THE RULES OF FOOTBALL

The official laws/rules of the game contain seventeen laws and are drawn up for all levels of football, with minor modifications for groups such as juniors or female teams.

The maximum number of players required for a football team (excluding substitutes), is eleven, including the goalkeeper, who is the only player permitted to play the ball with his hands or arms, within the ‘penalty’ area in front of his own goal. Although teams allot their players different positions on the football pitch, these positions are not defined within the rules. Generally speaking, three substitutes are allowed in a game, but a player sent off for committing serious misconduct may not be substituted.

The clothing, or “kit” worn by players, consists of a shirt, shorts, socks, football boots, and shin guards. The goal keeper must wear clothing that easily distinguishes him from other players.

The game is overseen by a referee, whose decisions on enforcing the laws of the game are final, and he is assisted by two assistant referees.

The game consists of two periods of forty five minute duration, (“halves”), and the clock is not stopped when the ball goes out of play, but time is added on for undue delays due to injuries or other incidents. There is a rest period of 15 minutes between the two halves of the game.

Free kicks and ‘penalties’ are awarded for infractions, such as kicking an opposing player.