Soccer Rules – Learn How To Play Soccer
Originated 2000 years ago from ancient China, Rome, and Greece and transitioned to England later, Soccer has become one of the most popular sports across the globe. Of course, around 200 million players play this sport officially across 200 countries. With that said, we know you are here to learn how to play soccer. If you have watched an official soccer game already, you’d know that it consists of two teams with 11 players each playing for around 90 minutes. But, do not worry if you have no knowledge of the soccer rules!
We are here today to help you learn this sport from every perspective. So, the next time you consider playing it, you’ll have complete knowledge of soccer rules and regulations. Let’s start, without any further ado:
How to Play Soccer
Playing soccer is not as difficult as you may think!
The basic objectives and rules are somewhat easier than other sports and that’s the main reason you’ll see people going crazy about playing this game.
Here are some baby steps/guidelines that you should keep in mind to play the game properly.
Requirements to Play Soccer
Officially, there must be two teams having 11 players wearing proper jerseys and uniforms.
Besides, a proper soccer stadium/ground is necessary to play the game without any hassles.
Similarly, the presence of an on-game referee is a must who will analyze the gameplay and give fouls, penalties, or corners accordingly.
A soccer ball is also a must and it’s common sense that you cannot play soccer without the ball.
Those were only the official requirements! Unofficially, someone can play soccer on their own as only having a soccer ball is a necessity in that case.
You can also play with your friends or family and there’s no restriction in that case.
Enough with the requirements!
Let’s move forward with the main objective of the game as follows:
Objective/Goal of a Soccer Game
One precise objective of the game? “To score more goals than the other team!”
What is a goal then?
You could’ve seen two nets on each side of the stadium where a goalie stands to defend them right?
Whenever you score past him into the net, it’s counted as ONE GOAL!
That said, if your team manages to score more goals than the opponent within 90 minutes, your team will become triumph!
But, if in 90 minutes, the score remains even, then it’s called a “Draw” and the match winds up without any conclusion.
For now, as a beginner, you need to know that your team will have to score more than the opponent to win the match easily.
Scoring in Soccer
As mentioned earlier, your team will get one goal score when the ball enters the net once.
Depending upon that, soccer has a simple scoring system starting from 0-0 and it could increase or remain same.
For instance, if your team manages to score one goal, the scorecard will look like 1-0.
Increase the number of goals and the scorecard will keep on increasing.
A draw happens when the goal scorecard is even no matter how many goals you score.
That is to say, if you score 5 goals within 90 minutes and your opponent manages the same goal tally, the scorecard will look like 5-5, which is yet again a draw.
Apart from the objective and scoring system, you must know how to win the match at any cost.
Here are some tips that would help you in this scenario:
How to Win the Match?
A football team comprises 11 players with different formations depending upon the preferences of a manager.
However, a common formation is two strikers, four midfielders, four defenders, and one goalkeeper.
Always remember that soccer is a “Team Game.” Until and unless you do not have star players like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo at your side, you cannot win the game on your own.
To win the match, you will need to understand the chemistry of your team first. No matter if you play as a striker, as a midfielder, or as a defender, your sole objective must be to help your team score a goal at any cost. Individually you can develop some slick dribbling skills, become good at passing one on one, and should try feeding long balls to your teammates. Other than that, while you try to score a goal against a team, know that they are also here to play and win against you.
In that situation, make sure that if you play with an aggressive approach, then your team must also defend well whenever there is a counterattack from other team. Along with a defensive/aggressive approach, keeping the track of time is key. That said, a soccer game lasts 90 minutes with two halves. Each half consists of 45 minutes plus additional extra time of about 3 to 5 minutes. After the first half, there’s a break of 10 to 15 minutes and players return to the stadium to play the next half, which again lasts for 45 minutes with additional time.
You must score in this time frame if you want to become triumph against your opponent.
A draw might also lead to different situations. According to official rules, after 90 minutes, there are two extra halves played between the team each lasting for 15 minutes. If the scoreline remains same, then the action will proceed to penalty kicks. Each team is given 5 penalty kicks to score and the one that scores more simply wins the game. In the meanwhile, understanding some basic rules of soccer is also necessary for players to avoid any penalty while playing the game.
These rules are mentioned below as follows:
Basic Rules of Soccer
Here is list of basic soccer rules:
• A team must consist maximum of 11 players and a minimum of 7 players.
• Any harsh tackle, foul, or carelessness is considered an offense in soccer.
• The ref gives one warning with a Yellow Card if the offense is bearable. If it’s not, he will give a red card and ask player to leave the pitch.
• Any offense done to opponents’ team players will result in a free kick or a penalty kick. (if the offense is done in the opposition’s goal box)
• The match lasts for 90 minutes with two halves each of 45 minutes. Extra time is awarded based on the amount of time wasted on the pitch.
• Only the goalkeeper can touch the ball with his hands. If someone else does it, it’s a handball and could result in either a free kick or a penalty.
• If ball goes out of the play, the opposition team will bring it back and start the play from goalie’s touch.
Those were all the basic rules of playing soccer professionally!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to play soccer for beginners?
Understand the rules first and choose a position in which you can polish your skills. Enhance your dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. Plus, work in synchronization with your other teammates and try to help your team score a goal in every way possible.
Is it allowed to touch a ball with hands during soccer?
Only goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with their hands and that too when the ball is in the goal box. If some other player touches the ball intentionally or unintentionally, it will be considered an offense.
Which position in soccer is the hardest?
The hardest job to carry out falls on the shoulder of a goalkeeper. A goalie has to protect the net at all costs and must possess unique skills to distribute the ball. Summing the position of a goalie with this amazing quote of Iker Casillas as he said, “Most kids dream of scoring the perfect goal. I’ve always dreamed of stopping it.”
Final Takeaways
Playing soccer does not only require strength and agility, but as a beginner, you should possess knowledge of its basic rules and how it’s played. We have jotted down the learning phase in most basic way so that newbies could get benefit from it and play the game to win and succeed.
Signing off with one of the most famous quotes about soccer as it goes, “Give a man a soccer ball, he plays for a moment. Teach a man to play soccer, he plays for a lifetime.”
Good Luck!!