The Rules of Soccer for Beginners
Learn the basic rules of soccer (football) for beginners: how to score a goal, the no-hands rule, kick-offs, throw-ins, fouls, and what the referee does.
Key takeaways
- Two teams try to kick the ball into the other team's goal to score
- Only the goalkeeper may use their hands, and only inside their own penalty area
- When the ball goes out over the sideline, play restarts with a throw-in
- The referee makes sure everyone follows the rules and plays fairly
What is soccer?
Soccer (also called football) is a game played by two teams. Each team tries to kick the ball into the other team's goal. The team that scores the most goals wins!
A full team has 11 players on the field. One of them is the goalkeeper. Youth teams are often smaller, which means more touches on the ball for everyone.
How to score
You score a goal when the whole ball crosses the goal line, between the two posts and under the crossbar. Each goal counts as one point.
You can score with your foot, your head, or your chest, but not with your hands or arms.
The most important rule: no hands
In soccer, players use their feet, head, and body, but not their hands or arms. If you touch the ball with your hand on purpose, that is called a handball, and the other team gets a free kick.
There is one exception: the goalkeeper. The keeper can catch and hold the ball, but only inside their own penalty area (the big box in front of their goal).
Starting and restarting the game
- Kick-off: The game starts with a kick-off from the center of the field. Each half begins this way, and play restarts with a kick-off after every goal.
- Throw-in: When the ball goes out over the sideline, the team that did not touch it last throws it back in. You must throw with both hands, from behind your head, with both feet on the ground.
- Goal kick and corner kick: If the ball goes out past the goal line (but no goal is scored), play restarts with a goal kick or a corner kick, depending on which team touched it last.
Fouls and fair play
A foul is breaking a rule, like pushing, tripping, or kicking another player. When there is a foul, the referee stops play and gives the other team a free kick.
The referee runs the game. They watch for fouls, decide when the ball is out, and keep everyone safe and fair. Sometimes a referee shows a yellow card as a warning, or a red card to send a player off for a serious foul.
Good players play hard but also play fair. Shake hands with the other team after the game!
Get ready to play
Before any game or practice, get your body ready so you don't get hurt. Read Why Warming Up Matters to learn how.
You also need good ball control. Practice the basics in Fun with Balls: Throw, Catch, Roll.
Quick recap
- Kick the ball into the goal to score.
- No hands, except the goalkeeper in their area.
- Throw-in for the sideline; the referee keeps it fair.
Now grab a ball, find some friends, and play!
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
How does a team score a point in soccer?
A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the bar.
Who is the only player allowed to use their hands?
Only the goalkeeper can use their hands, and only inside their own penalty area.
What happens when the ball goes out over the sideline?
When the ball crosses the sideline, the team that did not touch it last takes a throw-in.
What does the referee do?
The referee is fair to both teams and stops the game when a rule is broken.
How many players are on a full soccer team on the field?
A full team has 11 players on the field, including one goalkeeper.
FAQ
Yes. In many countries the game is called football, while in the USA and a few others it is called soccer. They are the same sport.
A professional match is two halves of 45 minutes. Youth games are usually shorter, with smaller fields and fewer players.
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