Soccer Rules Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A direct free kick is awarded for serious fouls, which include actions like tripping, pushing, or holding an opponent. This type of foul is considered significant because it directly impedes the opponent's ability to play the ball or move freely on the field.

In soccer, a direct free kick offers the opportunity for the fouled team to take a shot on goal directly from the spot of the foul, without needing to pass the ball to another player first. This distinguishes it from an indirect free kick, where the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.

While a handball committed by a defender is a serious infringement that also leads to a direct free kick, it is categorized separately from other types of fouls, making the rationale for identifying option B as correct. Other options, such as minor infringements or yellow card offenses, generally do not result in a direct free kick and do not have the same immediate impact on the game as serious fouls do.