NFHS Rules Football Study Guide Exam
And Actual Answers.
What is the object of the game? - Answer 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 field? - Answer 360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
How many players are needed to start a game? - Answer 11 for each team
(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 contests? - Answer 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game
time. (or as soon as they are able to be present (1-1-7)
Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game? - Answer referee (1-1-6)
When does a game offiicials' authority end? - Answer 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)
Can Officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment? - Answer NO. (1-1-9)
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire? - Answer NO. Referee only, and it is final (1-1-10)
Can a team protest NFHS rules? - Answer NO. They are not recognized (1-1-11)
Where can sideline markers be placed (soft pliable on the ground) ? - Answer No closer than 5 yards to
from the sidelines (1-2-2)
,How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line marking be used on the field? - Answer Every 5 yards (however it
will end 4 inches from the sideline, except the goal line and end line) (1-2-3a and b)
How wide are Line markings, hash marks, sidelines and restraining lines (minimum)? - Answer 4 inches
(1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
How long are hash marks? - Answer 24 inches (1-2-3e)
What are "9-yard" marks? - Answer 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)
Where is the team box? - Answer 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 end-zone? - Answer yes, as long as they are no closer than 2
feet from the boundary or goal lines (1-2-3h)
Is the goal line considered part of the field or the endzone? - Answer End-zone to that the vertical
plane of the edge of the line toward the field of play is the actual goal (1-2-3j)
What is the distance of the centered line, on each end of the field used typically for the try, from the goal
line? - Answer 3 yards. Also it is 4 inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
What are the dimensions of the pylon? - Answer 4 inch x 4 inch and 18 inches tall (1-2-4)
What color can the pylon be? - Answer Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY) 1-2-4
Pylons placed at the goal line when properly placed are - in or out of bounds? - Answer OUT of bounds
(1-2-4)
What is the distance from the base of the upright to the top vertical crossbar? - Answer 10 feet (1-2-
5b)
, What is the width of the Cross bar (and the width of the goal posts)? - Answer 23 feet 4 inches (1-2-
5c,d
What is the MINIMUM height of the goal posts? - Answer 10 feet (1-2-5e)
The goal post must be covered in a padded resilient, shock absorbing material. What is the height of the
material on the post? - Answer 6 feet (1-2-5f)
Wind Directional streamers maybe placed on the goal posts. What colors can be used? - Answer Red,
Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
What color can the goal posts be painted? - Answer Silver, White or yellow (1-2-5g)
What color must a football be to be legal? - Answer Tan (1-3-1a)
How many laces on a legal football? - Answer 8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
What is the approved weight of a football? - Answer 14-15 ounces (1-3-1e)
What is the approved PSI of a Football? - Answer 12 1/2 to 13 1/2 PSI (1-3-1f)
How many game balls must a team provide to the referee as the officials assume authority of the
contest? - Answer 1 minimum (1-3-2)
Who approves footballs for play in the game? - Answer referee only (1-3-3)
How tall may a legal kicking tee be? - Answer no more than 2 inches (1-3-4)
And Actual Answers.
What is the object of the game? - Answer 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 field? - Answer 360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
How many players are needed to start a game? - Answer 11 for each team
(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 contests? - Answer 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game
time. (or as soon as they are able to be present (1-1-7)
Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game? - Answer referee (1-1-6)
When does a game offiicials' authority end? - Answer 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)
Can Officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment? - Answer NO. (1-1-9)
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire? - Answer NO. Referee only, and it is final (1-1-10)
Can a team protest NFHS rules? - Answer NO. They are not recognized (1-1-11)
Where can sideline markers be placed (soft pliable on the ground) ? - Answer No closer than 5 yards to
from the sidelines (1-2-2)
,How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line marking be used on the field? - Answer Every 5 yards (however it
will end 4 inches from the sideline, except the goal line and end line) (1-2-3a and b)
How wide are Line markings, hash marks, sidelines and restraining lines (minimum)? - Answer 4 inches
(1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
How long are hash marks? - Answer 24 inches (1-2-3e)
What are "9-yard" marks? - Answer 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)
Where is the team box? - Answer 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 end-zone? - Answer yes, as long as they are no closer than 2
feet from the boundary or goal lines (1-2-3h)
Is the goal line considered part of the field or the endzone? - Answer End-zone to that the vertical
plane of the edge of the line toward the field of play is the actual goal (1-2-3j)
What is the distance of the centered line, on each end of the field used typically for the try, from the goal
line? - Answer 3 yards. Also it is 4 inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
What are the dimensions of the pylon? - Answer 4 inch x 4 inch and 18 inches tall (1-2-4)
What color can the pylon be? - Answer Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY) 1-2-4
Pylons placed at the goal line when properly placed are - in or out of bounds? - Answer OUT of bounds
(1-2-4)
What is the distance from the base of the upright to the top vertical crossbar? - Answer 10 feet (1-2-
5b)
, What is the width of the Cross bar (and the width of the goal posts)? - Answer 23 feet 4 inches (1-2-
5c,d
What is the MINIMUM height of the goal posts? - Answer 10 feet (1-2-5e)
The goal post must be covered in a padded resilient, shock absorbing material. What is the height of the
material on the post? - Answer 6 feet (1-2-5f)
Wind Directional streamers maybe placed on the goal posts. What colors can be used? - Answer Red,
Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
What color can the goal posts be painted? - Answer Silver, White or yellow (1-2-5g)
What color must a football be to be legal? - Answer Tan (1-3-1a)
How many laces on a legal football? - Answer 8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
What is the approved weight of a football? - Answer 14-15 ounces (1-3-1e)
What is the approved PSI of a Football? - Answer 12 1/2 to 13 1/2 PSI (1-3-1f)
How many game balls must a team provide to the referee as the officials assume authority of the
contest? - Answer 1 minimum (1-3-2)
Who approves footballs for play in the game? - Answer referee only (1-3-3)
How tall may a legal kicking tee be? - Answer no more than 2 inches (1-3-4)
