How to Play Soccer-The basics, Fundamentals and
Essentials
by Taylor Tollison
The objective of this article is to outline the basics and fundamentals of the game of soccer.
The article will attempt to teach you a little bit on how to play the game of soccer. From
fundamentals like passing and shooting, to how many players are on the pitch at one time
this article will outline some of the basics. You will find videos, links to other resources for
more in depth information.
Who is the "How to play Soccer" resource meant for?
This resource is great for all those that want to increase their knowledge of the basics of the
game. If you don't know anything about soccer this is a good place to start. If you are a
parent and have kids playing soccer and would like to understand the game a little better
this is a good place to start. If you want to refresh your knowledge so that you can help
friends, family, kids or anyone understand soccer better this is a good place to start.
The beginning of this article starts with the absolute basics of the game and rules. Later in
the article I address soccer formations and other skills like how to kick a soccer ball and
pass a soccer ball. If you know the absolute basics like the object of the game keep
reading.
With that small introduction let's get this party started and learn "How to Play Soccer."
What is the object of the game?
The object of the game of soccer is to outscore your opponent. You outscore opponents by
kicking the round ball into the opponents net. ( You won't get more basic than this. Keep
reading! I promise it gets more technical than this.)
Who can touch the ball with their hands?
The only player that can touch the ball with his/her hands is the Goalie unless you are
throwing the ball in. (At this point you are questioning if it really gets more technical than
this. I promise it does.)
How many players can be on the field from each
team?
11 players on the field ( I promise!)
What positions are on a soccer team and what is their
role?
 Goalie-The goalie is the final stop against the other team scoring. They also
distribute the ball to all team members from the back. The goalie will usually
distribute the ball to the team in one of a few ways: throwing the ball to
defenders, kicking the ball deep to around the midfield location, and from the goal
kick position, to name a few.
 Defenders -There are usually 3-4 to a side. There job is to stop the attack and help
prevent scoring. They also will help with getting the ball to the midfield. Good
defenders are critical in that they will make the goalie's job a lot easier. Good
defenders can make a goalie look good.
 Midfield-There are usually 3-5 midfielders on the field at any one time. They will run
the length of field. They will mark other midfield players and distribute ball to
forwards. They play defense and offense.
 Forwards. 1-3 forwards. Their job is to score goals and depending on the
philosophy of the coach, provide pressure against the opposing teams defenders
with the ball.
What is the size of the soccer pitch?
Dimensions
Here are the rules on the dimensions of the soccer field based on FIFA regulations. The
field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch line must
be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length:
The minimum length of the soccer field is 100 Yards and maximum is 130
yards
Width:
The minimum width of the soccer field is 50 yards and maximum is 100 yards.
International Matches
Length:
The minimum length of the soccer field is 110 yds and maximum is 120 yds.
Width:
The minimum width of the soccer field is 70 yds and maximum is 80 yds
What is the duration of a match?
Each match consists of two halves. Each half is 45 minutes in length. The half time cannot
exceed 15 minutes in length. The referee can add time to the 45 minutes in each half for:
Substitutions, assessment of injury to players, wasting time, removal of injured players
from the field of play. The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee.
The game can end in a tie unless otherwise noted. Notable times when a game will not end
in a tie are during many championships games where a winner must be declared. For
example, the world cup final will not end in a tie. When a winner must be declared to move
to the next level of a tournament there will often be overtime if at the end of regulation there
is a tie.
What is a Yellow Card?
The best way I can describe a yellow card is that it applies to players or coaches that acts in
a way that is unsporting, shows dissent, delays the restart of a game, persistently breaks
the laws of the game, commits a semi serious foul etc. The referee will show the yellow
card by lifting it up over his or her head. Two yellow cards in a game result in a red card
and eventual sending off.
What is a Red Card?
A red card is shown if the player gets two yellow cards in a single match. A player can also
be shown a straight red card if he/she is guilty of a serious foul, violence, spits on
opponents, using a hand ball deliberately to stop a scoring opportunity (unless you are the
goalie). A red card results in sending off.
How is the game best played?
This is up for debate but let me give you my opinion, which I think most coaches and
unselfish players will agree with. The game is best played as a team. When one player
ventures off on his/her own this diminishes the power of the team. Let me give you an
example. The tendency of the 'ball hog" becomes ball hoarding with every team mate. Ball
Hogging, just like unselfish play can become infectious. Players like to touch the ball and
shoot the ball etc. If every time a player passes the ball to the ball hog and know they won't
get it back this will affect the flow of the game. A ball passed to a ball hog could be like
passing to the black hole-the ball will not come out. The unselfish player knows they are
not going to get the ball back, so will that unselfish player make the run up the side to get
open? NO!
The game needs to be played with passing, give and goes, overlapping runs etc. The only
way all of this works is for players to pass the ball and feel like they will get it back when
they are open.
My recommendation is to win first. The sum of the parts if greater than one part itself.
1+1+1+1=4 but 1+0=1. Pass the ball dang it. We don't like playing with ball hogs.
What equipment is needed for soccer?
 Matching uniforms for each team
 Cleats-Assuming the game is on grass you will need a pair of soccer cleats. If the
field is artificial turf a good turf shoe will do.
 Shin guards- Shin guards are meant to protect the shin in case of potential harming
kicks. Usually large socks are pulled over the shin guards.
 Soccer Ball-Round and of a circumference of not more than 70cm and not less than
68 cm.
Help me understand the basic Soccer formations
Permission to use below information given by Wikipedia via the GNU Free Documentation
License. Click here to read the permission. For the Copyright notice and description of
permission for readers of this website to use the information from Wikipedia please Click
here.
