Why Can’t You Say Mine In Soccer? (Leave It!)

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In the game of soccer, like any sport, players can and can’t do a host of things. What to say is one of them.

In this article, we will go through several things to cover what players can and can’t do. These include:

  • Why can’t you say mine in soccer?
  • What is forbidden to do in soccer?
  • Is it a foul to shout mine in soccer?
  • Can you say man on in soccer?
  • Is it a foul to shout in soccer?

If you want to understand further what you can and can’t do during a game of soccer then read on.

Womens indoor soccer game players and referee
Women’s indoor soccer game players and referee

Why can’t you say mine in soccer?

As stated in the laws of the game, if a soccer player is the only player near the soccer ball and proceeds to call “mine” then there is no foul or infringement.

However, players will only be impeded when the opponent prevents another player from getting and playing with the soccer ball.

But by putting themselves in between the ball and not near the ball and ‘calling mine’, then a foul can be called.

Is it a foul to shout mine in soccer?

In short no, however, if a soccer player shouts mine and verbally distracts the opposition player and stops them from going for the ball then the referee can call a foul and award an indirect free kick.

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If a player uses language such as mine, I got it or leave it, and it prohibits an opposing player from going for the ball.

Then the referee can then either give the player a warning or book them with a showing a yellow card.

Crystal Dunn, right, of the United States women's national soccer team passes the ball against players of Sweden women's national football team in the third round match of Group F match during the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 in Paris, France, 20 J  
Crystal Dunn, right, of the United States women’s national soccer team passes the ball against players of Sweden women’s national football team in the third round match of Group F match during the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 in Paris, France, 20 J  

Can you say man on in soccer?

Generally speaking, you can say “man on” during a soccer game. This is done to warn your teammates that an opposing player is close enough to challenge them and/or take the ball of them.

The term “man on” is not the only phrase that players use instead some players say “Time”.

What this refers to is that the player with the ball has time to dribble and has time to keep their head up and look for a pass to another teammate.

Both terms are equally as effective during a game and in fact, it is just a matter of what certain players prefer.

Is it a foul to shout in soccer?

In short, the answer is no. However, if a fan does use a racist term or a derogatory comment about another player then that fan can be kicked out of the stadium, but it is not a foul.

When a player is fouled, a fan will usually shout and yell that a foul has been committed and that is allowed. Players will often yell and shout when a teammate is fouled or tackled viciously.

This is to alert the match official that a foul has been committed. It is not an uncommon occurrence for players to yell and shout during a game and it is not considered a foul.

Kallang Singapore 26 Jul 2018 Sead Kolasinac 31 player of Arsenal in action during ICC 2018 Arsenal vs. Atletico de Madrid at National Stadium in Singapore
Kallang Singapore 26 Jul 2018 Sead Kolasinac 31 player of Arsenal in action during ICC 2018 Arsenal vs. Atletico de Madrid at National Stadium in Singapore

What is forbidden to do in soccer?

Players are not allowed to do a host of actions during a match. These include:

  •  Kicking an opponent
  •  Tripping
  •  Jumping into an opponent (for headers etc)

For a soccer game to be played in the right spirit, the referee can blow his whistle to call a foul. Depending on the offense, the referee will show either a yellow or red card.

For small offenses, the referee will blow for a foul and then be awarded an indirect free-kick.

When it is a more serious indiscretion a direct free kick is awarded and if the offense happens inside the penalty box, a penalty is given.

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Yellow cards

Yellow cards are branded for a host of reasons. These include when;

  • a player repeatedly fouls
  • a poor challenge/tackle
  • excessive force to another player
  • kicking the ball away when a free kick has been awarded
  • for referee dissent.

Another way a yellow card can be given is for time-wasting.

Red cards

There are two ways that a player can get a red card in the game of soccer. The first one is when the player commits two fouls that require the referee to brandish a yellow card for each offense.

So, a player who is on a yellow card commits another foul, the referee will then show another yellow card and this will result in a red card being shown.

When this happens, the responsible player will have to leave the field of play for the remainder of the game.

‘Last Man’

Another way a player can be given a red card is that a foul is committed when the fouling player is deemed the last man between the goalkeeper and the ball.

The other one is a player is deemed to have made a reckless challenge with high studs that can cause serious harm to another player.

A red card is shown when a player is deemed to have committed a serious foul or produced violent actions towards another player or even referee.

Denying a Scoring Chance

Also, suppose a player tackles an opposing player inside the penalty box and is deemed by the referee to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. In that case, a red card will be shown for the offending player.

Lastly, should a player use his/her hands to stop a goal when they are an outfield player and not a goalkeeper, the referee will brandish a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Sources: 

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Soccer Analyst and Publisher at Soccer Blade | Soccer Blade | + posts

Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.

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Soccer Rules FAQ

How long is a soccer game?

Soccer games include two 45 minute halves, which is 90 minutes of play. Those who have ever watched a game know that, like many sports, real-time is longer than the match time.
In real-time, the length of a soccer game varies immensely. At the bare minimum, it will be 90 minutes of play + 15 minutes of halftime for a total of 105 minutes.

What is offside in soccer?

The offside rule in soccer is to stop player ‘goal hanging’ – standing near the opposition goal. This also stops soccer from being a long ball game, balls hit from one goal to another.

What are yellow card offenses?

+ Charging an opponent – caution if reckless.
+ Holding an opponent – When the ball is in play and the holding continues.
+ Handling the Ball – When a player handles the ball to break up attacking play. If an attacker + uses their hand to attempt to score a goal.
+ Dangerous play – If a player makes an action that can risk an injury to another player.
+ Impeding the progress of an opponent – If a player holds another player back or blocks a player on purpose, that prevents an attack.
+ Breaking up an attack - where there is the possibility of creating a scoring chance.
+ Simulation - where a player tries to con a referee into thinking that they are injured in order to punish the opponent. If a player tries to make out that they have been fouled.

What are the red card offenses?

+ Serious foul play
+ Violent conduct
+ Spitting at a person
+ Deliberate handball – denying a goal-scoring opportunity
+ Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
+ Offensive, aggressive, abusive language or gesture
+ Receiving a second caution

Soccer field size, size of goal, number of players and minutes played per age;

+ u17-u19 - Halves 2 x 45 minutes - Number of players 11 vs 11 - Goal Size 8 x 24 - Field size 50-100 by 100-130 yards
+ u15-u16 - Halves 2 x 40 minutes - Number of players 11 vs 11 - Goal Size 8 x 24 - Field size 50- 100 by 100-130 yards
+ u13-u14 - Halves 2 x 35 minutes - Number of players 11 vs 11 - Goal Size 8 x 24 - Field size 50-10 by 100-130 yards
+ u11-u12 - Halves 2 x 30 minutes - Number of players 9 vs 9 - Goal Size 7 x 21 - Field size 45-70 by 70-80 yards
+ u9-u10 - Halves 2 x 25 minutes - Number of players 7 vs 7 - Goal Size 6 x 18.5 - Field size 35-45 by 55-65 yards
+ u6-u8 - Quarters 4 x 10 minutes - Number of players 4 vs 4 - 4 x 6 Goal Size - Field size 15-25 by 25-35 yards


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