INTRODUCTORY
COURSE IN THE LAWS OF
THE GAME OF
FOOTBALL
FIFA Laws of the Game
The game seems pretty simple...how many football rules are there?
FIFA publishes an extensive guide called "Laws of the Game", which describes
the 17 laws of football in detail. This guide will hopefully simplify them for you.
Some rules, such as the offside, aren't as straightforward as you may think.
Nonetheless, you need to know the football rules in effect, in order to become a
better player, coach or referee.
17 laws? That seems easy enough. For the most part, they are. The laws are
basic enough, and they are flexible in that they allow modification for juniors,
women, veterans and players with disabilities.
Law 1 – Field of Play
The correct football field layout for the field of play is rectangular; there is no
universal size, except for international matches. The touch lines (lines running end
to end), can be anywhere from 100-130 yards (90-120 metres) and the goal lines
(running behind the goal, across the width of the field) can be anywhere from 50100 yards (45 to 90 metres). Lines are part of the field of play.
Importance of Correct Football Field Layout
Law 1 of the FIFA Laws of the Game deals with the details concerning the playing
surface and sets the standards for all fields.
In this case, the picture tells the story. The football field diagram below outlines
the correct size and markings that a field should possess.
Football Field Layout
Usually, correct football field width would be between 50-100 yards (45-90m), and
the correct length somewhere between 100-130 yards (90-120m).
Football Field Layout and Markings
The Laws of the Game outline the correct markings needed on the field of play.
Next, the field must at minimum have markings for:
* the touch lines running the length of the field;
* the goal lines running the width of the field;
* the halfway line ;
* the centre circle around the centre spot;
Oh, and just in case you thought FIFA wasn’t thorough enough, the markings
themselves must be the same width, and can’t be more than 5 inches in width.
Goal
A goal is required at the centre of the goal line at each end of the field. Each goal
mouth must be 8 yards wide and 8 feet in height. For the safety of all players,
goals must be anchored into the ground and in case you were thinking of painting
the posts and crossbar an interesting color, the rules state they must be white.
Corner Flags
Corner flags are also a requirement. The rules state that each corner of the field
must have a flag, and that each one should be at minimum 5 feet (<1.5m) in
height. Some fields will also have flags at the halfway line, but this isn't necessary.
International Matches
International matches have much more strict regulations regarding football field
layout. A field for international play must be between 110-120 yards, and be
between 70-80 yards in width
Law 2 – The Ball
Of course, there wouldn't be much of a game without a ball, and there are actually
a few different sizes available. Rules state however that the ball used must have a
circumference of 27-28 inches and weigh 14-16oz. It must be safe and spherical.
Law 3 – The Number of Players
According to the rules, each game should have 10 players plus 1 goal keeper on
the field, for a total of 11 players. A match cannot start with less than 7 players.
International matches you'll notice, have a limit of 3 substitutions, including goal
keepers, but the rules do differ for other leagues (up to 7).
All players who may see action must have their names submitted to the referee
before the match. Most leagues use a game sheet for just such a purpose.
Law 4 – The Players' Equipment
Basic equipment for each player includes a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, shin
guards, and of course footwear. No jewellery.
Each team must wear different colours. In addition, the goal keepers must also
wear colours that distinguish themselves from their team mates and referees.
Law 5 – The Referee
One of the most thankless jobs out there, a referee is required for all football
matches. The referee's job is to enforce the laws of the game while maintaining
order and ensuring fair play. Some duties include stopping play for badly injured
players, recording incidents/misconduct, and keeping time.
Law 6 – The Assistant Referees
The assistants or "lines man" is positioned on either side of the touchlines and are
used to determine when the ball is out of play, which team is entitled to the ball for
a throw-in, corner, or free-kick, as well as calling offences when they have a better
view of the action than the referee.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
Most matches consist of two 45 minute halves, with a half time intermission not
exceeding 15 minutes. Of course this also varies according to the league you're
playing in, with younger players generally playing shorter halves.
One more interesting thing to keep in mind is that football rules stipulate that the
referee should make an allowance for any stoppages through injury time, and add
this time to the end of every half.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play
Each match is started by a coin toss with the winner determining which goal they
will attack, and the other team taking the kick off. Ball must be stationary, players
9.15m away, and ball is in play once kicked forward.
Dropped balls are used to restart play for any reason not outlined in the rules. You
may see this often in play where the referee will stop the game for injury.
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play
The two important things to note here is that the ball is considered out of play any
time it entirely crosses either the touch or goal lines, or the referee blows the play
dead. At any other time, the ball is in play.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring
For a goal to count, the whole of the ball needs to cross over the goal line,
between the goal posts and under the crossbar. Of course, no football rules can
be infringed by the scoring team for the goal to stand. This law also deals with
things such as away goals, extra time, and shootouts.
Law 11 – Offside
The offside section below goes into greater detail on this often confused rule, but
the main thing to keep in mind is that to be offside you need to be closer to the
goal line than both the ball and second last opponent, including the goalie. In
addition, only when you are part of the active play are you deemed offside.
Why do we even have a football offside rule?
Without the football offside rule, the game would be a whole lot more chaotic and
a lot less tactical, at least that's the theory behind it.
