Understanding the Basics: A Parent’s Guide to Youth Soccer Rules

While to the casual observer, soccer might seem like a simple kick-and-chase, it’s a dynamic sport governed by specific soccer rules to ensure fair play. These soccer regulations evolve with the age and skill level of the players. Younger children’s kids’ soccer rules are intentionally simpler, gradually progressing to the more comprehensive soccer rules for competitive play seen in high school and college. This guide aims to clarify the fundamental youth soccer rules explained for parents, helping you understand the game your child is playing.

Core Soccer Rules Every Parent Should Know

Here are the essential basic soccer rules that form the foundation of the game:

• No Hands (Generally): A fundamental soccer rule is that field players cannot intentionally touch the ball with their hands or arms. However, incidental contact with the upper shoulder is usually permitted.
  • Goalkeeper Exception: The goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands within their own penalty area (also known as the penalty box). However, once they step outside this area or receive a deliberate pass from a teammate’s foot, they are treated as any other player and cannot handle the ball.
• Scoring a Goal: The ultimate objective in soccer is to score by getting the entire ball to cross the opponent’s goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. The assistant referee plays a crucial role in observing this.
• Out of Play: The ball is considered out of bounds when it completely crosses either the touchline (sideline) or the goal line.
  • Ball in Play: Importantly, the ball remains in play even if it rebounds off the goalposts, the referee, or the corner flags.
• Restarting Play: Throw-ins: When the ball goes out of bounds over the touchline, the opposing team is awarded a throw-in to restart play. The player taking the throw-in must use both hands, throw the ball from behind and over their head, and have both feet on the ground on or behind the touchline. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
• Restarting Play: Corner Kicks and Goal Kicks: These are specific ways to restart play when the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line.
  • Corner Kick: Awarded when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses their own goal line without a goal being scored. The attacking team takes the corner kick from the corner arc nearest to where the ball went out.
  • Goal Kick: Awarded when the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the defending team’s goal line without a goal being scored. The defending team restarts play with a goal kick from anywhere within their goal area. Usually, the goalkeeper takes the goal kick.
• Game in Progress: As long as the ball stays within the boundaries of the field, the game continues. The only exceptions are when the referee stops play due to a foul, an offside violation (a more advanced rule), or another stoppage.
• Fouls and Misconduct: Referees are present to enforce the rules of soccer and ensure a safe and fair game. Players are prohibited from actions like kicking, striking, pushing, holding, or jumping on opponents.
  • Free Kicks: When a foul occurs, the non-offending team is awarded a free kick at the spot of the foul. This can be a direct free kick (a goal can be scored directly) or an indirect free kick (the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored). Common soccer fouls include handball (intentional hand-to-ball contact) and violent conduct.
  • Yellow and Red Cards: Depending on the severity of the foul or misconduct, the referee may issue a yellow card as a warning or a red card, which results in the immediate ejection of the player from the game.
• Penalty Kicks: A penalty kick is awarded when a foul that would usually result in a direct free kick occurs inside the defending team’s penalty area. The penalty kick is taken from the penalty spot, directly in front of the goal, with only the goalkeeper defending. These often result from handballs or serious foul play within the box.

Why Understanding Youth Soccer Rules Matters

In youth soccer, the rules of the game are carefully designed to prioritize the development, safety, and enjoyment of the children involved. These soccer guidelines often draw inspiration from the official FIFA rules (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the governing body for global soccer, including beach soccer and futsal.

By familiarizing themselves with these fundamental youth soccer rules for kids, parents and coaches can better support young players’ learning journey, foster a deeper appreciation for the sport, and ensure a positive and enriching experience on the field. Understanding the soccer regulations will also allow you to better follow the game and cheer on your young athlete! However you or your child do not need to know these rules to participate in microsoccer or our soccer program (search our class locations here). 

Why Choose Soccer Stars?

Soccer Stars (San Francisco Bay Area) offers a unique, age-specific curriculum that’s designed to improve your child’s soccer skills, physical fitness, and, most importantly, their understanding of the game, the concept of fair play, and sportsmanship.