Eleven on each side
A team can have up to 11 players on the field, including one goalkeeper. Substitution limits depend on the competition. Youth and grassroots formats may use smaller teams.
Read IFAB Law 3 ↗For the love of the game
Football.
Understood.
Know the rules. Read the tactics. Enjoy every match. Your starting point for the world’s beautiful game.
THE TACTICS BOARD4–3–3
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11 players. Different roles. One shared idea.
01 Learn the essentials02 Understand the tactics03 Follow the competitions
The starting whistle
A little knowledge.
A better matchday.
New to football or brushing up? Start with six essentials, explained in plain English.
90 minutes, plus added time
A standard match has two 45-minute halves. The referee adds time for stoppages such as injuries and substitutions. Added time is different from extra time used in some knockout matches.
Read IFAB Law 7 ↗Position + involvement
Being in an offside position alone is not an offence. In the opponents’ half, a player is generally in that position when nearer the goal line than both the ball and second-last opponent as a team-mate plays the ball. Active involvement matters.
See the full rule & exceptions ↗Yellow warns. Red dismisses.
A yellow card is a caution; a red card sends a player off. A second caution in the same match also results in a sending-off. The seriousness of a challenge affects the referee’s decision.
Read IFAB Law 12 ↗Follow the space
Look beyond the ball. Notice who stays wide, who runs behind the defence and who offers a safe passing option. Those movements often explain how a chance is created.
Explore positions & tactics ↓Club or country?
Clubs compete in domestic leagues and cup competitions. National teams represent countries in international tournaments. A player can appear for a club and a national team in different competitions.
Browse the competition guide ↓These are introductory summaries of association football. Competition rules and age-group adaptations can differ; use the linked official Laws for detailed decisions.
Read the game
Every position
has a purpose.
Goalkeeper
Protects the goal, organises the defence and starts attacks with distribution.
Centre-back
Defends central areas, challenges attackers and helps build from the back.
Full-back / wing-back
Covers wide areas and may push forward to support attacks and deliver crosses.
Central midfielder
Connects defence and attack. Some shield the back line; others create chances.
Winger
Stretches the pitch, takes on defenders and supplies crosses or cuts inside.
Striker
Leads the attack, finds scoring positions and can link play or press defenders.
Three formations to recognise
4–3–3WIDTH
Four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. Wide attackers can stretch the opposition while the midfield supports possession and pressing.
4–2–3–1BALANCE
Two deeper midfielders sit behind an attacking trio and one striker. The pair can protect the defence while the players ahead create chances.
3–5–2WING-BACKS
Three centre-backs, five midfield players including wing-backs, and two forwards. Wing-backs often drop deeper when the team defends.
Formation numbers count outfield players only. They are a starting shape: roles and positions change with the ball, the opponent and the coach’s plan.
Beyond one match
A world of football.
Understand the competition, then follow official organisers for current fixtures, results and tables.
GLOBAL / INTERNATIONAL
FIFA tournaments
Explore the men’s and women’s World Cups, youth tournaments and other FIFA competitions through the official tournament directory.
Explore FIFA tournaments ↗EUROPE / CLUBSUEFA Champions League
Europe’s leading men’s club competition brings clubs from different domestic leagues together. UEFA explains the format, stages and qualification.
Visit UEFA’s competition guide ↗ENGLAND / DOMESTICPremier League
England’s top division features 20 clubs competing for the league title. The official guide explains the league, points and competition structure.
Read the Premier League guide ↗The matchday dictionary
Speak football.
Six useful terms to make commentary, tactics and league tables easier to follow.
- Clean sheet
- A match in which a team concedes no goals.
- Hat-trick
- Three goals scored by one player in the same match.
- Goal difference
- Goals scored minus goals conceded. It is commonly used to separate teams level on points, depending on competition rules.
- Pressing
- Putting pressure on opponents in possession to disrupt their next action or win the ball back.
- Counter-attack
- A quick attack after winning possession, often before the opposing defence has reorganised.
- Set piece
- A planned restart situation, such as a corner or free kick, that teams can prepare for in training.
Good questions
Before your next match.
Is a player always offside if they are beyond the defenders?
No. Position is judged when a team-mate plays or touches the ball, and the ball’s position matters too. A player must become actively involved to be penalised. There is no offside offence when receiving the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick. IFAB Law 11 explains the exceptions.
Why can a match go beyond 90 minutes?
Added time compensates for time lost during each half. The board displays a minimum, so the referee may allow more. Extra time is a separate period used by some competitions to resolve a drawn knockout match. Check that competition’s rules for the tie-breaking procedure.
What should I watch if I am new to tactics?
Pick one team for a few minutes. Watch its shape without the ball, how its midfield offers passing options and whether its full-backs push forward. Compare the shape before and after possession changes. You do not need to follow every player at once.
Where can I find current fixtures and results?
Use the official organiser links in our competition guide above. This page is a learning hub; fixtures, standings and scores are best checked at their original source.
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