There are seventeen official rules for the game of soccer.  These rules apply to all levels of players but there are a few variations for young players, senior players, and women players.  The laws are broad and allow flexibility depending on how the game is going.  There are other directives and decisions that govern the game all set by the IFAB.

A team consists of eleven players with one of those players consisting of the goalkeeper.  Some rules indicate a team can play with a minimum of seven players.  The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to play with the balls with their hands or arms but only in front of their own goal.  There are no set positions for the other players; they are placed on the field by the coach for defensive purposes.

Players are required to wear a basic wardrobe consisting of a shirt, socks, shorts, and shin guards.  The goalkeeper must have a piece of clothing that clearly identifies him or her as the goalkeeper.  Players are not to wear jewelry or anything that may cause accidental harm to another player.  That includes watches as well as jewelry.

During a match, up to three substitutions can be made by each team.  The reason for substitution can be injury, tiredness of a player, or it could be a defensive substitution.  Friendly competitions, and unregulated games may allow more substitutions if both teams agree.  Adult soccer matches are two periods of 45 minutes of play each.  The referee is in charge of keeping track of time, and more time may be awarded to allow for an injury or a substitution.

The soccer field is similar to an American football field.  Instead of cross arms at each end soccer fields have goals with a net attached guarded by a goalkeeper.  The field is roughly the size of an American football field.

Penalties are assessed for fouls or inappropriate behavior.  A foul can occur when a player deliberately commits a specific offense listed in the Laws of the game.  If a player handles the ball with his hands or arms, intentionally trips another player, or pushes an opposing player are fouls punishable by allowing a free kick or penalty kick to the other team.  A referee may also hand out a yellow card that is essentially a warning of possible consequences.  If the player receives a yellow card, a red card follows it.  A red card means the player is out of the game.  Definitions are broad for a referee in passing out yellow cards for misconduct.  Unsporting behavior can be called even if the player does not break one of the essential rules of the game.  It could mean those nonplayers, managers, or other support staff can be made to leave the field and areas surrounding it because of misconduct.

One of the premier world soccer competitions is the World Cup.  Soccer has been included in the Olympic games since 1932, but the World Cup remains the most popular competition.  Soccer fans are so passionate about their games; there have been reports of riots and injuries after some games.  Security measures have tightened to prevent these events from occurring in most games around the world.  The World Cup is composed of a whole tournament that is dedicated to the winners of the six club championships of each FIFA organization.

Soccer is becoming more and more popular and is threatening to take first place in children’s heart over baseball.  Soccer clubs and teams are springing up all over the United States and will probably be fueled by the presence of famous soccer star David Beckham’s arrival in the United States.

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