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WVSSAC FOOTBALL EXAM STUDY GUIDE – PART 2 Original Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales Based on NFHS Football Rules
SECTION 7: FREE KICKS AND SPECIAL TEAMS
1. A kickoff is a type of:
A) Scrimmage kick
B) Free kick
C) Punt
D) Drop kick
Answer: B
Rationale: A kickoff is a free kick that puts the ball in play at the
start of each half and after scoring plays.
2. The kickoff is taken from:
A) The 30-yard line
B) The 35-yard line
C) The 40-yard line
D) The 50-yard line
Answer: C
Rationale: In high school football, the kickoff is taken from the
kicking team's 40-yard line.
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3. The kicking team's players must be:
A) Anywhere behind the ball
B) Behind the ball at the time of the kick, with no player beyond
the ball before it is kicked
C) Only within 5 yards of the ball
D) No restrictions
Answer: B
Rationale: All kicking team players must be behind the ball
when it is kicked; no one may cross the line before the kick.
4. The receiving team on a kickoff must have at least how many
players within 5 yards of the ball?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: C
Rationale: The receiving team must have at least 4 players
between the 30 and 35-yard lines (within 5 yards of the ball on
kickoff).
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5. A kickoff that goes out of bounds untouched is:
A) A legal play
B) A foul (the receiving team may take the ball at the 35-yard
line or 5 yards from where it went out)
C) A re-kick
D) A touchback
Answer: B
Rationale: Kickoff out of bounds gives the receiving team
favorable field position.
6. A kickoff that goes into the receiving team's end zone and is
not returned is:
A) A safety
B) A touchback
C) A touchdown
D) A re-kick
Answer: B
Rationale: Kickoff into the end zone untouched = touchback;
ball placed at the 20-yard line.
7. After a touchback, the ball is placed at:
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A) The 15-yard line
B) The 20-yard line
C) The 25-yard line
D) The 30-yard line
Answer: B
Rationale: In high school football, touchbacks place the ball at
the 20-yard line.
8. A player on the receiving team signals for a fair catch on a
kickoff. The fair catch:
A) Is not allowed on kickoffs
B) Is allowed, and the receiving team takes possession at the
spot
C) Results in a touchback
D) No such rule exists
Answer: B
Rationale: Fair catches are legal on any scrimmage kick or free
kick.
9. The "free kick line" for the kicking team is:
A) The 35-yard line
B) The 40-yard line where the ball is placed
WVSSAC FOOTBALL EXAM STUDY GUIDE – PART 2 Original Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales Based on NFHS Football Rules
SECTION 7: FREE KICKS AND SPECIAL TEAMS
1. A kickoff is a type of:
A) Scrimmage kick
B) Free kick
C) Punt
D) Drop kick
Answer: B
Rationale: A kickoff is a free kick that puts the ball in play at the
start of each half and after scoring plays.
2. The kickoff is taken from:
A) The 30-yard line
B) The 35-yard line
C) The 40-yard line
D) The 50-yard line
Answer: C
Rationale: In high school football, the kickoff is taken from the
kicking team's 40-yard line.
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3. The kicking team's players must be:
A) Anywhere behind the ball
B) Behind the ball at the time of the kick, with no player beyond
the ball before it is kicked
C) Only within 5 yards of the ball
D) No restrictions
Answer: B
Rationale: All kicking team players must be behind the ball
when it is kicked; no one may cross the line before the kick.
4. The receiving team on a kickoff must have at least how many
players within 5 yards of the ball?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: C
Rationale: The receiving team must have at least 4 players
between the 30 and 35-yard lines (within 5 yards of the ball on
kickoff).
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5. A kickoff that goes out of bounds untouched is:
A) A legal play
B) A foul (the receiving team may take the ball at the 35-yard
line or 5 yards from where it went out)
C) A re-kick
D) A touchback
Answer: B
Rationale: Kickoff out of bounds gives the receiving team
favorable field position.
6. A kickoff that goes into the receiving team's end zone and is
not returned is:
A) A safety
B) A touchback
C) A touchdown
D) A re-kick
Answer: B
Rationale: Kickoff into the end zone untouched = touchback;
ball placed at the 20-yard line.
7. After a touchback, the ball is placed at:
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A) The 15-yard line
B) The 20-yard line
C) The 25-yard line
D) The 30-yard line
Answer: B
Rationale: In high school football, touchbacks place the ball at
the 20-yard line.
8. A player on the receiving team signals for a fair catch on a
kickoff. The fair catch:
A) Is not allowed on kickoffs
B) Is allowed, and the receiving team takes possession at the
spot
C) Results in a touchback
D) No such rule exists
Answer: B
Rationale: Fair catches are legal on any scrimmage kick or free
kick.
9. The "free kick line" for the kicking team is:
A) The 35-yard line
B) The 40-yard line where the ball is placed
