| Basic soccer rules are pretty simple to | | | | and beat the goalkeeper from the penalty spot |
| follow, the team that scores the most goals | | | | (12 yards) until one team wins.During the |
| wins!Each team will consist of 11 starting | | | | game the referee has the power to caution |
| players of which there is one goalkeeper and | | | | players and issue yellow and red cards. |
| 10 outfield players. The game will be played | | | | Yellow cards are issued for minor or a |
| on a soccer pitch and the field dimension | | | | serious of fouls by the same player which |
| will normally be just over 100 yards long | | | | results in a booking, however if two yellow |
| although it could be shorter if it is a youth | | | | cards are issued then this equals a red card |
| soccer game.Soccer teams are normally split | | | | and the offending player is sent off the |
| into formations consisting of defence, | | | | field.A straight red card can be also be |
| goalkeeper and forwards. Each team will also | | | | issued for serious foul play or denying an |
| nominate a captain although this role is not | | | | opponent a goalscoring opportunity. Each team |
| as significant as other sports such as | | | | has to have a minimum of 7 players on the |
| cricket and rugby. The captain will start the | | | | field so if one team have more than 5 players |
| game by tossing a coin with the referee and | | | | sent off then the game would be abandoned, |
| the winning captain has the option of | | | | this is very rare but has happened a few |
| selecting which way their team will shoot. | | | | times in violent games!One of the most |
| This can be an advantage if there is a strong | | | | important basic rules of soccer is the |
| wind which could change direction by the time | | | | offside rule which basically prevents |
| the teams reach the second half.Soccer games | | | | attacking players from gaining an unfair |
| consist of two halves lasting 45 minutes each | | | | advantage as when a pass is made there has to |
| although injury time is often added by the | | | | be 2 opposition players closer to the goal |
| referee to cover any stoppages. If the game | | | | than the attacking player. If the attacking |
| is a cup tie, a world cup final for example | | | | player is level with a defender then he is |
| then extra time will be played consisting of | | | | still onside so play continues. The referee |
| an extra two 15 minute periods. If the teams | | | | has two assistants (previously known as |
| are still level at this stage the game will | | | | linesman) on either side of the field to help |
| develop into a penalty shoot with each team | | | | judge the offside rule. |
| nominating 5 penalty kick takers who will try | | | | |