NFHS SOCCER TEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
SOCCER RULES AND OFFICIATING | REFEREE CERTIFICATION | VERIFIED
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for high school soccer officials preparing for
the NFHS Soccer Rules Test for the 2025-26 season. The NFHS Soccer Rules Book governs
interscholastic soccer across the United States, emphasizing player safety, fair play, and consistent
officiating .
Exam Information:
• Rules Authority: National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
• Rule Book: NFHS Soccer Rules Book (2025-26 Edition)
• Officials Manual: NFHS Soccer Officials Manual
• Exam Format: Multiple-choice, scenario-based, rule citation
• Target Audience: Referees, assistant referees, assignors, coaches
2025-26 Points of Emphasis :
1. Education Based High School Athletics
2. Courage, Character and Consistency
3. Team Areas and Bench Decorum
4. Player Uniform Equipment and Safety
Major 2025-26 Rule Changes :
• Substitutions now permitted during temporarily suspended games (water breaks)
• Head coach accountability for bench personnel misconduct (can be cautioned/ejected)
• Only team captains may approach officials between periods (unless beckoned)
• Player numbers may be on front of jersey and/or shorts
, • Rule 18 eliminated—definitions integrated into corresponding rules
Section 1: NFHS Soccer Rules (General Rules) (Questions 1-30)
Q1: Under NFHS rules, what is the minimum length of a soccer field for varsity competition?
• A. 100 yards
• B. 110 yards
• C. 115 yards
• D. 120 yards
[CORRECT] A. 100 yards
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 1-1-2: Field length (touchline) minimum 100 yards, maximum 120 yards.
Width (goal line) minimum 55 yards, maximum 80 yards. Younger age groups may use
smaller fields per state association modification.
Q2: High school soccer games consist of how many halves, and what is the duration of each half?
• A. Two 35-minute halves
• B. Two 40-minute halves
• C. Two 45-minute halves
• D. Four 20-minute quarters
[CORRECT] B. Two 40-minute halves
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 3-1-1: The duration of the game shall be two equal halves of 40 minutes each
(running clock). Halftime interval shall not exceed 10 minutes (NFHS Rule 3-1-2).
Q3: If a high school soccer game is tied at the end of regulation in a tournament that requires a
winner, what is the overtime procedure?
• A. One 10-minute sudden victory period
• B. Two 10-minute sudden victory periods; if still tied, kicks from the penalty mark
, • C. One 15-minute golden goal period
• D. Directly to kicks from the penalty mark
[CORRECT] B. Two 10-minute sudden victory periods; if still tied, kicks from the penalty mark
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 3-3-1: Overtime consists of two 10-minute sudden victory (golden goal)
periods. If still tied, the winner is determined by kicks from the penalty mark (best of 5,
then sudden death). State associations may modify overtime procedures.
Q4: How many officials are required for a varsity high school soccer game under NFHS rules?
• A. One official (referee only)
• B. Two officials (referee and one assistant referee)
• C. Three officials (referee and two assistant referees)
• D. Four officials (referee, two ARs, and fourth official)
[CORRECT] C. Three officials (referee and two assistant referees)
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 5-1-1: The officials shall be a referee and two assistant referees. A fourth
official may be assigned by state association. The referee has full authority during the entire
game.
Q5: The coin toss before the start of the game determines which of the following?
• A. Which team kicks off to start the first half
• B. Which team kicks off to start the second half
• C. Which goal each team will defend
• D. Both A and C
[CORRECT] D. Both A and C
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 4-1-1: The winner of the coin toss may choose which goal to defend OR to kick
off. The loser chooses the remaining option. Teams switch goals at halftime, and the team
that did not start the first half kicks off to start the second half.
, Q6: Under NFHS rules, what are the required dimensions of a soccer goal?
• A. 6 feet high × 18 feet wide
• B. 7 feet high × 21 feet wide
• C. 8 feet high × 24 feet wide
• D. 8 feet high × 20 feet wide
[CORRECT] C. 8 feet high × 24 feet wide
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 1-3-1: The goal shall be 8 feet high (inside measurement) and 24 feet wide
(inside measurement). Goals must be securely anchored to the ground.
Q7: What is the radius of the center circle under NFHS rules?
• A. 8 yards
• B. 10 yards
• C. 12 yards
• D. 15 yards
[CORRECT] B. 10 yards
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 1-2-3: The center circle shall have a 10-yard radius. All opponents must remain
outside the center circle until the ball is in play on kick-off.
Q8: What is the distance of the penalty mark from the goal line?
