Soccer is fast, fun, and full of action. But the rules can trip you up when you’re new. What’s a corner kick? How does offside work? Why does the ref hand out yellow and red cards? This cheat sheet breaks the game into simple chunks, so you’ll know what’s happening when the whistle blows, why play stops, and what each position does. In just minutes, you’ll have the basics down and be ready to jump in or follow along like you’ve been watching for years.
Rules of a Soccer Game
Kick-off
A kick-off starts the game in both halves of the match. It also restarts the play after a goal is scored or at the start of extra time, if played. It is taken from the center spot of the field.
Throw-in
A throw-in is what restarts the game when the ball crosses the touchline. A player from the team that hasn’t touched the ball last faces the field with their feet on or behind the touchline and uses both hands to throw the ball over their head from the point where the ball left the field of play.
Corner kick
A corner kick is what restarts the game after the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line, last touched by a defending player. It is taken by the attacking team from the corner of the field closest to where the ball went out of play. A new experimental rule was introduced in March 2025 in some leagues, stating that if the goalkeeper holds the ball for more that 8 seconds, the referee will give a corner kick to the opponent team.
Misconduct
More serious behaviour that goes beyond a normal foul, like violent play, using abusive language, or unsporting actions. A misconduct is usually punished with a yellow or a red card.
Red card
A red card is an ejection given to a player by the referee for a serious or violent foul, or for receiving two yellow cards in the same game. The player must leave the field immediately after receiving a red card and the team is not allowed to substitute with an another player, leaving them at a disadvantage.
Penalty kick
A penalty kick occurs when a player commits a foul inside their own penalty area. During the kick only the kicker and goalkeeper are allowed inside the penalty area, where the kicker from the fouled team kicks the ball from the penalty mark.
Offside
The offside is a rule in soccer that states a player can’t be closer to the opposing team’s goal than the second-to-last defender when the ball is passed to them by a teammate. The rule prevents players from simply hanging out near the other team’s goal and waiting for a pass.
Back Pass
When a player deliberately kicks the ball back to their own goalkeeper. If the goalie picks it up with their hands, it’s a violation and the other team gets an indirect free kick.
Goal
When the ball fully crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar.
Goal kick
A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when a player from the attacking team kicks the ball over the goal line (the line marking the end of the field where the goals are positioned). Often taken by the goal keeper, the goal kick is taken from anywhere within the goal area (the smaller box inside the larger penalty area).
Foul
A foul is when a player breaks the rules by making an unfair physical contact with the opponent, such as tripping, pushing, holding or charging in with the arm, leg, hip, or shoulder.
Yellow card
A yellow card is a caution given to a player by the referee for committing a foul or a misconduct.
Free kick
A free kick is what restarts the game after a foul. There are two types of free kicks: A direct one, awarded for more serious offenses like physical fouls or dangerous play. The player can attempt to score directly. An indirect free kick is awarded for less serious offenses and the ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.
Free kick
A free kick is what restarts the game after a foul. There are two types of free kicks: A direct one, awarded for more serious offenses like physical fouls or dangerous play. The player can attempt to score directly. An indirect free kick is awarded for less serious offenses and the ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.
Advantage
An advantage is awarded instead of a free kick, when the referee allows the play to continue after a foul, if the non-offending team benefits more.
Handball
A handball is when a player, other than the goal keeper within their penalty area, touches the ball with arm/hand. The penalty for handball is a direct free kick awarded to the opposing team, or a penalty kick if the handball happens inside the penalty area.
Fun Fact:
The highest scoring professional soccer game ended 149-0 in Madagascar in 2002, when one team deliberately scored own goals in protest.
Soccer Match Timings
Regular time
The regular length of a soccer match is 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes, with a 15 minute halftime break.
Extra time
Consists of two additional 15-minute periods, which can bring a game’s total time to 120 minutes. Additionally, there is a 5 minute break between the periods. A game will continue in extra time, if the initial 90 minutes ended in a draw, in matches where a winner is required, such as tournaments. However, some competitions skip extra time in the knock-out stages and go straight to penalties to decide the winner.
Stoppage time
Any pause in play due to injury, substitution or other delays.
Added time
Commonly called Injury time. It is the time added to the end of each half of the game in case the game was stopped due to e.g. injuries and stoppage time.
How to paint a professional soccer field that follow rules and regulations
Player Roles & Positions
Goalkeepers
The goalkeeper’s role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal. They are the only players allowed to use hands (within their penalty area).
Defenders
The defenders role is to stop the opposing team from scoring by stopping their attacks and keeping the ball in front of them, and away from the goalie. They are positioned between their own goal and midfield. There are 4 types of defenders in soccer: centerbacks, fullbacks, sweepers and wingbacks.
