NFHS Football Rules Examination
2026 Season - 70 Multiple
Choice Questions With Answers
and Rationales (Study Guide
Format)
Total Questions: 70 Format: Multiple Choice Type: Study Guide
Instructions: Read each question carefully and select the best answer. Each question
is followed by the correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining the NFHS rule
basis. This exam covers playing rules, equipment, penalties, scoring, kicking, passing,
and conduct under current NFHS football rules.
1. Which of the following items is explicitly prohibited from being worn by a player
during a game?
A. Eyeshield that is clear
B. Towel tucked into the front waist of the pants
C. Headwear containing any knot or dangling component
D. Compression shorts without any visible logo
Answer: C
Rationale: NFHS rules prohibit headwear with any knot, dangling component, or
extension. A clear eye shield, towel properly tucked, and unmarked compression shorts
are all permissible under current NFHS equipment guidelines.
2. A player's jersey must have numerals of what minimum size on the front and back?
A. Front: 6 inches, Back: 8 inches
B. Front: 8 inches, Back: 10 inches
C. Front: 10 inches, Back: 12 inches
Page 1
, D. Front: 4 inches, Back: 8 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS rule 1-5-1 specifies that the front numerals on jerseys must be at
least 8 inches tall and the back numerals must be at least 10 inches tall. These
dimensions ensure visibility for officials, scorekeepers, and spectators.
3. Which of the following statements regarding legal player equipment is CORRECT?
A. A player may wear an unpadded soft cast on the hand if properly wrapped
B. Hard and unyielding items on the hand, wrist, or arm are always illegal
C. Shoulder pads may be altered as long as the manufacturer's logo remains visible
D. Players are not required to wear mouth protectors during pregame warmups
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS rule 1-5-3 states that hard and unyielding items on the hand, wrist,
forearm, or elbow are illegal unless covered by at least one-half inch of closed-cell,
slow-recovery foam padding. There is no blanket allowance for soft casts, and mouth
protectors are required at all times.
4. What is the penalty for a player illegally equipped at the start of a play?
A. Unsportsmanlike conduct, 15 yards
Page 2
, B. Dead-ball foul, 15 yards from the succeeding spot
C. The player must leave the game for at least one down
D. Delay of game, 5 yards
Answer: B
Rationale: Per NFHS rule 1-5-3 and the penalty summary, a player who is illegally
equipped is charged with a dead-ball foul and 15 yards are enforced from the
succeeding spot. The player must also leave the game for at least one down and may
not return until the illegal equipment is made legal.
5. Which statement about the mandatory player equipment is accurate under NFHS
rules?
A. Eye shields may be tinted if a doctor's note is provided
B. Mouth protectors must be of a visible color
C. Hip pads and tailbone pads are required but knee pads are optional
D. Shoes must be of a color that matches the team's primary uniform color
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS rule 1-5-1a(5) requires that mouth protectors be of a visible color
(not clear or white). Eye shields must be completely clear. Hip pads, tailbone pads,
and knee pads are all mandatory. Shoe color is not regulated as part of uniform
matching.
6. Inthe second and fourth quarters, the game clock starts on the snap when which of the
following occurs?
A. After an incomplete forward pass
B. After a runner goes out of bounds
C. After a legal forward pass is caught inbounds
D. After a touchback
Answer: C
Rationale: When a legal forward pass is caught inbounds, the clock starts on the snap
in all quarters. If a runner goes out of bounds or an incomplete pass occurs, the clock
starts on the ready-for-play signal. A touchback results in the clock starting on the snap
as well, but the key distinction for inbounds completions applies in all four quarters.
Page 3
, 7. Whena player is injured and the referee stops the clock, which statement correctly
describes the timing rule?
A. The clock starts on the snap regardless of when the injury occurred
B. The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal regardless of quarter
C. The offended team may elect to start the clock on the snap if the injury is on the
opponent's team
D. The clock is started in accordance with the normal rule for the situation that
caused the stoppage
Answer: D
Rationale: NFHS rule 3-3-2f states that when the clock is stopped for an injured
player, the clock starts in accordance with the normal rule for the type of play that was
in progress when the injury occurred. The injury itself does not create a special timing
exception.
