National Federation of State High
6202 • MAXE SELUR
★ ★
NF School Associations
NFHS Basketball Rules Examination
EST. 1920
O F F I C I AT I N G • I N T E G R I T Y • FA I R P L A Y
NFHS Basketball Rules Examination
CO M P R E H E N S I V E R U L E S A SS E SS M E N T: L I V E B A L L , V I O L AT I O N S , F O U LS & G A M E P R O C E D U R E S
ORGANIZATION National Federation of State High School EXAM TYPE Basketball Rules Comprehensive
Associations (NFHS) Examination
LEVEL High School Basketball Officiating ACADEMIC YEAR
TOTAL QUESTIONS 50 Questions FORMAT True/False & Multiple Choice
CONTENT AREAS Live Ball, Violations, Fouls, Free Throws, ANSWER KEY Verified NFHS Rulings
Game Management
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice question, or indicate True/False as specified.
▸ This comprehensive examination covers NFHS Basketball Rules including: live ball/dead ball, violations (traveling, dribbling,
backcourt), fouls (personal, technical, flagrant), free throws, jump balls, alternating possession, and game management.
▸ The correct NFHS ruling and rationale appear below each question.
▸ All answers are based on the current NFHS Basketball Rules Book and Case Book.
LIVE BALL, VIOLATIONS, FOULS, FREE THROWS & GAME MANAGEMENT Questions 1 – 50
1. The ball becomes live on a throw-in when:
A. It leaves the official's hands
B. It is at the thrower's disposal
C. It is released by the thrower
D. It touches a player on the court
CORRECT ANSWER B — It is at the thrower's disposal
NFHS RULING The ball becomes live on a throw-in when the ball is at the disposal of the thrower. On a jump ball, the ball
becomes live when it leaves the official's hand. On a free throw, the ball becomes live when at the disposal
of the shooter.
, 2. A player who catches the ball with both feet on the floor may pivot using either foot. Once one foot is lifted, what
happens to the other foot?
A. It becomes a free foot
B. It becomes the pivot foot
C. Both feet remain pivot feet
D. The player must pass or shoot immediately
CORRECT ANSWER B — It becomes the pivot foot
NFHS RULING When a player catches the ball with both feet on the floor, either foot may be the pivot. Once one foot is
lifted, the other foot automatically becomes the pivot foot. The player may not return the lifted foot to the
floor before releasing the ball on a pass or try.
3. A technical foul occurs when a player grabs the rim. Which of the following is NOT a legal reason to grab the rim?
A. Dunking the basketball
B. Preventing injury to oneself or another player
C. Attempting to block or stuff a shot attempt
D. To show excitement after a made basket
CORRECT ANSWER D — To show excitement after a made basket
NFHS RULING Grabbing the rim is permitted only when dunking, preventing injury, or attempting to block/stuff a shot.
Grabbing the rim to show excitement, pull oneself up, or hang on the rim unnecessarily is a technical foul.
Striking the backboard causing it to vibrate excessively is also a technical foul.
4. A bench technical foul is assessed when bench personnel do all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Disrespect an official
B. Use inappropriate language
C. Request a timeout during a dead ball
D. Participate in fighting
CORRECT ANSWER C — Request a timeout during a dead ball
NFHS RULING A bench technical foul is assessed for disrespect toward officials, inappropriate language, or fighting.
Requesting a timeout during a dead ball is a legitimate coaching action. Officials may warn the head coach;
the head coach receives the indirect technical either way—2 free throws and throw-in at the division line.
5. A closely guarded count shall NOT be started during which situation?
A. When a player is holding the ball in the frontcourt
B. During a dribble in the backcourt
C. When a player is holding the ball in the backcourt
D. During an interrupted dribble
CORRECT ANSWER D — During an interrupted dribble
NFHS RULING A closely guarded count is not started during an interrupted dribble. The count requires a player to be
holding or dribbling the ball in the frontcourt with a defender within 6 feet in a legal guarding position. The
count resets each time there is a change in the ball handler or the defender.
