Rules of the game

The idea

Two teams of eleven players try to put the ball into the other team's goal. The team with the most goals after 90 minutes wins; if both score the same, it is a draw. The game is played in two halves of 45 minutes with a short break.

Hands off

Players may use any part of the body except the hands and arms. Only the goalkeeper, one per team, may handle the ball, and only inside the penalty area in front of their own goal.

The pitch

A full pitch is roughly 100 by 65 metres, with a goal at each end, a halfway line and a penalty area around each goal. Smaller games such as futsal (five a side, indoors) and youth football use smaller pitches, smaller goals and shorter matches. Our first games on Naoero will often be futsal.

Fouls and free kicks

Kicking, tripping, pushing or holding an opponent is a foul and gives the other team a free kick. A foul inside the penalty area gives a penalty kick: one player against the goalkeeper from 11 metres. Serious or repeated fouls earn a yellow card (a warning) or a red card (sent off).

Offside

The one rule everyone argues about. A player may not receive the ball if, at the moment it is passed, they are closer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-last defender. It stops attackers from waiting next to the goal.

Restarts

When the ball goes out over the side line, the other team throws it back in with both hands. Over the goal line it is a goal kick (if the attackers put it out) or a corner kick (if the defenders did).

The full Laws of the Game are published by the International Football Association Board at theifab.com.