Soccer Rules and Positions In a Day For Dummies by Michael Lewis

Author:Michael Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

Diagram by Wiley, Composition Services Graphics

Figure 3-2: This attacker is onside, due to the positions of the defender and goalie when the ball was played.

Offside doesn’t apply to goal kicks, throw-ins, or corner kicks (though it does apply to direct and indirect free kicks, penalty kicks, and goalie clearing kicks and throws). And offside is never called at the defensive end of the field. Players can be whistled for this infraction only when they’re on the opponent’s half of the field.

Penalty Calls and Their Results

In the sections that follow, we give you all the information you need to understand when fouls or other violations occur. Soccer has major and minor fouls that result in the opposing team taking an indirect free kick, direct free kick, or penalty kick. Don’t worry — we cover each of the categories and kicks in the sections that follow and help you get a handle on those pesky yellow and red cards.

Outlining the major fouls

Nine major fouls result in the opposing team receiving a direct free kick. These major fouls are especially troublesome when committed within the penalty area, because the resulting penalty kick is a shot on goal with only the goalie defending (see the “Paying the price for fouls” section, later in the chapter, for more on penalty kicks). Take a look at the major fouls:

Handball: Soccer is played primarily with the head, chest, legs, and feet — not the hands. This rule is one of the most basic rules of soccer. Besides the goalie, who can use his hands within the confines of the penalty area, no other players can touch the ball with their hands in the field of play. Any player, not counting the goaltender, who intentionally touches the ball with her hand or arm to gain control of the ball is whistled for a handball, and the opposing team takes possession of the ball.

Kicking: Kicking an opponent, or attempting to kick him, is a big no-no.

Tripping: The referee calls this foul after a player takes out the attacking player’s legs instead of knocking the ball away.

Jumping: This infraction involves jumping or lunging at a player and most often is called when an opposing player or the goalie is in the air making a play on the ball.

Charging: Referees signal charging when a player charges into an opponent with an intent to harm. If the player makes a play on the ball and the contact is incidental, charging doesn’t apply.

Charging from behind: A player may never knock an opponent to the ground by charging from behind.

Striking: Any attempt to strike an opponent, or the actual striking of an opponent, is never allowed. This transgression includes intentionally throwing the ball at an opposing player.

Holding: Players can’t grab an opponent’s jersey to slow her down or stick out their arms to obstruct the player’s movement in any way.

Pushing: Players can’t push, shove, or nudge an opponent in an effort to gain any type of advantage.

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