Basic Soccer Rules

Basic soccer rules for kids and adults. Soccer is a complex sport but the rules are simple. The objective is to get the ball in the opposing teams goal. You probably new that right? Well..there are a few more rules you might want to know. 

The rules become more complicated and technical with the level of play. But even at the professional level they are quite simple. FIFA, International Federation of Football, holds the official rules to the game. According to them, the official rules may be modified in their application for players of under 16 years of age, female soccer players, veteran players (over 35 years of age), and for players with disabilities.

Any or all of the following modifications are permissible:

  1. size of the field of play,
  2. size, weight and material of the ball
  3. width between the goal posts and height of the crossbar from the ground
  4. duration of the periods of play
  5. substitutions

Size of field: The field must be rectangular, that's pretty much it. The field size depends on good judgment of how many players on each side. and the size of your goals. The more you play or watch soccer the better you will get at judging a field size. You want it big enough to keep ball in play but small enough to engage all players and prevent kick and chase ball. To be considered true international competition basic soccer rules (11 vs 11) field must be:

Length: minimum 100 m (110 yd) maximum 110 m (120 yd)

Width: minimum 64 m (70 yd) maximum 75 m (80 yd)

For a 5v5 soccer experience we recommend a  futsal regulation size dimensions. This creates an amazing experience pushing technical versus kick and chase ball. Visit our Soccer field layout page for dimensions specific to age and group size. The U.S. Soccer federation also has a chart with their regulation field sizes.


Ball Size: The ball size depends on age. Below is basic soccer rules sizes. We suggest the following sizes for all development programs.
3-5 y/o - size 4 - Size 3 is a good size to kick inside the house or back yard play. However, they will outgrow size 3 fast and because of limited size the tow kick becomes a problem. In some countries they actually use a flat size five so the child gets more touch on the ball. The more surface to touch the better the development.


6-12 y/o - size 4- Size 4 will be used until about 11-12. It is a great size for development and a futsal ball is size 4 as well. We prefer to develop players under 12 with 4's and 5's.

12 y/o -adult - size 5. This is the standard size for professional and adult soccer. Some countries introduce size 5 to kids as young as 4. The ideas is more surface of ball = more surface of boot.

Players: soccer is played by two teams preferably equal number. Max players per team is 11 (Goalie + 10 field players). Team size is reduced by age. Some leagues play with 8 players for youth aged ten and under. And down to 6 per side for the under 5's. For optimum development we suggest futsal rules 5v5.
Substitutions: Officially, you are only allowed 3 subs per game, however, depending on modified rules this may be different. For youth leagues usually there is no cap on subs. A substitution can only be performed when the ball is not in play and your team has possession. (Ex) it's a throw in for your team, or goal kick for your team. Substitutions cannot be made when the ball is in play (even if your goalie has the ball in his/her hands.. this is still in play) This is different if your playing futsal rules.


Starting the Game: The game begins at the center of the field. The team who kicks off passes the ball to a teammate at the referees signal. Previous to 2016 the ball had to move forward at kick off. This has been changed by the IFAB (The International Football Association Board). Now the ball can be passed back at kick off. The opposing team is not allowed to enter the center circle until the team kicks off (some get confused with the refs whistle as the signal to play but it really begins with the team kicking off).

Game in play: As long the ball stays in the field the game is in play. The only exceptions is when the referee blows his whistle for an infraction or offside. The ball is considered in play as long as it is in side the end lines and side lines. Furthermore, it's still in play as long as it has contact with the line. Therefore, the ball may be touching the outer part of the end line or side line and still be considered in play (This applies if the ball is in the air as well). contact with the goal post, corner flag, and referee back in the field is still considered in play. The referee is considered a fixture of the field.


GOAL: In the basic soccer rules the point of the game is to get the ball in the opposing teams goal and the team with the most goals after the specified time is the winner. The ball must cross the goal line to be a goal. Therefore, if the ball is still in contact with the end line in the inner part of the goal it is not a goal! I have seen pro's sweep through the end line to save their team from a goal. Everybody swears that it was already in but the cameras show the ball was still in contact with the line (This applies if the ball is in the air as well). This has happened in the world cup and causes some controversy and drama as the human eye decides if it was a goal or not. Goal line technology is now being implemented at the professional level to assure the right call. 

How long is a game? For basic soccer rules a game is no more than 90 min long. Two halves of 45 min (that's what the pros play..with a 15 min halftime break)
Youth games range from 15-30 min halves with a 7-10 min half time.


