2026 NFHS FOOTBALL EXAM - PART 1
Complete Study Guide: 150 Exam Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
I Game Administration & Officiating Mechanics 1–20
II Player Equipment Requirements 21–35
III Timing Regulations & Period Extension 36–50
IV Scrimmage Downs & Free Kicks 51–65
V Blocking Rules & Free-Blocking Zone 66–80
VI Passing Rules & Forward Pass Regulations 81–95
VII Fouls, Penalties & Enforcement 96–120
VIII Scoring Plays (Touchdown, Safety, Touchback) 121–135
IX Concussion Protocol & Player Safety 136–145
X Miscellaneous Rules & Points of Emphasis 146–150
SECTION I: GAME ADMINISTRATION & OFFICIATING
MECHANICS
🟢 Question 1
If a game official calls a time-out because A1 appears injured, A1 must leave the game for at
least one play.
A) True
🔴🔴 B) False
Rationale: An official's time-out for injury requires the player to be replaced for at least one
down unless halftime or an overtime intermission occurs. Rule 3-5-10(a)
🟢 Question 2
Any shift or feigned charge by Team A which simulates action at the snap is a false start.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: A false start occurs when any offensive player simulates action at the snap, including
shifts or feigned charges. Rule 7-1-7
,🟢 Question 3
The ball shall have the NFHS Authenticating Mark.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: All game balls must bear the NFHS Authenticating Mark to be legal for play. Rule 1-
3-1
🟢 Question 4
A football jersey does not need to completely cover the shoulder pads and all pads worn
above the waist on the torso.
A) True
🔴🔴 B) False
Rationale: Jerseys must completely cover the shoulder pads and all pads worn above the
waist. Rule 1-5-3a(1)
🟢 Question 5
Jerseys shall be long enough to reach the top of the pants.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: Jerseys must be long enough to reach the top of the pants when worn
properly. Rule 1-5-3a(2)
🟢 Question 6
By state association adoption, use of instant replay is allowed only for postseason contests.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: State associations may adopt instant replay only for postseason contests. Rule 1-1-6
🟢 Question 7
Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game?
A) The Head Coach
B) The Game Administrator
🔴🔴 C) The Referee
D) The State Association
Rationale: The referee's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game. Rule 1-1-5
🟢 Question 8
The field of play dimensions are:
, A) 300 feet by 150 feet
🔴🔴 B) 360 feet by 160 feet
C) 320 feet by 160 feet
D) 360 feet by 180 feet
Rationale: The official NFHS football field measures 360 feet (120 yards) by 160 feet (53⅓
yards). Rule 1-2-1
🟢 Question 9
A period shall not be extended when a foul occurs that specifies a loss of down.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: When a foul specifies a loss of down, the period is not extended. Rule 3-4-3
🟢 Question 10
If the helmet of the tackler comes off in making contact with the runner, the ball becomes dead
immediately.
A) True
🔴🔴 B) False
Rationale: The ball does not become dead simply because the tackler's helmet comes off; the
runner continues until down. Rule 4-1-3
🟢 Question 11
A game official may declare a forfeit if a team refuses to play within:
A) 1 minute
🔴🔴 B) 2 minutes
C) 3 minutes
D) 5 minutes
Rationale: If a team refuses to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so, the
referee may declare a forfeit. Rule 3-1-3
🟢 Question 12
The referee has the authority to correct the game clock when?
A) Only before the snap
B) Only during a timeout
C) Only at the end of a period
🔴🔴 D) At any time until the next legal snap
Rationale: The referee can correct the clock at any time until the next legal snap. Rule 3-6-1
, 🟢 Question 13
When a captain wins the toss, what are the options?
A) Choose to kick or receive
B) Choose which goal to defend
C) Defer choice to the second half
🔴🔴 D) All of the above
Rationale: The captain winning the toss may choose to kick/receive, choose a goal to defend,
or defer to the second half. Rule 3-1-2
🟢 Question 14
A team must have at least how many players to start the game?
A) 7
🔴🔴 B) 11
C) 9
D) 8
Rationale: A team must have a minimum of 11 players to start the game. Rule 3-1-1
🟢 Question 15
If a player's jersey becomes untucked during play, the official should:
A) Stop play immediately
B) Stop play at the next timeout
🔴🔴 C) Allow play to continue; address at next stoppage
D) Assess a penalty
Rationale: An untucked jersey is not a safety concern and play continues; it is addressed at the
next stoppage. Rule 1-5-3a
🟢 Question 16
The game administrator is responsible for:
A) Officiating the game
B) Coaching decisions
🔴🔴 C) Game management and facility oversight
D) Player discipline
Rationale: The game administrator manages facility operations and game logistics, not
officiating. Rule 1-1-4
🟢 Question 17
If a team is not ready to play at the scheduled start time, the referee shall:
A) Award the game to the opposing team
🔴🔴 B) Start the game clock and declare a forfeit after a specified time
Complete Study Guide: 150 Exam Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
I Game Administration & Officiating Mechanics 1–20
II Player Equipment Requirements 21–35
III Timing Regulations & Period Extension 36–50
IV Scrimmage Downs & Free Kicks 51–65
V Blocking Rules & Free-Blocking Zone 66–80
VI Passing Rules & Forward Pass Regulations 81–95
VII Fouls, Penalties & Enforcement 96–120
VIII Scoring Plays (Touchdown, Safety, Touchback) 121–135
IX Concussion Protocol & Player Safety 136–145
X Miscellaneous Rules & Points of Emphasis 146–150
SECTION I: GAME ADMINISTRATION & OFFICIATING
MECHANICS
🟢 Question 1
If a game official calls a time-out because A1 appears injured, A1 must leave the game for at
least one play.
