Well, well, well, let me tell you somethin’ ’bout them rules in soccer. You know, them fancy games they play with that round ball, runnin’ all over the field and kickin’ up dirt. Now, there’s one thing you gotta keep in mind when it comes to usin’ them arms, especially when it comes to extendin’ them. You gotta be careful, or you’ll end up in hot water, and that ain’t no fun for nobody!
First thing first, don’t go around stickin’ your arm out straight like you’re tryin’ to swat a fly, ’cause that’ll get you in trouble. Yup, in soccer, if you extend your arm all the way out, like them football players do, you’re gonna get penalized. But here’s the catch: if you raise and lower your arms a bit, like you’re stretchin’ ’em out, then you’re usually safe. Ain’t nobody gonna blow the whistle on you for just movin’ them arms around, as long as you ain’t pushin’ or hittin’ nobody with ’em.
But let me tell you somethin’, if you push someone with your arm—now that’s a whole different story! That right there is what they call a foul. You can’t just shove folks off of you like you’re clearin’ the cornfield. Nah, that ain’t right. But if you raise your arm a bit, like to shield the ball or make space, then that’s alright, as long as you’re not makin’ contact with the other player’s body. It’s when you move that arm away from your body and into their space, that’s when you’ve gone and made a mistake.
Let me tell ya, the ref’s gonna be watchin’ you real close if your arm moves outta line. Now, if you’re just protectin’ that ball or tryin’ to keep the other player from gettin’ too close, you’ll be just fine. But don’t go abusin’ them arms, ‘cause they’ll be lookin’ for any excuse to blow that whistle. And trust me, you don’t want that! A referee ain’t gonna care if you’re just tryin’ to make some room. If you reach out and push or make contact, that’s a foul, plain and simple.
Now, you might be wonderin’, what if you’re playin’ defense, and you need to hold your ground? Well, you still gotta be careful. If you got that arm up at an angle, say around 45 degrees, you might be alright. That’s what they call postin’ up. But don’t be goin’ beyond that 45-degree mark, ‘cause that’s when you start crossin’ over into no-man’s land. Keep them arms bent and outta the way when you’re playin’ defense, or the ref might call you out for illegal contact.
But there’s somethin’ important you gotta know about extendin’ your arm in soccer: it’s not just about where your arm goes. It’s about what you do with it. If you’re just usin’ it to shield the ball or push someone away, that’s all well and good. But if that arm gets to movin’ in such a way that it’s in another player’s space, that’s when you start crossin’ the line.
So, here’s a little advice:
- Never fully extend your arms—keep them bent and low.
- Only use your arms for shieldin’ or protectin’ the ball, not for pushin’ folks around.
- If you’re playin’ defense, try to keep your arms close to your body, no wild movements.
- And always be mindful of where your arm goes. Keep it outta the way of the other player’s body!
Now, there’s still plenty of folks out there who don’t quite understand the arm rules in soccer. They’ll say, “What’s the big deal if I stretch my arm out a little?” Well, let me tell ya, it’s all about makin’ sure you don’t get penalized, that’s what! Whether you’re a defender or on the attack, you gotta keep that arm under control. You don’t wanna end up with a foul called on you for somethin’ silly like flappin’ your arms around.
And remember, the arm itself ain’t the problem. It’s how you use it that gets you in trouble. You’re allowed to use your arms for a few things—like throwin’ the ball in from the sidelines or usin’ ‘em to defend the ball. But don’t go pushin’ or shovin’ someone away unless you want a foul called on ya. And if you’re out there, swingin’ your arms wild like a scarecrow, the ref’s gonna notice, and that whistle ain’t far behind!
So, next time you’re out on that field, think about where your arms are and what they’re doin’. It’s better to keep ‘em low and close to your body, rather than out stretchin’ ‘em like you’re reachin’ for the clouds. Play smart, and you won’t have to worry about that foul rule in soccer causin’ you any trouble.
Tags:[soccer rules, arm extend, soccer foul, soccer defense, soccer penalties, how to play soccer, soccer tips, soccer arms, soccer strategy, avoid fouls in soccer]