NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 2026/2027 | Page 1 | Passing Score: 80%
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
NFHS Basketball Exam
Version 1
Official Officials Certification 2026/2027
100 80% Every 2 Years
QUESTIONS PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Player Positioning & Substitutions Q1-Q20
Section 2 Violations & Infractions Q21-Q40
Section 3 Fouls & Penalties Q41-Q60
Section 4 Officials' Duties & Mechanics Q61-Q80
Section 5 Game Administration & Special Situations Q81-Q100
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. This exam is designed for NFHS Basketball Officials Certification
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 52
, SECTION 1 | Player Positioning & Substitutions | Q1-Q20 | NFHS Basketball V1 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
During a free throw for Team A, A1 is at the free-throw line and A2 and A3 occupy the first two
marked lane spaces on each side. Team B has B1 and B2 occupying the second marked lane
spaces. The official rules that the third marked lane spaces must remain unoccupied by either
team. Is this ruling correct?
A. No, the third marked lane spaces may be occupied by offensive players only
B. No, the third marked lane spaces may be occupied by defensive players only
C. Yes, only the first and second marked lane spaces may be occupied during a free throw
D. No, any player may occupy any marked lane space not already filled
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Team B has priority for the first two marked lane spaces nearest the basket, and the third spaces must
remain vacant during a free throw. This rule ensures that excessive crowding near the basket does not
create an advantage or safety hazard for either team.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
Team A is awarded a designated-spot throw-in along the sideline. A1 receives the ball from
the official and begins dribbling parallel to the boundary line before releasing the throw-in
pass. The official blows the whistle for a violation. What is the correct ruling?
A. The official is incorrect because the thrower may dribble if staying within the designated spot
B. The official is correct because the thrower cannot dribble before releasing the throw-in pass
C. The official is correct only if A1 moved more than three feet from the designated spot
D. The official is incorrect because dribbling is allowed during any designated-spot throw-in
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
On a designated-spot throw-in, the thrower may not dribble the ball before releasing the throw-in pass. The
thrower has five seconds to release the ball and may move only within a three-foot area, but dribbling before
the pass constitutes a violation under NFHS rules.
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 52
, SECTION 1 | Player Positioning & Substitutions | Q1-Q20 | NFHS Basketball V1 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 100
With 2:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, Team A requests and is granted a timeout. Upon
returning from the timeout, Team A wants to substitute A6 for A1. The official allows the
substitution. Team B's coach objects, claiming that substitutes cannot enter during a timeout
in the final two minutes. What should the ruling be?
A. The coach is correct because substitutes may not enter in the final two minutes of the fourth
quarter
B. The official is correct only if Team B was also granted a substitution opportunity
C. The coach is correct because only injury substitutions are allowed in the final two minutes
D. The official is correct because either team may substitute during any timeout regardless of the
time remaining
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Under NFHS rules, either team may substitute during any charged timeout, including timeouts in the final
two minutes of the fourth quarter. There is no restriction on substitution during a timeout based on the time
remaining in the game.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A1 is performing a throw-in from the end line after Team B scores a basket. A1 steps onto the
court while still holding the ball before releasing the throw-in pass. The official rules this a
throw-in violation. Is this the correct call?
A. No, the thrower is allowed to step on the court on an end-line throw-in after a made basket
B. Yes, the thrower may not step onto the court while in possession of the ball during a throw-in
C. Yes, but only because the throw-in was from the end line rather than the sideline
D. No, the thrower may run the baseline and step on the court freely after any made basket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
On a throw-in after a made basket, the thrower may run the baseline but may not step onto the court while in
possession of the ball. Crossing the boundary plane with the foot on the court constitutes a throw-in violation
and results in the ball being awarded to the opposing team.
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 52
, SECTION 1 | Player Positioning & Substitutions | Q1-Q20 | NFHS Basketball V1 2026/2027
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A1 is positioned in the lane for more than three seconds while Team A has control of the ball
in the frontcourt. A1 steps out of the lane just before the official counts three seconds. The
official does not call a violation. Team B's coach argues that A1 was in the lane for more than
three seconds. What is the correct interpretation?
A. A violation occurred because A1 was in the lane for more than three consecutive seconds
B. No violation occurred because A1 left the lane before the count reached three seconds
C. No violation occurred because the three-second count resets when a shot is attempted
D. A violation occurred only if A1 received the ball while in the lane for three seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The three-second count requires a player to remain in the lane for three consecutive seconds. If the player
exits the lane before the count reaches three, no violation has occurred. The official's judgment on the timing
of the count is not protestable.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
Team A has six players on the court during a live ball. The officials do not notice until after
Team B scores a basket. The table notifies the officials that Team A had six players
participating. What is the correct procedure?
A. The basket by Team B is canceled and the extra player is removed with no additional penalty
B. Assess Team A with a technical foul and cancel the basket by Team B
C. Assess Team A with a technical foul and remove the extra player; the basket by Team B counts
D. Remove the extra player with no penalty because the ball was dead when the violation was
discovered
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
When a team has six players participating and this is discovered while the ball is live, a technical foul is
assessed to the head coach for having more than five players participating. Any score by the opposing team
counts, and the extra player is removed from the game.
