Even among the most diehard of football supporters around the country, there are rules they have probably never heard of - many of which concern own goals.
Everything you can imagine has been covered by lawmakers, with regulations concerning what happens should you not have enough players going into a penalty shoot-out to what happens should you score with a ball that happens to be flat.
Daily Star Sport has taken a look at five of the most unfamiliar pages of the rule book, one of which might just give Aston Villa fans some flashbacks to a certain 2002 nightmare.
Can't score an own goal from a free-kick
One strange rule, that is not very often put to the test, is that you cannot score an own goal from your own free-kick.
Rules state that should the ball go directly into a team's own goal from a free-kick, then it will be awarded as a corner to the opposing team, as if it had crossed the touchline either side of the goal.
The FA rule states: "If a direct or indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded."
You can be sent off before kick-off
Have you ever seen someone sent off before kick-off? Tell us in the comments section
On a rare occasion in which tempers boil over before the match has begun, the referee reserves the right to show red cards to both players and coaching staff.
There are a few rules that describe what must happen next, including to what extend they must be excluded from proceedings.
For a player who is sent off, the rules state: "After being named on the team list and before kick-off (the player) may be replaced by a named substitute, who can not be replaced; the number of substitutions the team can make is not reduced."
Penalty takers must be even for each team
Should a team get to the end of extra-time with only nine players, the other side will be forced to cut players from their own penalty schedule.
In that case, two players would have to sit out, making sure that after nine were taken, the shootout starts again with those who took the first two.
That could come as a benefit to the side who finished with a full 11 on the pitch, allowing them to leave out two players who were not keen on facing the pressure.
Cannot score an own goal from a throw in
In a similar rule to the first on the list, it is not possible to score an own goal directly from a throw.
If the player is to throw the ball back to the keeper, and it goes past him with no contact into the net, then a corner would again be awarded to the other team.
In an infamous moment of Premier League history, Aston Villa's Peter Enckelman was adjudged to have brushed his studs on the ball following Olof Mellberg's throw - in one of the worst own goals ever.
You can't score with a flat ball
Should you strike the ball towards goal, and it becomes damaged in the air before beating the goalkeeper - then the goal will not stand.
Rules state that if the ball becomes defective, play is stopped and restarted with a dropped ball.
Additionally, the FA document says: 'If the ball becomes defective during a penalty kick or kicks from the penalty mark as it moves forward and before it touches a player, crossbar or goalposts the penalty kick is retaken.'
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FAQs
Why cant you score an own goal from a direct free kick? ›
Rules state that should the ball go directly into a team's own goal from a free-kick, then it will be awarded as a corner to the opposing team, as if it had crossed the touchline either side of the goal.
Can you score an own goal from your own free kick? ›A goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick against the opposing side. A goal may not be scored directly from an indirect free kick, and an own goal may not be scored directly from any free kick.
What happens if you score an own goal from a goal kick? ›An own goal cannot be scored from a goal kick; in the highly unlikely circumstance that the ball enters the kicker's own goal before being touched by another player, a corner kick is awarded. A player may not be penalized for offside directly from a goal kick.
What is the own goal rule? ›An own goal, also called a self goal, is where a player performs actions that result in them or their team scoring a goal on themselves, usually resulting in points for the opposing team, such as when a football player kicks a ball into their own net or goal.
What are the rules for a free kick in football? ›A free kick is a kickoff or safety kick that puts the ball in play to start a free kick down. It must be made from any point on the kicking (offensive) team's restraining line and between the inbounds lines. A kickoff puts the ball in play at the start of each half, after a try, and after a successful field goal.
What are the rules for a direct free kick? ›A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: charges. jumps at. kicks or attempts to kick.
Can a own goal scored from a corner kick? ›The attacking side may score directly from a corner kick, though this is uncommon. An own goal may not be scored directly: in the extremely unlikely event of the ball going directly into the attacking team's own goal from a corner kick, a corner kick would be awarded to the opposing side.
