How well do you know the rules of football?

By: John Miller
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How well do you know the rules of football?
Image: Shutterstock

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?
Football is played on a long field. In yards, how long is the field?
50 yards
100 yards
200 yards
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

American football fields are 100 yards long, not including the end zones. The field is a little more than 53 yards wide.

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The single biggest score in football is called a touchdown. How many points is a touchdown worth?
3
6
7
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A touchdown is worth six points. The scoring team then has the option of kicking an extra point or attempting to go for a two-point conversion.

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College and pro games are epic ordeals that last four quarters. Each quarter is how long?
15 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each quarter of the game is 15 minutes long. That's football time, of course, so clock stoppages and commercial breaks add to the total.

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True or false: is a safety rule meant to keep a team's most valuable players "safe?"
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If an offensive player is tackled behind his own goal line, it results in a safety for the opposing team. The defense gets two points … and then possession of the ball via a kick by the offensive team.

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There must be at least how many kickoffs per game?
2
4
12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each half of the game begins with a kickoff, so there's always at least two. Kickoffs also follow each score.

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What is "spearing"?
an illegal tackle
anytime the Vikings play
when a player impales another with a sharp blade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spearing (or spear tackling) refers tackles in which players lead with their helmets, driving their bodies into an opposing player in a spear-like fashion. It's incredibly dangerous and very much against the rules.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The arms-straight-up signal is the ultimate gesture of triumph in football. It means that a team has either successfully scored with a kick, or better yet, driven the field for a touchdown.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the NFL, coaches can challenge several official calls during a game. Coaches throw their red flags when then want to challenge a call. If they lose the challenge, their team forfeits a timeout.

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Which of the following is one of the most common penalties in football?
holding
seizing
kissing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anytime a player grabs an opponent (other than the ball carrier) they may be called for a holding penalty. Due to the physical nature of the game, holding is one of the most common penalties … and one of the most frustrating for fans to witness.

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The "line of scrimmage" divides the _____ and ______.
offense and defense
North and South
men and boys
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The line of scrimmage is the imaginary line that divides the offense and defense at the beginning of each play. Coaches often applaud (or bemoan) their team's ability (or inability) to control the line of scrimmage.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The worst (and typically most dangerous) penalties are punished with the longest yardage. The longest yardage penalties are 15 yards. Examples are infractions like blocking below the waist or facemask.

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The front of the end zone has a name. What's it called?
"no man's land"
"goal line"
"Clarence"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The front of the end zone is marked by the goal line. The offensive team expends every bit of energy in an attempt to cross the goal line to score a touchdown. In the case of the Cleveland Browns, this doesn't often occur.

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If a penalty occurs before or after a play, it's called a ______ foul.
missing-person
dead-ball
dead-chicken
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Any penalty that occurs before the snap or after the end of a play is called a dead-ball foul. Dead-ball fouls are the bane of well-coached teams because they are typically brainless penalties that cost your team vital yardage.

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Each side is allowed to have how many players on the field at one time?
9
11
17
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each side is allowed a maximum number of 11 players on the field at a time. Exceed that number and you'll be penalized for having too many players on the gridiron.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Players often (accidentally or intentionally) grab the facemask of an opponent's helmet during plays. Because its so perilous to a player's health, an intentional facemask infraction is penalized with a 15-yard penalty.

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"Special teams" is another term for which unit of a football team?
offensive unit
defensive unit
kicking unit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The kicking unit is often called "special teams." They are specifically designed to maximize the team's abilities on kickoffs, punts and field goal attempts. Special teams players typically aren't on the field as often as offensive and defensive players, but their skills are equally important.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For pro football kickoffs, the ball is placed at the defense's 30-yard line. Powerful kickers often blast the kickoff all the way through the opponent's end zone, making it impossible for the offense to return the kick.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The offense gets four downs to gain 10 yards. In most situations, if the offense fails to achieve a first down after three plays, it will punt the ball away, meaning the other offense will get the ball and a new chance to drive the field and score.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the center "snaps" the football to the quarterback (or kicker), it's the start of the offensive play. A "bad snap" means that the exchange is bungled, which sometimes results in a turnover (and always ends in a coach's ire).

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True or false: is the quarterback the only offensive player who can throw a forward pass?
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most modern football teams use the quarterback for passing plays. But once in a while (particularly during trick plays), other players will get a chance to heave the football downfield.

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The clock does NOT stop after which event?
a quarterback sack
a penalty
an incompletion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The clock doesn't stop if the quarterback is sacked -- unless, of course, the sack pushes the quarterback out of bounds or into the end zone.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before the offense begins a play, at least seven players must be right on the line of scrimmage. The other four players must be lined up at least one yard away from the line of scrimmage.

