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Most soccer rules and terminology applies from age group to age group. Below are some common terms and facts for both the beginner and novice soccer parent.

Equipment: The only required equipment is shin guards and long socks. Stirrup style shin guards are recommended but not required for younger age groups. Socks must be long enough to completely cover the shin guards, even the stirrup style. Cleated shoes are also recommended but not required. Cleated shoes may not have a toe cleat, which is common on football or baseball/softball cleats. Matching shorts or socks is not required. The Paola Soccer Club will provide for numbered, matching jerseys or t-shirts. If a ball is purchased for individual practice (recommended), please purchase a size 3 ball for U6 & U8, size 4 for U10 & U12 and size 5 for U14 and up. While coaches will many times bring water to practice or games, players are encouraged to bring their own water bottle.

Timeouts: In soccer there are no timeouts. If a player needs to come out of the game, the coach must wait for a substitution opportunity described below.

Substitutions: Substitutions may occur for either team after a goal, on any goal kick and at the beginning of half-time. Teams may also substitute on their throw-in. Substitutions may not occur within 2 minutes of the end of either half.

Fouls and Advantage: Fouls may be called at any time at any point on the field. Most fouls are for tripping, pushing or using the hands (known as a hand ball). Except for flagrant pushing or tripping and for hand balls, play does not need to be stopped when a foul occurs. The referee may wait to see if the offended team loses control (or loses its advantage) before calling the foul. The referee may signal or speak "play on" to indicate that no advantage was lost due to the foul. In U8, many times the trip or push is accidental and may not be called. As the player progresses into older age groups, accidental tripping or pushing will be called more often.

Injured Players: Any time a player is injured or appears to be injured in U8 or U10, as a courtesy all players are to kneel down and stop play. This is strictly a Paola Soccer Club rule and is typically not done in tournament play. However, it is up to the referee to determine whether the injury is serious enough to stop the game. If the other team has an advantage (i.e., is close to scoring) AND the injury does not appear to be serious, the referee has the discretion of allowing the game to continue until the advantage no longer exists.

Throw-In: A throw-in occurs when the opposing team causes the ball to leave the field of play on the side lines or touch line. The throw-in must be done with both feet touching the ground. The ball must be thrown overhead with both hands on the ball. If the throw-in never enters the field of play (i.e., is thrown down the side line always out of bounds) the ball will be thrown in again from the original point. In Paola Soccer Club U-8, the player is given 2-3 tries to throw the ball in correctly. After 2-3 attempts, a throw-in is awarded to the opposing team. A goal may not be scored directly from a throw in but must be touched once by another player. In U10 and above, no re-tries are allowed or given. Substitutions may only be made by the team throwing the ball in.

Goal Kicks: Goal kicks are awarded when the opposing team causes the ball to leave the field of play at the end line. Goal kicks may be taken anywhere along the goal box but are typically taken at the corner of the goal box closest to the point the ball left the field of play. Any player may kick the goal kick. The defenders should assume a defensive position in and around the goal area. Forwards should be downfield. The ball is not live until it leaves the penalty box area. In U-8 the player is given 2-3 opportunities to kick the ball out of the penalty area. Substitutions may be made by either team on a goal kick.

Penalty Kick: A penalty kick is awarded whenever a foul is committed within the penalty box area. Fouls include hand balls, shoving or tripping. During the penalty kick, only the goalie and the designated kicker are allowed within the penalty area. All other players must remain outside of the penalty area. The goalie must remain on the goal line until the ball is kicked. Once the ball is kicked, all players may advance on the ball. No second chances are awarded on penalty kicks.

Out vs. In: The ball is considered out only after it has completely left the field of play. If any of the ball remains on the end line or sideline, it is still considered in play.