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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.

Futsal court rules diagram showing court dimensions, penalty marks, goals, kick-ins and the four-second rule
Football

Futsal Rules Explained: Court Size, Fouls, Goalkeeper and Restarts

Futsal rules explained for beginners: 5-a-side teams, court size, two 20-minute halves, kick-ins, four-second rule, fouls, goalkeeper rules and soccer differences.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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