Soccer Rules Every Fan Should Know

If you’re just getting into football, the first thing you’ll hear is that the game looks simple – 22 players, a ball, two goals. But the details matter. Knowing the basic rules helps you enjoy matches, avoid confusion, and even impress friends with the right calls.

Basic Gameplay and Scoring

A match lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45‑minute halves. The clock runs continuously, so stoppage time is added at the end of each half for injuries, substitutions, and other delays. The team that scores more goals wins. If the score is tied, the game can end as a draw, go to extra time, or head to penalties, depending on the competition.

Each team can have up to eleven players on the pitch, including one goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use hands, and only inside the penalty area. If the ball touches his hands outside that box, it’s a direct free‑kick for the opponents.

Key Rules to Avoid Penalties

Offside – This is the rule that trips up many new fans. A player is offside if he is nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second‑last defender when the ball is played to him. If he’s even, he’s fine. The offside line moves with the second‑last defender, so it can change quickly.

Fouls and Misconduct – Any reckless tackle, handball (except by the goalkeeper), or violent conduct earns a free‑kick. A direct free‑kick is given if the foul occurs outside the penalty area; a penalty kick is awarded if it happens inside. Yellow cards warn players, while a second yellow turns into a red, sending the player off. A straight red means the player leaves the field immediately and can’t be replaced.

Throw‑ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks – When the ball crosses the sideline, the team that didn’t touch it last gets a throw‑in. Both feet must stay on or behind the line, and the throw has to be delivered with both hands from behind the head. If the ball crosses the goal line after last touching a defender, the attacking team gets a corner kick. If it crossed after a defender last touched it, the defending team gets a goal kick.

Set Pieces – These are moments when the ball is dead, like free‑kicks and corners. The defending team must stay ten yards away unless the kick is taken from inside that distance. Players can form walls, and the attacking side can use creative routines to score.

Understanding these basics lets you follow the action without getting lost. You’ll know why a player is flagged offside, why a referee shows a yellow card, and what the teams are trying to do on a corner. Next time you watch a Premier League game or a local Sunday match, you’ll spot the rules in play and enjoy the sport even more.

Got a rule that still confuses you? Drop a comment or ask a friend who’s been around the game for years. The more you learn, the more fun football becomes.