Soccer Rules 101

What are the rules of soccer you ask?

Look no further as this guide comes with the 12 need to know laws of the game.

Law #1- The Soccer Field

There are few limitations when it comes to soccer fields, even at the highest level. The only standard rule given by FIFA (The Federation Internationale de Football Association) regarding a professional 11 vs 11 soccer match is the length. The field must be between 100 and 130 yards and the width must be between 50 and 100 yards. As you can imagine, many soccer fields are all different sizes and this can depend on how the team wants to play or how they believe they can be effective. Every game of soccer that is played could be on a different sized field as long as it is between the regulations.

Law #2- The Soccer Ball

The laws regarding a soccer ball are a little more stricter than those for a soccer field. A soccer ball circumference must be no more than 28 inches, and no less than 27 inches. Depending on the age groups playing soccer, depends on what size ball they should play with. 

For 12 years and older, a size five ball is used. It should be spherical and made of leather. The ball must not weigh more than 450 grams and no less than 410 grams at the start of the soccer game. Under 12's play with a size four ball and under 10's play with a size three ball. 

Law #3- Number of Players

A soccer game is played by two teams, with each team allowed no more than 11 players on the field at any one time. One of these players on each team is a goalkeeper. A match by the laws of FIFA cannot start if either team has fewer than seven players. If this number also goes below seven during the game, then the game is abandoned. 

The formation of a team can vary depending on their manager and the way they play. The most common formations to play with are 4-3-3 and 4-4-2. That includes four defenders, three midfielders (or four) and three strikers (or two). 

Law #4- Playing equipment

The laws of the game state that soccer players are not allowed to use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player, this includes all forms of jewelry. A soccer player's basic equipment must consist of; a jersey or shirt with sleeves, soccer shorts, shin-guards, socks and soccer cleats/shoes (depending on surface). 

Each team must wear different colors that distinguish themselves from the opposition, referee and assistant referees. There can be no color clashes at all, otherwise the away team has to change jerseys.

Law #5- The Referee

A soccer referee is the main authority figure during the game. Their job is to enforces the laws of the game and give the final decision on any call that he/she makes. Above you can see a referees actions during a game, this is more of a spoof- but very funny! 

The referee controls the match along with the assistant referees and at professional level, a fourth official is used. The assistants and fourth assistant help the main referee to complete his/her job to the best of their ability and to often see calls that the main official cannot see because of restricted views or the speed of play during a soccer game. The main referee ensures that the ball and player's equipment meets the FIFA requirements, acts as a timekeeper and stops play for infringement of the laws. 

Law #6- Assistant Referee

In soccer there are two assistant referees. Their job is to call offsides and throw-ins, and to also help/guide the main field referee with his or her decisions. The assistance referees carry a flag to sign their observations to the main referee. The flags are brightly colored with yellow and red squares, to draw attention to the flag for any observation called. The assistant referees must monitor the sidelines and goal lines, and are to flag if the ball goes out of play. The assistant referee must signal which team the goal kick or throw-in should be awarded to. Their job can also be to highlight any unsporting behavior that the referee could have missed or not had a good view of. Assistant referee's usually have ear pieces and microphones so that they can speak to their main referee. 

Law #7- Duration of a Soccer Game

Soccer games consist of two 45 minute halves. The half time interval of the game must not exceed 15 minutes and can only be altered upon consent of the referee. The referee can and may add additional time because of substitutions, injuries, time wasting or any other time consuming activity. This additional time can be added at the end of both 45 minute halves. On average additional time is usually between 2-4 minutes per half. It can be longer if there has been a significant amount of time missed. The referee will stop the clock when there is time wasting or injuries and this will be added together to equal the additional time at the end of each halve. Extra time can also occur in soccer games in competition cups because a winner needs to be decided. If the game is a competition cup, and it is tied at 90 minutes, the game will have two 15 minutes periods of extra time. If the game is still tied, it will continue to a penalty shoot out where the game can be decided. 

Law #8- Starting of the Game

A kick off starts the game of play, and is also a way of restarting play. Kick off occurs to begin the match, if a goal has been scored, to begin the second half and to begin a period of extra time. During a kick off, the ball has to go forward over the half way line to be an acceptable kick off. A player can then kick the ball backwards once it has entered over the half way line. 

Law #9- Goal Scored

A goal is scored when the whole soccer ball completely crosses the goal line between the posts and crossbar. This is providing there is no offside, foul or handball between the crossing of the line. The team that scores the most goals in a game, wins the match. If the number of goals is equal between the two sides at the end of the soccer game then it is considered a tie. In competition cup time when there is a required winner, the outcome of the game can be decided on away goals, extra time or penalty shoot outs. 