6202 • MAXE SELUR
★ ★
NF School Associations
NFHS Basketball Rules Examination
EST. 1920
O F F I C I AT I N G • I N T E G R I T Y • FA I R P L A Y
NFHS Basketball Rules Examination
CO M P R E H E N S I V E R U L E S A SS E SS M E N T: L I V E B A L L , V I O L AT I O N S , F O U LS & G A M E P R O C E D U R E S
ORGANIZATION National Federation of State High School EXAM TYPE Basketball Rules Comprehensive
Associations (NFHS) Examination
LEVEL High School Basketball Officiating ACADEMIC YEAR
TOTAL QUESTIONS 50 Questions FORMAT True/False & Multiple Choice
CONTENT AREAS Live Ball, Violations, Fouls, Free Throws, ANSWER KEY Verified NFHS Rulings
Game Management
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice question, or indicate True/False as specified.
▸ This comprehensive examination covers NFHS Basketball Rules including: live ball/dead ball, violations (traveling, dribbling,
backcourt), fouls (personal, technical, flagrant), free throws, jump balls, alternating possession, and game management.
▸ The correct NFHS ruling and rationale appear below each question.
▸ All answers are based on the current NFHS Basketball Rules Book and Case Book.
LIVE BALL, VIOLATIONS, FOULS, FREE THROWS & GAME MANAGEMENT Questions 1 – 50
1. The ball becomes live on a throw-in when:
A. It leaves the official's hands
B. It is at the thrower's disposal
C. It is released by the thrower
D. It touches a player on the court
CORRECT ANSWER B — It is at the thrower's disposal
NFHS RULING The ball becomes live on a throw-in when the ball is at the disposal of the thrower. On a jump ball, the ball
becomes live when it leaves the official's hand. On a free throw, the ball becomes live when at the disposal
of the shooter.
, 2. A player who catches the ball with both feet on the floor may pivot using either foot. Once one foot is lifted, what
happens to the other foot?
A. It becomes a free foot
B. It becomes the pivot foot
C. Both feet remain pivot feet
D. The player must pass or shoot immediately
CORRECT ANSWER B — It becomes the pivot foot
NFHS RULING When a player catches the ball with both feet on the floor, either foot may be the pivot. Once one foot is
lifted, the other foot automatically becomes the pivot foot. The player may not return the lifted foot to the
floor before releasing the ball on a pass or try.
3. A technical foul occurs when a player grabs the rim. Which of the following is NOT a legal reason to grab the rim?
A. Dunking the basketball
B. Preventing injury to oneself or another player
C. Attempting to block or stuff a shot attempt
D. To show excitement after a made basket
CORRECT ANSWER D — To show excitement after a made basket
NFHS RULING Grabbing the rim is permitted only when dunking, preventing injury, or attempting to block/stuff a shot.
Grabbing the rim to show excitement, pull oneself up, or hang on the rim unnecessarily is a technical foul.
Striking the backboard causing it to vibrate excessively is also a technical foul.
4. A bench technical foul is assessed when bench personnel do all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Disrespect an official
B. Use inappropriate language
C. Request a timeout during a dead ball
D. Participate in fighting
CORRECT ANSWER C — Request a timeout during a dead ball
NFHS RULING A bench technical foul is assessed for disrespect toward officials, inappropriate language, or fighting.
Requesting a timeout during a dead ball is a legitimate coaching action. Officials may warn the head coach;
the head coach receives the indirect technical either way—2 free throws and throw-in at the division line.
5. A closely guarded count shall NOT be started during which situation?
A. When a player is holding the ball in the frontcourt
B. During a dribble in the backcourt
C. When a player is holding the ball in the backcourt
D. During an interrupted dribble
CORRECT ANSWER D — During an interrupted dribble
NFHS RULING A closely guarded count is not started during an interrupted dribble. The count requires a player to be
holding or dribbling the ball in the frontcourt with a defender within 6 feet in a legal guarding position. The
count resets each time there is a change in the ball handler or the defender.
