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Quizzes > Sports

Hard Soccer Questions with Answers: Football Laws Quiz

Quick, free soccer rules quiz. Instant results and explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Amir EzraUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for soccer knowledge quiz on dark blue background

This quiz helps you learn soccer laws and make the right call on offsides, handball, fouls, and cards. Work through real match moments, see the answer after each question, and spot gaps before a game or exam. For more practice, try our offside quiz, build range with a quick soccer knowledge test, or prep deeper with a soccer referee quiz.

How many players does each team have on the field at the start of play?
9
11
10
12
According to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game, each team starts with eleven players on the field, including the goalkeeper. This number is standard across all levels of play. It ensures consistency in team size and strategy worldwide. For more details, see .
How long is each half in a professional soccer match?
50 minutes
60 minutes
45 minutes
30 minutes
Law 7 specifies that each half of a standard match lasts 45 minutes, not including stoppage time. This structure is used globally in professional and most amateur competitions. Half-time is a 15-minute interval between the two periods. See for more information.
What does a yellow card represent in soccer?
A substitution request
A signal to stop play
A sending-off for serious foul play
A caution for misconduct
A yellow card is shown by the referee to caution a player for unsporting behavior or other misconduct under Law 12. It serves as a formal warning and is recorded by the referee. Two yellow cards in the same match result in a red card and dismissal. More details at .
Which restart is awarded when the ball crosses the touchline?
Corner kick
Indirect free kick
Throw-in
Goal kick
When the whole ball crosses the touchline, play is restarted with a throw-in to the opponents of the player who last touched it, as detailed in Law 15. The throw must be delivered with both hands over the head while facing the field. This restart ensures quick resumption of play. For more, see .
What shape is a standard soccer field?
Oval
Rectangle
Square
Circle
A soccer pitch must be rectangular according to Law 1, with the longer sides called touchlines and the shorter sides called goal lines. The rectangular shape ensures uniformity in play dimensions worldwide. Fields must also meet specified length and width ranges. See .
After a goal is scored, how is play restarted?
Throw-in
Goal kick
Drop ball
Kick-off
Law 8 states that play restarts with a kick-off at the center mark after a goal has been scored. The team that conceded the goal takes the kick-off. All players must be in their own half until the kick is taken. More on kick-off rules at .
Which restart is given when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses their goal line?
Corner kick
Goal kick
Drop ball
Indirect free kick
When the ball crosses the goal line without a goal being scored and was last touched by a defender, Law 16 awards a goal kick. The kick is taken from anywhere within the goal area by a player of the defending team. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. See .
Which restart is given when the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the opponent's goal line?
Goal kick
Indirect free kick
Corner kick
Drop ball
Law 17 states that if the attacking team last touches the ball before it goes out over the goal line, the defending team is awarded a corner kick. The kick is taken from the corner nearest where the ball crossed the line. All opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the corner arc. For details see .
At the moment the ball is played, a player is in an offside position if he is which of the following?
Behind the ball
On the halfway line
Closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender
Level with the second-last defender
Under Law 11, an offside position is defined as being nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender. Merely being in an offside position is not an offense until the player becomes involved in active play. Level with the second-last defender or the ball is not offside. More at .
What is the minimum distance opponents must be from the ball during a free kick?
10 yards
12 yards
5 yards
8 yards
Law 13 requires opponents to be at least 10 yards (9.15 meters) away from the ball when a free kick is taken. This distance ensures the kicking team has a fair opportunity to restart play. The referee can mark the ground if needed. See for more details.
What type of free kick is awarded for tripping an opponent?
Indirect free kick
Drop ball
Direct free kick
Penalty kick
Tripping an opponent is considered a direct free kick offense under Law 12 because it involves unfair physical contact. If the offense occurs inside the offending player's penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded. Direct free kicks allow a goal to be scored directly. Read more at .
Under which circumstance is an indirect free kick awarded?
Pushing an opponent
Dangerous play
Tripping an opponent
Handball by an outfield player
Dangerous play, such as attempting to kick the ball while it is near an opponent's head, is punished with an indirect free kick under Law 12. The ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored from an indirect free kick. Other fouls like tripping or handball are direct free kick offenses. See .
Where must a substitute enter the field during a substitution?
At any corner flag
From the referee's position
At the team's bench
At the halfway line
Law 3 states that a substitute must enter the field at the halfway line after the referee signals approval. This procedure ensures an orderly changeover and that both teams are ready. The player being replaced must leave before the substitute enters. More at .
When is a drop ball used to restart play?
When play is stopped for a reason other than a foul or out of play
After a penalty is awarded
After every goal
For all offside offenses
Law 9 prescribes a drop ball when play is stopped for reasons not covered by other restart procedures, such as an injury or outside interference. The referee drops the ball at the location where it was last played. All players must stand at least 4 meters away until it touches the ground. See .
Which action results in an automatic red card under Law 12?
Holding an opponent
Reckless tackle
Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a foul
Impeding with the body
Law 12 mandates a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, often referred to as DOGSO. This applies whether by an offense inside or outside the penalty area. The player is sent off and the opposing team is awarded a free kick or penalty. Details at .
During a penalty kick, which scenario is an infringement by the goalkeeper?
Moving off the goal line before the ball is kicked
Speaking to the referee
Turning around to face the field
Wearing gloves
Law 14 requires the goalkeeper to have at least part of one foot on or in line with the goal line until the ball is kicked. Moving forward off the line is an infringement and may lead to a retake or caution. This rule preserves the fairness of the penalty kick. For further reading, see .
What is the procedure when a player receives a second yellow card in the same match?
The player is sent off and the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick
The player receives a third warning
The player stays on and the next foul is a free kick
The player is substituted immediately
When a player receives a second yellow card, they are sent off with a red card under Law 12. Play restarts with an indirect free kick at the spot of the offense if the ball was in play. If the ball was out of play, the restart is the same as it would have been. See for specifics.
If a goalkeeper holds the ball in their hands for more than six seconds, what is the restart?
Play is allowed to continue
Indirect free kick to the opponents
Direct free kick to the goalkeeper's team
Drop ball to the goalkeeper
Law 12 states that if a goalkeeper controls the ball with their hands for more than six seconds, it is an indirect free kick to the opposing team from where the infringement occurred. This prevents time-wasting and ensures continuous play. The kicker cannot score directly. See .
Can a goal be awarded if the ball rebounds directly from the corner flag post into the goal?
Only if the referee signals advantage
Yes, it is legal and the goal stands
No, the corner flag cannot cause a goal
Only if the ball was below crossbar height
According to Law 10, the corner flag post is considered part of the field of play. If the ball rebounds directly from the corner flag post into the goal without touching another player, the goal is valid. This rarely happens but is permitted. More info at .
What is the correct signal by the referee for awarding a corner kick?
Waving the whistle twice
Drawing a circle in the air
Pointing with one arm towards the corner flag
Raising both arms above the head
Referees signal a corner kick by extending one arm horizontally and pointing towards the corner flag, as prescribed in the referee signals manual. The signal indicates both the type of restart and its direction. Clear signals help players and spectators understand decisions. See .
Which of these incidents cannot be reviewed by VAR according to IFAB's protocol?
Goal scoring decision
Penalty decision
Direct red card offense
Yellow card for dissent
VAR can review goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and cases of mistaken identity. Cautions like a yellow card for dissent are not reviewable under the standard protocol. This limitation keeps VAR focused on major match-changing events. For more, see .
Under the advantage rule, how long should a referee typically wait before calling play back after a foul?
Five to six seconds
Ten seconds
About two to three seconds
Less than one second
Law 5 and the guidelines advise referees to wait briefly, usually around two to three seconds, to see if an advantage materializes. If no advantage occurs within that time, the referee stops play and awards the original foul. This ensures fairness while allowing promising attacks to continue. More guidance at .
According to Law 5, if a match is abandoned due to weather, who decides the outcome of the match?
Both team captains
FIFA
The referee
The competition organiser
Law 5 states that the referee can suspend or abandon a match for safety reasons like weather, but the final decision on the result rests with the competition organiser. The organiser's regulations determine whether the match is replayed or the result stands. This separation ensures consistent competition management. Details at .
Can a player be penalized for being in an offside position directly from a throw-in?
Only if the assistant referee signals
Yes, if they interfere with play
No, a player cannot be offside directly from a throw-in
Yes, if they touch the ball after the throw
Law 11 clarifies that a player cannot be penalized for offside directly from a throw-in. Even if in an offside position, they may receive the ball without sanction. Offside from a corner kick or goal kick is treated similarly. More information at .
According to VAR protocols, what is the threshold for overturning a referee's on-field decision?
Any minor error
A clear and obvious error
A team's protest
A coach's request
VAR is instructed to intervene only in cases of clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents. This high threshold preserves the referee's authority and game flow. VAR cannot intervene on every close call or minor mistake. For protocol details, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the offside rule -

