NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE
NFHS
LLABB
EST. 1920
HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
Basketball Officiating — Official Signals
Official NFHS Basketball Signals Examination
ASSESSMENT FOR BASKETBALL OFFICIALS — MECHANICS & SIGNALS
INSTITUTION PROGRAM
National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Officiating Certification
EXAM CODE EXAM TITLE
NFHS-BB-SIGNALS-2025 Official NFHS Basketball Signals Assessment
ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL QUESTIONS
2025–2026 40
EXAM FORMAT ACCREDITATION BODY
Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best Answer NFHS Officials Association
General Instructions
▸ Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice item.
▸ This examination covers the official NFHS basketball officiating signals including clock management, scoring,
violations, fouls, timeouts, and free throw administration.
▸ All questions reference current NFHS Basketball Rules Book signals.
▸ Electronic devices, notes, and reference materials are prohibited during the examination.
Q MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 40 Questions
,1. What is the official NFHS signal to start the clock?
A. Raise an open hand in the air with whistle
B. Semi raised fist
C. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
D. A fist raised in the air with whistle
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Semi raised fist
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal to start the clock is a semi raised fist. The official raises one arm with a partially closed fist and
then opens the hand to signal the clock operator to start the game clock. Option A is the stop clock signal.
Option C is the stop clock for jump/held ball signal. Option D is the stop clock for foul signal.
2. What signal does an official use to stop the clock?
A. Raise an open hand in the air with whistle
B. Semi raised fist
C. Both arms extended out from sides
D. Point index finger toward the spot
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Raise an open hand in the air with whistle
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal to stop the clock is raising an open hand in the air, accompanied by a whistle blast. This is the
primary signal used to stop play. The open hand is raised straight above the head. Option B is the start clock
signal. Option C is the not clearly guarded signal. Option D is the designated spot signal.
, 3. How does an official signal to stop the clock for a jump ball or held ball situation?
A. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
B. A fist raised in the air with whistle
C. Semi raised fist
D. Both arms fully extended from sides
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal for a jump ball or held ball is two thumbs up raised with a whistle. This signal communicates to
the scorer and timer that the clock should stop and that the possession arrow will determine which team gets
the ball. Option B is the stop clock for foul signal. Option C starts the clock. Option D signals not clearly guarded.
4. What signal does an official use to stop the clock for a foul?
A. A fist raised in the air with whistle
B. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
C. Open hand raised in the air with whistle
D. Semi raised fist
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. A fist raised in the air with whistle
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal to stop the clock for a foul is a closed fist raised in the air with a whistle. This distinct signal
differentiates foul calls from other clock-stopping situations. After this preliminary signal, the official then
signals the type of foul and the penalty. Option B is for jump/held ball. Option C is general stop clock. Option D
starts the clock.
NFHS
LLABB
EST. 1920
HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
Basketball Officiating — Official Signals
Official NFHS Basketball Signals Examination
ASSESSMENT FOR BASKETBALL OFFICIALS — MECHANICS & SIGNALS
INSTITUTION PROGRAM
National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Officiating Certification
EXAM CODE EXAM TITLE
NFHS-BB-SIGNALS-2025 Official NFHS Basketball Signals Assessment
ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL QUESTIONS
2025–2026 40
EXAM FORMAT ACCREDITATION BODY
Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best Answer NFHS Officials Association
General Instructions
▸ Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice item.
▸ This examination covers the official NFHS basketball officiating signals including clock management, scoring,
violations, fouls, timeouts, and free throw administration.
▸ All questions reference current NFHS Basketball Rules Book signals.
▸ Electronic devices, notes, and reference materials are prohibited during the examination.
Q MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 40 Questions
,1. What is the official NFHS signal to start the clock?
A. Raise an open hand in the air with whistle
B. Semi raised fist
C. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
D. A fist raised in the air with whistle
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Semi raised fist
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal to start the clock is a semi raised fist. The official raises one arm with a partially closed fist and
then opens the hand to signal the clock operator to start the game clock. Option A is the stop clock signal.
Option C is the stop clock for jump/held ball signal. Option D is the stop clock for foul signal.
2. What signal does an official use to stop the clock?
A. Raise an open hand in the air with whistle
B. Semi raised fist
C. Both arms extended out from sides
D. Point index finger toward the spot
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Raise an open hand in the air with whistle
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal to stop the clock is raising an open hand in the air, accompanied by a whistle blast. This is the
primary signal used to stop play. The open hand is raised straight above the head. Option B is the start clock
signal. Option C is the not clearly guarded signal. Option D is the designated spot signal.
, 3. How does an official signal to stop the clock for a jump ball or held ball situation?
A. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
B. A fist raised in the air with whistle
C. Semi raised fist
D. Both arms fully extended from sides
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal for a jump ball or held ball is two thumbs up raised with a whistle. This signal communicates to
the scorer and timer that the clock should stop and that the possession arrow will determine which team gets
the ball. Option B is the stop clock for foul signal. Option C starts the clock. Option D signals not clearly guarded.
4. What signal does an official use to stop the clock for a foul?
A. A fist raised in the air with whistle
B. Two thumbs up raised with whistle
C. Open hand raised in the air with whistle
D. Semi raised fist
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. A fist raised in the air with whistle
RATIONALE:
The NFHS signal to stop the clock for a foul is a closed fist raised in the air with a whistle. This distinct signal
differentiates foul calls from other clock-stopping situations. After this preliminary signal, the official then
signals the type of foul and the penalty. Option B is for jump/held ball. Option C is general stop clock. Option D
starts the clock.
