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The laws of football

So you think you know all there is to know about our number one sport? Come and join our team of fans and acquaint/reacquaint yourself with the laws of the game, which are forever changing.

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So you think you know all there is to know about our number one sport? Come and join our team of fans and acquaint/reacquaint yourself with the laws of the game, which are forever changing.

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Discover the game of football

So you're a football fan and you want to find out all about the rules of this team sport? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, you've come to the right place.

We'll tell you all about the history of football and its laws, and we'll point you in the direction of the gear that every self-respecting player needs.

Football is a popular sport that arouses the passions of the people who follow it and has real benefits to offer to players and fans alike. You can find out all about them in this section.

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Football and its laws

Did you know that there are 17 laws of the game? Can you name them all? We take a look at the basics and the laws you need to know to master every aspect of the game.

The field of play, the players, the ball, the duration of the match, players' equipment, the referee and offside… there are always changes being made to the laws of the game and they generate a lot of debate. If you play the game, it's always good to keep abreast of them. We have selected the most important laws of the game for you, the ones you really need to keep up on.

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The referee and their cards

The referee is a vital part of the game and there's no getting away from the fact that you can't play without one.Often criticised and scrutinised (as you might expect for a sport that commands the media spotlight), referees have the power to penalise players by issuing cards. They come in two colours: yellow (one is OK, two are bad news) and red (the colour every player dreads seeing).

We're going to look at all the referee's disciplinary powers and the laws that relate to them. And if you're confused about all the other laws the referee has to enforce, such as offside and stoppages in play, then we've got all the answers for you right here in this section. Make no mistake, it'll change the way you see the referee.

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Player positions

Football is a sport in which you can excel as a player in any number of positions. You know all the basic positions: forward, midfielder, defender and goalkeeper. But do you know all the variations, such as full-back, wide midfielder, defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder. The fact is there are lots of positions and options to take in during a football match.

In this section we list all the player positions for you, from the ones that have been around for decades to new ones that have cropped thanks to recent developments in the game. As you well know, in today's football there are few players who stick to one position throughout their career.

Do you still have to have a favoured position? In theory yes, but there's no reason why you can't explore others and enjoy them just as much as the one you thought you were born to play.

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Video: essential technical skills

There are a lot of technical skills to master when you play football and we're going to show them to you in a series of videos. They include scoring a goal, heading the ball, passing to a team-mate, dribbling, controlling the ball, taking a throw-in, defending, and playing the ball out from goal. They'll come in handy if you're a seasoned player and they'll be absolutely vital if you're just starting to play the game.

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Age categories in football

U-9s, U-13s, U-16s… there are so many age categories in football that it can get a little confusing. Don't worry. We're here at Kipsta to make it all clearer for you, so you don't get mixed up when your children or their cousins and friends start out on their footballing careers.

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Football jargon for "dummies"...

Are you one of those people who has to put up with football? Do you have to sit there and suffer when your partner's watching a big match on TV? Do you have to listen to your colleagues talking about the weekend's games over the coffee machine? And what about when everyone's going crazy about the World Cup and other big competitions? Does it all go over your head?

The thing is, you've always been fascinated by how much people love the game. And as you well know, if you can't beat them then you might as well join them, which means getting into the game and understanding football jargon. That's where we can help you, with our essential football glossary.

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Futsal: a different kind of football

In the last few years, several variations of "football" have emerged and developed, such as futsal and urban and five-a-side football. These games have their own rules, pitches and products, among them the ball.

Click on the link below to find out more about futsal and its rules.

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These other tips may interest you

Football: how to become a goal machine

Scoring goals is what football is all about. "Oh, really?" I hear you say. "This guy's a genius!" Want to improve your stats and become your team's number one goalscorer? I've got some advice to share with you.

Why play football?

Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. But why is there so much passion for the beautiful game? Here are a few ideas that might be of interest.

What are the advantages of playing in different positions?

Forward, defensive midfielder, wide midfielder, central defender, full back ... there are so many positions and roles to play in football and, with them, opportunities to develop as a playerWe reveal all the benefits that footballers can reap from playing in different positions.

Football: what makes a good team player?

"I'd like to play with him. He's a good teammate..." Has anyone ever said that about you in your football team?We tell you the three things you need to become a good teammate on and off the pitch.