The game is started with one team kicking off.  The play keeps going, stopping only if the ball goes out of bounds, a foul is committed or a goal is scored.  In most competitions the game is 90 minutes long, played in two halves.  If the game is tied at the end, an overtime period is usually played.

    The referee is assisted by two linesmen, one on each sideline.  Penalties against an opposing team are pushing, tripping, holding of the player or the joursey, striking, intentional kicking, and charging from behind.  When these types of penalties occur, the referee awards a direct free kick against the opposing team.  It takes place on the spot where the penalty occurred, unless the violation occurred in the offending teams own penalty area.  Then it is placed 12 yards from the goal line, and only the goalie may try to defend the goal.

    Other offenses, which are considered not as severe are obstruction, offside, hand balls, and dangerous plays.   When one of these occur, an indirect free kick is awarded, meaning that one pass must be made before a goal is scored.

    When the ball goes out of bounds over the sidelines, it is returned back into play with a two hand overhead throw, with both of the players feet touching the ground.  When the ball goes over the goal line, but does not go into the goal, it is either a corner kick for the attacking team, or a free kick for the defending team.

    A red card is a card that a referee has and can give to a player for consistently breaking the rules or back talking to the referee too many times.  For a red card you get taken out for the rest of that game and the game following.  A yellow card is another card that the referee has and can give to any player for making a serious foul or trying to hurt another player on either team.  For a yellow card you get taken out of the game for only the time of two minutes or the referee can choose to keep you out for a longer period of time.