FOOTBALL

Introduction
Modern football originated in Britain in the 19th century. Since before medieval times, “folk
football” games had been played in towns and villages according to local customs and with a minimum of
rules. Industrialization and urbanization, which reduced the amount of leisure time and space available to
the working class, combined with a history of legal prohibitions against particularly violent and
destructive forms of folk football to undermine the game’s status from the early 19th century onward.
However, football was taken up as a winter game between residence houses at public (independent)
schools such as Winchester, Charterhouse, and Eton. Each school had its own rules; some allowed limited
handling of the ball and others did not. The variance in rules made it difficult for public schoolboys
entering university to continue playing except with former schoolmates. As early as 1843 an attempt to
standardize and codify the rules of play was made at the University of Cambridge, whose students joined
most public schools in 1848 in adopting these “Cambridge rules,” which were further spread by
Cambridge graduates who formed football clubs. In 1863 a series of meetings involving clubs from
metropolitan London and surrounding counties produced the printed rules of football, which prohibited
the carrying of the ball. Thus, the “handling” game of rugbyremained outside the newly formed Football
Association (FA). Indeed, by 1870 all handling of the ball except by the goalkeeper was prohibited by the
FA.

Equipment and field of play

The object of football is to maneuver the ball into the opposing team’s goal, using any part of the
body except the hands and arms. The side scoring more goals wins. The ball is round, covered with
leather or some other suitable material, and inflated; it must be 27–27.5 inches (68–70 cm) in
circumference and 14.5–16 ounces (410–450 grams) in weight. A game lasts 90 minutes and is divided
into halves; the halftime interval lasts 15 minutes, during which the teams change ends. Additional time
may be added by the referee to compensate for stoppages in play (for example, player injuries). If neither
side wins, and if a victor must be established, “extra-time” is played, and then, if required, a series of
penalty kicks may be taken.
The penalty area, a rectangular area in front of the goal, is 44 yards (40.2 metres) wide and
extends 18 yards (16.5 metres) into the field. The goal is a frame, backed by a net, measuring 8 yards (7.3
metres) wide and 8 feet (2.4 metres) high. The playing field (pitch) should be 100–130 yards (90–120
metres) long and 50–100 yards (45–90 metres) wide; for international matches, it must be 110–120 yards
long and 70–80 yards wide. Women, children, and mature players may play a shorter game on a smaller
field. The game is controlled by a referee, who is also the timekeeper, and two assistants who patrol the
touchlines, or sidelines, signaling when the ball goes out of play and when players are offside.

Players wear jerseys with numbers, shorts, and socks that designate the team for whom they are
playing. Shoes and shin guards must be worn. The two teams must wear identifiably different uniforms,
and goalkeepers must be distinguishable from all players and match officials.
Fouls
Free kicks are awarded for fouls or violations of rules; when a free kick is taken, all players of the
offending side must be 10 yards (9 metres) from the ball. Free kicks may be either direct (from which a
goal may be scored), for more serious fouls, or indirect (from which a goal cannot be scored), for lesser
violations. Penalty kicks, introduced in 1891, are awarded for more serious fouls committed inside the
area. The penalty kick is a direct free kick awarded to the attacking side and is taken from a spot 12 yards
(11 metres) from goal, with all players other than the defending goalkeeper and the kicker outside the
penalty area. Since 1970, players guilty of a serious foul are given a yellow caution card; a second caution
earns a red card and ejection from the game. Players may also be sent off directly for particularly serious
fouls, such as violent conduct.

