Self Defense

Many people think of self-defense as a karate kick to the groin or jab in the eyes of an attacker. But self-defense actually means doing everything possible to avoid fighting someone who threatens or attacks you. Self-defense is all about using your smarts — not your fists.

Use Your Head

People (guys as well as girls) who are threatened and fight back "in self-defense" actually risk making a situation worse. The attacker, who is already edgy and pumped up on adrenaline — and who knows what else — may become even more angry and violent. The best way to handle any attack or threat of attack is to try to get away. This way, you're least likely to be injured.

One way to avoid a potential attack before it happens is to trust your instincts. Your intuition, combined with your common sense, can help get you out of trouble. For example, if you're running alone on the school track and you suddenly feel like you're being watched, that could be your intuition telling you something. Your common sense would then tell you that it's a good idea to get back to where there are more people around.

De-Escalating a Bad Situation

Attackers aren't always strangers who jump out of dark alleys. Sadly, teens can be attacked by people they know. That's where another important self-defense skill comes into play. This skill is something self-defense experts and negotiators call de-escalation.

De-escalating a situation means speaking or acting in a way that can prevent things from getting worse. The classic example of de-escalation is giving a robber your money rather than trying to fight or run. But de-escalation can work in other ways, too. For example, if someone harasses you when there's no one else around, you can de-escalate things by agreeing with him or her. You don't have to actually believe the taunts, of course, you're just using words to get you out of a tight spot. Then you can redirect the bully's focus ("Oops, I just heard the bell for third period"), and calmly walk away from the situation.

Something as simple as not losing your temper can de-escalate a situation. Learn how to manage your own anger effectively so that you can talk or walk away without using your fists or weapons.

Although de-escalation won't always work, it can only help matters if you remain calm and don't give the would-be attacker any extra ammunition. Whether it's a stranger or someone you thought you could trust, saying and doing things that don't threaten your attacker can give you some control.

Reduce Your Risks

Another part of self-defense is doing things that can help you stay safe. Here are some tips from the National Crime Prevention Council and other experts:

• Understand your surroundings. Walk or hang out in areas that are open, well lit, and well traveled. Become familiar with the buildings, parking lots, parks, and other places you walk. Pay particular attention to places where someone could hide — such as stairways and bushes.
• Avoid shortcuts that take you through isolated areas.
• If you're going out at night, travel in a group.
• Make sure your friends and parents know your daily schedule (classes, sports practice, club meetings, etc.). If you go on a date or with friends for an after-game snack, let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Check out hangouts. Do they look safe? Are you comfortable being there? Ask yourself if the people around you seem to share your views on fun activities — if you think they're being reckless, move on.
• Be sure your body language shows a sense of confidence. Look like you know where you're going and act alert.
• When riding on public transportation, sit near the driver and stay awake. Attackers are looking for vulnerable targets.
• Carry a cell phone if possible. Make sure it's programmed with your parents' phone number.
• Be willing to report crimes in your neighborhood and school to the police.

Take a Self-Defense Class

The best way — in fact the only way — to prepare yourself to fight off an attacker is to take a self-defense class. We'd love to give you all the right moves in an article, but some things you just have to learn in person.

A good self-defense class can teach you how to size up a situation and decide what you should do. Self-defense classes can also teach special techniques for breaking an attacker's grasp and other things you can do to get away. For example, attackers usually anticipate how their victim might react — that kick to the groin or jab to the eyes, for instance. A good self-defense class can teach you ways to surprise your attacker and catch him or her off guard.

One of the best things people take away from self-defense classes is self-confidence. The last thing you want to be thinking about during an attack is, "Can I really pull this self-defense tactic off?" It's much easier to take action in an emergency if you've already had a few dry runs.

A self-defense class should give you a chance to practice your moves. If you take a class with a friend, you can continue practicing on each other to keep the moves fresh in your mind long after the class is over.

Check out your local YMCA, community hospital, or community center for classes. If they don't have them, they may be able to tell you who does. Your PE teacher or school counselor may also be a great resource.

