Soccer 101 (crash course)

MomOf8 · 07-06-2005, 10:47 AM

I'm trying, really I am, to learn more about the sport of soccer before the 23rd. Maybe I'm just a dunce, but I just can't seem to figure it out still. The stuff I do understand is they kick a ball around, and if you kick it into the other teams goal thing, you get a point. You can't touch the ball with your hands, unless you are throwing it back in, right?

What I don't understand are the penalties, or offsides. Would someone please take a couple of minutes and explain that to me. Please, remember, I am just now learning about it, so use easy words to understand. 😉

ps rep to anyone that can explain it to me so I can understand it.

montgjules · 07-06-2005, 11:16 AM

From one newbie to another (and somebody else can correct all my errors):

Offsides: you can't put yourself in a position of "advantage"... this is defined by a player being closer to the other team's goal line (you know, the line by the big net thingee that the ball goes in) 😉 than TWO of the other team's players.... One is naturally the goalkeeper so you really have to just watch for one other guy.

So team A is pushing toward the goal and team B is defending. Team B's closest defender is 20 yards away from the goal and Team A has a player who is 18 yards away from the goal (two yards CLOSER than the other player). Somebody kicks the ball to him. He gets the pass and is wide open (obviously because he is 'offside'... there is nobody between him and the goalkeeper) and he shoots and he scores and gooooooaaaaal... but it doesn't count because the ref calls it offside.

Goalkeeper for Team B = G
Team B defender = B
Team A forward (the one trying to score) = A

Here's the goal line: |

| G B A (Not offside, two players between team A and goal line)
| G A B (Offside, only one person between team A and goal line)

Does this make sense so far? If so, I'll go into details of when it may or may not be called.

montgjules · 07-06-2005, 11:20 AM

Here's some more information and diagrams:

Offside explained

Aero · 07-06-2005, 11:21 AM

Here's a good link with fairly simple explanations of the rules:

http://www.soccer-for-parents.com/soccer-rules.html

MomOf8 · 07-06-2005, 11:25 AM

Thanks guys! That actually did help lots, both of you. Anyhow, I'll have to check out the links later. Right now, it's nap time. :yawn: