Football - 129

Football Rules, Protocol & Etiquette
The Rules of Football

Law XVII - Corner Kick
A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when any member of the defending team plays the ball over the end line.
A kick is taken from the quarter circle, with a radius of 1 yard, which is marked in each of the four corners of the field.
The ball must be placed within the quarter circle at the defending side's end line nearest to where the ball went out of
play. The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. A goal may be scored
directly from a corner kick. All defenders must remain 10 yards from the ball until it has traveled the distance of its
circumference.
The Nine Major Fouls
There are nine major offenses, or fouls, which result in either a direct free kick or a penalty kick, depending on the
location of the offense.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent.
Tripping an opponent; i.e., throwing or attempting to throw an opponent with the legs or by undercutting an
opponent with the body.
Jumping at an opponent in a way that endangers the player.
Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.
Charging an opponent from behind unless the latter is obstructing.
Striking, attempting to strike or spitting at an opponent.
Holding an opponent.
Pushing an opponent.
Directing or stopping the ball by using the hands or arms. This rule does not apply to the goalkeeper within the
penalty area.

Unified Sports Rules

There are few differences between the rules for Unified Sports competition and the rules as stipulated in the official
Special Olympics Sports Rules and modifications outlined in the rules book. The additions are highlighted below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

For all 5-a-side, 7-a-side and 11-a-side football, similar age and ability levels are required of both athletes and
partners.
A lineup during the competition consists of three athletes and two partners for 5-a-side, four athletes and three
partners for 7-a-side and six athletes and five partners for 11-a-side football.
Teams are divisioned for competition based primarily on ability. In football, division assignment is based on the
best players on the roster, not the average ability of all players.
Team sports must have an adult, nonplaying coach. Player-coaches are not allowed in team sports.
In case of penalties, athletes and partners alternate with the athlete taking the first penalty.

The election of athletes and partners of similar age and ability is essential, for Unified Sports football training and
competition. Though rules modifications have been implemented to minimize differences between athletes and partners,
inappropriate competition experiences and a higher risk of injury result from teams where athletes and partners are
poorly matched.

Protest Procedures

Protest procedures are governed by the rules of competition. The role of the competition management team is to enforce
the rules. As coach, your duty to your athletes and team is to protest any action or events while your athlete is
competing that you think violate Official Football Rules. It is extremely important that you do not make protests
because you and your athlete did not get your desired outcome of an event. Making protests are serious matters that
impact a competition's schedule. Check with the competition management team prior to competition to learn the protest
procedures for that competition.

Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide
Created: February 2004

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Football

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Football