15/11/2020
General Rule of Football.
The Ball
Qualities and measurements
All balls must be:
spherical. (Made of suitable material)
of a circumference of between 70cm (28ins) and 68cm (27inch).
between 450g (16oz) and 410g (14oz) in weight at the start of the match.
The Referee
The authority of the referee:
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game during the match.
The other officials
Other match officials (two assistant referees, fourth official, two additional assistant referees and reserve assistant referee) may be appointed. They will assist the referee in controlling the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game but the final decision will always be taken by the referee.
The Duration of Play.
Periods of play:
A match lasts for two equal halves of 45 minutes which may only be reduced if agreed between the referee and the two teams before the start of the match and is in accordance with competition rules.
Half-time interval:
Players are entitled to an interval at half-time, not exceeding 15 minutes; a short drinks break is permitted at the interval of half-time in extra time.
Start and Re-start of Game
A kick-off starts both halves of a match, both halves of extra time and restarts play after a goal has been scored. Free kicks (direct or indirect), penalty kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are other restarts.
The Ball in and out of play
Ball out of play - The ball is out of play when:
it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air.
play has been stopped by the referee.
Ball in play - The ball is in play at all other times, including when it rebounds off a match official, goalpost, crossbar or corner flag post and remains in the field of play.
Offside
Offside position
It is not an offence to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) and
any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.
