Understanding football starts with its basic rules. A standard match is played between two teams of 11 players, including one goalkeeper. The objective is simple: score more goals than the opponent within 90 minutes of play, divided into two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute break.
The most fundamental rule is the restriction on handball. Only the goalkeeper can handle the ball within their own penalty area. Outfield players may use their feet, head, chest, or thighs to control and pass the ball.
The game is restarted in various ways: a kick-off begins each half, a throw-in returns the ball after it leaves the field sideways, a goal kick occurs when the attacking team plays the ball out over the goal line, and a corner kick is awarded to the attackers if the defending team does so.
The referee enforces the laws, using yellow cards for cautions and red cards for serious fouls or misconduct, which send a player off. Free kicks are awarded for fouls, with penalty kicks given for fouls inside the defender’s penalty area. The offside rule, which prevents attackers from gaining an unfair advantage by being ahead of the last defender when the ball is passed to them, is often the most complex but crucial rule for maintaining a fair contest.
Leave a Reply