The rules of soccer are maintained by the international soccer organization FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and consist of 17 Laws of the game.
1. The FIELD of play.
-Is rectangle...it must be longer than wider.
2. The BALL.
-Is a sphere.
3. NUMBER of Players.
-A team cannot have more than eleven players on the field at anytime one of which will be the goalkeeper.
4. Players EQUIPMENT.
-Shall not wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or others.
5. REFEREES.
-Authority begins when they arrive at field and ends when they leave field.
6. ASSISTANT REFEREES.
-Assist the Referee.
7. DURATION of the game.
-Played in two equal time periods called "half."
8. The START of Play.
-With a place-kick from the center spot...ball rotates forward.
9. Ball IN and OUT of play.
-When it has entirely crossed the goal or touchline.
10. Method of SCORING.
-Ball wholly crosses over goal line, under cross bar and between posts.
11. OFFSIDE.
-Must have two players between self and goal at the time of the pass.
12. FOULS and MISCONDUCT.
-Nine Major Infractions:
(Hand)--1 Holding, 2 Pushing, 3 Striking and 4 Handling the ball.
(Body)-- 5 Violent or dangerous charge, 6 charging from behind, 7 jumping at opponent
(Feet)-- 8 Kicking, 9 tripping opponent.
RESULT--DIRECT FREE KICK...
All other fouls not part of the above (Nine)
RESULT -INDIRECT , FREE KICK...
-Caution (yellow card):
In the opinion of the Referee --persistently infringes the Laws of the Game.
-Ejection (red card): n the opinion of the referee - is guilty of violent or-serious foul, using foul or abusive language, persists in misconduct after having received a caution.
13. FREE KICKS.
The kicker may score a Goal from a direct free kick (major infraction).
-Goal may not be scored from an indirect free kick unless the ball is played or touched by another player of either team. (minor infraction)
14. PENALTY KICK-Direct Free Kick resulting from a player inside own penalty area intentionally
15. THROW-IN.
-Restart play after ball has passed entirely over the touchline.
LAW 16. GOAL KICK.
-Restart play after ball has passed entirely over the goal line and was last touched by the attacking team.
LAW 17. CORNER KICK.
-Restart play after ball has passed entirely over the goal line and was last touched by the defending team.