and stronger members of the team since they so frequently have to win the ball in the air. They go forward very little, except on set pieces, and hold a position of great responsibility. The defenders on the flanks (known as wingbacks in 5-player defenses, or fullbacks) are usually smaller, quicker, and better on the ball. Their job is to shut down attacks coming down the sides, but they are also frequently a key component of their side’s offense. Pushing up the sidelines, they are able to support the midfielders and push deep into opposition territory to deliver crosses.
PLAYERS
Center backs, full backs, wing back (left or right backs) A defender’s primary duty is to win back the ball from the opposition and prevent them from scoring. Teams play with anywhere from 3 to 5 at the back and each member of the defense tends to have a different, yet equally important duty.
MIDFIELDERS Center midfield, left and right midfield The midfield is one of the most demanding places to play on the soccer pitch. These players are the link between the defense and attack. Midfielders are usually the fittest members of a team, since they do the most running. They share the responsibilities of the defenders and the forwards since they must both win the ball back and create opportunities up front. The various midfielders’ roles depend heavily on a team’s particular system. Those on the flank may be asked to primarily deliver crosses or cut into the middle with different degrees of defensive accountability. Those in the center, meanwhile, may be asked to mainly hold the ball and win it back (such as a holding midfielder or an anchor) or venture forward and feed balls to the attackers. The best midfielders are versatile enough to offer a team both. In a full game, teams play with anywhere from 3 to 5 midfielders, arranging them in different shapes. Some will have the 5 line up straight across the field, while others will have the middle 2 or 3 set up 1 behind the other in what is known as a diamond formation.
GOALKEEPER
The goalkeeper’s uniform is different from the rest of his team’s to make it obvious which player may use his hands. The jersey, often with long sleeves, is colored to clash with the others. And since the 1970s, goalkeepers have worn gloves to both protect their hands and enhance their grip on the ball.
HYBRID POSITIONS There are 2 positions that sometimes crop up in soccer which are never played by more than 1 person at a time. They are sweeper and libero, which is sometimes called a midfield sweeper. A regular sweeper plays just behind the central defenders and acts as a last line with a lot of freedom to cover where danger presents itself. A midfield sweeper usually plays just in front of the defense and helps to slow down opposing attacks by acting as one extra barrier. This is played in a diamond shape.
PLAYERS
The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use his hands and that can only occur within the confines of the penalty area. There are never more that 2 goalkeepers on the field at any time — 1 on each team.
Professional soccer games are run by four officials, usually dressed in black or some bright color designed to clash 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 in certain leagues thanks to the recent introduction of microphones and earpieces.
PLAYERS
19 In 1964 a referee’s call during a soccer match in Peru caused a riot that killed over 300 people.
officials
20 REFEREE
The referee is the most important of the four officials on the pitch. Only he carries a whistle and he uses it to signal the starts and stops of play. Those include kickoff, half-time, full-time, goals, and fouls. In the event of a foul, the referee can blow his whistle to award a free kick — or a penalty kick if it happens to occur inside the penalty area — and penalize the player who committed it. A referee’s first recourse is usually a stern verbal warning. But beyond that, the referee can show the player a yellow card and take his name — this is frequently known as a booking because the referee writes the name down in a little book. A player who receives 2 yellow cards in a game is sent off and his team will have to continue with one fewer players on the pitch. Besides the yellow card, the referee also carries a red card which he can use to punish especially serious infractions. The red card means an immediate dismissal. The referee also has the power to dismiss a manager from the sideline.
LINESMEN
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Finally, it is also the linesman’s responsibility to signal when an attacking player is in an offside position by raising his flag. In order to have the best possible view to make that call, the linesman stays level with the last defender of the team in his half of the field at all times. You can read more about the offside rule here. No matter what, however, a linesman’s call does not take effect unless the referee blows the whistle.
PLAYERS
There are 2 linesmen in an officiating crew, each assigned to half of the field. As their name indicates, they patrol the length of the touch line between the halfway line and one goal line. They each carry a brightly-colored flag and use it to signal when the ball has left the pitch either for a throw-in, a goal kick, or a corner kick.
FOURTH OFFICIAL The fourth official, positioned on the touchline between the 2 opposing benches has three primary functions. First, he keeps track of all the stoppages during the game. And, at the end of each half, he informs the players how much time will be added on to make up for them by flashing a number on a board. The fourth official is also in charge of verifying substitutions. He checks a substitute’s equipment before recording the change and posting the numbers of the players involved on the board. Finally, the fourth official is also the managers’ primary liaison to the referee. All too often, they bear the brunt of a manager’s dissatisfaction with the referee’s decisions.
