NFHS FOOTBALL RULES EXAM 2026/2027
Complete Practice Questions & Answers | Verified &
A+ Graded
QUESTION 1
What are the dimensions of the playing field?
A) 300 by 160 feet
B) 360 by 160 feet
C) 360 by 180 feet
D) 300 by 180 feet
Correct Answer: B) 360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
Rationale: The official NFHS playing field dimensions are 360 feet in length
by 160 feet in width. This provides the standard field size for all NFHS-
sanctioned high school football games .
QUESTION 2
How many players are needed to start a game?
A) 9 players
B) 10 players
C) 11 players
D) 12 players
Correct Answer: C) 11 players (1-1-3)
,Rationale: Each team must have 11 players to start a game. However, a team
may continue with fewer players. If a team cannot field enough players, a
forfeit results with a 1-0 score in favor of the offended team .
QUESTION 3
When must officials take authority for the contest?
A) 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time
B) 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time
C) 45 minutes prior to scheduled game time
D) 60 minutes prior to scheduled game time
Correct Answer: B) 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time (1-1-7)
Rationale: Officials must take authority for the contest 30 minutes prior to the
scheduled game time, or as soon as they are able to be present .
QUESTION 4
When does a game official's authority end?
A) Immediately after the game clock hits 0:00
B) After the 4th period ends
C) Through the duration of the 4th period, any overtimes, and completion
of any reports
D) After the teams leave the field
Correct Answer: C) Through the duration of the 4th period, any
overtimes, and completion of any reports (1-1-8)
,Rationale: Game officials' authority continues through the duration of the 4th
period, any overtime periods, as well as up to completion of any reports.
States may also intercede as well .
QUESTION 5
Can officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment?
A) Yes, at their discretion
B) Yes, only in playoff games
C) No
D) Yes, only if coaches agree
Correct Answer: C) No (1-1-9)
Rationale: NFHS rules do not permit officials to use instant replay or other
monitoring equipment. This maintains consistency with the traditional role of
on-field officiating .
QUESTION 6
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only if the Referee is unavailable
D) Only in overtime
Correct Answer: B) No (1-1-10)
Rationale: A forfeit can only be declared by the Referee, and the decision is
final. The Umpire does not have the authority to declare a forfeit .
, QUESTION 7
Can a team protest NFHS rules?
A) Yes, with proper documentation
B) Yes, only during state playoffs
C) No
D) Yes, if a rule misinterpretation occurs
Correct Answer: C) No (1-1-11)
Rationale: Protests based on NFHS rules are not recognized. The rules are
established by the NFHS and are not subject to protest by teams .
QUESTION 8
Where can sideline markers be placed?
A) Directly on the sidelines
B) No closer than 3 yards from the sidelines
C) No closer than 5 yards from the sidelines
D) No closer than 10 yards from the sidelines
Correct Answer: C) No closer than 5 yards from the sidelines (1-2-2)
Rationale: Sideline markers must be placed no closer than 5 yards from the
sidelines. These markers must be soft and pliable on the ground .
Complete Practice Questions & Answers | Verified &
A+ Graded
QUESTION 1
What are the dimensions of the playing field?
A) 300 by 160 feet
B) 360 by 160 feet
C) 360 by 180 feet
D) 300 by 180 feet
Correct Answer: B) 360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
Rationale: The official NFHS playing field dimensions are 360 feet in length
by 160 feet in width. This provides the standard field size for all NFHS-
sanctioned high school football games .
QUESTION 2
How many players are needed to start a game?
A) 9 players
B) 10 players
C) 11 players
D) 12 players
Correct Answer: C) 11 players (1-1-3)
,Rationale: Each team must have 11 players to start a game. However, a team
may continue with fewer players. If a team cannot field enough players, a
forfeit results with a 1-0 score in favor of the offended team .
QUESTION 3
When must officials take authority for the contest?
A) 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time
B) 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time
C) 45 minutes prior to scheduled game time
D) 60 minutes prior to scheduled game time
Correct Answer: B) 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time (1-1-7)
Rationale: Officials must take authority for the contest 30 minutes prior to the
scheduled game time, or as soon as they are able to be present .
QUESTION 4
When does a game official's authority end?
A) Immediately after the game clock hits 0:00
B) After the 4th period ends
C) Through the duration of the 4th period, any overtimes, and completion
of any reports
D) After the teams leave the field
Correct Answer: C) Through the duration of the 4th period, any
overtimes, and completion of any reports (1-1-8)
,Rationale: Game officials' authority continues through the duration of the 4th
period, any overtime periods, as well as up to completion of any reports.
States may also intercede as well .
QUESTION 5
Can officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment?
A) Yes, at their discretion
B) Yes, only in playoff games
C) No
D) Yes, only if coaches agree
Correct Answer: C) No (1-1-9)
Rationale: NFHS rules do not permit officials to use instant replay or other
monitoring equipment. This maintains consistency with the traditional role of
on-field officiating .
QUESTION 6
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only if the Referee is unavailable
D) Only in overtime
Correct Answer: B) No (1-1-10)
Rationale: A forfeit can only be declared by the Referee, and the decision is
final. The Umpire does not have the authority to declare a forfeit .
, QUESTION 7
Can a team protest NFHS rules?
A) Yes, with proper documentation
B) Yes, only during state playoffs
C) No
D) Yes, if a rule misinterpretation occurs
Correct Answer: C) No (1-1-11)
Rationale: Protests based on NFHS rules are not recognized. The rules are
established by the NFHS and are not subject to protest by teams .
QUESTION 8
Where can sideline markers be placed?
A) Directly on the sidelines
B) No closer than 3 yards from the sidelines
C) No closer than 5 yards from the sidelines
D) No closer than 10 yards from the sidelines
Correct Answer: C) No closer than 5 yards from the sidelines (1-2-2)
Rationale: Sideline markers must be placed no closer than 5 yards from the
sidelines. These markers must be soft and pliable on the ground .
