2026 NFHS FOOTBALL EXAM - PART 1 V2.0
Advanced Comprehensive Study Guide: 150 Exam Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
Game Administration, Officiating Authority &
I 1–15
Jurisdiction
Field Specifications & Equipment Regulations
II 16–35
(including 2026 Updates)
Timing Regulations, Period Extension & Clock
III 36–50
Management
Scrimmage Downs, Snapping Requirements & Neutral
IV 51–65
Zone
V Free Kicks, Fair Catch & Kickoff Regulations 66–80
Blocking Rules, Free-Blocking Zone & Legal/Illegal
VI 81–95
Contact
VII Forward Pass, Eligibility & Passing Game Regulations 96–110
VIII Fouls, Penalties, Enforcement & Spot of Enforcement 111–130
Scoring Plays: Touchdown, Try, Safety, Field Goal,
IX 131–140
Touchback
Player Safety, Concussion Protocol & Points of
X 141–150
Emphasis
SECTION I: GAME ADMINISTRATION, OFFICIATING AUTHORITY & JURISDICTION
🟢 Question 1
The referee's jurisdiction over the contest begins when the referee arrives at the field and continues until the referee has completed all post-game reports
and the state association has approved the final score.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: The referee's jurisdiction begins upon arrival at the field and continues through the completion of any reports; state associations may intercede
as well. Rule 1-1-5
🟢 Question 2
Which of the following individuals has the final authority to declare a forfeit if a team refuses to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so?
A) The Head Coach of the opposing team
B) The Game Administrator
🔴🔴 C) The Referee
D) The State Association Commissioner
Rationale: The referee has the authority to declare a forfeit if a team refuses to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so. Rule 3-1-3
,🟢 Question 3
A team may start a game with fewer than 11 players, but if they fall below 11 due to injury or disqualification, they must have at least how many players to
continue?
A) 7
B) 9
🔴🔴 C) No minimum; they may continue with fewer
D) 8
Rationale: A team may continue with fewer than 11 players; there is no minimum number required to continue play, though they started with 11. Rule 3-1-
1
🟢 Question 4
The game administrator is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Game management and facility oversight
B) Ensuring the field is properly marked
🔴🔴 C) Making final rulings on rules interpretations during play
D) Coordinating with officials before the game
Rationale: The game administrator handles facility operations and game logistics, not rules interpretations during play—that is the referee's duty. Rule 1-1-
4
🟢 Question 5
If the captain who wins the toss chooses to defer, when does the opposing captain make their selection?
A) Immediately after the deferral
🔴🔴 B) At the beginning of the second half
C) Before the end of the first quarter
D) After the first touchdown is scored
Rationale: If the winning captain defers the choice, the opposing captain chooses at the beginning of the second half. Rule 3-1-2
🟢 Question 6
A game official's authority to penalize unsportsmanlike conduct extends to which of the following individuals?
A) Players only
B) Coaches only
C) Team personnel only
🔴🔴 D) Players, coaches, substitutes, and other team attendants
Rationale: Game officials have authority over all participants, including players, coaches, substitutes, and team attendants. Rule 9-8
🟢 Question 7
The referee may correct an error in the game clock:
A) Only before the snap of the next play
B) Only during a team timeout
C) Only at the end of a period
🔴🔴 D) At any time until the next legal snap, provided the error is recognized
Rationale: The referee can correct the clock at any time until the next legal snap. Rule 3-6-1
🟢 Question 8
A team is required to have how many players on the line of scrimmage at the snap?
, A) 5
B) 6
🔴🔴 C) 7
D) 8
Rationale: At the snap, at least seven offensive players must be on the line of scrimmage. Rule 7-2-4
🟢 Question 9
The referee's authority to assess penalties for fouls committed:
A) Begins at the coin toss and ends at the final whistle
🔴🔴 B) Begins upon arrival at the field and extends through the completion of reports
C) Begins 30 minutes before kickoff and ends at the final whistle
D) Begins at kickoff and ends when the teams leave the field
Rationale: The referee's jurisdiction begins upon arrival and continues through report completion. Rule 1-1-5
🟢 Question 10
If a state association has adopted instant replay, when may it be used?
A) During any regular season game
🔴🔴 B) Only for postseason contests
C) Only for state championship games
D) At the discretion of the referee
Rationale: By state association adoption, instant replay is allowed only for postseason contests. Rule 1-1-6
🟢 Question 11
The coaching box extends along the sideline from:
A) The 20-yard line to the 20-yard line
🔴🔴 B) The 25-yard line to the 25-yard line
C) The 30-yard line to the 30-yard line
D) The 10-yard line to the 10-yard line
Rationale: The coaching box extends from the 25-yard line to the 25-yard line on each sideline. Rule 1-2-3
🟢 Question 12
A substitute who enters the field of play and participates before the ball is snapped:
A) Is guilty of a live-ball foul
🔴🔴 B) Is guilty of illegal substitution, a dead-ball foul
C) Is disqualified
D) May remain in the game if the official does not notice
Rationale: Illegal substitution is a dead-ball foul enforced from the succeeding spot. Rule 3-7-1
🟢 Question 13
The home team shall wear:
A) White jerseys
🔴🔴 B) Dark-colored jerseys
C) Any color as long as it contrasts with the visiting team
D) Jerseys with numbers only on the back
Rationale: The home team wears dark-colored jerseys; the visiting team wears white. Rule 1-5-3a
Advanced Comprehensive Study Guide: 150 Exam Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
Game Administration, Officiating Authority &
I 1–15
Jurisdiction
Field Specifications & Equipment Regulations
II 16–35
(including 2026 Updates)
Timing Regulations, Period Extension & Clock
III 36–50
Management
Scrimmage Downs, Snapping Requirements & Neutral
IV 51–65
Zone
V Free Kicks, Fair Catch & Kickoff Regulations 66–80
Blocking Rules, Free-Blocking Zone & Legal/Illegal
VI 81–95
Contact
VII Forward Pass, Eligibility & Passing Game Regulations 96–110
VIII Fouls, Penalties, Enforcement & Spot of Enforcement 111–130
Scoring Plays: Touchdown, Try, Safety, Field Goal,
IX 131–140
Touchback
Player Safety, Concussion Protocol & Points of
X 141–150
Emphasis
SECTION I: GAME ADMINISTRATION, OFFICIATING AUTHORITY & JURISDICTION
🟢 Question 1
The referee's jurisdiction over the contest begins when the referee arrives at the field and continues until the referee has completed all post-game reports
and the state association has approved the final score.
