Football: Key Notes & Top 25 MCQs for UPSC Exams
Three football players clash in a fast-paced moment on the field, highlighting athleticism, teamwork, and the intensity of the game.If you are keen on football and want to learn its basics, then this article is especially for you. Football is not only the most popular sport in the world, but it is also a great example of fitness, teamwork, and strategy. Whether you want to play it as a hobby or want to become a professional, its basic understanding is necessary. In this article, you will get complete information about the history, rules, positions, skills, equipment, fitness, mental preparation, and career options of football. At the end, some of the best online courses, books, and websites are also mentioned so that you can learn more deeply.
Rules and Guidelines of Football
| Rule / Guideline | Description |
|---|---|
| Team Size | Each team has 11 players, including one goalkeeper. |
| Match Duration | A match lasts 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves. |
| Kickoff | The game begins with a kickoff from the center circle. |
| Offside Rule | A player is offside if nearer to the opponent's goal than the ball when passed. |
| Fouls | Tripping, pushing, or handling the ball intentionally is considered a foul. |
| Free Kicks | Awarded for fouls or handballs outside the penalty area. |
| Penalty Kick | Given for a foul inside the penalty box by the defending team. |
| Throw-In | When the ball crosses the sideline, the opponent throws it back into play. |
| Corner Kick | Awarded when the ball last touched a defender before crossing the goal line. |
| Goal Kick | Awarded when the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line. |
| Yellow Card | Used to caution a player for unsporting behavior or repeated fouls. |
| Red Card | Issued for serious foul play; player is sent off and cannot be replaced. |
| Substitutions | Each team can make a limited number of substitutions during the game. |
| Extra Time | Used in knockout matches if the score is tied after 90 minutes. |
| Penalty Shootout | Used to decide a tied match when extra time fails to yield a winner. |
What is football?
Football is a team sport where two teams compete against one another and score goals to score points. Each team has 11 active players, and the game is 90 minutes duration. Scoring goals and keeping the other team from scoring goals is its goal. This game is a great mix of physical fitness, mental alertness, and team spirit.
When did football begin?
The history of football is centuries old, and its origin is believed to be from ancient civilizations like China, Greece, and Rome. But modern football developed in 19th-century England. Football guidelines and rules have been fixed since the Football Association was founded in 1863. FIFA now oversees it, and the World Cup is its main event.
What are the basic rules of football?
The rules of football are simple but precise. The game is divided into two halves, and each half is 45 minutes. Except for the goalie, players are not allowed to use their hands. Rules like foul, offside, corner kick, penalty kick, and throw-in are an important part of the game. The referee oversees the match and issues red and yellow cards as necessary.
What are the main player positions in football?
Each player has a different responsibility—the goalkeeper protects the goal, defenders stop the opposition's attack, midfielders maintain the balance of the game, and forwards try to score goals. Each position has a different role, and their contribution is determined according to the team's strategy.
What skills do you need to play football?
Football success requires abilities including ball handling, passing, dribbling, shooting, and tackling. All these skills have to be improved with constant practice and fitness. In addition to more practice and increasing performance, proper skills and techniques lower the risk of injury.
Why do footballers need fitness and good food?
Physical fitness, stamina, and balance are very important to becoming a good football player. For this, it is important to follow regular cardio, strength training, and diet. A high-protein diet, hydration, and adequate sleep can make a big difference in performance.
Gear & Purpose of Football
| Football Gear | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Football (Ball) | Central equipment is used to play and score goals in the game. |
| Football Boots | Designed with studs for traction and grip on grassy surfaces. |
| Shin Guards | Protect the lower legs from kicks, tackles, and potential injuries. |
| Goalkeeper Gloves | Improve grip and protect the fingers while handling the ball. |
| Team Jersey | Identifies players, usually includes team name, logo, and number. |
| Shorts | Allows free leg movement and ensures comfort while running. |
| Socks | Cover shin guards and offer compression and protection to the legs. |
| Whistle (for referee) | Used by the referee to control and stop/start the game. |
| Corner Flags | Mark the four corners of the field for boundary identification. |
| Goal Net | Captures the ball when a goal is scored and defines the goal area. |
| Captain's Armband | Worn by the team captain to signify leadership on the field. |
| Training Cones | Used in drills to improve agility, speed, and coordination. |
| Water Bottle | Ensures hydration and prevents fatigue or cramping during play. |
What equipment is used in football?
