There are 17 laws that govern the play of soccer.  I will try to summarize these so that players and spectators know what to expect during a game.

Kick-Off:
Each half begins with a kick-off.  There is also a kick-off after a goal by the team not scoring. The team that is not kicking-off must remain outside the center circle.  The kicker must move the ball forward (even slightly), and then may not touch the ball again until someone else has touched it.

Out of Bounds:
The ball is out of bounds when it completely crosses one of the exterior boundaries of the field.  If any portion of the ball is on the line, the ball is still in play.  The position of the ball, not he player, determines if the ball is still in play.  A player may stand completely outside the playing field and as long as any part of the ball is on the line, the ball is still in play and the player can play it.

Throw-In:
When the ball completely crosses the touch (side) line, it is out of bounds and play is restarted with a throw-in.  The team who was not the last to touch the ball before it went out of play restarts with a throw-in.  The thrower must have at least one foot on or outside the line, must keep both feet on the ground until the ball leaves his or her hands, and must have both hands on the ball from a point behind the head until the ball is released in front of the body.  The other team gets to restart with a throw in if the original throwing team does not complete it correctly.

Goal Kick:
Is awarded when the ball goes out past the end (goal) line and was last touched by the attacking team.  The ball is placed on or inside the goal box (the smaller box in front of the goal) and must be kicked outside of the penalty area (the larger box) to be in play.  If it is touched before leaving the penalty box, the kick is retaken.

Corner Kick:
When the ball goes out past the end line and was last touched by the defending team, a corner kick is awarded the attacking team.  The kick is taken from the small, one-yard arc in the corner of the field, by the corner flag.  This can go right into the goal, but most teams try to play the ball to another attacking player.

Penalty Kick:
When a defending player commits a penal (major) foul in his or her own penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded to the other team.  The penalty must occur within the penalty area, the location of the ball at the time is not important.  The ball is placed on the penalty spot, 12 yards from the goal.  All players except the kicker (who does not have to be the fouled player) and the goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from the penalty spot (outside the penalty kick arc).  The keeper must remain on the goal line, but may move along it, until it is kicked.  Once the ball is kicked it is again in play.

Direct Free Kick (DFK):
Awarded to the other team when a penal (major) foul is committed.  The ball is spotted where the offense occurred and the defenders must remain at least 10 yards from the ball until it is first touched.  The ball can be struck directly in to the goal, but often the kicking team uses a set play to get the ball to a player in better scoring position.  Anyone on the team (not just the fouled player) may take the DFK.

10 Penal (Major) Fouls: Kicking at an opponent, not the ball.  Contact does not have to be made. Tripping an opponent.  The player does not have to fall down. Jumping at an opponent.  Contact does not have to be made. Charging an opponent violently or from behind. Striking (hitting) or attempting to strike an opponent. Pushing an opponent. When tackling, contacting the opponent before touching the ball. Holding an opponent. Spitting at an opponent (red card offense). Handling the ball deliberately (except the keeper within the keepers own penalty area).

 

Indirect Free Kick (IFK):
An IFK is awarded when a non-penal (minor) foul is committed.  The IFK must be touched by another player before it enters the goal.

Non-Penal (Minor) Fouls:

Dangerous Play: A player does something to endanger himself or others.  Most common are high kicks when another players head is near, or low headers near other players feet. Impeding the progress of an opponent when not within playing distance of the ball.  This used to be called obstruction. Obstructing the Goalkeeper. The following apply to the goalkeeper within his or her own penalty area: Taking more than 4 steps with the ball in hand. Handling a throw in or kick from a teammate (hands). Dropping the ball and picking it up again. Wasting time deliberately.

 

Red Card Offenses: (Player is immediately sent off the field and must leave the game)

Serious Foul Play, including penal fouls, where intentional violence endangers the safety of the opponent.  This includes vicious tackles from behind. Violent Conduct such as kicking, hitting, or fighting. Spitting at anyone. Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.  Often by handling the ball or fouling the opponent to avoid a scoring chance. Offensive, insulting, abusive or threatening language. Receiving a 2nd caution in the same game (two yellow cards).  The ref will show the 2nd yellow, immediately followed by the red card.

