NFHS | NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
NFHS Soccer Rules Test
Official Practice Exam -- 2026/2027 Edition
Questions: 50 Minutes: 60 Passing Score: 75% Recertification: Required
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Field of Play and Equipment Questions 1--12
Section 2: Players, Substitutions, and Timing Questions 13--25
Section 3: Fouls, Misconduct, and Restarts Questions 26--38
Section 4: Offside, Officials, and Scoring Questions 39--50
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
This practice exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections covering NFHS soccer rules
and regulations. Each question presents a realistic scenario followed by four answer choices (A, B, C, D). Select
the single best answer for each question. You have 60 minutes to complete the exam. A minimum score of 75%
(38 correct answers out of 50) is required to pass. The correct answer and rationale for each question are
provided immediately after the question for self-assessment and study purposes. Read each scenario carefully
before selecting your answer. Do not use 'All of the above' or 'None of the above' as they do not appear in this
exam.
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 1 of 27
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 1 of 27
,SECTION 1: FIELD OF PLAY AND EQUIPMENT -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 50
Q1. A 34-year-old referee arrives at a high school varsity soccer field and notices the goal
dimensions appear smaller than regulation. The home coach insists the goals have been used for
years without complaint. According to NFHS rules, the official goal dimensions must be 8 feet high
and how many feet wide?
A. 24 feet wide, matching the international FIFA standard for all competitive matches
B. 8 yards (24 feet) wide, which is the NFHS-mandated width for high school play
C. 7.32 meters wide, the metric equivalent that NFHS permits as an alternative measurement
D. 21 feet wide, the reduced dimension allowed only for sub-varsity competitions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 1-2-1 specifies that goals must be 8 feet high and 8 yards (24 feet) wide, matching the FIFA
standard for competitive soccer. Choice D is incorrect because NFHS does not permit reduced goal
dimensions for sub-varsity play; the same goal size applies across all high school levels.
Q2 Question 2 of 50
Q2. During a pregame inspection, a 28-year-old referee measures the penalty area and finds it
extends only 16 yards from the goal line instead of the required 18 yards. The home coach claims
the field was painted that way by the district maintenance crew and cannot be changed before
kickoff. According to NFHS rules, the penalty area must extend how far from the goal line?
A. 16 yards, which is the standard dimension for youth and middle school fields
B. 18 yards from the goal line into the field of play, with the area extending 44 yards wide
C. 20 yards from the goal line to provide additional space for penalty kicks
D. 14 yards from the goal line, as modified by state association adoption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 1-2-3 requires the penalty area to extend 18 yards from each goal post into the field and extend
18 yards into the field of play, creating an area 44 yards wide and 18 yards deep. Choice A is incorrect
because 16 yards is not an NFHS-recognized dimension for the penalty area at any level of high school
play.
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 2 of 27
, Section 1: Field of Play and Equipment (continued) -- 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 50
Q3. A 45-year-old athletic director is ordering new soccer balls for the upcoming season and wants
to ensure compliance with NFHS specifications. She finds a ball marked Size 5 with a
circumference of 27 inches and a weight of 14 ounces. According to NFHS rules, the game ball
must meet specific size and weight requirements. What are the NFHS-approved ball
specifications?
A. Size 4 ball with a circumference of 25-26 inches for all high school contests
B. Size 5 ball with a circumference of 27-28 inches and weight of 14-16 ounces for varsity only
C. Size 5 ball with a circumference of 27-28 inches and weight of 14-16 ounces for all high
school play
D. Size 5 ball with a circumference of 26-27 inches and weight of 13-15 ounces for all levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 2-2-1 specifies a Size 5 ball with a circumference of 27-28 inches and a weight of 14-16 ounces
for all high school competitions. Choice A is incorrect because Size 4 balls are not approved for high school
varsity or sub-varsity play under NFHS rules.
Q4 Question 4 of 50
Q4. A 30-year-old referee notices during the pregame check that a goalkeeper is wearing a jersey
that is the same shade of green as the opponent's field player jerseys. The goalkeeper argues that
his jersey has black stripes that distinguish it. According to NFHS rules, the goalkeeper's jersey
must be distinctly different from what?
A. Only the jersey of the opposing goalkeeper, as the two goalkeepers must not wear the same
color
B. The jersey of the referee and assistant referees to avoid confusion during officiating
C. The jerseys of both teams' goalkeepers simultaneously to prevent any identification issues
D. The jerseys of both opposing field players and the referee, ensuring clear visual
distinction from all parties
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 4-1-1 requires the goalkeeper's jersey to be distinctly different in color from both opposing field
players and the referee to prevent confusion during play. Choice A is incorrect because while opposing
goalkeepers must also be distinguishable, the rule primarily addresses distinguishing the goalkeeper from
field players and officials.
