NFHS Football Rules Exam
Questions and Ansẉers
2026\2027 update
1. What are the official dimensions of a high school football field,
excluding the end zones?
Answer100 yards long by 53 yards, 3 inches wide.
2. How long is each end zone in high school football?
Answer10 yards.
3. Are the hash marks in high school football the same distance
from the sidelines as in college football?
AnswerNo. NFHS hash marks are 53 feet, 4 inches from each
sideline (collegiate hash marks are 40 feet).
4. What is the required thickness of the goal posts above the
crossbar?
AnswerThe goal posts must be at least 4 inches in thickness.
5. How wide are the goal posts (inside to inside)?
Answer23 feet, 4 inches.
,6. How many players from one team are allowed on the field during
a live ball?
Answer11 players.
7. What is the maximum number of players a team can have in the
huddle or at the line of scrimmage before a penalty is called?
Answer11. A 12th player is a penalty (Illegal Substitution) if they
stay for more than 3 seconds or if the ball is snapped.
8. What is the mandatory interior mouthguard requirement in NFHS
rules?
AnswerAll players must wear an intra-oral mouthpiece that covers all
upper teeth. It must be a visible color (not white or clear).
9. What is the maximum legal length of cleats on a player's shoes?
Answer1/2 inch.
10. Are "toe cleats" (a single cleat at the front tip of the shoe) legal
in NFHS football?
AnswerNo, toe cleats are illegal.
11. What is the required size of the numbers on the front and back
of player jerseys?
AnswerAt least 8 inches high on the back, and at least 10 inches
high on the front (or as otherwise specified by recent uniform
revisions, typically 8-10 inches).
, 12. If a player's jersey becomes torn during a play, what must
happen before the next play?
AnswerThe player must leave the game and replace the torn jersey
with a legal one.
13. Are tinted visors legal in high school football?
AnswerNo. Visors must be 100% clear and allow for 100% light
transmission.
14. What penalty is enforced if a player is discovered wearing an
illegal piece of equipment during a down?
AnswerThe officials will charge the team a timeout, and the player
must be removed until the equipment is made legal. If the team has
no timeouts, it is a 5-yard penalty.
15. Are jerseys allowed to have a "camouflage" pattern?
AnswerNo, camouflage patterns are illegal on jerseys.
16. What constitutes a "Live Ball"?
AnswerA ball in play. A pass, kick, or snap makes the ball live.
17. What is a "Loose Ball"?
AnswerA live ball not in player possession, such as during a pass,
kick, or fumble.
18. Define a "Fumble".
Questions and Ansẉers
2026\2027 update
1. What are the official dimensions of a high school football field,
excluding the end zones?
Answer100 yards long by 53 yards, 3 inches wide.
2. How long is each end zone in high school football?
Answer10 yards.
3. Are the hash marks in high school football the same distance
from the sidelines as in college football?
AnswerNo. NFHS hash marks are 53 feet, 4 inches from each
sideline (collegiate hash marks are 40 feet).
4. What is the required thickness of the goal posts above the
crossbar?
AnswerThe goal posts must be at least 4 inches in thickness.
5. How wide are the goal posts (inside to inside)?
Answer23 feet, 4 inches.
,6. How many players from one team are allowed on the field during
a live ball?
Answer11 players.
7. What is the maximum number of players a team can have in the
huddle or at the line of scrimmage before a penalty is called?
Answer11. A 12th player is a penalty (Illegal Substitution) if they
stay for more than 3 seconds or if the ball is snapped.
8. What is the mandatory interior mouthguard requirement in NFHS
rules?
AnswerAll players must wear an intra-oral mouthpiece that covers all
upper teeth. It must be a visible color (not white or clear).
9. What is the maximum legal length of cleats on a player's shoes?
Answer1/2 inch.
10. Are "toe cleats" (a single cleat at the front tip of the shoe) legal
in NFHS football?
AnswerNo, toe cleats are illegal.
11. What is the required size of the numbers on the front and back
of player jerseys?
AnswerAt least 8 inches high on the back, and at least 10 inches
high on the front (or as otherwise specified by recent uniform
revisions, typically 8-10 inches).
, 12. If a player's jersey becomes torn during a play, what must
happen before the next play?
AnswerThe player must leave the game and replace the torn jersey
with a legal one.
13. Are tinted visors legal in high school football?
AnswerNo. Visors must be 100% clear and allow for 100% light
transmission.
14. What penalty is enforced if a player is discovered wearing an
illegal piece of equipment during a down?
AnswerThe officials will charge the team a timeout, and the player
must be removed until the equipment is made legal. If the team has
no timeouts, it is a 5-yard penalty.
15. Are jerseys allowed to have a "camouflage" pattern?
AnswerNo, camouflage patterns are illegal on jerseys.
16. What constitutes a "Live Ball"?
AnswerA ball in play. A pass, kick, or snap makes the ball live.
17. What is a "Loose Ball"?
AnswerA live ball not in player possession, such as during a pass,
kick, or fumble.
18. Define a "Fumble".
