Football Game: Rules and Gameplay

Game Start

• A football game begins with a coin toss.
• The away team captain calls heads or tails.
• The winning captain chooses either to take the first kickoff or which goal to defend first.
• In the second half, the team that didn't take the first kickoff does, and the sides change.

Gameplay

• Each team has 11 players, including a goalkeeper.
• Games consist of two 45-minute halves, with a break in between.
• A goal is scored if the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar.
• The ball is not a goal if it hits the side posts or goes under the crossbar without completely crossing the goal line.

Kickoff Rules

• All players, excluding the kicker, must be in their half of the field during kickoff.
• The ball must be stationary at the center spot.
• The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player touches it.
• Opponents must be at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) away from the ball during the kickoff.
• Violating the distance rule results in a yellow card and a kickoff retake.
• The ball is "in play" once it is kicked and moves.

Throw-Ins

• A throw-in is awarded when the entire ball crosses the touchline (sideline) on the ground or in the air.
• The throw-in is given to the opposing team of the player who last touched the ball before it went out.

Throw-In Technique

• Face the field of play.
• Keep part of each foot on or behind the touchline.
• Use both hands to throw the ball.
• Deliver the ball from behind and over the head in one continuous motion.
• Throw-ins must be done from behind and over the head, not with side throws or spin throws.

Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks

• A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the attacking team sends the ball out of bounds behind the goal line.
• A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team if the defending team sends the ball out of bounds behind their own goal line.

Direct and Indirect Kicks

• In a direct kick ( awarded for major fouls, kickoffs, handballs, corner kicks, penalty kicks) a player can score by kicking the ball directly into the goal without any other player touching it.
• An indirect kick (awarded for minor fouls) requires another player to touch the ball before it can enter the goal and count as a score.

Possession and Time

• There is no time limit for ball possession.
• The game clock does not stop, even if the ball goes out of bounds or if there's an injury.

Offside Rule

• A player cannot be in an advantageous offside position when the ball is played to them.
• Being in an offside position is not in itself an offense.
• An offside offense occurs when a player is in the opponent's half of the field and closer to their goal than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent.

Penalties

• Penalties are awarded at the referee's discretion for various fouls, most commonly for reckless or violent acts within the penalty box.
• The penalty spot is 12 yards from the middle of the goal line.
• The penalty taker must kick the ball in one motion without any body feints to deceive the goalkeeper.
• The goalkeeper must stay within the goal line until the ball is kicked.
• All other players must stay outside the penalty box until the ball is kicked.
• In tournaments, penalties may decide a tied game, especially in knockout rounds.

Penalty Shootout Process

• Each team takes 5 alternating kicks.
• Only players on the field at the end of extra time can take penalties.
• The shootout ends early if one team cannot mathematically catch up.
• If scores are still tied after 5 kicks, the shootout goes into sudden death.
• Teams alternate taking one kick each until one team gains a one-goal advantage after both have taken the same number of kicks.

Fouls

• Actions that result in a foul and a free kick for the opposing team:
  • Tripping
  • Pushing
  • Holding an opponent
  • Hitting
  • Kicking
  • Spitting on an opponent
  • Tackling from behind
  • Charging into an opponent
  • Touching the ball with hands (if not the goalkeeper)

Goalkeeper Restrictions

• A goalkeeper cannot:
  • Take control of the ball with their hands away from the penalty spot.
  • Hold the ball for more than 6 seconds.
  • Touch the ball with their hands after a teammate purposefully kicks it to them.
  • Touch the ball with their hands directly after a throw-in by a teammate.

Cards

• A yellow card is a warning or caution.
• Two yellow cards lead to a red card and the player's ejection from the game, without replacement.
• A red card is given for serious offenses or accumulating two yellow cards, leading to ejection without replacement.

Yellow Card Offenses

• Excessive fouls
• Unsportsmanlike behavior
• Dissent by word or action
• Delaying the game
• Failing to respect free kick distance
• Entering or reentering the field without permission.
• Leaving the field without permission
• Arguing with the referee.

Red Card Offenses

• Serious foul play
• Violent conduct
• Offensive, insulting, or abusive language.
• Receiving a second yellow card in one game.