Almost everyone has played soccer at some point in their lives, whether at home, in parks, on the street, or in school. Many believe they know all the rules of the game.
Most are familiar with basic rules like offside, goalkeepers not picking up a back pass, fouls, free kicks, and penalties.
However, there are plenty of lesser-known soccer rules that often go unnoticed. Even professional players can sometimes overlook these quirky regulations. This article presents some of the quirkiest soccer rules that exist globally.
Unusual Football Rules You Never Knew Existed
Soccer fans may know the basics: offside, back pass to the goalkeeper, and fouls.
However, there are lesser-known rules globally that dedicated followers might not be aware of.
These rules add a unique twist to the game, showing how varied and quirky soccer can be.
1. Passing During a Penalty
Players can pass the ball during a penalty. Typically, penalty kicks aim for a direct shot into the net, but a player has the option to pass the ball to a nearby teammate. This move is rare but allowed under soccer rules.
In 2016, during a match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo, Lionel Messi passed the ball to Luis Suarez instead of taking the shot himself. Suarez scored, completing his hat-trick. This tactic can work well, as shown in this case, but it doesn’t always go smoothly.
For example, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires tried a similar move in 2005 against Manchester City but failed. This soccer rule is valid globally; teams worldwide can use it during matches.
2. No Rebound Goals Off the Post
A quirky soccer rule involves penalty rebounds. If a penalty kick directly hits the post and rebounds, the penalty-taker cannot score unless another player or the goalkeeper touches the ball first.
A player is only allowed to score on a rebound if another player, including the goalkeeper, has touched the ball. For example, if the ball hits the post, rebounds to the penalty-taker’s feet, and the player scores, the goal is canceled.
If the goalkeeper touches the ball onto the post and it rebounds to the penalty-taker, the player can score since the goalkeeper made contact. This rule prevents scoring twice in one action globally.
3. Goalkeeper’s 6-Second Rule
When a goalkeeper collects the ball in hand—whether from a shot, cross, or any other play—the ball must be released after 6 seconds.
Bouncing the ball on the ground doesn’t reset the clock. While many goalkeepers stretch this rule, it often goes unenforced.
If a referee catches a goalkeeper holding the ball too long, it results in an indirect free kick, and the keeper receives a yellow card. This rule applies globally but is not always applied consistently.
4. No Double Touch for Goalkeepers
Once goalkeepers release the ball, they cannot pick it up again unless another player has touched it. If the keeper picks it up again, the opposing team gets an indirect free kick.
Typically, if the goalkeeper drops the ball by mistake, they will kick it away, pass it to a teammate, or dribble past an opponent to avoid the free kick.
It’s a straightforward rule, but it’s often overlooked globally.
5. Goal Kicks Don’t Need to Leave the Box
Previously, the ball had to leave the 18-yard box on a goal kick to be in play. Interceptions before that resulted in disallowed goals and player bookings. Now, the ball is in play once the goalkeeper releases it.
This benefits teams that build play from the back and forwards and can capitalize on mistakes inside the box. During the 2022 World Cup, Portugal’s goalkeeper dropped the ball, unaware of Ghana’s Inaki Williams.
Williams slipped at a key moment, missing an easy chance for a memorable goal. This shows how the rule creates opportunities for attackers worldwide.
6. Corner Flags Are Mandatory
A soccer match cannot proceed if there are no corner flags on the field. In the 1974 FIFA World Cup final between Germany and Holland, the game was delayed because the corner flags were missing.
The English referee, Jack Taylor, halted the start until the issue was fixed. The ground staff had removed the flags earlier due to the closing ceremony.
The game only began once the corner flags were returned to their proper positions. This rule applies globally to ensure the game follows standard regulations.
7. No Own Goals from Free-Kicks or Throw-Ins
If a player passes a free kick or throw-in directly to their own goalkeeper and the ball ends up in the net, it won’t count as an own goal.
Instead, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick. This applies only if no other player besides the one taking the free kick or throw-in has touched the ball.
Global audiences might not know this quirky rule, but it’s a part of soccer’s unique regulations worldwide.
8. Pre-Match Red Cards
Referees can disqualify players before the game begins to manage pre-match conflicts. In 2017, Patrice Evra received a red card before Marseille’s Europa League match against Vitoria Guimaraes for kicking a fan.
The altercation occurred during warm-up when Marseille players confronted opposing fans.
Evra’s action, despite being a substitute, led to his immediate exclusion from the match. This rule ensures discipline and prevents disruptions in global soccer competitions.
9. Five Red Cards and Game Over
In soccer, the maximum number of red cards to be given to a team during a match is four. This is due to the rule that requires at least seven players per team on the field for the match to continue.
If four players from a single team receive red cards, that leaves the team with the minimum number of players needed to keep playing. A fifth red card would end the match because the team would have fewer than seven players, which is against the rules globally.
That’s how the game works worldwide regarding red cards and maintaining enough players on the field.
10. Celebration Penalties Stay Even If Goal Is Disallowed
Players can be penalized for celebrating even if the goal is disallowed. For example, a player removing their shirt after an offside goal will still be booked despite the goal being canceled.
This happens more often due to the global use of VAR.
An example occurred in a September 2022 match between Juventus and Salernitana. Arkadiusz Milik scored a late header, celebrated by removing his shirt, and was sent off, only for VAR to rule the goal out.
Final Thoughts
Soccer has plenty of quirky rules that go unnoticed, even by dedicated fans and players worldwide.
These lesser-known regulations add depth and uniqueness to the game, keeping players on their toes.
Knowing these unusual rules enhances one’s understanding of the sport and shows how globally standardized and yet varied soccer can be.
