A Beginner's Guide to How Football is Played: Rules, Positions & Basic Strategy

I remember the first time I watched a full football match. It was a classic, gritty affair, and while I was captivated by the athleticism, I’ll admit I spent most of the game utterly confused. What was an offside? Why did they keep stopping the clock? It felt like deciphering a complex code. But then, something clicked. I began to see the patterns, the chess match unfolding within the chaos. It reminded me of a powerful sentiment I once heard in sports, something like, “You’ve been there in our battles, celebrated our victories, and stood tall in every challenge.” That’s football in a nutshell. It’s a collective story of battle, strategy, and legacy, played out over 90 minutes. This guide is my attempt to pass on that understanding, to help you see beyond the 22 players chasing a ball and appreciate the beautiful, structured game underneath.

Let’s start with the absolute bedrock: the rules and the field. A standard professional pitch is roughly 105 meters long by 68 meters wide, though dimensions can vary. The objective is simple—score more goals than the opponent. A match lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves, with added time for stoppages. Now, the offside rule, the one that baffles every newcomer. In essence, an attacking player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender (usually the last outfield player) at the moment the ball is played to them. It’s not about where they receive it, but where they are when the pass is made. It prevents “goal-hanging” and encourages build-up play. Other key rules involve fouls, resulting in free kicks or penalties. A direct free kick (for serious fouls like pushing or tripping) can be shot directly at goal, while an indirect free kick (for offenses like obstruction) must touch another player first. A penalty kick is awarded for a foul inside the defending team’s 18-yard box. Personally, I think the offside rule, for all its complexity, is a stroke of genius; it’s the defensive line’s best tool for organizing a trap and the attacker’s ultimate test of timing.

Understanding the positions is like learning the roles in an orchestra. Each player has a specific function that contributes to the whole. We can break them into four lines. The goalkeeper is the lone sentinel, the only player allowed to use their hands within their own penalty area. Their job is not just to save shots but to organize the defense and initiate attacks with their distribution. In front of them are the defenders. Center-backs are the physical pillars, strong in the air and in tackles. Full-backs (or wing-backs in more attacking systems) operate on the flanks, tasked with both defending and providing width in attack. I have a soft spot for a world-class full-back; their ability to cover the entire length of the pitch is a modern marvel. The midfield is the engine room. Defensive midfielders, often called the “number 6,” shield the defense and break up opposition plays. Central midfielders, the “number 8s,” are the box-to-box dynamos, linking defense and attack. Attacking midfielders, the “number 10,” are the creative sparks, tasked with unlocking defenses with a killer pass. Finally, the forwards. Strikers, or center-forwards, are the primary goal threats, often physically imposing and clinical finishers. Wingers use their pace and dribbling to beat defenders on the flanks and deliver crosses or cut inside to shoot. A team’s formation, like the common 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, simply dictates how many players are allocated to each of these lines.

All these rules and positions coalesce into strategy, the true soul of the game. Basic strategy hinges on two phases: in possession and out of possession. When a team has the ball, they aim to create scoring opportunities through patient build-up, quick counter-attacks, or exploiting wide areas. Possession isn’t just about keeping the ball; it’s about moving it with purpose to disorganize the opponent. I’m a firm believer that controlled possession, even if it’s sometimes labeled “boring,” is the most effective way to dominate a game and conserve energy. Out of possession, teams either press high up the pitch to win the ball back quickly or drop into a compact defensive block to deny space. The choice often depends on the team’s philosophy and the match context. Set pieces—corners, free kicks, and throw-ins—account for nearly 30% of all goals scored, making them a critical strategic component. A well-rehearsed corner routine can be the difference between a win and a draw. The legacy of a great team isn’t just in its trophies, but in its identity—its signature style of play. That idea of lessons living on in every player who takes the field is profound. A manager’s tactical blueprint becomes the team’s DNA, passed down and evolved through seasons.

So, the next time you watch a match, look for these layers. Watch how the defensive line moves in unison to spring the offside trap. Follow the tireless runs of the central midfielder, connecting every part of the team. Appreciate the strategic duel between managers, adjusting formations and making substitutions. Football is more than a game; it’s a continuous narrative of challenge and triumph, a 90-minute story where every pass, tackle, and tactical shift writes a new line. Your journey as a fan is part of that story. Once you grasp these fundamentals, you don’t just watch the battle—you understand it. You don’t just celebrate the victories; you appreciate the intricate strategy that made them possible. And that, in my view, is where the real magic of football begins.