Parents
Recommended
Soccer Equipment | Rules of the game | Basic Soccer Positions
Recommended
Soccer Equipment
 FIFA
governs soccer competition on youth and amateur levels worldwide by
registering players and overseeing national soccer federations. In the
United States about 20 million people play soccer. Almost every urban
community has at least one amateur association, and many rural
communities do as well. Local leagues are governed by their state’s
soccer association. The 50 state associations fall under the control of
the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the governing body for all
U.S. soccer. The USSF in turn falls under FIFA.
FIFA
laws recommend the following player equipment:
Soccer uniforms consist of jerseys, shorts, socks, shin guards and shoes with cleats (short knobs on the bottom of the shoe).
Players wear cleated shoes for better traction while they are running. Cleats give them increased speed and maneuverability.
Soccer rules require players to wear only one piece of protective equipment, shin guards. Shin guards are small shields worn on the front of the leg between the knee and top of the foot. They protect the lower leg against kicks.
The jerseys must include a number on the back so that game officials (and fans) can identify players quickly. Goalkeepers must wear a color that distinguishes them from the rest of the players on the same team. This way, the referee can easily know which player is allowed to use the hands within the penalty area. Goalkeepers’ jerseys and shorts often have extra padding stitched into the arm and hip areas to protect them when they dive to make saves. Most goalkeepers also wear special gloves that help them grip the ball.
|
"Soccer,"
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. |
Rules of the game
No Hands
The
first rule of the game is simple: No Hands! The
way this rule is explained is that a player cannot purposely use their hands, in
other words, handle the ball. If a ball were to hit a players hand (fingertip to
shoulder), this is not considered a hand
ball.
The referee must
determine if the incident were accidental or purposeful.
Kick-offs, Corner Kicks & Goal Kicks
A
kick-off signifies the start of a soccer game. It also signifies the start of
each new quarter and a new play, after a team has scored.
The
players take their given positions on their own half of the field and the ball
is placed in the center of the field.
The
play can begin only after the referee blows the whistle. Once the
ball is tapped or kicked, it is considered "in play".
A
corner kick or goal kick is taken when the ball leaves the field across a goal
line. If
the offensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a goal kick. If the
defensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a corner kick.
The
goal kick is taken from anywhere inside the “goalie box” by any player. The opposing team should
be at least 4 yards from the ball.
The
corner kick is taken from the corner nearest to
where the ball left the field.
Throw-ins
A
throw-in is taken when the ball crosses a sideline and leaves the field. The two
basic soccer rules for a proper throw-in are that both feet must remain on the ground
and the ball must be thrown with both hands over the head.
Two-Touch Rule
When
putting a ball into play, the player cannot touch the ball twice in a row. Often
times the player may not have moved the ball much distance and will attempt to
take another kick on the ball. This is not allowed. Another variation of this
rule is that a player cannot throw the ball in and then immediately kick it. It
must be handled by other players first.
Fouls
The
referee can call fouls on any players that commit any major infractions
intentionally. These are kicking, tripping, or jumping at an opponent; violently
charging, striking, holding, pushing, or spitting at an opponent; tackling an
opponent that does not have the ball; or touching the ball with the hands. If a
player commits any of these offenses inside his own penalty area, the opposing
team is awarded a penalty kick.
Basic
Soccer Positions
Fullback/Defender – A player who plays in the rear defensive third of the field. Focus is on stopping the
opposing teams attackers from scoring.
Forward – A player who is responsible for most of a team's scoring. They play in the attaching third of the
field, where they have the most opportunities for shots on goal.
Goalie/Goalkeeper – This player is positioned in front of the goal net. The focus is to try to prevent shots from crossing the goal
line into the net; this is the only player allowed
to use their hands and arms in soccer, but only within the 18-yard penalty area.
Halfback/Midfielder – A player who plays in the middle third of the field between the
forwards and defenders. Their focus to play both defense and the offense through
ball control and passing.
|
