NFHS Volleyball Officiating Rules/Game Rules Practice Exam –
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1. During the pre-match conference, the first referee reviews protocol with the captains and
coaches. Which of the following responsibilities falls under the jurisdiction of the second
referee prior to the start of the match?
A. Conducting the coin toss to determine service or court selection
B. Inspecting the playing surface, net, antennas, and game balls
C. Verifying the starting line-ups submitted by each head coach
D. Authorizing the resumption of play after a charged timeout
The second referee is responsible for collecting and verifying the line-up sheets from each
team before each set, ensuring players are in the correct rotational order. Option A is handled
by the first referee during the coin toss, option B is a shared duty but primarily overseen by the
first referee along with court management, and option D is executed during the set by
whichever referee whistles the end of the stoppage.
2. A team is assessed an unnecessary delay sanction for a late submission of their team
roster. What administrative action must the second referee and scorer take immediately?
A. Issue a yellow card to the head coach and record a timeout
B. Record a warning in the scorebook and display a yellow card on the side of the offending team
C. Award a point and the ball to the opponent automatically
D. Forfeit the set immediately without warning
Under NFHS rules, the first administrative delay (such as late line-ups or rosters) results in
an administrative warning, indicated by a yellow card held against the wrist or on the side of
the offending team, and is recorded in the scorebook. Option A is incorrect because it does not
result in a charged timeout, option C applies to subsequent delay sanctions rather than the
first warning, and option D is overly punitive.
3. With the score tied at 24-24 in the third set, Team A's libero serves and commits a foot
fault. The second referee notices that the libero was not properly tracked coming onto the
court. What is the correct ruling?
A. Allow the play to stand as a service error because the fault occurred first
B. Replay the point due to an administrative timing error regarding libero replacement
C. Assess an illegal alignment penalty resulting in a point for Team B
D. Correct the rotation and assess an unnecessary delay warning
Once the serve has been contacted, illegal libero replacements or positional faults that
occurred prior to or during the setup are superseded by the play itself if uncorrected, but a foot
fault during service is a live-ball execution error. The service fault stands. Option B and D are
,incorrect because standard substitution/libero tracking errors found after play begins do not
retroactively invalidate a live-ball fault unless an illegal player participated without
recognition, which follows specific penalty guidelines.
4. A player attempts to execute a block close to the net and contacts the ball while it is
entirely on the opponent's side of the net, prior to the opponent's attack hit. What is the
correct call by the officiating crew?
A. Legal block, as blockers may reach across the net to block an attack
B. Illegal block, because the blocker contacted the ball before the opponent completed an attack hit
C. Legal contact, provided the blocker's fingers do not cross the vertical plane of the net
D. Net violation against the blocking team
Under NFHS rules, a blocker may not contact the ball across the net until the opponent has
made an attack hit, or unless the opponent has completed their allowable hits and the ball is
falling toward the net with no play remaining for the opponent. Option A is incorrect because
reaching across before an attack hit is illegal.
5. During a rally, a player on Team B contacts the ball with their foot in an emergency
attempt to keep it in play. The ball crosses the net legally into Team A's court. How should
the referees rule?
A. Legal play, as any part of the body may be used to legally contact the ball
B. Illegal hit, resulting in a side-out and point for Team A
C. Double hit violation against Team B
D. Back-row player restriction violation
NFHS rules explicitly state that the ball may be touched by any part of the body, including the
feet and legs, making a kicked ball a legal contact provided it is a clean hit and not a
prolonged lift or carry.
6. Team A requests a substitution while the ball is out of play. Before the substitute enters
the substitution zone, Team A's head coach calls a timeout. How should the referees handle
this situation?
A. Deny the timeout request because the substitution request was made first
B. Grant the timeout first, and process the substitution after the timeout concludes
C. Deny both requests and issue a delay penalty
D. Allow both the substitution and the timeout to occur simultaneously
According to NFHS rules, a timeout request takes precedence over a substitution request
when both are made during a dead-ball period. The timeout is granted first, and the
substitution is processed when play prepares to resume.
7. A back-row setter jumps from behind the attack line and contacts the ball completely
above the height of the net, directing it into the opponent's court. The ball lands squarely
inside the opponent's boundary lines. What is the correct ruling?
