NFHS Rules Reviews

by JMurph46256

I am a licensed official in multiple sports, and a member of NFHS Officials. Had my books here last year. Nothing changed with my NFHS or State Association login, and now I have no books. Used the contact us section to report issue multiple times, still no books. Not even an email back to let me know they are aware. I have a paper copy of the books that comes with my license, but no access in NFHSRules .

If the rule books are sent to publishing in a word processing/PDF document (as all publishers have done for two decades), what expense is truly incurred by giving access to officials, or anyone with a genuine interest in learning the rules? Aren’t the rules edited by a committee of members? Are there really any royalties or copyrights to be paid? Why then does the organization charge for the privilege of referencing their rules?

It’s one thing to not support your app, but failing to support the officials, coaches, players and fans that want to know, coach, and play by the rules, goes against the mission statement of the organization. Perhaps that should be changed to, “To make money through fees, dues, and subscriptions while inspiring participants to make nothing, be ignorant, and all while being a good sport about it.” This makes me wonder where the $25,000 my state alone sends to the NFHS every year for officials’ memberships alone, is actually being spent.

by Watsapp Junkie

I just downloaded NFHSRules so I can go do my FH test. Tried to purchase the rules book and was prompted to turn on in app purchases. NFHSRules doesn’t even show up in settings for me to enable in app purchase. So much for doing my test. It’s a baby app so maybe in the next few months NFHSRules may reach toddler state...only if the funds and development effort is there. Please make some improvements with NFHSRules. It’s not good.

by N/A.......

This is an abbreviated version of the rule book and therefore is lacking critical information. Why would NFHS provide a portion of the rule book and not the rules in their entirety? Reading half the rules creates confusion and inconsistencies amongst officials. NFHS stop hiding the rules like it’s some kind of national secret. Provide the entire rules book or don’t bother. You are doing more harm then good.

by Mikey0920

Been coaching for years and have always been supplied with a printed copy of the rules, except for this year. My school pays the membership fee and I have to pay for an e version of the book, what a joke. Always trying to make a buck somehow. It should be your duty to supply all coaches with a rule book if you want them to abide by the rules that YOU set in place. What a joke

by Evancraig22

I purchased the soccer rule book in 2018. I didn’t realize it would only last one year (subscription) and then I wouldn’t be able to access it... oh well, I don’t like that I can’t look at the ‘old’ rule book, but I can see the need to continue generating revenue but that isn’t my main problem.

When I access NFHSRules currently it shows that I have the 20-21 soccer rule book in my library (even though I didn’t re-up my subscription) so I thought maybe they stopped the subscribing model and just made it a ‘one time purchase’ and my previous purchase had given me access! Sweet, right! NOPE. I can’t actually open either the rule or case book. Also, I go to ‘buy’ the books again to have access, but I can’t because it thinks I already have them...

Thus, in the end, I don’t have much good to say about NFHSRules. It worked well for the first month and handful of times I used it in 2018, but been a brick since... I see they are continuing to update NFHSRules , but they are missing some major bug fixes

by Jwhitman83

When you go to update to a new year, they take your money.

But then you can’t view the new book. As other people have noted, there isn’t a spot to download/subscribe again.

If this happens to you, be sure to file a complaint with Apple to get your money back!

by Pvtamva

As with other leagues I ref with, I have purchased the print edition. For each I’ve also downloaded NFHSRules to have handy.

First, the print edition, with shipping was inexcusably expensive. Second, NFHSRules contains NO information, but instead asks me to pay an annual subscription fee in order to see the same info I’ve already purchased in print.

Fail.

by Nfhsshouldbeashamed

It’s bad enough we have to pay every year for a new rule book and pay 10 dollar shipping for a book that weighs 5 ounces. Now you want me to pay again just to review the rules when I don’t have my book? You really should be embarrassed for how greedy you have become. Shame on you from aiding in helping coaches, players, and umpires when it comes to the rules of the game!

by SGMHENDRIX

Good to see nothing changes, read the review a year and and I have the same issues. If you don’t intend to respond to your subscribers remove the option to email for help. I have sent several emails via NFHSRules and not one response. Rather annoying that you can’t even acknowledge the emails knowing it’s a feature on NFHSRules ..

by Tyler The Great

I’ve been a “subscriber” for a few years in multiple sports. Everything worked fairly well except for occasional crashes. Currently, I’m waiting for a response because I’m unable to renew my subscription for the 20-21 Basketball season. At this point, I’m not hopeful that this will be resolved. Clearly, NFHS is in the business of making money and not solving problems. They will continue to get money from me through testing and state registration fees.

by Parker (Sunshine Pumper)

