The Rules of Football Game 2024 | Football Match latest Rules

The first football game played under these rules was played by members of the University of Cambridge in 1848 at Parkers Peace, Cambridge. On October 26, 1863, the Football Association officially approved these rules.

The current version of the rules has been developed by the International Council of Football Associations and published by the International Football Federation (FIFA).

The rules of the game of football regulate such issues as the number of players, the duration of the match, the size of the field, the requirements for the soccer ball, the types of violations of the rules, and others.

The last edition of the rules (dated June 1, 2013) consists of 17 points .

Rule # 1: Field of play

Play on grass or artificial turf. The properties of artificial turf every year (with every “generation”) are more and more close to the properties of natural grass.

• Field length: minimum 90 m (100 yards), maximum 120 m (130 yards).
• Field width: minimum 45 m (50 yards), maximum 90 m (100 yards).
• For international matches, the field should be 100-110 meters (110-120 yards) long and 64-75 meters (70-80 yards) wide.
• Recommended values: Length 105 meters, Width 68 meters.
• The marking of the field is made in lines no more than 12 cm (5 inches) wide; the width of the line is included in the area that it limits. The lines along the long sides of the field are called sidelines; lines along the short sides – goal lines.

The field is divided into two halves by a center line. In the middle of the center line, a mark is made for the center of the field, around which a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yards) is drawn. The ball is placed at the center of the field at the beginning of the halves and after each goal scored (with the exception of penalty shootouts). When the ball is put into play from the center of the field, two players from the team in possession of the ball may be inside the circle, and none from the opposing team.

Goal area

A goal area is marked on each half of the field. From points 5.5 m (6 yards) from the inside of each goal post, at right angles to the goal line, two lines are drawn into the field. At 5.5 m (6 yards), these lines are connected by another line parallel to the goal line. The goalkeeper may not be pushed within his goal area. In football, goal area is often referred to as the goalkeeper’s area, however, officially in football this term is not used anywhere, while in other sports, such as floorball, the terms “goal area” and “goalkeeper’s area” mean different things.

Penalty area

A penalty area is marked on each half of the field – an area in which the goalkeeper can play with his hands, and a team that commits a violation in its own penalty area, which is punished with a free kick in the other part of the field, is punished with a penalty.

From points 16.5 m (18 yards) from the inside of each goalpost, at right angles to the goal line, two lines are drawn into the field. At a distance of 16.5 m (18 yards), these lines are connected by another line parallel to the goal line. Within the penalty area, in the center of the goal line and at a distance of 11 m (12 yards) from it, an 11-meter mark is applied.

Outside the penalty area, an arc of the penalty area is drawn with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yards), the center of which coincides with the 11-meter mark. This line helps the referee to correctly position the players during the penalty shootout (all players, except the one who kicks, must be at a distance of at least 9.15 m from the 11-meter mark).

Checkboxes

In the corners of the field, flags are set, on flagpoles with a height of at least 1.5 meters, which do not have sharp edges. In the same place, a quarter of a circle is marked, with a radius of 1 meter – the corner sector in which the ball should be located when serving a corner. Flags can be installed at both ends of the centerline, at least 1 meter apart.

Gates

Football rules require a goal to be centered on each goal line. They consist of two vertical posts connected by a horizontal bar, equidistant from the corner flags. It is forbidden to use a rope instead of a crossbar.
The distance between the posts is 7.32 m (8 yards) and the distance from the bottom of the rung to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).

The width and height of the cross-section of both posts and crossbar must be the same and not exceed 12 cm (5 inches). The width of the goal line is equal to the width of the posts and the crossbar. A net must be attached to the goal and the ground behind the goal, which must be securely fixed and positioned so as not to interfere with the goalkeeper.

Goal posts and crossbars must be white.

The gate must be securely fixed to the ground. The use of portable gates is permissible only if they comply with this requirement.

Additional zones

Technical area – a marked place outside the field, in the immediate vicinity of it, in which the coaches and substitutes of the team must be located during the match.