Some essential equipment for playing football is a ball, stud shoes, shin guards, a jersey, and gloves for the goalkeeper. Good-quality equipment not only provides protection but also makes your game impressive.
Why are focus and teamwork important in football?
Football is a game of mental toughness in addition to physical prowess. It is necessary to take the right decision under pressure, have self-control, and maintain coordination with the team. Taking victory and defeat with balance is the real sportsmanship.
Can football be a career?
If you want to make football a career, then you can become a player, coach, referee, analyst, or physiotherapist. In today's time, the demand for football professionals is constantly increasing in the sports industry. For this, both academic training and experience are necessary.
Women's football players make a strategic play near the goalpost, showcasing agility, determination, and the rising prominence of women in football.What is the future of football in India?
Football is expanding rapidly in India. Tournaments like the ISL and the I-League are providing a platform for the youth to move forward. Academies and clubs are being established to promote football at the government and private levels, which are working to groom talent.
Top 25 MCQs on Football for UPSC Exams
Test your understanding of football through 25 carefully designed UPSC-level MCQs covering history, rules, global tournaments, governing bodies, legendary players, and football’s cultural and economic impact worldwide.
1. What is the standard duration of a professional football match?
a) 60 minutes
b) 90 minutes
c) 100 minutes
d) 80 minutes
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Answer: b) 90 minutes
The match is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, plus stoppage time (injury time) added at the end of each half.
2. How many players does each team have on the pitch at the start of a match?
a) 7
b) 9
c) 11
d) 15
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Answer: c) 11
This consists of 10 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper. A match cannot continue if either team has fewer than 7 players.
3. The "Offside Rule" applies when:
a) A player is in the opponent's half
b) An attacking player is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent when the ball is passed
c) A player is behind the goal
d) A player runs too fast
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Answer: b) An attacking player is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent
This prevents attackers from "goal hanging" (waiting near the goal) and encourages tactical play.
4. Which country has won the most FIFA World Cup titles (Men's)?
a) Germany
b) Argentina
c) Brazil
d) Italy
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Answer: c) Brazil
Brazil has won the World Cup 5 times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and is the only team to have played in every tournament.
5. What does "VAR" stand for?
a) Video Assistant Referee
b) Virtual Action Replay
c) Visual Angle Review
d) Video Area Recorder
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Answer: a) Video Assistant Referee
Introduced widely in 2018, it reviews "clear and obvious errors" related to goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity.
6. A "Yellow Card" signifies:
a) A goal
b) A warning (Caution)
c) Ejection from the game
d) A substitution
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Answer: b) A warning (Caution)
If a player receives two yellow cards in the same match, it equals a Red Card, and they are sent off.
7. What is the distance between the penalty spot and the goal line?
a) 10 yards
b) 12 yards (approx 11 meters)
c) 18 yards
d) 6 yards
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Answer: b) 12 yards (approx 11 meters)
A penalty kick is a direct free kick taken from this spot with only the goalkeeper to beat.
8. The "FIFA Ballon d'Or" is an award given annually to:
a) The best team
b) The best male player in the world
c) The best goalkeeper
d) The best coach
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Answer: b) The best male player in the world
Lionel Messi holds the record for winning this prestigious award the most times (8 times as of 2023).
9. What happens if a player touches the ball with their hands (Handball) inside their own penalty box?
a) A free kick outside the box
b) A Penalty Kick is awarded to the opponent
c) A throw-in
d) Nothing
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Answer: b) A Penalty Kick is awarded to the opponent
The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use hands, but only within their own penalty area.
10. A "Hattrick" in football refers to:
a) Winning 3 games in a row
b) A single player scoring 3 goals in one match
c) Getting 3 red cards
d) Making 3 substitutions
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Answer: b) A single player scoring 3 goals in one match
A "Perfect Hattrick" is scoring one with the left foot, one with the right foot, and one with the head.
11. The FIFA World Cup is held every:
a) 2 years
b) 3 years
c) 4 years
d) 5 years
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Answer: c) 4 years
The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay.
12. What is a "Corner Kick"?
a) A kick from the center
b) A restart when the ball crosses the goal line (last touched by a defender) without a goal being scored
c) A penalty
d) A throw-in
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Answer: b) A restart when the ball crosses the goal line (last touched by a defender) without a goal being scored
The attacking team kicks the ball from the corner arc nearest to where it went out.
