Soccer Questions for Beginners: 30 Simple Answers
This page restores an old beginner-intent URL with current, straightforward answers.
1. How many players are on a soccer team?
A standard team starts with 11 players including the goalkeeper.
2. How long is a game?
A standard adult match has two 45-minute halves plus added time. Competition rules can vary. See How Long Is a Soccer Game?.
3. What is offside?
A player is not punished simply for being ahead. Offside depends on position at the moment a teammate plays/touches the ball and then becoming involved in active play.
4. What is a pitch?
The soccer field. See What Is a Pitch in Soccer?.
5. What does a yellow card mean?
A caution.
6. What does a red card mean?
A sending-off. See Red Card Meaning.
7. What is a throw-in?
The restart when the whole ball crosses a touchline. See Throw-In Rules.
8. What is a corner kick?
A restart for the attacking team when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses its own goal line without a goal.
9. What is a goal kick?
A restart when the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the defending goal line without a goal.
10. What is a free kick?
A restart awarded after certain offences. It can be direct or indirect.
11. What is an indirect free kick?
A goal cannot be scored directly until another player touches the ball. See Indirect Free Kick.
12. What is a penalty kick?
A direct kick from the penalty mark awarded for a qualifying direct-free-kick offence by the defending team inside its own penalty area.
13. What is stoppage time?
Time added for delays and time lost during a half.
14. What is extra time?
Additional periods used by some competitions to decide a tied knockout match. It is not the same as added time.
15. What is a formation?
The team's starting positional structure, such as 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.
16. Why don't formation numbers add to 11?
The goalkeeper is usually omitted.
17. What is a number 9?
Traditional shorthand for a striker.
18. What is a number 10?
Traditional shorthand for an attacking playmaker/attacking midfielder.
19. What is a number 6?
Usually a deeper/holding midfielder in modern coaching language.
20. What is a winger?
A wide attacking player.
21. What is a fullback?
A wide defender in a back four.
22. What is a wing back?
A wide player with both defensive and attacking responsibility, often in systems with three center backs.
23. What does a striker do?
Scores and creates chances, threatens space behind, links play and often starts the press. See Striker Guide.
24. Can the goalkeeper use hands anywhere?
No. Handling privileges apply within the goalkeeper's own penalty area and remain subject to the Laws.
25. Can you score from a throw-in?
Not directly.
26. Can a match end in a draw?
Yes in competitions that allow draws. Knockout competitions may use extra time and/or kicks from the penalty mark.
27. How many substitutions are allowed?
Competition rules determine the permitted number and procedure.
28. What does the assistant referee do?
Helps with decisions including ball out of play and offside, among other duties. See Assistant Referee Signals.
29. Is shoulder contact legal?
Some fair physical contact is legal, but careless, reckless or excessive-force challenges can be fouls.
30. What should a beginner learn first?
First touch, passing, dribbling, basic shooting, spacing and the main restarts.
Next: Soccer for Beginners.