Law #10- Out of Play

A soccer ball is considered out of play when it has fully crossed the goal line, end line or sideline. Other than these times, the ball is in play. The referee will stop the game if the ball is out of play. 

Law #11- Offside

This is one of the most difficult rules to understand in soccer, and it can take sometime to understand/learn it. FIFA states that a player is deemed offside if he/she is closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender. However, this is only if it occurs in the opposition's half. A player cannot be offside in their own half. A player is offside when the ball is played to him/her, or if they are actively involved in the play (e.g. a distraction to goalkeeper, touch ball). 

Law #12- Fouls and Disciplinary

Direct free-kick= When the referee stops play for certain fouls. This can include an unfair tackle, kicking an opponent or pushing an opponent. Opposing players must stand 10 yards from the ball when the free kick is taken. 

Penalty Kick= When a player is fouled inside the oppositions penalty box. This can be from any of the fouls listed above. A penalty is taken from the penalty spot in the 18 yard box. One player has a shot against the goalkeeper, all other players stand outside the box and can only enter when the ball has been kicked. The ball can only be kicked after the referee has blown their whistle. 

Indirect Free-kick= If a goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands after a teammate has deliberately passed him/her the soccer ball. An indirect free-kick is also given if the goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been released from their possession. 

Yellow Card= A player is cautioned with a yellow card for unsporting behavior, dissent or delays the play. If a player commits one of these fouls twice, he will be shown a red card and sent off the field of play. 

Red Card= A player is given a red card if they are guilty of a dangerous foul, violent conduct, denying a goal scoring opportunity to the opposition deliberately or using offensive/abusive language. If a player receives a red card, they are to leave the field of play immediately and sit in the dressing rooms. They are not allowed to watch the game from the stands or substitutes bench. 

I hope this helped you to learn the basic rules of the most loved sports game on earth. Now time to get out there and start playing!! 

Ronaldo's Influence

I don't think Nike could pick a better influencer for their soccer products. Meet Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2014 Ballon D'or winner, and if you're unsure what that is, put it this way- 2014 world's best player as voted by coaches and players.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the best soccer player in the world, and he is advertising Nike's product. Every amateur soccer player that watches Ronaldo play will see that he wear Nike cleats, or he wears a Nike Pro (under garment). The advertising of the product will influence his million's of fans to use that particular brand.

"If it works for Ronaldo, why wouldn't it work for me?" is the comment of most young budding soccer players trying to be the best player on their team. Ronaldo is at the top of his game right now and Nike are capitalizing on this. As a brand, they know how influential he can be. Nike have recently given Cristano Ronaldo his own CR7 collection, which is his personalized style of Nike products, including cleats, clothing and much more. Consumers will be convinced that if the product is inspired by Ronaldo, then it must be a good product. Fans believe their influencers, which in turn could have a deciding factor when looking for new soccer cleats or soccer affiliated products. This is also the same if they see Ronaldo in Nike general sneakers, or a hoody. Because Ronaldo is a celebrity as well as a professional soccer player, he is going to be in the press outside of soccer games. He is sponsored by Nike, so it is very likely that when he is out he is branded in their product. This will lead consumers to purchase Nike gear outside of the soccer section. Again, more influential purchase power from Ronaldo.

I think the big difference between many brand's influencers is whether they genuinely trust this brand or not. It's clear that Ronaldo believes in Nike and thinks that their brand of soccer cleats are the best around because he personally wears them year after year. Many brands hire celebrities to promote their products because of the reach they have, such as Alicia Keys being endorsed by Blackberry. I'm certain she's not really a Blackberry user, and outside of promotions she is a regular iPhone or Android user. Let's be real, who has a Blackberry these days anyway?

Consumers want to trust their influencers, and this can only be achieved if you see the celebrity regularly using the brand. Ronaldo has a large reach with his Twitter and Facebook followers, which are a very engaged audience. He has accomplished trust from his followers, and this is a powerful tool when it comes to influencing your consumer to buy a Nike product.

If you thought Ronaldo couldn't be anymore of a great influencer for Nike, he is also rarely in the newspaper with negative stories. He has a very clean image, and has helped out a number of his fans including; surgery payments and other good deeds.

Check out one of the many stories of Ronaldo and how he goes the extra mile and helps to pay for a young fan's brain surgery.

Even when he isn't playing, he still promotes Nike!!