FIFTH OFFICIAL?
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Some of the plans for introducing video replays call for adding a fifth official, stationed in a booth above the field, to review every contested decision. But so far, soccer’s world governing body has been reluctant to move in that direction.
A bolt of lightning killed an entire soccer team during a game in 1998.
PLAYERS
There is a vocal movement inside soccer to include in-game replays in order to guarantee the accuracy of those refereeing decisions that turn matches — was a player offside when he scored, did the ball cross the line, did the foul really merit a penalty?
The rules of soccer are very simple, basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn’t move, kick it until it does. phil woosnam
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the goal line between the posts and crossbar, provided there is no infringement such as offside, a foul or handball. The team that scores the most goals wins the match. If the number of goals scored between the 2 sides is equal at the end of a match, it is a draw.
The highest scoring soccer game was 149-0. It resulted from a protest.
RULES
When competition rules require that there must be a winner, the outcome will be decided by either: › away goals rule › extra time › penalty kicks
scoring
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A soccer field (sometimes referred to as the pitch) is at least 100 yards long, 50 yards wide, and has a goal centered at both ends. Within the field are markings including those for the penalty area and spot, the center spot for kick-offs, and, of course, the corners — without which corner kicks would just be kicks.
The field of play is divided into 2 halves by the halfway line, which joins the middle of both touchlines. In the middle of this halfway line is the center mark commonly referred to as the center spot. Around it is marked a circle with a 10-yard radius. The field can be constructed of grass, or it can be composed of man-made materials such as AstroTurf. The color of any artificial surface must always be green.
RULES
Matches consist of two 45 minute halves, unless the two teams and referee agree otherwise before the start of play. The half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes, and can only be altered upon consent of the referee. A referee may play added time because of substitutions, assessment of injuries, removal of injured players from the field of play, time wasting and any other cause. An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules state otherwise.
field & timing
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Kick-off is the way of starting or restarting play: › to begin a match › if a goal has been scored › to begin the second half › to begin a period of extra-time The team that wins the coin toss decides which goal they will attack in the first-half. The opposition will kick off the first-half, with the team that won the toss kicking off the second, attacking the opposite goal. After a goal is scored, the kick-off is taken by the other team. All players must be in their own half of the field at kick-off. The opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be 10 yards away from the ball when it is first touched. The ball must be stationary on the center mark. The kick-off cannot be taken until the referee gives a signal. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moved forward. The player kicking off must not touch the ball again until another player has. If this occurs, an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposition to be taken from the position of the ball where the infringement occurred. Any other infringement will lead to the kick-off being retaken.
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The Dropped Ball A dropped ball is a method of restarting play when, while the ball is still in play, the referee is required to stop play temporarily for any reason that is not mentioned elsewhere in FIFA’s Laws of the Game. Instances when this occurs can include a clash of heads, a defective ball or a foreign object entering the pitch. Free Kick Free kicks are either direct or indirect, and the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken. The kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
Preparing for the penalty kick The referee must confirm the following before the kick is taken: › the kicker is identified › the ball is placed properly on the penalty mark › the goalkeeper is on the goal line between the posts and facing the kicker All other players on the field are: › outside the penalty area, outside the penalty arc › behind the ball
RULES
The Penalty Kick Feinting in the run up to taking a penalty kick to confuse the goalkeeper is permitted. However, feinting to kick the ball once the player has completed his run up is considered an act of unsporting behavior for which the player must be cautioned by the referee.
Throw Ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks When the ball goes out of play over the touchline, a throw in will be taken by a player from the team who did not touch the ball last. When the whole of the ball goes over the goalline, a goal kick or corner is awarded, depending on which team touched the ball last. If the defending team touched it, a corner is awarded to the opposition. If the attacking team had the last touch, a goal kick is awarded.
kicking
A penalty is a cowardly way to score. pelÉ
It’s a dramatic moment in a soccer match when the referee calls for a penalty kick. When a defender commits a foul in the penalty box, play is stopped and an offensive player is given a shot on goal with only the goalkeeper playing defense. Referees can take disciplinary action on the pitch, ranging from awarding free kicks to disqualification, when a foul in 1 of 5 areas is committed. Dangerous Play FIFA, the international governing body of the sport, sets the Laws of the Game. These rules have been adopted worldwide by federations and national organizations like US Soccer. Law 12 covers fouls and misconduct, including those “considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force.” These plays, where a player kicks, trips, jumps at, charges, strikes, pushes or tackles another player, result in a direct free kick. In this situation, a player may kick directly toward the goal. Referees may award an indirect free kick, a kick following a stoppage where a player can pass the ball anywhere he or she chooses. Particularly egregious plays may earn the player a yellow card, or caution. Violent conduct earns a red card and immediate ejection. Disrespect The laws require players to show good sportsmanship at all times during the match and penalties for failing to do so are severe. Spitting at an opponent results in a red card and direct free kick. A red card also is shown to any player who uses offensive or abusive language or gestures, or commits serious foul play, at the referee's discretion. Unsportsmanlike behavior or disputing the referee's decision by word or action is punishable by yellow card.
