for the parents
General Soccer Terms & Rules

FIELD OF PLAY
(The Pitch)

HANDLING
(Hand Ball)
A rule that is sometimes hard to understand. A couple of points
to clarify:
1 – The law for handling includes using any part of the body from the tips of
the fingers to the shoulder.
2 – The proper way to look at the law is that a player cannot “handle” the ball.
A ball that is kicked and hits a player’s hand or arm may not be handling. This
means that the referee must use their judgment to determine if it’s accidental
contact or if a purposeful attempt to “gain advantage” was used.
Put another way, the referee must determine if:
The ball hit the hand (legal)
The hand hit the ball (illegal)
The basic concept is “gain advantage” if the referee sees the player directing the
ball with hand/arm movement it is handling. It is not handling if before the ball is
put into play for girls using their arms to protect their chest or boys to protect their
groin. In other words, if the player puts their arm to their chest or hands over groin
after the ball has been played; the referee should call handling.
Penalty for handling – Direct Free Kick
Keeper pass-back rule – a keeper cannot pick up a pass that was kicked directly
from one of their teammates; they must use their feet.
Penalty for pass-back – Indirect Free Kick
FOULS & MISCONDUCT
Think of this as two parts – Fouls and then Misconduct.
Fouls - There are two categories of fouls, penal and technical. The penalties for fouls
are awarding a Free Kick to the opposing team. A foul is awarded when the Referee
feels it was done in a “careless” manner.
Misconduct - Can be an included part of some fouls, or can be unrelated to a foul.
The Referee will issue a card when a foul was committed in a “reckless” (yellow) or
“excessive” (red) manner. The penalties for misconduct are the issuing of a Caution
(yellow card) or Disqualification or ejection (red card).
FOULS
In general, a player cannot kick, trip, jump at, charge, strike, and push, hold, spit at a
person or use foul language (attempts too many of these is just as bad). However,
bumping or going shoulder-to-shoulder while competing for a ball is not a foul until
the hands or elbows come up. This is a judgment call by the referees. If a player falls
down in the process of going for the ball it may or may not be a foul, which is part of
soccer, the Referee has to decide was it done in a “careless” manner, if so it’s a foul.
There are two types of Free Kicks:
Direct Free Kick – A player can score by kicking the ball directly into the goal.
Indirect Free Kick – The ball must be touched by another player before it can go into
the goal.
You can tell whether the Free Kick is direct or indirect by watching the Center Referee.
For an Indirect Free Kick the Center Referee will hold one arm straight up in the air
until the second person touches the ball. No arm up, it’s a Direct Free Kick. In general,
a Direct Free Kick comes from a contact foul or handball, you could say if it ends in
“ing” such as kicking, tripping, it’s usually a Direct Kick. Everything else is an Indirect
Free Kick. With a Free Kick the opposing team must stay at least 10 yards away from
the ball until it is kicked. Plus, any player may kick the ball.
Advantage - A referee will often delay calling a foul to see if the fouled team maintains
"advantage" by yelling "play on" and sweeping his hands forward. Basically saying I saw
the foul but do not want to take away your advantage, if the advantage does not develop
he can bring the ball back and award a free kick.
PENAL FOUL – The referee awards a Direct Free Kick to the other team at the point of
infraction. The first six are called only if the referee considers them done carelessly,
recklessly or with excessive force. A Penalty Kick (PK) is awarded if any of these are
committed in their own penalty area.
1 - Kicking
2 - Tripping
3 - Jumping at
4 - Charging
5 - Striking
6 - Pushing
7 - Holding
8 - Spitting on or at a person
9 - Deliberately handling ball (Hand Ball)
10 - Contacting opponent before the ball in slide tackling
TECHNICAL FOUL – The referee awards an Indirect Free Kick to the other team at
the point of infraction.
1 - Offside
2 - Preventing the opposing keeper from releasing the ball
3 - Impeding an opponent
4 - Keeper taking more than 6 seconds to release control
5 - Wasting time
6 - Keeper handling ball intentionally played by teammate
7 - Dangerous play effecting opponent such as a high kick
8 - Any offense not mentioned above where play is stopped for a caution (yellow) or
ejection (red),
MISCONDUCT
Yellow and red cards are used by the Center Referee to control the “tone” of the game.