Rule # 2: Ball

Quality and parameters:

• Has a spherical shape;
• Made of leather or other material suitable for these purposes;
• Has a circumference not exceeding 70 cm (28 inches) and not less than 68 cm (27 inches). Standard ball size 5
• At the start of the match, weighs no more than 450 g (16 ounces) and not less than 410 g (14 ounces). Weight is indicated for dry ball;
• Has a pressure of 0.6-1.1 atmospheres (600-1100 g / cm2) at sea level (8.5 psi to 15.6 psi);

Replacing a damaged ball

If the ball bursts or is damaged during play, the game is stopped. It is resumed with a spare ball from a dropped ball in the place where it became unusable. If the ball bursts or is damaged while it was not in play – kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in, play is restarted with a spare ball as usual. The ball may be changed during play only at the direction of the referee.

Design

Most modern balls are made up of 32 waterproof pieces of leather or plastic. 12 of them are pentagons, 20 are hexagons. The design of these 32 polygons is called the truncated icosahedron, only the ball is more spherical due to the air pressure pumped in. The first such ball was produced in Denmark in 1950 by Select and became widespread in Europe. Worldwide began to be used after the 1970 World Cup, which featured such balls produced by Adidas. Before that, a ball was used, consisting of 18 elongated parts and lacing, similar in structure to modern volleyballs. This design is still quite widespread.

Colors

The old balls were monochrome, brown, then white. Subsequently, for the convenience of broadcasts on black and white TVs, a ball with black pentagons / white hexagons appeared. This color has become the standard for balls and symbolism in general. There are other balls, such as Nike’s Total 90 Aerow, which have rings to make it easier for the goalkeeper to determine the ball’s rotation. In matches taking place on a snow-covered field or during a snowfall, balls of bright colors, mainly orange, are used.

By FIFA’s decision, any emblems or advertisements on the balls are prohibited at official games, except for the following:

• Competition or competition organizer;
• The company – the manufacturer of the ball;
• Ball admission marks.

Rule # 3: Number of Players

A soccer match is played by two teams, each of which consists of no more than 11 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper. The minimum number of players is set by the competition rules, usually 7 players.
Maximum number of substitutions:

• In matches played by FIFA or national confederations, the maximum number of substitutions is three. The number of substitute players is determined by the rules of the competition and ranges from 3 to 7.
• In national league matches, the maximum number of substitutions can be increased to six.
• In other matches, by agreement, more substitutions can be applied. In this case, the match referee must be notified of this agreement. If the referee is not warned, or it is not possible to agree, then the maximum number of substitutions is three. In any case, the names of the substitutes must be determined before the start of the match and the list will be submitted to the referee. A player is not allowed to enter the field unless he is recorded as a substitute.
  Replacement procedure

The referee must be warned about the substitution. Substitution is allowed only at the center line of the field and only during a stoppage of play.

The person to be replaced leaves the field. The substitute player enters the field at the signal of the referee. From that moment on, he is considered a player, and the replaced one ceases to be him. The substituted player is prohibited from entering the field again. All players, including substitutes, must obey the referee.
Goalkeeper replacement

According to the rules of football, any player can switch places with the goalkeeper. To do this, you just need to warn the judge. Change of goalkeeper is allowed only during stoppage of the game.

Violations

If a substitute enters the field without permission, the game stops, the substitute is penalized with a yellow card and is sent off. The game continues with a dropped ball from where the ball was at the time of the substitution. In case of an unauthorized change of the goalkeeper, the game continues. The next time the ball is out of play, both players are penalized with a yellow card. For any violation of this rule, the player concerned will be cautioned and shown a yellow card.

Continuation of the game

If the match is stopped by the referee for a violation, play continues with an indirect free kick of the non-offending team from where the ball was at the time of the violation. Deleted players of the main squad and substitutes. If a player has been sent off before the kick-off, he can only be substituted with one of the declared substitutes. Substitutions in the match sheet are prohibited – neither before the kick-off, nor after it.

Trainer orders

By the decision of 2 IFAB, the coach can give tactical instructions to the players at any time (of course, without leaving the field). After that, he must return to his place. If a technical area is marked in the stadium, the coach must not leave it. The coach must behave in a manner that is decency.

