Friends, today we’re going to talk about a topic that affects us all (well, almost everyone!): the rules of football! This magical game that makes us shout, celebrate, and even cry! But how much do you actually know about its rules? Get comfortable, and let’s start with the basics.
The Basics
A football match is played between two teams of 11 players each, including a goalkeeper, whose job is… to protect the goal. The goal is for a team to score more goals than their opponent, while preventing the ball from crossing their own goal line.
Duration
A match lasts 90 minutes, divided into two equal halves of 45 minutes each. And don’t forget the break! There is a 15-minute halftime interval. During this time, players can analyze mistakes, plan their next moves, and catch their breath.
Offside
Let’s get straight to the point and look at everyone’s favorite rule: the offside rule! It’s a rule that—quite understandably—sparks plenty of debate and questions. A player is in an offside position if they are in the opposing team’s half of the field and, at the same time, are closer to the opposing goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender. In essence, this rule prevents an attacker from simply standing around, waiting for the perfect pass to score a goal.
Yellow and red cards
Yellow cards? Those little yellow cards that the referee waves with such enthusiasm? They are penalties for athletes who play with a bit too much aggression or fail to follow the rules…
And what if a player behaves very poorly? Then there is the red card, which is essentially the referee telling the player: “Goodbye—go watch the rest of the match from the locker room!”
Fouls
A player commits a foul when they break a rule during the game
Corner kicks
A corner kick is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, provided that the last player to touch the ball was on the defending team. In this case, an attacking player takes the corner kick, striking the ball from the corner of the field. A corner kick can lead to a goal through a perfectly placed header or another spectacular shot.
Penalty Kicks
A penalty kick occurs when a player from the defending team commits a foul inside the penalty area. In this situation, an attacking player gets the chance to take a penalty kick, facing the goalkeeper from a distance of 11 meters. This is one of the most dramatic moments in football, as the penalty taker must choose the right angle for their shot, while the goalkeeper tries to guess where the ball will go.
For both players and spectators, the rules of football are what make the game exciting, unpredictable, and unique. We hope that this article has taught you something new and that you feel more confident watching the next match, now with a better understanding of the game!
Now that you’ve learned the rules, it’s time to experience the game firsthand.
At HobbyDetective, you can discover activities, groups, and ways to get more involved in what you’re passionate about—whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to try something new.
HobbyDetective Spain is preparing its community and experiences. Explore what is coming next. HobbyDetective
Your first step in Spain
Look for a beginner-friendly activity near you and ask about the experience before booking. Confirm details regarding equipment, requirements, insurance, and the policy for bad weather. For outdoor activities, check the specific advisories and restrictions for that location—conditions vary between the coast, the interior, and the islands. Choose an activity based on your own preparation level and the guidance of professionals, rather than relying solely on a photograph or a difficulty label.
Original article: 2023-06-11. Edition adapted for Spain: 27 October 2026. Read the Greek original. Original author: nikoskolonis.
