NHFS FOOTBALL REVIEW EXAMS MAIN
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Illegal block on free-kicker or holder - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-4
10 yard, live ball penalty.
A. No player shall block a free-kicker before they have advanced 5 yards downfield, or
block the holder of a place-kick.
B. Restriction ends once the kick has touched the ground or another player.
✔✔Clipping - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-5
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. No player shall block from behind, at or below the waist, an opponent who is not the
runner.
B. Exception: Allowed inside the free-blocking zone at the snap by offensive linemen
against defensive linemen.
✔✔Chop Block - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-6
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. A chop block is a combination block against the same opponent by two teammates.
B. It occurs when one block is high (at or above the knee) and the other is low (below
the knee), executed simultaneously or sequentially.
✔✔Tripping - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3o
15 yard, live ball penalty.
,A. A player shall not use their leg or foot to obstruct, trip, or cause an opponent to lose
balance.
B. Exception: Tripping is legal when used against the player who is currently the runner.
✔✔Facemask - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3h
5 or 15 yard, live or dead ball penalty.
A. No player shall grasp an opponent's face mask, chin strap, or helmet opening.
B. Grasp and immediate release is 5 yards (incidental). Grasp and twist, turn, or pull is
15 yards (personal foul).
✔✔Hurdle an Opponent - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3d
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. A player shall not hurdle an opponent who is on his feet.
B. Hurdling is defined as jumping feet-first or knees-first over an upright player.
✔✔Horse-collar - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3g
15 yard, live or dead ball penalty.
A. No player shall grab the inside back/side collar or the nameplate area of the shoulder
pads or jersey and pull the runner down.
B. The runner must be pulled down backward or sideward. The foul can be enforced
even if the runner subsequently loses possession of the ball.
✔✔Targeting an Opponent - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3m
15 yard + Automatic Disqualification, live or dead ball penalty.
A. Taking aim and initiating forceful contact to an opponent's head or neck area, or
contact made with the crown of one's own helmet.
B. This dangerous contact is an automatic personal foul regardless of intent.
✔✔Initiating forceful contact against a defenseless receiver - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3g
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. No player shall initiate forceful contact against a receiver attempting a catch, or one
who has not had time to protect themselves after a completion/incompletion.
B. Contact must be avoided unless making a legitimate, bona fide play on the ball.
✔✔Illegal Blindside Block - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-8
, 15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. A blindside block outside the free-blocking zone is illegal if it involves forceful contact.
B. Exception: The block is legal if it is initiated strictly with open hands.
✔✔Roughing the passer - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-4
A. Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer, who
has thrown the ball from in or behind the neutral zone, after it is clear the ball has been
thrown. No defensive player shall commit any illegal personal contact foul listed in 9-4-3
against the passer.
✔✔Roughing kicker or holder - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-4
15 yard + Automatic First Down, live ball penalty.
A. Defensive players cannot charge into or forcefully contact a kicker or place-kick
holder.
B. Exception: Contact is legal if a defender touches the kicked ball first, or if the
kicker/holder fumbles the ball or clearly becomes a runner.
✔✔Roughing snapper - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-6
15 yard + Automatic First Down, live ball penalty.
A. No defensive player shall charge directly into the snapper during a scrimmage kick
formation.
B. Protection lasts until the snapper has had a reasonable opportunity to regain
equilibrium and protect themselves.
✔✔Illegal participation - ✔✔Rule: 9-6
15 yard, live or dead ball penalty.
A. No team shall have more than 11 players actively participating on the field during a
live-ball down.
B. Includes a player going out of bounds and returning on their own, or an
injured/replaced player returning before sitting out the required down.
✔✔Unfair acts - ✔✔Rule: 9-9
15 yard (or Referee's Discretion), live or dead ball penalty.
A. No player, coach, or team personnel shall use an unfair or deceptive act not covered
elsewhere in the rules to gain an advantage.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Illegal block on free-kicker or holder - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-4
10 yard, live ball penalty.
