The 17 IFAB Laws of the Game
A plain-language summary of each Law, with free practice questions and worked explanations for referees preparing for a certification exam.
The Field of Play
Dimensions, markings, goals and the technical area. Covers what makes a field playable and who may alter its markings.
6 practice questions Law 2The Ball
Size, pressure and condition of the match ball, and the restart when a ball becomes defective in play.
3 practice questions Law 3The Players
Team numbers, substitutions, minimum players, and the procedure and sanctions for players entering or leaving illegally.
9 practice questions Law 4The Players' Equipment
Compulsory equipment, jewellery, shirt colours, head covers and slogans, and how equipment offences are dealt with.
6 practice questions Law 5The Referee
The referee's authority, powers and duties, advantage, injury handling, and the scope and limits of VAR review.
9 practice questions Law 6The Other Match Officials
Assistant referees, fourth official, VAR/AVAR — their duties, signals and how their information is used.
6 practice questions Law 7The Duration of the Match
Periods of play, half-time interval, allowance for time lost (added time), and abandoned matches.
6 practice questions Law 8The Start and Restart of Play
Kick-off procedure and the dropped ball — including who the ball is dropped for and the two-touch requirement.
6 practice questions Law 9The Ball In and Out of Play
When the whole ball has crossed a line, rebounds off match officials and goal frames, and the in-play/out-of-play distinction.
3 practice questions Law 10Determining the Outcome of a Match
Goal scored, winning team, and the kicks-from-the-penalty-mark procedure including equal-numbers reduction.
3 practice questions Law 11Offside
Offside position, offence (interfering with play/opponent, gaining advantage), exceptions and the deliberate-play carve-out.
15 practice questions Law 12Fouls and Misconduct
Direct and indirect free kick offences, handball, cautionable and sending-off offences, DOGSO and SPA.
18 practice questions Law 13Free Kicks
Direct and indirect free kicks, the wall, the ball in play, and offences by the kicker or opponents.
6 practice questions Law 14The Penalty Kick
Penalty kick procedure, goalkeeper and encroachment offences, and the outcome table for each type of infringement.
9 practice questions Law 15The Throw-in
Throw-in procedure, illegal throws, and the restrictions on scoring directly or being offside from a throw-in.
6 practice questions Law 16The Goal Kick
Goal kick procedure since the ball is in play once kicked and moves, and opponents' obligation to leave the penalty area.
3 practice questions Law 17The Corner Kick
Corner kick procedure, the corner arc, opponent distance and offences by the kicker.
6 practice questionsTest yourself on all 17 Laws
Sit the free 40-question mock paper covering all 17 Laws. No account needed, and it ends with a score for each Law so you know what to study next.
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