Abbreviated Laws of the Game
FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME
The laws of the game, as authorized by the Federation Internationale De Football Association (FIFA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), will apply in all cases except as modified by the Wise County Youth Soccer Association rules. The seventeen (17) FIFA Laws of Soccer are provided below in an abbreviated format.1
LAW 1: The Field of Play
DIMENSIONS
The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length: minimum 90 m (100 yds) maximum 120 m (130 yds)
Width: minimum 45 m (50 yds) maximum 90 m (100 yds)
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds) maximum 110 m (120 yds)
Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds) maximum 75 m (80 yds)
FIELD MARKINGS
The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries. The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines. The two shorter lines arecalled goal lines. All lines are not more than 12 cm (5 ins) wide. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) is marked around it.
THE GOAL AREA
A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
THE PENALTY AREA
A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5 m (18 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the 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 yds) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
1 The complete and official descriptions of FIFAs Laws of the Game are described in FIFA Laws of the Game, Guide for Referees, United States Soccer Federation, current edition. This document contains the seventeen (17) Laws of the Game, associated International Football Association Board decisions, additional instructions regarding the Laws of the Game, instructions regarding the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, the technical area, the role of the fourth official, and additional rules of the International Football Association Board.
FLAGPOSTS
A flagpost, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag is placed at each corner. Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less than 1m (39 inches) outside the touch line.
THE CORNER ARC
A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (39 inches) from each corner flagpost is drawn inside the field of play.
GOALS
Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line. They consist of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The distance between the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the
crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8ft). Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins). The goal lines are the same width as that of 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 goalkeeper. The goalposts and crossbars must be white.
SAFETY
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they
satisfy this requirement.
LAW 2: The Field of Play
QUALITIES AND MEASUREMENTS
The ball is:
spherical
made of leather or other suitable material
of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
not more than 450 g (16 oz) in weight and not less than 410 g (14 oz) at the start of
the match
of a pressure equal to 0.6 1.1 atmosphere (600 1100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq
in 15.6 lbs/sq in)
REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE BALL
If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match:
the match is stopped
the match is restarted by dropping the replacement ball at the place where the first
ball became defective
If the ball bursts or becomes defective whilst not in play at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in:
the ball is replaced and the match is restarted accordingly
The ball may not be changed during the match without the authority of the referee.
LAW 3: The Number of Players
PLAYERS
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players.
OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS
Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the national associations. The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.
OTHER MATCHES
In other matches, up to five substitutes may be used, provided that:
the teams concerned reach agreement on a maximum number
the referee is informed before the match
If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the start of the match, no more than three substitutes are allowed.
ALL MATCHES
In all matches, the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match. Substitutes not so named may not take part in the match.
SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE
To replace a player by a substitute, the following conditions must be observed:
the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made
a substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and
after receiving a signal from the referee
a substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in
the match
a substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced
ceases to be a player
a player who has been replaced takes no further part in the match
all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether
called upon to play or not
CHANGING THE GOALKEEPER
Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that:
the referee is informed before the change is made
the change is made during a stoppage in the match
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
If a substitute enters the field of play without the referee's permission:
play is stopped
the substitute is cautioned, shown the yellow card, and required to leave the field
play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place it was located when play was stopped
If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee's permission before the change is made:
play continues
the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card when the ball is next out of play
For any other infringements of this Law:
the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card
RESTART OF PLAY
If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution:
the match is restarted by an indirect free kick, to be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped
PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES SENT OFF
A player who has been sent off before the kick-off may be replaced only by one of the named substitutes.
A named substitute who has been
LAW 4: The Players Equipment
SAFETY
A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry).
BASIC EQUIPMENT
The basic compulsory equipment of a player is:
a jersey or shirt
shorts if thermal undershorts are worn, they are of the same main color as the
shorts
stockings
shinguards
footwear
SHINGUARDS
are covered entirely by the stockings
are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar substances)
provide a reasonable degree of protection
GOALKEEPERS
each goalkeeper wears colors which distinguish him from the other players, the referee, and the assistant referees
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
For any infringement of this Law:
play need not be stopped
the player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the field of play to correct his equipment
the player leaves the field of play when the ball next ceases to be in play, unless he has already corrected his equipment
any player required to leave the field of play to correct his equipment does not re-enter without the referee's permission
the referee checks that the player's equipment is correct before allowing him to re-enter the field of play
the player is only allowed to re-enter the field of play when the ball is out of play.
