NFHS SOCCER EXAM– QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
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1. During a varsity high school soccer match, the referee notices that the visiting team's
goalkeeper is wearing a jersey color that closely matches the referee crew's black uniforms,
creating potential confusion on the field. What is the correct protocol according to NFHS
rules?
A. The referee must postpone the match until the visiting team provides an entirely different
goalkeeper uniform.
B. The referee requires the goalkeeper to change to an acceptable contrasting jersey color before
the match can proceed.
C. The referee allows the match to start as scheduled because goalkeepers are exempt from
color-matching restrictions.
D. The home team must change their entire team uniform set to accommodate the referee crew's
kit clash.
ANSWER: B. The referee requires the goalkeeper to change to an acceptable contrasting jersey
color before the match can proceed.
According to NFHS soccer rules, the visiting team is responsible for changing uniforms or
jerseys in the event of a color conflict with the referee crew or the home team. The referee has
the authority and duty to ensure distinct contrast before starting play.
2. A player takes a direct free kick from just outside the opponent's penalty area. The ball
travels directly into her own team's goal without touching any other player on the field.
What is the correct restart of play?
A. A kickoff for the opposing team from the center circle.
B. A penalty kick awarded to the opposing team because it occurred near the box.
C. A corner kick awarded to the opposing team.
D. A goal kick taken by the defending team's goalkeeper.
ANSWER: C. A corner kick awarded to the opposing team.
,If a direct or indirect free kick is kicked directly into a team's own goal without touching
another player, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team. A goal cannot be scored
directly against oneself from a direct or indirect free kick taken outside the penalty area.
3. With ten minutes remaining in the second half, a coach loudly disputes a throw-in
decision by aggressively stepping outside the designated coaching area and using profane
language directed at the assistant referee. What disciplinary action should the referee take?
A. Issue a warning to the head coach without showing a card.
B. Issue a caution (yellow card) directly to the head coach for unsporting conduct.
C. Show a red card immediately to the head coach and eject them from the match area.
D. Instruct the team captain to warn their coach to return to the technical area.
ANSWER: B. Issue a caution (yellow card) directly to the head coach for unsporting conduct.
NFHS rules mandate that coaches receive a yellow card caution for unsporting conduct
involving dissent, profanity, or leaving the coaching area inappropriately. A second caution
would result in disqualification.
4. During a penalty kick attempt, the defending goalkeeper moves both feet forward off the
goal line before the ball is kicked, and the kicker strikes the ball directly into the net. What
is the correct ruling by the referee crew?
A. Order the penalty kick to be retaken because the goalkeeper committed an infraction.
B. Allow the goal to stand since the ball entered the net successfully.
C. Disallow the goal and restart play with an indirect free kick for the defense.
D. Order a drop ball at the penalty spot due to simultaneous infractions.
ANSWER: B. Allow the goal to stand since the ball entered the net successfully.
Under NFHS rules, if a goalkeeper violates the rule requiring them to remain on the goal line
until the ball is kicked, but the ball enters the goal, the goal is allowed. The infraction is
penalized only if the kick misses or bounces off the woodwork.
5. A substitute enters the field of play without receiving permission from the referee or an
assistant referee during a live ball play, interfering with an opponent's progress near the
touchline. How should the referee handle this situation?
A. Stop play, caution the substitute for entering without permission, and restart with a direct free
kick for the opposing team.
,B. Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with an indirect free kick where the ball was
when play was stopped.
C. Allow play to continue until the next stoppage, then issue a yellow card to the team manager.
D. Stop play and restart with a drop ball at the nearest location where the interference occurred.
ANSWER: B. Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with an indirect free kick where the
ball was when play was stopped.
An unauthorized substitute who enters the field and interferes with play causes a stoppage,
receives a caution (yellow card), and play is restarted with an indirect free kick for the
opposing team from the location of the ball when play was stopped.
6. An attacking player takes a shot on goal from inside the penalty box. The ball clearly
strikes the outstretched arm of a defender who has deliberately positioned their arm away
from their body to block the shot. What is the correct decision?
A. Award a direct free kick outside the penalty area because the contact was accidental.
B. Award a penalty kick to the attacking team because handling was deliberate and prevented a
potential goal.
C. Award a corner kick because the arm contact deflected the ball over the crossbar.
D. Order a drop ball at the top of the penalty arc.
ANSWER: B. Award a penalty kick to the attacking team because handling was deliberate and
prevented a potential goal.
