NFHS Soccer Rules Test Actual Exam 2026/2027: Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Field, Equipment & Player Rules | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Game Officials & Duties | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Fouls, Misconduct & Penalties | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Free Kicks, Restarts & Offside | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Timing, Substitutions & Match Procedures | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: FIELD, EQUIPMENT & PLAYER RULES Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A referee is inspecting player equipment before a varsity match. A midfielder is wearing
soft padded headgear for concussion protection, covered earrings with medical tape,
and standard shin guards under socks. The referee should rule that:
A. The headgear is legal but the earrings must be removed regardless of taping ✓
CORRECT
B. All equipment is legal because the headgear is padded and the earrings are covered
C. The headgear and taped earrings are legal but the shin guards must be worn over the
socks
D. The shin guards are legal but the headgear is not permitted in NFHS play
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NFHS rules prohibit all jewelry including earrings regardless of taping or
covering, and the headgear must be soft padded and approved. Shin guards must be
,worn under the socks. The taped earrings option is tempting because some think tape
suffices, but NFHS requires removal.
Question 2 of 50
During pregame inspection, the referee notices the home team's goalkeeper jersey is
bright orange while the field players wear blue. The visiting team's jerseys are also
orange. The referee should:
A. Allow the game to begin because the goalkeeper is exempt from color conflicts
B. Require the home team goalkeeper to change to a color distinct from both teams ✓
CORRECT
C. Require the visiting team to change because they are the away team
D. Require both teams to wear pinnies over their jerseys for the entire match
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The goalkeeper must wear a jersey color distinct from both teams and the
officials. The home team doesn't automatically get priority on colors. Pinnies are
impractical for 90 minutes.
Question 3 of 50
A varsity match is about to begin and the referee discovers the game ball is a Size 4
instead of Size 5. The home coach offers to use a Size 5 basketball since no soccer ball
is available. The referee should:
A. Allow the Size 4 ball since it is safer for younger players
B. Permit the basketball because both coaches agree to the substitution
C. Delay the match until a proper Size 5 soccer ball meeting NFHS specifications is
obtained ✓ CORRECT
D. Start the match on time and assess a technical foul against the home team
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: NFHS requires a Size 5 ball for varsity play with specific circumference and
weight. A basketball does not meet specifications. Delaying the match is the correct
procedure rather than compromising equipment standards.
Question 4 of 50
The referee notices a defender wearing a hard plastic knee brace without any padding
during pregame inspection. The player says it is medically necessary. The referee
should:
A. Allow the brace because medical devices cannot be restricted by game officials
B. Permit the brace only if the player provides a doctor's note before the match
C. Require the brace to be padded with a closed-cell slow-recovery foam cover to be
legal
D. Require the brace to be removed or padded because hard braces without padding are
prohibited ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: NFHS allows braces and casts if properly padded to prevent injury to others.
A doctor's note is not required by NFHS rules for a brace. Hard braces without padding
are dangerous in contact sports.
Question 5 of 50
A team shows up with 10 players ready to start the match. The coach says one more
player is parking and will arrive within 5 minutes. The referee should:
A. Start the match on time with 10 players and allow the 11th to enter when they arrive
✓ CORRECT
B. Delay kickoff up to 15 minutes to allow the team to field 11 players
C. Forfeit the match because a team must have exactly 11 players to begin
D. Allow the team to borrow a player from the junior varsity squad
Correct Answer: A
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Field, Equipment & Player Rules | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Game Officials & Duties | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Fouls, Misconduct & Penalties | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Free Kicks, Restarts & Offside | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Timing, Substitutions & Match Procedures | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: FIELD, EQUIPMENT & PLAYER RULES Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A referee is inspecting player equipment before a varsity match. A midfielder is wearing
soft padded headgear for concussion protection, covered earrings with medical tape,
and standard shin guards under socks. The referee should rule that:
A. The headgear is legal but the earrings must be removed regardless of taping ✓
CORRECT
B. All equipment is legal because the headgear is padded and the earrings are covered
C. The headgear and taped earrings are legal but the shin guards must be worn over the
socks
D. The shin guards are legal but the headgear is not permitted in NFHS play
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NFHS rules prohibit all jewelry including earrings regardless of taping or
covering, and the headgear must be soft padded and approved. Shin guards must be
,worn under the socks. The taped earrings option is tempting because some think tape
suffices, but NFHS requires removal.
Question 2 of 50
During pregame inspection, the referee notices the home team's goalkeeper jersey is
bright orange while the field players wear blue. The visiting team's jerseys are also
orange. The referee should:
A. Allow the game to begin because the goalkeeper is exempt from color conflicts
B. Require the home team goalkeeper to change to a color distinct from both teams ✓
CORRECT
C. Require the visiting team to change because they are the away team
D. Require both teams to wear pinnies over their jerseys for the entire match
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The goalkeeper must wear a jersey color distinct from both teams and the
officials. The home team doesn't automatically get priority on colors. Pinnies are
impractical for 90 minutes.
Question 3 of 50
A varsity match is about to begin and the referee discovers the game ball is a Size 4
instead of Size 5. The home coach offers to use a Size 5 basketball since no soccer ball
is available. The referee should:
A. Allow the Size 4 ball since it is safer for younger players
B. Permit the basketball because both coaches agree to the substitution
C. Delay the match until a proper Size 5 soccer ball meeting NFHS specifications is
obtained ✓ CORRECT
D. Start the match on time and assess a technical foul against the home team
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: NFHS requires a Size 5 ball for varsity play with specific circumference and
weight. A basketball does not meet specifications. Delaying the match is the correct
procedure rather than compromising equipment standards.
Question 4 of 50
The referee notices a defender wearing a hard plastic knee brace without any padding
during pregame inspection. The player says it is medically necessary. The referee
should:
A. Allow the brace because medical devices cannot be restricted by game officials
B. Permit the brace only if the player provides a doctor's note before the match
C. Require the brace to be padded with a closed-cell slow-recovery foam cover to be
legal
D. Require the brace to be removed or padded because hard braces without padding are
prohibited ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: NFHS allows braces and casts if properly padded to prevent injury to others.
A doctor's note is not required by NFHS rules for a brace. Hard braces without padding
are dangerous in contact sports.
Question 5 of 50
A team shows up with 10 players ready to start the match. The coach says one more
player is parking and will arrive within 5 minutes. The referee should:
A. Start the match on time with 10 players and allow the 11th to enter when they arrive
✓ CORRECT
B. Delay kickoff up to 15 minutes to allow the team to field 11 players
C. Forfeit the match because a team must have exactly 11 players to begin
D. Allow the team to borrow a player from the junior varsity squad
Correct Answer: A
