NFHS Football Case Plays (Rule 1 - Game, Field, Players, and
Equipment) Study Guide 2024-2025
1. 1.1.3 SITUATION: RULING: Each team must have at least 11 players in
During the waning moments of order for the game to start. The game may continue even
the game, a fight erupts and sever- though one team does not have 11 players. There is no
al players from each team are dis- penalty for a team having fewer than 11 players, except
qualified. When order is restored, when that team is on ottense, there must be at least five
it is discovered Team A has 11 play- players on the line of scrimmage. (2-14-1, 7-2-5a)
ers available and B has only nine.
There are no other team members
eligible for participation following
the mass disqualification.
2. 1.1.6 SITUATION: RULING: The referee shall direct the home-team coach to
Prior to the game, both teams wait have his team enter first. The referee has authority to rule
for the other team to go on the on any situation not specifically covered in the rules.
field first.
3. 1.1.7 SITUATION: RULING: In (a) and (c), there is no foul as this is a game
With 35:00 on the countdown administration issue and not one under authority of the
clock, individuals on the field for game oflcials. In (b), the unsportsmanlike conduct fouls
pregame warm-up engage in un- would be assessed prior to the kickott, and should be
sportsmanlike behavior. The state explained thoroughly by the referee prior to the coin toss
association rule is that game offi- options being given.
cials: (a) assume authority 30 min-
utes before the game; (b) assume
authority 45 minutes before the
game; or (c) authority prior to the
game is not addressed in state as-
sociation rules.
4. 1.1.8 SITUATION A: RULING: In (a) and (b), this is correct procedure. Game
A fight occurs toward the end of oflcials must then adhere to state association policy with
a game and the game has been regard to the filing of post-game reports.
, NFHS Football Case Plays (Rule 1 - Game, Field, Players, and
Equipment) Study Guide 2024-2025
terminated early. In (a) game offi-
cials identify the players in the al-
tercation on the field immediately
and report the numbers to head
coaches of both teams; in (b) game
officials meet in the locker room
to reconcile and agree on informa-
tion and record the player num-
bers who were involved in the al-
tercation.
5. 1.1.8 SITUATION B: RULING: This is correct procedure.
A fight occurs during or at the
immediate end of the game and
game officials record the known
player numbers who were in-
volved in the altercation. After the
game, the state association re-
quests a copy of the game film
and in accordance with adopted
state association procedures, de-
termines additional players were
involved and revises the numbers
and names of the players involved
and issues final rulings.
6. *1.1.9 SITUATION: RULING: Unless the state association has approved re-
A1 advances the ball to near B's play for a postseason game, the touchdown is scored in
goal line where several B players all cases. Video monitoring or replay equipment shall not
try to prevent the score. The cov- be used by game oflcials to make any decision relating
ering official rules a touchdown. to the game unless used in compliance with 1-3-7 NOTE
Sideline replay equipment clearly
Equipment) Study Guide 2024-2025
1. 1.1.3 SITUATION: RULING: Each team must have at least 11 players in
During the waning moments of order for the game to start. The game may continue even
the game, a fight erupts and sever- though one team does not have 11 players. There is no
al players from each team are dis- penalty for a team having fewer than 11 players, except
qualified. When order is restored, when that team is on ottense, there must be at least five
it is discovered Team A has 11 play- players on the line of scrimmage. (2-14-1, 7-2-5a)
ers available and B has only nine.
There are no other team members
eligible for participation following
the mass disqualification.
2. 1.1.6 SITUATION: RULING: The referee shall direct the home-team coach to
Prior to the game, both teams wait have his team enter first. The referee has authority to rule
for the other team to go on the on any situation not specifically covered in the rules.
field first.
3. 1.1.7 SITUATION: RULING: In (a) and (c), there is no foul as this is a game
With 35:00 on the countdown administration issue and not one under authority of the
clock, individuals on the field for game oflcials. In (b), the unsportsmanlike conduct fouls
pregame warm-up engage in un- would be assessed prior to the kickott, and should be
sportsmanlike behavior. The state explained thoroughly by the referee prior to the coin toss
association rule is that game offi- options being given.
cials: (a) assume authority 30 min-
utes before the game; (b) assume
authority 45 minutes before the
game; or (c) authority prior to the
game is not addressed in state as-
sociation rules.
4. 1.1.8 SITUATION A: RULING: In (a) and (b), this is correct procedure. Game
A fight occurs toward the end of oflcials must then adhere to state association policy with
a game and the game has been regard to the filing of post-game reports.
, NFHS Football Case Plays (Rule 1 - Game, Field, Players, and
Equipment) Study Guide 2024-2025
terminated early. In (a) game offi-
cials identify the players in the al-
tercation on the field immediately
and report the numbers to head
coaches of both teams; in (b) game
officials meet in the locker room
to reconcile and agree on informa-
tion and record the player num-
bers who were involved in the al-
tercation.
5. 1.1.8 SITUATION B: RULING: This is correct procedure.
A fight occurs during or at the
immediate end of the game and
game officials record the known
player numbers who were in-
volved in the altercation. After the
game, the state association re-
quests a copy of the game film
and in accordance with adopted
state association procedures, de-
termines additional players were
involved and revises the numbers
and names of the players involved
and issues final rulings.
6. *1.1.9 SITUATION: RULING: Unless the state association has approved re-
A1 advances the ball to near B's play for a postseason game, the touchdown is scored in
goal line where several B players all cases. Video monitoring or replay equipment shall not
try to prevent the score. The cov- be used by game oflcials to make any decision relating
ering official rules a touchdown. to the game unless used in compliance with 1-3-7 NOTE
Sideline replay equipment clearly