Basketball

The Rules

Basketball is a team sport. Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet above the ground. The game is played on a rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop at each end. The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line. If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has ten seconds to get the ball over the mid-court line. If it doesn't, then the defense gets the ball. Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can no longer have possession of the ball in the area in back of the line. If it does, the defense is awarded the ball. 


Basketball Court 1

The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling. The team with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense. They try to steal the ball, contest shots, steal and deflect passes, and garner rebounds. 

When a team makes a basket, they score two points and the ball goes to the other team. If a basket, or field goal, is made outside of the three-point arc, then that basket is worth three points. A free throw is worth one point. Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed. Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the shooter, depending upon where he was when he shot. If he was beyond the three-point line, then he gets three shots. Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain number have accumulated during a half. Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a '1-and-1' opportunity. If he makes his first free throw, he gets to attempt a second. If he misses the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.

Each game is divided into sections. All levels have two halves. In college, each half is twenty minutes long. In high school and below, the halves are divided into eight (and sometimes, six) minute quarters. In the pros, quarters are twelve minutes long. There is a gap of several minutes between halves. Gaps between quarters are relatively short. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then overtime periods of various lengths are played until a winner emerges.

Each team is assigned a basket or goal to defend. This means that the other basket is their scoring basket. At halftime, the teams switch goals. The game begins with one player from either team at center court. A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The player that gets his hands on the ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off. In addition to stealing the ball from an opposing player, there are other ways for a team to get the ball. 

One such way is if the other team commits a foul or violation.

Fouls and Violations

FOULS

 Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact.

• Hitting
• Pushing
• Slapping
• Holding
• Illegal pick/screen -- when an offensive player is moving. When an offensive player sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the defender.

Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a being fouled, then he gets two free throws if his shot doesn't go in, but only one free throw if his shot does go in.

• Three free throws are awarded if the player is fouled while shooting for a three-point goal and they miss their shot. If a player is fouled while shooting a three-point shot and makes it anyway, he is awarded one free throw. Thus, he could score four points on the play.
• Inbounds. If fouled while not shooting, the ball is given to the team the foul was committed upon. They get the ball at the nearest side or baseline, out of bounds, and have 5 seconds to pass the ball onto the court.
• One & one. If the team committing the foul has seven or more fouls in the game, then the player who was fouled is awarded one free throw. If he makes his first shot, then he is awarded another free throw.
• Ten or more fouls. If the team committing the foul has ten or more fouls, then the fouled player receives two free throws.

Charging. An offensive foul that is committed when a player pushes or runs over a defensive player. The ball is given to the team that the foul was committed upon.

Blocking. Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not establishing position in time to prevent an opponent's drive to the basket.

Flagrant foul. Violent contact with an opponent. This includes hitting, kicking, and punching. This type of foul results in free throws plus the offense retaining possession of the ball after the free throws.

Intentional foul. When a player makes physical contact with another player with no reasonable effort to steal the ball. It is a judgment call for the officials.

Technical foul. Technical foul. A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve player contact or the ball but is instead about the 'manners' of the game. Foul language, obscenity, obscene gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul, as can technical details regarding filling in the scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-ups. 


VIOLATIONS

Walking/Traveling. Taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the ball is traveling. Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.

Carrying/palming. When a player dribbles the ball with his hand too far to the side of or, sometimes, even under the ball.

Double Dribble. Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time or picking up the dribble and then dribbling again is a double dribble.

Held ball. Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of the ball at the same time. In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee stops the action and awards the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis. 

Goaltending. If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way down toward the basket, while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched the backboard, or while it's in the cylinder above the rim, it's goaltending and the shot counts. If committed by an offensive player, it's a violation and the ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in.

Backcourt violation. Once the offense has brought the ball across the mid-court line, they cannot go back across the line during possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to the other team to pass inbounds.

