| Rules Changes or Emphasis for 2007 |
| 1. |
Officials must carefully observe the location of the hands when the blocker is making initial contact with the opposing team.
True POE Page 81 |
| 2. |
Beginning in 2012, players of the visiting team shall wear white jerseys that have additional limitations as to how much color may appear.
True 1-5-1c4 |
| 3. |
Spearing is an act by a defensive player who initiates contact with a ball carrier with the front of his helmet.
False 2-20-1c, 9-4-3i |
| 4. |
When there is a foul by the opponent of the team scoring a touchdown, an enforcement option has been added starting this season.
True 8-2-2 |
| 5. |
The basic spot is the goal line for fouls by the opponent of the team in possession at the time of the foul when the opponent is responsible for forcing the ball across the goal line of the team in possession, and the related run ends in the end zone and is followed by a loose ball, regardless of where the loose ball becomes dead.
False 10-4-6 |
| 6. |
A 6-inch-wide broken restraining line shall be placed around the outside of the field, at least 1 yard from the sidelines or end lines, as an extension of the line limiting the team box area.
False 1-2-3d |
| 7. |
The free-blocking zone has been reduced for 11-player football to a square area extending laterally 3 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage.
False 2-17-1 |
| 8. |
A greater focus must be made by coaches, players and officials on players having and properly wearing mandatory football equipment as required by NFHS football rules.
True POE Page 85 |
| Dead Ball |
| 9. |
If the try is by kick, the ball becomes dead when it is obvious the drop kick or place kick has failed.
True 4-2-2i, 8-3-2b |
| 10. |
When an illegal forward pass strikes the ground, the ball does not become dead.
False 4-2-2c, 7-5-4 Table |
| 11. |
On a free kick, the ball remains dead until it crosses R's free-kick line.
False 2-1-2 |
| Definitions |
| 12. |
An interception is securing possession of a live ball after it strikes the ground.
False 2-23 |
| 13. |
The snap is considered to be a backward pass and part of a loose-ball play.
True 2-33-1c |
| 14. |
If a forward pass touches an official who is in the field of play, the pass is rules incomplete even if it is subsequently caught by a player of either team.
False 2-44 |
| 15. |
Handing the ball is not a pass.
True 2-19-1, 2-31-1 |
| 16. |
A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed.
True 2-16-1 |
| 17. |
The goal line is the outer limit of each end zone.
True 2-10-4, 2-26-2 |
| 18. |
Touching is any contact with the ball either by touching it or being touched by it.
True 2-44 |
| Encroachment |
| 19. |
Encroachment cannot occur after the ready-for-play if Team A linemen are not on their line even though the snapper has his hand(s) on the ball.
False 7-1-6 |
| 20. |
If A1 commits a false start which caused B1 to enter the neutral zone, B1 has not encroached.
True 7-1-7 |
| Equipment: Field |
| 21. |
The ball must have the NFHS Authenticating Mark.
True 1-3-1g |
| 22. |
The referee is the final judge as to the legality of the game ball.
True 1-3-3 |
| Equipment: Player |
| 23. |
A mouth protector must be worn and must be completely white or clear.
False 1-5-1i |
| 24. |
The umpire has authority to declare equipment illegal if he determines it is inappropriate equipment.
True 1-5-4 |
| 25. |
The numbers 0 and 00 are legal numbers on a player's jersey.
False 1-4-3 |
| 26. |
Knee pads are not required equipment.
False 1-5-1d |
| 27. |
Jerseys may not be altered to produce a knot-like protrusion or a tear-away type jersey.
True 1-5-3j |
| 28. |
The head coach's verification that his players are legally equipped includes a visible exterior warning label on the helmet regarding the risk of injury.
True 1-5-1a Note |
| Extending a Period |
| 29. |
If during the last timed down of the first period the Team A coach commits an unsportsmanlike foul, the period must be extended.
False 3-3-3a |
| 30. |
If during the last time down of a period a non-player foul occurs and the penalty is accepted, the period is extended with an untimed down.
False 2-32-10, 3-3-3a |
| 31. |
If any dead-ball foul by either team occurs after the last timed down of either half, it is enforced from the succeeding spot on the kickoff or overtime.
True 3-3-6 |
| 32. |
If during the last timed down of a period a double foul occurs, the period is over.