Cautions (yellow) and Disqualifications (ejections) (red) are issued (shown) in addition
to the above listed fouls. A card can be issued if, in the opinion of the Referee, it was
related to a foul that was committed in a “reckless” (yellow) or “excessive” (red) manner.
A yellow card is referred to as a Caution; two yellow cards in the same game equals a
red (Disqualification). A red card is a Disqualification (ejection) from the game without
a replacement player. Additionally, coaches and bench players can be carded.
CAUTION (yellow card) OFFENCES:
1 - Unsporting behavior or conduct
2 - Showing dissent by word or action
3 - Persistently infringes the laws of the game
4 - Delays the restart of play
5 - Enters or leaves the field without refs permission
6 - Deliberately leaves field without refs permission
7 - Fails to respect the required distance in a corner kick, free kick or throw in
Penalty for Yellow Card depends on reason for card – Can be Indirect Free Kick or
Direct Free Kick
DISQUALIFICATION OR EJECTION (red card) OFFENCES:
1- Serious foul play
2 - Violent conduct
3 - Spits at a person
4 - A second Caution (Yellow Card)
5 - Denies a goal or obvious goal opportunity by deliberately handling the ball
(hand ball)
6 - Denies an obvious goal opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s
goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or penalty kick
7 - Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
Penalty for Red – Ejection and Direct Free Kick
TWO-TOUCH
A player can not touch the ball twice in a row when putting the ball in play. You may see it
on kick-offs or free kicks where a player barely hits the ball and decides to take another
swipe at it, that is a two-touch.
This rule also applies to throw-ins. A player cannot throw the ball in and then kick it.
Penalty for two-touch – Indirect Free Kick
PENALTY KICK
PK results from a penal “contact” foul or handball in the penalty area and is a type of
Direct Free Kick.
The ball is placed on the penalty spot, 12 yards from the goal. The keeper must not
pass the goal line until the ball is kicked.
After the ball is kicked, if it rebounds off the goal or keeper and stays on the field, the
ball is “live”. Anyone can play it if off the keeper, if off the goal due to two-touch rule
anyone but the kicker can play it.
** Typical Soccer Positions **
FORWARDS ► Left Wing Striker Right wing
MIDFIELDER ► Left halfback Center midfield Right halfback
DEFENCE ► Left fullback Center defender Right fullback
DEFENCE ► Sweeper
Goalkeeper
referee signals

REFEREES
There are two types of referees, the Referee (center referee) and the Assistant
Referee (sideline referee).
The Center Referee (CR) is in charge and makes all final decisions. Unlike tackle
football where calls are often black and white, many soccer calls are the Referee’s
opinion and final. He or she controls the “tone” of the game with the use of foul
calls along with their yellow and red cards. In addition, only the Center Referee will
issue a yellow or red card.
The Assistant Referee (AR) assists the Center Referee with his area of the field in
calling out of bounds (play), offside and fouls. The Assistant Referee uses their flag
to communicate with the Center Referee. Sometimes the Center Referee may see a
call differently and decline the call by waving it off.
Sometimes you may see the “dual system”, in essence two Center Referees, one on
each side of the field.
TIME OF THE GAME
Most soccer is played in two 45-minute halves; Younger ages in 35
and 25; with a 10-minute halftime for all. In tournaments the halves
are normally shortened 5 or 10 minutes in order to fit all the games
into the time allowed. Plus, there are no timeouts in soccer.
Unlike high school soccer, normal soccer does not have “stoppage
or timeout” time except for injury or heat by order of the referee.
Normally the referee will add some time at the end of the half, typically
2 or 3 minutes for injury stoppage time.
OUT OF PLAY
(Out of Bounds)
When a ball goes fully over the lines around the field it is “out of play” and needs
to be brought “back into play”. The entire ball must be past the outer edge of the
line to be out of play. A player may go off the field and kick the ball before it passes
the edge of the line.
Depending on where it went out and who last touched the ball, “back into play”
will be one of the three:
1 – Throw In
Ball is out over the touch line (side). Went out on the last player to touch the ball and
given to the other team. The player doing the throw in must have both feet on the
ground when the ball is released and use both hands to throw from behind and over
the head. The player’s feet may be over the touch line but not totally over it.