Time restrictions. A player passing the ball inbounds has five seconds to pass the ball. If he does not, then the ball is awarded to the other team. Other time restrictions include the rule that a player cannot have the ball for more than five seconds when being closely guarded and, in some states and levels, shot-clock restrictions requiring a team to attempt a shot within a given time frame.

Player Positions

Center. Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near the basket.

Offensive -- The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also responsible for blocking defenders, known as picking or screening, to open other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers are expected to get some offensive rebounds and put-backs.

Defensive -- On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting by blocking shots and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot of rebounds because they're taller.

Forward. Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward may be called upon to play under the hoop, they may also be required to operate in the wings and corner areas.

Offensive -- Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound.

Defensive -- Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.

Guard. These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at dribbling fast, seeing the court, and passing. It is their job to bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays.

Offensive -- Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main responsibilities. They also need to be able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the perimeter.

Defensive -- On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots, preventing drives to the hoop, and for boxing out
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Semester 1 Football unit Assignment 2013

Football Assignment

Due to our geographic location and the popularity of the American game of Football, many students are unaware of the differences between the American game and the Canadian game of Football.  Your assignment is to listing the differences between the American rules of the game and the Canadian rules of the game.  All Assignments are to be sent to thomsonsclass@gmail.com.  Assignments will not be accepted after

The course notes provided on Football outline the American rules.  This gives you the opportunity to research the Canadian rules and list the differences.  Please do not reply solely on your own background and knowledge.  Please search using the internet to find more differences.

DO NOT CUT AND PASTE
Use your own words and description

At the end of your answer please list the web sites used to develop your answers.

