2025 NFHS FOOTBALL EXAM PART 1 STUDY GUIDE:
COMPREHENSIVE RULES REVIEW, PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
UNIVERSITY-LEVEL PREPARATION
SECTION 1: RULES CHANGES AND EQUIPMENT (Questions 1-35)
1. Effective with the 2026 season, which of the following is true regarding tooth and
mouth protectors?
A) They must be a solid white color
B) They may not include attachments that do not serve a purpose in protecting the teeth or
mouth
C) They must be replaced after every game
D) They may include any decorative elements as long as they are approved by the coach
Answer: B) They may not include attachments that do not serve a purpose in
protecting the teeth or mouth
Rationale: Rule 1-5-1d(5) establishes that effective in 2026, items attached to tooth and
mouth protectors that do not serve a purpose in protecting the teeth or mouth are not
allowed. Additionally, items that pose a health or risk issue to the player or others are
prohibited .
2. What is the effective season for the new arm sleeve performance specifications
developed by SFIA?
A) 2025
B) 2026
C) 2027
D) 2028
Answer: C) 2027
,Rationale: The NFHS Football Rules Committee, working with SFIA, has developed new
arm sleeve performance specifications to be effective with the 2027 playing season. These
specifications closely align with current requirements for football gloves .
3. Which of the following correctly describes the new electronic equipment rule for
2025?
A) Players may now wear in-helmet communication devices
B) Fixed electronic signs with play signals are permitted from the sideline
C) Players may watch video on tablets between plays
D) Coaches may use audio devices to communicate with players on the field
Answer: B) Fixed electronic signs with play signals are permitted from the sideline
Rationale: Rule 1-5-3c(2) now allows for fixed electronic signs with play signals and other
non-audio methods from the sideline. However, in-helmet communication remains
prohibited, and players between the numbers still cannot watch video .
4. According to the 2025 rules, what is prohibited regarding player equipment?
A) Wearing arm sleeves without a visible SFIA seal
B) Wearing eye shade that is not a solid stroke
C) Wearing gloves that do not have the NOCSAE label
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Eye shade must be a solid stroke without words, numbers, logos, or other
symbols within it. Gloves must have the required NOCSAE or SFIA label indicating
compliance. Arm sleeves will require the SFIA seal beginning in 2027 .
5. Which statement accurately reflects the new fumble rule for 2025?
A) A forward fumble out of bounds is returned to the spot of the fumble
B) A forward fumble out of bounds is placed at the out-of-bounds spot
C) A backward fumble out of bounds is returned to the spot of the fumble
D) All fumbles out of bounds result in a turnover
Answer: A) A forward fumble out of bounds is returned to the spot of the fumble
,Rationale: Rule 4-3-1 EXCEPTION now requires that when a forward fumble goes out of
bounds or is ruled out of bounds between the goal lines, the ball shall be returned to the
spot of the fumble. This change was made because the previous rule potentially gave an
unfair advantage to the fumbling team .
6. If a team A runner fumbles the ball inside his own end zone and the ball goes out of
bounds between the goal lines, what is the result?
A) Touchback
B) Safety
C) Ball returned to the spot of the fumble, Team A retains possession
D) Team B's ball at the spot of the fumble
Answer: B) Safety
Rationale: While the new rule returns a forward fumble out of bounds to the spot of the
fumble, Rule 8-5-2 remains unchanged. If the fumble occurred in A's end zone, the result
remains a safety awarding 2 points to Team B .
7. What is the new requirement for arm sleeves effective in 2027?
A) They must be a single solid color
B) They must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA seal visible on the exterior
C) They must be made of cotton material only
D) They must be approved by the opposing coach
Answer: B) They must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA seal visible on the
exterior
Rationale: Effective in 2027, arm sleeves must meet SFIA specifications at the time of
manufacture AND must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA seal that indicates the
product meets these standards. This seal must be visible and appear legibly on the exterior
of the arm sleeve .
8. Which foul was deleted from the penalty enforcement rules in 2025?
A) Rule 9-6 PENALTY
B) Rule 10-4-4b
C) Rule 8-5-2a
D) Rule 3-4-2d
, Answer: B) Rule 10-4-4b
Rationale: The committee deleted Rule 10-4-4b to ensure consistency in penalty
enforcement, particularly for illegal participation fouls. The enforcement spot may now
vary depending on the type of play in progress and location of the foul .
9. What is prohibited for players participating in the game regarding electronic
devices?
A) Wearing any type of audio or video device to record or transmit audio or video
B) Using a tablet on the sideline
C) Wearing a smartwatch
D) Using a cell phone during timeouts
Answer: A) Wearing any type of audio or video device to record or transmit audio or
video
Rationale: Rule 1-5-3c(3) prohibits any player participating in the game from wearing any
type of audio or video device in order to record or transmit audio or video .
10. Which statement about the free-blocking zone is correct?
A) It extends 5 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
B) It extends 3 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
C) It extends 4 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
D) It extends 6 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
Answer: C) It extends 4 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
Rationale: The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending 4 yards laterally on each
side of the line of scrimmage and 3 yards on each side of the spot of the snap. Legal
blocking below the waist and in the back is permitted within this zone when specific
conditions are met .