Rules:
There were few major alterations to football’s laws through the 20th century. Indeed, until the
changes of the 1990s, the most significant amendment to the rules came in 1925, when the offside rule
was rewritten. Previously, an attacking player (i.e., one in the opponent’s half of the playing field) was
offside if, when the ball was “played” to him, fewer than three opposing players were between him and
the goal. The rule change, which reduced the required number of intervening players to two, was effective
in promoting more goals. In response, new defensive tactics and team formations emerged. Player
substitutions were introduced in 1965; teams have been allowed to field three substitutes since 1995.
More recent rule changes have helped increase the tempo, attacking incidents, and amount of
effective play in games. The pass-back rule now prohibits goalkeepers from handling the ball after it is
kicked to them by a teammate. “Professional fouls,” which are deliberately committed to prevent
opponents from scoring, are punished by red cards, as is tackling (taking the ball away from a player by
kicking or stopping it with one’s feet) from behind. Players are cautioned for “diving” (feigning being
fouled) to win free kicks or penalties. Time wasting has been addressed by forcing goalkeepers to clear
the ball from hand within six seconds and by having injured players removed by stretcher from the pitch.
Finally, the offside rule was adjusted to allow attackers who 
IFAB currently acknowledges 17 laws of soccer that are the standard for any professional or international
match played. They are as follows:
Law 1: The Field of Play:
Soccer can be played on either grass or artificial turf, but the surface must be green in color. The
field must be rectangular in shape, and distinctly marked by two short goal lines and two long-touch lines.
The field is divided into halves, separated by the halfway line, which runs from the midpoints of each
touchline. At the midpoint of the halfway line is a marked center point surrounded by a lined center circle
with a radius of 10 yards. Opposing players are not allowed to enter this circle during the possessing
team’s kick-off. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Regulation lengths are:
Touch line: Minimum 90 meters (100 yards), maximum 120 meters (130 yards)
Width (goal line): Minimum 45 m (50 yds), maximum 90 m (100 yds).
At each end of the field is an eight-yard-wide goal centered along the goal line.
Six yards from each goal post along the goal line and six yards out into the field (perpendicular to the
goal line) is the goal box.
Extending 18 yards from each goal post along the goal line and 18 yards out into the field (perpendicular
to the goal line) is the penalty box.
In each of the four corners of the field is a five-foot-high corner flag.
Law 2: The Ball
A soccer ball must be spherical in shape and made of leather or another comparable medium. Its
circumference must be in the range of 27 to 28 inches. This rule is only applicable for official sanctioned
matches, as youth leagues often employ the use of a smaller ball that is better suited to children.

Law 3: The Number of Players:

Matches are generally played by two teams of 11 to a side. The goalkeeper is included in the 11-
player total. If a team cannot field at least seven players at match time, the game is a forfeit. Teams of
fewer than 11 a side can often be seen in youth leagues where smaller teams are used as a developmental
tool. FIFA-sanctioned matches are generally limited to three substitutions per match, with the exception
of friendly matches. Most youth leagues allow an unlimited number of substitutions, which must also be
listed on the game card prior to the beginning of the match, otherwise those players are ineligible.
Substitutions may only enter at the halfway line, upon the referee’s approval, and after the player being
subbed out has left the pitch. The goalkeeper may be substituted with anyone on the pitch or any eligible
substitute on the bench during a game stoppage.
Law 4: The Players’ Equipment
All players are required to wear a jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks and cleats. The socks must
cover the shin guards entirely. If the referee deems a player’s equipment unsatisfactory, the player can be
sent off until the issue is remedied.
Law 5: The Referee
The referee is the authority on the field, and his word is law. If you question a referee’s decision,
