The latest detailed and complete basic football rules 2024

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the world. To fully enjoy an exciting match, understanding and mastering the rules of football is extremely important. This article will provide readers with the most detailed and complete information about football. football rules The latest basic rules for 2024. We will delve into every aspect of the game's rules, from the pitch, the ball, the number of players, to regulations regarding referees, playing time, and special situations on the field.

Football rules regarding the pitch.

Football stadiums are where exciting and captivating matches take place. According to the latest football rules, stadiums must meet the following standards:

• Size: Football pitches are rectangular, with lengths ranging from 90m to 120m and widths from 45m to 90m. However, for international matches, the standard size is 105m x 68m.
• Lines: All lines on the court must be white and no wider than 12cm.
• Goal area: This area is marked by two lines perpendicular to the goal line, 5.5m inside the pitch from each goalpost.
• Penalty area: Marked by two lines perpendicular to the goal line, 16.5m inside the pitch from each goalpost.
• Penalty spot: Located 11 meters from the goal line, on an imaginary center line perpendicular to the goal line.
• Corner flagpoles: Placed at the four corners of the field, at least 1.5m high.
• Center circle: Has a radius of 9.15m, drawn around the center point of the field.

Rules regarding the football in play.

The football is the heart of every match. The 2024 Laws of Football clearly define the characteristics of the match ball:

• Shape: The ball must be a perfect sphere.
• Material: Made from leather or other suitable materials, ensuring it does not pose a danger to the player.
• Size: The circumference of the ball must be between 68cm and 70cm.
• Weight: At the start of the match, the ball must weigh between 410g and 450g.
• Pressure: The pressure of the balloon must be between 0.6 and 1.1 atmospheres (600 – 1100 g/cm²) at sea level.

The referee is responsible for inspecting and ensuring that the ball meets all the above standards before the start of the match. During the match, the ball may only be changed with the referee's permission.

Football rules regarding the number of players

The number of players on the field is a crucial factor determining the nature of the match. The 2024 Laws of Football stipulate:

• Each team is allowed a maximum of 11 players on the field, including 1 goalkeeper.
• The match cannot begin if either team has fewer than 7 players.
• The maximum number of substitute players is 12, depending on the regulations of each league.
• In official matches, each team is allowed a maximum of 5 substitutions.
• A player who has been substituted is not allowed to return to the field in the same match.
• Substitutions can only be made when the ball is out of play and with the referee's approval.

The regulations regarding the number of players ensure balance and fairness in each match, while also allowing teams to adjust their tactics flexibly.

Rules regarding player equipment

A player's equipment not only ensures safety but also reflects the professionalism of the beautiful game. The 2024 Football Laws clearly stipulate the following regarding player equipment:

• Team jerseys: Each team must wear jerseys with colors that clearly distinguish them from the opposing team and the referee.
• Shorts: A unified color for the whole team.
• Socks: Must cover the entire lower leg.
• Shoes: Must be safe and free of sharp or dangerous parts.
• Shin guards: Must be worn and must be completely covered by socks.
• Goalkeeper: Must wear a uniform that is a different color from that of the other players and the referee.
• Jewelry: Wearing any type of jewelry (rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, leather cords, rubber bands, etc.) is prohibited during the competition.
• Headbands and hats: Permitted if they do not pose a danger to oneself or others.

Referees have the right to inspect players' equipment before a match and request changes if it does not meet regulations.

Law on financial arbitration

The main referee plays a crucial role in ensuring a fair and lawful match. The 2024 Laws of Football stipulate the following regarding the main referee:

• Authority: The main referee has ultimate authority in applying the laws of football during a match.
• Attire: You must wear clothing that is a different color from the other two competing teams.
• Equipment: You must bring a whistle, stopwatch, yellow card, red card, and notebook.
• Pre-match tasks: Inspect the pitch, match ball, and player equipment. Confirm the player lists for both teams. Conduct a draw to determine the pitch.
• Responsibilities during the match: Monitor and handle rule violations. Make decisions regarding goals, penalties, and yellow/red cards. Control match time. Pause, resume, or end the match as necessary.
• Post-match tasks: Confirm the official score. Complete the match report, including disciplinary actions.

