There can be no doubting that football and some of its rules can be a little hard to keep up with.

The offside rule has long been a source of much angst amongst fans and players alike with everyone pretending to understand it, but no one ever quite managing to aptly explain it.

Of late, the hand ball rule has come under the microscope and, as a result, has been chopped and changed more than the name plate on the desk of the Watford manager.

Of course, those are just some of the more well-known, high profile rules, but how well do you now some of the more obscure laws that lurk in the shadows ready to pounce on rare occasions?

Joe Hart shows incredible knowledge of football rules

Well, in 2014, then Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart showed he is somewhat of a whizz with his knowledge of the rules that govern the game during a clash with Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League.

QPR hitman Charlie Austin thought he struck gold when he lashed a scuffed Joe Hart free-kick into the back of the net only to find that the goal would not be allowed to stand.

Joe Hart in action for Manchester City
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Joe Hart of Manchester City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on November 8, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Joe Hart of Manchester City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on November 8, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

In fact, so baffling was the incident that Hart himself was forced to explain the now infamous two-kick rule to Austin after the game.

How the 'two-kick' rule works

So miserable was Hart's mis-kick, that he ended up touching the ball twice, immediately triggering the two-kick rule.

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According to the BBC, the laws of the game stated that free-kicks taken by the defending team in their own penalty area must be retaken if the first touch doesn't leave the box.

You can see the truly bizarre incident in the footage below:

Video: Joe Hart saved by the obscure 'two-kick' rule

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amuwUeZlFXg

Hart said of the bizarre incident at the time: "I knew the rules and touched it twice. I'd touched it twice with my feet obviously. It's a mistake and not ideal but rules are rules.

"I was looking at Mangala to pass to him because I was aware of Charlie and it hit my right foot and left foot and went straight to him."

According to the Daily Mail, Graham Poll explained the situation saying: "Hart's free kick was required to leave the box before the ball could be considered back in play - so by touching it for a second time, he prevented the ball from becoming live."

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