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Courses

Guide to the laws of the game

Develop your understanding of the key laws of the game and how they’re applied.

Course Overview

Introduction to Coaching Football

Venue:

Online

Free

Duration:

2 hours 20 minutes

Minimum age:

14

Price:

Free

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If you’ve already started this course, you can continue the course here. You must complete the course before 2nd January 2026 or your progress will be lost and you’ll have to start again.

Starting today? If you start this course today, please complete it before the 2nd January 2026 or your progress will be lost and you’ll have to start again.

About the course

Welcome to The FA’s Guide to the Laws of the Game. 

Whatever your role in football, this course will help you to understand the key Laws of the Game and how they’re applied.

You’ll learn about fouls and challenges, offside, restarts and set pieces. You’ll also gain an understanding of the signals used by referees and assistant referees, and get an idea of what the referee has to do before a match.

There are seven modules in total, and some questions to answer at the end of each one to check your knowledge.

Important information

The course is designed to work on mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop. For the best experience, choose a newer device with a large screen, and make sure your operating system and browser are up to date.

Course modules

Course introduction (7m)

This module explains the course structure. It also provides the chance to tell us about yourself.

Before the match (21m)

From the pitch inspection to the coin toss, this module covers the actions the referees need to take before every match.

 

Signals and communication (16m)

Communicating on the field of play is vital to the effective management of a game. This module reviews the signals the referees and assistant referees are required to make during a match.

 

Getting it right (40m)

Getting decisions right is key to delivering a successful game. This module takes a closer look at foul challenges and disciplinary sanctions that can be applied in a match.

 

Offside (20m)

Making an offside decision in a match has to consider a range of factors; this module reviews what is offside and the sanctions that are applied.

 

Managing starts and restarts (31m)

A match has many different starts and restarts which this module covers and details which are applied at the correct times.


Course summary (5m)

This module sums up the course. It reviews your learning objectives and provides the opportunity to give feedback. .

Frequently Asked questions

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