Knowra Laws of the Game Laws of the Game The official rules governing association football, maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). They define how matches are played, officiated, and restarted.
Association football : A team sport in which players try to score by putting a ball into the opposing goal, primarily using their feet. The laws govern this sport and define its standard form.
Offside (association football) : An offence involving a player in an offside position who becomes involved in active play when a teammate plays the ball. Law 11 defines when an advanced position becomes punishable involvement.
International Football Association Board : The body that discusses, develops, and approves changes to the Laws of the Game. It maintains the rules that define this concept.
Competition rules (association football) : Rules set by a competition organizer that govern matters such as eligibility, tie-breaking, and tournament format. They supplement the Laws of the Game but do not replace the global playing rules.
Football pitch : The rectangular playing surface used for association football, marked with goals, boundaries, and areas that shape play. Its markings determine where several laws apply, including goal kicks and penalty kicks.
Foul (association football) : An infringement of the Laws of the Game, such as a careless challenge, that can result in a free kick or penalty kick. Law 12 specifies fouls and the sanctions that follow them.
Referee (association football) : The match official who enforces the Laws of the Game and makes decisions during an association football match. The laws assign the referee authority to control the match and apply sanctions.
Rugby union laws : The rules governing rugby union, a distinct football code with different ways to advance and score the ball. They govern a related sport but prescribe different play and officiating.
Association football positions : The customary roles players occupy in association football, including goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward. The laws distinguish the goalkeeper's permitted handling from other players' conduct.
Free kick (association football) : A method of restarting association football after certain offences, taken directly or indirectly depending on the infringement. The laws determine when each kind is awarded and how it must be taken.
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