4-4-2 Soccer Formation
The 4-4-2 is the most common is soccer today. It is so well known
that they even named a magazine after it. In this formation the
midfielders must work hard to support both the attack and the
defense. One of the central midfielders is expected to go up field as
often as possible to support the forward pair, while the other will play
a "holding role". The two midfielders on the outside must move up
and down the flanks in the attack and defense. This formation is
popular in Britain. (Figure above Copyright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_%28football%29#4-4-2 )
4-3-3 Soccer Formation
The 4-3-3 formation was played by the Brazilian National team in the
1962 world cup. This formation consists of 4 defenders- Two center
backs, two full backs; 3 midfielders; 1 forward and two wingers.
(Figure above Copyright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_%28football%29#4-4-2)
4-5-1 Soccer Formation
The 4-5-1 is another defensive scheme. But if the wingers attack
more the formation could be more like the 4-3-3. This formation can
be used to grind out ties or if you have a lead maintain it. The extra
midfield players makes it difficult for opposing teams to build-up
play. Because there is only one striker in the 4-5-1 the center of the
midfield should push forward as well. Figure above Copyright,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_%28football%29#4-4-2 )
3-5-2 Soccer Formation
In this formation the two wing players are more focused on the
attack. This keeps the central midfielder further back in case of
counter attacks. Because of how the 3-5-2 is used the midfield will
form a W formation. (Figure above Copyright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_%28football%29#4-4-2 )
5-3-2 Soccer Formation
This formation has three central defenders (possibly with one acting
as a sweeper.) This system is heavily reliant on the wing-backs
providing width for the team. The two wide full-backs act as wingbacks. It is their job to work their flank along the full length of the
pitch, supporting both the defense and the attack. (Figure to the right, Copyright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_%28football%29#4-4-2 )
3-4-3 Soccer Formation
In the 3-4-3 the midfield players should be in both the attack and
defense. Because this formation only has 3 defenders if the
opposition gets through the midfield they could have a greater chance
to score. This formation is for offensive-oriented teams. (Figure to
the right Copyright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_%28football%29#4-4-2 )
How to play the Basic Soccer Fundamentals
How to pass a soccer ball?
Because body positioning is an important part of passing, as you are doing the above
passes off the wall, carefully analyze how you are facing in relation to where you are placing
the ball. With an inside face or instep pass, the plant foot should be facing the direction you
want the pass to go. The passing foot needs to strike the ball solidly. The ankle should be
locked and the knee pulled up after the strike. The leg should follow thorough facing the
direction you want the pass to go. When using the outside face, the body is turned slightly
away from the pass, the ankle is flexible and "snaps" as the pass is made.
How to receive a soccer ball?
In order to receive a ball well, you should be light on your toes and gently bouncing on your
feet. This enables you to shift directions quickly and move your body to receive the ball
easily. When doing the above drills practice this technique. Another good activity to help
train you to be light on your feet is jump roping. Do as many quick, light single jumps as
possible. Time yourself for a minute and see how many you can get. Try to do more every
time. When you get really good you can increase the time.
The element of body position can affect your ability to receive balls. You need to practice
getting your whole body behind the ball and direct your first touch out of pressure. Even if
you have a poor first touch, at least the ball will go into an area where you can play it.
How to kick a soccer ball?
To learn how to kick a soccer ball go to Youth Soccer Skills
How to shoot a soccer ball?
Learn how to shoot a soccer ball by going to youth soccer skills.
What does it mean to move without the ball and how does it help the game?
Earlier I talked about how ball hogs are bad for the game. Ball hogs might create more ball
hogs or create a diminished desire for other team mates to want to make the runs
necessary because when they pass it they know they wont get it back, so why make a run
or move off the ball.
Moving off the ball simply means putting yourself into positions on the field so that you can
be in position to make the best play possible. In the sense I want to talk about here is
specifically players that are in position to receive the ball. Look below how each soccer
player is covered. At its most basic level a simple movement off the ball by the top player in
this triangle will create a passing lane that will allow the ball to continue moving.
Moving off the ball will create not only passing lanes, but scoring opportunities. If the top
player made a quick move towards the goal and the bottom right player with the ball can
deliver a quality pass, this could result in a scoring opportunity. (created with CoachFx
software)
How to throw in the ball?
First of all, you cannot score a goal by throwing the ball directly into the net. But you can
throw the ball to a team mate who will score the goal. You must throw the ball in with two
hands. A one handed throw is illegal. The ball must be delivered from behind and over the
head. The throw in must come over the head with two hands.
The next important aspect to keep in mind is the feet. Part of of each foot must either be on
the the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line.
Finally, the thrower cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
Goal Keeper Fundamentals?
The Goal Keeper's job is to keep the ball from going into the net. Being a great goal keeper
requires cat like reflexes with a mix of good decision making and other critical goal keeping
fundamentals. Here are some of the goal keeper fundamentals:
 Ability to distribute the ball correctly out of the back. This means choosing when to
kick it deep or throw the ball to a defender. It means having good punting skills so
that your kicks go on targets.
 Ability to catch the soccer ball correctly. This also means making the correct
decision as to when to catch the ball or simply punch the ball out of the box.
 Decision making is important to goalkeeping. As was mentioned above you must
decide to punt or throw the ball out of the back. You must also decide to catch the
ball or punch the ball away. Here are 5 tips to help goalkeepers make better
decisions.
 Reaction ability-See the play and react.
 Diving ability-You have to stop the ball don't you. This will be needed.
 Speed/agility/acceleration- You might be called upon to make a 5-20 yard run to get
to the ball before you opponent. This run could be diagonal or straight forward or
to the side.
There is obviously a wealth more information about how to play soccer. But I think this will
get you started with some of basic stuff. Search the rest of the site for more information.
More Articles
 Youth Soccer
 Warm Up
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