1. The game should be played by eleven players on each side.The field of play shall be as shown in the plan (see page 41)^[2]subject to the following provisions:The dimensions of the field of play shall be:—Maximum length, 130 yards;minimum length, 100 yards;maximum breadth, 100 yards,minimum breadth, 50 yards.The field of play shall be marked by boundary-lines.The lines at each end are the goal-lines,and the lines at the sides are the touch lines.The touch-lines shall be drawn at right angles with the goal-lines.^{[doib 1]}A flag with a staff not less than 5 feet highshall be placed at each corner.A half-way line shall be marked out across the field of play.The centre of the field of play shall be indicated by a suitable mark,and a circle with a 10 yards' radius^[3]shall be made round it.The goals shall be upright postsfixed on the goal-linesequidistant from the corner flag-staffs,8 yards apart,with a bar across them8 feet from the ground.The maximum width of the goal-postsand the maximum depth of the cross-barshall be 5 inches.Lines shall be marked6 yards from each goal-postat right angles to the goal-linesfor a distance of 6 yards,and these shall be connected with each otherby a line parallel to the goal-lines;the space within these lines shall be the goal area.Lines shall be marked18 yards from each goal-postat right angles to the goal-linesfor a distance of 18 yards,and these shall be connected with each otherby a line parallel to the goal-lines;the space within these lines shall be the penalty area.A suitable mark shall be made opposite the centre of each goal,12 yards from the goal-line;this shall be the penalty kick mark.The circumference of the ball shall benot less than 27 inchesnor more than 28 inches.The outer casing of the ball must be of leather,and no material shall be used in the construction of the ballwhich would constitute a danger to the players.In International matches,the dimensions of the field of play shall be —Maximum length, 120 yards;minimum length, 110 yards;minimum breadth, 70 yards;^[4]andat the commencement of the gamethe weight of the ball shall be from 13 to 15 ounces.

2. The duration of the game shall be 90 minutes,unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.The winners of the toss shall have the option of kick-off or choice of goals.The game shall be commenced by a place-kick from the centre of the field of playin the direction of the opponents' goal-line;the opponents shall not approach within 10 yards of the balluntil it is kicked off,nor shall any player on either sidepass the centre of the groundin the direction of his opponents' goaluntil the ball is kicked off.^{[doib 2]}

3. Ends shall only be changed at half-time.The interval at half-time shall not exceed five minutes,except by consent of the Referee.After a goal is scoredthe losing side shall kick off,and after the change of ends at half-timethe ball shall be kicked offby the opposite side from that which originally did so;and always as provided in Law 2.

4. Except as otherwise provided by these Laws,a goal shall be scoredwhen the ball has passed between the goal-postsunder the bar,not being thrown, knocked on, nor carriedby any player of the attacking side.If from any causeduring the progress of the gamethe bar is displaced,the Referee shall have power to award a goalifin his opinionthe ball would have passed under the barif it had not been displaced.The ball is in play if it rebounds from a goal-post,cross-bar,or a corner flag-staff,into the field of play.The ball is in play if it touches the Referee or a Linesmanwhen in the field of play.The ball is out of playwhen it has crossed the goal-line or touch-line,either on the ground or in the air.^{[doib 3]}

5. When the ball is in touch,a player of the opposite side to that which played it outshall throw it infrom the point on the touch-line where it left the field of play.The player throwing the ballmust stand on the touch-linefacing the field of play,and shall throw the ball inover his headwith both handsin any direction,and it shall be in play when thrown in.A goal shall not be scored from a throw-in,andthe throwershall not again playuntil the ball has been playedby another player.This Law is complied withif the player has any part of both feet on the linewhen he throws the ball in.

6. When a player plays the ball,or throws it in from touch,any player of the same side whoat such moment of playing or throwing-inis nearer to his opponents' goal-lineis out of play,and may not touch the ball himself,nor in any way whatever interfere with an opponent,or with the play,until the ball has been again played,unless there are at such moment of playing or throwing-inat least three of his opponents nearer their own goal-line.A player is not out of play in the case of a corner-kick,or when the ball is kicked off from goal,or when it has been last played by an opponent.

7. When the ball is played behind the goal-line by a player of the opposite side,it shall be kicked off by any one of the players behind whose goal-line it went,within that half of the goal^[5] nearest the point where the ball left the field of play;but, if played behind by any one of the side whose goal-line it is,a player of the opposite side shall kick itfrom within 1 yard of the nearest corner flag-staff.^{[doib 4]}In either casean opponent shall not be allowed within 6 yards of the ball until it is kicked off.

8. The goal-keeper may,within his own half of the field of play,use his hands,but shall not carry the ball.The goal-keeper shall not be chargedexcept when he is holding the ball,or obstructing an opponent,or when he has passed outside the goal area.The goal-keeper may be changed during the game,but notice of such changemust first be given to the Referee.^{[doib 5]}

9. Neither tripping, kicking, nor jumping at a player shall be allowed.A player(the goal-keeper excepted)shall not intentionally handle the ball.A player shall not use his hands to hold or push an opponent.Charging is permissible,but it must not be violent or dangerous.A player shall not be charged from behind,unless he is intentionally obstructing an opponent.^{[doib 6]}

10. When a free kick has been awarded,the kicker's opponents shall not approachwithin 6 yards of the ballunless they are standing on their own goal-line.The ball must at least be rolled overbefore it shall be considered played;i.e., it must make a complete circuitor travel the distance of its circumference.The kicker shall not play the ball a second timeuntil it has been played by another player.The kick-off(except as provided by Law 2),corner-kick,and goal-kick,shall be free kicks within the meaning of this Law.

