NFHS BASKETBALL RULES 2024 UPDATE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GET ALL CORRECT)
STUDY GUIDE EXAM PRACTICE GRADE A+
P stays home when?
P stays home and covers only plays at the plate when a play begins with runner(s) in
scoring position
"The V"
A base umpire who starts inside is responsible for all fly balls from the left fielder coming
in to the right fielder coming in, and everything in between. P has everything towards
the line and foul/fair
Third baseline extended "think home plate"
P will assume a position here for several instances:
-fair foul down third baseline
- a runner touching third as another runner scores
- tag plays at the plate (stay on the player's hip, and the tag will open up to you!)
Time Play
Situation involving two outs and runners on base. If an out is made on any play besides
a force play, the umpires must know if a runner or runners touched the plate before the
third out was made.
Trail the BR, when?
The P will trail the BR down the baseline on routine ground balls, pausing at or near the
45' mark.
The ball remains live and in play when the umpire gives the "do not pitch" signal.
A. True
B. False
B. False
By state association adoption, memorial patches not exceeding four square
inches may be worn on jerseys in an appropriate and dignified manner.
A. True
B. False
A. True
A fair ball is a batted ball which:
A Touches first, second or third base.
B. While on or over fair territory, touches the person
of an umpire or players, their clothing or
equipment.
C. Settles on the third-base foul line between home
and third.
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
The following statement on obstruction is true:
A. The ball is delayed dead.
,B. The act must be intentional and only physical.
C. Occurs when a fielder with possession of the ball
denies access to the base the runner is
attempting to achieve.
D. Is declared when a fielder without the ball
simulates a tag on a runner.
D. Is declared when a fielder without the ball simulates a tag on a runner.
Below the Knee Catch
A catch made "below the knee" is one which requires the covering umpire to signal the
successful catch and at times verbalize "That's a catch!"
Pivot (Button Hook) on a Base Hit
The three step movement by U1 as he moves into the infield from position A. When a
batted ball is hit to the outfield, U1 moves to the infield grass, one or two steps from the
cutout, plants on the left foot, turns counterclockwise on the right, and then moves
laterally with the left towards second if the BR continues around first.
Release the runner to third
On a tag up with runners on First and Third, P informs U1 "I've got third if he tags!" U1
will take the possible play to 2nd.
Base umpire set positions
Hands on Knees set: feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, squat and lean
forward slightly, hands on knees. Keep back straight and head up, looking at play. Allow
arms to lock to keep your head still and keep a clear, not blurry, picture. Use this prior to
pitch in B and C
Standing Set: with feet comfortably apart, keep shoulders square to the play. Knees
slightly bent, body upright with hands at sides. When set for a play at any base, head,
shoulders, and feet should be in line. Body should face the base and should make a line
perpendicular with the base. Take your time, digest the play, make the call.
P: Head and Height Position
-You must be able to clearly see the pitcher, the entire plate, and the batter's knees
-ideally, your eyes should be on the inside corner of the plate
-If you must adjust,
Foul tip
A foul tip is any ball that nicks of a bat and goes "sharply and directly" into the catcher's
mitt. A foul tip is NOT a foul ball NOR a dead ball. A foul tip is a live ball if caught by the
catcher with no deflections off his gear, umpire gear, etc.
Foul ball / Foul Tip (Pop Up catch)
The rule about how the ball must travel above the head of the batter no longer applies.
If the ball has any arc (i.e. it does not move "directly and sharply" like foul tip) and the
ball is caught by the catcher, it is an out.
Concerning the discovery of an illegal player,
A. Only an umpire may discover.
B. Only the opposing team may discover.
C. Only the player's team may discover.
D. An umpire or either team may discover.
D. An umpire or either team may discover. (Ref. 3-1-1)
, An offensive conference will be charged when:
A. A coach meets with his base runner after the
opposing coach has been granted a conference
to talk to his pitcher.
B. Time is granted for an obviously injured player.
C. An assistant coach is granted time to confer with
the base runner on first base.
D. All of the above.
C. An assistant coach is granted time to confer with the base runner on first base (Ref.
3-4-1, 3-4-5)
The same player cannot be listed as both the pitcher and the DH.
A. True
B. False
A. True
An offender shall be ejected on the first offense when:
A. A player loosens up to bat in the opposing team's
on-deck circle.
B. A player leaves his bench area for the the
purpose of physical confrontation.
C. A coach uses replay equipment for coach
purposes during the game.
D. All of the above.
B. A player leaves his bench area for the purpose of physical confrontation. (Ref. 3-3-
1p)
At the time of the pitch, all fielders shall be on fair ground, except the catcher,
who shall be in the catcher's box.
A. True. To be considered to be in fair ground,
fielders must have both feet in fair ground.
B. True. All fielders are in fair ground when at least
one foot is touching fair ground.
C. False.
B. True. All fielders are in fair ground when at least one foot is touching fair ground.
(Ref. 1-1-4)
When an illegal player on defense was involved in the play and is discovered
before the first pitch to the next batter of either team:
A. The offensive team has no options.
B. The team on offense may choose to let the play
stand.
C. The team on offense may choose to have the
batter bat again.
D. Both B & C.
D. Both B & C. (Ref. 3-1-1)
The game begins when:
A. The official scorekeeper announces the start time.
B. The pitcher delivers the first pitch of the game.
C. The pregame conference has ended.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GET ALL CORRECT)
STUDY GUIDE EXAM PRACTICE GRADE A+
P stays home when?