🔴🔴 A) True
B) False
Rationale: The referee's jurisdiction begins upon arrival at the field and continues through the completion of any reports; state associations may intercede
as well. Rule 1-1-5
🟢 Question 2
Which of the following individuals has the final authority to declare a forfeit if a team refuses to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so?
A) The Head Coach of the opposing team
B) The Game Administrator
🔴🔴 C) The Referee
D) The State Association Commissioner
Rationale: The referee has the authority to declare a forfeit if a team refuses to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so. Rule 3-1-3
,🟢 Question 3
A team may start a game with fewer than 11 players, but if they fall below 11 due to injury or disqualification, they must have at least how many players to
continue?
A) 7
B) 9
🔴🔴 C) No minimum; they may continue with fewer
D) 8
Rationale: A team may continue with fewer than 11 players; there is no minimum number required to continue play, though they started with 11. Rule 3-1-
1
🟢 Question 4
The game administrator is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Game management and facility oversight
B) Ensuring the field is properly marked
🔴🔴 C) Making final rulings on rules interpretations during play
D) Coordinating with officials before the game
Rationale: The game administrator handles facility operations and game logistics, not rules interpretations during play—that is the referee's duty. Rule 1-1-
4
🟢 Question 5
If the captain who wins the toss chooses to defer, when does the opposing captain make their selection?
A) Immediately after the deferral
🔴🔴 B) At the beginning of the second half
C) Before the end of the first quarter
D) After the first touchdown is scored
Rationale: If the winning captain defers the choice, the opposing captain chooses at the beginning of the second half. Rule 3-1-2
🟢 Question 6
A game official's authority to penalize unsportsmanlike conduct extends to which of the following individuals?
A) Players only
B) Coaches only
C) Team personnel only
🔴🔴 D) Players, coaches, substitutes, and other team attendants
Rationale: Game officials have authority over all participants, including players, coaches, substitutes, and team attendants. Rule 9-8
🟢 Question 7
The referee may correct an error in the game clock:
A) Only before the snap of the next play
B) Only during a team timeout
C) Only at the end of a period
🔴🔴 D) At any time until the next legal snap, provided the error is recognized
Rationale: The referee can correct the clock at any time until the next legal snap. Rule 3-6-1
🟢 Question 8
A team is required to have how many players on the line of scrimmage at the snap?
, A) 5
B) 6
🔴🔴 C) 7
D) 8
Rationale: At the snap, at least seven offensive players must be on the line of scrimmage. Rule 7-2-4
🟢 Question 9
The referee's authority to assess penalties for fouls committed:
A) Begins at the coin toss and ends at the final whistle
🔴🔴 B) Begins upon arrival at the field and extends through the completion of reports
C) Begins 30 minutes before kickoff and ends at the final whistle
D) Begins at kickoff and ends when the teams leave the field
Rationale: The referee's jurisdiction begins upon arrival and continues through report completion. Rule 1-1-5
🟢 Question 10
If a state association has adopted instant replay, when may it be used?
A) During any regular season game
🔴🔴 B) Only for postseason contests
C) Only for state championship games
D) At the discretion of the referee
Rationale: By state association adoption, instant replay is allowed only for postseason contests. Rule 1-1-6
🟢 Question 11
The coaching box extends along the sideline from:
A) The 20-yard line to the 20-yard line
🔴🔴 B) The 25-yard line to the 25-yard line
C) The 30-yard line to the 30-yard line
D) The 10-yard line to the 10-yard line
Rationale: The coaching box extends from the 25-yard line to the 25-yard line on each sideline. Rule 1-2-3
🟢 Question 12
A substitute who enters the field of play and participates before the ball is snapped:
A) Is guilty of a live-ball foul
🔴🔴 B) Is guilty of illegal substitution, a dead-ball foul
C) Is disqualified
D) May remain in the game if the official does not notice
Rationale: Illegal substitution is a dead-ball foul enforced from the succeeding spot. Rule 3-7-1
🟢 Question 13
The home team shall wear:
A) White jerseys
🔴🔴 B) Dark-colored jerseys
C) Any color as long as it contrasts with the visiting team
D) Jerseys with numbers only on the back
Rationale: The home team wears dark-colored jerseys; the visiting team wears white. Rule 1-5-3a
