Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Sports > Football/Soccer

Can You Master College Football Rules? Take the Quiz!

Dive into our college football quiz and tackle tricky football trivia questions!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art goalposts rulebook pages and score icons with quiz text for rules trivia on sky blue background.

Are you ready to elevate your game-day conversations with in-depth rule knowledge? Welcome to the Ultimate Football Rules Trivia Quiz, designed to test your understanding of football rules trivia, from scoring methods and penalties to strategic gameplay. Dive into a true gridiron rules challenge where football trivia questions sharpen your insights - whether you're reviewing college football rules or gearing up for your next tailgate, this quiz offers the perfect college football quiz experience. Kick things off with our football quiz or tackle our football IQ test now, and prove your gridiron IQ today!

How many points is a touchdown worth?
6 points
2 points
3 points
1 point
A touchdown scores six points when a player carries the ball into the opponent's end zone or catches it there. This is the primary scoring play in American football and sets the standard for all other scoring methods. Understanding touchdowns is fundamental to the strategy and scoring in the NFL. NFL Rulebook
How many yards must the offense advance to achieve a first down?
15 yards
20 yards
10 yards
5 yards
The offense has four downs to gain 10 yards and earn a new set of downs. This 10-yard requirement is a core rule in football, governing how drives continue. Failure to reach it results in a turnover on downs. NFL Rulebook
How many points is a field goal worth?
6 points
3 points
1 point
2 points
A successful field goal earns three points when the ball is kicked through the uprights during general play. Teams often attempt field goals on fourth down if they cannot reach the end zone. The field goal is a critical scoring option in gridiron football. NFL Rulebook
How many players from one team are on the field during play?
11 players
12 players
10 players
9 players
Each team fields 11 players on offense, defense, or special teams. Having more than 11 players at the snap results in an illegal substitution penalty. This number has been standard in professional football since 1906. NFL Rulebook
What is the penalty yardage for a false start?
15 yards
10 yards
5 yards
2 yards
A false start occurs when an offensive player moves illegally prior to the snap, resulting in a 5-yard penalty. The down is replayed after enforcement. This rule prevents unfair advantages gained by early movement. NFL Rulebook
How many yards deep is the end zone in the NFL?
15 yards
12 yards
8 yards
10 yards
An NFL end zone extends 10 yards from the goal line to the back line. This depth provides sufficient space for passing and running plays to complete a touchdown. The dimensions are standardized across professional fields. NFL Rulebook
How long is each quarter in an NFL game?
15 minutes
10 minutes
12 minutes
20 minutes
An NFL game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes of game clock time. The clock stops for certain events, so the real time is often longer. These periods determine the structure of play and strategy. NFL Rulebook
How many points is a safety worth?
3 points
1 point
6 points
2 points
A safety awards two points to the defensive team when it tackles an offensive ball carrier in the offense's own end zone. It also results in a free kick to the scoring team. Safeties are rare but can shift momentum significantly. NFL Rulebook
What is the standard distance between the uprights on an NFL goalpost?
10 feet
18 feet 6 inches
23 feet 4 inches
17 feet
NFL goalposts are mounted with uprights 18 feet 6 inches apart. This width standard ensures consistency for field goal and extra point attempts. The measurement is specified in the official rulebook. NFL Rulebook
Which official is primarily responsible for spotting the ball and managing the play clock?
Back Judge
Umpire
Line Judge
Referee
The umpire spots the ball after each play and monitors the play clock to ensure timely snaps. This position operates near the defensive line to oversee equipment fouls and ball placement. The referee has broader responsibilities, but ball spotting is the umpire's domain. NFL Rulebook
What is the penalty for defensive holding?
15 yards only
10 yards only
5 yards and an automatic first down
Loss of down
Defensive holding occurs when a defender illegally grasps an opponent who is not in possession of the ball. The offense is awarded 5 yards and an automatic first down. This penalty helps protect receivers and maintains fair coverage. NFL Rulebook
What is the penalty for intentional grounding?
Loss of down and 10 yards from the spot of the foul
10 yards and no loss of down
Loss of down only
5 yards and loss of down
Intentional grounding is called when a quarterback throws the ball away to avoid a sack without an eligible receiver in the area. The penalty is enforced at the spot of the foul with a loss of down plus 10 yards if the QB is in the pocket. This rule ensures quarterbacks cannot evade pressure unfairly. NFL Rulebook
What is a fair catch?
Catching the ball after it bounces
An automatic touchback after a punt
A receiver signals and catches a punt or kickoff without the right to be tackled
A free catch and runback opportunity
A fair catch is signaled by raising an arm and waving side to side before catching a kick. The receiver cannot be tackled after maintaining that signal, and the ball is spotted at the catch point. This rule protects returners from dangerous hits. NFL Rulebook
How many points is a two-point conversion worth?
3 points
1 point
2 points
0 points
After scoring a touchdown, teams may attempt a two-point conversion by reaching the end zone on a single play from the two-yard line. Success awards two additional points. This option adds strategic depth to end-of-game situations. NFL Rulebook
What is considered an illegal shift?
Two offensive players moving simultaneously and not set for one second before the snap
Only the quarterback moving before the snap
Any single player moving before the snap
All offensive players moving at once before the snap
An illegal shift occurs when two or more offensive players move and are not set for at least one second before the snap. The penalty is 5 yards, replaying the down. Proper timing and set position are crucial to avoid this foul. NFL Rulebook
What happens if a kickoff goes out of bounds?
Receiving team at 25-yard line
Receiving team at own 30-yard line
Receiving team gets the ball at their own 40-yard line
Receiving team at 20-yard line
A kickoff out of bounds without touching a player grants the receiving team possession at their 40-yard line. This rule penalizes the kicking team for poor directional control. It was enacted to encourage safer, more strategic kicks. NFL Rulebook
What is the penalty for an offside infraction?
5 yards
Loss of down
15 yards
10 yards
Offside is called when a defensive or offensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. The penalty is a 5-yard advancement for the opposing team. This rule prevents premature movement and maintains fair play. NFL Rulebook
How many timeouts does each team get per half?
3 timeouts
2 timeouts
4 timeouts
1 timeout
Each NFL team is granted three timeouts per half to stop the game clock. Timeouts are strategic tools for clock management, especially late in games. Unused timeouts do not carry over to the next half. NFL Rulebook