The ball must pass over the plane of the outside edge of the touch line, if not, the ball
is awarded to the opponent as a throw in.
2 – Goal Kick
Awarded when the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line (end) and an attacking
player last touched it. Ball is put back into play by kicking from anywhere in the goal
area and must pass outside the penalty area into the field before it is in play. The
attacking team must stay out of the penalty area until the ball is in play. Once the ball
is in play, the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched
by another player.
3 – Corner Kick
Awarded when the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line (end) and a defensive
player last touched it. An attacking player will kick from the corner to the goal. The
opposing team must remain at least 10 yards from the ball as it is kicked. A goal
may be scored directly from this kick. The kicker may not touch the ball a second
time until it has been touched by another player.

OFFSIDE
This is by far one of the least understood rules by parents and coaches alike.
First, it’s not offside if a player receives the ball directly from a corner kick, goal
kick or throw-in at the point the ball is put back into play. But, once the ball is touched
again you could be offside. Also, it is not offside for a player to simply be in the offside
position; the player must be involved in active play as determined by the referee to be
called offside. Plus, you cannot be offside if you are standing on your half of the field.
There are two parts to the rule:
1 – The player is in an offside position if they are nearer to his opponent’s
goal line than
the ball or the second to last opponent. In other words you must have the ball or two
defenders (generally one is the keeper) between or even with you and the goal at the
moment the ball is touched by one of your teammates.
2 – You must be actively involved in the play. This is determined by the
Referee.
You will see the AR running up and down the field. He is in line with the second
to last
defender (not the keeper) or the ball. He is watching to see if an attacking player crosses
over that line to the goal and at the same time listening for the ball being kicked. If an
attacking player is between the last defender and keeper when the ball is touched the
attacking player may become offside if the attacking player becomes involved in the play.
Keep in mind the law applies when the ball is kicked, not when the player receives the
ball. So, an attacking player can be onside when the ball is kicked, she beats the
defender to the ball and goes to goal, this is not offside, she was onside when the ball
was touched and simply out ran the defender to the ball.

Mobile County Soccer Fields
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Christ United Methodist Church
6101 Grelot Road Mobile, Alabama 36609
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Cottage Hill (Medal of Honor) Park 1711 Hillcrest Road Mobile, Alabama 36609
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Faith Academy
8650 Tanner Williams Road Mobile, Alabama 36608
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Mitchell Field University of South Alabama Gravel Road & Old Shell Road Mobile, Alabama
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Municipal/Langan Park Billy Bedsole Run Mobile, Alabama 36608
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Semmes Soccer Fields 4275 Snow Road North Semmes, Alabama 36575
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Sage/Herndon Park 2900 Dauphin Street
Mobile, Alabama 36606 |
Spring Hill College 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, Alabama 36608 |
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St. Paul's School 161 Dogwood Lane Mobile, Alabama 36608
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University of Mobile 5735 College Parkway Eight Mile, Alabama 36613
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The CAGE University of South Alabama Located between Stanky Field and Jaguar Track Mobile, Alabama 36608 |
Intramural Fields University of South Alabama Mobile, Alabama 36608
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Baldwin
County Soccer Fields|
Bay Minette Fields
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Bayside Academy
303 Dryer Avenue Daphne, AL 36526
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Daphne High School
9300 East Lawson Road Daphne Alabama 36526
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1 Jody Davis Circle
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Founders Park Fairhope, AL
From I-10, whether traveling east or west, take Daphne exit (U.S. Highway 98 South) to Fairhope. Continue on U.S. Highway Business 98 South (stay on four lane) to County Road 44 (Fairhope High School is located on Southeast corner of intersection). Turn left (east) on County Road 44 and travel approximately 1 mile and the complex will be on the right. Enter the complex via Founders Drive.