The referee's decision regarding match-related events is final, unless there is intervention from VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in leagues that utilize this technology.

Regulations regarding assistant referees

Assistant referees play a crucial role in assisting the main referee in officiating the match. The 2024 Laws of Football stipulate the following regarding assistant referees:

• Number of assistant referees: Each match has 2 main referees.
• Position: Stand on opposite sides of the sidelines, facing each other.
• Equipment: Flags and communication devices to contact the main referee.
• Main task:
  • This is a signal when the ball goes out of bounds along the touchline.
  • Determine which team gets the throw-in.
  • This signals offside situations.
  • Signal when a substitution is required.
  • Assists in identifying corner kick or goal kick situations.
  • Observe and report any unsportsmanlike conduct that is beyond the control of the main referee.
• Authority: Assistant referees can offer opinions, but the final decision rests with the main referee.
• Responsibilities: Always move with the second-to-last line of defense or the ball (whichever is closer to the touchline) to get the best vantage point.
• Coordination: Use the wireless communication system to exchange information with the main referee when necessary.

Rules regarding match duration

Time is a crucial factor in a football match. The 2024 Football Laws specify the time limits as follows:

• Official match duration: A match consists of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes.
• Between halves: There is a halftime break of no more than 15 minutes.
• Injury time: The referee has the right to add injury time to each half based on the time lost due to:
  • Substitution
  • Assess and/or move injured players.
  • Wasting time
  • Disciplinary measures
  • Medical reasons are permitted under the tournament regulations.
  • Any other cause, including any significant delay in restarting the match.
• Extra time: In cases where it is necessary to determine the winner (for example, in knockout matches), two periods of extra time may be applied, each lasting 15 minutes.
• Penalty shootout: If the winner is still undecided after extra time, the match will go to a penalty shootout.
• Injury time: The referee will announce the injury time at the end of each half. This time may be adjusted but cannot be shortened.
• Interrupted match: If a match is interrupted before the end of regular time, the match must be replayed unless the tournament regulations or the organizing parties decide otherwise.

Rules regarding the start or restart of a football match.

The 2024 Laws of Football contain specific rules on how to start or restart a match:

• First kick-off:
  • The team that wins the coin toss gets to choose which goal to attack in the first half or gets to kick off.
  • The other team will get to kick off if the opposing team chooses their goal, or they will get to choose their goal if the opposing team chooses to kick off.
• Serving procedure:
  • All players must remain in their own half of the field.
  • Opposing players must be at least 9.15 meters away from the ball until it is put into play.
  • The ball must remain stationary at the center of the field.
  • The referee signals that the ball can be kicked off.
  • The ball is considered in play when it is kicked and there is clear movement.
• Restart the match:
  • After a goal is scored: The team that conceded the goal will have the ball kicked off.
  • Beginning of the second half: The team that did not kick off at the start of the match will have the opportunity to kick off.
  • At the start of each extra time period (if any): The team that wins the coin toss will get to kick off.
• Special situations:
  • If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball a second time before it touches another player, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.
  • It is possible to score directly from the kick-off into the opponent's goal.

Rules regarding in-play and out-of-play balls.

