⚽ Soccer (football) rules explained
Two teams of 11 try to get the ball into the opponent's goal using any part of the body except the hands and arms (goalkeepers excepted inside their area). A match is two 45-minute halves plus stoppage time.
How scoring works
- Goal: 1 point when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the bar
- League tables usually give 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw
Key rules
- Offside
- A player is offside if they are in the opponent's half and nearer the goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them.
- Fouls and free kicks
- Direct free kicks for fouls like tripping or holding; a direct foul in your own penalty area gives a penalty kick.
- Cards
- Yellow is a caution; two yellows or a straight red is a sending-off.
- Handball
- Deliberately handling the ball, or making the body unnaturally bigger with the arm, is an offence.
- Restarts
- Throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks restart play when the ball leaves the field.
- Substitutions
- Most competitions now allow five substitutes in three windows.
Learn it, then test yourself
Ask follow-ups in plain language (English, हिन्दी or Français), then take a quick quiz. Points only, no money.
FAQ
How long is a soccer match?
Two 45-minute halves plus stoppage time; knockout games may add 30 minutes of extra time and penalties.
What is offside?
Being nearer the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when a teammate plays the ball to you, in the opponent's half.
How many players are on a team?
11 including the goalkeeper.
AI-generated, checked against the official rulebook (IFAB Laws of the Game). Competitions can vary; the governing body's laws are the final word. Last updated October 16, 2026. Spot a mistake? Report an error.