Even wonder what makes football the most watched sport in the world? Played and enjoyed in every corner of the world, football is widely followed worldwide. Whether watching a World Cup game or a simple street game, the thrill and excitement always remain unchanged. To truly experience and enjoy the thrill of a football game, it is very important to understand the Basic Rules of Football Soccer. This article provides in-depth information on football rules and laws that everyone should understand.
Objective of the Game
The main objective of the football game is to score more goals than the opposition side. To complete this task, each team has 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each. The time can be increased according to the conditions, but the actual time remains the same. Both sides hit the goalpost of the opposition side to score the goals. The side that can score more goals in the goalpost wins the game at the end of the 90th minute.
In the event of a draw, the knockout games have two extra times. Both extra times consist of 15 minutes each. If the games do not finish on additional time, then the game goes to a penalty shootout. In Penalty, both sides have 5 chances to hit the pool by a single player from their team. If any team hits the goal post more times, it wins the game.
If the games remain tied on 5 penalties, the penalty process continues. And it runs till any team wins the game. In a normal situation, the path does not follow, and the game is declared a draw after 90 minutes and a couple of minutes of extra time. However, it is particularly important in knockout games, where the result is crucial to achieve.
Number of Players and Team Structure
Both sides can play no more than 11 players on the field during the game. In this group of 11 players, 10 are on the field and 1 is a goalkeeper. The primary job of a goalkeeper is to secure the goalpost and tackle any goal-scoring opportunity by the opposition side. A goalkeeper is the only player who is allowed to touch the ball with their hands in the game.
Besides the Goalkeeper, the remaining 10 players are divided into three main categories: forwards, Defenders, and Midfielders. Forward players play a key role in scoring goals, and they are often the star players of the side. The top strikers in football are Ronaldo, Messi, and Pele.
Midfielders are the bridge between scoring and defending goals for their side. Players like Zinedine Zidane, Xavi Hernandez, and Lothar Matthaus have played as midfielders in their football careers.
Defenders’ responsibilities are to reduce the scoring opportunities for their side. They mainly play near the goalkeeper to become the first person to reach the ball before the goalkeeper, thereby reducing scoring opportunities against their side. Paolo Maldini and Sergio Ramos are prominent names who have made a significant impact in the defender position.
Another rule that makes football more exciting to watch is the substitution rule. Every team can change 5 players in a single game. This enables coaches and managers to manage the players’ fatigue and fitness. It also helps to change the tactics of the game for any side that uses this rule wisely. Therefore, this is one the Basic Rules of Football Soccer
Size and layout of the pitch
A standard football field, known as a pitch, is defined by the following rules, regulated by FIFA. A professional field is 100-110 in length and 64 -75 in width. The field is rectangular, with clear markings of boundaries that define the touchlines.
The key area in the pitch is the center point, which divides the pitch, and the game also starts from that point. The radius of that point is 9.15 meters. Another crucial point is the penalty area. It is located at both ends of the pitch in front of the goalposts. The penalty area measures 16.5 meters from the goal line.
Each side has a goalpost point, which is located on both sides of the pitch. The length of these points is 7.32 meters, and the width is 2.44 meters. Each corner of the pitch is surrounded by a corner arc, which is used to take corner kicks. The halfway line divides the pitch into two parts. The rules is the most important Basic Rules of Football Soccer.
Fouls and Misconduct
In Football, Fouls and misconduct refer to the breaking of any rules by players. A foul commonly involves illegal physical contact, such as tapping, pushing, or holding the opponent. These acts usually result in a free-kick or a penalty if they occur inside the penalty area. Repeated or serious acts can lead to a yellow card or even a red card. A Yellow Card means a warning for the player, but a Red Card results in the player being sent off the field.
Another common foul is handball. If any player touches the ball with a hand besides the goalkeeper, it results in a negative favor for that player’s side. If a player has no time to react or lacks natural touch, it can be forgiven. However, intentionally touching offers significant benefits to the opposing side.
One of the most important rules in the Top 5 basic rules of football is offside. This is not a foul act, but important in a critical situation of the game. A player is considered offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal than the second-last defender when the ball is passed to them. Offside is not considered if a player is on their side of the half.
Role of the Referee and Match Officials
The role of the Referee and match officials is very important in a football game. To make a football game fair, referees and Match officials play a significant part. The role of the Referee and Match officials is to check the fouls, penalties, or corner decisions.
An assistant referee is positioned on the sidelines with flags to assist the referee in signaling offside and fouls. A fourth official is used to monitor substitutions and teams’ behavior on the sidelines. The fourth manager is also crucial in displaying added time. In top-level games, VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is used for reviews and key decisions.
Conclusion
The Basic Rules of Football Soccer are crucial in making this game exciting and understandable for fans. The rules raise the level of thrill of a football game. FIFA has also introduced additional rules, but the top 5 basic rules of football are essential to ensure the game remains fair. These rules are applied to every domestic and international league game. Without any of these rules, any professional game is considered illegal, which highlights the importance of these rules. Also, check out the main difference between men’s and Women’s Football.
