The Laws of the Game explain what happens on the pitch. Start with time, scoring and offside; then check the competition rules for the format being played.
Normal time, added time and extra time
In the standard format, a match has two equal 45-minute halves. The referee adds time to allow for time lost, as described in IFAB Law 7. A display showing a minimum number of additional minutes does not require the whistle to sound at that exact second.
Added time extends the current half. Extra time is a separate stage used when competition rules require it. Youth and other permitted formats can modify match duration, so the competition matters.
When does a goal count?
IFAB Law 10 requires the whole ball to pass over the goal line, between the posts and under the crossbar, without an offence by the scoring team. A ball touching the line has not completely crossed it.
A penalty shoot-out determines a winner under the relevant competition procedure. Do not casually add its kicks to a normal-time score when describing a match.
| Situation | Reading point |
|---|---|
| Ball partly over the line | The whole ball has not crossed. |
| Goal during added time | Added time belongs to that half. |
| Winner after a shoot-out | Separate the match score from the shoot-out result. |
Offside position is not automatically an offence
Under Law 11, a player can be in an offside position in the opponents’ half when nearer the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. Being in that position alone is not an offence: involvement in active play is the next question.
The relevant moment is when a team-mate plays or touches the ball, with the specific details set out in the law. There is no offside offence from receiving the ball directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick. Read the full law for interference, rebounds and deliberate saves.
Watch the decision in sequence
This is an introduction to the current IFAB material consulted, not a replacement for the full laws. Tactical interpretations and betting terminology belong in separate guides.
- Identify the event: a goal, possible offside or a restart.
- Check the applicable law and what the referee decided.
- Separate the sporting decision from any operator’s settlement definition.
Questions, answered
Is added time the same as extra time?
No. Added time compensates for time lost within a half; extra time is a separate stage when the competition requires it.
Is standing offside enough for a free kick?
No. An offside position alone is not an offence. The law also considers involvement in active play and its stated exceptions.
Sources & further reading
Sources consulted:
- IFAB Law 7: match duration and allowance for time lost
- IFAB Law 11: offside position, involvement and exceptions
- IFAB Law 10: goals and the outcome of a match
Source links are references, not endorsements. UK technical guidance explains concepts; it does not establish availability or legal status in Cambodia.