• A. 10 yards
• B. 12 yards
• C. 18 yards
• D. 20 yards
[CORRECT] B. 12 yards
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
SOCCER RULES AND OFFICIATING | REFEREE CERTIFICATION | VERIFIED
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for high school soccer officials preparing for
the NFHS Soccer Rules Test for the 2025-26 season. The NFHS Soccer Rules Book governs
interscholastic soccer across the United States, emphasizing player safety, fair play, and consistent
officiating .
Exam Information:
• Rules Authority: National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
• Rule Book: NFHS Soccer Rules Book (2025-26 Edition)
• Officials Manual: NFHS Soccer Officials Manual
• Exam Format: Multiple-choice, scenario-based, rule citation
• Target Audience: Referees, assistant referees, assignors, coaches
2025-26 Points of Emphasis :
1. Education Based High School Athletics
2. Courage, Character and Consistency
3. Team Areas and Bench Decorum
4. Player Uniform Equipment and Safety
Major 2025-26 Rule Changes :
• Substitutions now permitted during temporarily suspended games (water breaks)
• Head coach accountability for bench personnel misconduct (can be cautioned/ejected)
• Only team captains may approach officials between periods (unless beckoned)
• Player numbers may be on front of jersey and/or shorts
, • Rule 18 eliminated—definitions integrated into corresponding rules
Section 1: NFHS Soccer Rules (General Rules) (Questions 1-30)
Q1: Under NFHS rules, what is the minimum length of a soccer field for varsity competition?
• A. 100 yards
• B. 110 yards
• C. 115 yards
• D. 120 yards
[CORRECT] A. 100 yards
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 1-1-2: Field length (touchline) minimum 100 yards, maximum 120 yards.
Width (goal line) minimum 55 yards, maximum 80 yards. Younger age groups may use
smaller fields per state association modification.
Q2: High school soccer games consist of how many halves, and what is the duration of each half?
• A. Two 35-minute halves
• B. Two 40-minute halves
• C. Two 45-minute halves
• D. Four 20-minute quarters
[CORRECT] B. Two 40-minute halves
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 3-1-1: The duration of the game shall be two equal halves of 40 minutes each
(running clock). Halftime interval shall not exceed 10 minutes (NFHS Rule 3-1-2).
Q3: If a high school soccer game is tied at the end of regulation in a tournament that requires a
winner, what is the overtime procedure?
• A. One 10-minute sudden victory period
• B. Two 10-minute sudden victory periods; if still tied, kicks from the penalty mark
, • C. One 15-minute golden goal period
• D. Directly to kicks from the penalty mark
[CORRECT] B. Two 10-minute sudden victory periods; if still tied, kicks from the penalty mark
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 3-3-1: Overtime consists of two 10-minute sudden victory (golden goal)
periods. If still tied, the winner is determined by kicks from the penalty mark (best of 5,
then sudden death). State associations may modify overtime procedures.
Q4: How many officials are required for a varsity high school soccer game under NFHS rules?
• A. One official (referee only)
• B. Two officials (referee and one assistant referee)
• C. Three officials (referee and two assistant referees)
• D. Four officials (referee, two ARs, and fourth official)
[CORRECT] C. Three officials (referee and two assistant referees)
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 5-1-1: The officials shall be a referee and two assistant referees. A fourth
official may be assigned by state association. The referee has full authority during the entire
game.
Q5: The coin toss before the start of the game determines which of the following?
• A. Which team kicks off to start the first half
• B. Which team kicks off to start the second half
• C. Which goal each team will defend
• D. Both A and C
[CORRECT] D. Both A and C
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 4-1-1: The winner of the coin toss may choose which goal to defend OR to kick
off. The loser chooses the remaining option. Teams switch goals at halftime, and the team
that did not start the first half kicks off to start the second half.
, Q6: Under NFHS rules, what are the required dimensions of a soccer goal?
• A. 6 feet high × 18 feet wide
• B. 7 feet high × 21 feet wide
• C. 8 feet high × 24 feet wide
• D. 8 feet high × 20 feet wide
[CORRECT] C. 8 feet high × 24 feet wide
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 1-3-1: The goal shall be 8 feet high (inside measurement) and 24 feet wide
(inside measurement). Goals must be securely anchored to the ground.
Q7: What is the radius of the center circle under NFHS rules?
• A. 8 yards
• B. 10 yards
• C. 12 yards
• D. 15 yards
[CORRECT] B. 10 yards
Rationale:
• NFHS Rule 1-2-3: The center circle shall have a 10-yard radius. All opponents must remain
outside the center circle until the ball is in play on kick-off.
Q8: What is the distance of the penalty mark from the goal line?
• A. 10 yards
• B. 12 yards
• C. 18 yards
• D. 20 yards
[CORRECT] B. 12 yards