 

Yellow Card Offenses (Cautions):

Unsporting Behavior, including hard fouls. Dissent by word or action. Continually breaking the Laws of the Game. Delaying the restart of play. Encroaching on a corner or free kick. Entering, reentering, or leaving the field without the referee's permission.

Advantage Clause:
        The referee should not stop play to punish a foul if, in the ref's opinion, it would be in the fouled teams advantage to let play to continue.  The ref may (or may not) indicate that he is applying the advantage clause by saying: "Advantage! Play on", or with a sweeping, underhand motion.

Offside:

1. Offside refers to an attacking player being in an offside position, and is actively involved in play when the ball is played ahead.

2. A player is in an offside position when there are less than 2 players between him or her and the goal (one is usually the opposing goalkeeper) when the ball is passed ahead to him or her.

3. Offside can only occur in the attacking half of the field.

4. An attacking player CAN step off the field to indicate to the ref that he or she is not part of play.

5. A defending player CANNOT step off the field to place an attacking player offside (caution for unsporting behavior).

6. No player can be offside when first playing a throw in, goal kick, or corner kick.

7. No player can be offside when even with, or behind the ball.

  Referees and the Laws:

     The referee is always correct!  The ref is the ultimate authority during the game.  It is pointless to argue with the ref.  Law 5 clearly states that the ref is in complete control of the game.  The ref's decisions are final and are not subject to protest.  The ref has the safety of the players as a chief responsibility.  The ref may ask coaches, spectators, and players to leave the area.  The ref has the option to cancel the game if, in his or her opinion conditions are unsafe.

     The ref has been trained to be in position to observe the play both on and off the ball.  The ref is often in the optimal position to see what is going on, and frequently sees things that spectators, or even players, do not see.  So give the ref the benefit of the doubt: The ref is always right!

What to Expect Before and During a Game:

1. Players should show up for the game one hour prior to the start. This will give us time to warm up and go over our starting roster.
   

2. Players should show up ready to play: Uniform on. Shin guards on. Shoes on ASAP. Bring water.
   

3. Remove all jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches and rings (even the ones we can't see!).  These are hazards during the game and the ref will usually ask you to remove them during inspection.
   

4. Be ready for inspection.  The ref will usually ask the team to line up so he can inspect equipment.  Jerseys must be tucked into your shorts, socks must be over your shin guards, shoes must be on, tied, and not have any sharp edges, and all jewelry must be removed.
   

5. Substitutions can only be made when our team has possession of the ball during a restart.  Subs must be standing at the half line before play stops, and can only enter the field after the ref gives the OK.  The sub then calls off the player he or she is replacing, who must leave the field before the sub can come on.
   

6. Captains of each team meet with the refs in the center circle right before the game for a brief talk and the coin toss, which will determine who kicks off.  The team that loses the toss chooses the goal they will defend, and will kick off the second half.
   

7. Halves are 30 minutes long.  The center ref keeps time.  He can add time as he sees fit.
   

8. Players must sit in their designated players area during the game.  Spectators must remain at least 10 feet from the field.
   

9. Players will line up after the end of the game and shake hands with the opposing team and the officials.
   

10. Players will meet after shaking hands in the designated players area for a short coaches talk after each game.
    

11. Spectators should cheer for the team!!  We need all the encouragement we can get.  We have home field advantage for most of our games and we should take advantage of it.  Spectators, please keep your cheers positive: Cheer for our team, but please don't boo the other team or the officials.  Without these guests, we would have no games!!

                               Officials Signals:

       The only signal that the ref is required to give is an upraised arm to indicate an Indirect Free Kick.  The ref does not have to explain any call on the field to anybody, but will often respond to a polite question from a player (especially the team captain). The following signals are normally given after a whistle, except for Advantage/Play on, which is executed during the run of play without a whistle.

Goal Kick: Ref points towards the half line with one hand.

Corner Kick: Ref points to corner flag with one hand.

Penalty Kick: Ref points to penalty spot.

Indirect Free Kick (IFK): Ref raises one arm and keeps it up until another player touches the ball.

Advantage/Play On: Ref performs a sweeping underhand motion with both hands, palms up.