IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 3
Law 3: The Players
Team numbers, substitutions, minimum players, and the procedure and sanctions for players entering or leaving illegally.
Law 3 practice questions
9 questions on
The Players, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the
reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.
Question 1
Law 3
intro
A team has had three players sent off and is down to six players. What must the referee do?
A
The match may not continue — a team must have at least seven players
Correct answer
B
The match continues; there is no minimum number of players
C
The match continues until the team is reduced to five players
D
The match is suspended for 10 minutes to allow substitutes to be registered
Why
Law 3: a match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players. Competition rules decide what happens to an abandoned match.
Question 2
Law 3
advanced
A substitute who has not been signalled onto the field runs on and stops a promising attack by intercepting a pass. Play is stopped. What is the correct restart and sanction?
A
Caution the substitute and restart with a direct free kick from where the interference occurred
Correct answer
B
Caution the substitute and restart with an indirect free kick from where the ball was when play stopped
C
Send off the substitute and restart with a dropped ball
D
Caution the substitute and restart with a dropped ball for the non-offending team
Why
Law 3.7: where a substitute, substituted or sent-off player, or team official interferes with play, the restart is a direct free kick (or penalty kick) from the point of interference. The substitute is cautioned for entering without permission.
Question 3
Law 3
standard
A player who left the field to have a bleeding wound treated re-enters while the ball is in play, without waiting for the referee's signal. What action is taken?
A
Caution the player for entering the field of play without the referee's permission
Correct answer
B
No action — a player returning from treatment may re-enter freely
C
Send the player off for a second entry offence
D
Order the player off for the remainder of the half
Why
Law 3 requires a player who has left the field for treatment to have the referee's permission to return, and the return must normally be at a stoppage. Re-entering without permission is a cautionable offence.
Question 4
Law 3
standard
The goalkeeper and an outfield player swap places during play without telling the referee. The referee notices immediately. What is the correct action?
A
Allow play to continue and caution both players at the next stoppage
Correct answer
B
Stop play immediately and caution both players
C
Stop play, caution the outfield player only, and restart with an indirect free kick
D
Take no action — the change is permitted provided it happens at a stoppage
Why
Law 3 permits the change only during a stoppage and with the referee's advance permission. If they change without it, play is not stopped: the referee cautions both players at the next stoppage.
Question 5
Law 3
standard
Which of these is required for a substitution to be carried out correctly?
A
The player being replaced leaves first, and the substitute enters at a stoppage with the referee's permission
Correct answer
B
The substitute may enter as soon as the referee raises an arm, before the player leaves
C
The substitute must always enter at the halfway line while the ball is in play
D
The substitution is complete as soon as the fourth official displays the board
Why
Law 3.3: the substitution is made during a stoppage, the player being replaced leaves the field first (normally at the nearest point on the boundary line), and the substitute enters only with the referee's permission. The substitution is complete when the substitute enters.
Question 6
Law 3
advanced
'Return substitutions' — a substituted player coming back on — are permitted only in which category of football?
A
Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football
Correct answer
B
Professional top-division football
C
International 'A' team matches
D
Any competition, if agreed by both teams before kick-off
Why
Law 3 restricts return substitutions to youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football, where competition rules may permit a player who has been substituted to come back on later in the match.
Question 7
Law 3
standard
A player commits a sending-off offence in the tunnel before the match, before the team list has been given to the referee. Can that player be named as a substitute?
A
No — they cannot be named on the team list in any capacity
Correct answer
B
Yes, if the team is short of eligible substitutes
C
Yes, provided a doctor confirms they are fit to play
D
Yes, but only after half-time
Why
Law 3: a player sent off before the team list is submitted cannot be named on it at all, not even as a substitute. Once named on the list, a later send-off before kick-off can still be replaced by another named substitute.
Question 8
Law 3
intro
What special status does a team captain hold under the Laws of the Game?
A
None — but the captain carries a degree of responsibility for the team's conduct
Correct answer
B
Immunity from being cautioned
C
The sole right to speak to the referee
D
The right to demand a decision be reviewed
Why
Law 3 gives the captain no special privileges or protection — they can be cautioned or sent off like any player — but recognises a degree of responsibility for their team's conduct.
Question 9
Law 3
standard
A player's boot comes off accidentally during a tackle. What is the player permitted to do?
A
Continue playing and even play the ball, provided the boot is replaced no later than the next stoppage
Correct answer
B
Nothing — play must be stopped immediately
C
Continue only if they do not touch the ball again until it is replaced
D
Leave the field immediately without permission to fix it
Why
Law 3 treats accidental loss of footwear (or a shinguard) as no reason to stop play: the player may continue, including playing the ball, and must simply correct it no later than the next time the ball is out of play.