Basic rules of soccer

prepared for soccer at vg

These basic rules of the game have been prepared by Mandy Furney to assist families and new coaches understand the basic rules of soccer. They include the current (2025) WYSA rules regarding retreat lines and so forth at older ages. There are also notes regarding upcoming changes to so rules in youth soccer that are expected to take effect in 2026. There are notes in italics to indicate some modifications for micro-soccer.

These rules are not a substitute for the Fifa Laws of the Game nor the WYSA Rules. They are intended as a guide to support new players.

Kick-off

At the start of each game and following every goal, players begin on their own side of the field and must be behind the half-way line. First kick-off is determined with a coin flip by the referee that is called by captains.  The team that was scored upon takes the kick-off following a goal. The player taking the kick-off may cross the halfway line. All opposing team players must be outside of the centre circle.

As there is no marked circle in small-sided micro-soccer games, players should simply allow a respectful distance relative to the smaller field.

Throw-ins

A throw-in is taken when the ball fully crosses a sideline. The throw-in is awarded to the opponents of whomever the ball last touched. The throw-in is taken from outside the sideline where the ball exited. The player must throw the ball forward with both hands, over their head, and with both feet on the ground. Opponents must stand at least 2 meters away. Throw-ins are an Indirect way to get the ball back into play. That is, you can’t score directly on a throw in (another player must touch it).

Effective 2026 (and applicable now) all youth games in Canada will substitute a kick-in or a dribble-in from the sideline. Players should be encouraged to make good decisions regarding which option works best. As with a larger field and throw-ins, opponents should still give a reasonable amount of space to allow play to continue.  As a throw-in is “indirect” (cannot score on net directly), it follows that a kick-in or dribble-in would have to be touched by a second player before anyone can score.

Corner Kicks & Goal Kicks

A corner kick or goal kick is taken when the ball leaves the field across the goal line – the end of the field. If the offensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a goal kick by the defensive team. If the defensive team kicks it out, play is restarted with a corner kick by the offensive team.

The goal kick is taken from anywhere inside the goal area box. It can be taken by any player. It must be kicked from a stationary position on the ground. The ball must leave the Penalty Area before anyone can touch the ball. If the ball does not leave the Penalty Area, then the kick must be retaken. For U9 and U10, the retreat line rule applies here as described below. (If the goalkeeper has the ball and it did not pass the goal line, the ball is “live” and players do not need to retreat. However, players may not impede the goalkeeper in any way if they have the ball in their hands.)

As microsoccer does not have marked areas, players should be encouraged to leave reasonable space for play to continue.

The corner kick is taken from the corner nearest to where the ball left the field. The ball must be on the ground in the marked corner. Opponents must be at least 9m away.

In microsoccer, it is not necessary to teach kids corner kicks. It is recommended to simply let the goal keeper put the ball back into play for such small-sided games.

Fouls and Misconduct

As a general guideline for clarity, a player cannot kick, trip, jump at, charge, strike, push, hold, or spit at an opponent. Bumping, leaning or going shoulder-to-shoulder while competing for a ball is not a foul until the hands or elbows come up or a player is deliberately tripped.  Players and coaches are reminded that the WYSA Rules and Regulations state that “Winning is desirable but winning at any cost defeats the purpose of the match”.  Coaches and players are also reminded that offensive language and interference with the referee are grounds for the offender to be carded at the referee’s discretion.  For complete rules and regulations, see the WYSA Rules and Regulations and FIFA Laws of the Game.

Players learn from their environment and observation. Now (and always) is the time to start encouraging positive attitudes and good sportsmanship.

Direct and Indirect Free Kicks

A Direct Kick is awarded to the opposing team following a contact foul or a handball (except by goalkeeper in their box). On a direct kick you can score by kicking the ball directly into the goal.

An Indirect Kick is awarded for any other offense for which play is stopped.  An indirect kick must be touched by another player before it can go into the goal. A referee will indicate an indirect kick by holding one arm straight up in the air until the second person touches the ball. No arm up or pointing towards the goal, indicates a direct kick.

During any free kick, the opposing team must be a sufficient distance from the kicker as indicated by the referee. This is usually about 9m.

Direct vs Indirect kicks are not always well communicated by referees and not always well understood by players.  Now is a great time for game leaders to help guide players. 

