Basic rules of Soccer the amazing game involving players, balls & goals
These days the Soccer Fever has caught up around the world, Soccer is one of the most watched games on the planet earth. Every one knows Soccer Game as a game played around a soccer ball which is kicked into a soccer goal, but not many knows the rules which made this game a global entertainer. Let's look at few of the official rules just for our knowledge.
Field surface
Soccer Game may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition.
The natural surface obviously is green and also the color of artificial surfaces must be green. Artificial surfaces are used in either competition matches between representative teams of member associations affiliated to FIFA or international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf or the International Artificial Turf Standard which are the official authority for laying down the Quality Standards, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA.
Field markings
The field of play must be rectangular in shape and marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are called boundaries. The two longer boundary lines drawn on field are called touch lines. And the other two shorter lines are called goal lines. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the midpoints of the two touch lines on the field.
The center mark which is a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yards) is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line.
Marks may be made off the field of play, 9.15 m (10 yards) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines and the touch lines, to ensure that defending players retreat this distance when a corner kick is being taken.
The Soccer Goal area
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the soccer goal line, 5.5 m (6 yards) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yards) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the respective soccer goals line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
The penalty area
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the soccer goal line, 16.5 m (18 yards) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yards) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the respective soccer goal line.
The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 11 m (12 yards) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.
An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yards) from the center of each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
Flagposts
A flagpost, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag must be placed at each corner.
Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less than 1 m (1 yard) outside the so called touch line.
The corner arc
A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yard) from each corner flagpost is drawn inside the field of play.
Soccer Goals
A goal must be placed on the center of each soccer goal line. A soccer goals consists of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players.
The distance between the posts should be 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins). The goal lines must be of the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere with the respective goalkeeper.
The goalposts and crossbars must be white in color.
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
Soccer Balls
The soccer balls are also defined officially:
• They should be of spherical in size
• Made of leather or other suitable material
• Made of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
• Should not more than 450 g (16 oz) and not less than 410 g (14 oz) in weight at the start of the match
• Having a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1,100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in – 15.6 lbs/sq in)
There are also lot many rules laid out but I cant put all those here, would mention those in the forthcoming articles, mean while just enjoy the stunning Soccer Game in your living room or in your patio or courtyard on a cool wooden hammock stand along with your friends or family members.
Field surface
Soccer Game may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition.
The natural surface obviously is green and also the color of artificial surfaces must be green. Artificial surfaces are used in either competition matches between representative teams of member associations affiliated to FIFA or international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf or the International Artificial Turf Standard which are the official authority for laying down the Quality Standards, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA.
Field markings
The field of play must be rectangular in shape and marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are called boundaries. The two longer boundary lines drawn on field are called touch lines. And the other two shorter lines are called goal lines. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the midpoints of the two touch lines on the field.
The center mark which is a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yards) is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line.
Marks may be made off the field of play, 9.15 m (10 yards) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines and the touch lines, to ensure that defending players retreat this distance when a corner kick is being taken.
The Soccer Goal area
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the soccer goal line, 5.5 m (6 yards) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yards) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the respective soccer goals line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
The penalty area
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the soccer goal line, 16.5 m (18 yards) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yards) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the respective soccer goal line.
The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 11 m (12 yards) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.
An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yards) from the center of each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
Flagposts
A flagpost, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag must be placed at each corner.
Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less than 1 m (1 yard) outside the so called touch line.
The corner arc
A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yard) from each corner flagpost is drawn inside the field of play.
Soccer Goals
A goal must be placed on the center of each soccer goal line. A soccer goals consists of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players.
The distance between the posts should be 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins). The goal lines must be of the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere with the respective goalkeeper.
The goalposts and crossbars must be white in color.
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
Soccer Balls
The soccer balls are also defined officially:
• They should be of spherical in size
• Made of leather or other suitable material
• Made of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
• Should not more than 450 g (16 oz) and not less than 410 g (14 oz) in weight at the start of the match
• Having a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1,100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in – 15.6 lbs/sq in)
There are also lot many rules laid out but I cant put all those here, would mention those in the forthcoming articles, mean while just enjoy the stunning Soccer Game in your living room or in your patio or courtyard on a cool wooden hammock stand along with your friends or family members.
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