P stays home and covers only plays at the plate when a play begins with runner(s) in
scoring position
"The V"
A base umpire who starts inside is responsible for all fly balls from the left fielder coming
in to the right fielder coming in, and everything in between. P has everything towards
the line and foul/fair
Third baseline extended "think home plate"
P will assume a position here for several instances:
-fair foul down third baseline
- a runner touching third as another runner scores
- tag plays at the plate (stay on the player's hip, and the tag will open up to you!)
Time Play
Situation involving two outs and runners on base. If an out is made on any play besides
a force play, the umpires must know if a runner or runners touched the plate before the
third out was made.
Trail the BR, when?
The P will trail the BR down the baseline on routine ground balls, pausing at or near the
45' mark.
The ball remains live and in play when the umpire gives the "do not pitch" signal.
A. True
B. False
B. False
By state association adoption, memorial patches not exceeding four square
inches may be worn on jerseys in an appropriate and dignified manner.
A. True
B. False
A. True
A fair ball is a batted ball which:
A Touches first, second or third base.
B. While on or over fair territory, touches the person
of an umpire or players, their clothing or
equipment.
C. Settles on the third-base foul line between home
and third.
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
The following statement on obstruction is true:
A. The ball is delayed dead.
,B. The act must be intentional and only physical.
C. Occurs when a fielder with possession of the ball
denies access to the base the runner is
attempting to achieve.
D. Is declared when a fielder without the ball
simulates a tag on a runner.
D. Is declared when a fielder without the ball simulates a tag on a runner.
Below the Knee Catch
A catch made "below the knee" is one which requires the covering umpire to signal the
successful catch and at times verbalize "That's a catch!"
Pivot (Button Hook) on a Base Hit
The three step movement by U1 as he moves into the infield from position A. When a
batted ball is hit to the outfield, U1 moves to the infield grass, one or two steps from the
cutout, plants on the left foot, turns counterclockwise on the right, and then moves
laterally with the left towards second if the BR continues around first.
Release the runner to third
On a tag up with runners on First and Third, P informs U1 "I've got third if he tags!" U1
will take the possible play to 2nd.
Base umpire set positions
Hands on Knees set: feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, squat and lean
forward slightly, hands on knees. Keep back straight and head up, looking at play. Allow
arms to lock to keep your head still and keep a clear, not blurry, picture. Use this prior to
pitch in B and C
Standing Set: with feet comfortably apart, keep shoulders square to the play. Knees
slightly bent, body upright with hands at sides. When set for a play at any base, head,
shoulders, and feet should be in line. Body should face the base and should make a line
perpendicular with the base. Take your time, digest the play, make the call.
P: Head and Height Position
-You must be able to clearly see the pitcher, the entire plate, and the batter's knees
-ideally, your eyes should be on the inside corner of the plate
-If you must adjust,
Foul tip
A foul tip is any ball that nicks of a bat and goes "sharply and directly" into the catcher's
mitt. A foul tip is NOT a foul ball NOR a dead ball. A foul tip is a live ball if caught by the
catcher with no deflections off his gear, umpire gear, etc.
Foul ball / Foul Tip (Pop Up catch)
The rule about how the ball must travel above the head of the batter no longer applies.
If the ball has any arc (i.e. it does not move "directly and sharply" like foul tip) and the
ball is caught by the catcher, it is an out.
Concerning the discovery of an illegal player,
A. Only an umpire may discover.
B. Only the opposing team may discover.
C. Only the player's team may discover.
D. An umpire or either team may discover.
D. An umpire or either team may discover. (Ref. 3-1-1)
, An offensive conference will be charged when:
A. A coach meets with his base runner after the
opposing coach has been granted a conference
to talk to his pitcher.
B. Time is granted for an obviously injured player.
C. An assistant coach is granted time to confer with
the base runner on first base.
D. All of the above.
C. An assistant coach is granted time to confer with the base runner on first base (Ref.
3-4-1, 3-4-5)
The same player cannot be listed as both the pitcher and the DH.
A. True
B. False
A. True
An offender shall be ejected on the first offense when:
A. A player loosens up to bat in the opposing team's
on-deck circle.
B. A player leaves his bench area for the the
purpose of physical confrontation.
C. A coach uses replay equipment for coach
purposes during the game.
D. All of the above.
B. A player leaves his bench area for the purpose of physical confrontation. (Ref. 3-3-
1p)
At the time of the pitch, all fielders shall be on fair ground, except the catcher,
who shall be in the catcher's box.
A. True. To be considered to be in fair ground,
fielders must have both feet in fair ground.
B. True. All fielders are in fair ground when at least
one foot is touching fair ground.
C. False.
B. True. All fielders are in fair ground when at least one foot is touching fair ground.
(Ref. 1-1-4)
When an illegal player on defense was involved in the play and is discovered
before the first pitch to the next batter of either team:
A. The offensive team has no options.
B. The team on offense may choose to let the play
stand.
C. The team on offense may choose to have the
batter bat again.
D. Both B & C.
D. Both B & C. (Ref. 3-1-1)
The game begins when:
A. The official scorekeeper announces the start time.
B. The pitcher delivers the first pitch of the game.
C. The pregame conference has ended.
