There are 17 Laws in the game of soccer, click here for the complete FIFA 2007/2008 Laws of the Game. Otherwise, take a look at these Laws to help you become more familiar with the game. When you're done, test your soccer knowledge by clicking here!   Law 11 Offside "Offside Position" and "Offside" - Check out this link and watch a few helpful animations. It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if: he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent A player is not in an offside position if: he is in his own half of the field of play or he is level with the second last opponent or he is level with the last two opponents Offense A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by: interfering with play or interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in that position No Offense There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from: a goal kick or a throw-in or a corner kick Infringements/Sanctions For any offside offense, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.   Law 12 Fouls and Misconducts Fouls and misconduct are penalized as follows: Direct Free Kick A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: kicks or attempts to kick an opponent trips or attempts to trip an opponent jumps at an opponent charges an opponent strikes or attempts to strike an opponent pushes an opponent A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offenses: tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball holds an opponent spits at an opponent handles the ball DELIBERATELY (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area) A direct free kick is taken from where the offense occurred.

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