Determining whether the ball is in play or out of play is extremely important in football. The 2024 Laws of Football clearly address this issue as follows:

• Out of play: A ball is considered out of play when:
  • The ball has crossed the entire sideline or end line, whether on the ground or in the air.
  • The referee has signaled to stop the game.
  • The ball touches the referee, remains in the pitch, and one of the following situations occurs:
    • A team initiates a promising attack.
    • The ball went straight into the goal.
    • The team controlling the ball changed.
    • In this case, the game will be restarted with a drop ball.
  • Ball in play: The ball is considered in play at all other times when it touches a referee and when it bounces off the goalpost, crossbar, or corner flag and remains within the pitch.
  • Special situations:
    • If the ball, while in play, touches anyone who is not a player on the field (such as a substitute player, team official, or spectator), the referee will stop the game and restart it with a drop ball.
    • If a foreign object touches the ball while it is in play, the referee will stop the game if the object affects the game.
  • Referee's responsibility: Referees and assistant referees are responsible for accurately determining when the ball is out of play and when it is in play. Their decision is final.

Rules regarding how goals are counted.

Goals are the deciding factor in the outcome of a match. The 2024 Laws of Football have specific regulations on how goals are counted as follows:

• Basic conditions: A goal is awarded when the entire ball has crossed the goal line, between the two goalposts and under the crossbar, provided the scoring team has not violated the rules of football.
• Special situations: If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponent's goal, a goal kick will be taken. If the referee signals a goal before the ball has completely crossed the goal line, play will be restarted with a drop ball.
• Goal line technology: In tournaments that use this technology, the referee will receive an immediate signal when the ball has completely crossed the goal line.
• Invalid goal: A goal will not be awarded if the attacking team commits a direct foul leading to the goal. However, if the goalkeeper or another player intentionally throws or kicks the ball, and the ball enters the goal after touching the referee, the goal will still be awarded.
• The team that scores more goals: The team that scores more valid goals throughout the match will be the winning team.
• The away goals rule: In some competitions, the away goals rule may be applied to determine the winner in the event of a tie on aggregate after two legs (home and away).

Rules regarding offside in competition

The offside rule is one of the most complex rules in football. The 2024 Football Laws define offside as follows:

• Offside position: A player is in an offside position if:
  • Any part of that player's head, body, or legs is in the opponent's half of the court (excluding the halfway line) and
  • Any part of that player's head, body, or legs closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the last second-to-last opposing player.
• Not offside: A player is not in an offside position if they are level with:
  • The second-to-last opposing player, or
  • The last two opposing players
• Offside violation: A player in an offside position is only penalized if they actively participate in the play by:
  • Interfering in the game by playing with or touching the ball that a teammate passed or touched.
  • Affecting the opponent
  • Gain an advantage by playing the ball or influencing the opponent when the ball is at play:
    • Bounced or deflected by the post, crossbar, referee, or opponent.
    • To be intentionally rescued by any opponent.
  • No offside violation: There is no offside violation if the player receives the ball directly from:
    • The serve
    • Throw-in
    • Corner kick
  • Penalty: If an offside occurs, the referee will award the opposing team an indirect free kick at the location where the offside foul took place.
  • Responsibilities of referees and assistant referees:
    • The assistant referee's primary role is to determine offside situations.
    • The main referee has the final say based on information from the assistant referees and his own observations.

The offside rule demands intense concentration from players, referees, and fans alike. Understanding and correctly applying this rule is crucial to the fairness and excitement of the game.

Rules regarding fouls in football

The 2024 Laws of Football clearly define the rules of play to ensure fairness and safety in competition. Below are the main regulations:

