This page last revised September 28, 2003
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KNOW THE RULES

Think you know the game? Test your knowledge of the rules of soccer by answering these questions involving common game situations. Find the answers by clicking on the Answer links. Good luck.


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1. A penalty kick hits the goal post and rebounds back to the kicker. She shoots and scores. Is it a goal?

Answer 

2. On a throw-in, a player throws the ball to her own keeper, but the ball bounces into her own goal without being touched. Is it a goal?

Answer 

3. The keeper catches a powerful shot, but the impact of the ball makes her fall into the goal. Is it a goal?

Answer 

4. An attacking player in an offside position sees a pass coming to her. She quickly runs back to an onside position to receive the ball. Should offside be called?

Answer 

5. An attacker and a defender are chasing a ball that's going out over the endline (goal line). The defender places her body between the attacker and the ball. Is it a foul?

Answer 

6. The keeper charges out to make a sliding save and gains possesion of the ball just inside the penalty area. But the keeper's momentum carries her outside the penalty area while still holding the ball. Should it be called a hand ball?

Answer 

7. A defender and attacker challenge each other for a high bouncing ball. The attacker's foot comes within a few inches of the defender's chin but doesn't touch her. Is it a foul?

Answer 

8. A ball from a corner kick, while in the air, goes outside the endline and then swerves back into the playing field. A teammate of the kicker scores on a header. Is it a goal?

Answer 

9. During a throw-in, the ball is thrown to a teammate who is clearly in an offside position. Should offside be called?

Answer 

10. A midfelder passes the ball to a forward who is even with two central defenders. An attacking wing is clearly in an offside position near the far sideline. Should offside be called?

Answer 

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ANSWERS

1. No. On PKs, a kicker may not play the ball again until another player has touched it. The defending team gets an indirect kick from the spot where the kicker took her second shot.

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2. No. A goal may not be scored directly from a throw-in. The opposing team gets a corner kick.

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3. Yes. The goal counts as long as the whole ball has passed over the goal line.

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4. Yes. Offside is determined by the position of the receiver when the ball is last touched by a teammate. The defending team gets an indirect free kick from the spot where the attacker received the ball.

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5. No. A player may legally shield the ball from an opponent when both are within playing distance of it.

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6. Yes. The keeper handled the ball outside her penalty area. The attacking team gets a direct free kick from the point where the ball was handled outside the box.

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7. Yes. The attacker is guilty of playing in a dangerous manner. The defending team gets an indirect kick from the spot where the foul took place.

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8. No. The ball is out of bounds once it has completely crossed any outside line, whether the ball is on the ground or in the air. The defending team gets a goal kick.

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9. No. The play is legal because there is no offside on throw-ins.

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10. No. The forward receiving the ball is even with the defenders and considered onside. Though the player on the wing is in an offside position, she is not called offside because she isn't near the play and has not attempted to gain an advantage by being offside.

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Source: US YOUTH SOCCER MAGAZINE (Fall 2002)


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