The Soccer Drop Ball Rule

Referee Howard Webb about to drop the ball (photo © Patrick Telford, flickr.com)

A referee must sometimes stop play even when neither team has done anything wrong (such as a foul or misconduct). When this happens, the referee can restart the game with a dropped ball -- a way of restarting the game with no advantage to either team.

Soccer Ball Sizes

The first step to buying a soccer ball is choosing the correct size. Soccer ball sizes are tailored to the needs of specific age groups, matching the correct size and weight of ball to players at different levels of physical development.

The following table lists official soccer ball sizes as determined by the US Youth Soccer Association (in its "Policy on Players and Playing Rules"), the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation.

How Long is a Game of Soccer?

Soccer scoreboard showing 90 minutes (photo by DavyJAllan)

Here’s a bizarre fact for you: the official rules of soccer that existed in 1863 didn’t say how long a game of soccer should be -- the two captains had to agree on a time before the kick off.

As soccer became more organized, it soon became obvious that the game needed an official length. The Football Association decided that each game should last 90 minutes...

Soccer Hat Trick: Meaning, Origin and Records

A hat trick in soccer is the term used when a player scores three goals in a single game. Goals scored during a penalty shootout do not count towards the total.

When a soccer player scores a hat trick, he or she is traditionally given the match ball after the game. If a player scores one goal with his left foot, one with his right foot, and one with his head, it is sometimes called a “perfect hat trick.”

Defensive Soccer Positions

Defensive Soccer Positions

If you enjoy playing in defense, you’ll need to decide which defensive soccer position is right for you. There are a few different options to choose from, each with its own requirements and responsibilities.

Soccer Captain Responsibilities

Two soccer captains at the pre-match coin toss (photo © isafmedia, flickr.com)

If you want to be a soccer captain, or if you’ve already been chosen as captain of your team, you’ll need to know what duties and responsibilities are expected from the role. Here you’ll find a list of the main soccer captain duties, both on and off the field of play.

The Soccer Advantage Rule

Playing the advantage in soccer (photo © Emkaer, Wikimedia Commons)

Cool Soccer Balls

If you want to buy a new ball, how about buying something with added style? There are plenty of cool soccer balls on the market, and you don't have to spend a fortune to own something extra special. Here is a selection of stylish soccer balls, all of which are available from Amazon.com (just click on the ball!).

What Is Stoppage Time in Soccer?

Stoppage time, also known as injury time, is the time added at the end of each half. These extra minutes make up for any time lost during the standard 45 minutes of play (see How Long is a Game of Soccer). Here’s what the official FIFA Laws of the Game say:

"Many stoppages in play are entirely natural (e.g. throw-ins, goal kicks). An allowance is to be made only when these delays are excessive."

The referee decides how much stoppage time to add at the end of each half. If no excessive delays have occurred, he might not add any stoppage time at all.

Soccer Cleats vs Baseball Cleats

So you want to get into soccer, but you don’t have any cleats. How about that pair of baseball cleats you have lying around – they’ll do, right? Well, not really. There are some key differences between soccer cleats and baseball cleats. If you are serious about soccer, you need the right tools...

Nike Mercurial Vapor soccer cleat (photo from CLF, flickr)

The Fastest Soccer Kicks Ever

Power isn’t everything in soccer, but it sure does help if you want to blast the ball into the back of the net from distance. There is no official world record for the fastest ever soccer kick by a human, but there are a few facts and figures out there. Prepare to be dazzled by the some of the fastest, hardest and most totally blasted soccer shots in the history of the game...

The Soccer Back-Pass Rule Explained

Okay goalies... listen up! Your defender has the ball, but he’s under pressure from an opposing striker. He begins to panic because he doesn’t want to lose control of the ball close to his own goal. Having no support, he decides to kick the ball back to the goalkeeper (that’s you!). Now, whatever you do, don’t pick the ball up with your hands!

Tim Howard saving the ball (photo by Jarrett Campbell)

How Big is a Soccer Field?

The FIFA Laws of the Game are quite flexible when it comes to soccer field sizes. Some soccer clubs take advantage of this by adapting their home field to suit the team's style of play. Youth players, especially under-15s, often play on smaller fields, but every future soccer star will eventually play on a regulation-size field...