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Football: Rules and how it works

Browse SportsMonkie's rules and how it works about football, organized in one crawlable topic hub.

9 articles in this topic.

Football player stepping up to take a penalty in a shootout as the goalkeeper waits on the line
Football

Penalty Shootout Rules Explained (Football)

A penalty shootout decides a tied knockout match: teams take five penalties each, alternating, and the side with more goals wins. If level, it goes to sudden death.

Football players looking exhausted during extra time under floodlights in a packed stadium
Football

What Is Extra Time in Football? The 30 Minutes

Extra time in football is two 15-minute halves played when a knockout match is level after 90 minutes. If still tied, it goes to a penalty shootout.

Fourth official holding up an electronic board showing added minutes at the side of a football pitch
Football

What Is Stoppage Time in Football? (Added Time)

Stoppage time — also called added time or injury time — is the extra minutes the referee adds to the end of each half to make up for time lost during play.

Soccer players celebrating a goal in an away stadium, with a two-leg tie scoreboard visible
Football

What Is the Away Goals Rule in Football? How It Worked

The away goals rule broke ties in two-legged ties by counting goals scored away from home as extra weight. Here's how it worked and why UEFA scrapped it.

Soccer assistant referee raising the flag for offside with players on the pitch
Football

Offside in Soccer Explained: The Rule in Plain English

Offside is called when an attacker is nearer the goal than the ball and the second-last defender as the ball is played. See how the offside rule works.

Indoor futsal match on a hard court, players controlling a small ball in motion
Football

Futsal Rules: Court Size, Fouls and Play

Futsal is 5-a-side indoor football on a hard court with a low-bounce ball. Court size, fouls, kick-ins and the key differences from outdoor soccer.

How Big Is a Soccer Field? Official Dimensions Explained
Football

How Big Is a Soccer Field? Official Dimensions Explained

A standard soccer field is 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide. FIFA sets tighter ranges for internationals: 110-120 long and 70-80 yards wide.

How Long Is a Soccer Game? Full Time, Stoppage & More
Football

How Long Is a Soccer Game? Full Time, Stoppage & More

A soccer game is 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves. Add stoppage time, extra time, and penalties and it can stretch well beyond two hours.

Soccer Ball Weight and Pressure: Official FIFA Standards Explained
Football

Soccer Ball Weight and Pressure: Official FIFA Standards

A FIFA-approved match ball must weigh 410 to 450 grams and be inflated to 0.6-1.1 atmospheres (8.5-16 psi) at sea level under the Laws of the Game.

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