NFHS SOCCER CORE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What should the referee do if the game balls are inflated to the manufacturer's
recommendation? - ✔✔The referee should use the balls at their current inflation.
✔✔What is a situation where a goal may not be scored directly? - ✔✔A goal may not be
scored directly from a kickoff, dropped ball, or goal kick.
✔✔What is the ruling if a player interferes with play while in an offside position? -
✔✔The player will be penalized for being offside and the game will restart with an
indirect free kick for the opposing team.
✔✔What should the referee do if Player A3 moves their hands toward their face during
a free kick? - ✔✔The referee should allow play to continue with no foul as this is a reflex
action and not considered deliberate handling.
✔✔What is the ruling if Player A1 stands too close to a defensive wall during a free
kick? - ✔✔Attackers must remain at least 1 yard away from any defensive wall.
✔✔What is the signal for an indirect free kick? - ✔✔The referee signals an indirect free
kick by raising an arm above their head.
✔✔What should the referee do if a player is cautioned for delay of game? - ✔✔The
referee should stop play and issue a yellow card to the player.
✔✔What happens if a player is injured during play? - ✔✔The referee must allow the
coach or appropriate health-care provider onto the field.
✔✔What should the referee do if a player is caught using illegal equipment? - ✔✔The
referee should require the player to correct the equipment before continuing play.
✔✔ What should the referee do if the penalty areas are illegally marked? - ✔✔The
referee should not start the game until it is corrected.
✔✔What happens when a direct free kick is awarded to Team B for a foul by Team A? -
✔✔Neither teams' substitutes are allowed to enter the game.
✔✔What is true about substitutions during a penalty kick? - ✔✔A substitute entering the
game cannot take the penalty kick.
✔✔What should the referee do if Player B6 is wearing illegal equipment? - ✔✔At the
next stoppage, caution (yellow card) B6.
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What should the referee do if the game balls are inflated to the manufacturer's
recommendation? - ✔✔The referee should use the balls at their current inflation.
✔✔What is a situation where a goal may not be scored directly? - ✔✔A goal may not be
scored directly from a kickoff, dropped ball, or goal kick.
✔✔What is the ruling if a player interferes with play while in an offside position? -
✔✔The player will be penalized for being offside and the game will restart with an
indirect free kick for the opposing team.
✔✔What should the referee do if Player A3 moves their hands toward their face during
a free kick? - ✔✔The referee should allow play to continue with no foul as this is a reflex
action and not considered deliberate handling.
✔✔What is the ruling if Player A1 stands too close to a defensive wall during a free
kick? - ✔✔Attackers must remain at least 1 yard away from any defensive wall.
✔✔What is the signal for an indirect free kick? - ✔✔The referee signals an indirect free
kick by raising an arm above their head.
✔✔What should the referee do if a player is cautioned for delay of game? - ✔✔The
referee should stop play and issue a yellow card to the player.
✔✔What happens if a player is injured during play? - ✔✔The referee must allow the
coach or appropriate health-care provider onto the field.
✔✔What should the referee do if a player is caught using illegal equipment? - ✔✔The
referee should require the player to correct the equipment before continuing play.
✔✔ What should the referee do if the penalty areas are illegally marked? - ✔✔The
referee should not start the game until it is corrected.
✔✔What happens when a direct free kick is awarded to Team B for a foul by Team A? -
✔✔Neither teams' substitutes are allowed to enter the game.
✔✔What is true about substitutions during a penalty kick? - ✔✔A substitute entering the
game cannot take the penalty kick.
✔✔What should the referee do if Player B6 is wearing illegal equipment? - ✔✔At the
next stoppage, caution (yellow card) B6.