Football Rules and Notes

AMERICAN FOOTBALL RULES Object American football is played by 2 teams with 11 players on the field at a time who attempt to score points by moving the ball down the field across the goal line or by kicking the ball between the upright goal posts. The team with the most points at the end of regulation time is the winner. American Football Rules Playing Area The playing field is a rectangle 100 yards long and a little over 50 yards wide. There is a goal line at each end of the field leading into a 10-yard end zone, and at the back of the end zone there is an upright goal post. American Football Rules Equipment American football probably requires more equipment than just about any other sport. Here’s a quick rundown of what players need: A helmet with a face mask A jersey with numbers that indicate what positions they play (which is very helpful for spectators.) Backs wear #10-49 Centers wear #50-59 Guards wear #60-69 Tackles wear #70-79 Ends wear #80-89 Pads on the chest, shoulders, ribs, and kidneys Pants with pads to protect the groin area, thighs, and shins Turf shoes In addition to the protective uniform equipment for the players, you need a football and a football field with goal posts. American Football Rules Duration College and pro football games last 60 minutes, and the game is divided into 4 quarters of 15 minutes each. High school games are usually divided into 12-minute quarters. The clock runs unless the officials signal it must be stopped for incomplete passes or plays that go out of bounds. The officials also stop the clock when they need to measure the placement of the ball to see if the offense advanced it 10 yards. Each team gets 3 time-outs per half. American Football Rules Overtime If the game is tied at the end of 4 quarters, the game goes into overtime. Overtime is different depending on the level of play. For NFL games, the game goes into “sudden death,” where a coin toss determines which team receives the ball, and the first team to score wins the game. If neither team scores at the end of 15 minutes, the game is declared a tie. High school and college overtime periods give each team an equal opportunity to try and score. Both teams get possession of the ball on their opponent’s 25-yard line to score either a touchdown or a field goal. Their possession ends if they score, lose the ball on a fumble or interception, or fail to get a first down. Then the defense takes possession of the ball on their opponent’s 25-yard line. If the teams are still tied going into the 3rd overtime period, each team must attempt to score 2 extra points after each touchdown. American Football Rules Substitutions Substitutes are only allowed to enter the game on a dead ball, and they must leave the field on their sideline. American Football Rules Starting Play A coin is tossed prior to the opening kick-off to determine which team will kick off first and which goals teams will defend. Play begins with a kick off from the 35-yard line at the start of each half and after a score. After a safety, the ball is kicked off from the 20-yard line. Kick Offs A kick off is a free kick taken from the kicking team’s 30-yard line (40-yard line in high school). It may be taken in one of the following ways: It can be kicked off of a tee. It can be drop kicked. Another player can hold the ball for a place kick. During kick off, all players have to be inbounds. The kicking team, except for the kicker and the place kick holder, must be behind the ball. The opponent must be at least 10 yards away. The ball must travel at least 10 yards. If the opposing team gains possession of the ball, they may advance the ball up the field by running with it. If the kicking team gets the ball, the ball is dead and it’s put in play from where it was recovered. If the ball is kicked out of bounds (except for the end zone) before being touched by a member of the receiving team, it’s an illegal kick. The receiving team can have the kicking team kick it over again from a spot 5 yards closer to the kicking team’s goal or they may opt to take it at the spot it went out of bounds or 30 yards from the point of the kick. American Football Rules Changing Ends Teams change goals at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters, but the relative position of the ball on the field stays the same. For example, if the offensive team had the ball on the 30-yard line at the end of the 1st quarter, the ball is moved to the 30-yard line on the other end of the field and play resumes. American Football Rules Playing the Ball Players can kick, carry, and throw the ball to move it up the field. A defender may knock down a pass that’s in the air. If the player with the ball touches the ground with any part of his body except his hands or feet or if he goes out of bounds, he is called “down” and the ball is dead. The offensive team has 25 seconds to put the ball into play on each down from the time the referee marks the spot of the ball. American Football Rules Scrimmage Downs Most of the football game takes place during plays, or downs, that begin at the line of scrimmage. The officials “spot” the ball before each down by placing it at a designated spot on the playing field. A down is the period of time that begins when the center puts the ball into play until the ball becomes dead. When a team has the ball, it has 4 downs to advance the ball 10 yards or score. Each time it moves the ball 10 yards down the field, it’s awarded a new set of 4 downs. If it fails to advance 10 yards, the ball is given to the other team at the point it became dead at the end of the 4th down. The line of scrimmage for each team is an imaginary line passing through the end of the football nearest to them, extending from sideline to sideline. The area between these lines, which is the length of the football, is the “neutral zone.” Each team lines up at least 7 players on the line of scrimmage who stand on either side of the ball and are parallel to the goal line. These rest of the team, except the player receiving the snap (usually the quarterback), must be at least 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage. The snap is a backward pass through the legs of the center, which puts the ball into play. The snap must be one quick and continuous motion, and the snapper can’t move his feet or lift a hand until after the ball is snapped. Other players have to stay still until the ball is snapped. No one is allowed to enter the neutral zone or move toward his opponent’s goal line at a snap. The snap must be to a player behind the line of scrimmage, unless it touches the ground. American Football Rules Fair Catch After the ball has been kicked on a punt or kick-off, the player receiving the kick may signal a fair catch by raising one arm straight up in the air. By giving this signal, he has the right to catch the ball without being tackled by any member of the kicking team. The ball is dead at the spot of the catch. The receiver gives up the right to try