Football Basics

Learn how scoring works in football: touchdowns, field goals, safeties and tries, with a worked game score and overtime rules. Read the full breakdown.

How many players are on a football team? 11 on the field, 53 on an NFL roster, and different counts in college, the CFL and soccer. See the breakdown.

How long is a football match? 90 minutes on paper, closer to 100 in play, plus half-time. See added time, extra time and a kickoff plan.

The 17 laws of the game in football explained law by law, from pitch and ball to offside and restarts. Read the plain-English guide.

Football rules explained for beginners: how soccer works, the new goalkeeper rule, and a quick guide to American football. Read it before kickoff.

How to play football for beginners: learn the small-sided game, the ball rules and the youth heading limits, then read space like a player. Start here.