Rule # 4: Players’ Equipment

Required items of equipment:

• Shirt or T-shirt, always with sleeves. For field players a single color scheme.
• Underpants. If underpants are used, they should be the same color as the underpants.
• Leg warmers.
• Shields.
• Boots.
• Shin guards must be completely covered with gaiters. They must be made of suitable material (plastic, rubber) and must provide an adequate degree of protection.

Goalkeeper equipment

According to football rules, the goalkeeper’s uniform must be different from that of the field players and referees.

Additional equipment

Additional equipment is allowed, provided that it is safe for the player himself and for others: bandages, elbow pads, knee pads. Gloves are always worn by goalkeepers (although there are no rules that prohibit field players from doing this). It is allowed to wear glasses for correcting vision and protection from the sun or floodlights (provided that they do not fall and do not injure anyone).

Prohibited equipment

Players may not wear any equipment that could be dangerous to him or to other players (including jewelry). Jewelry and watches are definitely prohibited. Applying adhesive tape to jewelry is considered insufficient safety precaution. Leather and rubber belts and bands are also prohibited. It is forbidden to display slogans or advertisements hidden under the T-shirt. For this, the player is fined by the organizer of the competition.

Penalties for violations

It is not necessary to stop the game. As soon as the ball is out of play, the player leaves the field of play and fixes his equipment. As soon as the ball is out of play again, the referee checks the equipment and allows (or refuses) to enter the field. If a player enters the field without the referee’s permission, he is shown a yellow card. After a warning has been issued, play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

Reserve players

It is the responsibility of the reserve referee to check the correctness of the equipment of the substitute players. Substitutes not participating in the match must wear a training uniform that is different from the players in the field.

Judges

The head referee, his assistants and the reserve referee wear equipment that distinguishes them in color from the players of both teams. Usually black or yellow are used. The head judge’s jersey has a pocket for a notepad and cards.

Rule # 5: Referee

The football referee is obliged to:

• Monitor compliance with the rules of the game;
• Control the progress of the match, keep track of the time of the game;
• Ensure that the balls used meet the requirements of Law 2;
• Ensure that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Rule 4;
• In the event of bleeding, the player must ensure that he leaves the field. A player can return to the field of play only upon a signal from the referee, who is convinced that the bleeding has stopped;
• Ensure the absence of unauthorized persons on the field;
• Provide the relevant authorities with a match report, including information on all disciplinary measures taken against players and / or team officials, as well as on all other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match.

The judge has the right:

• To consult during the match with assistants and, where necessary, with a reserve referee;
• Stop, temporarily interrupt or stop completely the match in case of violation of the rules;
• Stop, temporarily interrupt or stop completely the match in case of outside interference;
• Stop the match, if, in his opinion, the player has received a serious injury, and ensure his leaving / taking out of the field;
• Continue the game when the team against which the violation was committed benefits from such an advantage (for example, remains with the ball), and penalizes the original violation if the alleged advantage was not taken advantage of at that moment;
• Take disciplinary measures in relation to players guilty of violations punishable by warning or sending off. He is not obliged to take such action immediately, but must do so as soon as the ball is out of play;
• Take action against team officials who behave incorrectly, and may, at its discretion, remove them from the field and areas adjacent to the field.

The referee’s decisions are final and are not revised during the game. He himself can change his mind if he has not yet resumed the game. To file complaints against the actions of judges, there are competition regulations and special committees that consider these issues.

Rule No. 6: Assistant Referees

Assistant referees (line judges) assist the main referee (referee) in judging the match. Their powers are described in rule 6 of the football rules. The line judges’ uniforms are similar to those of the referee. The line judge holds the flag in his hand, with which he signals. Two assistant referees are appointed for each match and are usually located on the sidelines of the field. Typical duties of a line judge:

• To fix the exit of the ball out of bounds of the field. Assign a throw-in, goal kick, corner kick.
• To fix the offside position.
• Fix violations of the rules outside the field of vision of the main referee.
• When taking a penalty kick, determine if the goalkeeper started to move forward before the kick.
• Assist the referee with substitutions (see Rule 3: Number of Players).

