Football Explained: Rules, Positions & Gameplay

The Beautiful Game: Football (Soccer) Explained

Football (soccer) is the world's most popular sport, played by two teams of 11 players. It's a game of skill, strategy, and teamwork, beloved by billions across the globe.

The main objective is simple: score more goals than your opponent by getting the ball into their net. Players primarily use their feet, head, and chest to control, pass, and shoot the ball. A standard match typically lasts 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves.

Key Objectives:

⚽ Score goals by getting the ball into the opponent's net.
🛡️ Prevent the opposing team from scoring.
🤝 Work as a team to control the ball and create scoring opportunities.
⚖️ Follow the rules of the game, enforced by a referee.

Basic Rules of Football

1. No Hands (Except the Goalkeeper)

Outfield players cannot touch the ball with their hands or arms. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands, and only within their designated penalty area. If an outfield player touches the ball with their hand, it's usually a foul, resulting in a free kick or penalty kick.

2. Out of Play

The ball is "out of play" when it completely crosses the goal line or touchline (sidelines), either on the ground or in the air.

If it goes out over the touchline, it's a "throw-in" for the opposing team.
If it goes out over the goal line by the attacking team, it's a "goal kick" for the defending team.
If it goes out over the goal line by the defending team, it's a "corner kick" for the attacking team.

3. Fouls and Penalties

Fouls occur when a player commits an unfair act, like tripping, pushing, or tackling an opponent dangerously.

Minor fouls result in a "free kick."
Serious fouls or handballs inside the penalty area result in a "penalty kick," where one player shoots from 12 yards with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Referees use yellow cards for cautions (warnings) and red cards for serious offenses, which result in the player being sent off the field.

In football, which player is allowed to use their hands to touch the ball during open play?

Player Positions and Roles

A football team typically has 11 players on the field, each with a specific role. While formations vary, here are the main types of positions:

Diagram of a football pitch showing typical player positions including Goalkeeper, Defenders, Midfielders, and Forwards.

Goalkeeper: The last line of defense, responsible for stopping shots and organizing the defense. They are the only players allowed to use their hands in the penalty area.
Defenders: Play in front of the goalkeeper, aiming to prevent the opposing team from scoring. They tackle, block shots, and clear the ball.
Midfielders: Link defense and attack. They win possession, distribute the ball, and support both defensive and offensive plays.
Forwards: The primary goal scorers. They play closest to the opponent's goal, trying to create and finish scoring opportunities.

Scoring Goals and Winning the Game

The ultimate aim in football is to score more goals than your opponent. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar.

Goal: Awarded when the ball completely enters the opponent's net. The team with more goals at the end of the match wins.
Match Duration: A standard match consists of two halves of 45 minutes each, with a short halftime break. Stoppage time is added at the end of each half to account for delays.
Winning: The team that has scored more goals by the end of the match is the winner. If scores are level, the match is a draw, or it may go to extra time and/or a penalty shootout in knockout competitions.

What is the primary way to score points in football (soccer)?

Football Terminology Glossary

Offside

Penalty Kick

Free Kick

Corner Kick

Throw-in