• Free kick: An opposing team is awarded a free kick if a player commits one of the following fouls against an opponent carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force:
  • Attack
  • Jump in
  • Stone or rock
  • Pushing
  • Striking or attempting to strike (including headbutting)
  • Block
  • To trip or deliberately trip someone up
• Additionally, a direct free kick is also awarded if a player commits one of the following fouls:
  • Intentional handball (except for goalkeepers in their own penalty area)
  • Keep the opponent engaged.
  • Preventing the other party from making contact.
  • Biting or spitting on another person.
  • Throwing an object at the ball, an opponent, or the referee, or touching the ball with an object being held.
• Indirect free kick: The opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick if the player:
  • Playing in a dangerous way
  • Hindering the enemy's movement without contact.
  • Prevent the goalkeeper from kicking the ball, or kicking or attempting to kick the ball when the goalkeeper has the ball dropped.
  • Committing any other act not mentioned in the Laws that results in the game being stopped for a warning or the player being disqualified.
• An indirect free kick is also awarded if the goalkeeper, within his penalty area, commits one of the following fouls:
  • Control the ball with your hand/arm for more than 6 seconds before releasing it.
  • Touching the ball with your hand/arm after dropping the ball and before it touches another player.
  • Touching the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or is attempting to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
  • The ball was intentionally kicked back to the goalkeeper by a teammate.
  • Receive the ball directly from a teammate's throw-in.
• Forms of disciplinary action:
  • Warnings (yellow cards) and red cards are disciplinary measures used in football.
  • Only players, substitutes, players who have been substituted, and team officials can receive red or yellow cards.
  • Referees have the right to impose disciplinary measures from the moment they enter the field for pre-match checks until they leave the field after the match (including penalty shootouts).
• Delaying the restart of the match to issue a card: Once the referee has decided to caution or send off a player, the match may not restart until the penalty has been served.
• Advantage: If the referee applies the advantage rule for a foul that would have resulted in a warning/dismissal if the referee had stopped play, then the warning/dismissal must be given on the next out-of-play. However, if the foul is to prevent a clear scoring opportunity, the player will be warned for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Yellow cards and red cards

Yellow and red cards are important tools for referees to maintain discipline during a match. The 2024 Laws of Football specify the use of penalty cards as follows:

• Yellow card (warning): A player is cautioned and receives a yellow card if they commit one of the following fouls:
  • Delay the restart of the match.
  • Protest through words or actions.
  • Entering or leaving the field without the referee's permission.
  • Failure to maintain the required distance when taking corner kicks, free kicks, or throw-ins.
  • Repeated violations of the law (no specific number or type of violation constitutes "repeated")
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct
  • Enter the referee's review area (RRA).
  • Overuse of the “reconsider” signal (TV screen icon)
• Red card (dismissal): A player, substitute, or player who has been substituted off is sent off if they commit one of the following offenses:
  • Preventing a clear goal or scoring opportunity by intentionally touching the opponent's hand (except for the goalkeeper in their penalty area).
  • Preventing a clear goal or scoring opportunity by the opposing player, with the overall movement toward the goal, is punishable by a free kick.
  • Serious error
  • Biting or spitting on another person.
  • Violent behavior
  • Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language or gestures.
  • Receive a second yellow card in the same match.
• Consequences of receiving the card:
  • A player who receives a red card must leave the field immediately and is not allowed to continue participating in the match.
  • A player who receives two yellow cards in the same match will be sent off and must leave the field.
  • Yellow cards can result in a ban from playing in subsequent matches, depending on the tournament regulations.
• Penalties for team officials: The referee may issue a yellow or red card and send team officials off the technical area if their behavior is inappropriate.
• Reporting misconduct: Referees must report to the relevant authorities all disciplinary actions against players and team officials, and any other incidents occurring before, during, or after the match.

Rules regarding fouls in football

The 2024 Laws of Football clearly define the rules of play to ensure fairness and safety in competition. Below are the main regulations:

• Free kick: An opposing team is awarded a free kick if a player commits one of the following fouls against an opponent carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force:
  • Attack
  • Jump in
  • Stone or rock
  • Pushing
  • Striking or attempting to strike (including headbutting)
  • Block
  • To trip or deliberately trip someone up
• Additionally, a direct free kick is also awarded if a player commits one of the following fouls:
  • Intentional handball (except for goalkeepers in their own penalty area)
  • Keep the opponent engaged.
  • Preventing the other party from making contact.
  • Biting or spitting on another person.
  • Throwing an object at the ball, an opponent, or the referee, or touching the ball with an object being held.
• Indirect free kick: The opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick if the player:
  • Playing in a dangerous way
  • Hindering the enemy's movement without contact.
  • Prevent the goalkeeper from kicking the ball, or kicking or attempting to kick the ball when the goalkeeper has the ball dropped.
  • Committing any other act not mentioned in the Laws that results in the game being stopped for a warning or the player being disqualified.
• An indirect free kick is also awarded if the goalkeeper, within his penalty area, commits one of the following fouls:
  • Control the ball with your hand/arm for more than 6 seconds before releasing it.
  • Touching the ball with your hand/arm after dropping the ball and before it touches another player.
  • Touching the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or is attempting to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
  • The ball was intentionally kicked back to the goalkeeper by a teammate.
  • Receive the ball directly from a teammate's throw-in.
• Forms of disciplinary action:
  • Warnings (yellow cards) and red cards are disciplinary measures used in football.
  • Only players, substitutes, players who have been substituted, and team officials can receive red or yellow cards.
  • Referees have the right to impose disciplinary measures from the moment they enter the field for pre-match checks until they leave the field after the match (including penalty shootouts).
• Delaying the restart of the match to issue a card: Once the referee has decided to caution or send off a player, the match may not restart until the penalty has been served.
• Advantage: If the referee applies the advantage rule for a foul that would have resulted in a warning/dismissal if the referee had stopped play, then the warning/dismissal must be given on the next out-of-play. However, if the foul is to prevent a clear scoring opportunity, the player will be warned for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Rules regarding free kicks

Free kicks are an important part of the laws of football, used to address violations. The 2024 Laws of Football specify the following regarding free kicks:

• Types of free kicks:
  • Free kick: Allows for scoring a goal directly into the opponent's net.
  • Indirect free kick: It's not a direct goal; the ball must touch another player before entering the goal.
• Signal:
  • Indirect free kick: The referee will raise his arm above his head and hold it there until the free kick is taken and the ball touches another player or goes out of play.
  • Free kick: No special signal.
• Free kick location: The free kick is taken at the location where the foul occurred, except in special circumstances:
  • Indirect free kick for the attacking team in the opponent's goal area: Taken from the nearest point on the goal line parallel to the goal line.
  • Free kicks are awarded to the defending team within their own goal area: They can be taken from any point within the goal area.
• Procedure:
  • The ball must remain stationary, and the player taking the free kick is not allowed to touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
  • The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moving.
  • Until the ball is in play, all opponents must:
    • They must be at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) away from the ball, unless they are standing on the goal line between the goalposts.
    • Outside the penalty area for free kicks taken within the opponent's penalty area.
  • Violations and penalties:
    • If, during the free kick, the opposing team is closer to the ball than the permitted distance, the free kick is retaken.
    • If the defending team takes a penalty kick in their penalty area and there is an opponent in the penalty area because they haven't had time to leave, the referee allows play to continue.
    • If the player taking the free kick touches the ball a second time before it touches another player, an indirect free kick is awarded.
  • Quick free kick:
    • If the team awarded the free kick decides to take it quickly and an opposing player is close to the ball and obstructs the execution, the referee will caution the opposing player for delaying the restart of the game.
    • If the team awarded the free kick decides to take it quickly and the opposing team is less than 9.15m from the ball and blocks the free kick, the referee allows the game to continue.

Regulations regarding penalty kicks

Penalty kicks are one of the most important and tense situations in football. The 2024 Laws of Football specify the following regarding penalty kicks:

• When is a penalty awarded?
  • A penalty is awarded if a player commits a foul deserving of a direct free kick within their own penalty area.
  • It is possible to score directly from a penalty kick.
• Position of the ball and the player:
  • The ball must be placed stationary on the penalty spot.
  • The player taking the penalty must be clearly identified.
  • The goalkeeper must stand on the goal line, between the two goalposts, facing the player taking the penalty until the ball is kicked.
  • Other players, with the exception of the penalty taker and the goalkeeper, must:
    • The penalty spot must be at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) away from the penalty spot.
    • Behind penalty spot
    • In the football field
    • Outside the penalty area
  • Procedure:
    • After the players were in the correct positions according to the rules, the referee signaled for the penalty kick to be taken.
    • The player taking the penalty kick must kick the ball forward.
    • The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moving.
    • The player taking the kick is not allowed to touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
    • A penalty kick is awarded when the ball stops moving, goes out of play, or the referee stops play for any violation of the Laws.
  • Violations and penalties:
  • If the referee has signaled for a penalty and one of the following situations occurs before the ball is put into play:
    • The player taking the penalty or a teammate commits a foul:
      • If the ball goes into the net, the penalty kick is retaken.
      • If the ball doesn't go into the goal, the referee stops the game and restarts it with an indirect free kick.
    • Goalkeeper or teammate violates the rules:
      • If the ball goes into the net, the goal is awarded.
      • If the ball doesn't go into the goal, the penalty kick is retaken.
    • If after the penalty has been taken:
      • The player who touches the ball a second time before it touches another player: An indirect free kick is awarded.
      • The ball was touched by an external agent while it was moving forward: The penalty kick is retaken.

Summary table:

Violate	The ball went into the net.	The ball didn't go into the goal.
Attacking player	Repeat	Indirect free kick for the defending team
Defensive player	Goal	Repeat
Both teams	Repeat	Repeat

Throw-in rules

A throw-in is a way to restart the game when the ball goes out of bounds along the sideline. The 2024 Laws of Football specify the following regarding throw-ins:

• When are throw-ins allowed?
  • A throw-in is taken when the entire ball has crossed the sideline, either on the ground or in the air.
  • A throw-in is taken by the opponent of the player who last touched the ball before it went out of bounds.
• Procedure:
  • Right thrower:
    • Facing the field
    • A portion of each foot is either on the sideline or on the ground outside the sideline.
    • Throw the ball with both hands from behind and over your head.
    • Throw the ball from where it went out of bounds.
  • All opponents must stand at least 2 meters (2 yards) away from the point on the sideline where the throw-in is taken.
  • The ball is in play when it enters the field.
• Violations and penalties:
  • If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball a second time before it touches another player: The opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.
  • If the player who commits the handball foul intentionally:
    • The opposing team was awarded a direct free kick.
    • A penalty is awarded if the foul occurs within the penalty area of the shooter, unless the shooter is the goalkeeper in their own penalty area, in which case it is an indirect free kick.
  • An opponent obstructs or prevents the throw-in player (including moving closer than 2 meters to the throw-in position):
    • Warned for unsportsmanlike conduct.
    • If a throw-in has been taken, an indirect free kick will be awarded.
  • Unable to score directly:
    • It's not possible to score directly from a throw-in.
    • If the ball goes directly into the opponent's goal: a goal kick is taken.
    • If the ball goes directly into the goal of the team taking the shot: a corner kick is awarded.

Rules regarding serving

The kick-off is the way to restart the game when the ball crosses the end line for the last time and is touched by the last attacking team. The 2024 Laws of Football specify the kick-off rules as follows:

• When is a goal kick taken? A goal kick is taken when the entire ball has crossed the goal line, on the ground or in the air, is last touched by a player of the attacking team, and no goal is scored.
• Procedure:
  • The ball must remain stationary and be kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team.
  • The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.
  • Opponent must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
• Violations and penalties:
  • If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball a second time before it touches another player, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.
  • If, during the penalty kick, an opponent is in the penalty area and they do not have time to leave, the referee allows the game to continue.
  • If the opponent is in the penalty area when the kick-off is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, or touches or contests the ball before the ball is in play, the kick-off is retaken.
  • If a player enters the penalty area before play and commits a foul or is fouled by an opponent, the kick-off is retaken and the offending player may be cautioned or sent off depending on the nature of the foul.
• Direct goals:
  • It is possible to score directly from a goal kick, but only into the opponent's goal.
  • If the ball goes directly into the goal of the team taking the kick-off, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
• Other notes:
  • The player taking the kick-off is not allowed to play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
  • The free kick must be taken within 6 seconds of the defending team being ready to take it. If it is not taken within this time, the opposing team may be awarded an indirect free kick.

