IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 1

Law 1: The Field of Play

Dimensions, markings, goals and the technical area. Covers what makes a field playable and who may alter its markings.

Law 1 practice questions

6 questions on The Field of Play, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.

Question 1 Law 1 intro

What is the radius of the centre circle?

A 9.15 m (10 yds) Correct answer

B 5.5 m (6 yds)

C 11 m (12 yds)

D 10 m (11 yds)

Why Law 1 sets the centre circle radius at 9.15 m (10 yds) — the same distance opponents must keep from the ball at a kick-off, free kick or corner kick.

Question 2 Law 1 intro

What are the official goal dimensions, measured between the inner edges of the posts and to the lower edge of the crossbar?

A 7.32 m wide by 2.44 m high Correct answer

B 7.32 m wide by 2.34 m high

C 6.40 m wide by 2.44 m high

D 8.00 m wide by 2.50 m high

Why Law 1: the distance between the inner edges of the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).

Question 3 Law 1 advanced

During play the crossbar is displaced and broken. It cannot be repaired and no replacement is available. What must the referee do?

A Abandon the match — a rope or any flexible material may not be used as a crossbar Correct answer

B Restart with a rope stretched between the posts at the correct height

C Continue with the goal judged by the assistant referee's estimate

D Move the match to the opposite goal and play both halves there

Why Law 1 is explicit: if the crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play is stopped until it is repaired or replaced. A rope or any flexible material is not permitted, so with no replacement the match is abandoned.

Question 4 Law 1 standard

For a standard (non-international) match, what is the permitted range for the length of the goal line?

A 45 m to 90 m (50 to 100 yds) Correct answer

B 64 m to 75 m (70 to 80 yds)

C 90 m to 120 m (100 to 130 yds)

D 35 m to 64 m (38 to 70 yds)

Why Law 1 sets the goal line (the field's width) at 45–90 m for a standard match, and the touchline (the length) at 90–120 m. International matches use the narrower 64–75 m by 100–110 m range.

Question 5 Law 1 standard

What is the radius of the penalty arc, measured from the penalty mark?

A 9.15 m (10 yds) Correct answer

B 5.5 m (6 yds)

C 11 m (12 yds)

D 1 m (1 yd)

Why Law 1 draws the penalty arc as a 9.15 m radius from the penalty mark — the same distance defenders must keep from the ball at a penalty kick, so a wall can't form just outside the box.

Question 6 Law 1 standard

What does Law 1 require of goals, including portable goals, for safety reasons?

A They must be firmly secured to the ground Correct answer

B They must be repainted before every match

C They must be positioned at least 2 m from the goal line

D They must weigh less than 200 kg

Why Law 1 requires all goals, portable ones included, to be firmly anchored to the ground — a response to serious injuries caused by goals toppling over.

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