and advance the ball up the field when he gives a fair catch signal. Backward Pass A runner can make a backward pass at any time. A teammate may catch the pass or recover it if it hits the ground. Fumble If a player loses the ball and it leaves his hands, play continues no matter which team recovers it and whether or not it touches the ground. Interception An interception is a pass that’s caught by a defensive player while it’s still in the air. Possession of the ball belongs to the team that intercepted it. Forward Pass The offensive team is allowed one forward pass during each play from the line of scrimmage, but the passer must be behind the line of scrimmage when releasing the ball. Any other forward pass is illegal. Any of the defenders is eligible to intercept a forward pass, but the only offensive players that may catch a forward pass are those who are on the ends of the scrimmage line (except the center, guard, or tackle), or are standing at least 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage. On any forward pass, the ball becomes dead when it: goes out of play hits the ground hits the goalpost Tackling Tackling is when defensive players use their bodies to bring the player with the ball to the ground. Blocking Defensive players use their bodies above the knees to block, or impede, the progress of the opponent. The blocker’s hands must be closed and kept inside the elbows. The arms may not be extended to push. Blockers are not allowed to hold on to an opponent, and they can’t interfere with a pass receiver, a fair catch, a kicker, or a passer. Blocks can’t occur below the knees or in the back. The runner with the ball can use his hands and arms to fend off a defender. American Football Rules Scrimmage Positions All of the players line themselves up in formation on both sides of the line of scrimmage. There are very specific rules regarding how the players can line up. 7 players called “linemen” must line up directly on the scrimmage line. 4 players called “backs” line up behind the line of the scrimmage. Within this formation, there are only 6 players who are allowed to catch a forward pass during a play. Offensive players often line up on the scrimmage line in the following order: Left End (tight end, split end, or wide receiver) Left Tackle Left Guard Center Right Guard Right Tackle Right End These are the offensive positions behind the line of scrimmage: Quarterback Running Backs (halfback, fullback) The following positions are on the defensive side of the ball. These players can line up in a variety of ways: Linebackers Defensive Ends Defensive Tackles Defensive Backs American Football Rules Scoring Touchdown = 6 points. It occurs when a player carries the ball into the opponent’s end zone or catches a pass while in the end zone. Extra Point = 1 point or 2 points (also known as PAT, point after touchdown). After a team scores a touchdown, they get the opportunity to earn 1 extra point by kicking the ball through the uprights on the goal post. The ball is placed on the 2-yard line, and both teams line up on the scrimmage line for the kick. The distance of the extra point kick is 20 yards. The scoring team may opt to go for 2 points instead. The ball is still placed at the 2-yard line, but instead of kicking it, they try to get it into the end zone again either by a run or pass. If they’re successful in crossing the goal line with the ball, they earn 2 extra points. Field Goal = 3 points On a team’s 4th down, if they don’t feel they will be able to advance the ball far enough for a 1st down and they feel they are within kicking range, they may attempt to kick a field goal from the line of scrimmage. If the ball goes through the goal post, they earn 3 points. If the kick is unsuccessful, the opposing team gets possession of the ball at the line of scrimmage or the 20-yard line (whichever is farther from the goal line). Safety = 2 points A safety is called when an offensive player is tackled with the ball in their own end zone. When this happens the defensive team is awarded 2 points, and the team that was scored on has to kick off from their 20-yard line. American Football Rules Dead Ball A dead ball marks the end of a down. The ball becomes dead when: the ball carrier is downed. there's an incomplete pass. the ball or ball carrier goes out of bounds. a team scores. a fair catch is signaled. a member of the kicking team gets control of a punt to down it before the receiving team touches it. a kicked ball stops moving. a touchback occurs – when a kick lands in the end zone, it is spotted at the 20-yard line to begin play. American Football Rules Out of Play When a ball is kicked out of bounds, it is placed at the point where it crossed the sideline. The only exception is for a free kick. When a free kick is kicked out of bounds, it is kicked again after moving the ball back 5 yards from the original spot of the kick. If a player with the ball runs out of bounds, the ball is placed at the inbounds lines in the center of the field at the point where he went out of bounds. If the ball is passed, kicked, or fumbled out of play behind the goal lines by the opposition, the defending team gets possession of the ball at the 20-yard line between the inbounds lines. American Football Rules Fouls and Penalties Fouls Players may not: hit with their fists. kick or knee a player. hit or kick a player below the knee. tackle a player off the field. tackle a player after the ball is dead. grab a player’s face mask. deliberately run into a kicker. run into a passer after he has released the ball. Penalties Here are some of the more common penalties included in the American football rules (there are many more): Blocking below the waist. Block in the back – contacting a player without the ball in the back. Clipping – contacting a player without the ball from behind and below the waist. Delay of game. Encroachment – a defensive player crossing the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. Face mask – grabbing the face mask of a player in an attempt to tackle him. False start – any player that moves after he has gotten set at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. Horse-collar tackle – grabbing the shoulder pads or jersey from behind and yanking the player to the ground. Intentional grounding – a forward pass that is intentionally thrown incomplete so the passer avoids being tackled for a loss of yards. Holding – grabbing or pulling a player without the ball. Offside – a player is on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Pass interference - making physical contact with a receiver to keep him from catching the ball. Personal foul – any kind of conduct or safety-related rule infraction. Roughing the kicker – tackling or running into the kicker. Roughing the passer – tackling or hitting a passer after the pass has already been made. When rule violations are called, the following penalties may be assessed: Loss of down Loss of yards – 5, 10, or 15 yards Disqualification