Drop Ball

When there is a stoppage in play called by the referee without a misconduct call (ex. ball touches the referee, bounces off the ceiling, a player is injured), the game re-starts with a dropped ball. In general, the team that last had possession of the ball will have the ball dropped in front of one of their players. (Unless the play was stopped while the ball was within the penalty area in which case it goes to the keeper.)  All other players (including teammates) must allow at least 4m around the player receiving the dropped ball. The ball is in play as soon as it touches the ground. It is an “indirect” play (players cannot directly kick a dropped ball into the net).

This is another opportunity to reinforce respectful restarts of play. It is easiest to treat this like an indirect kick with the receiving player being allowed space to restart the play.

Penalty Kick

A penalty kick (a form of direct kick) results from a contact foul or hand ball by the defending team within the penalty area – the large box on either end of the field. The ball is placed on the penalty spot, in front of the center of the goal. All players must remain outside the penalty area and the penalty arc until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line until the ball is kicked. If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the goal or the keeper and stays on the field, the ball is “live” and anyone can play it.

As there is no marked penalty area in small-sided micro-soccer games, this rule does not apply. New players are also not prepared for the pressure of being a keeper for a “pen”. Only the usual direct/indirect kicks should apply here.

No Hands

The rule for a hand ball includes using any part of the body from the tips of the fingers to the bottom of the shoulder, at the line of the armpit. In short, a player cannot handle the ball nor can they make themselves bigger by extending their arms to stop the ball. It is at the referee’s discretion if the ball accidentally touched a player’s arm. An accidental touch also cannot contribute directly to a goal. (For additional clarification, see FIFA Law 12.)

Goalkeepers cannot pick up a pass that came directly from one of their teammates. In this case, the goalkeeper must use their feet. If the goalie does pick up the ball it will result in an indirect kick from where they touched the ball. Goalkeepers cannot pick up the ball outside of their box.

In small-sided micro-soccer games it is important that players learn the basics about not using their hands, but rules such as goalkeepers not picking up the ball that was passed back or direct kicks following a handball need not be enforced. 

Two-touch Rule

A player cannot touch the ball twice in a row when putting the ball in play. This applies at kick-offs, throw-ins/kick-ins, goal and corner kicks, as well as direct and indirect kicks. If a player barely touches the ball (or does not throw it far or can reach the ball before a teammate or opponent) and decides to take another kick at it, that is a two-touch.

This rule need not be enforced for small-sided micro-soccer games, but it is good practice to start teaching the kids this rule so they are not surprised at an older age when it comes into effect.  A game leader can let everyone know that it’s okay for the play to continue.

U9/10 Retreat Lines

The Retreat Line has been introduced around the country to allow younger players to learn and gain confidence in how to play the ball out from the back and forward to attack. The Retreat Line shall be marked a third (1/3) of the way from the goal line on each U9 & U10 Developmental and Recreational league field. When the ball goes out of play for a goal kick, the attacking players must back up to the Retreat Line. The players of the team taking the goal kick can position themselves anywhere on the pitch and any player may take the goal kick. The opposing team retreats to the middle third of the field and may not cross the Retreat Line until:

1.      The ball is touched by a player receiving the goal kick; or

2.      The ball leaves the field of play; or

3.      The ball is played directly into the middle third of the field.

If the defending team encroaches across the retreat line before a teammate receives a pass, the referee will stop the play and the goal kick will be retaken. If the opposing team repeatedly encroaches the retreat line, then an indirect free kick shall be awarded from the place where the offense occurred for not respecting the restart of play. However, if a team wants to play quickly, they can, and, if the goal kick is played before the opposing team players have moved behind the Retreat Line, the ball is considered live for all players. Clubs may mark the field with a dotted-line or place hash marks on the touch-line signifying the correct distance. If for whatever reason the field is not marked, teams must agree on the distance and place cones/markers down to signify the Retreat line.

U11/12 Offside

The offside rule is applied in the same manner as it is in standard 11 v 11 outdoor soccer with the modification that it is only applied in the attacking third of the field of play. Keeping that in mind, the key moment of judgment is when the ball is played. Therefore it is possible for an individual to receive or touch the ball within the attacking third of the field but not necessarily be offside provided that at the moment the ball is played, they are outside of the attacking third of the field of play.

In order for a referee to be able to consider if a player may be offside, the player must satisfy two initial requirements at the moment the ball is played:

1. Being within the attacking third of the pitch
2. Being in an offside position – behind the second-to-last defensive team player and the ball.

At that point, the referee can determine if the player is interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in that position.

U13-U18 Offside

Where applicable per league rules, standard offside applies starting at the halfway mark on the field. The requirements given above apply.