There are hundreds of rules and sub-rules in football, but here are the basics rules, which are always enforced by the referee.
The Objective
To score more goals than the other team. The winning team is the one that scores the most goals. If both sides score none, or the same number, the result is a draw. Whether a game goes to extra time, golden goal or penalty shoot-outs depends on the individual rules of the competition in which the game is being played.
Time
A standard eleven-a-side football match lasts 90 minutes in two halves of 45 minutes, plus injury time at the end of each half (decided upon by the referee).
Foot-ball
The ball can be played by any part of the body other than the arm and hand. However, dangerous kicking (going for the ball when it is in the air and near another player’s head) is not allowed. If a player is guilty of handling the ball or dangerous kicking, a free kick will be awarded to the opposition.
A Goal
A goal is scored when the ball goes between the posts and under the crossbar of the goal structure, completely crossing the goal line (either along the ground or in the air). When a goal is scored, play is re-started with a kick-off by the team that has just conceded the goal.
Free Kicks
A free kick is awarded by the referee when a foul is committed or a player is offside. A kick is awarded to the team on which the offence was committed, and all opposition players must be at least 9 metres (10 yards) from the ball when it is taken.
Most free kicks are direct and can be scored from, but certain offences, such as obstruction, merit an indirect kick. This means that the attacking team cannot score directly from it, the ball must touch at least one other player (on either team) before a legal goal can be scored.
Penalties
A penalty kick is awarded when a player from the defending team commits a foul against an attacking player inside the penalty area. The attacking team must nominate one player to take the kick from the penalty spot, while the rest of the players on the pitch stand outside the penalty area and the “D”. If he scores, then a goal is awarded.
The goalkeeper may move along his line before the kick, but he cannot move forward until after the kick is taken. If he does so, the kick must be taken again. The penalty taker is not allowed to touch the ball again until another player (from either side) has done so.
Offside
At the exact moment the ball is played forward by an attacking player, there must be at least two defending players (including the goalkeeper) between or level with the farthest forward attacking player and the goal. This rule does not apply if the farthest forward attacking player is within his own half.
Backpass Law
A goalkeeper is not allowed to touch the ball with his hands if it is intentionally passed to him by a team-mate. If he does so an indirect free kick is awarded.
Six-second Law
After a goalkeeper has picked up the ball, he must release it within six seconds. However, during that time he can take as many steps as he wants.
Yellow Card
Known as a caution, this is issued to a player who has committed a particularly bad foul or who has repeatedly offended. There are also certain offences that merit an automatic yellow card, such as deliberate handball and kicking the ball away after the whistle has blown.
Red Card
If a player is issued with a red card by the referee he must leave the field of play immediately. Certain offences merit an automatic red card, such as fighting intentionally or handling the ball on the goal line to prevent a goal. If a player is awarded two yellow cards within the same match, he is automatically issued a red card.
Goal line
If the ball completely crosses this line legally then it is a goal.
Dead-ball line
If the ball completely crosses this line, a goal kick or a corner is awarded, depending on whether the last player to touch it was an attacking player (goal kick) or a defending one (corner).
Touchline
If the ball completely crosses this line, possession of the ball is given to the opposing team for a throw-in.
Penalty area
This is the only area on the pitch where the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with his hands. When a defending player commits a foul inside the area, a penalty kick is awarded to the opposition (unless the offence is an indirect free-kick offence, such as obstruction or the goalkeeper handles a backpass. In this case an indirect free kick is awarded).
The “D“
When a penalty is awarded, all players (apart from the goalkeeper and the kicker) must be outside the penalty area, and outside this small ”D”.
Six-yard box
Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere within the six-yard box.
Penalty spot
From where penalty kicks are taken. On a full-size pitch it should be 11 metres (12 yards) from the centre of the goal.
Halfway line
This marks the halfway point in the length of the pitch.
Centre circle
A circle with a 9-metre (10-yard) radius in the centre of the pitch. Opposition players must be outside the circle on their side of the pitch when the other team is taking a kick-off.
Football Coach: Suresh Gopinathan
Email: Suresh.naf72@tiscali.co.uk
Website: http://football.kcwa.co.uk
Mobile: 07894432222
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