Does an own goal count as an anytime scorer? ›Own goals are not counted for First to Score. If the 1st goal is an own goal, the next goal scored which is not an own goal will be counted for settlement purposes. If there are only own goals in the match, bets will be settled with the Exact Score market odds at kick-off time.
What is the 6 second goalkeeper rule? ›A goalkeeper six-second violation in soccer is a goalkeeper foul that the goalkeeper commits by holding the ball inside the penalty area for an excessive amount of time. The goalkeeper is allowed to hold or control the ball with their hands or arms, but they must release and play the ball within six seconds.
What happens if you score 3 own goals in football? ›You might see it termed as a hat-trick of own goals. Perhaps the reason there is no specific name for this is because it is so rare. Scoring a hat-trick in a game is one of the highest honours a football player can achieve on the pitch.
What is the golden rule in football? ›
If either team scores a goal during extra time, the game ends immediately and the scoring team becomes the winner. The winning goal is known as the "golden goal". If there have been no goals scored after both periods of extra time, a penalty shoot-out decides the game.
What does no own goal mean? ›noun. 1. chiefly British : a goal in soccer, hockey, etc., that a player accidentally scores against his or her own team. British : something that one does thinking it will help him or her but that actually causes one harm.
Who decides if a goal is an own goal? ›The determining factor is the direction of the initial shot. If the effort was on target, the shooter is credited with a goal, even if a deflection took it past the keeper. If the shot was off target and a touch puts it into the net, then it's an own goal.
What is the weird NFL kicking rule? ›After a fair catch, an NFL team has the right to take a free kick from the line of scrimmage on the next play. If the kick goes through the uprights, the kicking team scores 3 points.
Has there ever been a 1 point safety? ›A much rarer occurrence is the one-point (or conversion) safety, which can be scored by the offense on an extra point or two-point conversion attempt: these have occurred at least twice in NCAA Division I football since 1996, most recently at the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, though no conversion safeties have occurred since 1940 ...
What is Law 13 of football? ›If a player, while correctly taking a free kick, deliberately kicks the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but not in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force, the referee allows play to continue.
Can a goal be scored from an indirect free kick? ›In short, a goal may not be scored directly from an indirect free kick. Rather, the ball must be touched by an additional player, from either side, before a shot can be taken.
What determines if a free kick is direct or indirect? ›In general, a direct kick comes from a contact foul or hand ball. Everything else is indirect. A penalty kick results from a contact foul or hand ball by the defending team within the penalty area – the large box on either end of the field. So it's a type of direct kick also.
Can you be off sides on a free kick? ›An offside offence may occur if a player receives the ball directly from either a direct free kick, indirect free kick or dropped-ball.
What is 17 rule of football? ›A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.
What is 17 law of football? ›
Law 17: The Corner Kick
Only the opposite side may score directly from a corner kick; if the ball penetrates the goal of the kicker, the opponents are given a corner kick.
It was the first goal of its type to be recorded in history. At the time, the goal was named 'Onzari's goal against the Olympians', but eventually, this name was shortened to just 'Olympic goal'. “As a tribute, or ironically, that rare thing was called the 'Olympic goal'.
Can anytime touchdown scorer be a pass? ›Does anytime touchdown scorer include passing touchdowns? Not for a quarterback, no. A player must get into the endzone, himself, in order to qualify as an anytime touchdown scorer.
Can a QB be an anytime touchdown scorer? ›However, predicting rushing and receiving touchdowns is a bit more manageable. Most of the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends who are expected to see the field will get an anytime TD scorer prop posted to the various sportsbooks.
Can you play 2 goalies? ›No more than one goaltender per team is permitted to be on the ice at any given time. The rules do not oblige the use of a goaltender and so teams may instead opt to play with an extra skater.
Can you stand behind the goalkeeper? ›The offside rule in football: Explained
A football player will be considered in the offside position if his/her head, body or feet is beyond the second last opponent, standing ahead of the goalkeeper while receiving the ball.
(c) If a goalkeeper deliberately participates in the play in any manner when they are beyond the center red line, a minor penalty shall be assessed.