13. Who is famously known as "The King of Football" (O Rei)?
a) Diego Maradona
b) Pelé
c) Cristiano Ronaldo
d) Zinedine Zidane
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Answer: b) Pelé
The Brazilian legend is the only player to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970).
14. In knockout stages, if the score is tied after 90 minutes, what usually happens next?
a) The match is drawn
b) Penalty shootout immediately
c) Extra Time (30 minutes)
d) A coin toss
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Answer: c) Extra Time (30 minutes)
If the score remains tied after the two 15-minute halves of extra time, the match is decided by a penalty shootout.
15. Which card results in a player being sent off (ejected) from the field immediately?
a) Yellow Card
b) Green Card
c) Red Card
d) Blue Card
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Answer: c) Red Card
The team must continue with one fewer player for the remainder of the match.
16. The "Golden Boot" is awarded to:
a) The best goalkeeper
b) The player who scores the most goals in a tournament/league
c) The best defender
d) The player with the most assists
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Answer: b) The player who scores the most goals in a tournament/league
If there is a tie, assists or minutes played are often used as a tiebreaker in tournaments like the World Cup.
17. What is a "Clean Sheet"?
a) A spotless uniform
b) When a goalkeeper/team prevents the opponent from scoring any goals in a match
c) A game with no fouls
d) A new contract
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Answer: b) When a goalkeeper/team prevents the opponent from scoring any goals in a match
It is a key statistic for goalkeepers and defenders.
18. The "Hand of God" goal is famously associated with which player?
a) Lionel Messi
b) Diego Maradona
c) Cristiano Ronaldo
d) Thierry Henry
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Answer: b) Diego Maradona
He scored a goal using his hand against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, which the referee missed.
19. What is the role of a "Sweeper" (Libero)?
a) To clean the pitch
b) A defender who plays behind the main defensive line to "sweep up" loose balls
c) A striker
d) A winger
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Answer: b) A defender who plays behind the main defensive line to "sweep up" loose balls
Though less common in modern football, Franz Beckenbauer is the most famous example of this role.
20. "Tiki-Taka" is a style of play characterized by:
a) Long balls and headers
b) Short passing, movement, and maintaining possession
c) Defensive parking the bus
d) Only counter-attacks
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Answer: b) Short passing, movement, and maintaining possession
It was popularized by FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team during their dominance from 2008-2012.
21. What is the maximum number of substitutions allowed in a standard professional match (current rules)?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 7
d) Unlimited
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Answer: b) 5
The limit was increased from 3 to 5 permanently by IFAB in 2022 to protect player welfare.
22. A "Throw-in" is awarded when:
a) The ball crosses the goal line
b) The ball completely crosses the touchline (sideline)
c) A foul is committed
d) Half time occurs
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Answer: b) The ball completely crosses the touchline (sideline)
The player must keep both feet on the ground and throw the ball with both hands from behind the head.
23. "Anfield" is the home stadium of which famous English club?
a) Manchester United
b) Liverpool FC
c) Chelsea
d) Arsenal
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Answer: b) Liverpool FC
It is famous for the "This is Anfield" sign and the passionate atmosphere of "The Kop" stand.
24. Which organization governs international football?
a) ICC
b) FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)
c) FIBA
d) ITF
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Answer: b) FIFA
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, it oversees the World Cup and international rules.
25. What is the circumference of a standard size 5 football?
a) 50-55 cm
b) 68-70 cm
c) 80-85 cm
d) 60-65 cm
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Answer: b) 68-70 cm
It weighs between 410 and 450 grams at the start of the match.
Conclusion
Football is a sport that not only strengthens your physical and mental abilities but also teaches many important life qualities. This article is like a guide for you, so that you can move forward by understanding the basics of this game. If you join this sport with dedication and constant practice, then both career and self-satisfaction are possible in it.
Online Courses, Reference Books, & Websites
| Category | Resources |
|---|---|
| Online Courses |
• Udemy – Football Tactics & Skills • Coursera – Science of Football by the University of Edinburgh • FutureLearn – Football: More than a Game • FIFA eLearning Portal • NFHS Learn – Soccer Fundamentals |
| Reference Books |
• "The Mixer" by Michael Cox • "Inverting the Pyramid" by Jonathan Wilson • "Soccer IQ" by Dan Blank • "FIFA Soccer Training Manual" • "Zonal Marking" by Michael Cox |
| Websites |
• www.fifa.com • www.uefa.com • www.premierleague.com • www.coachesvoice.com • www.fourfourtwo.com |
.webp)
very useful for beginners
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