Dribbling

Dribbling is transporting the ball under control from one area to another. Soccer players cannot use their hands. Players dribble the ball with their feet, using light taps on the ball to move it along the ground.

Controlling

Controlling is receiving the ball in flight or on the ground, and then controlling it by either dribbling or passing the ball to teammates. There are many ways to control a ball: (1) allow it to hit the chest at an angle that deflects the ball to the ground where it can be controlled; (2) allow it to hit the thigh or bent knee to deflect the ball to the ground where it can be controlled; or (3) use the foot to receive/control the ball.

Heading

Heading is unique to the game of soccer. When a ball is too high to kick, players "head" the ball to pass to a teammate or score a goal. This is no longer allowed at the younger ages, however, due to recent concussion research.
 

The Team

Under-9 and older teams have between a maximum of 7 to 11 players on the field at any one time.

AYSO recommends that Regions use short-sided teams in younger age divisions (U-12 and younger). Short-sided teams will allow for younger players to get more "touches" on the ball, learn skills quicker and have more fun. Also, for similar reasons, U8 and younger do not use goal keepers.

Positions

Generally, a team offers the following positions:

• Goalkeeper - The goalkeeper is responsible for guarding his or her team’s goal and preventing the other team from scoring. Some short-sided teams play without goalkeepers. This is so shooting skills can be developed.
• Defenders - The defender’s primary duty is to prevent the opponent from having a good shot at the goal. This player also works to gain possession of the ball and pass it to a teammate for an attack.
• Midfielders - The midfielder 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 team continuity.
• Forwards (or Strikers) - The forward’s primary responsibilities are to score and • assist the midfield in shifting play from defense to offense.

It’s important to keep in mind: a) quality players in all positions are required for a team to be successful, and b) that any player on a team may score a goal, regardless of position.

What Players Need

Soccer has limited equipment requirements. However, most AYSO teams play in uniforms (shirt, shorts and socks) supplied by the local Region. Shin guards are mandatory during practice and games. Shoes are required, and it is advisable to use shoes designed specifically for soccer. Regions also provide field equipment, such as goals, nets and flags. Jewelry is not allowed at any level.

The Officials

AYSO recommends the use of three game officials – one referee and two assistant referees.

The referee is the ultimate authority during the game. The referee’s chief responsibilities are to make the game as fun, fair and safe for the players as possible. The referee enforces the rules, which in soccer are called “Laws”, by calling fouls (offenses) and determining if goals have been scored.

Assistant referees provide vital assistance to the referee by signaling 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.

The Laws (Rules) of the Game

There are 17 rules in soccer, called “The Laws of the Game,” and they are easy to understand. Their purpose is to make the game fun, safe and fair.

The object of the game is for the players to get the ball into their opponent’s goal using any part of their body except hands and arms. Only goalkeepers may use their hands, but only while inside their own penalty area.
Generally, the Laws require that referees stop the game only when something has happened which they decide is unfair or unsafe. Important elements of the Law to be familiar with include ball in and out of play, fouls, misconduct and offside.

Kickoff

To start the game or the second half, and after each goal, a kickoff is taken from the center circle.

Throw-In

After the ball has completely crossed the side boundary lines–called touch lines–a throw-in is awarded against the team that last touched the ball. The throw-in is taken from where the ball left the field and must be thrown with two hands from behind and over the head, while both feet are on the ground on or behind the touch line.

Goal Kick

The goal kick is taken by the defending team each time the ball crosses the goal line without a goal being scored and was last touched by an attacking player. The ball may be placed anywhere in the goal area and is not considered back in play until it has been kicked out of the penalty area.

Corner Kick

This kick is taken by the attacking team each time the ball is kicked by the defense over its own goal line without a goal being scored. The ball is placed within the three-foot arc in the corner of the field (nearest to where the ball went out of play) and kicked into play by the attacking team.

Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded when a defending player commits one of the 10 major fouls within his or her own penalty area while the ball is still in play. The penalty kick is taken by a player from the offended team from a spot 12 yards from the goal. All players must remain outside the penalty area, 10 yards from the ball, and behind the penalty kick mark until the kick is taken, except for the kicker and the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the ball is kicked. Once kicked, the goalkeeper may try to stop the ball from entering the goal. The kicker, after waiting for the referee’s signal, may score by kicking the ball directly into the opponent’s goal.

Misconduct

There are two kinds of misconduct: (1) when an action results in a caution (yellow card) from the referee, and (2) when an action results in a player being sent off or ejected from the field (red card). A referee may also warn a player to improve his or her conduct (or unsporting behavior) before a caution is issued.

The referee also has the authority to suspend or terminate play because of field conditions or due to misconduct or interference on the part of coaches or spectators.

Offside

A player is offside if he or she gains an advantage from being ahead of the ball at the moment the ball touches or is played by a member of the same team, except if that player...

• is in his/her own half of the field;
• has two opponents even with or between him/her and the opponent’s goal line;
• is the first to receive the ball from a throw-in, corner kick or goal kick;
• is not involved in active play by interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in that position

The referee’s moment of judgment is the instant the ball is played, not when it is received.

The Fouls

Major Fouls

There are 10 major fouls that result in a direct free kick (DFK), and from which a goal may be directly scored against the opponents. The 10 fouls are divided into two groups. Seven within the first group require that the foul be committed carelessly, recklessly or using excessive force:

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
• Striking or attempting to strike an opponent.
• Pushing an opponent.
• Charging an opponent.
• Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent.
• Jumping at an opponent.
• Tackling an opponent and making contact with the opponent before the ball.

The other three fouls require only that they be committed:

• Spitting at an opponent.
• Holding an opponent.
• Handling the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeepers within their own penalty areas).

Minor Fouls

There are eight minor fouls that result in an indirect free kick (IFK). At least one additional player of either team must touch the ball before a goal can be scored from an IFK.

• Playing in a Dangerous Manner - Including kicking at a ball that is near another player’s head or trying to play a ball held by a goalkeeper.
• Impeding the Progress of an Opponent - Getting between an opponent and the ball when not playing the ball.
• Preventing the Goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands.
• Commits any other offense, not previously mentioned in Law 12 (Misconduct), for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player.

Goalkeeper Offenses

An IFK is also awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, within his/her own penalty area, commits any of the following four offenses:

• While controlling the ball with the hands, takes more than six seconds before puting the ball back into play.
• Touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and before it has touched another player.
• Touches the ball with the hands when the ball is deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a teammate.
• Touches the ball with the hands after receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate.

The Field

The field is divided in two halves. The center circle in the middle of the field is used to start the game, to start the second half and to restart after a goal has been scored.

There is a large rectangular area and a smaller rectangular area found at each end of the field. These are vital areas for both teams, and are where penalty kicks are taken.

The four corners of the field are inscribed with three-foot arcs where corner kicks are taken.