Beginner
Start with the basics
The rules every new fan needs before kickoff. Each lesson takes about two minutes.
Start with the basics
Can a Goalkeeper Score a Goal?
Yes. Any player on the pitch, including the goalkeeper, can legally score a goal. Goalkeepers most commonly score from powerful long kicks that travel over the opposing goalkeeper, from penalty kicks, or from set pieces when they come forward late in a game.
Learn fast →Can VAR Review a Yellow Card?
No. Yellow cards are not reviewable by VAR. VAR operates in exactly four categories — goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity — and yellow cards fall outside all of them.
Learn fast →Can You Be Offside from a Goal Kick?
No. Goal kicks are offside-exempt under Law 11. A player can be in any position — including well past the last defender — and legally receive a goal kick without an offside call.
Learn fast →Can You Be Offside from a Throw-In?
No. A player cannot be offside directly from a throw-in. Throw-ins are one of three restarts exempt from the offside law — alongside goal kicks and corner kicks.
Learn fast →Can You Be Offside in Your Own Half?
No. Offside only applies in the opponent's half of the pitch. A player in their own half cannot be in an offside position, no matter how far ahead of the defenders they are.
Learn fast →Can You Score Directly from a Corner Kick?
Yes. A goal scored directly from a corner kick without another player touching the ball is legal. It is called an Olympic goal, or Gol Olímpico. If the ball curves into your own goal directly, it is a corner to the opponents.
Learn fast →Can You Score Directly from a Free Kick?
You can score directly from a direct free kick. You cannot score directly from an indirect free kick — the ball must touch at least one other player first. If an indirect free kick enters the goal without a touch, the restart is a goal kick.
Learn fast →Direct vs Indirect Free Kick — What's the Difference?
A direct free kick can be shot straight into goal. An indirect free kick must touch at least one other player first — if it goes directly into goal without that touch, no goal is awarded.
Learn fast →Extra Time vs Stoppage Time — What's the Difference?
They are completely different things. Stoppage time is added minutes at the end of each half to compensate for delays. Extra time is a separate 30-minute period played only in knockout matches when the score is tied after 90.
Learn fast →Foul vs Handball — What's the Difference?
A foul is illegal physical contact with an opponent — tripping, holding, pushing, or reckless challenges. Handball is touching the ball with the hand or arm in a position the law deems illegal. Different tests, different rules, but both can give a direct free kick or penalty.
Learn fast →How do substitutions work in soccer?
Teams get 5 subs, but only 3 stoppages to use them. Halftime doesn't count as a stoppage — it's a free window.
Start lesson →How does a penalty shootout work?
Understand the 5 kicks, sudden death, and how the winner is decided.
Start lesson →How Long Is a Soccer Game?
A standard soccer match is 90 minutes — two 45-minute halves separated by a 15-minute interval — plus stoppage time added to each half by the referee.
Start lesson →Offside vs Onside — What's the Difference?
A player is onside if they are level with or behind the second-last defender at the moment the ball is played. A player is offside if any body part that can legally play the ball is ahead of that defender — but being offside is only an offence if the player is involved in active play.
Learn fast →Penalty Kick vs Penalty Shootout — What's the Difference?
A penalty kick is awarded during a match as punishment for a foul or handball inside the penalty area. A penalty shootout is a tie-breaking procedure after extra time in knockout matches — not a punishment for any foul.
Learn fast →Soccer in 5 minutes — the basics
The whole game in 60 seconds — goals, positions, and basic rules.
Learn fast →Soccer Positions Explained
Eleven players per team — one goalkeeper and ten outfield players organised into defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Positions are tactical; only the goalkeeper has special rules.
Start lesson →What Does Ball Out of Play Mean?
The ball is out of play only when the whole ball has crossed the touchline or goal line. Lines are part of the field — a ball on the line is in play.
Start lesson →What is a corner kick?
Why corners happen and what happens next.
Learn fast →What is a foul in soccer?
What counts as a foul and what the referee looks for.
Start lesson →What is a free kick in soccer?
Direct, indirect, and the 10-yard wall — explained simply.
Learn fast →What is a goal kick?
When a goal kick is given and how it restarts play.
Learn fast →What is a penalty kick?
What earns a penalty kick and how it's taken.
Learn fast →What is extra time in soccer?
What extra time is, when it happens, and why it's not stoppage time.
Learn fast →What is handball in soccer?
When handball is a foul and when the referee ignores it.
Start lesson →What is stoppage time in soccer?
Learn why extra minutes are added after 45 and 90.
Learn fast →What is the advantage rule in soccer?
Why referees sometimes wave play on after a foul.
Learn fast →What is the offside rule in soccer?
The rule everyone argues about — explained in one clear example.
Start lesson →What is VAR in soccer?
Understand what VAR checks, why it takes time, and who decides.
Start lesson →Why Was That a Red Card?
Red cards are given for serious foul play, violent conduct, DOGSO, a second yellow, spitting, biting, or deliberate handball denying a goal. Here is what each means.
Learn fast →Why Was That Called Handball?
Handball is judged on arm position, not just intent. If the arm makes the body unnaturally bigger, it can be handball even if accidental. Here is how referees decide.
Learn fast →Why Was That Goal Disallowed?
A goal can be disallowed for offside, a foul in the build-up, handball, encroachment, or a goalkeeper violation. Here are the most common reasons — explained in plain English.
Learn fast →Why Was That Not Called a Foul?
Not every contact is a foul. Referees look for careless, reckless, or excessive force — not just contact. Here are the most common reasons a challenge is allowed.
Learn fast →Why Was There So Much Stoppage Time?
Stoppage time is added for goals, substitutions, VAR reviews, injuries, time-wasting, and any other delays. IFAB now requires more accurate time-keeping, leading to longer stoppages.
Learn fast →Yellow card vs red card — what's the difference?
See what each card means and when a player is sent off.
Start lesson →Yellow Card vs Red Card — What's the Difference?
A yellow card is a caution — the player stays on but is warned. A red card means immediate dismissal — the player leaves the pitch and cannot be replaced, so the team plays with ten players for the rest of the match.
Learn fast →You Can't Be Offside from a Goal Kick
Goal kicks, corner kicks, and throw-ins are the three offside-exempt restarts. A player in an offside position can legally receive the ball directly from any of them.
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