A Guide for Soccer Parents-Source Woodburn Press

WHAT EVERY COACH WANTS YOU TO KNOW

When The Ball Goes Out Of Play

When the ball goes out of play, 1 of 3 things happens, depending on where it goes out and which team sent it out. (For the ball to be out of bounds, the entire ball must be outside the boundary line.) If the ball goes out over the touchline (sideline), it is thrown in by a member of the other team. If the ball goes over the end line, thereπs either a goal kick or a corner kick. When itπs kicked out by the attacking team, the defending team gets a goal kick. When itπs kicked out by the defending team, the attacking team gets a corner kick.

Throw-In

A lineman usually determines where the ball crossed the line and which team caused it to go out of bounds. The team that did not knock the ball out over the touchline (sideline) throws the ball in at the same point that it went out. The throw-in must be done with both feet on the ground and with two hands that are brought from directly behind the head. Players generally try to throw the ball to the feet of an open teammate. Throw-ins are the only time that players, other than goalies, can use their hands.

Goal Kick

When the attacking team kicks the ball out over the end line, the defending team gets a goal kick. The goalie (or another defender) places the ball inside the goal area and kicks it to a teammate or kicks it down the field. No player may touch the ball on a goal kick until the ball clears the penalty area.

Corner Kick

When the defending team kicks the ball out over the end line, the attacking team gets a corner kick. A player on the attacking team places the ball in the corner arc on the side of the field where the ball went out. A corner kick is an excellent scoring opportunity because its one of the few situations in which designed plays can be used. For example, a number of attacking players may group themselves in front of the goal and then run to predetermined points when the kicker goes to kick the ball. Usually the kicker will try to kick the ball in front of the goal hoping that a teammate will be in position to kick or head the ball into the goal. A goal may, however, be scored directly from a corner kick.

To defend against a corner kick, the defending team often positions a player at the post closest to the kicker, while the goalie stands in the middle of the goal. Most of the other players mark man-to-man.

Fouls

Throughout the game the referee watches for fouls and rules violations. When a player commits a foul, the referee blows the whistle, stops play, and awards a free kick to the other team. The free kick will either be an indirect kick, or a direct kick, or a penalty kick, depending on the severity of the foul and where it occurred on the field.

Sometimes when a foul is committed, the referee will not blow the whistle, but will say ≥Play on≤ and give the ≥play on≤ hand signal. The referee is indicating that the foul was seen, but that it is to the advantage of the team that was fouled not to stop play.

Indirect Kick

Indirect kicks are awarded for minor infractions, and they are taken at the spot on the field where the foul occurred. The referee signals an indirect kick by raising one arm straight up. On an indirect kick the ball must be touched by two different players before going into the goal. Until the ball is kicked, the defending team must stand 10 yards away.

Unless an indirect kick is taken in front of a goal, play stops just long enough for a player to kick the ball to a teammate. When an indirect is in front of a goal, one player often taps the ball to a teammate who then quickly takes a shot on goal. An indirect kick is awarded when one of the fouls below has been committed.

Dangerous Play: playing in such a way that could cause injury

Delay of Game: the goalie takes too much time to put the ball in play

Goalkeeper Back pass Violation: a teammate kicks the ball back to the goalie and the goalie touches the ball with one or both hands

Obstruction: a player without the ball, and with no intention of playing the ball, blocks or leans into an opponent

Offside: When a pass is made to an offensive player, there must be two defensive players as close, or closer, to the goal than the player who is receiving the pass. Since one of the defensive players is almost always the goalie, this means that when the ball is kicked, an offensive player must be sure to have at least one defender between him/her and the goalie. It is important to understand that off sides is determined the instant the pass is made, not when the pass is received. Although this rule is confusing, it prevents players from just waiting by their opponentπs goal for a pass. Defenders often take advantage of this rule, however, and stand as near to the center line. Players cannot be called off sides in their half of the field, on throw-ins, or on corner kicks.