My books are gone. My new books aren’t here either. No support. No way to contact them because the contact feature doesn’t work. I failed my open book test because I couldn’t study or look things up (test gets super specific and horrendously worded). I guess that’s one less official on the field this spring. Pretty mad that they’ve known this is a problem and yet done nothing to fix it.

by Bezoptu

I already have a small issue with paying for a rules book on top of our dues fees, but I do have huge issues with it then being taken away after a year or less. All other rules book for organizations I referee (collegiate and USSF) provide you a PDF version you can keep along with a printed version. Free for college rules book. It’s just another example of NFHS not actually caring for their refs that they know the rules, and are only interested in lining someone’s pocket at our expense. Should be ashamed. Poor poor poor.

by Cbear33

I’m a registered official for multiple NFHS sports. I have been for many years. I simply don’t understand why I must pay for access to rule books within NFHSRules . I can go directly to the NFHS site on all my other devices,(PC, Laptop,iPad) and navigate with no issues or additional changes. I thought it would be convenient to put on my phone as well. As far as I’m concerned NFHSRules is a total fail. One star is over rating it. I don’t believe the developer is primary or directly tied to, or a part of NFHS. If so, why the additional charges, and shame on you for doing such. “F-“. I’m deleting after I post this.

by Wayneovermyhead

This organization is charged with supporting and promoting track and field, yet they make it difficult for coaches, athletes, parents, and spectators from learning the rules. This may not be as big of a deal in other sports, but track and field is a sport of rules and understanding them can make the difference between qualifying or not and success or failure. It’s sad that people who don’t have the money to buy the rules can’t get them somewhere for free. I would gladly accept a charge for an app that makes it more convenient if a pdf of the rules are available online. I just don’t know why NFHS thinks it’s a good idea to hide the rules behind a paywall.

I guess those who have money to spare get to know and read the rules, and those that don’t are left to read rules for 2 years ago.... oh wait, you can’t even do that because the ebooks expire and disappear after a year.

by T001z

I used NFHSRules for a few years and have paid for the digital version of the books for over 10 years on various platforms. In the last year, my books show up but I cannot open them and now they show up as if they need to be downloaded. When I click to download, nothing happens.

Support is a joke. When you fill out the “contact us” form within NFHSRules it tells you they will get back to you between 8-4pm on business days but no one ever gets back to you. I have filled out the form multiple times, never gotten a response and the problem persists (even with a new phone).

I won't even get into the philosophical discussion of whether we should have to pay for the digital version once we have purchased the print edition - but as a 25-year official buying rule books every year (twice) gets old and frustrating when I am just throwing away the money for the digital version.

by Allcou36

Crashes constantly and cannot get to some pages. Needed this for my exam, oh well. Until updated, this won’t be getting a better rating. The search bars are limited, you had better get exact wording. It does make searching the book easier, but adds different hurdles. Oh well, new world problems I guess.

by FlaGatorInNC

It’s a great idea to have the rules on my phone when there is a question. It would be much more useful if the search function was not so primitive and weak.

by An Educated Person

I expected more functionality for six dollars per booklet. I hate that I am unable to hide or discard the dozen other sports for which I have no need or interest; the user is FORCED to scroll through until the one sport of interest is visible. WORSE IS THAT THE APPLICATION IS SO UNSTABLE. Almost as bad: though I paid six dollars for each book, I am NOT ALLOWED TO DOWNLOAD THEM so I can't read them with iBooks or a PDF reader. I do love the quiz feature.

by LafayetteNative

NFHSRules is a great tool for learning about any sport. It's convenient and work good in most situations. Sometimes when using the quick search link to a specific word it only opens the section and not the specific page of the word. Other than that I found NFHSRules very useful in getting my officials license. Quizzes are directly from the test!

by BDTJHT

The short quizzes are great! They are very helpful and a much more enjoyable way of consuming and retaining rules knowledge. Please keep updating with new questions periodically! Thank you.

by Wytko

You have to pay for each rule book that you want to download. It doesn’t make sense to have to pay for a book when you are given a free book each season as a head coach. It would be nice to have this on your phone but not something that I feel a need to pay 5.99 to rarely use.

by Jimmy The K

Baseball quiz routinely displays the wrong answer. Most of the time this is due to rule changes but they are rule changes that are at least 2 years old. NFHS - note to self - when you change a rule update cross references in the rules book, check the case book for contradictions, update online tests, AND update quizzes in your app. After all, your officials use these sources as if they are gospel.

by CDO29

I use it for basketball, very easy to navigate. I love the fact they have quizzes with the rules sections associated with each question. If you're an official, it's a must have.