2026 NFHS Football Exam Answers
NFHS Football Rules Examination — Answers & Rationales
Part I: True / False Questions
1. The basic spot is the previous spot unless Rule 8-5-2c applies for a foul by A or B when the
run or related run ends behind the line of scrimmage where there is no change of possession.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 10-4-2d — Under current NFHS basic spot rules, for fouls occurring
behind the line of scrimmage during a running play (where there is no change of
possession), the basic spot is enforced from the previous spot.
2. The jerseys of the home team shall all be the same dark colors that clearly contrasts with
white.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 1-5-1b(1) — Home team jerseys must be a dark color that contrasts
distinctly with the visitor's white jerseys.
3. The ball can have commercial advertising added to the surface of one of the panels.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 1-3-1h — Commercial advertising on the football surface is strictly
prohibited.
4. A player or nonplayer can trip an opponent.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 9-4-3o — Tripping (using the leg/foot to obstruct an opponent below
the knee) is illegal personal contact for any player or nonplayer.
5. A player is no longer defenseless once the player's physical position and focus of
concentration no longer makes the player especially vulnerable to injury.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 2-32-16 — Defenseless status ends as soon as the player can reasonably
defend themselves or changes focus/position.
, 6. A team B player may use locked hands to ward off an opponent who is blocking him or
attempting to block him.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 9-2-3c — Defensive players may use open hands to ward off blockers,
but locking hands is illegal.
7. A punt may be used as a free kick following a fair catch.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 2-24-3 & Rule 6-0 — A free kick following a fair catch must be executed
via a placekick or dropkick; a punt cannot be used.
8. A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 2-16-1 — Defines a foul as any breach of the rules that incurs a
prescribed penalty.
9. If there is a double foul during the last timed down of a period, the period is automatically
extended.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 3-3-3b — A period must be extended by an untimed down if a double
foul occurs during the final timed down.
10. A down ends when the ball next becomes dead.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 2-7-1 — A down is action between the time the ball becomes live and
the time it next becomes dead.
11. An invalid fair-catch signal may be given by a member of the kicking team.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 6-5-7 — Fair-catch rules and signals apply exclusively to members of the
receiving team (Team R).
12. A fair catch can be made in or behind K's neutral zone.
• Answer: False
NFHS Football Rules Examination — Answers & Rationales
Part I: True / False Questions
1. The basic spot is the previous spot unless Rule 8-5-2c applies for a foul by A or B when the
run or related run ends behind the line of scrimmage where there is no change of possession.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 10-4-2d — Under current NFHS basic spot rules, for fouls occurring
behind the line of scrimmage during a running play (where there is no change of
possession), the basic spot is enforced from the previous spot.
2. The jerseys of the home team shall all be the same dark colors that clearly contrasts with
white.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 1-5-1b(1) — Home team jerseys must be a dark color that contrasts
distinctly with the visitor's white jerseys.
3. The ball can have commercial advertising added to the surface of one of the panels.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 1-3-1h — Commercial advertising on the football surface is strictly
prohibited.
4. A player or nonplayer can trip an opponent.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 9-4-3o — Tripping (using the leg/foot to obstruct an opponent below
the knee) is illegal personal contact for any player or nonplayer.
5. A player is no longer defenseless once the player's physical position and focus of
concentration no longer makes the player especially vulnerable to injury.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 2-32-16 — Defenseless status ends as soon as the player can reasonably
defend themselves or changes focus/position.
, 6. A team B player may use locked hands to ward off an opponent who is blocking him or
attempting to block him.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 9-2-3c — Defensive players may use open hands to ward off blockers,
but locking hands is illegal.
7. A punt may be used as a free kick following a fair catch.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 2-24-3 & Rule 6-0 — A free kick following a fair catch must be executed
via a placekick or dropkick; a punt cannot be used.
8. A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 2-16-1 — Defines a foul as any breach of the rules that incurs a
prescribed penalty.
9. If there is a double foul during the last timed down of a period, the period is automatically
extended.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 3-3-3b — A period must be extended by an untimed down if a double
foul occurs during the final timed down.
10. A down ends when the ball next becomes dead.
• Answer: True
• Rationale: Rule 2-7-1 — A down is action between the time the ball becomes live and
the time it next becomes dead.
11. An invalid fair-catch signal may be given by a member of the kicking team.
• Answer: False
• Rationale: Rule 6-5-7 — Fair-catch rules and signals apply exclusively to members of the
receiving team (Team R).
12. A fair catch can be made in or behind K's neutral zone.
• Answer: False
