Objective of the Game
The most important part of the game of football is the goal, a
rectangular demarcated area at the end of both sides of a
rectangular pitch on which the game is played. There are two
teams playing the game at a time and the objective of the
game is to get the ball into this goal. Depending on the game
plan, the teams need to score on the opposition's goal and
simultaneously try to stop the opposition from scoring at our
goal. The team with the maximum number of goals at the end
of the game time is the winner.
The game is known as football, which means
that it is to be played with the feet.
But the players (except the goalkeeper)
are allowed to use any part,
apart from their forearms, arms and hands,
to drive the ball forward or defend.
The goalkeeper is allowed to use his hands,
but only in the penalty area.

Teams
To this end of scoring goals, each team will have 11 players. One of
them is a goalkeeper. The other 10 players are known as outfield
players.

The Pitch
The basic football rules will tell you that the football pitch is
105m long and 68m wide. The halfway line and the centre circle
are in the centre of the pitch where the kick off takes place at
the start of the game or the start of the second half or after the
opposition has scored.
The goal is a rectangular area on each side.
The penalty area is a rectangular area surrounding the goal on
both sides of the pitch. This area has a few special provisions.
It is only in this area that a goalkeeper guarding the goal in that
area can handle or touch the ball.
Consequently, if the goal-ward advance
of an opposition attacker is stopped
by fouling him, or the goal-ward
trajectory of the ball is handled
by a defender other than a goalkeeper,
a penalty kick is given to the team
whose player has been fouled.
The penalty is taken from the penalty spot.

The Time
The normal playing time is 2 half periods of 45 minutes each.
But time may be added on at the end of each half for any
stoppage during the regulation playing time, on account of
any injury or disturbances.

Corners and Throw-Ins
If the players of one team kick the ball out of the playing area, on the
length side of the pitch (not facing the goal) then they concede a
throw-in. If the ball goes out of the pitch from the line behind the goal
that they are attacking, then the goalkeeper of the opposing team
gets a goal kick. If the defender puts the ball behind the line of the
goal which they are defending then the opposing team gets a corner
kick. A corner kick is from that vertex of the pitch, on the side from
where the ball has gone out.

A Foul
A foul is said to be committed
when a player commits an act
which is considered illegal
according to the laws of the game.
Common reasons why a referee
may call a foul include, handling
the ball, attacking a player bodily
from behind, knocking the player
down without getting the ball,
trying to knock the ball out of the
player’s legs etc. A foul would
normally result in a free kick to the
team of the fouled player, from the
place where he was fouled.

A Penalty
A penalty kick is given to
one team when one of their
players is fouled in the
penalty box. Any unfair
ways to stop the goal-ward
advance of the player is
known as a penalty. A
penalty means that one
player of the team whose
player has been fouled
squares up against the
goalkeeper of the opposing
team. The player takes the
kick from the penalty spot
while the goal is unguarded
except for the goalkeeper.

The Sending Off
A player can be sent off (red-
carded) if he is found to commit
too many fouls. If the player
commits too many fouls, or
conceded a penalty by making a
blatant hand-ball in the penalty
area, or making a bad tackle, he
will be sent off and his team will
have to finish the game with one
player less.
The one thing you have to
remember is to play fair, use your
head and think on your feet!
Football is a great game.

The Sending Off
A player can be sent off (red-
carded) if he is found to commit
too many fouls. If the player
commits too many fouls, or
conceded a penalty by making a
blatant hand-ball in the penalty
area, or making a bad tackle, he
will be sent off and his team will
have to finish the game with one
player less.
The one thing you have to
remember is to play fair, use your
head and think on your feet!
Football is a great game.