1. Charging, Tackles and Encroachment
Charging is a broad term used to describe running onto an opponent or the ball in soccer. Depending on the situation, it can be a perfectly legal play or a foul that warrants a yellow card for the first offense, and a red card for the second. When a player charges the ball or an opposing player while the ball isn't in play, it's called encroachment. Charging an opposing player who either has the ball or is challenging for the ball is also called a tackle, and is legal if it's not done from behind.
2. Keep Your Distance
Players must remain at least 10 yards from the ball when the opposing team is taking a free kick. They can run toward the ball as soon as the kicker touches it. Once the referee calls for a free kick, the fouled team has the option of playing the ball immediately or asking the referee to move the opposing team back 10 yards. After the player has asked for 10 yards, the referee has the option of yellow carding any opposing players who encroach that distance. If a player charges the ball and kicks it after the referee has called for a free kick, the referee will likely issue a red card to that player for intentionally delaying game play and unsportsmanlike conduct.
3. Charging the Box
During penalty kicks, all of the players are cleared out of the 18-yard box with the exception of the shooter and the goalkeeper. Players from both teams must wait until the shooter has touched the ball before entering the box. Charging the 18-yard box before the shooter touches the ball will result in a yellow card, regardless of which team the offending player is on.
4. Legal Charging
Soccer players are allowed to charge opposing players during regular game play. Charging, also called fair charging or shoulder tackling, must be executed safely to be a legal play. To charge legally, the player must run onto the opposing player from the side so the opponents are shoulder-to-shoulder. Charging from behind will be seen as a dangerous and malicious play and earn a red card. The charging player must keep her arms close to her body and attempt to push the other player using only her shoulder. Fair charging is allowed only when challenging for the ball and must be done within a reasonable distance of the ball.
5. Keep Your Feet on the Ground
Players can be called for illegal charging if they leap at an opposing player who is attempting to throw the ball into play. When challenging for the ball, players must keep at least one foot on the ground and not jump at an opponent. It's the referee's discretion of whether charging is done with intent to harm an opposing player, which will result in a foul.
Charging is a broad term used to describe running onto an opponent or the ball in soccer. Depending on the situation, it can be a perfectly legal play or a foul that warrants a yellow card for the first offense, and a red card for the second. When a player charges the ball or an opposing player while the ball isn't in play, it's called encroachment. Charging an opposing player who either has the ball or is challenging for the ball is also called a tackle, and is legal if it's not done from behind.
2. Keep Your Distance
Players must remain at least 10 yards from the ball when the opposing team is taking a free kick. They can run toward the ball as soon as the kicker touches it. Once the referee calls for a free kick, the fouled team has the option of playing the ball immediately or asking the referee to move the opposing team back 10 yards. After the player has asked for 10 yards, the referee has the option of yellow carding any opposing players who encroach that distance. If a player charges the ball and kicks it after the referee has called for a free kick, the referee will likely issue a red card to that player for intentionally delaying game play and unsportsmanlike conduct.
3. Charging the Box
During penalty kicks, all of the players are cleared out of the 18-yard box with the exception of the shooter and the goalkeeper. Players from both teams must wait until the shooter has touched the ball before entering the box. Charging the 18-yard box before the shooter touches the ball will result in a yellow card, regardless of which team the offending player is on.
4. Legal Charging
Soccer players are allowed to charge opposing players during regular game play. Charging, also called fair charging or shoulder tackling, must be executed safely to be a legal play. To charge legally, the player must run onto the opposing player from the side so the opponents are shoulder-to-shoulder. Charging from behind will be seen as a dangerous and malicious play and earn a red card. The charging player must keep her arms close to her body and attempt to push the other player using only her shoulder. Fair charging is allowed only when challenging for the ball and must be done within a reasonable distance of the ball.
5. Keep Your Feet on the Ground
Players can be called for illegal charging if they leap at an opposing player who is attempting to throw the ball into play. When challenging for the ball, players must keep at least one foot on the ground and not jump at an opponent. It's the referee's discretion of whether charging is done with intent to harm an opposing player, which will result in a foul.