What is the minimum number of players a team must have on the line of scrimmage at the snap?
5 players
6 players
8 players
7 players
At least seven offensive players must be lined up on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Fewer than seven players on the line results in an illegal formation penalty. This ensures a fair distribution between line and backfield players. NFL Rulebook
What occurs if a field goal attempt strikes the upright and bounces back into the field of play?
The play is immediately whistled dead
The ball remains live and either team can recover
It's automatically no good
Only the defense can recover it
If a field goal attempt hits the upright or crossbar and rebounds into the field of play, the ball remains live until possession is secured or it goes out of bounds. Any player can recover or return it. This creates unpredictable situations in goal-line scenarios. NFL Rulebook
How many coach's challenges are allowed per team in a regular NFL game?
Two challenges (with a third if both are successful)
One challenge
Three challenges
Unlimited challenges
Each NFL coach is granted two challenges per game to dispute certain rulable plays on the field. If both challenges are successful, the coach earns a third challenge. This system balances game flow with review accuracy. NFL Rulebook
What is the penalty for a player leaping over the line on a field goal attempt?
10 yards
15 yards
5 yards
2 yards and loss of down
Leaping by a player who runs forward and jumps in an attempt to block a kick over the line of scrimmage is illegal. The penalty is 2 yards and a loss of down on successful field goal attempts. This rule enhances player safety near the line. NFL Rulebook
What is required for the offense to avoid an illegal formation penalty?
At least seven players on the line of scrimmage
Three receivers in the backfield
Eight players on the line
Five players in motion at once
To avoid illegal formation, the offense must have a minimum of seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage at the snap. Having fewer triggers a 5-yard penalty. This requirement dictates pre-snap alignment across all plays. NFL Rulebook
What is the "fair catch kick" rule in the NFL?
A mandatory dropkick after a fair catch
A free kick for a field goal from the spot of a fair catch
A free punt without rushing defenders
A kick that must be returned if untouched
After a fair catch on a punt, a team has the option to attempt a free kick (placekick or dropkick) from the spot of the catch to score a field goal. The defense must line up 10 yards away and cannot rush. This rare play offers a unique scoring chance without a snap. NFL Rulebook
Under what condition is a quarterback exempt from an intentional grounding penalty?
If he steps out of bounds before throwing
If he throws the ball past the line of scrimmage
If he is blitzed by more than two defenders
If it's fourth down
Intentional grounding is not called if the quarterback's pass crosses the line of scrimmage, regardless of receiving eligibility. The rule allows QBs to safely rid themselves of the ball while avoiding loss-of-down penalties. It applies only when the ball travels beyond the line of scrimmage. NFL Rulebook
How is the line of scrimmage enforced when offsetting personal fouls occur?
Loss of down for the offense
No net yardage change and the down is replayed
Yardage is added to the previous spot
Half the distance to the goal
When both teams commit personal fouls on the same play, the penalties offset, resulting in no net yardage change. The down is replayed from the original line of scrimmage. This rule prevents teams from gaining advantage through mutual fouls. NFL Rulebook
Which requirement must be met for an onside kick attempt to be legal?
Ball must travel at least 10 yards before recovery by the kicking team
Ball must be kicked high enough to be caught
Kicking team must stay behind the ball until fair catch
Ball must bounce at least once
For an onside kick to be legally recovered by the kicking team, it must travel a minimum of 10 yards from the kickoff point or be touched by the receiving team first. This distance requirement ensures a fair contest. Violations result in possession awarded to the receiving team at the spot of the foul. NFL Rulebook
What happens when an interception occurs in the end zone and the player downs the ball?
The play is ruled a dead ball turnover on downs
The offense retains possession at the spot of interception
The result is a touchback and ball is placed at the 20-yard line
The defense scores a safety
If a defender intercepts the ball in his own end zone and downs it, it results in a touchback. The defense then takes over at its 20-yard line. This rule prevents upward field position swings on defended passes in the end zone. NFL Rulebook
What is the penalty if a coach steps onto the field to dispute a call?
Personal foul, 5 yards
Unsportsmanlike conduct, 15-yard penalty
Ejection with no yardage penalty
Warning only
If a coach enters the field of play to argue or dispute an official's decision, it is ruled unsportsmanlike conduct. The offending team is penalized 15 yards. Repeated offenses can lead to ejection. This maintains order and authority of officials. NFL Rulebook
Under what condition can a blocked punt be recovered by the kicking team?
If it crosses the line of scrimmage before being touched again
Anytime after the snap
Only after it travels 10 yards
Only if the punter recovers it
A blocked punt that crosses the line of scrimmage remains a live ball and can be recovered by the kicking team. If it does not cross the line, the kicking team cannot advance it. This rule differentiates punts from kickoffs. NFL Rulebook
What is a 'palpably unfair act' in the NFL and what action can officials take?
Any egregious act not covered by rules, officials can award score or enforce penalty
Helmet-to-helmet hits, officials eject the player automatically
Only pass interference off the ball, officials must call a 15-yard penalty
Late hits after whistle, officials can only warn teams
A palpably unfair act refers to an extraordinary act by a player, coach, or team that violates the spirit of the game but isn't specifically addressed by existing rules. Officials are empowered to restore equity by awarding scores, adjusting yardage, or imposing other remedies. This ensures justice in unique, high-impact situations. NFL Rulebook
What is the horse-collar tackle rule and what are its exceptions?
Illegal to tackle by grabbing inside back of collar; no exceptions in the NFL
Legal if runner is not the ball carrier; exception for interceptions
Legal when defenders are outside the pocket; illegal inside
Illegal only at or behind the line of scrimmage; legal beyond it
The horse-collar rule prohibits defenders from grabbing the inside back collar of the runner's shoulder pads or jersey and pulling them down. It is enforced as a personal foul with a 15-yard penalty and there are no exceptions in NFL play. The rule was implemented to reduce serious leg injuries. NFL Rulebook
0
{"name":"How many points is a touchdown worth?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"How many points is a touchdown worth?, How many yards must the offense advance to achieve a first down?, How many points is a field goal worth?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Scoring Techniques -