Rules regarding corner kicks

A corner kick is a way to restart a game when the ball crosses the end line last and is touched by the last defending team. The 2024 Laws of Football specify the following regarding corner kicks:

• When is a corner kick awarded? A corner kick is awarded when the entire ball crosses the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, is last touched by a player of the defending team, and no goal is scored.
• Procedure:
  • The ball must be placed in the corner area closest to where it crossed the goal line.
  • The ball must remain stationary and be kicked by a player from the attacking team.
  • The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moving; it doesn't need to leave the corner area.
  • The corner flagpole must not be moved.
  • Opponents must be at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) away from the corner arc until the ball is in play.
• Violations and penalties:
  • If the player taking the corner kick touches the ball a second time before it touches another player, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.
  • If the player taking the corner kick commits a deliberate handball:
    • The opposing team was awarded a direct free kick.
    • A penalty is awarded if the foul occurs within the penalty area of the player taking the penalty, unless the player is the goalkeeper, in which case it will be an indirect free kick.
  • If a player, while taking a corner kick correctly, intentionally kicks the ball at an opponent to replay the ball, but not in a careless, reckless manner or with excessive force, the referee allows the game to continue.
• Direct goals:
  • It is possible to score directly from a corner kick, but only into the opponent's goal.
  • If the ball goes directly into the goal of the team taking the corner kick, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
• Other notes:
  • The player taking the corner kick is not allowed to play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.
  • Corner kicks must be taken within a reasonable time frame. If they are not taken within this time, the opposing team may be awarded a goal kick.
  • Defensive players must respect the minimum distance until the corner kick is taken.

Extra time rules

In some matches, especially knockout matches, when the score is tied after 90 minutes of regular time, extra time may be used to determine the winner. The 2024 Laws of Football stipulate the following regarding extra time:

• When is extra time applied? Extra time is applied when the tournament regulations require a winning team to be determined after the match ends in a draw during regular time.
• Extra time:
  • Overtime consists of two additional periods, each lasting 15 minutes.
  • There is a short break (usually no more than 5 minutes) between the two extra time periods.
• Procedure:
  • Before the start of extra time, a coin toss will be held to decide which team gets to choose the court or kick off first.
  • The team that wins the coin toss has the right to choose whether to serve or choose which side of the court to attack in the first period of extra time.
  • The teams will switch sides after the first period of extra time.
• Substitutions in extra time:
  • If a team hasn't used all of its allowed substitutions during the 90 minutes of regular time, they can continue making changes in extra time.
  • Some leagues allow one additional substitution in extra time, even if the team has already used all their permitted substitutions.
• Extra time in extra time: The referee may add extra time to each half of extra time due to incidents that disrupt the match (substitutions, injuries, time-wasting, etc.).
• Golden Goal and Silver Goal Rules: The golden goal and silver goal rules were abolished in 2004. Currently, both extra time periods are played to their full duration, regardless of whether a goal is scored or not.
• After extra time: If the score remains tied after two extra time periods, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout, unless the tournament regulations stipulate otherwise.
• Other regulations:
  • All rules and regulations that apply during regular time continue to apply during extra time.
  • Yellow or red cards received during regular time remain valid in extra time.

Conclude

The Laws of Football are a crucial foundation for ensuring the fairness, safety, and attractiveness of the beautiful game. This article provides an overview of the latest basic football rules in 2024, including regulations on the pitch, ball, number of players, equipment, referees, playing time, and match situations such as offside, fouls, free kicks, penalties, throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, and extra time.