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NFHS VOLLEYBALL OFFICIATING RULES STUDY GUIDE
2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
VOLLEYBALL
Prepare for the NFHS Volleyball Officiating Rules Study Guide with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your officiating knowledge
and exam readiness. It features exam-style questions covering volleyball rules,
referee mechanics, scoring procedures, player rotations, violations, signals, match
administration, and NFHS officiating standards. Use it to reinforce essential concepts,
assess your understanding, and build confidence before officiating exams or
certification assessments. An excellent study aid for volleyball officials preparing for
the NFHS Volleyball Officiating Rules Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
2025-26 RULE CHANGES & NEW INTERPRETATIONS (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: Under the new Rule 9-4-8c, multiple contacts by one player on
the second team hit are now legal if:
A) The ball is next contacted by a teammate
B) The ball crosses the net and is contacted by an opponent
C) The player is a back-row setter
D) The ball is next contacted by both teams simultaneously
Correct answer: A) The ball is next contacted by a teammate
Rationale: The 2025-26 rules change eliminates the judgment call of a
multiple contact fault on the second team hit when the ball is next contacted
by a teammate. Prolonged contact and multiple attempts to play the ball are
still faults. If the ball is directed into the plane of the net or goes over the net
with multiple contacts and is next contacted by an opponent, a fault has
occurred.
Question 2: Multiple contacts by one player on the second team hit would
still be a fault if:
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A) The ball is next contacted by a teammate
B) An opponent is next to contact the ball
C) The setter is in the front row
D) The player is making the first hit on a serve
Correct answer: B) An opponent is next to contact the ball
Rationale: If a player contacts the ball multiple times during one attempt on
the second hit and an opponent is next to contact the ball, a multiple contact
fault has occurred.
Question 3: Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, state associations may
adopt the use of which type of volleyball?
A) A non-smooth or textured ball with restrictions on color
B) A non-smooth or textured ball with no restrictions on color or shape of
panels
C) A softer ball for junior varsity matches only
D) A ball with a larger circumference
Correct answer: B) A non-smooth or textured ball with no restrictions on
color or shape of panels
Rationale: Rule 3-2-1 NOTE allows state associations to adopt the use of a
textured volleyball for boys or girls matches, with no restrictions on color or
shape of panels to be inclusive of all current textured volleyballs on the
market. The delayed implementation allows manufacturers time to go through
the authenticating mark process.
Question 4: Beginning with the 2026-27 season, what is the requirement for
textured volleyballs?
A) They must have a smooth surface
B) They must be spherical with a circumference of 65-67 cm
C) They must have a uniform color
D) They must be the same weight as smooth balls
Correct answer: B) They must be spherical with a circumference of 65-67
cm
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Rationale: Textured volleyballs must still meet the size requirements of the
traditional smooth ball (65-67 cm circumference) but will not have restrictions
on color or shape of panels.
Question 5: Which undergarment colors are now permitted under Rule 4-2-
1h(3) and 4-2-1i(2)?
A) Red, white, and blue
B) Black, white, or gray
C) Any color that matches the school colors
D) Only solid white
Correct answer: B) Black, white, or gray
Rationale: Team members may now wear solid black, white, or gray
undergarments in addition to undergarments that match the predominant
color of the uniform top/bottom. All team members (other than the libero)
wearing an undergarment must wear the same color.
Question 6: Under the new undergarment rule, which players are NOT
required to match the color of undergarments worn by other players?
A) All players
B) Only the captain
C) The libero
D) Back-row players
Correct answer: C) The libero
Rationale: The undergarment color rule applies to all team members other
than the libero.
Question 7: Beginning July 1, 2029, where must the number on the front of the
uniform be placed?
A) Exactly 5 inches from the shoulder seam
B) Exactly 5 inches from the bottom edge
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C) Centered on the upper half of the uniform top
D) On the left side of the uniform
Correct answer: C) Centered on the upper half of the uniform top
Rationale: Beginning July 1, 2029, the number on the front of the uniform
must be centered on the upper half of the uniform top, eliminating the
measurement requirements from the shoulder seam and neckline. Numbers
not centered on the upper half will be illegal.
Question 8: What is the penalty if a team cannot begin a match with six
players wearing legal uniforms due to illegal number placement?
A) A warning is issued
B) A loss of rally/point is awarded to the opponent
C) The match is postponed
D) The team forfeits the match
Correct answer: B) A loss of rally/point is awarded to the opponent
Rationale: When a team cannot begin the match with six players wearing
legal uniforms, a loss of rally/point shall be awarded to the opponent at the
beginning of the match, and the state association shall be notified to
determine further action or penalty.
Question 9: Which official's equipment requirement was eliminated for the
2025-26 season?
A) The first referee's whistle
B) The second referee's whistle
C) The second referee's lineup card
D) The line judge's flags
Correct answer: C) The second referee's lineup card
Rationale: Rule 5-3-2b and 5-5-3b(9) eliminate the requirement for the
second referee to carry and use a lineup card to check starting lineups.
Veteran officials may use each coach's submitted lineup sheet, while the
lineup card remains an optional training tool for newer officials.
