Page 1 of 55
AYSO SOCCER REFEREE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPLETE (125)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
REFEREE
Prepare for the AYSO Soccer Referee Practice Examination with focused
review materials covering the Laws of the Game, referee responsibilities,
player safety, fouls and misconduct, offside, restarts, advantage, match
control, positioning and mechanics, signals, game management,
sportsmanship, and AYSO policies and procedures. Designed to build
confidence in applying the Laws of the Game, managing player behavior,
communicating effectively on the field, and handling match situations
with professionalism. Suitable for new and experienced soccer referees,
AYSO volunteers, and candidates preparing for the AYSO Soccer Referee
Practice Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: LAWS OF THE GAME BASICS, FIELD, BALL, PLAYERS,
EQUIPMENT (Questions 1–20)
1. According to the Laws of the Game, what is the maximum number
of players a team may have on the field at any one time (including the
goalkeeper)?
A. 10
, Page 2 of 55
B. 11
C. 12
D. Depends on the age group
Correct answer: B. 11
Rationale: Law 3 (The Players) states that a match is played by two
teams, each consisting of not more than ELEVEN players, one of
whom must be the goalkeeper. A match may not start or continue if
either team has fewer than seven players. While AYSO uses smaller-
sided games in younger age divisions (e.g., 7v7, 9v9), the standard
full-sided game is 11v11.
2. A team is playing with 10 players because one player was sent off
(red card) in the first half. Can the team replace the sent-off player
with a substitute?
A. Yes, at the next stoppage of play
B. No, a player who has been sent off cannot be replaced; the team must
play short
C. Yes, but only at halftime
D. Only if the opposing team agrees
Correct answer: B. No, a player who has been sent off cannot be
replaced; the team must play short
Rationale: Under Law 3, a player who is sent off (red card) may not be
replaced. The team must play with one fewer player for the
remainder of the match. A player who is sent off before the kick-off
may be replaced only by a named substitute, but once the match has
started, no replacement is allowed for a dismissed player.
, Page 3 of 55
3. During the pre-game inspection, the referee notices that the
corner flags are missing. What is the correct decision?
A. The game may be played without corner flags
B. The game must not start until corner flags are provided
C. The referee may use cones as an alternative
D. The referee should ask the coaches if they agree to play without them
Correct answer: B. The game must not start until corner flags are
provided
Rationale: Law 1 (The Field of Play) requires that corner flags (not
less than 1.5 meters/5 feet high) be placed at each corner. These are
COMPULSORY equipment. The field is not properly equipped without
them, and the match should not start until they are in place.
4. A goalkeeper may play anywhere on the field.
A. True
B. False
Correct answer: A. True
Rationale: A goalkeeper is a player like any other and may play
anywhere on the field. However, the goalkeeper is only permitted to
handle the ball within their own penalty area.
5. What is the minimum number of players required for a match to
start?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
, Page 4 of 55
Correct answer: C. 7
Rationale: Law 3 states that a match may not start or continue if
either team has fewer than seven players. This applies to full-sided
matches and is a fundamental requirement under the Laws of the
Game.
6. What is the maximum number of substitutes permitted in an AYSO
match?
A. 3
B. 5
C. Unlimited (with unlimited re-entry)
D. 7
Correct answer: C. Unlimited (with unlimited re-entry)
Rationale: AYSO allows unlimited substitutions with unlimited re-
entry, unlike professional soccer which limits substitutions to 3 or 5.
Substitutions may only occur at designated substitution
opportunities (goal kicks, your team's throw-in, after a goal, at
halftime, and for an injured player).
7. The ball is out of play when:
A. It completely crosses the goal line or touch line, whether on the
ground or in the air
B. The referee stops play
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct answer: C. Both A and B
Rationale: Law 9 (The Ball In and Out of Play) states that the ball is
out of play when it has wholly passed over the goal line or touch line,
AYSO SOCCER REFEREE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPLETE (125)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
REFEREE
Prepare for the AYSO Soccer Referee Practice Examination with focused
review materials covering the Laws of the Game, referee responsibilities,
player safety, fouls and misconduct, offside, restarts, advantage, match
control, positioning and mechanics, signals, game management,
sportsmanship, and AYSO policies and procedures. Designed to build
confidence in applying the Laws of the Game, managing player behavior,
communicating effectively on the field, and handling match situations
with professionalism. Suitable for new and experienced soccer referees,
AYSO volunteers, and candidates preparing for the AYSO Soccer Referee
Practice Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: LAWS OF THE GAME BASICS, FIELD, BALL, PLAYERS,
EQUIPMENT (Questions 1–20)
1. According to the Laws of the Game, what is the maximum number
of players a team may have on the field at any one time (including the
goalkeeper)?
A. 10
, Page 2 of 55
B. 11
C. 12
D. Depends on the age group
Correct answer: B. 11
Rationale: Law 3 (The Players) states that a match is played by two
teams, each consisting of not more than ELEVEN players, one of
whom must be the goalkeeper. A match may not start or continue if
either team has fewer than seven players. While AYSO uses smaller-
sided games in younger age divisions (e.g., 7v7, 9v9), the standard
full-sided game is 11v11.
2. A team is playing with 10 players because one player was sent off
(red card) in the first half. Can the team replace the sent-off player
with a substitute?
A. Yes, at the next stoppage of play
B. No, a player who has been sent off cannot be replaced; the team must
play short
C. Yes, but only at halftime
D. Only if the opposing team agrees
Correct answer: B. No, a player who has been sent off cannot be
replaced; the team must play short
Rationale: Under Law 3, a player who is sent off (red card) may not be
replaced. The team must play with one fewer player for the
remainder of the match. A player who is sent off before the kick-off
may be replaced only by a named substitute, but once the match has
started, no replacement is allowed for a dismissed player.
, Page 3 of 55
3. During the pre-game inspection, the referee notices that the
corner flags are missing. What is the correct decision?
A. The game may be played without corner flags
B. The game must not start until corner flags are provided
C. The referee may use cones as an alternative
D. The referee should ask the coaches if they agree to play without them
Correct answer: B. The game must not start until corner flags are
provided
Rationale: Law 1 (The Field of Play) requires that corner flags (not
less than 1.5 meters/5 feet high) be placed at each corner. These are
COMPULSORY equipment. The field is not properly equipped without
them, and the match should not start until they are in place.
4. A goalkeeper may play anywhere on the field.
A. True
B. False
Correct answer: A. True
Rationale: A goalkeeper is a player like any other and may play
anywhere on the field. However, the goalkeeper is only permitted to
handle the ball within their own penalty area.
5. What is the minimum number of players required for a match to
start?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
, Page 4 of 55
Correct answer: C. 7
Rationale: Law 3 states that a match may not start or continue if
either team has fewer than seven players. This applies to full-sided
matches and is a fundamental requirement under the Laws of the
Game.
6. What is the maximum number of substitutes permitted in an AYSO
match?
A. 3
B. 5
C. Unlimited (with unlimited re-entry)
D. 7
Correct answer: C. Unlimited (with unlimited re-entry)
Rationale: AYSO allows unlimited substitutions with unlimited re-
entry, unlike professional soccer which limits substitutions to 3 or 5.
Substitutions may only occur at designated substitution
opportunities (goal kicks, your team's throw-in, after a goal, at
halftime, and for an injured player).
7. The ball is out of play when:
A. It completely crosses the goal line or touch line, whether on the
ground or in the air
B. The referee stops play
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct answer: C. Both A and B
Rationale: Law 9 (The Ball In and Out of Play) states that the ball is
out of play when it has wholly passed over the goal line or touch line,
