Rule guide
Football rules explained
Football has a long set of rules, known as the Laws of the Game, but most of the game can be understood through a small number of clear ideas. This guide walks through the rules that come up in almost every match.
How a football match works
A football match is a contest between two teams trying to score more goals than the other within a fixed time.
A standard match is played between two teams, each with up to eleven players, one of whom must be a goalkeeper. The match takes place on a rectangular pitch with a goal at each end, using one ball.
The aim is simple. A team scores a goal when the whole of the ball crosses the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided no rule has been broken in the build-up. The team with the most goals at the end wins. If both teams have the same number of goals, the match is a draw — unless the competition requires a winner, in which case extra time and a penalty shoot-out may be used.
Match length and structure
Most matches follow the same basic time structure, although competitions can adjust this.
Two halves of 45 minutes
A standard match is split into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a half-time break of up to 15 minutes between them.
Added time
Time lost during each half — for substitutions, injuries, goal celebrations and other stoppages — is added on at the end of that half by the referee.
Extra time
In knockout competitions, if scores are level after 90 minutes, two further halves of 15 minutes can be played to find a winner.
Penalty shoot-out
If scores are still level after extra time, a penalty shoot-out can be used to decide the match.
How goals are scored
A goal is the only way to score in football, and the rule is precise.
A goal is awarded when the entire ball crosses the goal line, between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar, as long as no offence has been committed by the attacking team in the build-up. Even a small part of the ball still touching the line means the whole ball has not crossed it, and no goal is given.
Goals can be scored from open play, set pieces or penalties. There is no restriction on where on the pitch a goal can be struck from. A goal can be scored directly against the opponents from a corner, a direct free kick, a goal kick or a kick-off. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in or dropped ball.
The basic offences
Football has a clear set of fouls and other offences that referees look for during a match.
Fouls against an opponent
Kicking, tripping, jumping at, charging, striking, pushing or holding an opponent in a way the referee considers careless, reckless or excessive.
Read more about fouls and offencesHandball
Touching the ball deliberately with the hand or arm, making the body unnaturally bigger, or scoring directly or immediately after hand/arm contact, even if accidental.
Read more about handballOffside
An attacker being involved in active play while in an offside position when the ball is played to them by a teammate.
Read more about offsideDangerous play
Playing in a way the referee considers dangerous, even if no contact is made — for example, raising a foot near another player's head.
Other misconduct
Dissent, time-wasting, persistent rule-breaking or unsporting behaviour.
Goalkeeper offences
A goalkeeper handling a deliberate kick from a teammate, or touching the ball again after releasing it before another player has touched it, results in an indirect free kick. If a goalkeeper controls the ball with the hand or arm for more than eight seconds, the other team is awarded a corner.
Free kicks and penalties
When the rules are broken, play restarts in a way that usually gives the non-offending team an advantage.
Direct free kick
Awarded for most physical fouls. A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick without anyone else touching the ball.
Read more about free kicksIndirect free kick
Awarded for technical offences such as offside or some goalkeeper offences. The ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.
Read more about free kicksPenalty kick
Awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick offence inside their own penalty area. It is taken from the penalty spot, with only the kicker and goalkeeper directly involved until the ball is kicked.
Read more about penalty kicksAdvantage
If the team that has been fouled is in a better position by playing on, the referee can let play continue rather than stop the match for the foul.
Read more about the advantage ruleYellow and red cards
Referees use yellow and red cards to manage player behaviour during a match.
A yellow card is shown for a caution, including unsporting behaviour, dissent, persistent fouling, delaying the restart of play, or entering or leaving the pitch without permission. Two yellow cards in the same match lead to a red card.
A red card is shown for a sending-off and means the player must leave the pitch and cannot be replaced. Direct red-card offences include serious foul play, violent conduct, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, and using offensive language or gestures.
How decisions are made
A football match is controlled by the referee, supported by assistants and, in many competitions, a video assistant referee.
The referee has overall charge of the match and final say on every in-game decision. Two assistant referees run along the touchlines, helping with offside and incidents the referee may have missed. A fourth official manages the technical area and substitutions.
In competitions that use VAR, a video assistant referee can check major match-changing decisions, such as goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity. VAR can only intervene for a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident; the referee still makes the final decision.
What to read next
Once you understand the basics, the next step is usually to look at how matches are restarted and how decisions are made.