VIII. DURATION OF THE GAME

1. The duration of the game shall be two equal periods of 20 minutes.

2. The timekeeping shall be undertaken by a timekeeper whose duties are defined in Law VII.

   If no timekeeper is available, the main referee shall perform this task.

3. The duration of either half shall be prolonged to enable a penalty kick to be taken.

4. The teams shall be entitled to request a one-minute time-out in each half whereby the following principles shall apply:

   If the assistance of a timekeeper is not available, the coach shall put his request for a time-out to the assistant referee.

   1. The teams' coaches shall be authorised to request a one-minute time-out from the timekeeper.

      If the rules of the competition stipulate that extra time shall be played at the end of regular time if the match ends in a draw, there shall be no time-out during extra time.

   2. The timekeeper shall indicate permission for time-out when the ball is out of play, by the use of a whistle or other acoustic signal distinct from the ones used by the referees.

   3. When time-out is granted the players may assemble inside the field of play. If they wish to receive instructions from a team official, this may only take place at the touchline on a level with the substitutes' bench. The players shall not leave the field of play. Similarly, the official issuing the instructions shall not enter the field of play.

   4. If a team does not request the time-out to which it is entitled in the first half, it cannot be compensated for in the second half.

5. The half-time interval shall not exceed 10 minutes.

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