Centerback
A centerback is a defender positioned in the center of the field, in front of the goalkeeper.
Sweeper
A sweeper is a defender positioned behind the other defenders, acting as the last line of defense before the goalkeeper. While less common in modern soccer, this position was very used until the 90’s.
Fullback
A fullback is a defender on the left or right side of the back line.
Wingback
A wingback is a hybrid player with both defensive and attacking responsibilities. It’s a position combining both fullback and winger roles.
Midfielders
A midfielder is a player who links defense and attack. They are positioned between the defense and the forwards and often cover the most ground.
CDM (Central Defending Midfielder)
The CDM is a midfielder who plays in front of the defenders, helping protect the back line, win the ball back, and pass it forward to start attacks.
CAM (Central Attacking Midfielder)
The CAM is an attacking player positioned in the middle of the field, who links the midfield with the attack. The players focus is on creating scoring chances.
Winger
A winger is an attacker positioned on the left or right wing of the soccer field near the touchlines. Wingers deliver crosses or cuts inside to shoot.
Forwards
False 9
A false 9 is a center forward who drops into the midfield to confuse defenders, effectively playing like an attacking midfielder rather than a traditional striker.
Forward / Striker
The striker, or forward, is the main attacking player aiming to score goals.
Fun Fact:
Before the 1960’s players had to finish the game even if they got injured. No substitutions were allowed!
Skill terms & Techniques in Soccer
Dribbling
Dribbling means maneuvering the ball with your feet while moving down the field, avoiding defenders’ attempts to intercept the ball.
Cross
A cross is a pass sent from the wide areas, typically near the touchlines, into the penalty area.
Tackle
A tackle is an attempt to win the ball from an opponent.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg refers to the dribbling skill where the player passes the ball between the opponents legs before running past them and receiving the ball on the other side.
Volley
A volley is a type of a kick that is taken when the ball is in the air before it bounces off the ground.
Slide tackle
A slide tackle is an attempt to win the ball from an opponent by sliding on the ground, extending one leg to make contact with the ball.
Fun Fact:
The term Nutmeg (when you kick the ball through the opponent’s legs) got it’s name from the 1800’s slang for tricking or “nutmegging” someone, just like the dishonest nutmeg traders did by selling wooden replicas.
Common Soccer Tactics
Offside trap
The offside trap is a defensive maneuver where all the defenders move forward together just before the ball is played by the attacker, thus placing the attacker in an offside position.
Pressing
Pressing is a collective action of the defending team increasing their intensity and pressure on the opponents to regain possession of the ball.
Counterattack
A counterattack is a fast and direct attack on the opposition immediately after the team wins the ball, aiming to exploit the opponent’s disorganized defense.
Typical Formations in Soccer
4-4-2: A traditional and balanced formation with 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 forwards. Known for its stability and simple structure, but the midfield can be outnumbered against modern setups.
4-3-3: A popular attacking system with 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 forwards. Uses wide wingers to stretch the defense and a strong midfield trio to control the game.
4-5-1: A defensive shape with 4 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 1 forward. The midfield is crowded to limit space, while the lone striker waits for counterattack chances.
3-4-3: An aggressive formation with 3 central defenders, 4 midfielders, and 3 forwards. Relies on wingbacks to provide width in attack, but the defense can be exposed if they push too high.
5-3-2: A defense-first system with 5 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 2 forwards. The wingbacks can move up to support attacks, making it flexible, but it often sits deep.
4-3-2-1: Sometimes called the “Christmas Tree” formation. It uses 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, 2 attacking midfielders, and 1 forward. Strong in the middle of the field and good for controlling possession, but can lack natural width on the wings.
Soccer Competition, Slang & Stats
An assist
An assist is the last pass made by a player that directly leads to a goal being scored by their teammate.
Hat trick
A hat trick occurs when a player scores three goals in one match.
Brace
A brace occurs when a player scores two goals in one match.
VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
The VAR is a system that uses video replays to assist referees in key decisions in situations such as goals, penalties and red cards.
Clean sheet
A clean sheet in soccer occurs when a team doesn’t allow the other team to score any goals during a game.
Cap
A cap is an appearance by a player in an international match for their national team.
Treble
A treble refers to a team winning three major trophies in one season.
xG (Expected Goals)
xG is a statistical measure estimating the likelihood of a shot resulting in a goal based on various factors such as distance from the goal or body part. It is a performance metric used to evaluate team and player performances.
Fun Fact:
The term Nutmeg (when you kick the ball through the opponent’s legs) got it’s name from the 1800’s slang for tricking or “nutmegging” someone, just like the dishonest nutmeg traders did by selling wooden replicas.