The full list of duties of each of the line judges is determined by the head judge. Usually the line judges do not enter the field. However, in exceptional situations (for example, when a penalty kick is taken), they can do this.

Rule # 7: Length of Play

A football match consists of two equal halves of 45 minutes with a 15-minute break between them. After the break, the teams change goals. By agreement, the duration of the half can be changed. However, an agreement must be reached before the start of the match, and this agreement must not contradict the rules of the competition.

The break between halves does not exceed 15 minutes and is indicated in the competition regulations. At the end of each half, the head referee adds to the half time the time left for substitutions, the intervention of doctors, deliberate prolongation of the game, etc. The declared duration of overtime is reported by the reserve referee and is an integer number of minutes.

There are no strict rules for calculating the duration: the referee appoints it “by eye” and can, at his discretion, extend the game – for example, in case of delays during the added time. Extra time is allocated for the penalty kick awarded at the end of the half. Unplayed matches are replayed. Competition rules may require extra time to resolve draws. If this is a friendly match, then there is no extra time.

Main time

This unofficial term is not clearly defined and usually means all the elapsed time of the game until the last segment of “added” time at the current moment – whether it is extra time of a half or time added to resolve a draw. Does not include overtime, it is used most often by bookmakers.

Rule No. 8: Start and Restart of Play

Before the start of the match, a toss will take place (for example, a coin toss). The team that wins the toss decides which goal it will play in the first half, the second kicks off. In the next half, the teams change goals, and the team that chose the goal takes the kick-off. The kick-off is performed:

• At the beginning of any half, main or additional;
• After a goal has been scored by the team at whose goal the goal was scored.

The teams take places in their own half, each, while the team that does not kick is outside the center circle. The ball lies motionless in the center of the field. At the signal from the referee, the player kicks the ball forward and the game begins. In this case, the striker cannot touch the ball until another player touches him. For a second touch, opponents are awarded a free kick. For other violations, the kick-off is replayed.

Contested ball

When a stop is not provided for by the rules (a burst ball, a fan on the field, etc.), a held ball is played. To do this, the referee throws in the ball in the place where it was at the moment of stopping. Play restarts when the ball hits the ground. If someone hits the ball before the ball has fallen, the held ball is replayed. It is also replayed when the ball goes out of bounds, but no player touches it.

If the stoppage occurs on the goalkeeper’s court, a held ball is played on the front line of the court, at the point nearest to where it was stopped.

The ball in the goalkeeper’s court

Rule 8 also describes two situations not involving kick-off and dropped ball. A free kick or free kick played from his own goalkeeper’s court may be played from any point on it. An indirect free kick, played from the opponent’s goalkeeper’s court, is played from its front line, from the point closest to the place of infringement.

Rule 9: Ball in play and not in play

According to rule 9 of the rules of football, a ball is considered “out of play” if it is completely out of bounds, or play is stopped by the referee. If the ball bounces off the goal, corner flag, referee or assistant referee and remains on the field of play, it is considered to be in play.

• The ball is put into play:
• The initial blow;
• Goal kick;
• Throw-in;
• Corner kick;
• Free kick or free kick (in all these cases, the ball comes into play immediately after the kick);
• By throwing a dropped ball (the ball comes into play as soon as it falls to the ground).

Rule 10: Definition of a Goal

A goal is a situation when the ball completely crosses the goal line, located between the posts and under the crossbar, and the team that scored the goal did not violate the rules. This situation is also referred to as “the ball is scored into the goal”. A goal is not scored if:

• Before the ball crossed the goal line, the referee’s whistle was blown to suspend the match.
• The ball was directed into the goal by the attacking side with the first touch on an opening kick or free kick.
• The ball was directed into the goal directly by throwing in out (throwing in the ball with his hands after he left the sideline). In cases 2 and 3, a free kick is awarded from the goal into which the ball flew.
• If the ball went into the own goal with the first touch on an opening kick, free kick, free kick, corner kick, penalty kick, or directly throwing out. (in this case, a corner kick is awarded at the goal of the team into whose goal the ball flew).

