Football Rules in a List? The 17 Laws Explained

The 17 Laws of the Game

The Laws of the Game are the official rules that all football matches, from professional leagues to local parks, follow. They are maintained by the IFAB, which is made up of FIFA and the four British football associations. Here is the complete list of the 17 laws, each with a short summary of what it covers.

Law 1 – The Field of Play: The pitch must be rectangular, with touchlines longer than goal lines. Markings include the halfway line, centre circle, penalty areas, goal areas, and corner arcs. Goals have two upright posts and a crossbar, with a net attached.
Law 2 – The Ball: The ball must be spherical and made of a suitable material. For senior play, it has a circumference of 68–70 cm and a weight of 410–450 g at the start of a match. If the ball bursts or becomes defective during play, the game is stopped and restarted with a dropped ball.
Law 3 – The Players: A match is played by two teams, each with no more than 11 players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match cannot start or continue if a team has fewer than 7 players. Substitutions are allowed in most competitions, typically up to 5 per team per match, with extra substitutions allowed in extra time in some tournaments.
Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment: Players must wear a jersey, shorts, socks, shin guards, and footwear. Shin guards must be covered by socks and provide reasonable protection. Goalkeepers must wear colours that distinguish them from other players and the referee. Jewellery is not allowed.
Law 5 – The Referee: The referee enforces the Laws, controls the match, and has the authority to stop play for infringements. The referee’s decisions are final, except where VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is used for clear and obvious errors. The referee also acts as timekeeper and can send off players for serious offences.
Law 6 – The Other Match Officials: This law covers assistant referees (linesmen), the fourth official, and VAR officials. Assistant referees signal offside, ball out of play, and fouls. The fourth official manages substitutions and displays added time. VAR officials review decisions using video replays.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match: A match lasts 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves, with a half-time interval of no more than 15 minutes. The referee adds time for stoppages (injuries, substitutions, goals, etc.). In knockout competitions, extra time of two 15-minute periods may be played, followed by a penalty shootout if still level.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play: A coin toss decides which team kicks off. A kick-off starts each half and after a goal. A dropped ball restarts play when the referee stops play for reasons not covered by other laws (e.g., an injury).
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play: The ball is out of play when it fully crosses the goal line or touchline, either on the ground or in the air, or when play has been stopped by the referee. It is in play at all other times, even if it hits the corner flag or the referee.
Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match: A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided no offence has been committed. The team with more goals wins. If both teams score the same number, the match is drawn; in knockout games, extra time and penalties may decide.
Law 11 – Offside: A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (usually the last defender, but the goalkeeper is often the last). Being in an offside position is not an offence in itself; the player is penalised only if they become involved in active play by touching the ball or interfering with an opponent. There is no offside offence from a goal kick, throw-in, or corner kick.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct: Direct free kicks are given for offences like kicking, tripping, pushing, or handling the ball deliberately. Indirect free kicks are given for less serious offences like dangerous play or obstructing an opponent. Yellow cards (caution) and red cards (sending off) are given for misconduct. A second yellow leads to a red. Serious foul play, violent conduct, or denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity can result in a direct red.
Law 13 – Free Kicks: Free kicks can be direct (a goal can be scored directly) or indirect (the ball must touch another player before a goal). Opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play. Free kicks awarded to the defending team inside their own penalty area are taken from anywhere in that area.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick: A penalty kick is awarded for a direct free kick offence committed by a defending player inside their own penalty area. The ball is placed on the penalty mark (11 m from goal), and only the kicker and the goalkeeper are in the penalty area. The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line until the ball is kicked. The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
Law 15 – The Throw-In: A throw-in is awarded when the ball fully crosses a touchline. The thrower must face the field, have both feet on the ground (on or behind the touchline), and throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded when the ball fully crosses the goal line, last touched by an attacking player, and no goal is scored. The ball is placed anywhere inside the goal area and kicked. Opponents must stay outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick: A corner kick is awarded when the ball fully crosses the goal line, last touched by a defending player, and no goal is scored. The ball is placed inside the corner arc nearest to where it went out. Opponents must be at least 9.15 m away. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

How the Laws Are Applied in Real Matches

Understanding the laws in theory is one thing, but seeing them applied in a live match is where most questions arise. For example, the offside rule is often misunderstood: a player is not offside just because they are behind the last defender; they must also be involved in active play. Similarly, a handball is not always a foul—the referee considers whether the arm is in an unnatural position and whether the player deliberately handled the ball.

Another common area is the difference between a direct and indirect free kick. A direct free kick allows a goal to be scored straight from the kick, while an indirect free kick requires the ball to touch another player first. If a player scores directly from an indirect free kick, the goal is disallowed and a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.

Common Misconceptions and Mistakes

Many casual viewers believe that a player must be level with the second-last defender to be onside, but the law actually says the player must not be nearer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. If the ball is ahead of the attacker, they cannot be offside. Also, there is no offside from a throw-in, corner, or goal kick—this is a frequent source of confusion.

Another mistake is thinking that a goalkeeper can handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. In fact, the goalkeeper cannot handle the ball if it is deliberately kicked to them by a teammate, nor can they handle it after throwing it and receiving it back without another player touching it. This results in an indirect free kick.

How to Learn and Remember the Rules

The best way to learn the laws is to watch matches with the official laws open. Many referees and coaches recommend focusing on one law at a time. For example, watch a match and only pay attention to offside calls, then the next match watch for fouls and cards. This helps you internalise the rules without feeling overwhelmed.

There are also free official resources: the IFAB publishes the Laws of the Game on its website, and FIFA provides a mobile app with the full text. Many football associations offer short online courses for referees and fans.

Why the Laws Change Over Time

The Laws are not static; they are reviewed annually by the IFAB. Changes are made to improve fairness, player safety, and the flow of the game. Recent significant changes include the introduction of VAR, the rule that the ball must be stationary for a penalty kick, and the clarification that a goalkeeper must have at least one foot on or behind the goal line at a penalty. These updates are always communicated through official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a direct and indirect free kick?

A direct free kick allows the kicker to score a goal directly from the kick. An indirect free kick requires the ball to touch another player (from either team) before a goal can be scored. If a goal is scored directly from an indirect free kick, it is disallowed and a goal kick is awarded to the defending team.

Can a player be offside if they are in their own half?

No. A player cannot be offside if they are in their own half of the field. The offside position is judged relative to the halfway line; an attacker must be in the opponent’s half to be offside.

How many substitutions are allowed in a football match?

In most professional competitions, each team is allowed up to 5 substitutions per match, with an additional substitution allowed if the match goes to extra time. However, the number can vary depending on the competition rules, so it is always best to check the specific tournament regulations.

What happens if a player receives a red card?

A red card means the player is sent off and cannot be replaced, so their team must play with one fewer player for the rest of the match. The player may also face a suspension for future matches, depending on the severity of the offence and the competition rules.

Is a goal scored if the ball hits the corner flag and goes in?

No. If the ball hits the corner flag and stays in play, the game continues. If the ball goes directly out of bounds off the corner flag, it is a corner kick or goal kick, depending on who touched it last. The corner flag is not part of the goal, so a goal cannot be scored by hitting it.

What is the penalty for a handball in the penalty area?

If a defending player deliberately handles the ball inside their own penalty area, the referee awards a penalty kick to the attacking team. However, if the handball is accidental and the arm is in a natural position, it may not be penalised. The referee uses judgement based on the position of the arm and whether the player moved it towards the ball.

Sources: The IFAB Laws of the Game. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.