Soccer has gained tremendous traction in the U.S. According to America.gov, soccer was the fourth-most-watched sport in America as of 2008. Soccer attracts all ages, with leagues available for elementary-school ages to seniors. While the basic principles of the game remain the same, slight differences, like length of the periods or size of the field, may occur.
Use of Hands
The basic principle of soccer is to move the ball around the field and into the goal without the use of hands. If any players' hands or arms touch the ball, the referee must make a judgment call as to whether the touch was intentional or purposeful. The goalkeeper is allowed to catch the ball with her hands if it was a member of the opposing team that launched it. If a goalkeeper's teammate was the last to have contact with the ball, called a back-pass, the goalkeeper's only recourse is to use his feet to kick the ball back into play. Violations of this rule result in the award of an indirect kick to the opposing team from the point where the violation occurred.
Kickoffs
Play begins by way of a kickoff at the start of the game, the second half, any extra time periods or after the scoring of a goal. The referee places the ball in the center of the field. Players from each team remain on their half of the field at least 10 yards from the ball. Play begins when the referee blows his whistle and the ball is kicked and moves forward. The team that wins the coin toss receives the first kick-off, while the opposing team takes the kickoff after each goal.
Throw-Ins
Any time that the ball crosses a sideline and leaves the field, play resumes by a throw-in by a member of the team who did not kick the ball out of play. The player taking the throw-in must have two feet on the ground when the ball is thrown, and must use both hands over his head to throw the ball. It is acceptable and common for the player to drag the toes of one foot while throwing the ball. Violations of the two-hand, two-foot or over-the-head rules result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team to take the throw-in.
Corner Kicks and Goal Kicks
When the ball crosses the line at either end of the field and goes out of play, play resumes by kicking it back onto the field. If the ball went out of play when the offensive team attempted to score a goal, the goalkeeper or another player kicks the ball back into play from anywhere in the goal box. Players on either team are not allowed to touch the ball until it leaves the penalty area around the goal. Violation of this rule will result in the kick being attempted again. If the team defending their goal kicks the ball out of play across the goal line, the ball is returned to play with a corner kick. The offensive team, or the team that did not send the ball over the line, places the ball in the corner of the field closest to where the ball went out of play and sends it back into play with a kick.
Penalty Kicks
There are two basic types of kicks that are imposed for infractions---free kicks and penalty kicks. In a penalty kick, the referee places the ball 12 yards in front of the center of the goal. All other players remain outside of the penalty area, while the goalkeeper has both feet on the goal line. Once the player kicks the ball, it either results in a goal, rebounds off of the goalkeeper and remains in play, or it goes off the field and play is restarted with a goal kick. Free kicks are either direct or indirect. In a direct kick, the player kicking the ball can attempt to score a goal. For an indirect kick, another player must touch the ball before attempting to score a goal.
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