Oakdale Youth Soccer League  
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Parents Corner Laws
Information for parents
The game of soccer is governed by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association).

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has played a vital role in international football. It acts as the guardian of the Laws of the Game and is responsible for studying, modifying and overseeing any changes to it. 

There are 17 Laws...
Select Laws of the Game (read the entire set at this link)

Goal

A goal is scored if the entire ball passes over the entire goal line, under the crossbar and between the goalposts.

- It is pretty hard to determine this if one is not positioned correctly.

 

Off-side

A player is in an off-side position if he or she is nearer to the opponents' goal-line than the ball, unless the player is in his or her own half of the field, or there are at least two opponents between the attacker and the goal-line.

- It is not an offense in itself to be in an off-side position. A player shall only be penalized for being in an off-side position if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by a teammate, he or she is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in the play by:

§ Interfering with play

§ Interfering with an opponent

§ Gaining an advantage by being in that position

A player shall not be declared off-side by the referee merely because of being in an off-side position or if the ball is received directly from a goal kick, a corner kick, or a throw-in. If a player is declared off-side, the referee shall award an indirect free kick.

-       The correct term to use is off-side and not off-sides.
-       This is one of the most demanding laws. Correct positioning and timing is most important in making the right call.
-   Still too complex! - Try this simple 1-2-3 graphic

 

Throw-in

When the entire ball passes completely over the entire touch line (side line), the restart is a throw-in to the opponents.

The thrower must:

§ Face the field at the point at which the ball last left the field

§ Have both feet either on the touch line or behind it

§ Hold the ball with both hands

§ Deliver the ball from behind and over the head

An improper throw-in or a throw-in taken from the wrong place is penalized as a throw-in for the opposing team.

-       The player must not lift either foot until after the ball is released
-       In our league we permit some age groups to retake the throw-in

 

Goal Kick

If the entire ball passes over the entire goal line, having last being touched by the attaching team and a goal was not scored, then the game is restarted with a goal kick.

-       Any member of the team may take the goal kick
-       The ball may be placed anywhere inside the goal area (6 yard box).
-       All attacking players must remain outside the penalty area (18 yard box) until the ball leaves the penalty area.
-       A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.

 

Corner Kick

If the entire ball passes over the goal line, having last touched a defensive player, and a goal was not scored, the restart is a corner kick.

-       Any member of the attacking team may take the corner kick
-       The ball is placed in the corner arc nearest to the point where it crossed the goal line
-       The ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves
-       A goal may be scored directly from a corner-kick.

 

Drop Ball

When the game is stopped while the ball is in play, for a reason other than an infraction of the laws, the game is restarted with a drop ball.

-       One player from each side participates in the restart
-       The ball must first hit the ground before it can be played

 

Direct Free-kick Fouls

A direct free kick is awarded at the point of the infraction for any one of these ten fouls.

1. Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
2. Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
3. Jumping at an opponent
4. Charging an opponent
5. Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
6. Pushing an opponent
7. Making contact with an opponent before contacting the ball when making a tackle
8. Holding an opponent
9. Spitting at an opponent
10. Deliberately handling the ball (except by goal-keeper in his or her own penalty area)

 

Other Fouls

An indirect free kick is the sanction awarded at the point of infraction for any non-penal foul.


Direct Free Kick

On a direct free kick, a valid goal is scored if the ball is kicked directly into the opponent's goal.


Indirect Free Kick

On an indirect free kick, the ball must touch another player (attacker or defender) prior to a goal being scored.

-       The referee signals an indirect free kick by holding an arm in the air until the ball is played or touched by another player or goes out of bounds.

 

Penalty Kick – applicable to certain age groups

If one of the ten penal fouls is committed by the defense in its own penalty area, the sanction awarded to the attacking team is a penalty kick. The ball is placed on the penalty mark, the kicker is identified, the goal-keeper is positioned on the goal-line and may not move forward until the ball is kicked. All other players must remain outside the penalty area and penalty arc and not closer to the goal line than the penalty mark until the ball has been kicked.  Time is extended for a penalty kick taken at the end of half time, full time, or over time. 

 

Advantage

The referee applies the advantage clause to allow play to continue if, in his or her opinion, it would be more advantageous to the fouled team to continue play than to be awarded a free kick. If the referee applies the advantage clause and the advantage that was anticipated does not develop within a few seconds, the referee shall penalize the original offense.

 

Misconduct Resulting in a Caution and a Yellow Card

1. Dissent with the referee's decision
2. Unsporting behavior
3. Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
4. Delaying the restart of play
5. Failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick.
6. Entering or leaving the field of play without the referee's permission

Misconduct Resulting in a Send-off and a Red Card (player cannot be replaced)

1. Violent conduct
2. Serious foul play
3. Spitting at an opponent or any other person
4. Denying the opponents a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by either deliberately handling the ball or committing a foul that would be punishable by a free kick or penalty kick.
3. Offensive, insulting, or abusive language
4. A player committing a second cautionable offense after having already received a caution
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