Impeding Progress Referees can call penalties when a player impedes the progress of another player or the game itself. Direct free kicks are awarded for holding an opponent, either by the jersey or body part. Impeding the progress of an opponent or delaying the game by preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his or her hands may result in an indirect free kick. The referee can also show a yellow card to any player who deliberately delays the restart of the game for any reason. Touching the Ball Players, with the exception of the goalkeeper, may only touch the ball with their hands when a play is blown dead or when in bounding the ball. Intentionally touching the ball on the field during play results in a direct free kick. Using your hand to deliberately prevent a goal from being scored is a red card offense. Even though a goalkeeper may touch the ball, there are 4 instances when he can be penalized: holding the ball for 6 seconds or more, touching the ball after releasing it and before another player comes in contact with it, touching it after it was kicked to him or touching it after it was thrown in bounds by another teammate. Any of those infractions may result in an indirect free kick.
The percentage success rate of penalty shoot-outs in the World Cup is 71.2%.
PENALTIES
Technical Penalties Players who violate the technical rules of play can also be penalized. The referee can levy a yellow card when a defender does not provide an offensive player the proper amount of space during a corner kick or inbound. A yellow card is also shown if a player leaves, enters or reenters the field of play without the referee’s permission.
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If a player attempts to take the ball from an opponent but misses and instead makes contact with the player, the referee will regard this as a foul and stop the game and award a free kick to the fouled team. Dependent up on the severity of the foul, the referee can issue the player with either a yellow or a red card. A yellow card indicates to the player that they risk being issued with a red card later in the game. The red card indicates that the player must leave the game immediately. In these circumstances they are not allowed to return for the remainder of the game. The team whose player is sent off has to play with 10 players. After awarding a free kick or penalty kick, a referee may take further disciplinary action against a player by showing him a yellow or red card. Offside Perhaps the most confusing law is the offside rule. At its simplest interpretation, an offensive player cannot be ahead of the defense as the play develops. This is regarded as attempting to gain an unfair advantage and if seen by any of the referees will result in a free kick for the defense. It’s not an offense in itself to be offside. A player is only penalized for being offside if he is deemed to be involved in active play. So a player can only be called offside if he is: › in the opposition’s half › interfering with play (that is, being part of the attacking move › interfering with an opponent (that is, preventing the opponent from defending against the attacking move) › gaining any advantage by being in that position › a player can’t be offside from a goal kick, throw in, or corner
Yellow Cards A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences: › is guilty of unsporting behavior › shows dissent by word or action › persistently infringes the Laws of the Game › delays the restart of play › fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick › enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission › deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission
PENALTIES
Red Cards A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offences: › is guilty of serious foul play › is guilty of violent conduct › spits at an opponent or any other person › denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) › denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick › uses offensive, insulting or abusive language › receives a second caution in the same match
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Direct Free Kick When the referee stops play for certain fouls, he may award a team a direct free kick, meaning that team will resume play from the spot of the infraction with a pass or a shot at goal. Any members of the opposing team must be at least 10 yards away when the ball is struck. If the free kick were indirect, it means that a second player must touch the ball before it the team can shoot at goal. A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following 6 offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: › kicks or attempts to kick an opponent › trips or attempts to trip an opponent › jumps at an opponent › charges an opponent › strikes or attempts to strike an opponent › pushes an opponent A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences: › tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball › holds an opponent › spits at an opponent › handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area) Penalty Kick A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play. One player may then take a free shot at goal (defended only by the goalkeeper standing on the goal line) from the penalty spot, located 12 yards away.
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Indirect Free Kick An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following offences: › takes more than four steps while controlling the ball with his hands, before releasing it from his possession › touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player › touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate › touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
PENALTIES
An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee, commits any of the following 3 offences: › plays in a dangerous manner › impedes the progress of an opponent › prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands › commits any other offence for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player
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