A player who has been required to leave the field of play because of an infringement of this Law and who enters (or re-enters) the field of play without the referee's permission is cautioned and shown the yellow card
RESTART OF PLAY
If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution:
the match is restarted by an indirect free kick taken by a player of the opposing side,
from the place where the ball was located when the referee stopped the match
LAW 5: The Referee
THE AUTHORITY OF THE REFEREE
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
POWERS AND DUTIES
THE REFEREE:
enforces the Laws of the Game
controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees and, where applicable, with the fourth official
ensures that the ball meets the requirements of Law 2
ensures that the equipment meets the requirements of Law 4
acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match
stops, suspends or terminates the match, at his discretion, for any Law infringements
stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind
stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is
removed from the field of play
allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only
slightly injured
ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped
allows play to continue when the team against which an offense has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
punishes the more serious offense when a player commits more than one offense at the same time
takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offenses. He is not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play
takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds
acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents which he has not seen
ensures that no unauthorized persons enter the field of play
restarts the match after it has been stopped
provides the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other
incidents which occurred before, during or after the match
DECISIONS OF THE REFEREE
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play.
LAW 6: The Assistant Referees
DUTIES
Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate:
when the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play
which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in
when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position
when a substitution is requested
when misconduct or any other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee
ASSISTANCE
The assistant referees
also assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the
Laws of the Game. In the event of undue interference or improper conduct,
the referee will relieve an assistant referee of his duties and make
a report to the appropriate authorities.
LAW 7: The Duration of the Match
PERIODS OF PLAY
The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two participating teams. Any agreement to alter the periods of play (for example to reduce each half to 40 minutes because of insufficient light) must be made before the start of play and must comply with competition rules.
HALF-TIME INTERVAL
Players are entitled to an interval at half-time.
The half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes.
Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval.
The duration of the half-time interval may be altered only with the consent of the referee.
ALLOWANCE FOR TIME LOST
Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:
substitution(s)
assessment of injury to players
removal of injured players from the field of play for treatment
wasting time
any other cause
The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee.
PENALTY KICK
If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the duration of either half is extended until the
penalty kick is completed.
EXTRA TIME
Competition rules may provide for two further equal periods to be played. The conditions of Law 8 will apply.
ABANDONED MATCH
An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise.
LAW 8: The Start and Restart of Play
PRELIMINARIES
A coin is tossed and the team which wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match.
The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.
The team which wins the toss takes the kick-off to start the second half of the match.
In the second half of the match the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.
KICK-OFF
A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:
at the start of the match
after a goal has been scored
at the start of the second half of the match
at the start of each period of extra time, where applicable
A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.
PROCEDURE
all players are in their own half of the field
the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the
ball until it is in play
the ball is stationary on the centre mark
the referee gives a signal
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player
After a team scores a goal, the kick-off is taken by the other team.
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
If the kicker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the place
where the infringement occurred
For any other infringement of the kick-off procedure:
the kick-off is retaken
DROPPED BALL
A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage which becomes necessary, while the ball is in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game.
PROCEDURE
The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped. Play
restarts when the ball touches the ground.
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
The ball is dropped again:
if it is touched by a player before it makes contact with the ground
if the ball leaves the field of play after it makes contact with the ground, without a player touching it
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
A free kick awarded to the defending team inside its own goal area is taken from any point within the goal area.
An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponents' goal area is taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. A dropped ball to restart the match after play has been temporarily stopped inside the goal area takes place on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.
LAW 9: The Ball In and Ball Out of Play
BALL OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play when:
it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air
play has been stopped by the referee
BALL IN PLAY
The ball is in play at all other times, including when:
it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar or corner flag-post and remains in the field of play
it rebounds
