Why you must follow Soccer Rules

Well, the answer is pretty simply; if you don’t know the basic soccer rules you will not either know how to play soccer. However, you will not need to remember every soccer rule as many of them will not give you any advantage on the field. In this article I have only selected the most necessary ones that you need to learn in order to perform well.

No Rules = An Unfair Game
The game of soccer would be unfair if only your opponents had permission to set the rules for the match. And if both your and the opposing team had permission to make the rules, there would probably be so much discussion about every situation that you, your teammates and the opposing players would not care about how the match ended.

That’s why players, coaches and soccer associations over the whole world have decided which soccer rules should be followed. The referees just make sure that you and others follow the rules.

But what if you get angry at the referee if he/she makes a wrong decision? Like giving the opposing team a penalty kick when their player was not even in the penalty area (also known as the the box and 18 yard box).

Well, keep in mind always that it is the referee who decides if it is a foul or not. Don’t ever get angry at a referee, even if you do not agree with his/her decision about some particular situation on the soccer pitch. This will result in the referee getting even more stressed and confused, which will lead to more wrong decisions.

How to calm down
Sometimes it is hard to not get angry at the referee, but keep in mind that there is no reason to complain because a referee will never change his/her decision afterward. Use your energy to performing well and push yourself to work harder on the soccer field instead.

I know this is easy to say when you are not upset on the field, but I usually count to 10 when I get angry at the referee, and after a while I feel better and so will you. I promise :-)

A match begins…
A match begins with a handshake between you (if you are the captain of the team) and the opposing team captain. Usually players say hey to each other and wish the referee and the other team good luck. The match starts with a kick off from the center of the soccer pitch.

This will be the kick off place when the second half starts and when a goal is scored. The player that makes the kick off must pass the ball directly to a team mate. A score is not allowed unless another player also touches the ball.

End of the match
The match is over when you and your teammates say "thanks for the match" and both teams’ captains thank the referee (even if no one is satisfied with the referee’s decisions during the match).

Some simple soccer rules
A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed the line. A throw in will be awarded to your team if the opposing team has kicked the ball over the sideline. When performing a throw-in, you have to keep both feet on the ground. You must also stand on or behind the sideline.

A soccer corner kick will occur when the ball passes the short lines of the field (the ones the goals are on) if the ball was last touched by a defender. Avoid free kicks in your own 18 yard box because the opposing team may get rewarded with a penalty kick.