Fairplay in football

In football if someone is on the floor injured it is good sportsmanship to kick the ball
out of play and if you’re the opposition you should take the throwing but pass
the ball back to their goal keeper to basically say thank you to the other team

Basics of football

Football is a game with two teams of eleven players, played over the course of 90
minutes. It is split into two 45-minute halves. The objective of the game is to score
more ‘goals’ than the opposition. The term ‘goal’ refers to two areas either side of the
pitch, each one defended by one of the teams. To score a goal you must kick the ball
into the oppositions net.

The Laws of the Game

Field of play

Football can be played on a natural or artificial (e.g. Astroturf) surface. However, the
shape of the field must be rectangular.

• Goal Area: Starts 5.5 metres from each goalpost and extends 5.5 metres out,
with the two lines joining vertically
• Penalty Area: Starts 16.5 metres from each goalpost and extends 16.5 metres
out, with the two lines joining vertically.
• Flag post: Placed at each corner, with a quarter-circle on the field (1 metre in
radius).
• Goals: 7.32 metre area between the posts, and 2.44 metres high. The posts
cannot exceed 5 inches in width.

The ball

Naturally spherical.
Number of players

You have to start a match with 11 players including the goalkeeper. You are allowed
7 players on the bench but only allowed to bring on 3 of them.

In order to bring on a substitute, the referee must first be informed and then there has
to be a break in the play (for example, a free-kick or a throw-in). The substitute then
comes on as a replacement for one of the 11 current players.

Equipment

Basic equipment is the team jersey, shorts, shin pads with socks and studded boots.
The goalkeeper is also permitted gloves and a different coloured jersey from the
players.

Referee

The referee adjudicates the match in collaboration with two linesmen (properly
referred to as ‘referee’s assistants’) and a fourth official, situated on the touchline, if
necessary. To calculate how long is added on after the 45 minutes is up. Awarding
free kicks and penalties. Awards fouls and produces red and yellow cards.

Assistant referees
The lines men help the referee make decisions. They mainly look for the players who
are offside and awards free kicks that the referee may not see.

Duration of the match

A match should last 90 minutes with two halves of 45 minutes. There is normally
added time if necessary.

If the game ends as a draw in a cup match the game will first go into extra time of
30minutes, 15 minutes a half. If its till level at the end of extra time it will go to
penalties to decide the game. Some times games have 2 legs which means that their
will be 2 matches played and the goals of the first leg carry on to the second leg.

Start and restart of play

A coin toss at the start of the game, lets the person who wins it to ether take the kick
off or switch sides. Should the winner decide to choose which end to attack then the
loser can choose whether to kick-off in the first or second half.

The kick-off is also used after a goal has been scored.

At the kick-off, players from each side must all be in their half of the field. The actual
kick-off takes place on the centre spot in the centre circle.

Scoring

A team can only score if the whole ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts.
The winner is the team who scores more goals, except in a competition where the
‘away goals’ rule applies. The ‘away goals’ rule means that, if a team scores a goal
away from their home stadium, the goal counts extra (therefore, a 1-1 scoreline would
mean the away team wins). There is a big argument to have goaline technology to see
if the goal actually crosses the line because it is really hard to see it from far away if
you’re the ref. This is a classic example of why goaline technology should be
introduced.
Offside

To be in an offside position is to be closer to the opponent’s goal than the last

opposition outfield player (therefore excluding the goalkeeper) and the ball. However,
to commit an offside offence is to have the ball played forward towards you while in
that position.

The rule is further complicated by the fact the referee or his assistant must adjudge
you to be ‘active’ in the play before giving an offside decision against you. This can
be obvious, for example if you touch the ball in an offside position.There are other
factors to consider which can exempt you from the offside rule. You cannot be offside
in your own-half of the pitch, for example, and you cannot be penalised for being in
an offside position when a goal kick, throw-in, indirect free kick or corner kick is
taken.

Fouls and misconduct

A foul can take place anywhere on the pitch, and a free kick is awarded where that
foul takes place (excepting fouls in the penalty area, which result in a penalty kick).
The referee can choose simply to award the foul, speak to the player about his conduct
or take matters further.

Punishment for offences

There are two cards a referee can produce:

Yellow: is a caution for a player.

Red: means you have to leave the pitch and your team has to play with 10 men. You
can have 2 yellows which basically mean you have a red so have to leaved the pitch.
Free kicks

Whenever a free kick is taken, the opposition must be at least 10 yards away from the
ball until it is delivered.

• Direct free kick - Allows the team to take a direct shot at the opponent’s goal.
Awarded as a result of fouls with evidence intent to harm or reckless/excessive
force (e.g. a sliding tackle which takes the player first, shirt-pulling and a
deliberate hand-ball).

• Indirect free kick - A direct strike on goal is not permitted, meaning any shot
must come from the second player to touch the ball after the kick is taken. If a
direct strike is successfully made on goal, a goal kick to the opposition is
given. An indirect free kick is awarded for any foul which is dangerous or
impedes an opponent.

Penalty kick

A player has to put the ball on the penalty spot and all the other players have to be
outside the box and the keeper must remain on his line. The player only has the
keeper to beat and from the penalty spot has to shoot.

Throw-in

A throw-in is awarded when the whole ball crosses the touch line. It is delivered off
the field of play with both hands and from behind and over the deliverer’s head.
Otherwise it is deemed to be a ‘foul throw’ and a throw-in is given to the opposition.

Goal kick

Awarded once the whole ball crosses the goal line if it last touched an opposition
player. The ball is kicked from anywhere in the goal area outfield, but must cross the
penalty area line.

Corner kick

Awarded once the whole ball crosses the goal line of the opposition, after last
touching one of their players. Taken from the corner of whichever side the ball exited
the field, in the prescribed quarter-circle space. Opponents must be 10 yards from the
corner arc and the kicker cannot touch the ball a second time without contact from
someone else .