Direct Kick

A direct kick is awarded when a more serious foul is committed. The referee signals a direct kick by pointing one arm at the goal. On a direct kick, the ball can be kicked directly into the goal for a score. The kick is taken where the foul occurred, and it can be taken by any player. The defending team must stand 10 yards away until the ball is kicked.

When a direct kick is awarded in front of a goal, itπs an excellent scoring opportunity. This is because the kicker gets time to set the kick up. In order to block the goal area, the defense forms a wall. Usually the wall consists of 3-5 players who stand shoulder to shoulder in order to block the goal area closest to the kicker. A direct kick is awarded when one of the following fouls has been committed:

Charging: running at an opponent in a violent or dangerous way

Handball: touching the ball with a hand

Hitting/Kicking: striking or attempting to strike an opponent

Holding: grabbing an opponent to keep the opponent from the ball

Pushing: using hands or arms to push an opponent aside

Tripping: causing an opponent to trip

Penalty Kick

When a direct kick is foul is committed by the defending team inside their own penalty box, the other team gets a penalty kick. This is the best possible scoring opportunity for a team because itπs a one on one situation. While all other players stand outside the penalty box, one player tries to kick the ball past the goalie into the net from 12 yards in front of the goal. The goalie, who must stand on the goal line until the ball is kicked, tries to anticipate which direction the ball will go. There is a lot of pressure on both players; the kicker, however, has the advantage.

Cards (yellow and red)

A referee may reprimand a player who deliberately or continually violates the rules. The referee does this by holding a yellow or red card up in the air. When the referee gives a player a yellow (warning) card, the player must leave the field temporarily. A red card is given for a second yellow card, a serious foul, or a dangerous act. When a red card is given, the player must leave the field immediately. The team may not substitute another player, and they must play the rest of the game a man down.

Soccer Terms Glossary

Advantage: when stopping play would not benefit the team thatπs been fouled, the referee permits play to continue

Assist: after a goal is scored, the player who passed the ball to the scorer is credited with an assist

Back pass: a pass thatπs sent away from the goal the teamπs trying to score on

Breakaway: when there are no defenders between a player with the ball and the goal. A breakaway is an exciting play that often results in a goal.

Clear: to get the ball away from oneπs own goal

Cross: a ball passed from the sideline to the center, or far side, of the field

Drop ball: a way to restart play when there are simultaneous fouls or when the ball is kicked out-of-bounds by 2 opponents simultaneously. The referee drops the ball between two opponents.

Far post: the goal post farthest from where the ball is played

FIFA: Federation Internationale de Football Association, the governing body of soccer. It was created in 1904 to sponsor international competition.

Finish: play which results in a goal

First touch: a playerπs initial contact with the ball. A playerπs fist touch often determines whether or not he/she will be able to control the ball.

Give and go (wall pass): a player makes a pass (gives) and then runs to an open space (goes) to receive a pass

Halfback: another term for midfielder

Hat trick: 3 goals made by a player in one game

Marking: the act of guarding a specific opponent closely

Near post: the goal post nearest to where the ball is played

Nutmeg: a pass that goes through a defenderπs legs

One-touch: passing or shooting with only one touch of the ball

Overlap pass: a pass made to a player who has run up from behind

Own goal: a goal inadvertently scored by a player in his/her own goal

Penalty Area: the rectangular area in front of the goal where the goalie can use his/her hands. When a direct foul occurs in the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded.

Save: Keeping the ball from going into the goal

Shielding: protecting the ball by keeping oneπs body between the ball and the opposing player.

Slide Tackle: a defender slides to the ground and into the ball in order to get the ball away from an opponent.

Tackle: to go after the ball in order to steal it from an opposing player. (In soccer, a player must tackle the ball, not the player with the ball.)

Trapping: bringing the ball under control

Volley: a kick made while the ball is in the air

Wall: a line of players standing close together to defend against a direct kick.

World Cup: an international soccer tournament that takes place every 4 years. It is the worldπs most popular sporting event.