Soccer is a simple game, but you and the players will
enjoy it more if you know a few of the Laws (not
"rules") that are frequently misunderstood.
- Soccer is intended to be a continuous action
sport. Whenever possible, the referee will let play
continue. Thus, when a player falls, and the referee
judges that the player is not at immediate risk, (s)he
will generally let the game proceed until a natural
stoppage. Of course, the referee will stop play if a
player needs immediate attention or would be
endangered by continuing play.
- Players cannot deliberately play the ball with
their hands or arms, except for the goalkeeper
within his/her own penalty-area. However, accidental
contact between hands or arms and the ball occurs
frequently, especially with younger players, and is
not an infringement. In such cases, the referee will
not stop play, since no breach of the Laws has
occurred. A spectator who yells "Handball!" in such
circumstances merely reveals his ignorance.
- A throw-in must be taken with part of each foot
on or behind the touch-line (side line) at the
moment the ball is released. The ball must be thrown
from behind and over the head, using both hands.
This motion is sometimes difficult for young players
to master, and referees in younger divisions may, at
their discretion, allow retakes in order to help the
players learn this skill.
- Unlike basketball and gridiron football, the
boundary lines are part of the field of play. The
ball is not out of play until it has completely
crossed the goal line or touch line. This implies
that a goal is not scored unless the ball has wholly
crossed the goal line between the goal posts and
beneath the crossbar.
- Soccer is a sport designed to give skill the
advantage over force. The Laws permit physical
contact, but limit it to non-dangerous forms. Other
kinds of contact are illegal and are penalized by
the referee. Careless, reckless, or unnecessarily
hard contact by a player on his opponent does not
become legal simply because the ball was struck in
the process. This point is frequently misunderstood
by spectators and players, who exhibit their
ignorance by yelling "But he got the ball, ref!"
- Referees penalize only clear infringements. In
fact, they are specifically instructed not to
penalize doubtful or trifling breaches of the Laws.
In other words, the game is supposed to "flow", and
the referee is expected to interfere only to protect
the safety of the players or to ensure equity
according to the Laws. The referee is explicitly
given broad latitude to judge when his/her
interference is needed. This is in sharp contrast
with many sports popular in the United States, in
which spectators expect the referee to stop play for
all sorts of trifling violations. A knowledgeable
spectator will understand and appreciate why, for
example, a referee ignores inconsequential jostling
between opponents and allows the game to precede
uninterrupted.
- When the referee stops the game, (s)he does not signal the reason for the stoppage. Instead, arm signals are used to indicate how the game is to be restarted. In unusual circumstances, the referee may explain a particular decision to the players. A spectator who finds the lack of explanatory signals frustrating will want to read an introduction to the game, such as AYSO's booklet The ABCs of Soccer .