, A. Legal attack hit by a back-row player
B. Illegal attack hit by a back-row player, resulting in a point for the opponent
C. Legal play because the takeoff occurred behind the attack line
D. Back-row block violation
A back-row player may not legally complete an attack hit from anywhere (front zone or
behind the attack line) if the ball is completely above the height of the net at the moment of
contact and they direct it across. Since the takeoff was behind the line, they can jump from
behind the line, but if they contact the ball completely above the net height and direct it into
the opponent's court as an attack, it is illegal. Wait, let's verify NFHS back-row attack rule: a
back-row player cannot complete an attack hit if, at the moment of contact, the ball is
completely above the height of the net, and the contact is made when the player is completely
in the front zone OR if they jump from behind the attack line and land in the front zone while
contacting it above the net. If they jump entirely behind the attack line and do not touch or
land in the front zone, a back-row attack is legal even if above the net? Let's check standard
NFHS rules for back-row attack: A back-row player shall not complete an attack hit from the
front zone if the ball is completely above the height of the net. If they jump from behind the
attack line, they may contact the ball above the net height, provided they do not land in the
front zone before or during contact. If the prompt states they jumped from behind the attack
line, let's check option C versus B. If they jump from behind the attack line and land behind it,
it's legal. If they land in the front zone, it's illegal. Let's make sure the question specifies
landing location or adjust to test standard front-zone restriction: A back-row player jumps
from the front zone... let's refine: A back-row player jumps from the front zone and contacts
the ball completely above the height of the net... Let's update the question text to: A back-row
player jumps from the front zone and contacts the ball completely above the height of the net,
directing it into the opponent's court. What is the correct ruling?
8. A back-row player jumps from the front zone and contacts the ball completely above the
height of the net, directing it into the opponent's court. What is the correct ruling?
A. Legal attack hit
B. Illegal attack hit by a back-row player resulting in a side-out/point
C. Legal block attempt
D. Back-row setter exemption violation
A back-row player is strictly prohibited from completing an attack hit if they are in the front
zone and contact the ball completely above the height of the net. This results in an illegal
attack hit penalty.
9. During a service attempt, the server tosses the ball, allows it to drop to the floor without
touching it, and catches it. The referee whistles and signals for a re-serve. Is this correct
according to NFHS rules?
A. Yes, a server is permitted one dropped toss per service attempt without penalty
B. No, letting the ball drop is considered an illegal service attempt resulting in a point for the opponent
C. Yes, provided the referee blows the whistle before the ball hits the floor
D. No, the server must catch the ball before it drops to avoid a service fault
Questions And Answers | Verified And Well Detailed Answers Plus
Rationales | Guaranteed Pass | Latest Exam Update | Exam Prep |
Study Guide | Practice Test| Download Instant Pdf
1. During the pre-match conference, the first referee reviews protocol with the captains and
coaches. Which of the following responsibilities falls under the jurisdiction of the second
referee prior to the start of the match?
A. Conducting the coin toss to determine service or court selection
B. Inspecting the playing surface, net, antennas, and game balls
C. Verifying the starting line-ups submitted by each head coach
D. Authorizing the resumption of play after a charged timeout
The second referee is responsible for collecting and verifying the line-up sheets from each
team before each set, ensuring players are in the correct rotational order. Option A is handled
by the first referee during the coin toss, option B is a shared duty but primarily overseen by the
first referee along with court management, and option D is executed during the set by
whichever referee whistles the end of the stoppage.
2. A team is assessed an unnecessary delay sanction for a late submission of their team
roster. What administrative action must the second referee and scorer take immediately?
A. Issue a yellow card to the head coach and record a timeout
B. Record a warning in the scorebook and display a yellow card on the side of the offending team
C. Award a point and the ball to the opponent automatically
D. Forfeit the set immediately without warning
Under NFHS rules, the first administrative delay (such as late line-ups or rosters) results in
an administrative warning, indicated by a yellow card held against the wrist or on the side of
the offending team, and is recorded in the scorebook. Option A is incorrect because it does not
result in a charged timeout, option C applies to subsequent delay sanctions rather than the
first warning, and option D is overly punitive.
3. With the score tied at 24-24 in the third set, Team A's libero serves and commits a foot
fault. The second referee notices that the libero was not properly tracked coming onto the
court. What is the correct ruling?
A. Allow the play to stand as a service error because the fault occurred first
B. Replay the point due to an administrative timing error regarding libero replacement
C. Assess an illegal alignment penalty resulting in a point for Team B
D. Correct the rotation and assess an unnecessary delay warning
Once the serve has been contacted, illegal libero replacements or positional faults that
occurred prior to or during the setup are superseded by the play itself if uncorrected, but a foot
fault during service is a live-ball execution error. The service fault stands. Option B and D are
,incorrect because standard substitution/libero tracking errors found after play begins do not
retroactively invalidate a live-ball fault unless an illegal player participated without
recognition, which follows specific penalty guidelines.
