Laws of the Game

The Laws of the Game

The Laws of the Game (LOTG) are the rules that help define football. The Laws of the Game are the only rules of football set and written by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

The laws mention everything that defines football such as the number of players a team should have, the game length, the size of the field and ball, the type and nature of fouls that referees may penalise, the frequently misinterpreted offside law, and the other laws. It is the task of the referee to interpret and enforce the Laws of the Game during a football match.

Rules

The current Laws of the Game consist of seventeen individual laws, each law containing several rules and directions:

  • Law 1: The Field of Play
  • Law 2: The Ball
  • Law 3: The Players
  • Law 4: The Players’ Equipment
  • Law 5: The Referee
  • Law 6: The Other Match Officials
  • Law 7: The Duration of the Match
  • Law 8: The start and restart of play
  • Law 9: Ball in and out of play
  • Law 10: The Method of Scoring
  • Law 11: Offside
  • Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
  • Law 13: Free kicks (direct and indirect)
  • Law 14: The Penalty Kick
  • Law 15: The Throw-in
  • Law 16: The Goal Kick
  • Law 17: The Corner Kick

Download

You can download the latest revision of the Laws of the Game from the links below:

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Comments (13)

13 thoughts on “Laws of the Game”

  1. J, R, Tracy says:
    August 4, 2023 at 9:41 pm

    In my younger days I was both a coach and referee. At the time there were nine (9) laws. Can anyone tell me where I can read up on when, how and under what circumstances the extra 8 were added? I still watch lots of soccer and have noticed a few obvious changes (like the 4 step rule for goalies) but wonder about other things.

    Reply
  2. EDWIN says:
    May 9, 2023 at 11:58 pm

    Thanks

    Reply
  3. Aluma Isaac Menyu says:
    January 30, 2023 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you for putting the laws here. I have got them all.

    Reply
  4. Macnight says:
    June 2, 2022 at 9:50 am

    Thanks, wish I could apply for the hard copy

    Reply
  5. Imal udyanga Bandara says:
    December 9, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    very useful for reffrees.Thanks.

    Reply
  6. INENGITE SUNNY says:
    November 4, 2019 at 10:08 am

    Very concise, readable and understandable. Good for referees and football lovers. Thanks.

    Reply
  7. Alexander Ongero says:
    October 9, 2019 at 4:01 pm

    Good for referees and football lovers. Thanks

    Reply
  8. Thanks for the download. It's an opportunity to have access to the changes says:
    July 16, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    Thanks. It will facilitate my learning the new changes in the laws of the game

    Reply
    1. Alexander Ongero says:
      October 9, 2019 at 3:58 pm

      Very useful for regerees and football lovers. Thanks

      Reply
  9. Laurent says:
    June 20, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    Thanks for 2019-2020 PDF file

    Reply
    1. ABEDNEGO says:
      May 27, 2022 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks for everything

      Reply
  10. KingL_704 says:
    March 21, 2019 at 9:35 pm

    18-19?

    Reply
  11. Ebenezer Yeboah says:
    September 23, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    FIFA Laws

    Reply

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