Know all about the rules of football

If you struggle to understand the offside or wonder why goalkeepers cannot handle the ball after a teammate passes it with their foot, this article is for you. 

Although simplicity is a key reason for football’s global success, the laws of the game have not always been as we know them today. 

Due to the urgent need to standardize rules for international matches, football officials in the early 1880s gathered to define a set of rules that everyone could follow.  

This led to the creation of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and, with it, the first uniform set of Laws of the Game. 
 

What are the main rules of football? 

IFAB currently defines 17 Laws of the Game, published in the Laws of the Game (LOTG) document. The most recent edition also includes changes implemented in the FIFA Club World Cup starting June 14. These updates cover goalkeeper possession time, VAR usage, and offside rules. 
 

How should the football field be laid out? 

The field must be rectangular, with minimum dimensions of 90x45 meters and maximum dimensions of 120x90 meters. For international matches, the length ranges from 110–120 meters and the width from 64–75 meters. 

Lines must be no wider than 12 cm, and the center circle has a 9.15-meter radius. The goal area is 5.50 meters from the goalposts, while the penalty area extends 16.50 meters, with marked arcs and corners following standardized measurements for international consistency. 
 

What are the rules regarding the ball and players? 

The ball must be spherical, made of rubber or approved materials, with a circumference of 68–70 cm and weighing between 410–450 g. 

Each team plays with 7 to 11 players, including a goalkeeper, and can make substitutions that are either limited or pre-agreed. Players’ equipment must be safe, including a jersey, shorts, socks, shin guards, and footwear, with no jewelry or dangerous objects. 
 

What power does the referee have and how do assistants help? 

The referee has full authority to enforce the rules, stop, suspend, or end the match, and can reverse decisions if an error is recognized before play resumes. 

Assistant referees signal when the ball leaves the field, indicate throw-ins or corners, offside positions, substitutions, or fouls the central referee cannot see. 
 

How long is a football match and how are restarts conducted? 

A standard match lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves with a maximum 15-minute halftime break. Added time accounts for stoppages. 

Matches start with a coin toss and kickoff, and similar procedures apply for restarts after dropped-ball situations, corners, throw-ins, or goal kicks. Dropped balls now ensure that the team in possession retains the ball if the interruption occurs outside the penalty area. 
 

How are goals and offside determined? 

A goal counts when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the posts without a prior infraction.

Offside occurs when a player’s entire body is ahead of the second-last defender and interferes with play or receives the ball from a teammate, except from goal kicks, throw-ins, or corners. 

IFAB is also testing changes to encourage attacking football, promoting goal-scoring opportunities in international competitions.
 

What recent changes has IFAB introduced? 

Key updates include: 

   • Goalkeeper possession: increased from six to eight seconds; if exceeded, the referee awards a corner instead of an indirect free kick. 

   • VAR decisions: referees may publicly announce decisions aloud for greater transparency. 

   • Body-worn cameras: FIFA is testing their use in official matches 

   • Dropped ball adjustments: in specific scenarios, ensures the team that had possession retains it. 
 

How are fouls and disciplinary sanctions applied? 

Fouls are penalized with direct or indirect free kicks, or penalties. A recent rule prevents goalkeepers from handling intentional back-passes with their feet, punishable by an indirect free kick. 

Yellow and red card rules remain standard: two yellow cards result in a red, and a direct red can be issued for serious infractions. 

This season, the Primeira Liga introduced the purple card for concussions, decided solely by the medical team, allowing immediate substitution without penalizing the team. 
 

How do free kicks, penalties, corners, and throw-ins work? 

   • Free kick: the ball must be stationary; it cannot be played again until touched by another player. 

   • Penalty kick: taken from 11 meters, goalkeeper on the line, all other players outside the penalty area; extra time may be added if needed. 

   • Throw-in: done with hands, ball above the head, feet on the sideline. 

   • Goal kick: restart by defending team; direct goals only count against opponents. 

   • Corner kick: awarded when last touched by defending team; executed with the feet. 
 

Why is understanding football rules important? 

Football is a global sport filled with technical and regulatory nuances. With IFAB’s recent changes, including goalkeeper possession, VAR, offside, and the purple card, matches are fairer, more transparent, and more offensive. 

Disciplinary measures and classic rules continue to protect players and maintain the integrity of the game. Understanding these laws not only improves play but also allows fans to appreciate each match with full knowledge. 

Following the rules is about respecting the sport and ensuring football is played safely, competitively, and enjoyably worldwide.