False 3-3-3b |
| Fair Catch |
| 33. |
Any receiver may signal for a fair catch while any legal kick is in flight.
True 6-5-1 |
| 34. |
If R1 gives a valid signal and the scrimmage kick is caught by R2, the ball remains live, as it is not a fair catch.
False 6-5-2, 3 |
| 35. |
If R1 gives a fair-catch signal after the kick has hit the ground, the signal is an illegal fair catch signal.
False 2-9-4c |
| 36. |
An invalid signal by R1 causes the ball to become dead when the scrimmage kick or free kick is caught or recovered by any R player.
True 4-2-2g |
| 37. |
R1 may not fair-catch a free kick in the neutral zone.
False 6-5-2 |
| Field Goal |
| 38. |
A field goal may not be scored if the kick touches the ground before passing through the goal.
True 8-4-1b |
| 39. |
After a field goal, the opponent of the scoring team shall designate which team will kick off.
True 8-4-2 |
| 40. |
If a drop kick or place kick is used following a safety, it is possible to score a field goal.
False 8-4-1a |
| Passing |
| 41. |
A backward pass ends when it is caught, recovered or is out of bounds.
True 2-31-6 |
| 42. |
Prior to releasing the ball on a pass, if the potential passer is contacted, and the ball is released, it is not a forward pass if his arm was moving forward on contact.
False 2-31-2 Note |
| 43. |
Touching of a forward pass by B1 causes pass interference restrictions to end and all A players to become eligible.
True 7-5-9a |
| 44. |
If B1 tackles eligible A1 in or behind the neutral zone while the forward pass is in flight, it is pass interference by B1.
False 7-5-10a, 9-2-3c |
| Fouls |
| 45. |
If B1 tackles A1, who is obviously not the runner, it is defensive holding.
True 9-2-3c |
| 46. |
An illegal snap or other snap infraction causes the ball to remain dead.
True 7-1-4, 10-1-2 |
| 47. |
It is not illegal for runner A1 to spear B1.
False 2-20-1c, 9-4-3i |
| 48. |
Butt blocking is illegal in the open field but is permitted only in close line play.
False 2-20-1a, 9-4-3i |
| 49. |
The runner may use his hands or arms to ward off or push an opponent.
True 2-3-4a |
| 50. |
When both teams commit simultaneous dead-ball fouls, it is a double foul.
False 2-16-2b |
| Free Kick |
| 51. |
For any free kick, a free-kick line, corresponding to a scrimmage line, is established for each team.
True 6-1-1 |
| 52. |
If a free kick goes out of bounds between the goal lines touched inbounds by R, the ball is put in play by R at the inbounds spot.
True 6-1-9 |
| 53. |
If any K player recovers or catches a free kick, the ball becomes dead.
True 6-1-5 |
| 54. |
If a free kick becomes dead inbounds while opponents are in joint possession, the ball is awarded to K.
False 6-1-5 |
| Fundamental Statements |
| 55. |
A dead ball may become live only by a legal snap or free kick.
True Fund III-3 |
| 56. |
A player who is an eligible receiver at the snap becomes ineligible if he goes out of bounds intentionally and returns.
False Fund VII-1 |
| 57. |
Penalties are either 5, 10 or 15 yards.
True Fund X-2 |
| 58. |
The penalty for offensive pass interference does not include the loss of down.
False Fund X-6 |
| Illegal Participation |
| 59. |
It is illegal substitution to have 12 or more players participating at the snap or free kick.
False 9-6-4c |
| 60. |
It is not illegal participation for a disqualified player to re-enter the game.
False 9-6-4f |
| 61. |
It is illegal participation when any player, replaced player, substitute, coach, trainer or other attendant enters and participates during a down.
True 9-6-4a |
| 62. |
If R1 accidentally goes out of bounds during a scrimmage kick and then returns and catches the punt, it is a foul for illegal participation.
False 9-6-1 |
| Inadvertent Whistle |
| 63. |
The down is replayed if an inadvertent whistle sounds during the snap.
True 4-2-3a |
| 64. |
Following a change of possession, if an inadvertent whistle is sounded, the down must be replayed.
False 4-2-3b |
| Miscellaneous |
| 65. |
The head coach will decide if an unconscious player may return to the game and participate after regaining consciousness.
False 3-5-10b |
| 66. |
During a down, a replaced player or substitute who enters the field but does not participate constitutes illegal substitution.