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Orange Beach Sportsplex
4385 William Silvers Parkway Orange Beach, AL |
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Al Trione Sports Complex
8600 Whispering Pines Road Daphne, Alabama 36526
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Other South Alabama Fields
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Enterprise Recreational Complex |
YMCA Fields in Enterprise |
Birmingham / Central Alabama Soccer Fields
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Briarwood 119 Fields 33.392672,-86.690004 6255 Cahaba Valley Road Birmingham, Alabama
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Briarwood Acton Road Field 33.416031,-86.762434 2204 Briarwood Way Birmingham, Alabama
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Bent River Road Fields (Briarwood Field) 33.384504, -86.781563 Bent River Road Birmingham, Alabama
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Gadsden City High School 34.013234,-86.020822 607 S 12th Street Gadsden, Alabama
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Heardmont Park
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Homewood Fields 33.451746,-86.806777 1800 South Lakeshore Drive Homewood, Alabama 35209
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Liberty Park 33.473048,-86.674297 Lake Colony Drive Vestavia, Alabama
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Montgomery YMCA Soccer Fields 32.377424,-86.180363 300 Brown Springs Road
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
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Munny Sokol Park Watermelon Road Northport (Tuscaloosa), Alabama
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Sokol Fields East
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Munny Sokol Park North A & B
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University of Montevallo 33.102023,-86.8643 720 Oak Street
Montevallo, Alabama 35115-6000
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Rathmell Sports Park 33.461538,-86.715045 Birmingham, Alabama
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SportsFirst/1996 Fields 33.3714,-86.658367 5414 Highway 280 South Birmingham, Alabama
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North Alabama Soccer Fields
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Jack Allen Fields 2616 Modaus Road Decatur, Alabama 35603
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John Hunt Fields (Old Airport & Soccer Central) Huntsville, Alabama
Take 1-565 East to Us 231 (Memorial Parkway), go south to Airport Road. Turn right (west). Follow Airport road to second traffic light, turn right.
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Merrimac Park 3501 Triana Blvd SW
Huntsville, Alabama 35805 |
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Spirit of America Point Mallard Fields 2900-B Point Mallard Park, SE Decatur, Alabama 35601
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North Alabama Soccer Fields
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John Hunt Fields (Old Airport & Soccer Central) Huntsville, Alabama
Take 1-565 East to Us 231 (Memorial Parkway), go south to Airport Road. Turn right (west). Follow Airport road to second traffic light, turn right.
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Jack Allen Fields 2616 Modaus Road Decatur, Alabama 35603
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Merrimac Park 3501 Triana Blvd SW
Huntsville, Alabama 35805 |
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Spirit of America Point Mallard Fields 2900-B Point Mallard Park, SE Decatur, Alabama 35601
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Florida
Soccer Fields|
Ashton Brosnaham Sportsplex 10300 Ashton Brosnaham Road Pensacola, Florida 32514 |
Jim C. Bailey Middle School
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Destin Elementary School 630 Kelly Street Destin, Florida |
Destin Middle School Middle School Road Destin, Florida
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Morgan Sports Complex 4200 Two Trees Road Destin, Florida
Parking at Morgan Sports Complex is accessible from Airport Road or Two Trees Road Parking for fields 1-5 – enter parking lot from Airport Road. Parking for fields 6, 7, & 8 – enter City Hall complex at 4200 Two Trees Road. Go to the left of City Hall and up the small hill to the parking lot.
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Navarre Soccer Complex 9299 Military Trail Navarre, Florida 32566
Sacred Heart Fields (Perdido Bay FC) 13139 Sorrento Road Pensacola, Florida 32507
Santa Rosa Soccer Park 3360 Joppa Drive Pace, Florida 32571
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Twin Oaks Sports Complex Hwy. 85 & College Blvd., Niceville, Florida
Parking access from Hwy. 85 between baseball fields and on the north end of the complex by the dog park. Additional parking is available from College Blvd. at the southeast end of the complex
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Louisiana Soccer Fields
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Lafreniere Park
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LaSalle Park 6400 Airline Drive Metairie, Louisiana 7003 |
| Lions Club Fields | North Kenner Fields |
Mississippi Soccer Fields
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County Farm Fields |
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Other Place of Interest
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Alabama Youth Soccer
Association Office |
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The following is a summary of soccer for the parent who wants to learn more. This is by no means all the rules listed in the three 100 plus page books a referee must study, but it will help.
ENJOY!
Also to the left are field locations for you convenience.