BASIC SOCCER RULES Object Soccer is a ball game played by 2 teams of 11 players each. The object is to get the ball into your opponent’s goal. The winner is the team that scores the most goals by the end of the game. Playing Area The field is rectangular in shape and must be 50-100 yards wide and 100-130 yards long. There is a goal located at each end of the field. Basic Rules of Soccer Equipment You need a soccer ball and a goal to play a game. The age of the players and the level of competition determine what type of soccer ball is used. To find the appropriate size ball for your situation, see soccer ball sizes. The goalkeeper must wear different colors than her teammates to distinguish herself from the other players. Goalies may also wear protective goalie gloves. It is highly recommended that every player wear shin guards to protect their lower legs when they inadvertently get kicked. A pair of soccer cleats with rubber studs are recommended to help players get better traction on the field. Basic Rules of Soccer Officials There is usually a referee who runs up and down the middle of the field and controls the game along with 2 linesmen. The linesmen are positioned on each sideline holding a flag. The referee: keeps the time.  keeps score.  enforces the rules.  stops and starts the game.  cautions or removes players from the game. The linesmen raise their flags to indicate: when the ball is out of play. which team takes the ball on the throw-in, corner kick or goal kick. any infringement of the rules. Duration The game is divided into two 45-minute halves. Teams change ends at the end of the half. The game clock is a running clock, and time doesn’t stop until the end of the half. The referee will add on additional time for time lost due to injuries, time wasting, etc. Time is also added to allow for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of regulation time. Basic Rules of Soccer Starting Play A coin toss determines which team will kick off first and which goal teams will defend. To start the game, the ball is placed in the center of the circle at mid-field and teams are lined up on their respective sides of the field. Only the kicker may be in the center circle for the opening kick, and all other players must remain outside the circle until contact is made with the ball. Once kicked, the ball has to travel at least one full roll, and the kicker can’t touch it again until another player kicks it first. After a goal is scored, the ball is reset in the center circle again for a kick-off by the team that was scored on. The second half begins with the same type of kick-off by the team that did not open the game with the kick. Playing the Ball Except when throwing the ball in from out-of-bounds, no players are allowed to touch the ball with their hands except the goalie. A penalty (free kick) is assessed when a player touches the ball with any part of their hands or arms. Players can use any other part of their body to contact the ball. They may use their feet, head, thigh, chest, or back to stop, control, or pass the ball. Basic Rules of Soccer Scoring A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line under the crossbar and between the goal posts. A goal is worth 1 point. If the score is tied at the end of the game, the following events may happen: the game is left as a tie. an overtime period is played (usually two halves of 15 minutes each). there is a shoot-off with each team getting to shoot a series of penalty kicks. a coin toss determines the winner. Basic Rules of Soccer Out of Play The ball is out of play when it completely crosses the boundary lines on the field or when the referee has blown his whistle to stop play. It isn't out if it's touching the line. Play is restarted by a throw-in when the ball has crossed the sidelines, and by either a goal kick or a corner kick when it has crossed the goal line. Throw-in - A throw-in is taken along the sideline at the spot where the ball went out of bounds. It is taken by the team not responsible for putting the ball out of play. On a throw-in, the player must: have both hands on the ball. throw the ball from behind and over the head. face the play. keep part of each foot on the ground at the time of release. keep her feet either behind or on the sideline. If any of these rules are broken, the other team is granted the ball at that spot. You can’t score a goal directly from a throw-in, and the player throwing the ball in is not allowed to touch it until another player has touched it. Goal Kick - awarded to the defending team when the offense kicks the ball out of bounds across the goal line (end line.) A goal kick: can be taken by any