Quiz: do you know the basic rules of football?
Five quick questions, with answers and explanations, to test what you know about the rules.
People who watch football have opinions about everything, but the rules hold details that surprise. This quiz is a light way to test what you know. The answers follow IFAB's Laws of the Game in broad terms, but competitions may have their own regulations on some points. Write down your answers before seeing the answer key.
How it works
Read each question, choose an option (A, B or C) and note it. Then check the answer key and the explanations.
Questions
1. Can there be offside from a throw-in?
- A) Yes, if the attacker is ahead.
- B) No.
- C) Only in championship matches.
2. How many yellow cards get a player sent off in the same match?
- A) One.
- B) Two.
- C) Three.
3. Can the goalkeeper pick up with their hands a ball deliberately kicked to them by a teammate?
- A) Yes, always.
- B) No.
- C) Only inside the six-yard box.
4. On a penalty kick, does the ball have to go forward?
- A) Yes.
- B) No, it can go backward.
- C) It depends on the referee.
5. Is being in an offside position already an offence?
- A) Yes, always.
- B) No, you have to take part in play.
- C) Only if in attack.
Answer key
- B. There is no offside directly from a throw-in.
- B. Two yellow cards in the same match result in a sending-off (red card).
- B. The goalkeeper may not handle a ball deliberately kicked to them by a teammate.
- A. The ball must be kicked forward.
- B. Being in an offside position is not an offence; it is only called if the player becomes involved in play.
Explanations
Offside is one of the most debated rules. The position is assessed at the moment of the pass, and the exceptions (throw-in, goal kick, corner kick) exist to keep play flowing. Cards serve to control behavior: yellow is a caution and red is a sending-off. The back-pass rule prevents teams from wasting time by passing to the goalkeeper to pick up. On a penalty, the forward kick is required so that the play is a shot at goal.
How to read your result
- 5 correct: you know the basics well.
- 3 or 4 correct: you know the essentials; review the points you missed.
- 0 to 2 correct: it is a good time to review the rules calmly.
To check the full rule, consult IFAB's Laws of the Game and see the article on common mistakes in football and competitions on this site.