Rules of the game - Updated summer 2024

To help our Lakeshore Soccer League participants learn - and better understand - the rules of soccer, we have listed a helpful overview of the “laws of the game.” Most of these are taken directly from the International Football Association rulebook. However, we do have some unique rules for our program, such as the substitutions. If you have questions, let us know!

1. Game Length

  • In the Lakeshore Soccer League, all games are 2 x 35 minute halves (continuous running time).

  • After every 5 minutes of play, we break for player substitutions.

  • There is a short break at half-time (2-3 mins); switch sides for the second half.

  • The referee may add time for injuries/delays.

  • New: Coaches can ask for a longer water/rest break during substitutions on extremely hot days

2. Getting Started

  • In our program, there are 9 players per team on the field at a time.

  • This means 8 outfield players (defence, midfield, striker), and 1 goalkeeper.

  • Teams in the jr. division use a size 4 ball.

  • Teams in the older two divisions use a size 5 ball.

  • Coaches, volunteers, and referees should check the field for any sharp objects before each game.

  • Only players, coaches, and LIT participants are permitted near the team areas.

3. Player Substitutions

  • After 5 minutes of playing (not including the time taken for a substitution), the referee will blow the whistle and let coaches know to make their substitutions. During this time, players on the bench will switch with players on the field.

  • In our program, the golden rule is that no player should ever sit out for two shifts in a row, unless they are injured. 

  • Similarly, coaches should do their best to give equal playing time to every player, and make efforts to allow players to try different positions on the field.

  • Important note: The referee can allow play to continue past the 5 minute mark if there is a good scoring opportunity (i.e.: they won't blow the whistle right at 5 minutes if a team has a good goal-scoring opportunity).

  • For the sake of time, we ask that goalies only switch at half-time (unless there’s an injury).

4. Handball

  • A handball occurs in certain circumstances when a player touches the ball with their hand/arm. This includes the hand all the way up to the bottom of the shoulder. The top of the arm and shoulder is not a handball.

  • Despite what most soccer fans (and players) might think, not every instance of the ball touching the hand/arm is a handball offence. A handball offence is when a player (except the goalkeeper in their own box):

    • Deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm

    • Has the time/opportunity to move their hand/arm out of the way, but doesn’t

    • Scores a goal against the other team directly using their hand/arm (e.g. it deflects off your hand and goes in)

    • Scores immediately after the ball touches their hand/arm (so in this case, even if the handball was not illegal, if that player immediately kicks the ball into the net before anyone else touches it, it does not count)

    • Touches the ball with their hand/arm when it is in a position that makes their body unnaturally bigger (like an outstretched arm), and when that position is not the result of their body moving fairly as part of play

      • So for example, it is fair to say a player who is running will naturally have their arms moving. This would likely not be a handball, though the referee does have discretion.

  • Handballs can be tough to get right, so here are some examples:

    • If a player is falling and the ball hits the arm they are using to support themselves as they touch ground, this is not a handball, because it is natural to extend your arm to brace yourself when falling (unless the ball goes directly into the net, or the player scores immediately afterwards - as explained above).

    • If a player is standing in front of the net and the ball hits their hand/arm while it is naturally at their side, it is not a handball. But if that player immediately kicks the ball into the net, the goal doesn’t count (as explained above). However, if they pass it to another teammate, and that player scores, the goal counts.

  • In our program, it is permissible for a player to use their hands/arms to protect themselves from a hard or potentially dangerous kick, without it being called. For example, to block their face, groin, or chest from a hard shot.

  • A handball offence results in the other team getting a direct free kick (or penalty if it takes place in the goal area).

5. Fouls

  • A foul is an unfair physical offence committed against an opponent, usually with the foot/leg or hand/arm.

  • Fouls should be called regardless of intent (for example, if a player accidentally trips someone else on the opposite team, it is still a foul).

  • It is not a foul to knock over/trip another player if contact with the ball is made first. For example, if Shannon sticks her foot out and takes the ball off of Amir, and Amir then trips over Shannon's foot in the process, it is not a foul, because Shannon got the ball before contact with Amir was made. But a foul would still be called if the play was dangerous, such as the bottom of their cleats stomping on the players ankle in the process.

  • Fouls that result in a direct free kick are generally when contact is made. For example:

    • Tripping or kicking another player

    • Holding an opponent

    • Dangerous play (e.g. a foot making contact with their body or head)

    • Obstructing an opponent (with contact)

  • Fouls that result in an indirect free kick generally do not include contact, such as:

    • Unsportsmanlike play (e.g. swearing)

    • Obstructing an opponent without making contact (e.g. setting a pick so they have to run around you to get to the play)

    • Preventing a goalkeeper from playing the ball

    • Dangerous play without contact (e.g. kicking your foot high up, near someone’s head, without it actually touching them; this is still dangerous play)

  • When a foul is committed within the goalie area box, a penalty shot is awarded.

  • In most soccer leagues, more serious fouls result in yellow or red cards. In our program, we will not be giving out yellow or red cards, but a player may be asked to sit out some of the game for any serious or reoccurring fouls.