True 3-7-6 |
| Penalty Enforcement |
| 67. |
Illegal participation is enforced as a live-ball foul.
True 9-6-1 Penalty |
| 68. |
All dead-ball fouls are enforced in the order in which they occurred and always from the spot of the foul.
False 10-2-5, 10-4-5 |
| 69. |
Kick-catching interference carries a 15-yard penalty plus a loss of down.
False 6-5-6 Penalty |
| 70. |
After a double foul, the down is replayed and no yardage penalty is enforced.
True 10-2-1 |
| 71. |
A foul during a try is not paired with a dead-ball foul to create a double or multiple foul.
True 10-2-6 |
| 72. |
No Team A penalty causes loss of down.
False 7-5 Table |
| 73. |
All nonplayer fouls are enforced from the succeeding spot.
True 10-4-5c |
| 74. |
When the final result of a down is a touchback, the basic spot is the goal line.
False 10-4-5d |
| 75. |
A disqualified player must be removed from the game even though the penalty for the foul is declined.
True 2-32-6, 9-4 Penalty, 9-5 Penalty, 10-5-6 |
| 76. |
No penalty can be assessed for action of individuals not subject to the rules even if such action hinders play.
False 9-9-1 Penalty |
| Periods |
| 77. |
If time for any period expires during a down, play shall continue until the down ends.
True 3-3-2 |
| 78. |
The clock running time for a game shall be 60 minutes for high schools with periods and intermission.
False 3-1-1 |
| 79. |
Between the first and second and between the third and fourth periods, the teams may change goals.
False 3-2-4 |
| 80. |
A period may be shortened in any emergency by agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee.
True 3-1-3 |
| Safety |
| 81. |
A safety will be scored when an offensive player commits any foul for which the penalty is accepted and enforcement is from a spot in his end zone.
True 8-5-2c |
| 82. |
If B1 intercepts A's forward pass in B's end zone, it is a safety if he is tackled there.
False 8-5-3d |
| 83. |
If B1 intercepts a forward pass in B's end zone and begins to return, but is tackled in the end zone, it is a touchback.
True 8-5-3d |
| 84. |
It is a safety if A1 retreats into A's end zone and fumbles the ball beyond the end line.
True 8-5-2b |
| Time-outs |
| 85. |
Only four time-outs may be charged to a team during each half of a regulation game.
False 3-5-1 |
| 86. |
An official's time-out can be called for unusual heat or humidity situations.
True 3-5-7h |
| 87. |
Any coach may request a time-out.
False 3-5-2a |
| 88. |
An official's time-out shall be declared to permit prompt repair of equipment that becomes illegal or defective during use.
True 1-5-5 |
| Timing |
| 89. |
There is a two-minute intermission following a try, successful field goal or safety and prior to a free kick.
False 3-5-7m |
| 90. |
On a free kick to start a period, the clock will start when the ball is touched other than first touching by K.
True 3-4-1a |
| 91. |
If a free kick is repeated, the clock starts on the ready-for-play signal if it had been started on the original kick.
False 3-4-2 |
| 92. |
During a down, if time expires for a period and a signal is sounded, the officials shall ignore the signal.
True 3-3-2 |
| Touchback |
| 93. |
It is a touchback if A1 fumbles on B's 5-yard line and B1's muff forces the loose ball into B's end zone and out of bounds beyond the end line.
False 8-5-2b |
| 94. |
It is a touchback when a grounded three-point field-goal attempt breaks the plane of R's goal line unless R chooses spot of first touching by K.
True 8-5-3a (1) |
| 95. |
If a kick becomes dead in R's end zone, it is always a safety or touchback.
False 6-3-2, 8-5-2, 3 |
| 96. |
It is a touchback when a forward pass is intercepted in B's end zone and becomes dead there in B's possession.
True 8-5-3d |
| Touchdown |
| 97. |
It is a touchdown for A if A1 fumbles into B's end zone and A2 is the last to touch the ball prior to its going out of bounds beyond the end line.
False 8-5-3c |
| 98. |
A touchdown is worth seven points.
False 8-1 Table |
| 99. |
If airborne A1 controls a forward pass in B's end zone, but B1's contact causes A1 to come down out of bounds in possession of the ball, it is a touchdown.
True 2-4-1 |
| 100. |
Possession of a live ball in the opponent's end zone is always a touchdown.
True 8-2-1 |