NFHS SOCCER CERTIFICATION TEST 2025/2026 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 150+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
Question 1
Which of the following is considered part of the required player equipment?
A) Jewelry
B) Shin guards
C) Hard-brimmed hats
D) Casts without padding
E) Sunglasses
Correct Answer: B) Shin guards
Rationale: Shin guards are mandatory equipment and must be worn
under the socks. All other options are generally prohibited or
require specific conditions to be allowed.
Question 2
A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line, between the goal
posts and under the crossbar. What is the status of the game if the ball
crosses the goal line, but a defensive player handles the ball before it
completely enters the goal?
A) The goal is disallowed, and a penalty kick is awarded.
B) The goal is allowed, and the defensive player is cautioned.
C) The goal is allowed, and play restarts with a kickoff.
D) The goal is disallowed, and an indirect free kick is awarded.
E) The goal is disallowed, and a drop ball is awarded.
Correct Answer: C) The goal is allowed, and play restarts with a
kickoff
Rationale: If the ball would have entered the goal had it not been
prevented by an opponent's illegal hand contact, a goal is awarded.
The hand ball infraction is still penalized, often with a caution.
Question 3
A player is considered to be in an offside position if, at the moment the ball is
,played by a teammate, they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both
the ball and what other factor?
A) The goalkeeper.
B) The second-to-last opponent.
C) The halfway line.
D) Any opponent.
E) The nearest corner flag.
Correct Answer: B) The second-to-last opponent
Rationale: The offside position rule states that a player is offside if
they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and
the second-to-last opponent.
Question 4
A player commits a dangerous play offense, but there is no contact with an
opponent. How should the referee restart the game?
A) Direct free kick
B) Penalty kick
C) Indirect free kick
D) Drop ball
E) Goal kick
Correct Answer: C) Indirect free kick
Rationale: Dangerous play, when no contact is made, is penalized
with an indirect free kick. If contact occurs, it typically becomes a
direct free kick foul.
Question 5
During a match, a coach yells abusive language at an opposing player. What
action should the referee take?
A) Ignore the comment and continue play.
B) Issue a verbal warning to the coach.
C) Issue a yellow card to the coach.
D) Issue a red card to the coach and dismiss them from the game.
,E) Stop the game and consult with the opposing coach.
Correct Answer: D) Issue a red card to the coach and dismiss them
from the game
Rationale: Abusive language directed at an opponent, regardless of
whether it's a player or coach, is a serious offense that warrants a
red card and dismissal from the match.
Question 6
A substitute enters the field of play without being acknowledged by the
referee. What should the referee do if the ball is in play?
A) Allow play to continue until the next stoppage.
B) Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with an indirect free kick
where the ball was.
C) Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with a drop ball.
D) Allow the substitute to remain, but disallow any goal they score.
E) Issue a verbal warning to the substitute and allow them to play.
Correct Answer: B) Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart
with an indirect free kick where the ball was
Rationale: A substitute entering the field without permission is a
cautionable offense (yellow card). Play is stopped, the caution
issued, and the game is restarted with an indirect free kick from
where the ball was when play was stopped.
Question 7
How many players must a team have on the field at the start of a match to
avoid forfeiture?
A) 7
B) 9
C) 11
D) 10
E) 6
Correct Answer: A) 7
, Rationale: NFHS rules state that a team must have a minimum of
seven players to start and continue a game.
Question 8
When is the ball considered out of play?
A) When it completely crosses the touchline or goal line.
B) When a foul is committed.
C) When the referee blows the whistle.
D) When it hits the goalpost.
E) All of the above.
Correct Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal
line or touchline, a foul occurs, or the referee stops play for any
other reason (e.g., injury).
Question 9
A player takes a throw-in, but lifts both feet entirely off the ground during the
throw. What is the correct restart?
A) Retake the throw-in by the same player.
B) Direct free kick for the opposing team.
C) Indirect free kick for the opposing team.
D) Throw-in for the opposing team.
E) Drop ball.
Correct Answer: D) Throw-in for the opposing team
Rationale: An improper throw-in results in a throw-in for the
opposing team.
Question 10
A goalkeeper punts the ball from their hands, and it travels directly into the
opponent's goal without touching any other player. What is the correct
ruling?
A) A goal is awarded.
B) A goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.