NO HANDS! Alright, I know you probably knew this but here it is anyway. Only the goalie can use their hands. the definition for hand ball is any part of between your fingers (including nails) to your upper arm. Your shoulder is actually legal to use! One side note about goalies. the goalie is not allowed to use their hands if the ball was kicked back to them intentionally by any of his/her team mates. This rule is about 25 years old. in the old days defenders, when under pressure, would pass the ball back to their goalie to secure in their hands (this was a good rule change for spectators). Youth leagues under 10's don't really enforce this rule as most of the time it isn't an intentional pass back. 

Ball out of play (Out of Bounds): if the ball crosses the side line it is a throw in. The team who did not touch the ball last before the ball crossed the line gets the throw in. If the ball crosses the end line two things may occur. If the team that is defending that end line touches it out it is a corner kick. If the team attacking that end kicks it out it is a goal kick

Outcome of the Match: A typical soccer match ends in either a win/loss or a draw. A win is when the referee ends the match and a team has more goals than the other team. A losing team is the team that has less goals at the end of the match. A draw is when both teams have the same amount of goals at the end of the match. 

During tournament play or a deciding match like a World Cup Semi-finals, If the match ends in a draw, the game continues. They will typically play two extra time halves of fifteen minutes. If the match still ends at a draw, the match will be decided on a penalty shoot-out. 

OffSides: This law is the one that give new fans the most headache. here is a quick summary. 

Only an attacker can be considered offsides. The offsides rule does not apply to the team without the ball. A player is offsides when they are closest to the defending team goal or end line than both the ball and the opponents second last player when the ball is played (passed to or passed into an area in which the player engages in play). With the introduction of VAR (Video Assisted Referring) the margin of offsides has been challenged.  Traditionally the human eye would, understandably, not call an offsides to close to call. With VAR goals are called back after a 3-5 minute review of the offside line. Soccer purists have been the biggest critics of VAR for that reason. It kills the humanistic natural flow of the game. 

Fouls and Misconduct: The referee has the obligation of catching and enforcing infractions of the rules. Misconduct may have on or a combination of the following consequences:

  1. Direct Kick - See Free kicks
  2. Indirect Kick - See free kicks
  3. Yellow Card - Warning and the second yellow is a red
  4. Red Card - Direct expulsion from the game with possible further repercussions

Common misconduct behaviors are:

  • Fouls (pushing, tripping, pulling, overly aggressive play
  • Hand balls
  • Vulgar behavior (spitting, verbal threats and insults, bad sportsmanship behavior etc.)

Free Kicks: There are two types of free kicks in soccer. Indirect kicks are awarded for less violent or interruptions to the game. It is awarded at the spot the ball was last and does not need a referees whistle to restart unless the attacking team asked for their 9.15 meters to the wall. The ball has to touch another player before it can directly be kicked into the goal.

The direct kick, on the other hand, can be directly kicked to goal on the restart whistle by the referee. The 9.15 meters to the wall is also applied here. 

The Penalty Kick: A penalty is awarded when the defending team commits an infraction or foul inside the 18 yard penalty box. The ball is placed on the penalty spot (12 yards from the goal line) and the shooter must kick the ball in one forward motion without touching the ball twice. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the shooter strikes the ball. 

The Throw In: When the ball leaves the field from the side or touch line it is a throw in. The sideline assistant referee signals who's throw in it is by point the flag to the direction that team is attacking. There are no offsides on throw ins, and you can't score directly from a throw in. A proper throw in is both feet need to have contact with the ground at time of throw. Also, the arms need to move from back of the head to the front over the head. No side throws allowed. 

Goal Kicks: A goal kick is give when the attacking team touches the ball last before it leaves the end or goal line. The goal keeper (or any other player on his team) places the ball anywhere in the goal area to restart play. Prior to 2019 the ball had to leave the 18 yard penalty box before a second player could touch it. This has since changed. Now, the ball can be a simple touch to a teammate inside the 18 yard box. The opposing team is not allowed inside the 18 yard penalty box when the kick is taken.

Corner Kicks: A corner kick is given when the defending team touches the ball last before it goes over their end or goal line. The corner kick is taken from the corner kick area. The ball needs to be on or inside the lined area. It is a direct kick so the ball can go directly in the goal without touch a person. The is called a 'Gol Olympico". Also, the nearest defender needs to be at least 9.15 meters away from the corner. 

Basic soccer rules for kids

Soccer is very simple and very enjoyable. Don't complicate the basic soccer rules too much with technical rules that only apply when playing competitively. Soccer for kids age 3-10 should exploratory. This means the games need fluidity and need to be fun. The rules will apply at some point but be cautious and selective as to when to enforce them.

Now that you know the basic soccer rules how about basic soccer skills? visit our How to play soccer page to know certain soccer milestones for your age group. This will give you a good road map for the season.  Soccer is unique in that the players create the show. The coach should have little impact during games allowing players to enjoy and perform their best!

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