Has anyone scored 3 own goals in a game? ›Spare a thought for New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore, who scored a perfect hat trick of own goals against the USWNT before being substituted in the 40th minute... The media could not be played. “I shook it off after the first one.
Has anyone ever scored a hattrick of own goals? ›It was a tough outing for New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore, who scored a hat-trick of own goals, in the match against USA, which the latter won 5-0 in the ongoing SheBelieves Cup.
Do you get an assist for an own goal? ›Players who have their shots saved, blocked by a defender or denied by the woodwork can earn an assist if the ball then falls to a team-mate to score or results in an own goal. The shot does not have to be on target to result in an assist.
What is the rule of 11 in football? ›
A player is in an offside position if: any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents' half (excluding the halfway line) and. any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.
Is there a mercy rule in football? ›If a team is trailing by 40 points or more, a running clock shall be used at the start of the 3rd and/or 4th Quarter (mandatory). The clock shall run except during time-outs, following scores, injuries, and change of possession. The clock will continue to run regardless of the score differential.
What is the rule of 14 in football? ›A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
What is the no away goal rule? ›The away goal rule states that if two teams have scored equal goals over two (home and away) legs, then the team with the greater number of goals away, wins the contest.
What is a person with no goals called? ›Definitions of unambitious. adjective. having little desire for success or achievement. synonyms: ambitionless shiftless.
Have you set a goal for yourself? ›Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation . It focuses your acquisition of knowledge, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the most of your life.
Is it an own goal if the shot is on target? ›Goal/Own Goal
Regarding deflections, normally a goal is awarded if the original attempt is on target. An own goal is usually awarded if the attempt is off target and deflected into the goal by an opponent.
a goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off; if the ball directly enters the kicker's goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
Can you score an own goal direct from a throw-in? ›A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in: if the ball enters the opponents' goal – a goal kick is awarded. if the ball enters the thrower's goal – a corner kick is awarded.
What is the difference between a direct free kick and an indirect free kick regarding scoring? ›Direct and Indirect Free Kicks
The simple difference between the two is this: On a direct kick you can score by kicking the ball directly into the goal. On an indirect kick you cannot score. An indirect kick must be touched by another player before it can go into the goal – that is the kicker and a second person.
What happens if you score an own goal from a corner kick? ›
An own goal may not be scored directly: in the extremely unlikely event of the ball going directly into the attacking team's own goal from a corner kick, a corner kick would be awarded to the opposing side. An attacking player who directly receives the ball from a corner kick cannot be penalised for offside.
When did they change the kick-off rule in football? ›In 1997, the law was changed back, so that the initial kick-off was once again taken by the team losing the toss. The law was changed once again so beginning on June 1, 2019, the side winning the toss once again has the choice between kicking-off and choosing ends.
What is law 17 of football? ›Law 17: The Corner Kick
Only the opposite side may score directly from a corner kick; if the ball penetrates the goal of the kicker, the opponents are given a corner kick.
If a direct or indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Who is the king of free kick in football? ›Lionel Messi has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of the most free-kick goals scored. Messi now has 61 free-kick goals, whereas Cristiano has 58 free-kick goals. If we break down the records of both Messi and Ronaldo- Messi has only 5 Champions League goals from the dead ball and Ronaldo has 12.
Can you be offside from a free kick? ›An offside offence may occur if a player receives the ball directly from either a direct free kick, indirect free kick or dropped-ball.
Why are some free kicks indirect? ›An indirect free kick means that someone else has to touch the ball before it can be taken as a shot on goal. When is an indirect free kick given? Well, usually the indirect free kick is given if a goalkeeper commits a specific offense in his or her own penalty area.
Can you score on a corner kick if no one touches it? ›Once the corner kick taker has touched the ball, another player must touch the ball before the first player can kick it again. It is possible and completely legal for a corner kick to end in a goal directly, meaning the corner kick taker can score without any player touching the ball.
Has Messi scored from a corner kick? ›Lionel Messi scores an amazing goal from Corner kick in Barcelona Training • /r/soccer | Lionel messi, Amazing goals, Barcelona training.