NFHS BASKETBALL OFFICIALS EXAM – COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | LATEST 2025 EDITION | FULL PRACTICE
TEST | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
1. During a jump ball, Player A taps the ball directly to a teammate, but it hits the
floor before anyone else touches it. What is the ruling?
Answer: Legal; the ball is in play once it touches the floor.
Rationale: The jump ball is legal if the ball contacts the floor or a player; touching
the floor does not stop play.
2. A player throws the ball toward the basket, and it hits the backboard, then the
rim, and the shot goes in. What is the ruling?
Answer: Two points if attempted inside the three-point line.
Rationale: The ball touching the backboard and rim does not affect scoring if it
goes through the basket legally.
3. A defensive player is standing in the key when the ball is inbounded. The player
moves to block the lane as soon as the ball enters play. Is this legal?
Answer: Legal if the player established position outside the restricted area before
contact.
Rationale: Defensive positioning rules allow movement to gain position, provided
no blocking foul occurs.
4. Player A holds Player B’s arm while B is dribbling. What is the proper call?
Answer: Personal foul on Player A.
Rationale: Holding an opponent while in control of the ball is a foul per NFHS
rules.
5. During a throw-in, Player A steps on the boundary line before releasing the ball.
What is the ruling?
Answer: Violation; the throw-in must be from out-of-bounds.
Rationale: The thrower must have both feet out of bounds when releasing the ball.
6. Player A jumps for a rebound and lands on Player B’s foot, causing B to fall.
What is the call?
Answer: Personal foul on Player A.
Rationale: Contact that disadvantages an opponent during a rebound is a foul.
, 7. Player A dribbles, then picks up the ball and dribbles again. What is the ruling?
Answer: Double dribble violation.
Rationale: Once a player stops dribbling, they cannot resume until passing or
shooting.
8. The game clock shows 0:01; Player A takes a shot from midcourt and the ball is
released before the buzzer. The shot goes in. What is the ruling?
Answer: Good if released before the game clock expires.
Rationale: A shot is valid if released before the buzzer, even if it goes in after.
9. Player A is fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer and makes the basket.
What is the ruling?
Answer: Count the basket and award one free throw.
Rationale: NFHS rules allow “and-one” for successful shots while being fouled.
10. Player A catches the ball and steps on the baseline during a fast break. What is
the ruling?
Answer: Out-of-bounds violation; possession awarded to opposing team.
Rationale: Players must stay in bounds while controlling the ball.
11. A defensive player blocks a shot cleanly without touching the shooter’s arm.
What is the ruling?
Answer: Legal play.
Rationale: Clean blocks without contact are allowed.
12. Player A attempts a layup and is fouled, missing the shot. What is the ruling?
Answer: Two free throws for Player A.
Rationale: Foul during a two-point shot attempt results in two free throws.
13. Player A stands in the lane for more than three seconds while their team is on
offense. What is the ruling?
Answer: Three-second violation.
Rationale: Offensive players cannot remain in the key for more than three seconds
while their team has control of the ball.
14. During a jump ball, both players grab the ball simultaneously. What is the
ruling?
Answer: Held ball; alternate possession awarded.
Rationale: If two opponents gain simultaneous possession, use the possession
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QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | LATEST 2025 EDITION | FULL PRACTICE
TEST | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
1. During a jump ball, Player A taps the ball directly to a teammate, but it hits the
floor before anyone else touches it. What is the ruling?
Answer: Legal; the ball is in play once it touches the floor.
Rationale: The jump ball is legal if the ball contacts the floor or a player; touching
the floor does not stop play.
2. A player throws the ball toward the basket, and it hits the backboard, then the
rim, and the shot goes in. What is the ruling?
Answer: Two points if attempted inside the three-point line.
Rationale: The ball touching the backboard and rim does not affect scoring if it
goes through the basket legally.
3. A defensive player is standing in the key when the ball is inbounded. The player
moves to block the lane as soon as the ball enters play. Is this legal?
Answer: Legal if the player established position outside the restricted area before
contact.
Rationale: Defensive positioning rules allow movement to gain position, provided
no blocking foul occurs.
4. Player A holds Player B’s arm while B is dribbling. What is the proper call?
Answer: Personal foul on Player A.
Rationale: Holding an opponent while in control of the ball is a foul per NFHS
rules.
5. During a throw-in, Player A steps on the boundary line before releasing the ball.
What is the ruling?
Answer: Violation; the throw-in must be from out-of-bounds.
Rationale: The thrower must have both feet out of bounds when releasing the ball.
6. Player A jumps for a rebound and lands on Player B’s foot, causing B to fall.
What is the call?
Answer: Personal foul on Player A.
Rationale: Contact that disadvantages an opponent during a rebound is a foul.
, 7. Player A dribbles, then picks up the ball and dribbles again. What is the ruling?
Answer: Double dribble violation.
Rationale: Once a player stops dribbling, they cannot resume until passing or
shooting.
8. The game clock shows 0:01; Player A takes a shot from midcourt and the ball is
released before the buzzer. The shot goes in. What is the ruling?
Answer: Good if released before the game clock expires.
Rationale: A shot is valid if released before the buzzer, even if it goes in after.
9. Player A is fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer and makes the basket.
What is the ruling?
Answer: Count the basket and award one free throw.
Rationale: NFHS rules allow “and-one” for successful shots while being fouled.
10. Player A catches the ball and steps on the baseline during a fast break. What is
the ruling?
Answer: Out-of-bounds violation; possession awarded to opposing team.
Rationale: Players must stay in bounds while controlling the ball.
11. A defensive player blocks a shot cleanly without touching the shooter’s arm.
What is the ruling?
Answer: Legal play.
Rationale: Clean blocks without contact are allowed.
12. Player A attempts a layup and is fouled, missing the shot. What is the ruling?
Answer: Two free throws for Player A.
Rationale: Foul during a two-point shot attempt results in two free throws.
13. Player A stands in the lane for more than three seconds while their team is on
offense. What is the ruling?
Answer: Three-second violation.
Rationale: Offensive players cannot remain in the key for more than three seconds
while their team has control of the ball.
14. During a jump ball, both players grab the ball simultaneously. What is the
ruling?
Answer: Held ball; alternate possession awarded.
Rationale: If two opponents gain simultaneous possession, use the possession
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