A) True
🔴🔴 B) False
Rationale: An official's time-out for injury requires the player to be replaced for at least one
down unless halftime or an overtime intermission occurs. Rule 3-5-10(a)
🟢 Question 2
Any shift or feigned charge by Team A which simulates action at the snap is a false start.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: A false start occurs when any offensive player simulates action at the snap, including
shifts or feigned charges. Rule 7-1-7
,🟢 Question 3
The ball shall have the NFHS Authenticating Mark.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: All game balls must bear the NFHS Authenticating Mark to be legal for play. Rule 1-
3-1
🟢 Question 4
A football jersey does not need to completely cover the shoulder pads and all pads worn
above the waist on the torso.
A) True
🔴🔴 B) False
Rationale: Jerseys must completely cover the shoulder pads and all pads worn above the
waist. Rule 1-5-3a(1)
🟢 Question 5
Jerseys shall be long enough to reach the top of the pants.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: Jerseys must be long enough to reach the top of the pants when worn
properly. Rule 1-5-3a(2)
🟢 Question 6
By state association adoption, use of instant replay is allowed only for postseason contests.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: State associations may adopt instant replay only for postseason contests. Rule 1-1-6
🟢 Question 7
Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game?
A) The Head Coach
B) The Game Administrator
🔴🔴 C) The Referee
D) The State Association
Rationale: The referee's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game. Rule 1-1-5
🟢 Question 8
The field of play dimensions are:
, A) 300 feet by 150 feet
🔴🔴 B) 360 feet by 160 feet
C) 320 feet by 160 feet
D) 360 feet by 180 feet
Rationale: The official NFHS football field measures 360 feet (120 yards) by 160 feet (53⅓
yards). Rule 1-2-1
🟢 Question 9
A period shall not be extended when a foul occurs that specifies a loss of down.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: When a foul specifies a loss of down, the period is not extended. Rule 3-4-3
🟢 Question 10
If the helmet of the tackler comes off in making contact with the runner, the ball becomes dead
immediately.
A) True
🔴🔴 B) False
Rationale: The ball does not become dead simply because the tackler's helmet comes off; the
runner continues until down. Rule 4-1-3
🟢 Question 11
A game official may declare a forfeit if a team refuses to play within:
A) 1 minute
🔴🔴 B) 2 minutes
C) 3 minutes
D) 5 minutes
Rationale: If a team refuses to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so, the
referee may declare a forfeit. Rule 3-1-3
🟢 Question 12
The referee has the authority to correct the game clock when?
A) Only before the snap
B) Only during a timeout
C) Only at the end of a period
🔴🔴 D) At any time until the next legal snap
Rationale: The referee can correct the clock at any time until the next legal snap. Rule 3-6-1
, 🟢 Question 13
When a captain wins the toss, what are the options?
A) Choose to kick or receive
B) Choose which goal to defend
C) Defer choice to the second half
🔴🔴 D) All of the above
Rationale: The captain winning the toss may choose to kick/receive, choose a goal to defend,
or defer to the second half. Rule 3-1-2
🟢 Question 14
A team must have at least how many players to start the game?
A) 7
🔴🔴 B) 11
C) 9
D) 8
Rationale: A team must have a minimum of 11 players to start the game. Rule 3-1-1
🟢 Question 15
If a player's jersey becomes untucked during play, the official should:
A) Stop play immediately
B) Stop play at the next timeout
🔴🔴 C) Allow play to continue; address at next stoppage
D) Assess a penalty
Rationale: An untucked jersey is not a safety concern and play continues; it is addressed at the
next stoppage. Rule 1-5-3a
🟢 Question 16
The game administrator is responsible for:
A) Officiating the game
B) Coaching decisions
🔴🔴 C) Game management and facility oversight
D) Player discipline
Rationale: The game administrator manages facility operations and game logistics, not
officiating. Rule 1-1-4
🟢 Question 17
If a team is not ready to play at the scheduled start time, the referee shall:
A) Award the game to the opposing team
🔴🔴 B) Start the game clock and declare a forfeit after a specified time
