Laws of football
As a referee you need to understand the laws of football. IFAB has released updated editions of the Laws of the Game for 2021-2022. Some competitions might still use the 2020-2021 laws, because they won’t change them during the season. You can find different copies below.
Get the full version of the 2021-2022 version in English or download a copy in your language below.
If you’re looking for weekly quizzes, check out the LOTG quiz page.
Laws of the Game 2021-2022
Laws of the Game 2020-2021
Get the full version in English for 2020-2021, a Dutch version or other languages below. Plus you can watch a presentation on the LOTG changes.
2019-2020 versions of laws of football
Old versions
- Download a 2018-2019 copy in English of the Laws of the Game
- Old: Download a 2017-2018 copy in English of the Laws of the Game
Laws of the Game 2018-2019 in other languages
Interesting for all of you: LOTG in French, German and Spanish available now. IFAB has published these documents on their website. You can download them via the links below.
- Laws of the Game (English)
- Lois de jeu (French)
- Spielregeln (German)
- Reglas de Juego (Spanish)
Other languages
Laws of the Game 2017-2018 in other languages
Interesting for all of you: LOTG in French, German and Spanish available now. An English version was already available. IFAB has published these documents on their website. You can download them via the links below.
- Laws of the Game (English)
- Lois de jeu (French)
- Spielregeln (German)
- Reglas de Juego (Spanish)
Download laws of the game 2016-2017
Some countries will use the new LOTG at the start of 2018. Want to get a copy of the 2016-2017 Laws of the Game? Get your copy of the Laws of the Game 2016-2017.
17 Laws of Football
Football has 17 laws in the book
- Law 1: The Field of Play
- Law 2: The Ball
- Law 3: The Number of Players
- Law 4: The Players’ Equipment
- Law 5: The Referee
- Law 6: The Assistant Referees
- Law 7: The Duration of the Match
- Law 8: The start and restart of play
- Law 9: Ball in and out of play
- Law 10: The Method of Scoring Law 11: Offside
- Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
- Law 13: Free kicks (direct and indirect)
- Law 14: The Penalty Kick
- Law 15: The Throw-in
- Law 16: The Goal Kick
- Law 17: Corner kick
Law 18: use common sense
“The most important law is not written down – the so-called ‘Law 18’ – and this is about common sense. A referee may have a great knowledge and understanding of the laws, but to apply them in a correct manner is a required skill”, is how Hugh Dallas, for Scottish international referee and current member of the Uefa Referees Committee, it decribes.
Original Sheffield rules of football
Do you know for which amount of money the original rules of the game were sold for? A record breaking £881,250. Check a previous blog post for a photo of the original rule book plus the exact rules back in 1858. Want to get an idea how football looked back that day? Former Premier League referee officiated a youth game with the original rules. Quite funny story, with a referee with a high hat.
44 Comments
zenzele ngobese
The new laws that are been added is good ..
Alusine
I want to be a football player
Jan ter Harmsel
Search a local team then. This blog is about refereeing btw, so can’t help with finding a club anyways. Good luck finding a club.
lij
These need rules are good.
Kisubi Zephas
Good work done
Isaac Jallah
That’s awesome
David King
The above should be updated for 2016-17
including new Law titles.
njikam basil
I pray my name will be writen un this book because i love this sport
Awoyinka Deji
Good modifications to the laws of the game
saha
good
Kennedy mutale
I like de kick off just one to be there
delano
this is Delano Collins and i play football for my school and have to say that is a Good work is done and i am pleas with what am seeing now thank you good bye
Jan ter Harmsel
Thanks Delano. Good to see players checking the Laws of the Game as well. Good luck with your football career and have fun!
Nathaniel
Thanks you too,by the way i’m 10 so i’m really hyped when I start my football career
peter
I like the rules am peter an aspiring referee in Africa .the game is growing here .Watch out Africa is comming.
NFALLY NYASSI
AM HAPPY WITH U REFEREEING SO THAT COMFIRM THAT U RE GOOD FRIEND OF MINE
zattey Stanley
Peace and love.
John Mhina
good work done..
Asiedu Kwasi
offside rule must b review n come again with a very convenient n proper rule again
Jan ter Harmsel
What do you suggest? What do you want to change?
Enoni Amakiri Adias
Good changes, but want to suggest that offsides should only be awarded if 1 meter off. Let d goals roll against laxity.
Jan ter Harmsel
It creates the same problem as in the current situation. It’s sometimes difficult to see if someone’s onside or offside. There can be a 1cm difference. That’s also the problem with 1.01 m ofside or 99 cm offside. And measuring the difference between players might be more difficult than seeing if players are on the same level. How would you make sure the 1m difference will be properly observed?
Akena Patrick
Thanks Jan,
I like the way you are grooming my careers in refereeing.
Good work
Akena Patrick
This time I realise a lot of improvement in my know
knowledge on the LOTG.
Thanks a lot Jan. Please keep on.????????????????⚽️
Jan ter Harmsel
I will keep on posting the weekly quizzes that probably will help you with the LOTG.
ataul halim
Good for football ⚽⚽⚽⚽
Yona
Thanks Jan for the good work you’re doing, I would like to be great refree in my life what can I do?
Jan ter Harmsel
Try to get all the advice you can. Evaluate your performances. Make sure you have a plan. What are your long-term and short-term goals? Just a few thoughts.
Bahram Naghavi
please upload new videos test of laws of the game too
Jan ter Harmsel
I’ve never done the video quizzes. I do case studies every now and then, but the quizzes are text only and always published on Friday at noon (CET).
Dede
Which is the biggest level a player can score in a fifa game?
Jan ter Harmsel
You better ask on other blogs, because this is about refereeing.
Obol Denis
Iam so delighten with fifa law of the game so it made me abetter referee in our country am Denis in Africa more especialy uganda so iwant to become agood referee in our areas,ihave refreeing more tournaments than others can expected iam 15yrs old thanks.
Jan ter Harmsel
Hi Denis, some great opportunities for you when you start at that age. Best wishes for your career!
R.BASKAR
pls send ya new lows 2020
Jan ter Harmsel
You can download them via the links above. Good luck!
augustine mollel
Am happy to know these rules
Rodgers yego
I would wish to have a changes in the laws
Jan ter Harmsel
Which changes do you suggest then?
Zubenathi Mathunda
am need to learn more about those rules, and i also need training
Jan ter Harmsel
That’s why I do the weekly quizzes. That will help you a lot.
jibril ado
god bless you
Henry
Wow with this i can be a good referee
Jan ter Harmsel
What else do you need?