How well do you know the rules of football?

By: John Miller
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How well do you know the rules of football?
Image: avid_creative/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

American football is one of the most popular sports on Earth. From first downs to touchdowns, the game features a plethora of rules both obvious and obscure. How much do you know about football rules?
If a penalty occurs before or after a play, it's called a ______ foul.
missing-person
dead-ball
dead-chicken
What's a "facemask" penalty?
when a coach punches his own player
when a player grabs the front of an opponent's helmet
when someone wears a disguise on the field
The front of the end zone has a name. What's it called?
"no man's land"
"goal line"
"Clarence"

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Each side is allowed to have how many players on the field at one time?
9
11
17
College and pro games are epic ordeals that last four quarters. Each quarter is how long?
15 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
What does it mean if you see a red flag thrown during an NFL game?
a player has been ejected from the game
a coach is challenging an official's call
the official has a bloody nose

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Penalty yardage is assessed on the severity of infractions. The longest penalties are how many yards?
5 yards
15 yards
25 yards
What does it mean to "snap" the football?
it means the coach is punishing the football
it means the end of a play
it means to start a play
The single biggest score in football is called a touchdown. How many points is a touchdown worth?
3
6
7

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Each play is measured in units of 10 yards, after which the offense gets a "first down." How many attempts (or downs) does the offense have to reach the first-down marker?
3
4
9
The "line of scrimmage" divides the _____ and ______.
offense and defense
North and South
men and boys
If a player is moving towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped, he'll be called for which penalty?
illegal touching
illegal motion
soliciting

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"Special teams" is another term for which unit of a football team?
offensive unit
defensive unit
kicking unit
What does it mean if the referee puts his arms straight up in the air?
he's accusing the Patriots of cheating
he's signaling a score
he's praying for mercy
True or false: is the quarterback the only offensive player who can throw a forward pass?
true
false

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In the NFL, the ball is placed where for kickoffs?
the 30-yard line
the 50-yard line
the cheerleaders' locker room
Football is played on a long field. In yards, how long is the field?
50 yards
100 yards
200 yards
The tight end plays on the ______ unit.
offensive
defensive
kicking

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If a team "breaks the plane" it means they've scored in which manner?
touchdown
field goal
safety
What is "spearing"?
an illegal tackle
anytime the Vikings play
when a player impales another with a sharp blade
True or false: is a safety rule meant to keep a team's most valuable players "safe?"
true
false

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There must be at least how many kickoffs per game?
2
4
12
The offense must line up in specific positions. How many players must be lined up right on the line of scrimmage before each play?
7
10
11
If an official raises his arms above his head and presses his palms together, one team has scored a _______.
field goal
touchdown
safety

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The clock does NOT stop after which event?
a quarterback sack
a penalty
an incompletion
An "encroachment" penalty is called on _____.
the offense
the defense
both sides
Football teams are made up of how many different units?
2
3
7

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True or false: do defensive players have to line up in specific positions for each play?
true
false
Which of the following is one of the most common penalties in football?
holding
seizing
kissing
How many different ways are there to score points in football?
5
3
10

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