A comprehensive guide to football rules and essential information

Football holds the title of the world's most popular sport. To play a casual game, all that is needed is a strip of open space, two players, and a ball. However, the structured version witnessed in official leagues such as the Spanish La Liga and English Premier League, as well as major international tournaments like the FIFA World Cups or Olympics, adheres to a universal set of football rules. These rules have been established and refined over the years by FIFA, the official global governing body for football.

Understanding the Game: Football Pitch Dimensions and Layout

As we familiarize ourselves with the fundamentals of any game or sport before playing, whether it's an Casino game or an outdoor sport, gaining an understanding of the layout of a football field is essential before learning how to play the game of football. The football pitch surfaced either with natural grass or artificial turfs, measuring between 90 to 120m in length and 45 to 90m in width.

The boundaries running lengthwise along the field are referred to as touchlines or side lines, while those that run along the width of the pitch are called the goal lines. Each of the four corners of the playing area is marked with a corner flag. The play area, confined within the side lines and goal lines, is bisected by the half-line, drawn parallel to the goal lines. A circle termed the centre circle is sketched with the mid-point of the half-line as its centre. At the central points of each goal line at both ends of the pitch, goalposts are erected. These are typically rectangular frames made of metal or wood, measuring 7.32m in length and 2.44m in height, usually outfitted with nets. Surrounding each goalpost is a specified penalty area, also known as the 18-yard box.

Football Rules

Football matches engage two teams and typically span 90 minutes, segmented into two 45-minute halves separated by a 15-minute intermission known as half-time. The match is initiated from the centre circle, with one team commencing with ball possession. Post-half-time, the teams exchange ends, and the opposing team kick-starts the proceedings with possession. The fundamental objective for each team is to propel the football, either by kicking or heading, into the adversary team's goalposts to secure a goal. For a goal to be counted in favour of the attacking team, the entire ball must traverse the goal line. The team that amasses more goals at the conclusion of the 90 minutes is declared the winner. Each team fields 11 players, inclusive of one designated goalkeeper. Goalkeepers distinguish themselves as the sole players permitted to handle the ball, albeit exclusively within the penalty area. The other ten players, termed outfield players, assume various roles, ranging from defending near their goal area to executing attacking manoeuvres higher up the pitch. Each team is entitled to three substitutions throughout the game.

Fouls, Cards, Free Kicks, and Penalty Kicks

Handball violations, exempting goalkeepers within their penalty area, also constitute fouls. Referees may issue warnings or cards based on foul severity, but not every foul warrants a card. A yellow card signifies a significant infringement, and an accumulation of two results in a red card, necessitating immediate player ejection and subsequent match suspension. A direct red card may be issued for fouls perceived as extremely serious. Actions or behaviours that violate the spirit of sportsmanship and the established rules of the game can also attract yellow or red cards. Upon a player committing a foul, the opposition is granted a free kick. Alternatively, if the defending team breaks the rules within their penalty area, the attacking team is awarded a penalty kick. During this, the ball is situated on the penalty spot within the 18-yard box, and an attacker is allowed a direct shot at the goal, facing only the goalkeeper as the obstacle.