Soccer Training: Field, Players, and Equipment

• These are study notes on soccer training

Basics: The Field

• Key components comprise the soccer field
• Goal lines mark the end boundaries
• Touchlines define the side boundaries
• Centerline divides the field in half
• Center circle is located at midfield
• Penalty box is an area near each goal
• Penalty arc extends from the penalty spot
• Penalty spot is where penalty kicks are taken
• Corner arc with flag marks each corner

Basics: The Players

• A team has seven players on the field, including six players and one goalkeeper (6+GK).
• A team needs a minimum of four players to play in a game.
• The maximum number of players allowed on the roster is 12.

Player Equipment

• Shin guards are required.
• Provided jerseys must be same colors and have unique numbers.
• Jewelry is not allowed.
• Hard-brimmed hats are not allowed.
• Metal cleats are not allowed.
• Open pockets must be inside out.
• Captains may agree on a ball; if they do not, the default ball is used.

Basics: Teams

• Unlimited substitutions are allowed.
• The referee allows players to enter the game.
• A player is allowed in once the exiting player clears the field.
• Players can substitute in at the centerline.
• Players leaving the game may sub out anywhere on the field.
• A team can sub when the ball is out of play and the team is in possession or a throw in/corner kick/free kick/penalty.
• Either team can sub on a goal or goal kick.
• Either team can sub when there is an injury.
• A player with a yellow card can be subbed.
• There are no subs in the last 2 minutes of each half.
• Any player may change to goalkeeper.
• The official must be informed of any goalkeeper changes.

Basics: Game

• The game consists of two 20-minute halves, but this may depend on league.
• There is no stoppage time.
• Play continues until the team shoots, the ball is out of bounds, or active attacks stop.
• Mercy rule applies, which is dependant on the league.
• A team is up by 10 or more goals in the 2nd half
• The game ends if a team is up by 7 or more goals at 10 minutes in the 2nd half.

Overtime Rules

• During the regular season, a tie will result in no overtime
• In playoffs:
• Golden Goal period: a max of 5 minutes is played
• Penalty kicks are used if necessary
• 5 alternating shots are taken (7 players allowed to shoot, goalkeeper included).
• If the score is still tied after 5 shots, continue alternating shots until one team scores and the other misses.

Captains Meeting

• The referee sets the tone and expectations
• A coin toss determines which team kicks off or chooses a goal to defend.

Kickoff

• Kickoffs occur at the start of each half and after every goal.
• Players must wait for the official's whistle.
• Players cannot cross the centerline until the ball is kicked.
• The ball must be played backwards (passed back to the team's own half).

Referee Positioning

• Referees must not allow the diagrammed placement to occur

In and Out of Play

• Ball rebounding from corner flagpost, goal post, or crossbar into field of play is in play.

Throw-In Rules

• General rules for the thrower include
• Facing forward
• Using two hands on the ball
• Releasing the ball from behind and over the head
• Keeping both feet in contact with or behind the sideline when thrown
• If improper – change of possession
• A goal can't be scored directly from a throw-in.
• If the ball goes directly into the goal from the throw in, there is a corner/goal kick
• There is a change of possession if someone touches the ball, it strikes the ground
• The ball cannot be first touched by the thrower

Goal Kick

• A goal kick resumes play when the ball crosses the goal line, touched last by the offense.
• The ball must be placed within the goal area.
• All opponents must stay clear of the goal area.
• Goal kicks are direct.

Corner Kick

• A corner kick resumes play when the ball is kicked past a team's own goal line, either on the ground or in the air (but not in the goal).
• This applies to the goalie as well.
• The ball must be placed within a yard of the corner flag.
• Opponents must remain 10 yards away from the ball before it is kicked.
• Corner kicks are direct.

IM Specific Rules

• No slide tackles will results in an automatic yellow or red card if malicious/dangerous.
• Sliding/slipping and saving the ball from going out of bounds will not be called a foul.
• Slides WELL CLEAR of other players will not be called.
• There are no offsides, with the exception of "cherry picking".
• No advantages will be given, due to wiggle room/judgement difference.
• Severity of contact is a consideration when calling fouls.