11. A player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion
shall:
A) Be allowed to continue if he feels fine
B) Be immediately removed from the game and shall not return until cleared by an
appropriate health-care professional
COMPREHENSIVE RULES REVIEW, PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
UNIVERSITY-LEVEL PREPARATION
SECTION 1: RULES CHANGES AND EQUIPMENT (Questions 1-35)
1. Effective with the 2026 season, which of the following is true regarding tooth and
mouth protectors?
A) They must be a solid white color
B) They may not include attachments that do not serve a purpose in protecting the teeth or
mouth
C) They must be replaced after every game
D) They may include any decorative elements as long as they are approved by the coach
Answer: B) They may not include attachments that do not serve a purpose in
protecting the teeth or mouth
Rationale: Rule 1-5-1d(5) establishes that effective in 2026, items attached to tooth and
mouth protectors that do not serve a purpose in protecting the teeth or mouth are not
allowed. Additionally, items that pose a health or risk issue to the player or others are
prohibited .
2. What is the effective season for the new arm sleeve performance specifications
developed by SFIA?
A) 2025
B) 2026
C) 2027
D) 2028
Answer: C) 2027
,Rationale: The NFHS Football Rules Committee, working with SFIA, has developed new
arm sleeve performance specifications to be effective with the 2027 playing season. These
specifications closely align with current requirements for football gloves .
3. Which of the following correctly describes the new electronic equipment rule for
2025?
A) Players may now wear in-helmet communication devices
B) Fixed electronic signs with play signals are permitted from the sideline
C) Players may watch video on tablets between plays
D) Coaches may use audio devices to communicate with players on the field
Answer: B) Fixed electronic signs with play signals are permitted from the sideline
Rationale: Rule 1-5-3c(2) now allows for fixed electronic signs with play signals and other
non-audio methods from the sideline. However, in-helmet communication remains
prohibited, and players between the numbers still cannot watch video .
4. According to the 2025 rules, what is prohibited regarding player equipment?
A) Wearing arm sleeves without a visible SFIA seal
B) Wearing eye shade that is not a solid stroke
C) Wearing gloves that do not have the NOCSAE label
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Eye shade must be a solid stroke without words, numbers, logos, or other
symbols within it. Gloves must have the required NOCSAE or SFIA label indicating
compliance. Arm sleeves will require the SFIA seal beginning in 2027 .
5. Which statement accurately reflects the new fumble rule for 2025?
A) A forward fumble out of bounds is returned to the spot of the fumble
B) A forward fumble out of bounds is placed at the out-of-bounds spot
C) A backward fumble out of bounds is returned to the spot of the fumble
D) All fumbles out of bounds result in a turnover
Answer: A) A forward fumble out of bounds is returned to the spot of the fumble
,Rationale: Rule 4-3-1 EXCEPTION now requires that when a forward fumble goes out of
bounds or is ruled out of bounds between the goal lines, the ball shall be returned to the
spot of the fumble. This change was made because the previous rule potentially gave an
unfair advantage to the fumbling team .
6. If a team A runner fumbles the ball inside his own end zone and the ball goes out of
bounds between the goal lines, what is the result?
A) Touchback
B) Safety
C) Ball returned to the spot of the fumble, Team A retains possession
D) Team B's ball at the spot of the fumble
Answer: B) Safety
Rationale: While the new rule returns a forward fumble out of bounds to the spot of the
fumble, Rule 8-5-2 remains unchanged. If the fumble occurred in A's end zone, the result
remains a safety awarding 2 points to Team B .
7. What is the new requirement for arm sleeves effective in 2027?
A) They must be a single solid color
B) They must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA seal visible on the exterior
C) They must be made of cotton material only
D) They must be approved by the opposing coach
Answer: B) They must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA seal visible on the
exterior
Rationale: Effective in 2027, arm sleeves must meet SFIA specifications at the time of
manufacture AND must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA seal that indicates the
product meets these standards. This seal must be visible and appear legibly on the exterior
of the arm sleeve .
8. Which foul was deleted from the penalty enforcement rules in 2025?
A) Rule 9-6 PENALTY
B) Rule 10-4-4b
C) Rule 8-5-2a
D) Rule 3-4-2d
, Answer: B) Rule 10-4-4b
Rationale: The committee deleted Rule 10-4-4b to ensure consistency in penalty
enforcement, particularly for illegal participation fouls. The enforcement spot may now
vary depending on the type of play in progress and location of the foul .
9. What is prohibited for players participating in the game regarding electronic
devices?
A) Wearing any type of audio or video device to record or transmit audio or video
B) Using a tablet on the sideline
C) Wearing a smartwatch
D) Using a cell phone during timeouts
Answer: A) Wearing any type of audio or video device to record or transmit audio or
video
Rationale: Rule 1-5-3c(3) prohibits any player participating in the game from wearing any
type of audio or video device in order to record or transmit audio or video .
10. Which statement about the free-blocking zone is correct?
A) It extends 5 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
B) It extends 3 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
C) It extends 4 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
D) It extends 6 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
Answer: C) It extends 4 yards on each side of the line of scrimmage
Rationale: The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending 4 yards laterally on each
side of the line of scrimmage and 3 yards on each side of the spot of the snap. Legal
blocking below the waist and in the back is permitted within this zone when specific
conditions are met .
11. A player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion
shall:
A) Be allowed to continue if he feels fine
B) Be immediately removed from the game and shall not return until cleared by an
appropriate health-care professional