    Learn the key criteria for offside decisions so you can confidently tackle soccer questions with answers about offside scenarios.

  2. Identify common fouls and misconduct -

    Recognize different types of fouls and disciplinary actions to improve your accuracy on hard soccer questions.

  3. Interpret referee signals -

    Decode official hand gestures and whistle commands to boost your performance in any footy quiz game.

  4. Apply restart procedures -

    Master throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, and free kicks so you can ace rules of football quiz questions.

  5. Analyze challenging match scenarios -

    Evaluate real-life game situations to sharpen your decision-making skills in a soccer rules quiz context.

  6. Enhance overall quiz performance -

    Integrate your knowledge of the Laws of the Game to consistently excel in soccer questions with answers quizzes.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding the Offside Law -

    The offside law (Law 11) requires a player to be behind the ball or level with the second-last defender when the ball is played, or else they'll be flagged offside. A mnemonic "Ball, Body, Between" reminds you that the scoring part of the body must be closer to the goal line than both the ball and second-last defender (IFAB, 2023). Reviewing real-match scenarios on FIFA.com boosts your confidence for soccer questions with answers on offside.

  2. Direct vs Indirect Free Kicks -

    Laws 12 and 13 distinguish direct free kicks (you can score directly) from indirect kicks (a second touch is needed). Remember "D goes Direct, I waits for a Relay" to nail the difference instantly (UEFA Training Guide). Practicing these rules ahead of a rules of football quiz helps you breeze through even hard soccer questions.

  3. Applying the Advantage Rule -

    Law 5 empowers referees to play advantage when a foul occurs, signaling with outstretched arms. If no advantage emerges within a couple of seconds, the whistle brings play back to the foul spot (FIFA Referee Manual). Master this trick to outsmart your opponents in any footy quiz game.

  4. Ball In and Out of Play & Restarts -

    Law 7 defines when the ball is in play, while Laws 15 - 17 cover throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks. Use the phrase "Flank out? Throw it in; over the line? Kick it or corner fine!" to recall restart types (FIFA Laws of the Game). Knowing these details is key for tricky questions on soccer rules quiz.

  5. Fouls, Misconduct & Cards -

    Law 12 lists direct free kick offences and outlines yellow or red cards for misconduct. Use "Two ticks, you're ejected quick!" to remember that two cautions equal a sending-off (The FA Referee's Guide). This solid grasp ensures you conquer the toughest fouls and cards questions.

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