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If a team "breaks the plane" it means they've scored in which manner?
touchdown
field goal
safety
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A team that grabs the ball and breaks the plane of the goal line scores a touchdown, that most coveted of football scores. Both college and NFL football often use instant replay cameras to determine whether a player has broken the plane of the goal line.

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The tight end plays on the ______ unit.
offensive
defensive
kicking
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tight ends play offense. They are usually a lot like big wide receivers -- bulky enough to create large blocking lanes but agile enough to run precise receiver routes.

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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
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Illegal motion is the penalty that officials call if an offensive player is moving towards the line of scrimmage before the play begins. It's a five-yard penalty.

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Football teams are made up of how many different units?
2
3
7
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each football team is made up of three basic units -- the offense, defense and kicking units. Teams that neglect one or more of those units nearly always pay for it with a loss during the season.

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If an official raises his arms above his head and presses his palms together, one team has scored a _______.
field goal
touchdown
safety
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The diamond-shaped gesture is a sure sign that the defensive team has scored a safety. Safeties are rare, but they're worth two points, and it means that the scoring team will immediately get the ball again, too.

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True or false: do defensive players have to line up in specific positions for each play?
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's true that modern football has specific defensive specialty positions, such as cornerback, safety and defensive end. But defensive players are not required to line up at particular spots on the field. Offensive players, however, much follow stricter guidelines.

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An "encroachment" penalty is called on _____.
the offense
the defense
both sides
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the snap, he's flagged for encroachment. This is a five-yard penalty and it nullifies the play.

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How many different ways are there to score points in football?
5
3
10
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are five different ways that teams can score during a game. They are touchdown, field goal, two-point conversion, extra point, or safety. Touchdowns, of course, are the most desirable because they're worth six points, which is double the points of a measly field goal.

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Which defensive alignment places three down linemen and four linebackers?
4-3
3-4
"Bear" defense
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 3-4 defense provides defensive coordinators with more options when it comes to shifting players than a traditional 4-3 defense. The tricky part about the 3-4, though, is that it requires outside linebackers who are capable of containing the run.

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An offense has entered the red zone when they pass which yard line?
20 yard line
35 yard line
50 yard line
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many offenses are high powered when they have room to work, but they struggle when it comes to efficiency in the red zone. That's because passing lanes are much tighter in the red zone, and defenses can crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run.

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If the quarterback throws the ball out of bounds while inside the tackle box, he'll be called for what penalty?
Illegal throw
Out of bounds
Intentional grounding
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Running quarterbacks usually have less to worry about when it comes to intentional grounding because they can easily scramble outside the tackle box. However, pocket passers have to know where they have a receiver, so they can at least attempt to throw the ball in their direction.

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Where is the football placed if it goes through the end zone on a kickoff?
15 yard line
20 yard line
25 yard line
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For decades, the football was moved to the 20 yard line after a touchback, which brought up safety concerns. Due to these concerns and to keep return men from trying their luck, the football was moved to the 25 yard line on touchbacks.

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How many points is a field goal worth?
1
3
5
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Marking the yardage of a field goal can get a little confusing in football because a field goal from the 35 yard line isn't actually a 35 yard field goal. Instead, both the distance of the end zone and the distance of the holder from the center have to be measured, making it a 52 yard field goal.

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A quarterback is lined up in which formation if he's a few yards behind the center?
Shotgun formation
Ace formation
I formation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The shotgun formation provides a quarterback with more time to scan the field for an open receiver because he doesn't have to drop back as far to pass. He can also get his feet planted sooner to get off a better throw.

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An end zone extends to what length beyond the goal line?
5 yards
10 yards
12 yards
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A wide receiver can lean his body outside of the end zone to catch a pass as long as his feet are still touching in bounds. All the receiver has to do is make sure he has possession of the ball before he steps out.

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If a linebacker rushes the quarterback, they have been sent on which type of play?
Blitz
Stunt
Cross
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sending a blitz is considered "adding pressure" to a quarterback. The pressure can come from anywhere on the line of scrimmage. For example, many defenses will send faster linebackers from the outside to add "outside pressure."

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What two players have the option to run the football on a traditional zone read?
Running back and wide receiver
Running back and full back
Quarterback and running back
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The zone read was a popular play in college for years before it finally became a staple in the NFL. Today, NFL offenses are more willing to draft faster quarterbacks who have the ability to pull the ball and run.

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A running back has done what if they drop the ball on the ground?
Intercepted
Botched
Fumbled
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From an early age, running backs are taught to apply three points of contact to the football to keep them from fumbling. Those three points are the palm of the hand, the forearm and the ribcage.

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