Ruleside

All rules

Every football rule explained in plain language with real scenarios. Based on IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27.

⌕
40 rules covered
foulsLaw 5 & 12

Advantage — Showing Cards After Playing On

When a referee plays advantage after a foul, any card that was warranted for the original offence can still be shown at the next stoppage of play. Playing advantage does not mean the offender escapes punishment.

foulsLaw 5

Advantage Rule

The referee can allow play to continue after a foul if stopping play would disadvantage the team that was fouled. The referee signals advantage by extending both arms forward.

restartsLaw 17

Corner Kick

A corner kick is awarded when the ball fully crosses the goal line, having last been touched by a defending player. The kick is taken from the corner arc nearest to where the ball went out.

foulsLaw 12

Dangerous Play

Dangerous play is an action that creates a risk of injury to any player, including the player themselves, even if there is no physical contact. It results in an indirect free kick.

cardsLaw 12

Dissent & Surrounding the Referee

Players cannot show dissent toward referee decisions by word or action. Surrounding the referee to protest a decision is also punishable. Both result in a yellow card.

restartsLaw 8

Drop Ball

A drop ball restarts play after a stoppage not covered by other restart rules — such as an injury or a ball hitting the referee. Since 2019, drop balls go directly to the goalkeeper or the team that last had possession.

foulsLaw 12

Elbow Use in Challenges

Using the elbow against an opponent is always a foul. Depending on the force and intent, it can be a yellow card for reckless use or a red card for violent conduct. An elbow off the ball to the head or face is almost always a red card.

restartsLaws 13 & 14

Encroachment at Free Kicks & Penalties

Opponents must be at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball at free kicks. At penalties, all players except the kicker and goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area. Encroachment does not always lead to a retake.

restartsLaw 10

Extra Time & Penalty Shootout

If a match is level after 90 minutes in a knockout competition, extra time of two 15-minute halves is played. If still level, a penalty shootout decides the winner.

foulsLaw 12

Fair Shoulder Charge

A shoulder charge is legal when it is made shoulder-to-shoulder, the player is challenging for the ball, and no excessive force is used. It does not require the ball to be within playing distance.

foulsLaw 12

Foul Location — Where is the Free Kick Taken?

A free kick is taken from the location where the offence occurred — not where the player falls. A penalty is awarded when the offence occurs inside the penalty area. If a player is fouled outside but falls inside, it is a free kick outside.

goalkeepingLaw 12

Fouls on the Goalkeeper

Goalkeepers receive special protection under the Laws. Any careless, reckless or forceful charge is a foul. Preventing a goalkeeper from releasing the ball is also an offence. Referees are instructed to scrutinize every challenge on the goalkeeper.

restartsLaw 13

Free Kick & Defensive Wall

For a direct or indirect free kick, opponents must be at least 10 yards from the ball. A defensive wall with three or more players must have all attacking players stay out of it until the ball is in play.

restartsLaw 16

Goal Kick

A goal kick is awarded when the ball fully crosses the goal line last touched by an attacking player. The ball can be played from anywhere in the goal area and opponents must be outside the penalty area.

goalkeepingLaw 12

Goalkeeper Distribution Rules

Once a goalkeeper has possession in their hands, opponents cannot interfere with the release. The goalkeeper also cannot be prevented from throwing, rolling or kicking the ball. Violations result in an indirect free kick.

goalkeepingLaw 12

Goalkeeper Handling Rules

A goalkeeper cannot handle the ball with their hands if it was deliberately kicked to them by a teammate, or if they receive it directly from a teammate's throw-in.

goalkeepingLaw 12

Goalkeeper — 6 Second Rule & Ball Control

A goalkeeper cannot hold the ball in their hands for more than six seconds. Violation results in an indirect free kick. This rule is rarely enforced but has been given renewed attention in recent years.

goalkeepingLaw 12

Goalkeeper Handball Outside the Area

A goalkeeper who handles the ball outside their penalty area is penalised exactly like any other player. This results in a direct free kick and potentially a red card if it denies a goal.

