SOCCER STUDY GUIDE

History

Soccer’s origin dates back to around 1700 B.C. The English invented and refined the game, as it is known today. Basic international rules have remained almost unchanged since the turn of the century.

The Game

The object of the game is to kick the ball down the field with control, and into the opponents goal to score points. You may not use your hands on the field of play unless you are a goalie.

Regulations

1. Soccer is a timed sport played on a field slightly larger than a football field.
2. Eleven players make up one team in a regulation soccer game.
3. PE modifications
   1. The size of the team depends on the size of the class and the number of teams per class.

The Field

Positions

1. Goalkeeper or Goalie
   1. The goalie is the only one on the field who can use their hands. They must stay in the goalie area, or else they become a regular field player with no hand privleges.
   2. PE modifications – you cannot change goalies unless there is a stoppage of play. Someone cannot be named goalie just because they were in the goal area at the right time.
   3. The goalie can throw, kick or punt a ball after they make a save.

2. Forward
   1. Forwards stay further forward then the other positions on the field, but must stay equal to or behind the opposing defense.
3. Midfielders
   1. Midfielders play in the center of the field between forwards and defenders.
4. Defenders
   1. Defenders stay in the back of the field and try to stop other players from scoring.

Start of the game

1. The game will begin with a kick off in the middle of the field. A kick off is when one team may kick the ball to any player on their team. They do not have to move the ball forward first. The first touch may be a pass back.

Scoring

1. Kick the ball between the goal posts and under the crossbar to score a point.
2. PE Modifications
   1. Kick the ball between the cones and under the reach of the goalies arm to score a point.
   2. If a player is caught moving the cones closer together, the opposing team will be awarded penalty kick, after the cones are set the correct distance apart.
3. After a goal is scored the team who was scored on moves to the middle of the field to take a kick off.

Playing the game

1. Any player may
   1. Dribble: Continuous forward kicks with the ball in control
   2. Pass: Advancing the ball to a teammate with a kick
   3. Head: Advancing the ball with the head
   4. Place kick: Kick a stationary pall
   5. Throw-in: an over the head throw with both hands, only used when the ball goes out of bounds at the side line. Both feet must stay on the ground while throwing.
   6. Trap: Stopping the ball with any part of the body except the hands, bringing down to the feet.
2. Players with the ball may put themselves between the ball and the opponent.
3. No player may charge the goalkeeper.

Out of Bounds

1. If the ball goes out the
   1. Side line, the opponent gets a throw in
   2. End line or goal line
      1. If it’s kicked out by attackers, the defense takes a goal kick. Set the ball down inside the goalie area and kick the ball to the field
      2. If it’s kicked out by the defense or goalie, the opposing team will take a corner kick. A corner kick is a kick taken from the corner of the field.

Fouls

1. A foul is when a player breaks the rules and a free kick is awarded.
   1. Tripping
   2. Kicking a player instead of the ball
   3. Hitting a player
   4. High kicking – trying to raise your foot over your head to kick the ball
   5. Pushing an opponent
   6. Using hands
   7. Making contact with the goal keeper
2. A foul committed within 10 yards of the goal will award the team a penalty kick.
   1. Penalty kick is when one player may shoot the ball from 12 steps away from the goal. No player from either team my stand in between the kicker and the goalie.