Video:What Are Basic Penalties in Soccer?

Transcript:What Are Basic Penalties in Soccer?

Hi, my name is Ashley Hammond. I'm the owner of the Soccer Domain Football Club in Montclair, NJ. I'm here for About.com to talk about penalties in the game of a soccer. 

Reasons for Calling Penalties in Soccer

There are a number of different ways in which a player can be penalized in the game of soccer. If they push another player, if they trip another player, or if they handle the ball. In any of these situations, the referee may decide to give a free kick to the other team. 

Indirect Free Kicks

There are two different types of free kicks, indirect free kicks and direct free kicks. An attacking indirect free kick usually requires that one player from the team who is taking the kick passes the ball to another member of their team and they attempt to score the goal. 

Penalty Kicks

If a foul occurs inside the 18 yard box, then a penalty kick is awarded. This is a direct free kick taken 12 yards from the center of the goal with only the one player from the attacking team and one player from the defending team, the goal keeper, involved in the play. 

Red and Yellow Cards

The referee may also decide to penalize the player by giving him a red card or a yellow card. A yellow card is a warning to the player not to do it again. If a player is issued 2 yellow cards in one game, then they are given a cumulative red card. A player may also be shown a direct red card if the referee decides that their conduct or behavior is dangerous and that then sends the player from the field directly. 

In most soccer federations in soccer games around the world, a red card always results in the player being ejected. It also usually results in the player being suspended from the next game and possibly more. 

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