Basics & the Laws
How a match works, from the 17 Laws of the Game to offside and VAR, explained in plain English.
3 explainers, in reading order
The 17 Laws in plain English
Understand who writes football’s rules, what each of the 17 Laws covers, and what changed in 2025/26 and 2026/27.
Offside, explained
Learn the difference between being in an offside position and committing an offside offence, and how technology now helps draw the line.
VAR, explained
Understand what the video assistant referee can and cannot review, how a check becomes a review, and how decisions are explained to the crowd.