The offside rule also gives the defence one more way to prevent attacking teams
from scoring, as many teams use an active offside trap to keep strikers away.
Unfortunately, many in football dislike this rule, as it does reduce scoring. In fact,
throughout the years the rule has been altered to increase offence and scoring.
Offside, according to the rules....
Football offside rule The FIFA Laws of the Game state that to be offside, you must
be:
1. In an offside position
2. Involved in active play
Let's take a look at what both of these mean.
To be in an offside position, you have to be closer to the goal line than both the
ball and the second-to-last opponent when the pass or play is made. As you can
see in the first figure, player number 2 is in a football offside position because he
is closer to the goal line than the second to last player on the red team.
Involved in Active Play
This is where the rule can start to get a little more complicated.
You have to be involved in the active play before an offside offence can be called.
Usually this means the ball has to be played by you but can also mean that you
block the opponent or gain advantage from the play.
For example, if you're standing alone next to the opposing goalie and a shot on
net is made by a teammate, you are not offside because you were not involved in
the active play.
Now let's say the ball rebounds, either off the goalie or the post, and comes to
you. According to the rules, you gained an advantage from being in that offside
position and you have now committed the offence.
Keep in mind....
* There are no football offsides off of corner kicks, goal kicks, or throw-ins
* You can only be offside in your opponents half of the field.
* You can be offside for the entire game as long as you're not involved in
the active play...of course you're not being of much use to your team if you are!
* Seems obvious, but you cannot place yourself offside. That is to say if you
kick a ball from in front of the defence and chase after it, it's impossible to be
offside.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
There are several things you can do to foul the opposition and most are very
obvious. Law 12 outlines the various fouls, disciplinary sanctions, as well as the
difference between a direct and indirect free kick.
Keep in mind that any foul committed within the penalty area will result in a
penalty kick.
Looks like there’s a lot of football fouls to worry about....
In reality, football fouls are mostly about common sense. Law 12 covers plays that
are prohibited and when committed will result in either a free kick (Law 13) or a
penalty kick if the infraction is in the penalty area (Law 14).
These fouls can be divided into major offences, other offences, and misconduct.
Major Offences
Ten offences are outlined in the rules that, when committed, are considered fouls
and will result in a direct free kick. In no particular order:
1. Kicking (or trying to kick) an opponent
2. Tripping (or attempting to trip) an opponent
3. Jumping at an opponent
4. Charging an opponent
5. Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
6. Pushing an opponent
7. Tackling an opponent
8. Holding an opponent
9. Spitting at an opponent
10. Touching the ball deliberately with your hands (handling the ball)
Other Offences
These offences will result in an indirect free kick being awarded to the other team:
1. Dangerous play
2. Charging an opponent cleanly, but with no intention of playing the ball
3. Impeding the progress of an opponent (Interference or Obstruction)
4. Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball
5. Goalkeeper not releasing the ball into play correctly
6. Time wasting or delay of game by the goalkeeper
7. Goalkeeper using his hands to play the ball after its been kicked to him by a
teammate
8. Offside
Misconduct
Committing any of the following will result in a yellow card and indirect free kick:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
You must have the referees permission to either enter or exit the field of play
Showing dissent with the referee, either verbally or through your actions
Unsporting behaviour
Continuously breaking the other rules
Failing to respect the required distance at restart, goal kick, corner kick, free
kick, throw in
Red cards will be shown when a player:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Commits a particularly violent or serious foul
Spits at an opponent
Violent conduct
Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures (either against your
opponent or your own team!)
5. Receives a second yellow card
6. Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity through a foul
Things to keep in mind...
 Stopping a goal using your hand will result in an immediate red card,
and a penalty kick for the opposing team
 Taking a player down on a breakaway when you're the last man back
will also result in a red card
 When receiving a red card, you must leave the field of play and are not
able to sit on the players’ bench...usually this means an early trip to the
showers!
Law 13 – Free Kicks
In football, there are both direct and indirect free kicks awarded, depending on the
offence. A direct kick may be kicked directly into the opponent goal, while an
indirect kick must be touched by another player before it can be struck into the
goal. Law 12 concerns which fouls warrant direct or indirect free kicks.
Players must also give a minimum of 9.15m (10 yards) of space from the ball until
it is touched.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
Any fouls committed within the penalty area which would otherwise result in a
direct free kick are instead awarded a penalty kick. This kick is taken from the
penalty spot, with all other players standing outside of the penalty area.
Law 15 – The Throw-in
The throw-in is used to restart play when the ball has crossed one of the touch
lines. Make sure to face the field, keep part of each foot either on or behind
the touch line, use both hands, and throw the ball from behind and over your
head and not into the ground. According to football rules, not properly taking a
throw will result in the throw being awarded to the opposing team.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick
A goal kick is used to restart play whenever the attacking team send the ball
across the goal line and a goal has not been scored.
The ball can be kicked from anywhere inside the goal area by any member of the
defending team and is only considered to be in play once it exits the penalty area.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick
On the other hand, any time the ball is sent across the goal line without a goal
being scored and the ball was last touched by the defending team, a corner kick is
awarded.
The football rules state that a corner kick should be taken from the corner arc
closet from where the ball was put out of play and the ball is considered in play as
soon as it is touched.