Law 8 practice questions
6 questions on
The Start and Restart of Play, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the
reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.
Question 1
Law 8
intro
Which statement about the kick-off is correct?
A
The ball may be kicked in any direction and is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves
Correct answer
B
The ball must be kicked forwards and must be touched by a second player
C
The ball may be kicked in any direction but must leave the centre circle
D
The ball must be kicked forwards and is in play immediately on the whistle
Why
Law 8: at a kick-off all players except the kicker must be in their own half, opponents at least 9.15 m from the ball, and the ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves. It may be kicked in any direction.
Question 2
Law 8
standard
Directly from a kick-off, the ball is played backwards and goes into the kicking team's own goal without touching anyone else. What is the decision?
A
Corner kick to the opposing team
Correct answer
B
Goal to the opposing team
C
Goal kick to the kicking team
D
The kick-off is retaken
Why
Law 8: a goal may be scored directly against the opponents from a kick-off. If the ball goes directly into the kicker's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
Question 3
Law 8
standard
Play is stopped for a serious injury while the ball is in the defending team's penalty area. How is play restarted?
A
The ball is dropped for the defending goalkeeper
Correct answer
B
The ball is dropped for the player who last touched it, wherever that was
C
The ball is dropped on the penalty area line nearest to where play stopped
D
An indirect free kick to the defending team
Why
Law 8.2: if play was stopped inside the penalty area, the ball is dropped for the defending goalkeeper in the penalty area. Otherwise it is dropped for one player of the team that last touched it, at the point of that touch.
Question 4
Law 8
advanced
At a dropped ball, a second player touches the ball before the ball has been touched by the player it was dropped for. What is the decision?
A
The ball is dropped again
Correct answer
B
An indirect free kick to the opposing team
C
Play continues — any player may play a dropped ball
D
A caution for the second player and play continues
Why
Law 8: the ball is dropped for one player only and all other players must be at least 4 m away until it is in play. If it is touched by another player before then, it is dropped again.
Question 5
Law 8
standard
For whom does the referee drop the ball at a dropped ball restart?
A
One player of the team that last touched the ball (or the goalkeeper, if the stoppage was inside the penalty area)
Correct answer
B
One player chosen from each team, who then contest it
C
Any number of players from either team, all contesting it freely
D
Whichever player is standing closest when play stopped, regardless of team
Why
Law 8 no longer uses the old two-team contest — the ball is dropped for a single player from the team that last touched it (or the defending goalkeeper, if play stopped inside the penalty area).
Question 6
Law 8
intro
An opponent stands only 6 m from the ball at a kick-off, closer than the required distance, and this affects the taker. What is the outcome?
A
The kick-off is retaken
Correct answer
B
An indirect free kick is awarded to the kicking team
C
Play continues, since kick-off distance is only advisory
D
A caution is issued but no retake occurs
Why
Law 8: opponents must stay at least 9.15 m from the ball at a kick-off until it is in play. Failing to do so, where it affects the taker, means the kick-off is retaken.