NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE
NFHS
HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
8102
EST. 1920
Basketball Officiating — Rules Certification
NFHS Basketball Rules Examination
2018 EDITION — OFFICIAL RULES ASSESSMENT FOR BASKETBALL OFFICIALS
INSTITUTION PROGRAM
National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Officiating Certification
EXAM CODE EXAM TITLE
NFHS-BB-RULES-2018 NFHS Basketball Rules Test — 2018 Edition
ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL QUESTIONS
2018–2019 70
EXAM FORMAT ACCREDITATION BODY
Multiple Choice & True/False — 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 Rules including game administration, violations, fouls,
free throws, timing, and official mechanics.
▸ All questions reference the NFHS Basketball Rules Book and Case Book.
▸ Electronic devices, notes, and reference materials are prohibited during the examination.
Q MULTIPLE CHOICE & TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS 70 Questions
,1. A player shall not, while closely guarded in his/her frontcourt:
A. Hold the ball for five seconds
B. Dribble the ball for five seconds
C. Combine holding and dribbling the ball for five seconds
D. All of the Above
E. A and B
CORRECT ANSWER:
E. A and B
RATIONALE:
Under NFHS rules, the closely guarded count applies when a player is holding OR dribbling the ball in the
frontcourt while being guarded within 6 feet. However, the five-second count is measured separately for holding
and dribbling — they are NOT combined. A player cannot hold the ball for 5 seconds or dribble the ball for 5
seconds while closely guarded. Option C is incorrect because the counts for holding and dribbling are not
combined into a single 5-second period.
2. The use of electronic devices on the bench is permitted in all instances, EXCEPT:
A. Gathering of statistics
B. Communication with a player on the court
C. Recording Video
D. Retrieval of a play from the internet
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Communication with a player on the court
RATIONALE:
NFHS rules permit the use of electronic devices on the bench for various purposes including gathering statistics,
recording video, and retrieving plays. However, electronic communication with players on the court during the
game is strictly prohibited. This prevents unfair coaching advantages and maintains the integrity of on-court
play. Options A, C, and D are all permitted uses of electronic devices on the bench.
,3. The ball is out of bounds when it touches:
A. A player out of bounds
B. The ceiling or overhead equipment
C. An official out of bounds
D. The supports of the backboard
E. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER:
E. All of the above
RATIONALE:
Per NFHS rules, the ball is out of bounds when it touches a player who is out of bounds, any other person
(including an official) who is out of bounds, the floor or any object on or outside a boundary line, the supports
or back of the backboard, or the ceiling, overhead equipment, or supports. All listed scenarios constitute an out-
of-bounds situation.
4. All of the following are true statements regarding lane spaces being occupied during free throws, EXCEPT:
A. A maximum of four defensive and two offensive players are permitted
B. The first marked lane spaces may be occupied by the defense or offense
C. The lane areas from the end line, up to and including the neutral zone
D. Not more than one player may occupy any part of a marked lane space
E. Players who do not occupy a marked lane space, other than the thrower, must be behind the free throw line
extended and behind the three point arc
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. The first marked lane spaces may be occupied by the defense or offense
RATIONALE:
Under NFHS rules, the first marked lane spaces (closest to the basket) must be occupied by the DEFENSE only —
the offense is prohibited from occupying those spaces. The defense must occupy the bottom two spaces on the
lane. Options A, C, D, and E are all correct statements regarding free throw lane space requirements.
, 5. What type of penalty is assessed when a player leaves the playing court for an unauthorized reason to
demonstrate resentment, disgust, or intimidation?
A. A technical foul
B. An intentional foul
C. A flagrant foul
D. A double foul
E. A common foul
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. A technical foul
RATIONALE:
Leaving the playing court for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust, or intimidation is a
technical foul under NFHS rules. This is an unsporting act that warrants a technical foul penalty. Note: the
source material also notes this is NOT a violation — it is specifically a technical foul. It results in two free throws
and possession for the opposing team.
6. A situation in which there is a foul by both teams at approximately the same time, but the fouls are not
committed by opponents against each other, is known as:
A. A simultaneous foul
B. A double foul
C. A false double foul
D. A multiple foul
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. A simultaneous foul
RATIONALE:
A simultaneous foul occurs when there is a foul by both teams at approximately the same time, but the fouls are
NOT committed by opponents against each other. This differs from a double foul (B) where opponents do foul
each other. A false double foul (C) occurs when fouls by both teams happen sequentially with one occurring
before the clock starts after the first foul.