11. A goal may be scored from a free kickwhich is awarded because of any infringement of Law 9,but not from any other free kick.^[6]

12. A player shall not wear any nails,except such as have their heads driven in flush with the leather,or metal platesor projections,or gutta percha,on his bootsor on his shin-guards.If bars or studs on the soles or heels of the boots are used,they shall not project more than half an inch,and shall have all their fastenings driven in flush with the leather.Bars shall be transverse and flat,not less than half an inch in width,and shall extend from side to side of the boot.Studs shall be round in plan,not less than half an inch in diameter,and in no case conical or pointed.^{[doib 7]}Any player discovered infringing this lawshall be prohibited from taking further part in the match.The Referee shall,if required,examine the players' bootsbefore the commencement of a match.

13. A Referee shall be appointed,whose duties shall be to enforce the lawsand decide all disputed points;and his decisionon points of fact connected with the playshall be final.He shall also keep a record of the game,and act as timekeeper.In the event of any ungentlemanly behaviouron the part of any of the players,the offender or offenders shall be cautioned,and if the offence is repeated,or in case of violent conductwithout any previous caution,the Referee shall have power to order the offending player or playersoff the field of play,and shall transmit the name or names of such player or players to his or their National Association,who shall deal with the matter.^{[doib 8]}The Referee shall have powerto allow for time wasted,to suspend the game when he thinks fitand to terminate the game whenever,by reason of darkness, interference by spectators, or other cause,he may deem necessary;but in all casesin which a game is so terminatedhe shall report the same to the Association under whose jurisdiction the game was played,who shall have full power to deal with the matter.The Referee shall have powerto award a free kickin any case in which he thinks the conduct of a player dangerous,or likely to prove dangerous,but not sufficiently so as to justify him in putting in forcethe greater powers vested in him.The power of the Refereeextends to offencescommitted when the play has been temporarily suspended,and when the ball is out of play.

14. Two linesmen shall be appointed,whose duty (subject to the decision of the Referee)shall be to decide when the ball is out of play,and which side is entitled to the corner-kick,goal-kick, or throw-in,and to assist the Refereein carrying out the gamein accordance with the Laws.^{[doib 9]}In the event of anyundue interference or improper conduct by a Linesman,the Referee shall have power to order him off the field of playand appoint a substitute,and report the circumstancesto the National Association having jurisdiction over him,who shall deal with the matter.

15. In the event of a supposed infringement of the Laws,the ball shall be in play until a decision has been given.

16. In the event of any temporary suspension of playfrom any cause,the ball not having gone into touchor behind the goal-line,the Referee shall throw the ball downwhere it was when play was suspended,and it shall be in play when it has touched the ground.If the ball goes into touchor behind the goal-linebefore it is played by a player,the Referee shall again throw it down.The players on either side shall not play the balluntil it has touched the ground.

17. In the event of any infringementof Laws 5, 6, 8, 10, or 16,a free kick shall be awarded to the opposite side,from the place where the infringement occurred.In the event of any intentional infringementof Law 9outside the penalty area,or by the attacking side within the penalty area,a free kick shall be awarded to the opposite sidefrom the place where the infringement occurred.In the event of any intentional infringement of Law 9by the defending side within the penalty areathe Referee shallaward the opponents a penalty kick,^{[doib 10]}which shall be taken from the penalty kick markunder the following conditions:All players,with the exception of the player taking the penalty kickand the opponents' goal-keeper,shall be outside the penalty area.The opponents' goal-keeper shall not advance beyond his goal-line.The ball must be kicked forward.The ball shall be in play when the kick is taken,and a goal may be scored from a penalty kick;but the ball shall not be again played by the kickeruntil it has been played by another player.If necessary, time of play shall be extendedto admit of the penalty kick being taken.A free kick shall also be awarded to the opposite sideif the ball is not kicked forward,or is played a second time by the player who takes the penalty kickuntil it has been played by another player.The Referee may refrain from putting the provisions of this Law into effectin cases where he is satisfied that by enforcing themhe would be giving an advantage to the offending side.If when a penalty kick is takenthe ball passes between the goal-posts,under the bar,the goal shall not be nullified by reason ofany infringement by the defending side.

APlace Kick is a kick at the ball while it is on the groundin the centre of the field of play.

AFree Kick is a kick at the ballin any direction the player pleases,when it is lying on the ground.

A Place Kick, a Free Kick, or a Penalty Kick must not be taken until the Referee has given a signal for the same.

Carrying by the goal-keeper is taking more than two steps while holding the ballor bouncing it on the hand.

Knocking on is when a player strikes or propels the ball with his hands or arms.

Handling and Tripping. — Handling is intentionally playing the ball with the hand or arm,and Tripping is intentionally throwing,or attempting to throw,an opponent by the use of the legsor by stooping in front ofor behind him.

Holding includes the obstruction of a player by the handor any part of the arm extended from the body.

Touch is that part of the ground on either side of the field of play.

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