When determining ball touches, touches of referees, goal posts and corner flags are not counted. According to the rules of football, the team that scores the most goals wins. If the number of goals is equal, the match is considered a draw.

In competitions that are held in a round robin system, a draw is recorded and the match ends. But in competitions held according to the Olympic system, draws are unacceptable, since one of the teams must be eliminated. To resolve draws in turn, the following rules apply:

• If there are two matches – first at the stadium of one team, then at the stadium of its rival – then a goal scored in a foreign field has more weight. For example, if a team won at home with a score of 1: 0 and lost away with a score of 1: 2, then it is considered the winner, since it has scored one goal in a foreign field (while its opponent has none).
• Extra time: Under current football rules, there are two 15-minute halves. The break between the main and additional time is 5 minutes, there is no break between the halves. If the score at the end of extra time is equal, penalties are taken. The old rules can be found in the articles Golden Goal, Silver Goal.
• After the match penalties: The teams hit a streak of five penalties. The team that scores the most goals in the entire series wins. If the winner is determined before the end of the series (for example, after four penalties the score is 3:1), the series ends. If there is still a tie, the teams take one penalty each until the winner is determined.

Rule 11: Offside Position

An offside position is awarded when a player of the attacking team, at the moment of a kick or pass by another player of his team, is closer to the opponent’s goal line than the penultimate player of the defending team (including the goalkeeper) and closer to the ball.

Under the 2003 rules, the referee decides whether there was an offside or not. There are three “criteria for active play” for this:

• The footballer interferes with the game (receives the ball).
• The footballer interferes with the opponent’s play (obstructs the field of view, interferes with intercepting the ball).
• A footballer gains an advantage due to his position (when the ball bounces off the goal or the opponent).

There is no offside position in such cases:

• A player in his own half of the field;
• The player is on a par with the penultimate player;
• During a goal kick, throw-in, corner kick;
• If the player of the defending side is behind the end-line of his goal, since in this case he is not considered to be out of the game.

When an offside position occurs, the defending team is awarded an indirect free kick from where the violation occurred. According to the latest FIFA directives, the referee is ordered to interpret controversial moments always in favor of the defending side.

Artificial offside position

The defending team, in order to disrupt the opponent’s attack, takes the defenders forward. Then the opponent’s attacker is in an offside position. The 2003 rules were introduced in order to encourage attacking football and reduce the number of such situations. Unfortunately, this decision has so far brought few results and, as before, artificial offside is used by defenders quite often. This tactical scheme was first introduced by the creator of the Total Football concept, Rinus Michels, in the mid-1960s.

Rule 12: Fouls and Misconduct by Players

Penalty kicks:

1) Forbidden moves:

• Hitting or attempting to kick an opponent;
• A trip or an attempt to trip an opponent;
• Jump to the opponent;
• Attack of the opponent;
• A blow or an attempt to hit an opponent with a hand;
• Push of the opponent;

2) Unsportsmanlike behavior and errors in the game:

• Delaying an opponent (grabbing a jersey, etc.);
• Spitting at an opponent;
• When taking the ball away from an opponent, touched it earlier than the ball;
• Deliberate handball (except for the goalkeeper in his own penalty area);
• Penalty with an indirect free kick:

1) Goalkeeper errors:

• Controlling the ball with your hands for more than six seconds before releasing it;
• Touching the ball with the hands after the ball has been kicked in and the ball has not touched any other player;
• Touching the ball with his hands after a team-mate deliberately gave him a pass (except for a pass with his head or “discount” of the ball with his chest);

2) Player errors:

• A dangerous game (which could lead to injury to an opponent);
• Blocking the opponent’s advance;
• Interference with the goalkeeper;
• The commission of any other violation, not mentioned in Law 12 above, for which the game is stopped in order to
• warn the player or send him off the field of play.

Punished with a warning.

