2torial #0413:
Learn2 Understand Soccer (continued)

Let the game begin

During a soccer match the ball never stops moving, and the players (except the goalkeeper, who rarely moves outside the penalty area) run almost continuously. From the moment a match is underway, the action doesn't stop until halftime.

The winner of a pre-game coin toss selects the goal it would like to attack in the first half, and the other team takes the kickoff from the center mark to begin play. All players must be in their team's half of the field at kickoff, and all players for the team without control of the ball must be 10 yards (9 meters) away from the center mark, outside the center circle. Once the referee gives a signal, a player kicks the ball forward and must wait for a teammate or opposing player to touch it before he or she may kick the ball again.

A kickoff is also used to restart play:

• After halftime, when the teams switch sides and the coin toss winner takes the kickoff

• After a goal has been scored. The team that allowed the goal takes possession.

• At the beginning of each overtime period

During a match, play stops temporarily when the ball is kicked out of bounds, a goal is scored, or the referee calls a foul. In addition to a kickoff, other ways to restart play include:

• A throw-in. If a player knocks the entire ball across a touchline either in the air or on the ground, a member of the opposing team can use his hands to toss the ball to one of his teammates. He must stand outside the touchline at the spot the ball crossed, holding it in both hands behind his head before throwing it over his head onto the field. A team may not score on a throw-in without another player touching the ball before it lands in the goal.

• A goal kick. Taken by a member of the defensive team after the opposite team moves the ball over the goal line, usually on an errant pass or scoring attempt. The goal kick is taken from inside the goal area. Opponents must stand outside the penalty area, 12 yards (11 meters) away.

• A corner kick. If a player on defense knocks the ball over the goal line, the attacking team is awarded a kick from the closest corner of the field. The defense must stand 10 yards (9 meters) away. A corner kick is a valuable scoring opportunity. Watch for exciting finishes as one player sends a long pass in the air to a teammate in the penalty area who uses his head or foot to direct the ball into the goal.