NFHS Football Rules_ Game, Equipment, and Field Markings
NFHS Rule 1-1-1 — The Game It is the object of the game for one team to carry or pass the
ball across the opponent's goal line or to kick the ball through
the opponent's goal by a place kick or drop kick. The game is
won by the team which accumulates the most points.
NFHS Rule 1-1-2 — The Game The game of football is played with an inflated ball by two
teams on a rectangular field 360 by 160 feet. While the ball is
live, an interval called a down is in progress and the team in
possession attempts to advance the ball by carrying, kicking
or passing it. If a foul occurs, the penalty loss, if not declined,
is enforced during the interval between downs. The team in
possession has a series of four downs numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4
to advance the ball to the line to gain, which is usually 10 yards
in advance of the spot where the series begins. Points are
scored by touchdown, successful try, field goal or safety.
NFHS Rule 1-1-3 — The Game Each team shall begin the game with 11 players, but if it has no
substitutes to replace injured or disqualified players, it may
continue with fewer.
Page 1 of 167
,NFHS Football Rules_ Game, Equipment, and Field Markings
NFHS Rule 1-1-4 — The Game The game is administered by game officials whose title and
duties are stated in the NFHS Football Game Officials Manual.
NOTE: Each state association may determine the number of
game officials to be used.
NFHS Rule 1-1-5 — The Game Prior to the game, the referee shall meet with the head
coach(es) and captain(s) and explain that everyone is
expected to exhibit good sportsmanship throughout the
game.
NFHS Rule 1-1-6 — The Game The referee has authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of
good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered
in the rules. The referee's decisions are final in all matters
pertaining to the game.
NFHS Rule 1-1-7 — The Game The game officials shall assume authority for the game,
including penalizing unsportsmanlike acts, 30 minutes prior to
the scheduled game time - an earlier time if required by the
state association - or as soon thereafter as they are able to be
present.
Page 2 of 167
,NFHS Football Rules_ Game, Equipment, and Field Markings
NFHS Rule 1-1-8 — The Game The game officials' authority extends through the referee's
declaration 117authority of the end of the fourth period or
overtime. The game officials retain clerical over the game
through the completion of any reports, including those
imposing disqualifications, that are responsive to actions
occurring while the game officials had jurisdiction. State
Associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents
that occur before, during or after the game officials'
jurisdiction has ended or in the event that a game is
terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.
NFHS Rule 1-1-9 — The Game The game officials shall have the authority to make decisions
for infractions of the rules. The use of any replay or television
monitoring equipment by the game officials in making any
decision relating to the game is prohibited, unless used in
compliance with Rule 1-3-7 NOTE as authorized in a state
association postseason game.
NFHS Rule 1-1-10 — The Game The referee's decision to forfeit a game is final.
NFHS Rule 1-1-11 — The Game Protests of NFHS rules are not recognized.
Page 3 of 167
, NFHS Football Rules_ Game, Equipment, and Field Markings
NFHS Rule 1-2-1 — The Field And Markings The field shall be a rectangular area with dimensions, lines,
zones, goals and markers as shown on the accompanying
diagram. There shall be two sidelines running the length of the
field along each side that serve as boundary lines for play. It is
recommended there be a slope of ¼ inch per foot from the
center of the field to each sideline on a natural grass field.
There shall be two goal lines, running parallel to each other
and perpendicular to the sidelines. The field of play is the area
within the boundary lines, and the goal lines. There shall be
two endlines, running parallel to each other, parallel to the
goal lines that serve as a boundary line for play. NOTE: The
rise from each sideline to the center of a natural grass field is
20 inches when the recommended slope is used.
NFHS Rule 1-2-2 — The Field And Markings Yard-line markers, constructed of soft, pliable materials, if
placed on the ground, should be no closer than 5 yards to the
sideline.
Page 4 of 167
NFHS Rule 1-1-1 — The Game It is the object of the game for one team to carry or pass the
ball across the opponent's goal line or to kick the ball through
the opponent's goal by a place kick or drop kick. The game is
won by the team which accumulates the most points.
NFHS Rule 1-1-2 — The Game The game of football is played with an inflated ball by two
teams on a rectangular field 360 by 160 feet. While the ball is
live, an interval called a down is in progress and the team in
possession attempts to advance the ball by carrying, kicking
or passing it. If a foul occurs, the penalty loss, if not declined,
is enforced during the interval between downs. The team in
possession has a series of four downs numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4
to advance the ball to the line to gain, which is usually 10 yards
in advance of the spot where the series begins. Points are
scored by touchdown, successful try, field goal or safety.
NFHS Rule 1-1-3 — The Game Each team shall begin the game with 11 players, but if it has no
substitutes to replace injured or disqualified players, it may
continue with fewer.
Page 1 of 167
,NFHS Football Rules_ Game, Equipment, and Field Markings
NFHS Rule 1-1-4 — The Game The game is administered by game officials whose title and
duties are stated in the NFHS Football Game Officials Manual.
NOTE: Each state association may determine the number of
game officials to be used.
NFHS Rule 1-1-5 — The Game Prior to the game, the referee shall meet with the head
coach(es) and captain(s) and explain that everyone is
expected to exhibit good sportsmanship throughout the
game.
NFHS Rule 1-1-6 — The Game The referee has authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of
good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered
in the rules. The referee's decisions are final in all matters
pertaining to the game.
NFHS Rule 1-1-7 — The Game The game officials shall assume authority for the game,
including penalizing unsportsmanlike acts, 30 minutes prior to
the scheduled game time - an earlier time if required by the
state association - or as soon thereafter as they are able to be
present.
Page 2 of 167
,NFHS Football Rules_ Game, Equipment, and Field Markings
NFHS Rule 1-1-8 — The Game The game officials' authority extends through the referee's
declaration 117authority of the end of the fourth period or
overtime. The game officials retain clerical over the game
through the completion of any reports, including those
imposing disqualifications, that are responsive to actions
occurring while the game officials had jurisdiction. State
Associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents
that occur before, during or after the game officials'
jurisdiction has ended or in the event that a game is
terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.
NFHS Rule 1-1-9 — The Game The game officials shall have the authority to make decisions
for infractions of the rules. The use of any replay or television
monitoring equipment by the game officials in making any
decision relating to the game is prohibited, unless used in
compliance with Rule 1-3-7 NOTE as authorized in a state
association postseason game.
NFHS Rule 1-1-10 — The Game The referee's decision to forfeit a game is final.
NFHS Rule 1-1-11 — The Game Protests of NFHS rules are not recognized.
Page 3 of 167
, NFHS Football Rules_ Game, Equipment, and Field Markings
NFHS Rule 1-2-1 — The Field And Markings The field shall be a rectangular area with dimensions, lines,
zones, goals and markers as shown on the accompanying
diagram. There shall be two sidelines running the length of the
field along each side that serve as boundary lines for play. It is
recommended there be a slope of ¼ inch per foot from the
center of the field to each sideline on a natural grass field.
There shall be two goal lines, running parallel to each other
and perpendicular to the sidelines. The field of play is the area
within the boundary lines, and the goal lines. There shall be
two endlines, running parallel to each other, parallel to the
goal lines that serve as a boundary line for play. NOTE: The
rise from each sideline to the center of a natural grass field is
20 inches when the recommended slope is used.
NFHS Rule 1-2-2 — The Field And Markings Yard-line markers, constructed of soft, pliable materials, if
placed on the ground, should be no closer than 5 yards to the
sideline.
Page 4 of 167
