Football Guides

Plain-English explainers on the rules, formats and quirks of football.

Arsenal's trophy presentation at Highbury in May 2004 after the unbeaten 2003-04 season

Premier League

Arsenal's Invincibles: The 2003-04 Unbeaten Season, Game by Game

2 October 2026

Pau Cubarsí in Spain's red shirt running with the ball, beside the title Best Centre-Backs in the World 2026

Premier League

The 10 Best Centre-Backs in the World in 2026, Ranked

1 October 2026

Pitch diagram of a 4-4-2 with a target man and a poacher up front

Tactics

Types of Striker: Target Man, Poacher, False 9 and Complete Forward

29 September 2026

Diagram of the 4-2-3-1 formation with the double pivot and No.10 highlighted

Tactics

The 4-2-3-1 Formation Explained: Roles, Strengths and Weaknesses

28 September 2026

Premier League

Max Dowman: Age, Height, Position, Records and Stats

27 September 2026

Diagram of the 3-5-2 formation on a pitch, with the wing-backs highlighted, beside the title The 3-5-2 Formation Explained

Tactics

The 3-5-2 Formation Explained: Roles, Strengths and Weaknesses

27 September 2026

A referee showing a yellow card, beside the title The Only the Captain Rule Explained

Rules & Guides

The 'Only the Captain' Rule, Explained

3 September 2026

The distance 9.15 metres in large type beside the title Penalty Kick Rules Explained

Rules & Guides

Penalty Kick Rules, Explained

3 September 2026

A Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium seen from the stand

Premier League

Premier League Squad Rules: The 25-Man List and Homegrown Quota

3 September 2026

A line of defenders on a football pitch with an attacking player caught ahead of the line

Rules & Guides

Semi-Automated Offside Technology, Explained

3 September 2026

The figure 10 MIN in large type beside the title Sin Bins Explained

Rules & Guides

Sin Bins in Football: How Temporary Dismissals Work

3 September 2026

The figure 5 SEC in large type beside the title The Throw-in and Goal Kick Countdown

Rules & Guides

The Five-Second Countdown on Throw-Ins and Goal Kicks

3 September 2026