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Football Rules Interpretations - 2026
Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Davis Whitfield, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2026
2026 NFHS Football Case Book Clarifications (Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.)
Page 13, 2.15.2 SITUATION: It is first and 10 for A at B’s 12-yard line. A1 sprints near the end line and then buttonhooks. He jumps and possesses a forward pass while in the air above the end zone. (a) A1’s momentum carries him back into the field of play and he lands and is downed on the 1-yard line; (b) while in the air in the end zone, he is contacted by B1 and he is carried out of the end zone and downed on B’s 2-yard line; or (c) while in the air just short of the goal line in the end zone, he is contacted by B1 and he is carried out of the end zone and at B’s 3-yard line, fumbles the ball forward and out of bounds at the 1-yard line. RULING: In (a), it is A’s ball first and goal at B’s 1-yard line. In (b), it is a touchdown because A1 was contacted in the end zone (2-4-1). In (c), it is A’s ball first and goal at B’s 3-yard line, where possession was lost since the forward fumble went out of bounds.
Page 67, 8.2.2 SITUATION A: During (a) A9’s run for a touchdown, B2 holds A1, or (b) K1’s field goal, R2 holds K1. RULING: In (a), A will likely keep the score and may choose to enforce the penalty on the try or enforce the penalty from on the succeeding spot subsequent kickoff. In (b), K may keep the points and have the penalty enforced from the succeeding spot, or have the penalty enforced from the previous spot and replay the down. (2-41-10, 8-4-3, 10-4-NOTE)
Page 68, 8.2.2 SITUATION C: During the down in which time expires for the fourth period, the opponents of Team A foul on a play where Team A: (a) scores a touchdown that leaves Team A trailing by one point, (b) scores a field goal which ties the game, or (c) scores a touchdown that leaves team A trailing by one point and the opponents also foul on the try. RULING: Procedures regarding overtime (if any) are adopted by the state association. State association consideration may determine that the play should be treated as a normal in-game play and allow for the penalty to be enforced from the succeeding spot in overtime. Those procedures could also state that only dead-ball or unsportsmanlike fouls after the final play in regulation carry to overtime, or some other variant for those last plays in regulation. In (a), there is little chance that Team A will decline the foul; therefore, state association overtime procedures should clearly state whether or not the option can be given to penalize the foul on the first play of overtime per 10-4 NOTE, or if enforcing the penalty may only be done on the try. Team A has the option to keep the score, with the penalty assessed on the try. The penalty cannot be assessed on the first play of overtime as there is no subsequent kickoff. In (b), unless superseded by state association overtime procedures, Team A has the option to keep the score, with penalty assessment on the first play of overtime, as the first play of overtime is the succeeding spot. In (c), there is little chance that Team A will decline the foul; therefore, state association overtime procedures should clearly state whether or not the option can be given to penalize the foul on the first play of overtime per 10-4 NOTE, or if enforcing the penalty may only be done on the try. If the state procedures allow for the foul to be enforced in overtime, the foul by B on the try cannot also be enforced on the succeeding spot in overtime. If the state procedures do not allow the foul on the scoring play to be enforced in overtime, they may allow the foul against Team B on the try to be enforced from the subsequent spot to start overtime. (2-41-10, 10-4 NOTE). Team A may only have the penalty for the opponent foul on the scoring play enforced on the try, but cannot carry over the penalty to overtime; however, the foul by the opponent during the try could be enforced on the first play of overtime at Team A’s choice.
Page 68, 8.2.2 SITUATION E: Prior to the ball being thrown during a play in which A1 catches a touchdown pass and advances for a touchdown, B1 holds A2 to prevent A2 from going out for a pass on the side away from the play. When given options, A elects to enforce the penalty for the defensive holding foul on the subsequent kickoff. During the successful two-point try, B1 is guilty of holding A1. Does A have the option of having the 10-yard penalty added on to the previous 10-yard penalty on the subsequent kickoff? RULING: Yes. The fouls did not occur during the same down, so these are not multiple fouls and, therefore, they may both be enforced from on the succeeding spot subsequent kickoff. (2-41-10, 8-3-5b, 10-2-4, 10-4-NOTE)
Page 68, 8.2.2 SITUATION F: (a) During a touchdown run by A1, B1 holds; (b) On the ensuing successful kick try, there is a foul by B2. RULING: In (a), the designated representative of A is given options for the foul during the touchdown run prior to the try. If A accepts the penalty for B’s holding foul during the touchdown run, A may accept the score and attempt the try from the 1½-yard line or accept the score and have the penalty enforced on the subsequent spot kickoff. In (b), after the try, A may accept and replay the try from the 3/4-yard line or accept the 1-point try and enforce the penalty for B’s try foul on the subsequent spot kickoff. It is within the rules for A to have both penalties enforced from on the succeeding spot subsequent kickoff. (2-41-10, 10-4-NOTE)
2026 and 2027 NFHS Football Game Officials Manual Clarification (Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.)
Page 182 – (Scoring Kick – Crew of Five) When a successful kick passes the upright or when the ball breaks the goal line plane and it is obvious it will not score, the back judge sounds his/her whistle and gives the appropriate signals. If the kick is blocked, is obviously short or the play turns out not to be a kick (fake or busted play), the deep officials umpire should move forward cautiously to put themself in a position to assist the crew with ruling on the play. The back judge should stay on the end line for plays snapped inside the 20-yard line and move forward to assist with goal line coverage on plays snapped outside the 20-yard line. NOTE: Regardless of where the ball is snapped, the back judge should read the play and move only when appropriate to be in the best position to help rule on the play and assist the crew. along the end line toward the nearest sideline. Once the sideline has been reached, the deep official can move toward the goal line to assist on coverage of the runner. The line of scrimmage officials will assume goal line responsibilities.