Football, also known as soccer in some countries, is one of the most popular sports in the world.（足球，在一些国家也被称为soccer，是世界上最受欢迎的运动之一。）

Understanding its rules is essential for both players and spectators.（对于球员和观众来说，了解其规则都是至关重要的。）

Field and Players（场地和球员）

The football field is rectangular. （足球场是长方形的。）

The length of the touchline (the longer side) must be between 90 - 120 meters, and the length of the goal line (the shorter side) is between 45 - 90 meters. 边线（较长的边）的长度必须在90 - 120米之间，球门线（较短的边）的长度在45 - 90米之间。）

In international matches, the touchline is usually 100 - 110 meters long and the goal line is 64 - 75 meters long.（在国际比赛中，边线通常为100 - 110米长，球门线为64 - 75米长。）

Each team consists of 11 players, including one goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to touch the ball with their hands or arms, but only within their own penalty area.（每支球队由11名球员组成，包括一名守门员。守门员是唯一被允许用手或手臂触球的球员，但只能在自己的罚球区内。）

Game Duration（比赛时长）

A standard football game is divided into two halves, each lasting 45 minutes. There is a 15 - minute halftime break in between. （一场标准的足球比赛分为两个半场，每个半场持续45分钟。中间有15分钟的中场休息。）

If the game is tied at the end of regular time, extra time may be added, which is usually two periods of 15 Nminutes each.（如果常规时间结束时比赛打平，可能会加时，加时赛通常分为两个15分钟的时段。）

Scoring（得分）

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no offense has been committed by the attacking team before the goal is scored. （当球的整体越过球门线，在球门柱之间并在横梁下方，且在进球前进攻方没有犯规时，即为进球得分。）

The team that scores more goals during the game wins.（比赛中进球更多的球队获胜。）

重点词汇：

1. rectangular /rektæŋɡjələ(r)/ adj. 矩形的；长方形的

2. penalty /penlti/ n. 处罚；点球；罚金

3. halftime /hæftaɪm/ n. 中场休息

4. offense /əfens/ n. 犯规；违法行为；进攻（美式英语，英式英语为offence）

5. infringement /ɪnfrɪndʒmənt/ n. 侵犯；违反

6. dissent /dɪsent/ n. 异议；不同意 v. 不同意；持异议

7. persistent /pəsɪstənt/ adj. 持续的；坚持不懈的；固执的

8. impeding /ɪmpiːdɪŋ/ v. 阻碍；妨碍（impede的现在分词）

9. outfield /aʊtfiːld/ n. 外场；外野；（足球、曲棍球等的）外场区域