High School Football Rules (NFHS)

High school football in the United States is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Individual states may have minor variations, but the NFHS rulebook is the foundation.

Field and Game Format

• Field size: 100 yards long, 53⅓ yards wide (same as college and NFL)
• End zones: 10 yards deep
• Game length: 4 quarters, 12 minutes each (48 minutes of game clock)
• Halftime: 15–20 minutes (varies by state)
• Play clock: 25 seconds from when the referee marks the ball ready (vs. 40 in college/NFL)
• Game clock: stops on first downs to move the chains (unlike NFL), then restarts on the ready-for-play signal

Overtime

• Each team gets one possession from the 10-yard line (vs. 25 in college)
• If still tied after one round, teams alternate possessions
• After the first overtime, teams must attempt a 2-point conversion (no extra point kicks)
• There is no limit on overtime periods in NFHS rules

Key Rules Specific to High School

• Kickoffs: from the 40-yard line (vs. 35 in college/NFL)
• No fair catch on kickoffs — the returner must field the ball or let it go (some states now allow fair catch inside the 25)
• Ejection for two unsportsmanlike fouls — player is automatically ejected and typically suspended for the next game
• Targeting is enforced — hitting a defenseless player in the head/neck area is a personal foul (15 yards) and may result in ejection
• No instant replay — officials’ calls are final; there is no coach’s challenge
• Coin toss winner can choose to receive, kick, defer, or pick a side

Pass Rules

• One forward pass per play from behind the line of scrimmage
• Intentional grounding is a penalty: the QB cannot throw the ball away unless outside the tackle box and the ball reaches the line of scrimmage
• Ineligible receivers downfield: offensive linemen cannot be more than 3 yards past the line of scrimmage on a pass play

Clock Management

• Clock stops for: incomplete passes, out of bounds, first downs (to move chains), penalties, timeouts, touchdowns, change of possession
• In the last 2 minutes of each half, different timing rules may apply (varies by state)
• Each team gets 3 timeouts per half

Safety and Equipment

• Full equipment required: helmet with facemask, shoulder pads, thigh pads, knee pads, hip pads, mouthguard, athletic supporter
• Concussion protocol: same as all levels — immediate removal, written medical clearance to return
• Heat rules: many states enforce mandatory water breaks, practice time limits, and heat index restrictions