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 3 of 27
NFHS Soccer Rules Test
Official Practice Exam -- 2026/2027 Edition
Questions: 50 Minutes: 60 Passing Score: 75% Recertification: Required
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Field of Play and Equipment Questions 1--12
Section 2: Players, Substitutions, and Timing Questions 13--25
Section 3: Fouls, Misconduct, and Restarts Questions 26--38
Section 4: Offside, Officials, and Scoring Questions 39--50
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
This practice exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections covering NFHS soccer rules
and regulations. Each question presents a realistic scenario followed by four answer choices (A, B, C, D). Select
the single best answer for each question. You have 60 minutes to complete the exam. A minimum score of 75%
(38 correct answers out of 50) is required to pass. The correct answer and rationale for each question are
provided immediately after the question for self-assessment and study purposes. Read each scenario carefully
before selecting your answer. Do not use 'All of the above' or 'None of the above' as they do not appear in this
exam.
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 1 of 27
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 1 of 27
,SECTION 1: FIELD OF PLAY AND EQUIPMENT -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 50
Q1. A 34-year-old referee arrives at a high school varsity soccer field and notices the goal
dimensions appear smaller than regulation. The home coach insists the goals have been used for
years without complaint. According to NFHS rules, the official goal dimensions must be 8 feet high
and how many feet wide?
A. 24 feet wide, matching the international FIFA standard for all competitive matches
B. 8 yards (24 feet) wide, which is the NFHS-mandated width for high school play
C. 7.32 meters wide, the metric equivalent that NFHS permits as an alternative measurement
D. 21 feet wide, the reduced dimension allowed only for sub-varsity competitions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 1-2-1 specifies that goals must be 8 feet high and 8 yards (24 feet) wide, matching the FIFA
standard for competitive soccer. Choice D is incorrect because NFHS does not permit reduced goal
dimensions for sub-varsity play; the same goal size applies across all high school levels.
Q2 Question 2 of 50
Q2. During a pregame inspection, a 28-year-old referee measures the penalty area and finds it
extends only 16 yards from the goal line instead of the required 18 yards. The home coach claims
the field was painted that way by the district maintenance crew and cannot be changed before
kickoff. According to NFHS rules, the penalty area must extend how far from the goal line?
A. 16 yards, which is the standard dimension for youth and middle school fields
B. 18 yards from the goal line into the field of play, with the area extending 44 yards wide
C. 20 yards from the goal line to provide additional space for penalty kicks
D. 14 yards from the goal line, as modified by state association adoption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 1-2-3 requires the penalty area to extend 18 yards from each goal post into the field and extend
18 yards into the field of play, creating an area 44 yards wide and 18 yards deep. Choice A is incorrect
because 16 yards is not an NFHS-recognized dimension for the penalty area at any level of high school
play.
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 2 of 27
, Section 1: Field of Play and Equipment (continued) -- 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 50
Q3. A 45-year-old athletic director is ordering new soccer balls for the upcoming season and wants
to ensure compliance with NFHS specifications. She finds a ball marked Size 5 with a
circumference of 27 inches and a weight of 14 ounces. According to NFHS rules, the game ball
must meet specific size and weight requirements. What are the NFHS-approved ball
specifications?
A. Size 4 ball with a circumference of 25-26 inches for all high school contests
B. Size 5 ball with a circumference of 27-28 inches and weight of 14-16 ounces for varsity only
C. Size 5 ball with a circumference of 27-28 inches and weight of 14-16 ounces for all high
school play
D. Size 5 ball with a circumference of 26-27 inches and weight of 13-15 ounces for all levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 2-2-1 specifies a Size 5 ball with a circumference of 27-28 inches and a weight of 14-16 ounces
for all high school competitions. Choice A is incorrect because Size 4 balls are not approved for high school
varsity or sub-varsity play under NFHS rules.
Q4 Question 4 of 50
Q4. A 30-year-old referee notices during the pregame check that a goalkeeper is wearing a jersey
that is the same shade of green as the opponent's field player jerseys. The goalkeeper argues that
his jersey has black stripes that distinguish it. According to NFHS rules, the goalkeeper's jersey
must be distinctly different from what?
A. Only the jersey of the opposing goalkeeper, as the two goalkeepers must not wear the same
color
B. The jersey of the referee and assistant referees to avoid confusion during officiating
C. The jerseys of both teams' goalkeepers simultaneously to prevent any identification issues
D. The jerseys of both opposing field players and the referee, ensuring clear visual
distinction from all parties
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
NFHS Rule 4-1-1 requires the goalkeeper's jersey to be distinctly different in color from both opposing field
players and the referee to prevent confusion during play. Choice A is incorrect because while opposing
goalkeepers must also be distinguishable, the rule primarily addresses distinguishing the goalkeeper from
field players and officials.
NFHS Soccer Rules -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 3 of 27
