Rules & referee learning
Understand common match situations and find the official rule behind the explanation.
Where to start
These introductions are a starting point for learning, not official referee certification. Read the linked IFAB Law and your competition’s current handbook. Youth formats may change field sizes, distances, restarts, substitutions, or offside applications. Confirm the local version before teaching it as a rule.
20 resources
When is a soccer ball out of play?
A plain-language explanation of when is a soccer ball out of play, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Goal kick or corner: who touched it last?
A plain-language explanation of goal kick or corner: who touched it last, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
How to take a legal throw-in
A plain-language explanation of how to take a legal throw-in, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Offside position explained for parents
A plain-language explanation of offside position explained for parents, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Can you be offside from a throw-in, corner, or goal kick?
A plain-language explanation of can you be offside from a throw-in, corner, or goal kick, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Direct and indirect free kicks
A plain-language explanation of direct and indirect free kicks, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Kickoff rules for young players
A plain-language explanation of kickoff rules for young players, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
What a dropped ball means
A plain-language explanation of what a dropped ball means, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Corner kick basics
A plain-language explanation of corner kick basics, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
When is a goal kick in play?
A plain-language explanation of when is a goal kick in play, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Does touching the ball first make a tackle legal?
A plain-language explanation of does touching the ball first make a tackle legal, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Handball is not every ball-to-arm contact
A plain-language explanation of handball is not every ball-to-arm contact, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
The goalkeeper eight-second possession rule
A plain-language explanation of the goalkeeper eight-second possession rule, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
When can a goalkeeper handle a teammate’s pass?
A plain-language explanation of when can a goalkeeper handle a teammate’s pass, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Youth soccer substitutions: what to confirm
A plain-language explanation of youth soccer substitutions: what to confirm, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
What to check in a player equipment check
A plain-language explanation of what to check in a player equipment check, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Why the referee sometimes allows play after a foul
A plain-language explanation of why the referee sometimes allows play after a foul, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Penalty kick procedure: a simple introduction
A plain-language explanation of penalty kick procedure: a simple introduction, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
Choosing a soccer ball size for a youth team
A plain-language explanation of choosing a soccer ball size for a youth team, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.
How long is a youth soccer match?
A plain-language explanation of how long is a youth soccer match, with an example, a teaching activity, and the official source.