Handball

• Handball is an offense if the arm was in an unnatural position AND there was no movement to avoid the handball
• Handball is an offense if the goal was scored after the contact.
• Handball is an offense if the ball was played intentionally.

Types of Free Kicks

• Indirect free kicks:
• A goal cannot be scored directly.
• Someone must touch the ball before it goes in the net.
• Every contact with the ball counts.
• If an offense was committed in the penalty box, then the free kick is taken at the spot of the offense.
• Direct free kicks:
• A goal can be scored directly.
• If an offense was committed in the penalty box, then it results in a penalty kick
• Ceremonial free kick:
• Ref allows the player to kick the ball.
• Referee takes this approach to count the 10-yard distance, issue a card, or settle situation on the pitch.
• Kicker must wait for the whistle.
• Players can play a quick free kick as soon as they get the ball, given the ball is not moving.
• Defending team must remain at least 10 yards away from the ball.

Free Kicks

• Direct free kicks:
• Awarded for fouls and hand balls.
• If these infractions occur in the penalty area, the fouled team will be awarded a penalty kick.
• Indirect free kicks:
• Are awarded for a slide tackle (if no contact occurred).
• Occur when a player plays the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player after putting the ball into play.
• Obstructing opponent.
• Plays in a dangerous manner (for example high kicks).
• Using foul or abusive language directed towards a player or official.
• Specific to the goalkeeper, indirect kick awarded if,
• Player deliberately kicks or throws the ball to his/her own keeper and keeper touches it with their hands.
• Goalkeeper wasting time.
• Opponent prevents goalkeeper from releasing the ball.
• Goalie sets ball down on the ground, then picks it up again, though they are allowed to bounce the ball.

Slide Tackles

• Slide tackles are disallowed and will be penalized with a yellow card, or a red card if malicious or dangerous.
• The goalkeeper cannot slide tackle but CAN dive for the ball,(if he makes contact, then it's a foul).

Fouls and Cards

• Assessing fouls is more of an art than a science.
• Players will contest calls.
• There is no clear line between a legal challenge and a foul, it is up to the referee to establish expectations and then whistle accordingly.
• Cards serve as a game management tool.
• Referees should use them, but do not go on power trips.
• Any personal attack (verbal or physical) on the refs will be sanctioned with a yellow card, or red card if severe.

Yellow Card

• A yellow card is given for:
• Leaving/entering playing field without ref's permission.
• Persistent rule breaking.
• Verbal objection or incidental language.
• Delaying the restart (time wasting).
• Stopping a promising attack (also called a tactical foul).
• Removing clothing to celebrate.
• "Reckless" fouls.
• Slide tackles (no contact).
• 4 yellow cards/yellow card equivalents for a team is a team ejection.

Red Card

• A red card is given for:
• Demonstrating violent conduct.
• Demonstrating serious foul play.
• Using foul and abusive language.
• Receiving a second yellow card in the same game.
• Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
• Denying an opponent a goal by intentionally handling the ball.
• Spitting, abusive language, or any other blatant unsporting act.
• Committing a malicious or reckless slide tackle.

Denial of an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO)

• Refer to the 4 D's.
• Defenders (Number of): are there defenders that can challenge for the ball.
• Distance to the Goal: Is the attacker close to the goal.
• Distance to the Ball: Would the attacker been able to get to the ball and continue their attack.
• Direction of Play: Is the attacker going towards goal or towards the sideline or corner.
• If all 4 are met, it results in DOGSO and a red card.
• If only some are met, it is stopping a promising attack (tactical foul) and a yellow card.

Penalty Kicks

• Results from any direct kick foul by the defense in the penalty box.
• Prior to the kick, the goalie must keep one foot on or above the goal line.
• Kicker can feint but not stop in the run-up.
• If the ball hits the post or crossbar and bounces back into play, kicker cannot be first player to touch it.
• Occurs when there is encroachment by defense:
• If scored – the goal counts.
• If missed - repeat the penalty kick. Occurs when there is a encroachment by offense, indrect free-kick for the defense must always be awarded.