EXAM COMPLETE 150+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
Question 1
Which of the following is considered part of the required player equipment?
A) Jewelry
B) Shin guards
C) Hard-brimmed hats
D) Casts without padding
E) Sunglasses
Correct Answer: B) Shin guards
Rationale: Shin guards are mandatory equipment and must be worn
under the socks. All other options are generally prohibited or
require specific conditions to be allowed.
Question 2
A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line, between the goal
posts and under the crossbar. What is the status of the game if the ball
crosses the goal line, but a defensive player handles the ball before it
completely enters the goal?
A) The goal is disallowed, and a penalty kick is awarded.
B) The goal is allowed, and the defensive player is cautioned.
C) The goal is allowed, and play restarts with a kickoff.
D) The goal is disallowed, and an indirect free kick is awarded.
E) The goal is disallowed, and a drop ball is awarded.
Correct Answer: C) The goal is allowed, and play restarts with a
kickoff
Rationale: If the ball would have entered the goal had it not been
prevented by an opponent's illegal hand contact, a goal is awarded.
The hand ball infraction is still penalized, often with a caution.
Question 3
A player is considered to be in an offside position if, at the moment the ball is
,played by a teammate, they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both
the ball and what other factor?
A) The goalkeeper.
B) The second-to-last opponent.
C) The halfway line.
D) Any opponent.
E) The nearest corner flag.
Correct Answer: B) The second-to-last opponent
Rationale: The offside position rule states that a player is offside if
they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and
the second-to-last opponent.
Question 4
A player commits a dangerous play offense, but there is no contact with an
opponent. How should the referee restart the game?
A) Direct free kick
B) Penalty kick
C) Indirect free kick
D) Drop ball
E) Goal kick
Correct Answer: C) Indirect free kick
Rationale: Dangerous play, when no contact is made, is penalized
with an indirect free kick. If contact occurs, it typically becomes a
direct free kick foul.
Question 5
During a match, a coach yells abusive language at an opposing player. What
action should the referee take?
A) Ignore the comment and continue play.
B) Issue a verbal warning to the coach.
C) Issue a yellow card to the coach.
D) Issue a red card to the coach and dismiss them from the game.
,E) Stop the game and consult with the opposing coach.
Correct Answer: D) Issue a red card to the coach and dismiss them
from the game
Rationale: Abusive language directed at an opponent, regardless of
whether it's a player or coach, is a serious offense that warrants a
red card and dismissal from the match.
Question 6
A substitute enters the field of play without being acknowledged by the
referee. What should the referee do if the ball is in play?
A) Allow play to continue until the next stoppage.
B) Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with an indirect free kick
where the ball was.
C) Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart with a drop ball.
D) Allow the substitute to remain, but disallow any goal they score.
E) Issue a verbal warning to the substitute and allow them to play.
Correct Answer: B) Stop play, caution the substitute, and restart
with an indirect free kick where the ball was
Rationale: A substitute entering the field without permission is a
cautionable offense (yellow card). Play is stopped, the caution
issued, and the game is restarted with an indirect free kick from
where the ball was when play was stopped.
Question 7
How many players must a team have on the field at the start of a match to
avoid forfeiture?
A) 7
B) 9
C) 11
D) 10
E) 6
Correct Answer: A) 7
, Rationale: NFHS rules state that a team must have a minimum of
seven players to start and continue a game.
Question 8
When is the ball considered out of play?
A) When it completely crosses the touchline or goal line.
B) When a foul is committed.
C) When the referee blows the whistle.
D) When it hits the goalpost.
E) All of the above.
Correct Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal
line or touchline, a foul occurs, or the referee stops play for any
other reason (e.g., injury).
Question 9
A player takes a throw-in, but lifts both feet entirely off the ground during the
throw. What is the correct restart?
A) Retake the throw-in by the same player.
B) Direct free kick for the opposing team.
C) Indirect free kick for the opposing team.
D) Throw-in for the opposing team.
E) Drop ball.
Correct Answer: D) Throw-in for the opposing team
Rationale: An improper throw-in results in a throw-in for the
opposing team.
Question 10
A goalkeeper punts the ball from their hands, and it travels directly into the
opponent's goal without touching any other player. What is the correct
ruling?
A) A goal is awarded.
B) A goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.
