How do you play soccer?
Soccer is a simple game. It
requires a field, a ball, two teams of players and
their equipment, and a referee. The field is
approximately the size of a football field. Smaller
fields may be used for younger players.
The game is played in two timed
halves of equal length. To advance AYSO's Everyone
Plays™ commitment, quarter breaks can be made within
each half to allow for player substitution. The
length of each half is determined by the age of the
children playing.
Physical size is not an important
factor in becoming a skilled and successful soccer
player. Because of the game's pace, every child
participates in the action while on the field.
What are basic soccer skills?
The sport involves several basic
skills: passing/shooting, dribbling, and controlling
(or trapping) the ball. These skills can be learned
at any age, and a good soccer player works
continually to improve them.
Passing/Shooting
Passing is kicking, pushing or
heading the ball to a teammate or to a space where a
teammate can run to the ball. A player may lightly
tap the ball to a teammate several feet away or kick
it strongly to move it down the field. The ball may
scoot along the ground or may be kicked into the
air.
Most players use two types of
kicks to pass to a teammate or shoot towards the
goal. One is the instep drive which is a powerful
kick. The other kick is called a push pass.
Performed using the inside of the foot, the push
pass is much more accurate than the instep drive,
but is less powerful.
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 (or trapping) is stopping 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 trap 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 stop 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.
What are the soccer positions?
The goalkeeper is
responsible for guarding his or her team's goal and
preventing the other team from scoring. Goalkeepers
are generally not used in U-8 soccer.
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.
The Midfielder (or halfback)
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.
The
Forward's primary responsibility is to score, and
also assists the midfielder in shifting play from
defense to offense.
What are the rules?
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
their hands and arms. Only goalkeepers may use their
hands while inside their own penalty area.
Generally, the Laws of the Game
require that referees stop the game when something
has happened which is unfair or unsafe.
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 lines
- commonly called touch lines in soccer - 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:
- when an action results in a
caution (yellow card) from the referee
- 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 misconduct or interference on the part of
coaches or spectators.
The Team
A
team has a maximum of 11 players on the field at any
one time, although a game can be played with as few
as seven players on a team. Regions use small-sided
teams in younger age divisions. Players get more
"touches" on the ball, learn skills quicker and have
more fun using this method.