you can be disciplined further simply for dissent.
Law 6: The Assistant Referees:
The assistant referees are primarily responsible for assisting the referee in performing his duties –
this includes signaling with a flag when a ball goes of play, when a player is fouled, or when a player is in
an offside position.
Law 7: The Duration of the Match:
A soccer match is comprised of two 45-minute halves, with extra time added for each at the
referee’s discretion. The halves are separated by a half-time period not to exceed 15 minutes. The extra
time generally corresponds with the referee’s determination of how much time was taken up due to
substitutions and injuries. The amount of extra time is announced and displayed at the half line at the end
of each 45-minute period. Although soccer does have an allotted time limit, it is ultimately up to the
referee’s as to when to end a match.
Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play:
Kick-off is generally determined by a coin toss, whereby the winning team can either choose to
start with the ball or choose which goal they would like to attack. The losing team is then afforded
whatever choice the winner does not elect to take. Kick-off occurs at the start of each half, and after each
goal scored, and is taken at the center of the halfway line. If a team scores a goal, the opposing team is
given the kick-off to restart the match.
Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play:
The ball is out of play when it fully crosses either the goal line or the touch line. It is also out of
play if the referee stops play for any reason. If, for any reason, the ball strikes the frame of the goal or the
referee and remains within the goal and touch lines, it is still in play.
Law 10: The Method of Scoring:
A goal is scored when the entire ball has crossed the goal line within the frame of the goal. At the
end of the match, the team with the most goals is the winner, barring the circumstantial necessity for extra
time.
Law 11: Offside:
When an attacking player receives the ball while on his opponents half, he must be level or
behind the second to last defender (the last typically being the goalkeeper). However, this rule only
applies if he is involved with the play. To get a better understanding of the offside rule, please see the
guide section for a more detailed explanation.
Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct:
 A direct free kick is awarded when a player:
 Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
 Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
 Jumps at an opponent
 Charges an opponent
 Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
 Pushes an opponent
 Tackles an opponent
 Holds an opponent
 Spits at an opponent
 Handles the ball deliberately
 If any of these are fouls are committed by a player in their team’s penalty area, the opposing team
is awarded a penalty kick. Indirect free kicks are awarded if a player:
 Plays in a dangerous manner
 Impedes the progress of an opponent
 Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands
 Commits any other unmentioned offense
 Yellow cards are awarded as a caution or warning to a player and can be issued for the following
offenses:
 Unsporting behavior
 Dissent by word or action
 Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
 Delaying the restart of play
 Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick,free kick, or
throw-in
 Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission
 deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
 Red cards are used to send a player off the field, and can be issued for the following offenses:
 Serious foul play
 Violent conduct
 Spitting at an opponent or any other person
  Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately
handling the ball (the goalkeeper being an exception)
 Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal
by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
 Using offensive or abusive language and/or gestures
 Receiving a second caution (yellow card) in the same match
Law 13: Free Kicks:
Free Kick is broken into two categories, direct and indirect. A direct kick can be shot directly into
the opponent’s goal without touching another player. An indirect free kick is indicated by the referee
raising his hand during the kick. An indirect kick can only go into the goal if it has subsequently been
touched by another player before it enters the goal. The ball must be stationary for both types of kicks.