8. Which of the following stops the game clock?
A. A runner is tackled inbounds
B. A legal forward pass is completed inbounds
C. A ball carrier's forward progress is stopped inbounds
D. The ball goes out of bounds
Page 4
2026 Season - 70 Multiple
Choice Questions With Answers
and Rationales (Study Guide
Format)
Total Questions: 70 Format: Multiple Choice Type: Study Guide
Instructions: Read each question carefully and select the best answer. Each question
is followed by the correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining the NFHS rule
basis. This exam covers playing rules, equipment, penalties, scoring, kicking, passing,
and conduct under current NFHS football rules.
1. Which of the following items is explicitly prohibited from being worn by a player
during a game?
A. Eyeshield that is clear
B. Towel tucked into the front waist of the pants
C. Headwear containing any knot or dangling component
D. Compression shorts without any visible logo
Answer: C
Rationale: NFHS rules prohibit headwear with any knot, dangling component, or
extension. A clear eye shield, towel properly tucked, and unmarked compression shorts
are all permissible under current NFHS equipment guidelines.
2. A player's jersey must have numerals of what minimum size on the front and back?
A. Front: 6 inches, Back: 8 inches
B. Front: 8 inches, Back: 10 inches
C. Front: 10 inches, Back: 12 inches
Page 1
, D. Front: 4 inches, Back: 8 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS rule 1-5-1 specifies that the front numerals on jerseys must be at
least 8 inches tall and the back numerals must be at least 10 inches tall. These
dimensions ensure visibility for officials, scorekeepers, and spectators.
3. Which of the following statements regarding legal player equipment is CORRECT?
A. A player may wear an unpadded soft cast on the hand if properly wrapped
B. Hard and unyielding items on the hand, wrist, or arm are always illegal
C. Shoulder pads may be altered as long as the manufacturer's logo remains visible
D. Players are not required to wear mouth protectors during pregame warmups
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS rule 1-5-3 states that hard and unyielding items on the hand, wrist,
forearm, or elbow are illegal unless covered by at least one-half inch of closed-cell,
slow-recovery foam padding. There is no blanket allowance for soft casts, and mouth
protectors are required at all times.
4. What is the penalty for a player illegally equipped at the start of a play?
A. Unsportsmanlike conduct, 15 yards
Page 2
, B. Dead-ball foul, 15 yards from the succeeding spot
C. The player must leave the game for at least one down
D. Delay of game, 5 yards
Answer: B
Rationale: Per NFHS rule 1-5-3 and the penalty summary, a player who is illegally
equipped is charged with a dead-ball foul and 15 yards are enforced from the
succeeding spot. The player must also leave the game for at least one down and may
not return until the illegal equipment is made legal.
5. Which statement about the mandatory player equipment is accurate under NFHS
rules?
A. Eye shields may be tinted if a doctor's note is provided
B. Mouth protectors must be of a visible color
C. Hip pads and tailbone pads are required but knee pads are optional
D. Shoes must be of a color that matches the team's primary uniform color
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS rule 1-5-1a(5) requires that mouth protectors be of a visible color
(not clear or white). Eye shields must be completely clear. Hip pads, tailbone pads,
and knee pads are all mandatory. Shoe color is not regulated as part of uniform
matching.
6. Inthe second and fourth quarters, the game clock starts on the snap when which of the
following occurs?
A. After an incomplete forward pass
B. After a runner goes out of bounds
C. After a legal forward pass is caught inbounds
D. After a touchback
Answer: C
Rationale: When a legal forward pass is caught inbounds, the clock starts on the snap
in all quarters. If a runner goes out of bounds or an incomplete pass occurs, the clock
starts on the ready-for-play signal. A touchback results in the clock starting on the snap
as well, but the key distinction for inbounds completions applies in all four quarters.
Page 3
, 7. Whena player is injured and the referee stops the clock, which statement correctly
describes the timing rule?
A. The clock starts on the snap regardless of when the injury occurred
B. The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal regardless of quarter
C. The offended team may elect to start the clock on the snap if the injury is on the
opponent's team
D. The clock is started in accordance with the normal rule for the situation that
caused the stoppage
Answer: D
Rationale: NFHS rule 3-3-2f states that when the clock is stopped for an injured
player, the clock starts in accordance with the normal rule for the type of play that was
in progress when the injury occurred. The injury itself does not create a special timing
exception.
8. Which of the following stops the game clock?
A. A runner is tackled inbounds
B. A legal forward pass is completed inbounds
C. A ball carrier's forward progress is stopped inbounds
D. The ball goes out of bounds
Page 4