Deliberate handling of the ball by a defender within their own penalty area is penalized by a
penalty kick. Extending the arm away from the natural silhouette of the body to block a shot
constitutes a penalizable handling offense.
7. A player takes a throw-in, but both feet are lifted completely off the ground and slide
forward while releasing the ball overhead. How should the referee judge this throw-in?
A. Allow play to continue because the motion was continuous and fluid.
B. Call a foul throw and award a throw-in to the opposing team from the same spot.
C. Award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the spot of the throw.
D. Warn the player verbally and permit them to retake the throw immediately.
, ANSWER: B. Call a foul throw and award a throw-in to the opposing team from the same spot.
NFHS rules require that part of each foot must be on the ground, either on or behind the
touchline, when a throw-in is executed. Lifting both feet completely constitutes an illegal
throw, resulting in a change of possession via a throw-in awarded to the opponent.
8. During the execution of a corner kick, the kicker touches the ball a second time before
any other player on the field has touched it. What is the correct restart of play?
A. A direct free kick for the defending team from the corner flag area.
B. An indirect free kick for the opposing team from the spot of the second touch.
C. A retake of the corner kick because the initial kick was flawed.
D. A drop ball taken at the edge of the penalty area.
ANSWER: B. An indirect free kick for the opposing team from the spot of the second touch.
A player taking a corner kick cannot touch the ball a second time until it has touched another
player. Doing so constitutes a double touch violation, penalized by an indirect free kick
awarded to the opposing team.
9. A defender commits a careless tripping offense against an attacking player inside their
own penalty box during a normal challenge for possession. What is the correct restart?
A. A direct free kick taken from the nearest point outside the penalty box.
B. A penalty kick awarded to the attacking team's offended player.
C. An indirect free kick awarded inside the penalty box.
D. A drop ball at the penalty spot.
ANSWER: B. A penalty kick awarded to the attacking team's offended player.
When a defender commits any of the penal direct free kick offenses (such as tripping, holding,
or pushing) inside their own penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick regardless of
the ball's location, provided the ball was in play.
10. An attacking player is in an offside position when a teammate passes the ball forward.
However, the ball deflects off an opposing defender who intentionally plays it in an attempt
to intercept before reaching the attacker. Is the attacker penalized for offside?
A. Yes, because the attacker was in an offside position at the initial moment of the pass.
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP |
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST| DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF
1. During a varsity high school soccer match, the referee notices that the visiting team's
goalkeeper is wearing a jersey color that closely matches the referee crew's black uniforms,
creating potential confusion on the field. What is the correct protocol according to NFHS
rules?
A. The referee must postpone the match until the visiting team provides an entirely different
goalkeeper uniform.
B. The referee requires the goalkeeper to change to an acceptable contrasting jersey color before
the match can proceed.
C. The referee allows the match to start as scheduled because goalkeepers are exempt from
color-matching restrictions.
D. The home team must change their entire team uniform set to accommodate the referee crew's
kit clash.
ANSWER: B. The referee requires the goalkeeper to change to an acceptable contrasting jersey
color before the match can proceed.
According to NFHS soccer rules, the visiting team is responsible for changing uniforms or
jerseys in the event of a color conflict with the referee crew or the home team. The referee has
the authority and duty to ensure distinct contrast before starting play.
2. A player takes a direct free kick from just outside the opponent's penalty area. The ball
travels directly into her own team's goal without touching any other player on the field.
What is the correct restart of play?
A. A kickoff for the opposing team from the center circle.
B. A penalty kick awarded to the opposing team because it occurred near the box.
C. A corner kick awarded to the opposing team.
D. A goal kick taken by the defending team's goalkeeper.
ANSWER: C. A corner kick awarded to the opposing team.
,If a direct or indirect free kick is kicked directly into a team's own goal without touching
another player, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team. A goal cannot be scored
directly against oneself from a direct or indirect free kick taken outside the penalty area.
3. With ten minutes remaining in the second half, a coach loudly disputes a throw-in
decision by aggressively stepping outside the designated coaching area and using profane
language directed at the assistant referee. What disciplinary action should the referee take?
A. Issue a warning to the head coach without showing a card.
B. Issue a caution (yellow card) directly to the head coach for unsporting conduct.
C. Show a red card immediately to the head coach and eject them from the match area.
D. Instruct the team captain to warn their coach to return to the technical area.
ANSWER: B. Issue a caution (yellow card) directly to the head coach for unsporting conduct.
NFHS rules mandate that coaches receive a yellow card caution for unsporting conduct
involving dissent, profanity, or leaving the coaching area inappropriately. A second caution
would result in disqualification.
