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Part 2 -The most important rules during the game
Soccer is a game with many rules, the ones that have to be paid attention to before the game starts have been explained by me in the last article. Now I will dive deeper into the rules which have to be followed throughout a match.
Kickoff
The game, of course, starts with the kickoff. A coin is being thrown by the referee in order to decide which team, represented by their captain will have the first kickoff. The referee signals the kickoff with a loud whistle. Even right after a kickoff, a goal can immediately be scored. Not only will there be a kickoff right in the beginning, but also if a goal has been scored, after halftime and if there is an extra time being played.
Offside
One of the most important rules, is the Offside ( I explained this one in detail in my other article about the Offside rule). In short terms, the offside rule in soccer says that a player is offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is passed to them. This means: a player cannot be “ahead” of the defense when the ball is passed to them, unless they’re in their own half or there are enough defenders between them and the goal. This prevents players from just standing near the opponent’s goal waiting for a pass.
Goal kick
If the ball has completely crossed the goal line (whether on the ground or in the air) and no goal has been scored, or the ball was last touched by a player of the attacking team, a goal kick is awarded. This is taken by a player from the defending team within the goal area. All opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is back in play. If an opponent is inside the penalty area and does not interfere, the advantage rule applies and the game continues. However, if the opponent does interfere, the goal kick is retaken. It is important to know that a goal can be scored directly from a goal kick.
Corner
There will be a corner, if the same rules apply like the ones for the Goal kick, but this time, the ball was last touched by the defending team. A goal can also be scored directly through a corner. During a corner, one player from the attacking team has to lay down the ball in the quarter-circle and kick it from there. All opponents must be at least 9.15 meters away until the ball is back in play.
Throw-In
When the ball has gone over the side-line, the team will have a throw-in which did not touchthe ball lastly. The player, who is doing the throw -in is not allowed to stand in the field itselfand his feet have to touch the ground. All other players have to stay 2 meters away. If thethrow-in was carried out wrongfully, the other team gets the ball and is now allowed to doa throw- in.
Free kick
A distinction is made between direct and indirect free kicks. When you are executing the kick, this has to be remembered: The ball must lie still on the ground, and all opposing players must be at least 9.15 meters away from it. The ball is considered in play when it is touched with the foot and moves clearly. If a direct free kick goes into the opponent’s goal, the goal counts. An indirect free kick is indicated by the referee by raising one arm above his head. He keeps the arm in this position until the ball has been played and it is clear that it will not go directly into the goal. If the ball goes into the goal during an indirect free kick, the goal counts only if it was touched by a second player before crossing the goal line.
Penalty Kick
If a field player or goalkeeper commits an offense inside their own penalty area that results in a direct free kick, the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick. The ball is placed on the penalty spot. The goalkeeper of the defending team remains on the goal line until the ball is kicked. All other players must be outside the penalty area, at least 9.15 meters away from the penalty spot. Once all players are correctly positioned, the referee signals for the kick to be taken. The referee also decides when a penalty kick is considered to have been taken. It’s important to know that a penalty kick must still be taken even if the game time has already expired, and a goal can be directly scored from it.
Yellow Cards
If there is an offense, the referee is known to show a yellow or red card. A yellow card serves as a warning to the player, while a red card results in the player being sent off the field or out of the area. This can apply not only to players and substitutes but also to team officials.
A yellow card is being shown, when there had been: a few fouls from the same player, arguing or protesting through words or actions, delaying the resumption of play, ignoring the required distance for corner kicks, throw-ins, or free kicks, entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission.
Red Cards
A red card is being shown, whenever there has been a more serious foul play, violent conduct, or a spitting at another person. Also, if there has been an attempt of preventing a goal or denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by handling the ball (handball does not apply to the goalkeeper within their own penalty area). Moreover, if there was an offensive, insulting, or abusive language or gesture, the referee will show the red card and the player has to leave the field. This applies also if a player earned a second yellow card in the same game. A player can be prohibited from playing the next games as well, depending on his violation.
I hope this article and the last one made it clear how soccer works and answered all of your questions! I know that there are many rules to consider, but after watching or playing the game for a while, you will easily get used to them, I am 100 percent sure!
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