Rules
Soccer rules, explained simply
Every article answers one question, in one or two sentences first, then walks you through the rule with examples. No jargon.
All rules articles
How do substitutions work in soccer?
Each team can make up to 5 substitutions during a match, used in 3 separate windows plus halftime. A substituted player cannot return to the field. The 2026 World Cup also gives one extra substitution slot if the match goes to extra time.
Start lesson →How does a penalty shootout work?
A penalty shootout decides a tied knockout match. Each team takes five alternating kicks from the penalty spot; whoever scores more wins. If still tied, it goes to sudden death — one kick each, until somebody misses and the other team makes theirs.
Start lesson →What is the offside rule in soccer?
An attacker is offside if any part of their head, body, or feet that can play the ball is past the second-to-last defender at the moment a teammate plays the ball forward — and that position then turns into involvement in the play.
Start lesson →What is VAR in soccer?
VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee — a team of officials watching replays who can recommend the on-field referee review a decision, but only for four match-changing situations: goals, penalties, straight red cards, and mistaken identity.
Start lesson →Yellow card vs red card — what's the difference?
A yellow card is a warning for misconduct. A red card sends the player off and the team plays the rest of the match with one fewer player. Two yellow cards in the same match equal a red card.
Start lesson →Soccer in 5 minutes — the basics
Soccer is two teams of 11 players trying to score more goals than the other across two 45-minute halves. The team with more goals at the end wins. You can use any part of your body except your hands and arms — except for the goalkeeper, who can use their hands inside their own penalty box.
Read article →What is a corner kick?
A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the defending team is the last to touch the ball before it goes over the goal line outside the goal. The ball is placed in the corner arc and kicked into play. Offside does not apply directly from a corner.
Read article →What is a foul in soccer?
A foul is an illegal act against an opponent — pushing, tripping, holding, dangerous tackles, charging, or playing the ball with a hand. Fouls are punished with a free kick or, if committed inside the penalty area, a penalty. Serious fouls can also earn a yellow or red card.
Read article →What is a free kick in soccer?
A free kick is awarded after a foul or rule violation, with the ball placed at the spot of the offence. Direct free kicks can be shot straight at goal; indirect free kicks must touch another player first. Defenders must stand at least 10 yards back unless the kicker takes it quickly.
Read article →What is a goal kick?
A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when an attacker was the last to touch the ball before it crossed the defending team's goal line outside the goal. The ball can be played from anywhere inside the goal area, and it is in play as soon as it's kicked — opponents must stay outside the penalty area until then.
Read article →What is a penalty kick?
A penalty kick is a free shot from 12 yards out, awarded to a team when an opponent commits a foul or handball inside their own penalty box. It's a one-on-one between the kicker and the goalkeeper, with all other players outside the box until the ball is struck.
Read article →What is extra time in soccer?
Extra time is two additional 15-minute halves played in knockout matches when the score is tied after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. If the score is still level after extra time, the match goes to a penalty shootout.
Read article →What is handball in soccer?
Handball is when a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm, or accidentally touches it in a way that makes their body unnaturally bigger and gains an advantage. The shoulder is not part of the arm — contact at the shoulder is not handball.
Read article →What is stoppage time in soccer?
Stoppage time is extra minutes added at the end of each half to make up for time lost to injuries, substitutions, celebrations, and VAR reviews. The referee decides how much, the fourth official displays it on a board, and it can run to 10 minutes or more in modern matches.
Read article →What is the advantage rule in soccer?
The advantage rule lets the referee not whistle a foul when stopping play would help the offending team. If the team that was fouled keeps possession and has a chance to attack, the referee waves play on. They can still come back to book the offender after the play settles.
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