  • New: Slide tackles are allowed, so long as the play is not dangerous. Remember that even if the ball is contacted first, a slide tackle is considered a dangerous foul if the bottom of the player’s cleats contact the other player.

6. Free Kicks

  • A free kick is essentially one team restarting play by kicking or passing the ball.

  • Direct and indirect free kicks are awarded to the opposing team for offences committed by players during the game.

  • In our program, players on the other team need to give the kicker 10 feet of space, unless the ball is within 10 feet of the goal-line.

  • A goal can be scored from a direct free kick without another player touching the ball. A goal can only be scored from an indirect free kick if, before entering the goal, the ball touches or deflects off another player (from either team, including the goalie).

  • If an indirect free kick goes into the opponents’ goal without another player touching it, it does not count, and a goal kick is awarded to the other team.

7. Penalty Shots

  • A penalty shot is awarded when a team commits a foul inside their own goalie box / penalty area.

  • If a player is tripped just outside the penalty box and then falls inside, this is not a penalty shot; the rule is to go from where the contact was made.

  • When taking a penalty, the kicker must be clearly identified, so that the goalkeeper isn’t confused by who is kicking.

  • Everyone else must remain outside the penalty box area.

  • The goalkeeper must remain on their line until the ball is kicked, though they can move side to side prior. If the goalkeeper clearly steps forward off the line before the ball is kicked, the kicker gets to try again (if they don’t score).

  • The kicker can stutter-step while running up to the ball, but they cannot hesitate or delay their kick when they arrive at the ball. If this occurs, the referee awards a goal-kick to the defending team.

  • The distance in our league is different for each division:

    • Junior Division - 14 feet

    • Intermediate Division - 16 feet

    • Senior Division - 17 feet

8. Out of Bounds

  • The ball is out of bounds when it completely crosses the boundary line, either on the sides or along the goal-line.

  • The last team to touch the ball is charged with putting the ball out of bounds, even if it just slightly brushes them, or bounces off of them accidentally.

  • If the ball goes out of bounds along the sidelines, it results in a throw-in.

  • If the ball goes out of bounds anywhere along the goal-line, it results in a goalie kick or corner kick, depending on which team touched the ball last.

9. Throw-Ins

  • A proper throw-in requires:

    • Both hands on the ball

    • The ball to be raised over the head and rested near your neck

    • One fluid motion from the back of the neck to the forehead area

    • At least some part of both feet remaining on the ground 

  • An improper throw-in results in the other team receiving the ball for a throw-in

  • Early in the season, we’ll give kids a second chance, but not in the playoffs

10. Corner Kicks

  • A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the ball goes out of bounds along the goal-line, when the defending team was the last to touch it

  • The player taking the corner kick passes or kicks the ball into play; however they cannot touch the ball again until someone else does (on either team).

11. Goalie Kicks

  • A goalie kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball goes out of bounds in their own half of the field, along the goal-line, when the opposite team was the last to touch it

  • The ball is placed anywhere in the goalie box area

  • The goalie or their teammate kicks or passes the ball to resume play

  • There is a difference between a goalie kick (as noted here) and the goalie doing a drop-kick during the play. A drop-kick occurs when the goalie makes a save during regular play, picks the ball up, decides to kick it up-field (they could also throw it).

  • Updated Fair Play Rule: In our program, the opposing team cannot touch the ball on a goal kick until someone on the goalie’s team touches the ball first. If they do, the referee will blow the whistle, stop play, and the goalie kick will happen again. However, if the ball is kicked all the way to the half-way line of the field, the referee has discretion to allow the play to continue.

12.  Passing Back to Your Own Goalie

  • If a teammate intentionally passes the ball to their own goalie with their foot (head is okay), and the goalie picks it up, the referee blows the whistle, and signals an indirect free kick.

  • To be clear, this doesn’t mean the goalie isn’t allowed pick up the ball if their team kicked it or touched it last; it only means if a player very intentionally passes the ball right to the goalie, and they pick it up.

  • When this happens, the other team is awarded an indirect free kick from the spot where the goalie picked up the ball. If the goalie picks the ball up in this way right on the goal line, then the referee will place the ball 5 feet away.

  • The defending team is allowed to make a wall, 10 feet back. If the distance is less than 10 ft, then they can stand on the goal line.

  • The referee will blow the whistle, and then the team will take their free-kick. A reminder that this is an indirect free kick, meaning it cannot go directly in the net. If it does, the referee awards a goal-kick for the defending team.

13. Advantage

  • The referee can allow play to continue despite a foul or handball occurring, if they determine that the non-offending team has useful possession of the ball, and it is to their benefit to keep the play going.

  • In this instance, the referee will loudly call out “advantage” and hold one or both arms out in front of them, pointing forward.

  • The referee can allow a few seconds for the possible advantage to develop, and if the non-offending team does not benefit after all, the original free kick can be given from where the foul took place.

  • However, the non-offending team should not be given two chances. For example, say a player is fouled but recovers and has a shot at goal; if the player does not score, the referee cannot go back and give a free kick for the original offence.

Want to Learn More?
The IFAB has created a simplified breakdown of the official rule-book of soccer: footballrules.com

Have Any Questions About Our League Rules? 
Email us anytime with your questions at: info@lakeshoresoccerleague.com