Youth leagues adjust field size, match length and substitution procedures. Check the exact rules for your competition.
COACH'S CORNER · THE LAWS
Rules of the Game.
Understand the Laws, practice recognizing match situations, and see the decisions play out in simple animated examples.
WATCH AND LEARN
Animated match situations
Select an example, play or pause it, or move through the action with the slider. These are illustrative teaching diagrams, not video of a match.
FC Salmon Creek Opponents BallDashed line = decision reference
LAW 11
Offside: position and involvement
At the moment of the pass, the attacker is beyond the second-last opponent and then plays the ball.
Before the pass
Watch the attacking player and the defensive line.
REFEREE DECISIONIndirect free kick — offside
Read the official Law ↗0%
Scenarios are schematic and intentionally simplified. A real referee also considers contact, interference, timing, and the competition’s approved modifications. Animation respects the device’s reduced-motion preference.
SMALL-SIDED SOCCER
7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 are not identical.
The IFAB Laws are the reference point, but youth competitions adapt field sizes, substitutions, match lengths, heading restrictions, offside, and goalkeeper restarts.
Often played at U11–U12 on a smaller pitch. Confirm local substitution, offside, and heading rules.
Usually standard offside and set-piece mechanics, but youth-specific game lengths, player eligibility and substitution rules still apply.
Before each season: confirm your team’s governing competition and age group. FC Salmon Creek teams may play under different leagues and tournaments. The latest Oregon Youth Soccer or Washington Premier League rules should override any generic youth example on this page.
THE COMPLETE FRAMEWORK
All 17 Laws at a glance
Short coaching summaries with direct links to the official IFAB text. Always consult the official 2026/27 Laws for complete procedures, exceptions, and disciplinary details.
01Field of Play
The pitch, touchlines, goal lines, penalty areas, and goals are defined by Law 1. Markings are part of the areas they bound.
Coach focus: Know your league’s approved field and goal dimensions.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗02The Ball
The ball must meet the competition’s size, weight, and condition rules.
Coach focus: Youth competitions commonly use different ball sizes.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗03The Players
Law 3 covers player numbers, substitutes, goalkeeper changes, and entering or leaving the pitch.
Coach focus: Small-sided formats and substitutions are competition-specific.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗04The Players’ Equipment
Shin guards are required; dangerous equipment and jewelry are not permitted.
Coach focus: Check boots, guards and jewelry before kickoff.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗05The Referee
The referee enforces the Laws, judges facts connected with play, and can apply advantage.
Coach focus: Players should continue until the referee stops play.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗06Other Match Officials
Assistant referees and other officials support the referee when appointed.
Coach focus: Youth matches may have fewer officials.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗07Duration of the Match
The normal adult match has two equal 45-minute halves; youth competition rules often use shorter periods.
Coach focus: Check playing time, halftime, and any added-time rules.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗08Start and Restart of Play
Kickoffs begin halves and follow goals. Dropped balls restart specified other stoppages.
Coach focus: Know the kickoff and dropped-ball procedures.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗09Ball In and Out of Play
The entire ball must cross a touchline or goal line to be out. Otherwise, it remains in play, including when it rebounds from posts.
Coach focus: Teach players to play until the ball is fully out.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗10Determining the Outcome
A goal counts when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the bar without a prior offence.
Coach focus: A ball touching the goal line is not yet a goal.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗11Offside
An offside position at a teammate’s touch is not itself an offence; involvement in active play makes it punishable.
Coach focus: Check ball position and second-last opponent at the moment of the pass.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗12Fouls and Misconduct
Defines direct and indirect free-kick offences, cautions, send-offs, and goalkeeper restrictions.
Coach focus: A foul does not automatically mean a yellow card.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗13Free Kicks
Direct free kicks can score directly; indirect free kicks require another touch before a goal.
Coach focus: Watch the referee’s raised arm for an indirect free kick.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗14Penalty Kick
Awarded for a direct-free-kick offence by a defender inside that defender’s penalty area (subject to Law 12).
Coach focus: Check goalkeeper and player position at the kick.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗15Throw-in
When the whole ball crosses the touchline, the opponents of the last player to touch it restart with a proper two-handed throw.
Coach focus: Both feet must meet the touchline/outside-ground requirement.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗16Goal Kick
Normally follows an attacking-team last touch over the defenders’ goal line with no goal; the ball is in play once kicked and clearly moves.
Coach focus: The ball no longer has to leave the penalty area to be in play.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗17Corner Kick
Normally follows a defending-team last touch over their goal line with no goal. It may also be awarded for certain time-count offences.
Coach focus: Opponents must respect the required distance until the kick is taken.
Read IFAB Laws of the Game ↗THE LANGUAGE BEHIND THE DECISIONS
Open Coaching Glossary →Need to explain a term to your players?
Search common soccer and coaching terminology, with practical cues to use at training.
Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27. The 2026/27 changes include referee-triggered five-second countdowns for deliberate throw-in or goal-kick delays and an eight-second goalkeeper-handling rule. This is educational guidance, not an authoritative match ruling.