What are the rules (17) of Football (Soccer)?
Soccer, one of the oldest and most globally acknowledged sports, reaches its pinnacle on the international stage with the Football World Cup. Other prestigious tournaments include the Euro Championships, Copa America, and the African Cup of Nations. The strongest domestic leagues hail from England (English Premier League), Spain (La Liga), Italy (Serie A), and Germany (Bundesliga). In certain regions, the sport is referred to as Soccer.
What are the rules of Football?
Football, also known as soccer in some countries, is played and governed by a set of rules established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). These rules are known as the Laws of the Game. Here is a brief overview of the fundamental rules in football:
1. The Field of Play:
– The pitch (field) should be rectangular and marked with lines.
– The two longer boundary lines are called touchlines, while the shorter ones are goal lines.
2. The Ball:
– The ball should be spherical and made of leather or other suitable materials.
3. Number of Players:
– A match is played between two teams, each consisting of not more than 11 players, including a goalkeeper.
4. Player’s Equipment:
– Players must wear a jersey or shirt, shorts, socks, shin guards, and footwear.
– The goalkeeper should wear colors that distinguish them from other players and the match officials.
5. Referee:
– The referee has the authority to enforce the Laws of the Game during the match.
6. Assistant Referees:
– Two assistant referees assist the referee in controlling the match.
7. Duration of the Match:
– A standard match consists of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes. Injury time may be added to each half at the referee’s discretion.
8. Start and Restart of Play:
– The match begins with a kick-off at the center of the field.
– The ball is also brought back into play after a goal or when the ball goes out of play.
9. Ball In and Out of Play:
– The ball is in play at all times except when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline, or when the game has been stopped by the referee.
10. Method of Scoring:
– A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar.
11. Offside:
– A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to their opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is played to them.
12. Fouls and Misconduct:
– Fouls are penalized with free kicks or penalty kicks, depending on the location and nature of the offense.
– Misconduct (such as violent conduct or unsporting behavior) may result in cautions (yellow cards) or dismissals (red cards).
13. Free Kicks:
– Free kicks are awarded for fouls, and there are two types: direct and indirect. The opposing team must be a certain distance away from the ball during the kick.
14. Penalty Kicks:
– A penalty kick is awarded for a foul committed inside the penalty area, with only the goalkeeper defending the goal.
15. Throw-In:
– When the ball goes out of play over the touchline, a throw-in is taken to restart play.
16. Goal Kick:
– When the attacking team kicks the ball out of play over the goal line, the defending team is awarded a goal kick to restart play.
17. Corner Kick:
– When the defending team kicks the ball out of play over their own goal line, the attacking team is awarded a corner kick.
These are the basic rules, and there are additional nuances and details within each rule that are important for a thorough understanding of the game. The Laws of the Game are regularly updated by the IFAB to ensure fair and consistent play across the world.
