NFHS Rules football, Updated 2023
What is the object of the game?
One team to carry or pass the ball across the opponents goal line or to kick the ball
through the opponents goal by place kick or drop kick. Game is won by team that
accumulates the most points (1-1-1)
What are the dimensions of the playing field?
360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
How many players are needed to start a game?
11 for each team
(however the team may continue with fewer) Forfeit if not enough players 1-0 is the
score, offended team wins. (1-1-3)
When must officials take authority for the contests?
30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (or as soon as they are able to be present
(1-1-7)
Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game?
referee (1-1-6)
When does a game offiicials' authority end?
Through the duration of the 4th period and any overtimes, as well as up to completion of
any reports. (states may intercede as well) (1-1-8)
Can Officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment?
NO. (1-1-9)
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire?
NO. Referee only, and it is final (1-1-10)
Can a team protest NFHS rules?
NO. They are not recognized (1-1-11)
Where can sideline markers be placed (soft pliable on the ground) ?
No closer than 5 yards to from the sidelines (1-2-2)
How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line marking be used on the field?
Every 5 yards (however it will end 4 inches from the sideline, except the goal line and
end line) (1-2-3a and b)
How wide are Line markings, hash marks, sidelines and restraining lines
(minimum)?
4 inches (1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
How long are hash marks?
24 inches (1-2-3e)
What are "9-yard" marks?
The markings on the field 9 yards from the sideline. If numbers are used as the 9 yard
mark, the TOP of the number is measured to 9 yards (1-2-3f)
Where is the team box?
Between the 25 yard lines on the teams sidelines, BEHIND the 2 yard belt, however it
may be 20-45 yard lines if both teams are using the same sideline. (1-2-3g)
Can decorative markings be placed in the end-zone?
,yes, as long as they are no closer than 2 feet from the boundary or goal lines (1-2-3h)
Is the goal line considered part of the field or the endzone?
End-zone to that the vertical plane of the edge of the line toward the field of play is the
actual goal (1-2-3j)
What is the distance of the centered line, on each end of the field used typically
for the try, from the goal line?
3 yards. Also it is 4 inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
What are the dimensions of the pylon?
4 inch x 4 inch and 18 inches tall (1-2-4)
What color can the pylon be?
Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY) 1-2-4
Pylons placed at the goal line when properly placed are - in or out of bounds?
OUT of bounds (1-2-4)
What is the distance from the base of the upright to the top vertical crossbar?
10 feet (1-2-5b)
What is the width of the Cross bar (and the width of the goal posts)?
23 feet 4 inches (1-2-5c,d
What is the MINIMUM height of the goal posts?
10 feet (1-2-5e)
The goal post must be covered in a padded resilient, shock absorbing material.
What is the height of the material on the post?
6 feet (1-2-5f)
Wind Directional streamers maybe placed on the goal posts. What colors can be
used?
Red, Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
What color can the goal posts be painted?
Silver, White or yellow (1-2-5g)
What color must a football be to be legal?
Tan (1-3-1a)
How many laces on a legal football?
8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
What is the approved weight of a football?
14-15 ounces (1-3-1e)
What is the approved PSI of a Football?
12 1/2 to 13 1/2 PSI (1-3-1f)
How many game balls must a team provide to the referee as the officials assume
authority of the contest?
1 minimum (1-3-2)
Who approves footballs for play in the game?
referee only (1-3-3)
How tall may a legal kicking tee be?
no more than 2 inches (1-3-4)
What is the length of the chain used for the line-to-gain equipment?
10 yards to the inner edge of the forward rod (1-3-5)
Where should the official line-to-gain equipment be kept during play? (where
should the crew work?)
, On the visitor sideline, 2 yards from the sideline. (1-3-5b)
Who approves the clock operators?
Referee. (1-3-6)
Which players can communicate with game officials during the contest?
Captains only. (1-4-1)
What are the legal numbers for football?
1-99 Inclusive (1-4-3)
What is the label all helmets must have to be legal?
NOCSAE (1-5-1a)
How many fasteners must a legal helmet have for the chin strap?
4 (1-5-1a2)
What color jersey is the visiting team supposed to wear?
White (1-5-2)
Which pad is NOT required to be worn?
Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Thigh, Tailbone or forearm
Forearm is not required, all others are required to be worn under the pants. (1-5-3d)
What color can the mouth protector NOT be?
Completely white or clear (1-5-3d)
Do the pants have to cover the knees?
YES! And the knee pad must cover the knee as well (1-5-3e)
What colors are limited for gloves?
Ball colored
What is the limit of the number of rounds of tape that can be used when securing
an injury without approval?
3 (1-5-2c exception)
Who is in charge of inspecting equipment before and during the game for
approval?
Umpire (1-5-2)
Can knee Braces be worn OVER the pant?
No. (1-5-3 b3)
What color can a towel be?
Any solid color other than flag or ball colored (1-5-3)
Can a back pad be UNCOVERED from a jersey?
No. (1-5-3)
Can eye shade be worn?
Yes, in a SINGLE stroke only. (1-5-3c)
Who verifies with the Referee at the beginning of the game that all players are
legally and properly equipped?
Head Coach (1-5-5)
Can coaches use cell phones, land lines, film, or any other communication
devices to communicate with players and coaches on the sideline?
Yes. Players may not be on the field of play unless
Can a drum be used for the offense?
Yes. For players or teams with hearing disabilities Table 1-7
What is a Dead Ball?
a Ball not in play (rule 2)
What is the object of the game?
One team to carry or pass the ball across the opponents goal line or to kick the ball
through the opponents goal by place kick or drop kick. Game is won by team that
accumulates the most points (1-1-1)
What are the dimensions of the playing field?