NFHS VOLLEYBALL OFFICIATING RULES STUDY GUIDE
2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
VOLLEYBALL
Prepare for the NFHS Volleyball Officiating Rules Study Guide with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your officiating knowledge
and exam readiness. It features exam-style questions covering volleyball rules,
referee mechanics, scoring procedures, player rotations, violations, signals, match
administration, and NFHS officiating standards. Use it to reinforce essential concepts,
assess your understanding, and build confidence before officiating exams or
certification assessments. An excellent study aid for volleyball officials preparing for
the NFHS Volleyball Officiating Rules Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
2025-26 RULE CHANGES & NEW INTERPRETATIONS (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: Under the new Rule 9-4-8c, multiple contacts by one player on
the second team hit are now legal if:
A) The ball is next contacted by a teammate
B) The ball crosses the net and is contacted by an opponent
C) The player is a back-row setter
D) The ball is next contacted by both teams simultaneously
Correct answer: A) The ball is next contacted by a teammate
Rationale: The 2025-26 rules change eliminates the judgment call of a
multiple contact fault on the second team hit when the ball is next contacted
by a teammate. Prolonged contact and multiple attempts to play the ball are
still faults. If the ball is directed into the plane of the net or goes over the net
with multiple contacts and is next contacted by an opponent, a fault has
occurred.
Question 2: Multiple contacts by one player on the second team hit would
still be a fault if:
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A) The ball is next contacted by a teammate
B) An opponent is next to contact the ball
C) The setter is in the front row
D) The player is making the first hit on a serve
Correct answer: B) An opponent is next to contact the ball
Rationale: If a player contacts the ball multiple times during one attempt on
the second hit and an opponent is next to contact the ball, a multiple contact
fault has occurred.
Question 3: Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, state associations may
adopt the use of which type of volleyball?
A) A non-smooth or textured ball with restrictions on color
B) A non-smooth or textured ball with no restrictions on color or shape of
panels
C) A softer ball for junior varsity matches only
D) A ball with a larger circumference
Correct answer: B) A non-smooth or textured ball with no restrictions on
color or shape of panels
Rationale: Rule 3-2-1 NOTE allows state associations to adopt the use of a
textured volleyball for boys or girls matches, with no restrictions on color or
shape of panels to be inclusive of all current textured volleyballs on the
market. The delayed implementation allows manufacturers time to go through
the authenticating mark process.
Question 4: Beginning with the 2026-27 season, what is the requirement for
textured volleyballs?
A) They must have a smooth surface
B) They must be spherical with a circumference of 65-67 cm
C) They must have a uniform color
D) They must be the same weight as smooth balls
Correct answer: B) They must be spherical with a circumference of 65-67
cm
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Rationale: Textured volleyballs must still meet the size requirements of the
traditional smooth ball (65-67 cm circumference) but will not have restrictions
on color or shape of panels.
Question 5: Which undergarment colors are now permitted under Rule 4-2-
1h(3) and 4-2-1i(2)?
A) Red, white, and blue
B) Black, white, or gray
C) Any color that matches the school colors
D) Only solid white
Correct answer: B) Black, white, or gray
Rationale: Team members may now wear solid black, white, or gray
undergarments in addition to undergarments that match the predominant
color of the uniform top/bottom. All team members (other than the libero)
wearing an undergarment must wear the same color.
Question 6: Under the new undergarment rule, which players are NOT
required to match the color of undergarments worn by other players?
A) All players
B) Only the captain
C) The libero
D) Back-row players
Correct answer: C) The libero
Rationale: The undergarment color rule applies to all team members other
than the libero.
Question 7: Beginning July 1, 2029, where must the number on the front of the
uniform be placed?
A) Exactly 5 inches from the shoulder seam
B) Exactly 5 inches from the bottom edge
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C) Centered on the upper half of the uniform top
D) On the left side of the uniform
Correct answer: C) Centered on the upper half of the uniform top
Rationale: Beginning July 1, 2029, the number on the front of the uniform
must be centered on the upper half of the uniform top, eliminating the
measurement requirements from the shoulder seam and neckline. Numbers
not centered on the upper half will be illegal.
Question 8: What is the penalty if a team cannot begin a match with six
players wearing legal uniforms due to illegal number placement?
A) A warning is issued
B) A loss of rally/point is awarded to the opponent
C) The match is postponed
D) The team forfeits the match
Correct answer: B) A loss of rally/point is awarded to the opponent
Rationale: When a team cannot begin the match with six players wearing
legal uniforms, a loss of rally/point shall be awarded to the opponent at the
beginning of the match, and the state association shall be notified to
determine further action or penalty.
Question 9: Which official's equipment requirement was eliminated for the
2025-26 season?
A) The first referee's whistle
B) The second referee's whistle
C) The second referee's lineup card
D) The line judge's flags
Correct answer: C) The second referee's lineup card
Rationale: Rule 5-3-2b and 5-5-3b(9) eliminate the requirement for the
second referee to carry and use a lineup card to check starting lineups.
Veteran officials may use each coach's submitted lineup sheet, while the
lineup card remains an optional training tool for newer officials.