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 52
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
NFHS Basketball Exam
Version 1
Official Officials Certification 2026/2027
100 80% Every 2 Years
QUESTIONS PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Player Positioning & Substitutions Q1-Q20
Section 2 Violations & Infractions Q21-Q40
Section 3 Fouls & Penalties Q41-Q60
Section 4 Officials' Duties & Mechanics Q61-Q80
Section 5 Game Administration & Special Situations Q81-Q100
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. This exam is designed for NFHS Basketball Officials Certification
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 52
, SECTION 1 | Player Positioning & Substitutions | Q1-Q20 | NFHS Basketball V1 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
During a free throw for Team A, A1 is at the free-throw line and A2 and A3 occupy the first two
marked lane spaces on each side. Team B has B1 and B2 occupying the second marked lane
spaces. The official rules that the third marked lane spaces must remain unoccupied by either
team. Is this ruling correct?
A. No, the third marked lane spaces may be occupied by offensive players only
B. No, the third marked lane spaces may be occupied by defensive players only
C. Yes, only the first and second marked lane spaces may be occupied during a free throw
D. No, any player may occupy any marked lane space not already filled
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Team B has priority for the first two marked lane spaces nearest the basket, and the third spaces must
remain vacant during a free throw. This rule ensures that excessive crowding near the basket does not
create an advantage or safety hazard for either team.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
Team A is awarded a designated-spot throw-in along the sideline. A1 receives the ball from
the official and begins dribbling parallel to the boundary line before releasing the throw-in
pass. The official blows the whistle for a violation. What is the correct ruling?
A. The official is incorrect because the thrower may dribble if staying within the designated spot
B. The official is correct because the thrower cannot dribble before releasing the throw-in pass
C. The official is correct only if A1 moved more than three feet from the designated spot
D. The official is incorrect because dribbling is allowed during any designated-spot throw-in
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
On a designated-spot throw-in, the thrower may not dribble the ball before releasing the throw-in pass. The
thrower has five seconds to release the ball and may move only within a three-foot area, but dribbling before
the pass constitutes a violation under NFHS rules.
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 52
, SECTION 1 | Player Positioning & Substitutions | Q1-Q20 | NFHS Basketball V1 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 100
With 2:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, Team A requests and is granted a timeout. Upon
returning from the timeout, Team A wants to substitute A6 for A1. The official allows the
substitution. Team B's coach objects, claiming that substitutes cannot enter during a timeout
in the final two minutes. What should the ruling be?
A. The coach is correct because substitutes may not enter in the final two minutes of the fourth
quarter
B. The official is correct only if Team B was also granted a substitution opportunity
C. The coach is correct because only injury substitutions are allowed in the final two minutes
D. The official is correct because either team may substitute during any timeout regardless of the
time remaining
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Under NFHS rules, either team may substitute during any charged timeout, including timeouts in the final
two minutes of the fourth quarter. There is no restriction on substitution during a timeout based on the time
remaining in the game.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A1 is performing a throw-in from the end line after Team B scores a basket. A1 steps onto the
court while still holding the ball before releasing the throw-in pass. The official rules this a
throw-in violation. Is this the correct call?
A. No, the thrower is allowed to step on the court on an end-line throw-in after a made basket
B. Yes, the thrower may not step onto the court while in possession of the ball during a throw-in
C. Yes, but only because the throw-in was from the end line rather than the sideline
D. No, the thrower may run the baseline and step on the court freely after any made basket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
On a throw-in after a made basket, the thrower may run the baseline but may not step onto the court while in
possession of the ball. Crossing the boundary plane with the foot on the court constitutes a throw-in violation
and results in the ball being awarded to the opposing team.
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 52
, SECTION 1 | Player Positioning & Substitutions | Q1-Q20 | NFHS Basketball V1 2026/2027
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A1 is positioned in the lane for more than three seconds while Team A has control of the ball
in the frontcourt. A1 steps out of the lane just before the official counts three seconds. The
official does not call a violation. Team B's coach argues that A1 was in the lane for more than
three seconds. What is the correct interpretation?
A. A violation occurred because A1 was in the lane for more than three consecutive seconds
B. No violation occurred because A1 left the lane before the count reached three seconds
C. No violation occurred because the three-second count resets when a shot is attempted
D. A violation occurred only if A1 received the ball while in the lane for three seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The three-second count requires a player to remain in the lane for three consecutive seconds. If the player
exits the lane before the count reaches three, no violation has occurred. The official's judgment on the timing
of the count is not protestable.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
Team A has six players on the court during a live ball. The officials do not notice until after
Team B scores a basket. The table notifies the officials that Team A had six players
participating. What is the correct procedure?
A. The basket by Team B is canceled and the extra player is removed with no additional penalty
B. Assess Team A with a technical foul and cancel the basket by Team B
C. Assess Team A with a technical foul and remove the extra player; the basket by Team B counts
D. Remove the extra player with no penalty because the ball was dead when the violation was
discovered
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
When a team has six players participating and this is discovered while the ball is live, a technical foul is
assessed to the head coach for having more than five players participating. Any score by the opposing team
counts, and the extra player is removed from the game.
NFHS Basketball Exam Version 1 - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 52
