NFHS FOOTBALL RULES EXAM 2026/2027-EDITION
QUESTION & VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
OVERVIEW:
This comprehensive practice exam prepares high school football officials, coaches, and athletic
administrators for the official NFHS Football Rules Test. Covering all ten rules including
equipment and uniforms, definitions, periods and clock, series of downs, line of scrimmage, free
kicks, scrimmage kicks, forward pass, fair catch, scoring, penalty enforcement, and mechanics,
this exam mirrors certification difficulty and format. Each question reflects current NFHS
interpretations and recent rule changes emphasizing player safety, targeting, sportsmanship,
and consistent game administration. Use this exam to identify knowledge gaps, improve rule
application, and build confidence before taking the official NFHS football examination for the
upcoming season.Correct answers in bold GREEN
1. A football must have 8 panels and weigh 14-15 ounces.
A. True
B. False - 4 panels, 12.5-13.5 oz
C. False - 6 panels
D. True only for varsity
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
2. The field of play is 100 yards plus two 10-yard end zones.
A. True - 120 yards total
B. False - 110 yards
C. False - 90 yards
D. True - 100 yards total
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True - 120 yards total. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation
for this situation.
3. Player equipment must include NOCSAE certified helmet and shoulder pads.
A. True
, B. False - only helmet
C. False - no certification needed
D. False - shoulder pads optional
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
4. Jewelry is permitted if taped.
A. True
B. False - no jewelry except medical/religious taped
C. True for non-dangerous
D. True for wrist only
Rationale: Correct answer is B. False - no jewelry except medical/religious taped. Based on NFHS Football
Rules Book Rule interpretation for this situation.
5. The ball is dead when:
A. Runner goes out of bounds
B. Forward pass incomplete
C. Touchdown scored
D. All of the above
Rationale: Correct answer is D. All of the above. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for
this situation.
6. A team needs how many players to start a game?
A. 11
B. 8
C. 7
D. 9
Rationale: Correct answer is A. 11. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this situation.
7. Game consists of how many quarters?
A. 2 halves
B. 4 quarters of 12 minutes (state may vary)
C. 3 periods
D. 4 quarters of 15 minutes
, Rationale: Correct answer is B. 4 quarters of 12 minutes (state may vary). Based on NFHS Football Rules Book
Rule interpretation for this situation.
8. Coin toss must occur how many minutes before game?
A. 5 minutes
B. 3 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 2 minutes
Rationale: Correct answer is B. 3 minutes. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
9. Kickoff is from:
A. 50-yard line
B. 40-yard line
C. 30-yard line
D. 20-yard line
Rationale: Correct answer is B. 40-yard line. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
10. Free kick out of bounds untouched is:
A. 5-yard penalty and re-kick or 5 yards from out of bounds spot
B. Touchback
C. No penalty
D. Turnover
Rationale: Correct answer is A. 5-yard penalty and re-kick or 5 yards from out of bounds spot. Based on NFHS
Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this situation.
11. Onside kick must travel 10 yards before kicking team can recover unless touched by
receiving team.
A. True
B. False
C. True only in 4th quarter
D. False - 15 yards
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
QUESTION & VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
OVERVIEW:
This comprehensive practice exam prepares high school football officials, coaches, and athletic
administrators for the official NFHS Football Rules Test. Covering all ten rules including
equipment and uniforms, definitions, periods and clock, series of downs, line of scrimmage, free
kicks, scrimmage kicks, forward pass, fair catch, scoring, penalty enforcement, and mechanics,
this exam mirrors certification difficulty and format. Each question reflects current NFHS
interpretations and recent rule changes emphasizing player safety, targeting, sportsmanship,
and consistent game administration. Use this exam to identify knowledge gaps, improve rule
application, and build confidence before taking the official NFHS football examination for the
upcoming season.Correct answers in bold GREEN
1. A football must have 8 panels and weigh 14-15 ounces.
A. True
B. False - 4 panels, 12.5-13.5 oz
C. False - 6 panels
D. True only for varsity
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
2. The field of play is 100 yards plus two 10-yard end zones.
A. True - 120 yards total
B. False - 110 yards
C. False - 90 yards
D. True - 100 yards total
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True - 120 yards total. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation
for this situation.
3. Player equipment must include NOCSAE certified helmet and shoulder pads.
A. True
, B. False - only helmet
C. False - no certification needed
D. False - shoulder pads optional
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
4. Jewelry is permitted if taped.
A. True
B. False - no jewelry except medical/religious taped
C. True for non-dangerous
D. True for wrist only
Rationale: Correct answer is B. False - no jewelry except medical/religious taped. Based on NFHS Football
Rules Book Rule interpretation for this situation.
5. The ball is dead when:
A. Runner goes out of bounds
B. Forward pass incomplete
C. Touchdown scored
D. All of the above
Rationale: Correct answer is D. All of the above. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for
this situation.
6. A team needs how many players to start a game?
A. 11
B. 8
C. 7
D. 9
Rationale: Correct answer is A. 11. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this situation.
7. Game consists of how many quarters?
A. 2 halves
B. 4 quarters of 12 minutes (state may vary)
C. 3 periods
D. 4 quarters of 15 minutes
, Rationale: Correct answer is B. 4 quarters of 12 minutes (state may vary). Based on NFHS Football Rules Book
Rule interpretation for this situation.
8. Coin toss must occur how many minutes before game?
A. 5 minutes
B. 3 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 2 minutes
Rationale: Correct answer is B. 3 minutes. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
9. Kickoff is from:
A. 50-yard line
B. 40-yard line
C. 30-yard line
D. 20-yard line
Rationale: Correct answer is B. 40-yard line. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
10. Free kick out of bounds untouched is:
A. 5-yard penalty and re-kick or 5 yards from out of bounds spot
B. Touchback
C. No penalty
D. Turnover
Rationale: Correct answer is A. 5-yard penalty and re-kick or 5 yards from out of bounds spot. Based on NFHS
Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this situation.
11. Onside kick must travel 10 yards before kicking team can recover unless touched by
receiving team.
A. True
B. False
C. True only in 4th quarter
D. False - 15 yards
Rationale: Correct answer is A. True. Based on NFHS Football Rules Book Rule interpretation for this
situation.
