Rule guide
The 17 Laws of the Game
Football is governed by 17 Laws of the Game, set out and updated each year by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). This page summarises each one in plain English.
How the Laws are organised
The 17 Laws cover every part of a football match, from the pitch and the players to fouls, restarts and how the outcome of a match is decided.
The Laws are written and reviewed by the International Football Association Board, known as IFAB. They apply to football at every level, from professional matches to grassroots games, although some details are adjusted for youth, veteran or amateur football.
Knowing the 17 Laws helps you understand why referees restart play in different ways, why some contact is legal, and why decisions such as offside, handball and penalties are more detailed than they first appear.
The full Laws run to over 200 pages of detail, definitions and interpretations. The summaries on this page are written for someone learning the game rather than refereeing it.
Setting up the match (Laws 1 to 5)
The first five Laws describe the pitch, the ball, the players and the match officials.
Law 1 — The Field of Play
Sets out the size, markings and equipment of the pitch, including goals, penalty areas, the centre circle and corner arcs.
Law 2 — The Ball
Defines what kind of ball is used, including its size, weight, material and pressure.
Law 3 — The Players
Sets the number of players, with a maximum of eleven per team including a goalkeeper, and the rules around substitutes.
Law 4 — The Players' Equipment
Defines what players must wear, including shirts, shorts, socks, shin guards and boots, and what they must not wear.
Law 5 — The Referee
Sets out the authority and duties of the referee, including their final say on facts connected with play.
Officials and time (Laws 6 to 7)
Two short Laws cover the rest of the match officials and how long matches last.
Law 6 — The Other Match Officials
Describes the role of assistant referees, the fourth official, additional assistant referees and video match officials, including VAR, while confirming that the referee makes the final decision.
Law 7 — The Duration of the Match
Defines two halves of 45 minutes, the half-time interval, added time, and when time may be extended.
Play and outcomes (Laws 8 to 10)
These Laws explain how matches start, when the ball is in or out of play, and how a winner is found.
Law 8 — The Start and Restart of Play
Covers kick-offs, dropped balls, and how to restart play after a goal or stoppage.
Law 9 — The Ball In and Out of Play
Defines when the ball is in play, when it has gone out, and what happens if it touches a match official.
Law 10 — Determining the Outcome of a Match
Explains when a goal is scored, how matches are won, drawn or decided by extra time and a penalty shoot-out.
Decisions during play (Laws 11 to 12)
Two of the most asked-about Laws cover offside and fouls.
Law 11 — Offside
Defines offside position and offside offences, including what counts as interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, and gaining an advantage.
Read about the offside ruleLaw 12 — Fouls and Misconduct
Lists the offences that count as fouls, the difference between direct and indirect free-kick offences, and the rules around cautions and sendings-off.
Read about fouls and offencesRestarts (Laws 13 to 17)
The final five Laws define the main restarts in football.
Law 13 — Free Kicks
Sets out direct and indirect free kicks, including where they are taken from, how walls work, and the distance opponents must keep.
Read about free kicksLaw 14 — The Penalty Kick
Defines when a penalty is awarded, where it is taken from, and the rules for the kicker, the goalkeeper and other players.
Read about penalty kicksLaw 15 — The Throw-in
Explains how a throw-in is taken, including the use of both hands, foot placement and the no-goal-from-throw-in rule.
Read about throw-insLaw 16 — The Goal Kick
Sets out when a goal kick is awarded, where the ball is placed and the conditions for it to be in play.
Read about goal kicksLaw 17 — The Corner Kick
Explains when a corner is awarded and the rules around the corner arc, including the requirement for the ball to be inside it.
Read about corner kicksHow the Laws are kept up to date
The Laws change in small ways most years, with bigger reviews from time to time.
Each year IFAB reviews the Laws and publishes any changes ahead of the new season. Recent updates have covered areas such as goalkeeper time-wasting, dropped balls, VAR communication, penalty procedures, player behaviour and how time is managed.
The full text of the current Laws is published by IFAB and is the authoritative reference for any official match. The pages on this site cover the same ground in plain English, focused on what most readers will see during a match rather than every edge case.
What to read next
With the Laws in mind, the next step is to look at how they apply in real situations.