Football basics
Football rules explained: match time, goals and restarts
A practical introduction to the basic structure of association football: how long a match lasts, when a goal counts, how play restarts and wh…
Read guideFootball knowledge
Football Guides | Rules, Match Basics and How the Game Works
Clear, evergreen football explainers built around the official Laws of the Game and the information you see on ODDSNEX.
Law 11 · Offside
Offside in football: position, offence and restarts
A practical guide to Law 11: when an attacking player is in an offside position, when that position becomes an offence, the main exceptions a…
Read guideLaw 12 · Fouls and cards
Fouls and cards in football: yellow, red and disciplinary action
A practical guide to Law 12: how fouls are judged, when a challenge needs no card, when yellow or red applies, and how disciplinary action re…
Read guideTactics · Positions and formations
Football positions and formations: goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack
A practical guide to player roles and team shapes: what the Laws actually require, how common positions are described, and how formations suc…
Read guideLaws 10 and 14 · Penalties
Penalty kicks and shoot-outs in football: rules and procedure
A practical guide to when a penalty kick is awarded, where the players must stand, what happens after the kick and how a penalty shoot-out de…
Read guideLaws 13, 15–17 · Restarts
Free kicks and restarts in football: direct, indirect, throw-ins and corners
A practical guide to direct and indirect free kicks, the required distance at restarts, how throw-ins work and when play restarts with a goal…
Read guideLaw 12 · Handball
Handball in football: when hand or arm contact is an offence
A practical guide to the handball rule: deliberate handling, arm position, accidental contact, restarts and disciplinary cards.
Read guideVAR · Video review
VAR in football: what video review can check and how decisions change
A practical guide to VAR: which incidents can be reviewed, what “clear and obvious” means, how checks and on-field reviews work, and who make…
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