Abbreviated Laws of the Game
LAW 10:
The Method of Scoring
GOAL SCORED
A goal is scored when
the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts
and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of
the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.
WINNING TEAM
The team scoring the
greater number of goals during a match is the winner. If both teams
score an equal number of goals, or if no goals are scored, the match
is drawn.
COMPETITION RULES
For matches ending
in a draw, competition rules may state provisions involving extra time
or other procedures
LAW 11:
Offside
OFFSIDE POSITION
It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent
A player is not in an offside position if:
he is in his own half of the field of play, or
he is level with the second last opponent, or
he is level with
the last two opponents
OFFENSE
A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
interfering with play, or
interfering with an opponent, or
gaining an advantage
by being in that position
NO OFFENSE
There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from:
a goal kick or
a throw-in or
a corner kick
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
For any offside offence,
the referee awards an indirect free kick
LAW 12:
Fouls and Misconduct
Fouls and misconduct
are penalized as follows:
DIRECT FREE KICK
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
trips or attempts to trip an opponent
jumps at an opponent
charges an opponent
strikes or attempts to strike
pushes an opponent
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offenses:
tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent
before touching the ball
holds an opponent
spits at an opponent
handles the ball
deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
A direct free kick
is taken from where the offence occurred.
PENALTY KICK
A penalty kick is awarded
if any of the above ten offenses is committed by a player inside his
own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided
it is in play.
INDIRECT FREE KICK
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee, commits any of the following three offenses:
plays in a dangerous manner
impedes the progress of an opponent
prevents the goalkeeper
from releasing the ball from his hands
An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offenses:
takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands, before
releasing it from his possession
touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player
touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate
touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
wastes time
The indirect free
kick is taken from where the offence occurred.
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
CAUTIONABLE OFFENSES
A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following
seven offenses:
1. is guilty of unsporting behavior
2. shows dissent by word or action
3. persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
4. delays the restart of play
5. fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick
6. enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee's permission
7.
deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee's permission
SENDING-OFF OFFENSES
A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offenses:
1. is guilty of serious foul play
2. is guilty of violent conduct
3. spits at an opponent or any other person
4. denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
5. denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
6.
uses offensive, insulting or abusive language
LAW 13:
Free Kicks
TYPES OF FREE KICKS
Free kicks are either direct or indirect.
For both direct
and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is
taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it
has touched another player.
THE DIRECT FREE KICK
if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents' goal, a goal is awarded
if a direct free
kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded
to the opposing team
THE INDIRECT FREE KICK SIGNAL
The referee indicates
an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains
his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball
has touched another player or goes out of play.
BALL ENTERS THE GOAL
A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.
if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded
if an indirect
free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick
is awarded to the opposing team
POSITION OF FREE KICK
FREE KICK INSIDE THE PENALTY AREA
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
all opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area
a free kick awarded
in the goal area is taken from any point inside that area
Indirect free kick to the attacking team:
all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they
are on their own goal line between the goalposts
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
an indirect free
kick awarded inside the goal area is taken from that part of the goal
area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest
to where the infringement occurred
FREE KICK OUTSIDE THE PENALTY AREA
all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
the free kick is
taken from the place where the infringement occurred
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
If, when a free kick
is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance,
the kick is retaken. If, when a free kick is taken by the defending
team from inside its own penalty area and the ball is not kicked directly
into play, the kick is retaken
Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his
hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick
is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker's penalty
area
Free kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has
touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free
kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside
the goalkeeper's
LAW 14:
The Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded
against a team which commits one of the ten offenses for which a direct
free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball
is in play. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick. Additional
time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half
or at the end of periods of extra time.
POSITION OF THE BALL AND THE PLAYERS
The ball:
is placed on the penalty mark
The player taking the penalty kick:
is properly identified
The defending goalkeeper:
remains on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked
The players other than the kicker are located:
inside the field of play
outside the penalty area
behind the penalty mark
at least 9.15 m
(10 yds) from the penalty mark
THE REFEREE
does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Law
decides when a
penalty kick has been completed
PROCEDURE
the player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward
he does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
the ball is in
play when it is kicked and moves forward
When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar:
the ball touches
either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the following situations occurs:
The player taking the penalty kick infringes the Laws of the Game:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken
if the ball does
not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken
The goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
if the ball does
not enter the goal, the kick is retaken
A team-mate of the player taking the kick enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.5 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken
if the ball does
not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken
A team-mate of the goalkeeper enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within
9.15 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark:
the referee allows the kick to proceed
if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
if the ball does
not enter the goal, the kick is retaken
A player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the
Game:
the kick is retaken
If, after the penalty kick has been taken: The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free
kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the
place where the infringement occurred
The kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:
the kick is retaken
The ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts, and is then touched by an outside agent:
the referee stops play
play is restarted
with a dropped ball at the place where it touched the outside agent.
LAW 15: The Throw In
A throw-in is a method
of restarting play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
A throw-in is awarded:
when the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air
from the point where it crossed the touch line
to the opponents
of the player who last touched the ball
PROCEDURE
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
faces the field of play
has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
uses both hands
delivers the ball from behind and over his head
The thrower may not
touch the ball again until it has touched another player. The ball is
in play immediately as it enters the field of play.
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
Throw-in taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick
is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the thrower's penalty
area
Throw-in taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has
touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower:
he is cautioned for unsporting behavior and shown the yellow card
For any other infringement of this Law:
the throw-in is
taken by a player of the opposing team
LAW 16: The Goal Kick
A goal kick is a method of restarting play. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.
A goal kick is awarded when:
the whole of the
ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over
the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not
scored in accordance with Law 10
PROCEDURE
the ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team
opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
the kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
the ball is in
play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
If the ball is not
kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area the kick is retaken.
Goal kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched
another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick
is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker's penalty
area
Goal kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
For any other infringement
of this Law the kick is retaken
LAW 17:
The Corner Kick
A corner kick is a
method of restarting play. A goal may be scored directly from a corner
kick, but only against the opposing team.
A corner kick is awarded when:
the whole of the
ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over
the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not
scored in accordance with Law 10
PROCEDURE
the ball is placed either on or inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flagpost
the corner flagpost is not moved
opponents remain at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play
the ball is kicked by a player of the attacking team
the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
the kicker does
not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
INFRINGEMENTS/SANCTIONS
Corner kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
a penalty kick
is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker's penalty
area
Corner kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has
touched another player:
a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
For any other infringement
the kick is retaken