Law 14: The Penalty Kick:

A penalty kick is awarded either when a defensive player fouls an attacking player or commits a
handball in his/her team’s penalty area. The penalty kick is placed at the penalty spot, and all players on
both teams must remain outside the penalty box during the shot. They may enter the box immediately
after the shot is taken. The goalkeeper may move horizontally along the goal line before the shot is taken,
but he may not come off the line until the ball is struck.
Law 15: The Throw-In:
A throw-in is awarded when the possessing team plays the ball out of bounds over the touchline.
While taking a throw-in, a player must release the ball with both hands simultaneously and keep both feet
firmly planted on the ground. If these conditions are not met, play is stopped and the throw-in is given to
the opposing team. Players are not allowed to score directly off a throw-in.
Law 16: The Goal Kick:
A goal kick is awarded when the offensive team plays the ball out of bounds over the defensive
team’s goal line. After the ball is out of play, the defender or goalkeeper may place the ball anywhere
within the six-yard goal box and kick the ball back into play

Law 17: The Corner Kick:

A corner kick is awarded to the offensive team when the defensive team plays the ball out of
bounds over its goal line. The ball is placed within the corner area and is kicked back into play by the
offensive team. Players can score directly off a corner kick.structure.
There are seven officials in football and they each have very important roles. Officials keep the game
rolling along by monitoring the game clock and play clock. They also call a penalty when a rule is
broken, record all rule infractions and make sure the athletes do not unnecessarily hurt each other.
Officials are usually referred to by the general term of referees, but actually, there is only one referee on
the field during a game. Each official has his own title and assigned responsibilities: referee, umpire, head
linesman, line judge, back judge, field judge and side judge. A referee is the only official wearing a white
hat, all other officials wear black hats.
Referee:
The referee is the lead official that has control of the game and is generally the final authority in
all decisions.It is the role of the referee to announce all penalties. The referee explains penalties to the
offending team's captain and coach and says which player is responsible for the penalty. The referee is
positioned in the backfield, approximately 10 yards behind the quarterback before the start of the play.
The referee monitors illegal hits on the quarterback, watches for illegal blocks near the quarterback and
determines if the yardage chains are needed on the field for a measurement.
Umpire:
The umpire is the official that lines up approximately five yards off the line of scrimmage on the
defensive side of the ball. The umpire assists the referee in decisions involving possession of the ball. The
umpire monitors the legality of play on the line of scrimmage with a special emphasis on offensive
holding and illegal linemen down field. The umpire makes sure that the offense has no more than 11
players on the field and checks the legality of player's equipment. The umpire records all scores, timeouts,
records the winner of the coin toss and wipes the ball dry between plays during inclement weather.
Field Judge:
The field judge is the official that lines up 25 yards deep in the defensive backfield on the tight
end side of the field. The field judge is responsible for keeping track of the play clock and calling a delay
of game if the clock expires. Like the back judge, the field judge makes sure the defensive team has no
more than 11 players on the field. The field judge rules on plays that cross the defense's goal line, rules on
the legality of catches and pass interference penalties and monitors all eligible receivers on the tight end
side of the field. Also, if a play goes out of bounds on the tight end side of the field, the field judge marks
the spot.
Side Judge:
The side judge is the official positioned 20 yards deep in the defensive backfield near the same
sideline as the head linesman. Side judge duties are essentially the same as the back judge. The side judge
makes sure the defensive team has no more than 11 players on the field and watches all eligible receivers
from that side of the field. The side judge is responsible for monitoring the area between the umpire and
the field judge, assists on calling the legality of kicks during kickoffs and rules on the legality of catches
and pass interference penalties.
The field dimensions and information are as follows:
The field of play must be rectangular and marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of
which they are boundaries.The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with
a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) is marked around it.Marks may be made off the field of play, 9.15 m (10 yds)
 from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines and the touch lines, to ensure that defending
players retreat this distance when a corner kick is being taken.All marking lines must be of the same
width, which must be not more than 12 cm (5 in).The entire playing field should be within the following
dimensions:
Standard–> Touch line (length): 90 m (100 yd) to 120 m (130 yd); Goal line (width) : 45 m (50 yd) to 90
m (100 yd),International matches –> Touch line (length): 100 m (110 yd) to 110 m (120 yd); Goal line
(width) : 64 m (70 yd) to 75 m (80 yd),Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yd)
from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yd)
and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal
line is the goal area.
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5 m (18 yd) from the inside of each
goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yd) and are joined by a line
drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty
area.Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 11 m (12 yd) from the midpoint between the
goalposts and equidistant to them.An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yd) from the center of
each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yd) from each
corner flag post is drawn inside the field of play.The distance between the posts of the goal is 7.32 m (8
yd) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).Corner flagpost are
required to be installed in the field.

FIFA Men’s World Cup Winners

Winners of the FIFA men’s World Cup are provided in the table.

**Won on penalty
year result *Won after extra time (AET).
kicks.

1930 Uruguay 4 Argentina 2

1934 Italy* 2 Czechoslovakia 1

1938 Italy 4 Hungary 2

1950 Uruguay 2 Brazil 1

1954 West Germany 3 Hungary 2

1958 Brazil 5 Sweden 2

1962 Brazil 3 Czechoslovakia 1

1966 England* 4 West Germany 2

1970 Brazil 4 Italy 1

1974 West Germany 2 Netherlands 1

1978 Argentina* 3 Netherlands 1

1982 Italy 3 West Germany 1

1986 Argentina 3 West Germany 2

1990 West Germany 1 Argentina 0

1994 Brazil** 0 Italy 0

1998 France 3 Brazil 0

2002 Brazil 2 Germany 0

2006 Italy** 1 France 1

2010 Spain* 1 Netherlands 0

2014 Germany* 1 Argentina 0

2018 France 4 Croatia 2

FIFA Women’s World Cup Winners

Winners of the FIFA women’s World Cup are provided in the table.

Year Result *Won on penalty kicks.

1991 United States 2 Norway 1

1995 Norway 2 Germany 0

1999 United States* 0 China 0

2003 Germany 2 Sweden 1

2007 Germany 2 Brazil 0

2011 Japan* 2 United States 2

2015 United States 5 Japan 2