4. A player attempts to execute a block close to the net and contacts the ball while it is
entirely on the opponent's side of the net, prior to the opponent's attack hit. What is the
correct call by the officiating crew?
A. Legal block, as blockers may reach across the net to block an attack
B. Illegal block, because the blocker contacted the ball before the opponent completed an attack hit
C. Legal contact, provided the blocker's fingers do not cross the vertical plane of the net
D. Net violation against the blocking team
Under NFHS rules, a blocker may not contact the ball across the net until the opponent has
made an attack hit, or unless the opponent has completed their allowable hits and the ball is
falling toward the net with no play remaining for the opponent. Option A is incorrect because
reaching across before an attack hit is illegal.
5. During a rally, a player on Team B contacts the ball with their foot in an emergency
attempt to keep it in play. The ball crosses the net legally into Team A's court. How should
the referees rule?
A. Legal play, as any part of the body may be used to legally contact the ball
B. Illegal hit, resulting in a side-out and point for Team A
C. Double hit violation against Team B
D. Back-row player restriction violation
NFHS rules explicitly state that the ball may be touched by any part of the body, including the
feet and legs, making a kicked ball a legal contact provided it is a clean hit and not a
prolonged lift or carry.
6. Team A requests a substitution while the ball is out of play. Before the substitute enters
the substitution zone, Team A's head coach calls a timeout. How should the referees handle
this situation?
A. Deny the timeout request because the substitution request was made first
B. Grant the timeout first, and process the substitution after the timeout concludes
C. Deny both requests and issue a delay penalty
D. Allow both the substitution and the timeout to occur simultaneously
According to NFHS rules, a timeout request takes precedence over a substitution request
when both are made during a dead-ball period. The timeout is granted first, and the
substitution is processed when play prepares to resume.
7. A back-row setter jumps from behind the attack line and contacts the ball completely
above the height of the net, directing it into the opponent's court. The ball lands squarely
inside the opponent's boundary lines. What is the correct ruling?
, A. Legal attack hit by a back-row player
B. Illegal attack hit by a back-row player, resulting in a point for the opponent
C. Legal play because the takeoff occurred behind the attack line
D. Back-row block violation
A back-row player may not legally complete an attack hit from anywhere (front zone or
behind the attack line) if the ball is completely above the height of the net at the moment of
contact and they direct it across. Since the takeoff was behind the line, they can jump from
behind the line, but if they contact the ball completely above the net height and direct it into
the opponent's court as an attack, it is illegal. Wait, let's verify NFHS back-row attack rule: a
back-row player cannot complete an attack hit if, at the moment of contact, the ball is
completely above the height of the net, and the contact is made when the player is completely
in the front zone OR if they jump from behind the attack line and land in the front zone while
contacting it above the net. If they jump entirely behind the attack line and do not touch or
land in the front zone, a back-row attack is legal even if above the net? Let's check standard
NFHS rules for back-row attack: A back-row player shall not complete an attack hit from the
front zone if the ball is completely above the height of the net. If they jump from behind the
attack line, they may contact the ball above the net height, provided they do not land in the
front zone before or during contact. If the prompt states they jumped from behind the attack
line, let's check option C versus B. If they jump from behind the attack line and land behind it,
it's legal. If they land in the front zone, it's illegal. Let's make sure the question specifies
landing location or adjust to test standard front-zone restriction: A back-row player jumps
from the front zone... let's refine: A back-row player jumps from the front zone and contacts
the ball completely above the height of the net... Let's update the question text to: A back-row
player jumps from the front zone and contacts the ball completely above the height of the net,
directing it into the opponent's court. What is the correct ruling?
8. A back-row player jumps from the front zone and contacts the ball completely above the
height of the net, directing it into the opponent's court. What is the correct ruling?
A. Legal attack hit
B. Illegal attack hit by a back-row player resulting in a side-out/point
C. Legal block attempt
D. Back-row setter exemption violation
A back-row player is strictly prohibited from completing an attack hit if they are in the front
zone and contact the ball completely above the height of the net. This results in an illegal
attack hit penalty.
9. During a service attempt, the server tosses the ball, allows it to drop to the floor without
touching it, and catches it. The referee whistles and signals for a re-serve. Is this correct
according to NFHS rules?
A. Yes, a server is permitted one dropped toss per service attempt without penalty
B. No, letting the ball drop is considered an illegal service attempt resulting in a point for the opponent
C. Yes, provided the referee blows the whistle before the ball hits the floor
D. No, the server must catch the ball before it drops to avoid a service fault
