Duration of the Match

Periods of Play
The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two participating teams. Any agreement to alter the periods of play (for example to reduce each half to 40 minutes because of insufficient light) must be made before the start of play and must comply with competition rules.

Half-Time Interval
Players are entitled to an interval at half-time. The half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes. Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval. The duration of the half-time interval may be altered only with the consent of the referee.

Allowance for Time Lost
Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:

substitution(s) assessment of injury to players. Removal of injured players from the field of play for treatment. Wasting time. Any other cause. The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee.

Penalty Kick
If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the duration of either half is extended until the penalty kick is completed.

Extra Time
Competition rules may provide for two further equal periods to be played. The conditions of Law 8 will apply.

Abandoned Match
An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise.

The Field of Play - Here you can find almost all official Rules about Soccer. One of these important rule is the definiton of the Field that is used to play Soccer. Here are the detailed information.

The Ball - The ball is: spherical made of leather or other suitable material of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 6 8 cm (27 ins) not more than 450 g (16 oz) in weight and not less than 410 g (14 oz) at the start of the match of a pressure equal to 0.6 - 1.1 atmosphere (600 - 1100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in 15.6 lbs/sq in). Looking for other technical Information?

The Number of Players - A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players. Looking for more information?

The Players' Equipment - Safety: A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery). Want to get more information?

The Referee - The Authority of the Referee: Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed. Want to read more about the Refree Rules?

The Assistant Referees - Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate: when the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in, when a player may be penalised for being in an offside position etc. Do you look for more information?

The Start and Restart of Play - A coin is tossed and the team which wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match. The other team takes the kick-off to start the match. Need some more information?

The Ball In and Out of Play - The ball is out of play when: it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air play has been stopped by the referee. For more Information...

The Method of Scoring - 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. Want some more information?

Offside Rule - 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. Looking for more information?

Fouls and Misconduct - A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences 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 etc. For more information...

Free Kicks - 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. For more information...

The Penalty Kick - A penalty kick is awarded against a team which commits one of the ten offences 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. Are you still looking for more information?

The Throw-In - A throw-in is a method of restarting play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. Are you lookinf gor more information about this Rule?

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. For more information...

The Corner Kick - 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. Looking for more Information?

Determine the Winner of a Match - The Golden Goal and taking kicks from the penalty mark are methods of determining the winning team where competition rules require there to be a winning team after a match has been drawn. Are you looking for more information?