Subject to the agreement of the member association concerned and provided the principles of these Laws are maintained, the Laws may be modified in their application for matches for players of under 16 years of age, for women footballers, for veteran footballers (over 35 years) and for players with disabilities.

Any or all of the following modifications are permissible:

• size of the field of play;
  
  
• size, weight and material of the ball;
  
  
• width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the ground;
  
  
• duration of the periods of play;
  
  
• substitutions.
  

Further modifications are only allowed with the consent of the International Football Association Board.

References to the male gender in the Laws of the Game in respect of referees, assistant referees, players and officials are for simplification and apply to both males and females.

Throughout the Laws of the Game the following symbols are used:
* Unless covered by the Special Circumstances listed in Law 8 – The Start And Restart of Play