ref laws

What should the referee check before the math?

Field markings, goals, nets, corner flags, and that the field is safe.

What if the field has a minor issue?

Allow play only if it is safe; report the issue afterward.

What if the ball becomes defective during play?

Stop play, replace the ball, and restart according to the Laws.

Who decides if the ball is suitable?

The referee.

Maximum number of players on the field?

11 per team, including the goalkeeper.

if a team has too many players?

Stop play if needed, remove the extra player, and discipline if required.

Can a player enter without permission?

No. The referee may caution the player.

What equipment is required?

Jersey, shorts, socks, shin guards, and shoes.

Can players wear jewelry?

No.

What if equipment is dangerous?

The player must leave until it is corrected.

Who has full authority over the match?

The referee.

Can the referee change a decision?

Yes, until play has restarted or the match has ended.

What should the referee do for a serious injury?

Stop play immediately.

What are the referee's disciplinary options?

Warning, yellow card, or red card.

What do assistant referees mainly help with?

Offside, ball out of play, fouls, and substitutions.

Who makes the final decision?

The referee.

How long is a normal match?

Two 45-minute halves.

Who decides added time?

The referee.

What starts each half?

kick-off

What restart follows a goal?

Kick-off by the team that conceded.

When is a dropped ball used?

When play is stopped for a reason with no other restart.

When is the ball out of play?

When it completely crosses the touchline or goal line or the referee stops play.

If the ball is touching the line, is it out?

No.

When is a goal scored?

When the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar without an offence.

If only part of the ball crosses the line, is it a goal?

No.

Is being in an offside position alone an offence?

No.

Can a player be offside in their own half?

No.

Can a player be offside directly from a goal kick?

No.

Can a player be offside directly from a throw-in?

No.

Can a player be offside directly from a corner kick?

No.

Careless challenge?

Foul, usually no card.

Reckless challenge?

Foul and yellow card.

Excessive force?

Foul and red card.

What does a yellow card mean?

Caution.

What does a red card mean?

Sending-off.

What if a defender commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area?

Penalty kick.

What are the two types of free kicks?

Direct and indirect.

Can you score directly from a direct free kick?

Yes.

Can you score directly from an indirect free kick?

No.

How does the referee signal an indirect free kick?

Arm raised above the head.

When is a penalty awarded?

A direct-free-kick offence by the defending team inside its own penalty area.

Where is the penalty kick taken?

From the penalty mark.

Can the kicker touch the ball twice before another player?

No.

When is a throw-in awarded?

When the whole ball crosses the touchline.

Which team gets the throw-in?

The opponents of the player who last touched the ball.

Can you score directly from a throw-in?

No.

How is a legal throw-in taken?

With both hands, from behind and over the head, with both feet on or behind the touchline.

When is a goal kick awarded?

The ball crosses the goal line last touched by an attacker and no goal is scored.

Can you score directly from a goal kick?

Yes, into the opponents' goal.

Can a player be offside directly from a goal kick?

No.

When is a corner kick awarded?

The ball crosses the goal line last touched by a defender and no goal is scored.

Where is the corner kick taken?

From the nearest corner arc.

Can you score directly from a corner kick?

Yes.

Can a player be offside directly from a corner kick?

No.

Ball crosses the touchline. Restart?

Throw-in.

Ball crosses the goal line last touched by the attacker. Restart?

Goal kick.

Ball crosses the goal line last touched by the defender. Restart?

Corner kick.

Defender commits a foul inside the penalty area. Restart?

Penalty kick.

Player commits a careless foul. Decision?

Foul only.

Player commits a reckless foul. Decision?

Yellow card.

Player uses excessive force. Decision?

Red card.

Indirect free kick goes straight into the goal. Result?

No goal.

Throw-in goes directly into the opponents' goal. Result?

Goal kick.

Corner kick goes directly into the opponents' goal. Result?

Goal.

Ball is on the line. In or out?

In play.