handballLaw 12

Handball

Not every ball that hits a hand is handball. The hand must be in an unnatural position and the player must have made a deliberate choice to put it there — or it must have directly led to a goal.

foulsLaw 12

High Foot & Scissor Kick

Raising the foot to a dangerous height near an opponent is dangerous play — an indirect free kick offence even without contact. A scissor kick or bicycle kick is permitted only when it is not dangerous to any opponent.

foulsLaw 12

Holding & Shirt Pulling

Holding an opponent or pulling their shirt is a direct free kick offence. If it occurs inside the penalty area by a defending player, it is a penalty. Holding at set pieces — particularly corners — is one of the most consistently unpunished fouls in football.

foulsLaw 12

Jumping At an Opponent

Jumping at an opponent in a careless, reckless or forceful manner is a direct free kick offence. This is different from jumping to contest the ball — the challenge must be directed at the opponent rather than the ball.

foulsLaw 12

Obstruction (Impeding)

A player cannot use their body to block an opponent from reaching the ball when not within playing distance. This is called impeding and results in an indirect free kick.

offsideLaw 11

Offside — Interfering with Play

Being in an offside position is not an offence by itself. A player is only penalised if they are involved in active play by touching the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage.

offsideLaw 11

Offside from Deflections & Deliberate Play

A player in an offside position is not penalised if the ball comes to them from a deliberate play by an opponent — but a deflection off a defender does not count as deliberate play.

offsideLaw 11

Returning from Offside Position

A player who was in an offside position can become onside by moving back behind the offside line before the ball is played to them.

offsideLaw 11

The Offside Trap

The offside trap is a defensive tactic where defenders step forward simultaneously to leave attackers in offside positions. It is entirely legal but requires precise timing — a defender who steps off the pitch or trips does not count as the last defender.

offsideLaw 11

Offside

A player is offside if any part of their body that can score a goal is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender at the moment the ball is played.

restartsLaw 14

Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded when a direct free kick offence is committed by a defending player inside their own penalty area. The kick is taken from the penalty spot with only the goalkeeper to beat.

cardsLaw 12

Persistent Fouling

A player who repeatedly commits fouls — even if each individual foul does not warrant a card — must be cautioned for persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game.

cardsLaw 3

Entering & Leaving the Field Without Permission

Players must have the referee's permission to enter or leave the field of play during a match. Doing so without permission is a cautionable offence.

foulsLaw 12

Pushing

Pushing an opponent is a direct free kick offence. It does not require the player to fall — any use of the hand, arm or body to move an opponent against their will is pushing.

cardsLaw 12

Red Card & Serious Foul Play

A red card is shown for serious foul play, violent conduct, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, or using offensive language. The player is sent off and cannot be replaced.

foulsLaw 12

Simulation (Diving)

Simulation is when a player deliberately falls, feigns injury, or exaggerates contact to deceive the referee. It is punishable by a yellow card — and VAR can recommend a booking even after play has continued.

restartsLaw 3

Substitutions

Teams can make up to five substitutions per match in most competitions. A substituted player cannot return to the pitch. The substitute only enters after the replaced player has left.

restartsLaw 15

Throw-in

A throw-in must be taken with both hands from behind and over the head, with both feet on or behind the touchline. An incorrect throw-in gives possession to the opposing team.

cardsLaw 12

Time Wasting & Delaying Restarts

Deliberately wasting time is a cautionable offence. Referees use several tools including the 5-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks, added time, and yellow cards to combat time wasting.

foulsLaw 12

Tripping an Opponent

Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent is a direct free kick offence. This includes using the leg, foot or body to cause an opponent to lose their balance — even if the ball is not involved.

varLaw 1 (IFAB Protocol)

VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

VAR can only intervene for clear and obvious errors in four specific categories: goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity. It does not review every decision.

cardsLaw 12

Yellow Card & Cautions

A yellow card is shown for unsporting behaviour, persistent infringement, dissent, delaying restarts, and several other offences. Two yellows in the same match equals a red.