Rule 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.
Rules
Football rules
Learn the rules of football in a clear, practical way. This section explains how matches work, what referees look for, and why common decisions are given.
What you will find in this section
This section explains the main rules of football in plain English.
Football has a detailed set of laws, but most of the game can be understood through a few core ideas — goals, fouls, restarts, offside, and the decisions referees make when players break the rules.
The rules of football are formally set out as 17 Laws of the Game, which are reviewed and updated regularly. The pages in this section explain the main parts of those Laws in plain English, with the focus on what spectators and new players most often need to understand.
Start with the core rules
These are the best pages to read first if you want to understand how football matches are controlled.
Main rules topics
Football rules are easiest to understand when grouped into match structure, player actions, referee decisions and restarts.
Match structure
How long matches last, how added time works, and how games are started and restarted.
Fouls and misconduct
How referees judge careless, reckless and serious offences during a match.
Offside
When an attacking player is in an offside position, when that becomes an offence, and when play is allowed to continue.
Restarts and set pieces
Free kicks, corners, throw-ins, goal kicks, kick-offs and penalties.
Cards
Why players are shown yellow or red cards and what those decisions mean.
Referee decisions
How referees, assistants and, where used, VAR manage decisions during a match.
Where to go next
Once you understand the rules, the next step is to learn how players are arranged on the pitch.