The Rules of Soccer

Only the goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball, and only within their own penalty area. Outfield players cannot deliberately touch the ball with their hands or arms during active play. If a player commits a handball offense, the opposing team is awarded a direct free kick from the spot of the infringement. If the handball occurs inside the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded to the attacking team.

For a goal to be awarded, the entire ball must cross the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar. Goals can be scored from open play, direct and indirect free kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks, and headers. Modern technology such as goal-line technology and VAR is used to confirm whether the ball has fully crossed the line. A goal cannot be awarded if an offense has been committed by the scoring team in the build-up to the goal.

A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender at the moment the ball is played to them by a teammate. Simply being in an offside position is not an offense in itself; a player is only penalized if they become actively involved in play while offside. Offside is not called on goal kicks, throw-ins, or corner kicks. When offside is called, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from where the offense occurred.

A foul is called when a player kicks, trips, charges, pushes, strikes, or holds an opponent in a manner deemed careless, reckless, or using excessive force. Direct free kicks are awarded for contact fouls and handballs, meaning a goal can be scored directly from the kick. Indirect free kicks are given for non-contact offenses such as obstruction, dangerous play, or impeding an opponent's progress. The referee uses their judgment to determine the severity of the foul and whether a card should also be issued.

A yellow card serves as an official caution and is shown for unsporting behavior, persistent fouling, dissent toward the referee, or time-wasting. If a player receives two yellow cards in the same match, they are shown a red card and must leave the field immediately. A straight red card is given for violent conduct, serious foul play, spitting, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, or using offensive language. A team that has a player sent off must continue the match with one fewer player and cannot replace the dismissed player.

A penalty kick is awarded when a defending player commits a foul inside their own penalty area. The kick is taken from the penalty spot, which is located 12 yards (approximately 11 meters) from the center of the goal line. All players other than the kicker and the goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area and behind the penalty mark until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, until the ball has been struck.

A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball before it crossed the sideline (touchline). The thrower must deliver the ball using both hands from behind and over the head while facing the field of play. Both feet must remain on the ground, either on or behind the touchline, at the moment of release. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in; if the ball enters the goal without touching another player, a goal kick or corner kick is awarded.

A corner kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line after last being touched by a player on the defending team, and no goal is scored. The kick is taken from the corner arc nearest to where the ball went out. A goal kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line after last being touched by an attacking player. The goal kick is taken from anywhere within the goal area, and the ball is in play once it has been kicked and clearly moves. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick but not directly from a goal kick.

A standard soccer match consists of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, with a halftime interval of no more than 15 minutes. The referee is responsible for adding stoppage time (also called injury time or added time) at the end of each half to compensate for time lost due to substitutions, injuries, time-wasting, and other delays. In knockout competitions, if the match is tied at the end of regular time, two additional 15-minute periods of extra time may be played, followed by a penalty shootout if the score remains level.

In most professional competitions, teams are allowed to make up to five substitutions per match, typically across three substitution windows plus halftime. A player who has been substituted cannot re-enter the match under any circumstances. Substitutions can only occur during a stoppage in play and must be authorized by the referee. The substituted player must leave the field before the replacement enters, and all substitutions are made at the halfway line.