Football, known as soccer in some parts of the world, is a dynamic and exciting sport with a set of fundamental rules that govern play. Understanding these basic rules can enhance your enjoyment of the game, whether you’re a player, coach, or fan. Here’s a comprehensive look at the core rules of football.

1. The Objective of the Game

The primary objective in football is straightforward: score more goals than the opposing team within the regulation time. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. The team with the most goals at the end of the match wins. If the score is tied, the game may proceed to extra time or a penalty shootout, depending on the competition rules.

2. The Field of Play

A standard football field is rectangular, with length ranging from 100 to 110 meters and width from 64 to 75 meters. The field is marked with a center circle, penalty areas, and corner arcs. The goals are positioned at each end of the field, each with a width of 7.32 meters and a height of 2.44 meters.

3. Team Composition

Each football team comprises eleven players, including one goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to handle the ball with their hands, but only within the penalty area. Teams can have substitutes who can replace players during the match, with the number of allowed substitutions varying by competition.

4. Match Duration

A standard football match consists of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, with a 15-minute halftime break. In case of a draw, knockout competitions may have extra time, consisting of two additional 15-minute halves. If the score remains level after extra time, a penalty shootout may determine the winner.

5. Starting and Restarting the Game

The game begins with a kickoff from the center of the field. The team winning the coin toss decides which goal to attack first. After a goal, the game restarts with a kickoff from the center by the team that conceded the goal. Other restarts include throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks, each occurring in specific situations: a throw-in when the ball goes out of play over the sideline, a goal kick when the ball is last touched by an attacking player and crosses the goal line, and a corner kick when the ball goes out of play over the goal line but was last touched by a defending player.