What has to happen before an NFHS game, and what are the roster and uniform rules?

Pre-game meetings (required under NFHS rules):

• Captains and referees meet before the game.
• Head coaches meet the officials and verify that their players are properly equipped.

Rosters and bench:

• Maximum 20 players in uniform, including goalkeepers.
• Up to three captains and alternates, in any combination.
• Up to five non-players on the team bench.
• A roster correction after the game starts is allowed only if the error was inadvertent, with a minor penalty.
• Players beyond the game roster may be on the ice for the pre-game warm-up.

Uniforms:

• The visiting team wears dark jerseys.
• Numbers go on the back and on both sleeves.
• New for 2026-27 (Rule 2-1-2c): jerseys may show the school name, nickname, logo and mascot, and the player's name.

Electronic equipment can't be used to dispute a ruling, but video may be used on the bench for coaching.