NFHS
HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
8102
EST. 1920
Basketball Officiating — Rules Certification
NFHS Basketball Rules Examination
2018 EDITION — OFFICIAL RULES ASSESSMENT FOR BASKETBALL OFFICIALS
INSTITUTION PROGRAM
National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Officiating Certification
EXAM CODE EXAM TITLE
NFHS-BB-RULES-2018 NFHS Basketball Rules Test — 2018 Edition
ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL QUESTIONS
2018–2019 70
EXAM FORMAT ACCREDITATION BODY
Multiple Choice & True/False — 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 Rules including game administration, violations, fouls,
free throws, timing, and official mechanics.
▸ All questions reference the NFHS Basketball Rules Book and Case Book.
▸ Electronic devices, notes, and reference materials are prohibited during the examination.
Q MULTIPLE CHOICE & TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS 70 Questions
,1. A player shall not, while closely guarded in his/her frontcourt:
A. Hold the ball for five seconds
B. Dribble the ball for five seconds
C. Combine holding and dribbling the ball for five seconds
D. All of the Above
E. A and B
CORRECT ANSWER:
E. A and B
RATIONALE:
Under NFHS rules, the closely guarded count applies when a player is holding OR dribbling the ball in the
frontcourt while being guarded within 6 feet. However, the five-second count is measured separately for holding
and dribbling — they are NOT combined. A player cannot hold the ball for 5 seconds or dribble the ball for 5
seconds while closely guarded. Option C is incorrect because the counts for holding and dribbling are not
combined into a single 5-second period.
2. The use of electronic devices on the bench is permitted in all instances, EXCEPT:
A. Gathering of statistics
B. Communication with a player on the court
C. Recording Video
D. Retrieval of a play from the internet
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. Communication with a player on the court
RATIONALE:
NFHS rules permit the use of electronic devices on the bench for various purposes including gathering statistics,
recording video, and retrieving plays. However, electronic communication with players on the court during the
game is strictly prohibited. This prevents unfair coaching advantages and maintains the integrity of on-court
play. Options A, C, and D are all permitted uses of electronic devices on the bench.
,3. The ball is out of bounds when it touches:
A. A player out of bounds
B. The ceiling or overhead equipment
C. An official out of bounds
D. The supports of the backboard
E. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER:
E. All of the above
RATIONALE:
Per NFHS rules, the ball is out of bounds when it touches a player who is out of bounds, any other person
(including an official) who is out of bounds, the floor or any object on or outside a boundary line, the supports
or back of the backboard, or the ceiling, overhead equipment, or supports. All listed scenarios constitute an out-
of-bounds situation.
4. All of the following are true statements regarding lane spaces being occupied during free throws, EXCEPT:
A. A maximum of four defensive and two offensive players are permitted
B. The first marked lane spaces may be occupied by the defense or offense
C. The lane areas from the end line, up to and including the neutral zone
D. Not more than one player may occupy any part of a marked lane space
E. Players who do not occupy a marked lane space, other than the thrower, must be behind the free throw line
extended and behind the three point arc
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. The first marked lane spaces may be occupied by the defense or offense
RATIONALE:
Under NFHS rules, the first marked lane spaces (closest to the basket) must be occupied by the DEFENSE only —
the offense is prohibited from occupying those spaces. The defense must occupy the bottom two spaces on the
lane. Options A, C, D, and E are all correct statements regarding free throw lane space requirements.
, 5. What type of penalty is assessed when a player leaves the playing court for an unauthorized reason to
demonstrate resentment, disgust, or intimidation?
A. A technical foul
B. An intentional foul
C. A flagrant foul
D. A double foul
E. A common foul
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. A technical foul
RATIONALE:
Leaving the playing court for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust, or intimidation is a
technical foul under NFHS rules. This is an unsporting act that warrants a technical foul penalty. Note: the
source material also notes this is NOT a violation — it is specifically a technical foul. It results in two free throws
and possession for the opposing team.
6. A situation in which there is a foul by both teams at approximately the same time, but the fouls are not
committed by opponents against each other, is known as:
A. A simultaneous foul
B. A double foul
C. A false double foul
D. A multiple foul
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. A simultaneous foul
RATIONALE:
A simultaneous foul occurs when there is a foul by both teams at approximately the same time, but the fouls are
NOT committed by opponents against each other. This differs from a double foul (B) where opponents do foul
each other. A false double foul (C) occurs when fouls by both teams happen sequentially with one occurring
before the clock starts after the first foul.