4. During a penalty kick attempt, the defending goalkeeper moves both feet forward off the
goal line before the ball is kicked, and the kicker strikes the ball directly into the net. What
is the correct ruling by the referee crew?
A. Order the penalty kick to be retaken because the goalkeeper committed an infraction.
B. Allow the goal to stand since the ball entered the net successfully.
C. Disallow the goal and restart play with an indirect free kick for the defense.
D. Order a drop ball at the penalty spot due to simultaneous infractions.
ANSWER: B. Allow the goal to stand since the ball entered the net successfully.
Under NFHS rules, if a goalkeeper violates the rule requiring them to remain on the goal line
until the ball is kicked, but the ball enters the goal, the goal is allowed. The infraction is
penalized only if the kick misses or bounces off the woodwork.
5. A substitute enters the field of play without receiving permission from the referee or an
assistant referee during a live ball play, interfering with an opponent's progress near the
touchline. How should the referee handle this situation?
A. Stop play, caution the substitute for entering without permission, and restart with a direct free
kick for the opposing team.
,B. Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with an indirect free kick where the ball was
when play was stopped.
C. Allow play to continue until the next stoppage, then issue a yellow card to the team manager.
D. Stop play and restart with a drop ball at the nearest location where the interference occurred.
ANSWER: B. Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with an indirect free kick where the
ball was when play was stopped.
An unauthorized substitute who enters the field and interferes with play causes a stoppage,
receives a caution (yellow card), and play is restarted with an indirect free kick for the
opposing team from the location of the ball when play was stopped.
6. An attacking player takes a shot on goal from inside the penalty box. The ball clearly
strikes the outstretched arm of a defender who has deliberately positioned their arm away
from their body to block the shot. What is the correct decision?
A. Award a direct free kick outside the penalty area because the contact was accidental.
B. Award a penalty kick to the attacking team because handling was deliberate and prevented a
potential goal.
C. Award a corner kick because the arm contact deflected the ball over the crossbar.
D. Order a drop ball at the top of the penalty arc.
ANSWER: B. Award a penalty kick to the attacking team because handling was deliberate and
prevented a potential goal.
Deliberate handling of the ball by a defender within their own penalty area is penalized by a
penalty kick. Extending the arm away from the natural silhouette of the body to block a shot
constitutes a penalizable handling offense.
7. A player takes a throw-in, but both feet are lifted completely off the ground and slide
forward while releasing the ball overhead. How should the referee judge this throw-in?
A. Allow play to continue because the motion was continuous and fluid.
B. Call a foul throw and award a throw-in to the opposing team from the same spot.
C. Award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the spot of the throw.
D. Warn the player verbally and permit them to retake the throw immediately.
, ANSWER: B. Call a foul throw and award a throw-in to the opposing team from the same spot.
NFHS rules require that part of each foot must be on the ground, either on or behind the
touchline, when a throw-in is executed. Lifting both feet completely constitutes an illegal
throw, resulting in a change of possession via a throw-in awarded to the opponent.
8. During the execution of a corner kick, the kicker touches the ball a second time before
any other player on the field has touched it. What is the correct restart of play?
A. A direct free kick for the defending team from the corner flag area.
B. An indirect free kick for the opposing team from the spot of the second touch.
C. A retake of the corner kick because the initial kick was flawed.
D. A drop ball taken at the edge of the penalty area.
ANSWER: B. An indirect free kick for the opposing team from the spot of the second touch.
A player taking a corner kick cannot touch the ball a second time until it has touched another
player. Doing so constitutes a double touch violation, penalized by an indirect free kick
awarded to the opposing team.
9. A defender commits a careless tripping offense against an attacking player inside their
own penalty box during a normal challenge for possession. What is the correct restart?
A. A direct free kick taken from the nearest point outside the penalty box.
B. A penalty kick awarded to the attacking team's offended player.
C. An indirect free kick awarded inside the penalty box.
D. A drop ball at the penalty spot.
ANSWER: B. A penalty kick awarded to the attacking team's offended player.
When a defender commits any of the penal direct free kick offenses (such as tripping, holding,
or pushing) inside their own penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick regardless of
the ball's location, provided the ball was in play.
10. An attacking player is in an offside position when a teammate passes the ball forward.
However, the ball deflects off an opposing defender who intentionally plays it in an attempt
to intercept before reaching the attacker. Is the attacker penalized for offside?
A. Yes, because the attacker was in an offside position at the initial moment of the pass.
