The Young Chronicle: For 4th Graders October 31st, 2014 | Page 4

While you are busy with the Football Super League, Here are some
football rules for you
While the football fever is on, we thought it would be good
to revise some rules.
Size of Field: A soccer team has 11 members in each
team, and the field has a length of minimum 100 meters
and maximum 110 meters; and a Width of minimum 64
meters and maximum 75 m (80 yds).
Ball Size: for children, the football size is 4, for children
over 12 year olds, is size 5. This is the standard size for
professional and adult soccer.
Players: The maximum players per team are 11 (Goal
keeper + 10 field players).
Starting the Game: The game is started with a kick off at
the center of the field. The team who kicks off passes the
ball Forward to a teammate at the referee’s signal. The
opposing team is not allowed to enter the center circle until
the ball is passed forward.

How long is a game? For basic soccer rules a game is no more than 90 min long. Two halves of 45 min with a 15
min half time break, is how long the pros play.
Game in play: As long the ball stays in the field, the game is in play. The only exception is when the referee blows
his whistle for an infraction or offside. The ball is considered in play as long as it is inside the goal and side lines.
Furthermore, it's still in play even when it is in contact with the outer line or the goal, or is in the air.
Goal: The main aim of the game is to get the ball in the opposing team’s goal. The team with the most goals after
the specified time is the winner. The ball must cross the goal line to be a goal. So, even if the ball is in contact with
the goal line it is not a goal!
No Hands: Alright, I know you probably knew this but here it is anyway. Only the goalie can use their hands. The
definition for hand is any part of your fingers or between your fingers (including nails) to your upper arm. Your
shoulder can be used, though! The goalie is not allowed to use their hands if the ball was kicked back to them
intentionally by any of his/her team-mates. This rule is about 25 years old, in the old days defenders, when under
pressure, would pass the ball back to their goalie to secure in their hands.
Out of Bounds: If the ball crosses the side-line, the team who did not touch the ball last before the ball crossed the
line gets to throw the ball in. If the ball crosses the goal-line, and the team whose goal post it is touches the ball out,
it is a corner kick. If the team attacking that goal, kicks it out it is a goal kick.
Substitutions: Officially, you are only allowed 3 players to be substituted per game. A player can only be substituted
when the ball is not in play and the concerned team has possession. This involves a throw in, or a goal kick for the
concerned team. A substitution cannot be made when the goalie has the ball in his/her hands.