360 by 160 feet (1-1-2)
How many players are needed to start a game?
11 for each team
(however the team may continue with fewer) Forfeit if not enough players 1-0 is the
score, offended team wins. (1-1-3)
When must officials take authority for the contests?
30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. (or as soon as they are able to be present
(1-1-7)
Who's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game?
referee (1-1-6)
When does a game offiicials' authority end?
Through the duration of the 4th period and any overtimes, as well as up to completion of
any reports. (states may intercede as well) (1-1-8)
Can Officials use instant replay or other monitoring equipment?
NO. (1-1-9)
Can a forfeit be declared by the Umpire?
NO. Referee only, and it is final (1-1-10)
Can a team protest NFHS rules?
NO. They are not recognized (1-1-11)
Where can sideline markers be placed (soft pliable on the ground) ?
No closer than 5 yards to from the sidelines (1-2-2)
How often is a CONTINUOUS yard line marking be used on the field?
Every 5 yards (however it will end 4 inches from the sideline, except the goal line and
end line) (1-2-3a and b)
How wide are Line markings, hash marks, sidelines and restraining lines
(minimum)?
4 inches (1-2-3a,b,c,d,e)
How long are hash marks?
24 inches (1-2-3e)
What are "9-yard" marks?
The markings on the field 9 yards from the sideline. If numbers are used as the 9 yard
mark, the TOP of the number is measured to 9 yards (1-2-3f)
Where is the team box?
Between the 25 yard lines on the teams sidelines, BEHIND the 2 yard belt, however it
may be 20-45 yard lines if both teams are using the same sideline. (1-2-3g)
Can decorative markings be placed in the end-zone?
,yes, as long as they are no closer than 2 feet from the boundary or goal lines (1-2-3h)
Is the goal line considered part of the field or the endzone?
End-zone to that the vertical plane of the edge of the line toward the field of play is the
actual goal (1-2-3j)
What is the distance of the centered line, on each end of the field used typically
for the try, from the goal line?
3 yards. Also it is 4 inches wide and 24 inches long (1-2-3k)
What are the dimensions of the pylon?
4 inch x 4 inch and 18 inches tall (1-2-4)
What color can the pylon be?
Red, Orange or Yellow (ROY) 1-2-4
Pylons placed at the goal line when properly placed are - in or out of bounds?
OUT of bounds (1-2-4)
What is the distance from the base of the upright to the top vertical crossbar?
10 feet (1-2-5b)
What is the width of the Cross bar (and the width of the goal posts)?
23 feet 4 inches (1-2-5c,d
What is the MINIMUM height of the goal posts?
10 feet (1-2-5e)
The goal post must be covered in a padded resilient, shock absorbing material.
What is the height of the material on the post?
6 feet (1-2-5f)
Wind Directional streamers maybe placed on the goal posts. What colors can be
used?
Red, Orange or yellow (ROY) (1-2-5g)
What color can the goal posts be painted?
Silver, White or yellow (1-2-5g)
What color must a football be to be legal?
Tan (1-3-1a)
How many laces on a legal football?
8 or 12 (1-3-1b)
What is the approved weight of a football?
14-15 ounces (1-3-1e)
What is the approved PSI of a Football?
12 1/2 to 13 1/2 PSI (1-3-1f)
How many game balls must a team provide to the referee as the officials assume
authority of the contest?
1 minimum (1-3-2)
Who approves footballs for play in the game?
referee only (1-3-3)
How tall may a legal kicking tee be?
no more than 2 inches (1-3-4)
What is the length of the chain used for the line-to-gain equipment?
10 yards to the inner edge of the forward rod (1-3-5)
Where should the official line-to-gain equipment be kept during play? (where
should the crew work?)
, On the visitor sideline, 2 yards from the sideline. (1-3-5b)
Who approves the clock operators?
Referee. (1-3-6)
Which players can communicate with game officials during the contest?
Captains only. (1-4-1)
What are the legal numbers for football?
1-99 Inclusive (1-4-3)
What is the label all helmets must have to be legal?
NOCSAE (1-5-1a)
How many fasteners must a legal helmet have for the chin strap?
4 (1-5-1a2)
What color jersey is the visiting team supposed to wear?
White (1-5-2)
Which pad is NOT required to be worn?
Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Thigh, Tailbone or forearm
Forearm is not required, all others are required to be worn under the pants. (1-5-3d)
What color can the mouth protector NOT be?
Completely white or clear (1-5-3d)
Do the pants have to cover the knees?
YES! And the knee pad must cover the knee as well (1-5-3e)
What colors are limited for gloves?
Ball colored
What is the limit of the number of rounds of tape that can be used when securing
an injury without approval?
3 (1-5-2c exception)
Who is in charge of inspecting equipment before and during the game for
approval?
Umpire (1-5-2)
Can knee Braces be worn OVER the pant?
No. (1-5-3 b3)
What color can a towel be?
Any solid color other than flag or ball colored (1-5-3)
Can a back pad be UNCOVERED from a jersey?
No. (1-5-3)
Can eye shade be worn?
Yes, in a SINGLE stroke only. (1-5-3c)
Who verifies with the Referee at the beginning of the game that all players are
legally and properly equipped?
Head Coach (1-5-5)
Can coaches use cell phones, land lines, film, or any other communication
devices to communicate with players and coaches on the sideline?
Yes. Players may not be on the field of play unless
Can a drum be used for the offense?
Yes. For players or teams with hearing disabilities Table 1-7
What is a Dead Ball?
a Ball not in play (rule 2)
