NFHS Rules football QA
What is the object of the game? One team to carry or pass the ball across the opponents goal
line or to kick the ball through the opponents goal by place
kick or drop kick. Game is won by team that accumulates the
most points (1-1-1)
What are the dimensions of the playing 360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
field?
How many players are needed to start a 11 for each team
game? (however the team may continue with fewer) Forfeit if not
enough players 1-0 is the score, offended team wins. (1-1-3)
When must officials take authority for the 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (or as soon as
contests? they are able to be present (1-1-7)
Who's decisions are final in all matters referee (1-1-6)
pertaining to the game?
When does a game offiicials' authority end? Through the duration of the 4th period and any overtimes, as
well as up to completion of any reports. (states may intercede
as well) (1-1-8)
Page 1
,NFHS Rules football QA
Can Officials use instant replay or other NO. (1-1-9)
monitoring equipment?
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire? NO. Referee only, and it is final (1-1-10)
Can a team protest NFHS rules? NO. They are not recognized (1-1-11)
Where can sideline markers be placed (soft No closer than 5 yards to from the sidelines (1-2-2)
pliable on the ground) ?
How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line Every 5 yards (however it will end 4 inches from the sideline,
marking be used on the field? except the goal line and end line) (1-2-3a and b)
How wide are Line markings, hash marks, 4 inches (1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
sidelines and restraining lines (minimum)?
How long are hash marks? 24 inches (1-2-3e)
What are "9-yard" marks? The markings on the field 9 yards from the sideline. If numbers
are used as the 9 yard mark, the TOP of the number is
measured to 9 yards (1-2-3f)
Page 2
,NFHS Rules football QA
Where is the team box? Between the 25 yard lines on the teams sidelines, BEHIND the
2 yard belt, however it may be 20-45 yard lines if both teams
are using the same sideline. (1-2-3g)
Can decorative markings be placed in the yes, as long as they are no closer than 2 feet from the
end-zone? boundary or goal lines (1-2-3h)
Is the goal line considered part of the field End-zone to that the vertical plane of the edge of the line
or the endzone? toward the field of play is the actual goal (1-2-3j)
What is the distance of the centered line, on 3 yards. Also it is 4 inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
each end of the field used typically for the
try, from the goal line?
What are the dimensions of the pylon? 4 inch x 4 inch and 18 inches tall (1-2-4)
What color can the pylon be? Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY) 1-2-4
Pylons placed at the goal line when OUT of bounds (1-2-4)
properly placed are - in or out of bounds?
Page 3
, NFHS Rules football QA
What is the distance from the base of the 10 feet (1-2-5b)
upright to the top vertical crossbar?
What is the width of the Cross bar (and the 23 feet 4 inches (1-2-5c,d
width of the goal posts)?
What is the MINIMUM height of the goal 10 feet (1-2-5e)
posts?
The goal post must be covered in a padded 6 feet (1-2-5f)
resilient, shock absorbing material. What is
the height of the material on the post?
Wind Directional streamers maybe placed Red, Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
on the goal posts. What colors can be
used?
What color can the goal posts be painted? Silver, White or yellow (1-2-5g)
What color must a football be to be legal? Tan (1-3-1a)
How many laces on a legal football? 8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
Page 4
What is the object of the game? One team to carry or pass the ball across the opponents goal
line or to kick the ball through the opponents goal by place
kick or drop kick. Game is won by team that accumulates the
most points (1-1-1)
What are the dimensions of the playing 360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
field?
How many players are needed to start a 11 for each team
game? (however the team may continue with fewer) Forfeit if not
enough players 1-0 is the score, offended team wins. (1-1-3)
When must officials take authority for the 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (or as soon as
contests? they are able to be present (1-1-7)
Who's decisions are final in all matters referee (1-1-6)
pertaining to the game?
When does a game offiicials' authority end? Through the duration of the 4th period and any overtimes, as
well as up to completion of any reports. (states may intercede
as well) (1-1-8)
Page 1
,NFHS Rules football QA
Can Officials use instant replay or other NO. (1-1-9)
monitoring equipment?
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire? NO. Referee only, and it is final (1-1-10)
Can a team protest NFHS rules? NO. They are not recognized (1-1-11)
Where can sideline markers be placed (soft No closer than 5 yards to from the sidelines (1-2-2)
pliable on the ground) ?
How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line Every 5 yards (however it will end 4 inches from the sideline,
marking be used on the field? except the goal line and end line) (1-2-3a and b)
How wide are Line markings, hash marks, 4 inches (1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
sidelines and restraining lines (minimum)?
How long are hash marks? 24 inches (1-2-3e)
What are "9-yard" marks? The markings on the field 9 yards from the sideline. If numbers
are used as the 9 yard mark, the TOP of the number is
measured to 9 yards (1-2-3f)
Page 2
,NFHS Rules football QA
Where is the team box? Between the 25 yard lines on the teams sidelines, BEHIND the
2 yard belt, however it may be 20-45 yard lines if both teams
are using the same sideline. (1-2-3g)
Can decorative markings be placed in the yes, as long as they are no closer than 2 feet from the
end-zone? boundary or goal lines (1-2-3h)
Is the goal line considered part of the field End-zone to that the vertical plane of the edge of the line
or the endzone? toward the field of play is the actual goal (1-2-3j)
What is the distance of the centered line, on 3 yards. Also it is 4 inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
each end of the field used typically for the
try, from the goal line?
What are the dimensions of the pylon? 4 inch x 4 inch and 18 inches tall (1-2-4)
What color can the pylon be? Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY) 1-2-4
Pylons placed at the goal line when OUT of bounds (1-2-4)
properly placed are - in or out of bounds?
Page 3
, NFHS Rules football QA
What is the distance from the base of the 10 feet (1-2-5b)
upright to the top vertical crossbar?
What is the width of the Cross bar (and the 23 feet 4 inches (1-2-5c,d
width of the goal posts)?
What is the MINIMUM height of the goal 10 feet (1-2-5e)
posts?
The goal post must be covered in a padded 6 feet (1-2-5f)
resilient, shock absorbing material. What is
the height of the material on the post?
Wind Directional streamers maybe placed Red, Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
on the goal posts. What colors can be
used?
What color can the goal posts be painted? Silver, White or yellow (1-2-5g)
What color must a football be to be legal? Tan (1-3-1a)
How many laces on a legal football? 8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
Page 4
