The Basic Rules of Soccer.

Here’s a concise summary of the Basic Rules of Soccer.

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The primary goal in soccer is to score more goals than the opposing team by getting the ball into their net within the allotted match time.

A standard match consists of two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime break.
If the match is tied in knockout stages, it may go into extra time (two 15-minute halves).
If still tied, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.
Additional stoppage time (injury time) is added at the referee’s discretion.

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Each team fields 11 players: 1 goalkeeper and 10 outfield players.
Outfield positions include defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
Substitutions are allowed, usually 3-5 per match depending on competition rules.

A player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them.
Being offside results in a free kick to the opposing team.
The rule prevents players from “goal hanging” and promotes fair play.

Fouls occur when a player commits unfair play, such as tripping, pushing, or handling the ball deliberately (except by the goalkeeper inside their area).
Minor fouls result in free kicks or indirect free kicks.
Serious fouls inside the penalty area lead to a penalty kick.
Referees can issue yellow cards (warnings) or red cards (ejections).

Throw-ins: Awarded when the ball crosses the sideline; the opposing team throws the ball back into play using both hands from behind and over the head.
Goal kicks: Given when the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the defending goal line without scoring; the defending team restarts play from their goal area.
Corner kicks: Awarded when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses their goal line; the attacking team restarts play from the corner arc.

A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar.
In league formats, teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 for a loss.
Tie-breakers in tournaments can include extra time, penalty shootouts, or criteria like goal difference and head-to-head records.