Choose the restart

Select one answer for each of ten scenarios, then use the explanation to check your reasoning. Assume standard eleven-a-side association football under the IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, with no unmentioned offence. Where the referee stops play, do not apply advantage instead.

These questions do not cover futsal, modified youth formats or experimental rules. Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots competitions may use permitted organisational modifications; check the competition’s regulations before applying this quiz to a particular match. See IFAB General Modifications.

Need a refresher? Read direct and indirect free kicks, dropped balls, or throw-ins, corners and goal kicks.

Official rules used

Make the call

Choose a ruling for each situation, then check your answers.

1. Blue scores a valid goal against Red during the first half. The match continues. Which restart follows?
Answer and explanation

Kick-off for Red

The team that conceded takes the kick-off. A goal kick applies to certain unsuccessful attacks, not to a valid goal.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football in competitions applying this edition; no modified youth formats or experimental rules.

2. Red's winger last touches the ball before it passes completely over the touchline near Blue's corner flag. There is no offence. What is the restart?
Answer and explanation

Throw-in for Blue

Blue receives the throw-in because Red touched the ball last. Proximity to a corner flag does not make this a corner: the ball crossed the touchline.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football in competitions applying this edition; ball-out-of-play decisions.; The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; touchline exits and correctly taken throw-ins, excluding delay-countdown scenarios.

3. Blue shoots wide. With no further touch or offence, the ball passes completely over Red's goal line outside the goal. What is the restart?
Answer and explanation

Goal kick for Red

The attacker touched the ball last before it crossed the goal line without a goal. A corner would require a defending player to have touched it last in this situation.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football in competitions applying this edition; ball-out-of-play decisions.; The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; goal-line exits last touched by an attacker, with no goal or preceding offence.

4. Red's defender legally blocks a Blue shot with a foot. The ball then passes completely over Red's goal line outside the goal, without another touch. What is the restart?
Answer and explanation

Corner kick for Blue

The defender's last touch makes this a corner for Blue. A legal block is not a free-kick offence.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football in competitions applying this edition; ball-out-of-play decisions.; The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; goal-line exits last touched by a defender, with no goal or preceding offence.

5. During play, Red carelessly trips Blue with contact at midfield. The referee stops play immediately. What restart does Blue receive?
Answer and explanation

Direct free kick

A careless trip is a direct-free-kick offence. It is not indirect merely because it was careless.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; offences during play, with the referee stopping play rather than applying advantage.; The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; free-kick outcomes and restart locations.

6. At midfield, Red attempts a high kick that threatens injury and makes nearby Blue withdraw from playing the ball. There is no contact. The referee stops play for dangerous play. What restart does Blue receive?
Answer and explanation

Indirect free kick

Dangerous play without contact earns an indirect free kick. A high foot does not automatically mean a direct free kick.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; offences during play, with the referee stopping play rather than applying advantage.

7. During play, Red's defender carelessly trips Blue inside Red's penalty area. No earlier offence occurred and the referee stops play. What restart does Blue receive?
Answer and explanation

Penalty kick

A direct-free-kick offence committed inside the offender's penalty area results in a penalty, rather than a free kick at the trip.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; offences during play, with the referee stopping play rather than applying advantage.; The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; awarding a penalty during a match, excluding penalty shoot-outs.

8. At midfield, Blue passes towards an unmarked Blue teammate who would clearly receive it. The ball hits the referee and stays on the field, but Red gains possession because of the deflection. The referee stops play. What is the restart?
Answer and explanation

Dropped ball for Blue

The referee's touch changed possession, requiring a dropped ball. Blue would have retained possession, so a Blue player receives it at the contact point. Red's accidental gain does not entitle Red to the restart.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football in competitions applying this edition; no modified youth formats or experimental rules.; The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football in competitions applying this edition; ball-out-of-play decisions.

9. Blue takes an indirect free kick. The referee correctly signals that it is indirect. The ball enters Red's goal without touching another player, and no other offence occurs. What is the restart?
Answer and explanation

Goal kick for Red

An indirect free kick cannot score directly against the opponents, so Red receives a goal kick. A retake for a missing indirect signal does not apply because the referee gave the signal.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; free-kick outcomes and restart locations.

10. Blue takes a correct throw-in. The ball enters the field and then goes into Red's goal without touching any player. No other offence occurs. What is the restart?
Answer and explanation

Goal kick for Red

A throw-in cannot directly score a goal. Entry into the opponents' goal produces a goal kick; it does not make a correctly taken throw-in invalid.

Rule basis: The International Football Association Board (IFAB) · Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Standard association football; touchline exits and correctly taken throw-ins, excluding delay-countdown scenarios.

Rule editions and sources