player, including the goalie. is placed on the upper corner of the goalie box on the side of the goal area where the ball went out. must travel outside of the penalty area. may not be touched by the kicker until another player has touched it. All players must remain outside of the penalty area until the ball is kicked, and a goal can’t be scored directly from a goal kick. Corner Kick - awarded to the offensive team if the ball goes out of bounds across the goal line. It’s taken from the quarter circle with the flag in the corner of the field on the side of the field where the ball went out of bounds. On a corner kick: the corner flag may not be moved. opponents must stay at least 10 yards away until the ball is kicked. a goal can be scored. the kicker may not touch it again until another player has touched it. Free Kick - either a direct or indirect kick taken from the place where an offense occurred. The ball is stationary, and all opponents must be 10 yards from the ball. Direct Free Kick - the kicker can score directly from the kick. Indirect Free Kick - a goal can’t be scored until the ball has been touched by another player. Penalty Kick - a direct free kick that is awarded to the attacking team when an offense occurs by a defender inside his own penalty area. On a penalty kick: the ball is placed on the penalty spot. all players except the goalie must stand outside the penalty area at least 10 yards from the penalty spot. the ball must be kicked forward. the kicker can’t touch the ball again until another player has touched it. the goalie must stand still on the goal line until the ball is kicked. Basic Rules of Soccer Offside An offensive player is offside if, when the ball is played, she is closer to the goal than 2 defensive players and the ball, unless: she is in her own half of the field. an opponent was the last player to touch the ball. she receives the ball directly from a goal kick, corner kick, throw-in, or when the referee drops the ball. Basic Rules of Soccer Fouls & Misconduct A direct free kick is awarded if any of the following fouls are committed by a defender in his penalty area: tripping. holding an opponent. touching the ball with a hand or arm. kicking an opponent. jumping at or charging at an opponent in a violent manner. hitting or pushing an opponent. An indirect free kick is awarded for: dangerous play. charging fairly when the ball isn’t within playing distance. intentionally obstructing an opponent without trying to play the ball. charging the goalkeeper. offside. a player touching the ball a second time on a throw-in, kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, or penalty kick before someone else touches it. entering or leaving the game without the referee’s permission. It is okay to charge a goalkeeper if he: is holding the ball. is obstructing an opponent. goes outside of he goal area. Basic Rules of Soccer Cautioning The referee may caution a player if he: enters or leaves the game without the ref’s permission. continually breaks the rules. shows disrespect toward the officials. has unsportsmanlike conduct. Sending Off The referee may send a player off the field for the rest of the game if she: commits acts of violence or serious unsportsmanlike conduct. uses foul or abusive language. continues to break the rules after the official’s cautionary warning. Basic Rules of Soccer Modifications Depending on the number of players, skill level, available equipment, or the size of your playing area, you can modify the basic rules of soccer to fit your needs. Here are some modifications you can make to get a game going: Reduce the size of the field. Adjust the length of the game. Increase or decrease the time according to fitness level of players. Use a softer or lighter ball, like a nerf-type ball or a beach ball. Use a monster-size ball (or a therapy ball, cage ball, etc.) and allow players to use hands or any other part of their body to advance the ball up the field. Reduce or increase the number of players on each team. Don't use goalies. Leave the goals unattended. Play on only half the field with one goal. On each change of possession, the offense takes it back above the penalty area before they can try to score, like in half-court basketball. Use a ball that's a little flat to keep it from rolling so quickly or so far. If you have a lot of players, set up more goals so players have more ways to score, and have a couple balls going at once. Have shooting contests from different areas of the field to see who can score the most goals. Set up targets and try to knock them over with the ball. Set up a game indoors with no out of bounds. The ball can be played off of the walls.