A. No player shall block a free-kicker before they have advanced 5 yards downfield, or
block the holder of a place-kick.
B. Restriction ends once the kick has touched the ground or another player.
✔✔Clipping - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-5
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. No player shall block from behind, at or below the waist, an opponent who is not the
runner.
B. Exception: Allowed inside the free-blocking zone at the snap by offensive linemen
against defensive linemen.
✔✔Chop Block - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-6
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. A chop block is a combination block against the same opponent by two teammates.
B. It occurs when one block is high (at or above the knee) and the other is low (below
the knee), executed simultaneously or sequentially.
✔✔Tripping - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3o
15 yard, live ball penalty.
,A. A player shall not use their leg or foot to obstruct, trip, or cause an opponent to lose
balance.
B. Exception: Tripping is legal when used against the player who is currently the runner.
✔✔Facemask - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3h
5 or 15 yard, live or dead ball penalty.
A. No player shall grasp an opponent's face mask, chin strap, or helmet opening.
B. Grasp and immediate release is 5 yards (incidental). Grasp and twist, turn, or pull is
15 yards (personal foul).
✔✔Hurdle an Opponent - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3d
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. A player shall not hurdle an opponent who is on his feet.
B. Hurdling is defined as jumping feet-first or knees-first over an upright player.
✔✔Horse-collar - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3g
15 yard, live or dead ball penalty.
A. No player shall grab the inside back/side collar or the nameplate area of the shoulder
pads or jersey and pull the runner down.
B. The runner must be pulled down backward or sideward. The foul can be enforced
even if the runner subsequently loses possession of the ball.
✔✔Targeting an Opponent - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3m
15 yard + Automatic Disqualification, live or dead ball penalty.
A. Taking aim and initiating forceful contact to an opponent's head or neck area, or
contact made with the crown of one's own helmet.
B. This dangerous contact is an automatic personal foul regardless of intent.
✔✔Initiating forceful contact against a defenseless receiver - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-3g
15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. No player shall initiate forceful contact against a receiver attempting a catch, or one
who has not had time to protect themselves after a completion/incompletion.
B. Contact must be avoided unless making a legitimate, bona fide play on the ball.
✔✔Illegal Blindside Block - ✔✔Rule: 9-3-8
, 15 yard, live ball penalty.
A. A blindside block outside the free-blocking zone is illegal if it involves forceful contact.
B. Exception: The block is legal if it is initiated strictly with open hands.
✔✔Roughing the passer - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-4
A. Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer, who
has thrown the ball from in or behind the neutral zone, after it is clear the ball has been
thrown. No defensive player shall commit any illegal personal contact foul listed in 9-4-3
against the passer.
✔✔Roughing kicker or holder - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-4
15 yard + Automatic First Down, live ball penalty.
A. Defensive players cannot charge into or forcefully contact a kicker or place-kick
holder.
B. Exception: Contact is legal if a defender touches the kicked ball first, or if the
kicker/holder fumbles the ball or clearly becomes a runner.
✔✔Roughing snapper - ✔✔Rule: 9-4-6
15 yard + Automatic First Down, live ball penalty.
A. No defensive player shall charge directly into the snapper during a scrimmage kick
formation.
B. Protection lasts until the snapper has had a reasonable opportunity to regain
equilibrium and protect themselves.
✔✔Illegal participation - ✔✔Rule: 9-6
15 yard, live or dead ball penalty.
A. No team shall have more than 11 players actively participating on the field during a
live-ball down.
B. Includes a player going out of bounds and returning on their own, or an
injured/replaced player returning before sitting out the required down.
✔✔Unfair acts - ✔✔Rule: 9-9
15 yard (or Referee's Discretion), live or dead ball penalty.
A. No player, coach, or team personnel shall use an unfair or deceptive act not covered
elsewhere in the rules to gain an advantage.