A player is cautioned with a yellow card for any of the following seven offenses:

• Unsportsmanlike behavior;
• Demonstration of disagreement (by word or gesture) with the referee’s decision;
• Systematic violation of the Rules of the Game;
• Delaying the resumption of the game;
• Failure to comply with the required distance when restarting the game with corner kicks, free kicks or free kicks;
• Leaving or returning to the field without the permission of the referee;
• Unauthorized leaving the field without the permission of the judge;

Punished by removal.

A player is sent off with a red card showing if he commits any of the following seven offenses:

• Serious violation of the rules of the game;
• Aggressive behavior;
• Spitting at an opponent or any other person;
• Deliberate handball that prevents an opponent from scoring a goal or deprives him of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (this does not apply to the goalkeeper within his penalty area) (“last resort foul”);
• Depriving an opponent advancing towards the goal of a clear opportunity to score a goal by means of a violation (“foul of the last resort”), punishable by a free kick, free kick or penalty kick;
• Offensive, insulting or obscene language and / or gestures;
• Second warning in the same match.

The expelled player must leave the field and the adjacent space, including the technical area.

Rule 13: Penalty and Free Kicks

Standard position.

Set-off is a football term that describes the situation where the ball is returned to play by the attacking team after play has been stopped. Most often this term refers to corner kicks and free kicks, but sometimes also to strikeouts.

After the ball is played from such positions, a significant part of the goals is scored. Thus, defending from set positions is a very important skill for defenders, and attackers devote a lot of time to practice hitting from set positions.

The set pieces are elements of the game that can be played prior to the match. Some players (such as David Beckham) specialize in shooting from set positions.

Direct Free kick

Direct free kick – the official Russian term for direct free kick (rarely used) – in football, a specially assigned kick on goal in case of violation of the rules. A free kick is awarded if a player, while the ball was in play, commits one of the following violations of the rules:

• Kick or attempts to kick an opponent;
• Tripping or attempts to trip an opponent;
• Jumping on an opponent;
• Attack on an opponent;
• Blows or attempts to hit the opponent;
• Jerks of the opponent;
• When tackling the ball from an opponent, the player takes possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball;
• Delays of the opponent;
• Spitting at an opponent;
• Deliberate hand play (including the goalkeeper outside his penalty area).

A free kick is taken by any player on the opposite team from the place of the violation. If the violation of the rules is committed by a player within the penalty area of his team, a penalty is awarded instead of a free kick.

If a goal is scored directly from the free kick, it counts (hence the official name – direct free kick). For other violations not listed above, a free kick is awarded (the official name is an indirect free kick), from which a goal cannot be scored with a direct kick.

In certain cases of gross violations, the player may be given an additional personal punishment – a warning or sending off.

When taking a free kick, players on the defending team must not be within 9 meters of the ball (10 yards in the original English rules). Since the free kick awarded near the goal poses a serious danger, often the defending players will set up a so-called “wall” at the distance allowed by the rules in order to prevent a goal from being scored with a direct kick.

Indirect Free kick

Indirect free kick (English indirect free kick) – the official Russian term indirect free kick (used less often) – in football, a specially assigned kick on goal in case of violation of the rules. An indirect free kick is awarded if a player, while the ball was in play, commits one of the following violations of the rules:

• A dangerous game;
• Blocking the opponent’s advance;
• Hindering the goalkeeper from putting the ball into the game from his hands;
• Any other violation for which a free kick or penalty cannot be awarded.
  In addition, a free kick is awarded for one of the following offenses against the goalkeeper’s hand rules in his own penalty area:
• The goalkeeper takes more than four steps with the ball in his hands before putting it into play; (The rule is canceled. In modern football, a free player is appointed if the goalkeeper holds the ball in his hands for more than 6 seconds. The number of steps is not limited.);
• The goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands again after putting it into play and the ball has not been touched by any other player;
• The goalkeeper touches the ball with his own hands after a player of his team has deliberately passed him a pass;
• The goalkeeper touches the ball with his own hands after a player of his team has put the ball into play directly with a throw-in from behind;
• Wastes time (from the point of view of the referee).

An indirect free kick is taken by any player of the opposite team from the place of the violation. Unlike a free kick, a free kick can be taken from outside the penalty area.

