NFHS FOOTBALL RULES ACTUAL
CERTIFICATION TEST 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● What are the dimensions of the playing field? Answer: 360 by 160 feet
(1-1-2)
● How many players are needed to start a game? Answer: 11 for each
team
(however the team may continue with fewer) Forfeit if not enough
players 1-0 is the score, offended team wins. (1-1-3)
● When must officials take authority for the contests? Answer: 30
minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (or as soon as they are able to
be present (1-1-7)
● Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game?
Answer: referee (1-1-6)
● When does a game offiicials' authority end? Answer: Through the
duration of the 4th period and any overtimes, as well as up to completion
of any reports. (states may intercede as well) (1-1-8)
,● Can Officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment?
Answer: NO. (1-1-9)
● Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire? Answer: NO. Referee only,
and it is final (1-1-10)
● Can a team protest NFHS rules? Answer: NO. They are not recognized
(1-1-11)
● Where can sideline markers be placed (soft pliable on the ground) ?
Answer: No closer than 5 yards to from the sidelines (1-2-2)
● How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line marking be used on the
field? Answer: Every 5 yards (however it will end 4 inches from the
sideline, except the goal line and end line) (1-2-3a and b)
● How wide are Line markings, hash marks, sidelines and restraining
lines (minimum)? Answer: 4 inches (1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
● How long are hash marks? Answer: 24 inches (1-2-3e)
● What are "9-yard" marks? Answer: The markings on the field 9 yards
from the sideline. If numbers are used as the 9 yard mark, the TOP of the
number is measured to 9 yards (1-2-3f)
,● Where is the team box? Answer: Between the 25 yard lines on the
teams sidelines, BEHIND the 2 yard belt, however it may be 20-45 yard
lines if both teams are using the same sideline. (1-2-3g)
● Can decorative markings be placed in the end-zone? Answer: yes, as
long as they are no closer than 2 feet from the boundary or goal lines (1-
2-3h)
● Is the goal line considered part of the field or the endzone? Answer:
End-zone to that the vertical plane of the edge of the line toward the
field of play is the actual goal (1-2-3j)
● What is the distance of the centered line, on each end of the field used
typically for the try, from the goal line? Answer: 3 yards. Also it is 4
inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
● What are the dimensions of the pylon? Answer: 4 inch x 4 inch and 18
inches tall (1-2-4)
● What color can the pylon be? Answer: Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY)
1-2-4
● Pylons placed at the goal line when properly placed are - in or out of
bounds? Answer: OUT of bounds (1-2-4)
, ● What is the distance from the base of the upright to the top vertical
crossbar? Answer: 10 feet (1-2-5b)
● What is the width of the Cross bar (and the width of the goal posts)?
Answer: 23 feet 4 inches (1-2-5c,d
● What is the MINIMUM height of the goal posts? Answer: 10 feet (1-
2-5e)
● The goal post must be covered in a padded resilient, shock absorbing
material. What is the height of the material on the post? Answer: 6 feet
(1-2-5f)
● Wind Directional streamers maybe placed on the goal posts. What
colors can be used? Answer: Red, Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
● What color can the goal posts be painted? Answer: Silver, White or
yellow (1-2-5g)
● What color must a football be to be legal? Answer: Tan (1-3-1a)
● How many laces on a legal football? Answer: 8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
CERTIFICATION TEST 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● What are the dimensions of the playing field? Answer: 360 by 160 feet
(1-1-2)
● How many players are needed to start a game? Answer: 11 for each
team
(however the team may continue with fewer) Forfeit if not enough
players 1-0 is the score, offended team wins. (1-1-3)
● When must officials take authority for the contests? Answer: 30
minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (or as soon as they are able to
be present (1-1-7)
● Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game?
Answer: referee (1-1-6)
● When does a game offiicials' authority end? Answer: Through the
duration of the 4th period and any overtimes, as well as up to completion
of any reports. (states may intercede as well) (1-1-8)
,● Can Officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment?
Answer: NO. (1-1-9)
● Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire? Answer: NO. Referee only,
and it is final (1-1-10)
● Can a team protest NFHS rules? Answer: NO. They are not recognized
(1-1-11)
● Where can sideline markers be placed (soft pliable on the ground) ?
Answer: No closer than 5 yards to from the sidelines (1-2-2)
● How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line marking be used on the
field? Answer: Every 5 yards (however it will end 4 inches from the
sideline, except the goal line and end line) (1-2-3a and b)
● How wide are Line markings, hash marks, sidelines and restraining
lines (minimum)? Answer: 4 inches (1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
● How long are hash marks? Answer: 24 inches (1-2-3e)
● What are "9-yard" marks? Answer: The markings on the field 9 yards
from the sideline. If numbers are used as the 9 yard mark, the TOP of the
number is measured to 9 yards (1-2-3f)
,● Where is the team box? Answer: Between the 25 yard lines on the
teams sidelines, BEHIND the 2 yard belt, however it may be 20-45 yard
lines if both teams are using the same sideline. (1-2-3g)
● Can decorative markings be placed in the end-zone? Answer: yes, as
long as they are no closer than 2 feet from the boundary or goal lines (1-
2-3h)
● Is the goal line considered part of the field or the endzone? Answer:
End-zone to that the vertical plane of the edge of the line toward the
field of play is the actual goal (1-2-3j)
● What is the distance of the centered line, on each end of the field used
typically for the try, from the goal line? Answer: 3 yards. Also it is 4
inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
● What are the dimensions of the pylon? Answer: 4 inch x 4 inch and 18
inches tall (1-2-4)
● What color can the pylon be? Answer: Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY)
1-2-4
● Pylons placed at the goal line when properly placed are - in or out of
bounds? Answer: OUT of bounds (1-2-4)
, ● What is the distance from the base of the upright to the top vertical
crossbar? Answer: 10 feet (1-2-5b)
● What is the width of the Cross bar (and the width of the goal posts)?
Answer: 23 feet 4 inches (1-2-5c,d
● What is the MINIMUM height of the goal posts? Answer: 10 feet (1-
2-5e)
● The goal post must be covered in a padded resilient, shock absorbing
material. What is the height of the material on the post? Answer: 6 feet
(1-2-5f)
● Wind Directional streamers maybe placed on the goal posts. What
colors can be used? Answer: Red, Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
● What color can the goal posts be painted? Answer: Silver, White or
yellow (1-2-5g)
● What color must a football be to be legal? Answer: Tan (1-3-1a)
● How many laces on a legal football? Answer: 8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
