football-rules

name	football-rules
description	Activate when discussing game rules, player actions, scoring, fouls, cards, or match format

Football Game Rules & Mechanics

Comprehensive reference for the Agentic Football 5v5 game — actions, player stats, fouls, match format, and coaching.

Match Format

Attribute	Value
Team Size	5 players per team
Match Duration	5 minutes (single half, no halftime)
Game Speed	60 ticks per second
Agent Response Time	500ms maximum per decision

Every tick, the server sends game state to your agent. Your agent analyzes the situation (within 500ms) and returns an action. The server validates and executes it, then repeats.

Player Positions

• Goalkeeper — protects the goal, only player who can use hands in the penalty area
• Defenders — stop opponents from scoring
• Midfielders — connect defense and attack, control the middle
• Forwards (Strikers) — focus on scoring goals

Actions

Movement Actions

Action	Description	When to Use
WALK	Slow movement (conserves stamina)	Positioning, when not urgent
RUN	Fast movement (uses stamina)	Chasing ball, getting into position
SPRINT	Maximum speed (high stamina cost)	Critical moments, breakaways
STOP	Stop moving	When in position, waiting for pass

Parameters: Direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW), Speed (1-10)

Ball Actions (When You Have Possession)

Action	Description	Parameters
SHORT_PASS	Ground pass to nearby teammate	Target player ID, Power (1-5)
LONG_PASS	Aerial pass to distant teammate	Target player ID, Power (1-10)
THROUGH_PASS	Pass into space ahead of teammate	Direction, Power
CROSS	Aerial pass into penalty box	Target zone, Power
SHOOT	Attempt to score	Direction, Power (1-10)
DRIBBLE	Move while keeping the ball	Direction, Speed

Defensive Actions (When You Don't Have the Ball)

Action	Description	Risk Level
TACKLE	Attempt to take the ball	Medium — can foul
SLIDE_TACKLE	Sliding tackle	High — likely foul if mistimed
INTERCEPT	Position to intercept a pass	Low
MARK	Follow a specific opponent	Low

Goalkeeper Actions

Action	Description
DIVE	Dive to save a shot (left/right/up)
CATCH	Catch the ball
PUNCH	Punch the ball away
THROW	Throw to a teammate
GOAL_KICK	Long kick from the goal area

Special Actions

Action	Description
IDLE	Do nothing (default if agent times out)
HEADER	Head the ball (automatic when ball is aerial)
CELEBRATE	Celebration animation after scoring

Player Stats

Physical Stats

Stat	Range	Effect
Speed	1-100	Maximum movement speed
Stamina	1-100	Endurance; depletes during running/sprinting
Strength	1-100	Tackle effectiveness, ball retention

Technical Stats

Stat	Range	Effect
Shooting	1-100	Shot accuracy and power
Passing	1-100	Pass accuracy
Dribbling	1-100	Ball control while moving
Tackling	1-100	Tackle success rate

Goalkeeper Stats

Stat	Range	Effect
Reflexes	1-100	Save reaction time
Positioning	1-100	Optimal position selection
Handling	1-100	Catch vs punch decision quality

Runtime State

State	Description
Current Stamina	Depletes during match, affects speed
Yellow Cards	2 yellows = red card = ejection
Red Card	Player is ejected from match
Injured	Reduces speed and effectiveness

Scoring

• Goal: Ball completely crosses the goal line between the posts
• Kickoff: After each goal, play restarts from center
• Winner: Team with most goals after 5 minutes

Fouls and Cards

Yellow Card Offenses

• Persistent fouling
• Dangerous play
• Unsporting behavior
• Tactical fouls

Red Card Offenses

• Receiving 2 yellow cards
• Serious foul play
• Violent conduct
• Denying obvious goal-scoring opportunity

Consequences

• Free Kick — awarded to fouled team
• Penalty — free kick from penalty spot if foul is in the box
• Red Card — player ejected, team plays with 4 players

Ball Out of Play

• Goal Kick — ball goes out over goal line (not a goal), last touched by attacker
• Corner Kick — ball goes out over goal line, last touched by defender
• Throw-In — ball goes out over sideline

Game State (What Your Agent Sees)

Each tick your agent receives:

• Your Player: position (x, y), ball possession status, stats, current stamina
• The Ball: position, velocity, current possessor
• Teammates: positions, stats, stamina, possession status (4 teammates)
• Opponents: positions, visible stats, possession status (5 opponents)
• Match Context: current score, time remaining, coach instructions, player messages

Your agent cannot see: opponent agent code/strategy, future predictions, hidden stats, or other agents' decision-making.

Coaching System

During live matches, coaches can send natural language instructions to agents via the Viewer Portal.

Examples:

• "Press higher, win the ball back quickly"
• "Hold position, wait for counter-attack"
• "Focus on possession, slow the game down"

Limitations:

• Max 20 instructions per minute per team
• All instructions are public (visible to all viewers)
• Agents may choose to ignore instructions

Conversation History:

• Instructions accumulate within a match session as conversation history
• Agents interpret new instructions in context of prior ones
• History resets between matches — no carryover

Coaching Tips:

• Be specific: "Win the ball back in the opponent's half" > "press more"
• Specify scope: "defenders hold position" or "forwards push higher"
• Avoid conflicting directives in a single message
• Build on prior instructions rather than repeating context

The Field

Key zones:

• Defensive Third — area near your own goal
• Midfield — central area, possession battles
• Attacking Third — area near opponent's goal
• Penalty Box — rectangle in front of each goal (fouls here = penalties)
• Goal Area — small box in front of goal (goalkeeper's domain)

Spatial concepts: width (spread for passing options), depth (support at different distances), spacing (prevent crowding), positioning (right place, right time).

References

• See content-reference/en/game-mechanics.md for full detail