If a goal is scored directly from a free kick, it will not count (hence the official name – indirect free kick). However, a goal will be awarded if the ball touches any of the players on the way (there was a ricochet).

When executing a free kick, players of the defending team must not be within 9 meters of the ball (10 yards in the original English rules). However, if the free kick is taken from within the penalty area (less than 9 meters from the goal), then the players of the defending team are allowed to place a “wall” on the goal line. The referee signals that a free kick is being executed, and not a free kick, by raising one hand vertically upwards until the kick is executed.

Rule 14: Shot 11 Meter

Penalty kick (Free kick) – in football, a specially assigned kick on goal, protected only by the goalkeeper, from a mark of 10.97 meters (in the original British rules – 12 yards) from the goal line.
The official Russian term for penalty kick, unlike other Russian football terms that appeared in the 1940s, did not catch on.

A penalty kick is awarded when a player of the defending team commits a foul within his own penalty area that must be charged with a direct free kick and the ball was in play. If the game time expires, then the time for the penalty kick must be added. The referee, assigning a penalty, makes a characteristic gesture, pointing to the 11-meter mark with his hand. A goal scored from the penalty spot counts towards the total score of the match.

Procedure

The ball is placed at the 11-meter mark. The player taking the penalty kick is determined. Both the referee and the goalkeeper of the defending team must know who will kick. The goalkeeper is positioned on the goal line between the posts, facing the batter. The rest of the players are outside the penalty area, at least 9.15 m from the 11-meter mark. For a clearer definition of this distance, there is an arc of the penalty area on the field.

A penalty kick is taken only by a signal from the referee, who makes sure that both participating players are ready for the kick, and that the procedure is correct.

When the referee blows the whistle, the player kicks the ball forward. The breaker can touch the ball a second time only when the ball touches another player (including the goalkeeper). Once the ball is hit and starts moving forward, it is considered to be in play. A goal from a penalty kick is scored on the same grounds as any goal.

Any member of the attacking team who is on the field can be assigned as the penalty kicker. Usually, the team has a full-time penalty taker who knows how to punch 11-meter shots better than anyone else. Sometimes there are several players who take penalty kicks well, and then the one who, for example, has earned the kick himself or has already scored two goals and wants to score a hat-trick, etc., comes to the point. It is a relatively rare and spectacular case, when the goalkeeper acts as a regular penalty taker (Jose Luis Chilavert, Rogerio Ceni and some others). This is quite risky, because in the event of an inaccurate shot, the opposing team can organize an attack on an empty net.

The goal after a penalty kick is defended only by the goalkeeper; if the goalkeeper is injured or sent off, then a shot into an empty net is not allowed, but the goalkeeper is replaced or, if the substitutions are exhausted, one of the field players becomes the goalkeeper.

If the ball bounces into the field after hitting the stance or the crossbar or bouncing by the goalkeeper, it remains in play; it is not uncommon for the ball to almost immediately reach the goal, and this is considered a goal from the field, and not from a penalty spot.

Penalty goals are usually marked in a special way in the game reports to distinguish them from other goals. When scoring goals in a dispute between the top scorers of a competition or season, a penalty kick is worth less than a field goal. Usually, the number of goals scored from the penalty spot is indicated in brackets and plays the role of an additional indicator: in case of equality of goals scored, the player who scored fewer goals from the 11-meter mark is considered the best.

Violations and sanctions for them

If a player of the attacking team breaks the rules when taking a hit, the referee allows it to be hit. If the ball enters the goal, the goal will not count and the penalty will be re-awarded. If not, a free kick is awarded to the defending team from the place where the violation was committed.

If a player on the defending team breaks the rules, the referee allows a kick to be taken. If the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded. If not, the penalty is awarded again. If the players of both teams violate the rules, the penalty is replayed for any outcome of the previous attempt.

All players, except for the batter and the goalkeeper, may enter the penalty area only after the kick has been made, otherwise it is considered a violation of the rules. The goalkeeper is also considered to be in violation if he leaves the goal line before the kick.

