Football explained clearly

Simple, practical guides to the rules, positions, tactics, competitions, history, equipment and language of football.

Start with the rules Explore tactics
Illustrated football pitch graphic showing tactical lines, player positions and ball movement.

Learn the rules

Understand the basic laws of football, including offside, fouls, cards, penalties, match length and restarts.

Guide

Football rules explained

Football rules explained in plain English, covering match structure, goals, fouls, handball, offside, cards, free kicks and the Laws of the Game.

Guide

Match basics

Football match basics explained, including team sizes, match length, kick-offs, goals, officials and when the ball is in or out of play.

Guide

The offside rule explained

Offside rule explained in football, covering offside position, active play, the second-last opponent and common offside decisions.

Guide

Referee decisions and VAR

Referee decisions and VAR explained, covering match officials, on-field decisions and when video assistant referee reviews can be used.

Guide

Restarts and set pieces

Restarts and set pieces in football, covering throw-ins, corners, goal kicks, free kicks, penalties and kick-offs.

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Fouls and other offences

Fouls and other offences in football explained, including careless, reckless and excessive force, dangerous play, handball, time wasting and misconduct.

Understand positions

Learn what goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards do, and how roles change in different systems.

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Football positions explained

Football positions explained, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, attackers and how players fit together in a team shape.

Position

Football shirt numbers explained

Football shirt numbers explained, including traditional position numbers, famous roles such as 9 and 10, and how numbering has changed.

Position

The goalkeeper

Goalkeeper position explained, including shot-stopping, handling rules, crosses, distribution, sweeper-keeping and the modern role in build-up play.

Position

Defenders and the back line

Defenders and the back line explained, including centre backs, full backs, wing backs, back fours, back threes and defending in and out of possession.

Position

Midfielders and the engine room

Midfielders explained, including defensive, central and attacking midfield roles, wide midfielders and common midfield shapes.

Position

Attackers and forwards

Attackers and forwards explained, including strikers, wingers, wide forwards and how front lines are set up in football formations.

Explore football tactics

Read simple explanations of formations, pressing, possession, counter-attacking and defensive shape.

Guide

Football tactics explained

Football tactics explained, covering formations, playing styles, player roles, pressing, transitions, set pieces and match strategy.

Formations

Football formations

Football formations explained, including how shapes are written, common systems such as 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, and how teams change shape in matches.

Playing styles

Playing styles and systems

Football playing styles and systems explained, from possession and direct play to pressing, transitions, formations and tactical roles.

Roles

Tactical roles in football

Football tactical roles explained by position, from goalkeepers and centre backs to playmakers, wingers, strikers and modern hybrid roles.

Set pieces

Set piece routines

Set piece routines in football explained, including corners, free kicks, long throws, penalties and how teams attack and defend dead balls.

Match strategy

Match strategies

Match strategies explained, including how teams adjust tactics, respond to scorelines, read opponents and manage key stages of a game.

Football competitions explained

Understand the difference between leagues, cups, domestic competitions, European football and international tournaments.

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How football competitions work

How football competitions work, covering leagues, cups, international tournaments, calendars and how teams qualify between competitions.

International

International football

International football guide covering the World Cup, Euros, Copa América, AFCON and the major national-team tournaments around the world.

Intercontinental

Intercontinental club football

Intercontinental club football guide covering the FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup and global competitions between leading clubs.

Continental

Continental club football

Continental club football guide to UEFA, CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF, Concacaf and OFC competitions and how they connect the global club game.

Domestic

Domestic football

Domestic football guide to national leagues, cup competitions, promotion, relegation and how club systems feed into continental football.

Women's football

Women's football competitions

Women's football competitions explained, from the Women's World Cup and continental tournaments to the Champions League, NWSL, WSL and domestic leagues.

Football history

Explore the origins of football, famous eras, major tournaments and the evolution of tactics.

Origins

Origins of football

Origins of football explained, from folk football and early school rules to the 1863 Laws of the Game and the split with rugby.

Professionalisation

The rise of professional football

Professional football's rise explained, from amateur clubs and paid players to national associations, leagues and the spread of the game.

International history

The history of international football

The history of international football explained, from the first international match and FIFA's founding to World Cups, confederations and the modern calendar.

Tactical history

Tactical evolution in football

Football tactical evolution explained, from the 2-3-5 pyramid and W-M to catenaccio, total football, pressing and modern systems.

Iconic football

Iconic teams, players and matches

Iconic football teams, players and matches explained, with links to the sides, stars, finals and World Cup moments that shaped the game.

Modern era

The modern era of football

Modern football explained, from the 1990s shift to globalisation, broadcasting, the Bosman ruling, the Champions League and the women's game.

Equipment and pitch guides

Learn about the football pitch, balls, boots, shin pads, goalkeeper gloves and other essential equipment.

Guide

Football equipment explained

Football equipment guide covering boots, match balls, kit, shin guards, goalkeeper gear, training equipment, pitch items and match official equipment.

Equipment

Football boots

Football boots guide comparing stud types, surfaces, materials and fit, with advice on choosing boots for grass, artificial grass and indoor football.

Equipment

Match balls

Match balls guide covering ball sizes, FIFA quality marks, panel construction, materials and how match balls differ from training balls.

Equipment

Football kit and shirts

Football kit and shirts guide covering home, away and third kits, colour clashes, shirt numbers, captain's armbands, materials, fit and competition rules.

Equipment

Shin guards

Shin guards guide covering what the Laws require, common styles, sizing, materials, safety standards and how shin pads are used in youth football.

Equipment

Goalkeeper equipment

Goalkeeper equipment guide covering gloves, glove cuts, palm types, kit colours, padded clothing, head protection and what the Laws of the Game require.

Equipment

Match official equipment

Match official equipment guide covering referee whistles, watches, cards, flags, communication systems, vanishing spray and modern match technology.

Equipment

Training and performance equipment

Training and performance equipment guide covering bibs, cones, mannequins, ladders, rebounders, tracking vests and electronic performance systems.

Equipment

Pitch and goal equipment

Pitch and goal equipment guide covering pitch markings, goal sizes, nets, corner flags, technical areas, surfaces and equipment used in different formats.

A clear football reference guide

Guide to Football is designed for readers who want to understand the game without hype, jargon or news noise.

Beginner-friendly

Clear explanations for people who are new to football or want to understand the game better.

Not childish

Simple language without talking down to the reader.

Evergreen

Reference-style guides that stay useful beyond a single match, season or news cycle.

Start learning football properly

Begin with the basic rules, then explore positions, tactics, competitions and key football terms.

Read the rules guide Browse the glossary