SOCCER

THE GAME

Eleven players on each team try to score by getting the ball into their opponent’s goal. These players at the same time try to prevent their opponent’s from scoring.

HOW TO BEGIN

The team that wins the coin toss gets the first touch. On a whistle, an offensive player touches or moves the ball, often making a short pass to a teammate. Once the ball is touched, the defensive players move to mark (guard) their opponents.

POSITIONS

Forwards: (one center striker, two wings) play mainly closest to their opponent’s goal,

they are the primary goal scorers.

Midfielders: (or halfbacks) Play between the forwards and the defense, their primary

Objective is to receive the ball when it is “cleared” by teammates from the

Defensive zone, and pass it up to the forwards for scoring opportunities.

Defense: (fullbacks and Sweeper)-Line up between the midfielders and their team’s goalie.

They form a row of three fullbacks and are the last line of defense before the goalkeeper. Their primary responsibilities are to prevent opposing players from scoring goals and to clear the ball up to the midfielders.

Goalkeeper: stands in front of the goal to block shots by opposing players. The goalie is

the only player allowed to play the ball with his or her hands and can do so

only when inside the 18-yard “penalty area” surrounding the goal.

WHEN THE BALL GOES OUT OF PLAY

Corner Kick: Takes place when the defensive team has kicked the ball out of bounds over

its own end line. A player, on the attacking, takes the corner kick

team, from the corner arc nearest to where the ball left the field.

Goal Kick: A kick taken by a defensive player (often the goalie) after the offensive team

has kicked the ball out of bounds over the end line. The goal kick is taken

from within the goal area and must clear the penalty area before another defensive player

is allowed to touch it.

Throw-in: When the ball is knocked completely over the sideline (touchline), the opposing team

throws it back into play. This is done with and overhead throws with two hands holding onto

the ball and both feet touching the ground.

For all outer boundaries, the ball must go completely over the line to be out-of-bounds and out-of-play.

SKILLS/TERMS

DRIBBLE: The advancing of the ball by one player using a continuous series of short kicks. This is the technique players use to maintain ball control.

TACKLE: A player’s method of taking the ball away from an opposing player moving with the ball using footwork and sliding.

TRAPPING: The ability of a player to control the ball after it has been kicked to him/her.

HEADING: Describes the action of a player hitting the ball with his/her forehead in an attempt to make a pass, block a shot, or put a shot on goal.

MARKING: A defensive technique in which one player closely guards an opponent.

FOULS

DIRECT KICK

A direct kick is awarded when a more serious foul is committed. These are contact fouls, with either the ball or opponent. On a direct kick, the ball can be kicked directly into the goal for a score. The defending team must stand 10 yards away until the ball is kicked. The following are fouls that lead to a direct kick:

	Charging: running at an opponent in a violent or dangerous way
	Handball: touching the ball with the hand or any part of the arm
	Hitting/kicking: striking or attempting to strike an opponent
	Holding: grabbing an opponent to keep the opponent from the ball
	Pushing: using the hands or arms to push aside an opponent
	Tripping: Causing an opponent to trip

INDIRECT KICK

Indirect kicks are awarded for minor infractions and are taken on the spot on the field where the foul occurred. These are usually non-contact fouls. On an indirect kick, the ball must be touched by another player before going into the goal. Again, the defensive team stands 10 yds away until the ball is kicked. The following are fouls that lead to an indirect kick:

	Dangerous Play: Playing in such a way that could cause injury (high kick, low head)
	Obstruction: A player without the ball, and no intention of playing the ball, blocks or leans into an opponent
	Offside: Players must have the ball or two defensive players (1 being the goalkeeper) closer to the goal line than they are when on the offensive side of the field to avoid being in an offside position. Practice your understanding by drawing a picture of offside and not offside below.

OFFSIDE NOT OFFSIDE

X = Defense O = Offense @ = Ball

PENALTY KICK

A direct kick foul committed by the defending team inside their own penalty box. The goalie must stand on the goal line, until the ball is kicked.