If the penalty kicker touches the ball a second time (with any part of his body other than the hands) before it touches any other player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team from where the contact occurred. If the batter deliberately touches the ball with his hand before it touches another player, a free kick is awarded.

If a foreign object touches the ball while moving forward, the kick is repeated. If this occurs after the ball bounces into the field after hitting the rack, crossbar or being deflected by the goalkeeper, the referee stops play and plays a held ball.

Other rules

Only one person can instruct players at a time. After that, he must return to his seat. Players may drink refreshments during the stoppage of play caused by a penalty, but only on the sideline of the field. Throwing containers from under the water onto the field is prohibited.

Rule 15: Throw in the Ball

A throw-in is awarded when the ball goes over the sideline of the field of play. The throw-in is taken by any player of the opposing team of a player from whom the ball has gone over the touchline.

A player throws the ball with both hands from behind the head, with part of both feet touching either the sideline or the ground outside the sideline. In this case, the ball must cross the sideline at the point at which it left the field.

Opposing players must be at least 2 m away from the thrower at the time of the throw-in. The thrower may not touch the ball before it touches another player. Offside positions and throw-in goals do not count.

Violations

• If the thrower touches the ball again, a free kick is awarded.
• If the thrower repeatedly touches the ball with his hands (if it is the goalkeeper in his goal area, a free kick is awarded;
• if it is a field player, or the goalkeeper is outside the goalkeeper’s area), a free kick is awarded (as for a normal play with the hands).
• If a player interferes with or distracts the thrower, a yellow card is shown.

For other violations, the opposing team gets the right to throw in the ball.

Rule 16: Goal Kicks

A goal kick is awarded when the ball, last touched by a player in the attacking team, completely crosses the goal line and a goal has not been scored. If the ball goes beyond the goal line from a player of the defending team, a corner kick is awarded.

Goal kick

The ball is placed anywhere on the goalkeeper’s court and a kick is taken. Opponents must be outside the penalty area. The kicker has the right to touch the ball a second time only after the ball touches another player. The ball is considered to be in play when it enters the penalty area. Any player (not necessarily the goalkeeper) can shoot a goal kick.

A goal scored from a goal kick will count, but only if it is scored by the opposing team (that is, an own goal does not count). Players are not penalized for an offside position that occurs during a goal kick.

Violations

If, after the kick, the ball is not in play, the kick is replayed. For repeated contact with the ball with any part of the body, except for the hands, the opponent is awarded a free kick. If the second touch happened with the hands:

• If the goalkeeper shoots and the violation occurs within the penalty area, a free kick is awarded;
• In all other cases, a free kick or a penalty kick is awarded (as for a normal hand game).

For any other violation, the blow is replayed.

Rule 17: Corner Kick

Corner kick order:

• Any player of the attacking team can take a corner kick, including the goalkeeper;
• The ball is placed inside the corner sector of the nearest corner flag;
• Opposing players must not be closer than 9.15 m (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play;
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and in motion;
• The player who made the kick cannot touch the ball again before it touches any other player;
• Blow is made on the referee’s whistle;
• If the ball flew directly into the goal of the defending team, the goal is scored;
• The offside position is not determined immediately upon impact.

Violations

• If the kicker touches the ball again, a free kick is awarded.
• If the player taking the kick repeatedly touches the ball with his hands, a free kick is awarded.
• In other cases, the strike is repeated.

Corner kick is one of the most dangerous standard positions. Many teams practice defensive and offensive tactics in corner kicks. Since all distances are known in advance, a correctly punched corner kick becomes an excellent chance to score a goal.

Most often, the ball from a corner is hung into the penalty area, where tall players either immediately try to hit the goal, or throw the ball under the blow of a partner. Less often they serve the ball from the bottom, but due to the large crowd of players at corners, it will be more difficult to get hold of the ball.

There is also such a term as a corner kick – when the ball is not sent to the penalty area immediately, but is passed to one of the partners who are near the corner flag or the penalty line.

A “wall” of players at corner kicks is usually not set, since the distance to the goal allows it to be thrown without much effort.

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