Players must learn

• to pass and kick
• ball control skills which include
• trapping
• dribbling
• heading
• throwing in from the side

• field the ball after stopping a shot
• clear the ball (or throw it to a player on their own team)
• punt to a player on their team

The game is divided into 4 periods of 12 minutes each.  At the start of the game a coin toss decides which end each team will get and who gets to kick off first. To score you must kick the ball past the goalie into the net.  If the goalie saves it, the shot does not count. 

There are many ways to foul.  If a player on the other team trips you, you get a free shot.  If this happens in the 18 yard box, also called the penalty area, then you get a penalty kick. 

A pass is when the ball stays on the ground.  Sometimes you can chip the ball over the defenceman.  A pass should be short.  You should not touch the ball more than three times before you pass it.
 
 

This is a diagram of a soccer field.  The lines, goal areas, and outside markings are clearly shown.  For learning players the field is 85 yards (77.7 metres) long and 50 yeards (45.7 metres) wide.

Each team has 11 players on the field at one time.  The object of the game is to kick the ball in the other team's goal. 

Players are separated into forwards (strikers), mid-fielders, defenders (sweeper), and goalies.

The referee is in charge of the game.  They decide when a player makes an error and the linesman helps the referee with the calls.

Even though soccer has lot's of rules and the skills take a little bit of time to learn, it is a fun sport for players of all ages.