    Learn to differentiate between touchdowns, field goals, extra points, and safeties to sharpen your football rules trivia expertise.

  2. Identify Field Layout Essentials -

    Recognize key markings like yard lines, end zones, and hash marks to gain a clear grasp of college football field setup.

  3. Analyze Player Roles and Regulations -

    Examine offensive and defensive positions along with substitution rules to deepen your gridiron rules challenge performance.

  4. Distinguish Common Penalties -

    Spot infractions such as offsides, holding, and pass interference to improve your accuracy in football trivia questions.

  5. Apply Penalty Enforcement -

    Understand yardage assessments and down adjustments to confidently navigate penalty situations during the quiz.

  6. Evaluate Gameplay Scenarios -

    Test your decision-making by applying rules to real-world plays, boosting your college football quiz score and gridiron IQ.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Scoring Breakdown & Mnemonic -

    In college football rules, a touchdown is 6 points, an extra point kick is 1, a two-point conversion is 2, a field goal is 3, and a safety nets 2. Memorize "6-3-1-2" to recall these values quickly during football rules trivia or your next college football quiz. These values come straight from the NCAA Official Playing Rules, ensuring accuracy for your gridiron rules challenge.

  2. Down & Distance Basics -

    Teams have four downs to gain ten yards; mastering this underpins any college football quiz performance. Use the phrase "4 to Go, 10 to Grow" to lock in the requirement and keep it top of mind during a gridiron rules challenge. According to NCAA football rules, failure to reach 10 yards resets possession, making it a common focus in football trivia questions.

  3. Penalty Classifications & Enforcement -

    NCAA college football rules define infractions as either 5-yard, 10-yard, or 15-yard penalties, with spot fouls for pass interference and targeting. Remember "15 T-flags" (for the biggest fouls) to recall that 15-yard penalties usually cover personal fouls, roughing, and targeting violations. Enforced as per the NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations, mastering these details will boost your performance on football rules trivia.

  4. Field Layout & Hash Marks -

    The college football field spans 100 yards between goal lines with 10-yard end zones and 40-inch hash marks placed 60 feet from the sidelines. Use the "100-10-40" formula to remember these critical dimensions for any gridiron rules challenge. These measurements are codified by the NCAA and frequently pop up in college football quiz rounds.

  5. Overtime Format & Strategy -

    NCAA overtime grants each team possession at the opponent's 25-yard line with alternating two-point attempts after the second overtime. A handy tip is "25 then 2" to lock down the yard line and the mandatory two-point conversion rule after the second OT. This structure, defined in the NCAA rulebook, is a staple in high-stakes tests and college football rules trivia.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Football/Soccer Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker