The Field of Play
Field markings, goals, penalty areas, corner arcs, and field dimensions.
Referee reference
Laws of the Game
The laws are not trivia. They are how players learn fairness, space, restarts, responsibility, and consequences. Use this as a quick map of the game while training and official IFAB guidance remain the source of truth.
How to use this page
The Laws Are the Shared Language
Referees do not need every edge case memorized to be useful. Youth games need clear whistles, calm signals, fair restarts, and adults who can help players understand what happens next.
Official wording still matters
This page is a local quick reference, not a replacement for the official IFAB text, AYSO training, or Region 1567 division rules.
Open IFABThe 17 laws
Quick Listing
These are the core laws used worldwide, summarized so parents, coaches, and new referees can build real game fluency.
The Ball
Ball size, condition, pressure, and how a defective ball is replaced.
The Players
Number of players, substitutions, substitute procedure, and extra persons.
The Players' Equipment
Required equipment, colors, safety rules, and jewelry restrictions.
The Referee
Referee authority, decisions, advantage, discipline, and game control.
The Other Match Officials
Assistant referees and other officials who help with lines, fouls, and signals.
The Duration of the Match
Halves, halftime, added time, and allowance for time lost.
The Start and Restart of Play
Kick-offs, dropped balls, and the basic restart procedures.
The Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out only when it wholly crosses a boundary line or play is stopped.
Determining the Outcome of a Match
Goals, the winning team, tied games, and kicks from the penalty mark when used.
Offside
Being in an offside position is not itself an offense; involvement in play matters.
Fouls and Misconduct
Direct and indirect free-kick offenses, penalties, cautions, and send-offs.
Free Kicks
Direct and indirect free kicks, distance, signal, and restart location.
The Penalty Kick
Penalty-kick setup, goalkeeper/player restrictions, and what happens next.
The Throw-in
The restart when the ball crosses the touchline after last touching an opponent.
The Goal Kick
The restart when the attacking team last touches the ball over the goal line.
The Corner Kick
The restart when the defending team last touches the ball over the goal line.
Match-day helper
Restart Cheat Sheet
A lot of confidence comes from getting the next restart right: whose ball, where it starts, and how play gets moving again.
Kick-off
Starts each half and restarts after a goal.
Throw-in
Whole ball over the touchline. The other team throws it back in.
Goal kick
Attacking team last touched the ball over the goal line, and no goal was scored.
Corner kick
Defending team last touched the ball over the goal line, and no goal was scored.
Free kick
A foul or offense stops play. The restart may be direct or indirect.
Penalty kick
A direct free-kick offense by a defender inside their own penalty area.
Dropped ball
Used when the referee stops play for a non-foul reason.
Youth soccer lens
AYSO Divisions Can Modify the Details
Younger games are designed to teach. Field size, match length, substitutions, goalkeeper use, offside, build-out lines, and restart expectations can vary by age group.
U8 referee mindset
U8 officiating is usually about safety, possession, boundaries, restarts, and helping players get the next play right. It is often the first referee certification many parents complete.
View referee pathwayTraining comes first
AYSOU and local field sessions give volunteers the practical version of these laws for their division.
Open AYSOU