Laws of the Game of Soccer
Please click on the Law Number to go directly to the text of that Law.
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 (Thoughts on Offside from a U8 Referee)
Law 12
Fouls and Misconduct
Law 13
Free Kicks
Law 14
The Penalty Kick
Law 15
The Throw-In
Law 16
The Goal Kick
Law 17
The Corner Kick
Law 18
The Most Important One of All – Common Sense!

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 Guidance for Referees and Coaches

THE VERY BASIC RULES OF THE GREAT GAME OF SOCCER (Part 1 of 2)
Rules in soccer are called Laws and there are just seventeen (17) of them. The modern game evolved in the streets of England in the 19th century and was designed to be simple so everyone around the world could easily understand and play it.

We won't get into the details of all seventeen here, but we will provide a general outline so that people who are new to “the beautiful game” can get a feel for how the game is played. Generally, the Laws require that referees stop the game when something has happened which is unfair or unsafe.

WHAT'S THIS GAME ALL ABOUT?
Soccer is a simple game. All you need is a field, a ball, two teams with the proper equipment and a referee. These elements are discussed in Laws 1 – 6.

LAW 1 - THE FIELD OF PLAY (WHERE IS SOCCER PLAYED?) is approximately the size of a football field (approximately 100 yards x 75 yards) for older players and smaller for the younger players.



LAW 2 - THE BALL (WHAT IS SOCCER PLAYED WITH?) is inspected by the referee before the game to ensure it is round and safe. In AYSO, the following size ball is used:
Division
Ball Size
U6
3
U8
3
U10
4
U12
4
U14
5
U16
5
U19
5

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LAW 3 - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS (WHO, HOW MANY AND WHAT DO THEY DO?)
A team has a maximum of eleven (11) players on the field at any one time, although a game can be played with as few as seven on each team. In younger age divisions, Regions use short-sided teams, i.e., less than 11, which gives players more "touches" on the ball and the ability to learn skills quicker. The kids find it more fun too!

The players’ positions in soccer can be summarized in 4 groups:
• Goalkeeper: also known as the "keeper," this position is responsible for guarding the team's goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring. However, apart from the special privilege of being able to use his/her hands within his/her own penalty area, the goalkeeper has all of the same rights and obligations of any other player.
• Defender: this position's primary duty is to prevent the opponent from having a good shot at the goal. The defender also works to gain possession of the ball and pass it to a teammate to begin an attack.
• Midfielder: also known as the "halfback," this position plays a "transitional" game from defense to offense and vice versa. Usually the midfielder is the most active player on the field and key to maintaining play continuity.
• Forward: this position has the primary responsibility of scoring and also assists the midfielder in shifting play from defense to offense.
It's important to remember that any player may score a goal, regardless of position.

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LAW 4 - THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT (WHAT WILL I NEED TO PLAY?)
Soccer has limited equipment requirements.

The components of a player’s uniform are:
• a shirt or jersey,
• shorts,
• shinguards,
• socks, and
• shoes.

All the players on a team should have jerseys of the same color, except the goalkeeper.
Shinguards are mandatory during practices and games.
The socks are long socks, which must be pulled completely over the shinguards.
Where goalkeepers are used, they should wear colors which distinguish them from other players and the referee.
Appropriate shoes or cleats specifically designed for soccer or other athletic activity as long as any studs or cleats are not dangerous; flat-soled athletic shoes or sneakers are fine.

A player may not wear anything which is dangerous to other players or themselves.

Allowed equipment
Glasses - Players may wear glasses. If glasses continually fall off during play, a retaining strap may be needed.
Gloves - Goalkeepers may wear gloves as long as they are not dangerous.
Sweatpants and sweatshirts/long sleeved shirts are often allowed under the player’s jersey in cold weather.
Knee Braces - Knee braces are allowed in AYSO. The referee must ensure that the brace is padded and does not pose a danger to other players.

Unsafe equipment
Casts and splints - Casts and splints are not allowed, even if padded. Players who remove a cast or splint in order to meet this safety requirement are still not allowed to play.
All jewelry, e.g., watches, earrings (taping/band aids are NOT permitted), soft bracelets, etc, must be removed before a player is allowed to participate in practices and games. The only exceptions are medical alert items, which must be taped to ensure they are not dangerous.

AYSO teams play in uniforms (shirt, shorts and socks) supplied by the Region.

Regions provide all the field equipment such as goals, nets and flags.

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LAW 5 – THE REFEREE (WHO'S IN CONTROL OF THE GAME?)
The Center Referee is the ultimate authority during a game. The referee's chief responsibilities are to make the game as fun, fair and safe for players as possible. The referee enforces the rules - which in soccer are called Laws - by calling infractions and determining if goals have been scored. In AYSO, the referee is also responsible for ensuring that coaches maintain a positive environment for the players, including sideline, spectator behavior

LAW 6 – THE ASSISTANT REFEREE (WHO HELPS THE REFEREE? Hint - it is not the parents. (smile))
The Assistant Referee provides vital assistance to the referee by signaling offside and when the ball has gone out of play and which team gets possession. Assistant referees also assist with substitutions and the general control of the game. Assistant referees are not needed for younger age groups. Note - it is not intended for spectators to help the referee. Finally, while assistant referees are there to help the center referee, the center referee makes the final decision and need not agree with the assistant referee.

THE OBJECT OF THE GAME
The object of soccer is for players to get the ball into their opponent's goal using any part of their body except their arms and hands. Only goalkeepers may use their hands while inside their own penalty area. These elements are discussed in Laws 7 – 17.

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LAW 7 - THE DURATION OF THE MATCH (HOW LONG DOES A GAME TAKE?)
The game is played in two, timed halves of equal duration. To advance AYSO's "Everyone Plays" commitment, substitution breaks occur approximately halfway through each half (when the ball has gone out of play) to allow for player substitution. The duration of each half is determined by the age of the children playing - longer for older players and shorter for younger players. Any child of any size can become a skilled and successful soccer player as physical size is not an important factor. And the best part for them is that due to the nature of the game, every child gets a chance to participate in the action!

In AYSO, we use the following game times:

Division
Length of Games
Each Half
Total
U6
12.5 Min.
25 Min.
U8
20 Min.
40 Min.
U10
25 Min.
50 Min.
U12
30 Min.
60 Min.
U14
35 Min.
70 Min.
U16
40 Min.
80 Min.
U19
45 Min.
90 Min.

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LAW 8 – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY (HOW DOES THE GAME RESTART AFTER A STOPPAGE?)
There are eight ways to restart play. These are covered in this Law and Laws 13 – 17.

KICKOFF
A kickoff is taken from the center circle at the beginning of the game, beginning of the second half (by the team that did not kick off to start the game) and after each goal (by the team that just conceded the goal). A goal may be scored directly by the player kicking off.

DROPPED BALL is used by the referee when play has been stopped for a reason other than a law being broken, time running out or a goal scored. In AYSO, this usually occurs when a player appears to be injured. Although one player from each team usually participates in this restart, the referee may choose to have only one team represented. This restart occurs where the ball was when the referee stopped play. This is the only restart where the player initially touching the ball may touch it again before any other player does.

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Please click here to read Laws 9 - 18.
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