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NOTE: This is a list of rules interpretations from 2000 to 2014. It is provided as is. It is posted because of interest in the officiating community. The information in this document is not currently applicable. It SHOULD NOT be used as a reference of current rules.

Football Comments on the Rules Changes - 2014

GAME OFFICIALS AUTHORITY (1-1-7): Due to teams being on the field earlier than 30 minutes prior to the game, state associations can require game officials to be on the field for pre-game responsibilities more than 30 minutes prior to game time. This change extends the game officials authority in those states.

TARGETING DEFINITION AND FOUL ADDED (2-20-2 NEW; 9-4-3m NEW): Continuing with the focus on risk minimization, the committee determined that taking aim at an opponent with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder, to initiate contact above the shoulders with an intent that goes beyond making a legal tackle, a legal block or playing the ball is prohibited. Furthermore, the committee feels it is important to separate and draw specific attention to this illegal act.

ILLEGAL KICK CLARIFIED (2-24-9): The committee clarified the intent of an illegal kick. When an illegal kick occurs, the loose ball retains the same status that it had prior to the illegal kick.

DEFINITION OF DEFENSELESS PLAYER ADDED (2-32-16 NEW; 9-4-3i(3)): The committee added the definition of a defenseless player in an attempt to continue concentrating on risk minimization. A defenseless player is a player who, because of his physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury

END-OF-PERIOD PROCEDURE CHANGED (3-3-3, 4): This rule changes the procedure of determining when to extend a period with an untimed down. In order to extend a period with an untimed down, time must expire during the down.

PROVISIONS TO FREE-KICK FORMATIONS ADDED (6-1-3b, c NEW): Two new provisions were added to adjust the free kick. One provision balances the kicking team’s formation and the other limits the maximum distance of the run-up for the kicking team.

CLARIFICATION OF CREATING A NEW FORCE (8-5-1b NEW): This rule change clarifies that a new force is not created when a player is blocked into the ball.

ROUGHING-THE-PASSER FOULS REVISED (9-4-4): Roughing-the-passer fouls now include all illegal personal contact fouls listed in Rule 9-4-3. These fouls against the passer now result in an automatic first down in addition to a 15-yard penalty.



2014 FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL – STATE OF THE GAME

“The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”

As was the case with Mark Twain more than 100 years ago, the sport of football is not dying. It remains the most popular sport in our nation’s high schools, and it is the lifeblood of many towns and communities in the fall – to the tune of about 7,000 games each week. Autumn is characterized by changing leaves, chilled temperatures and brilliant colors that offer fleeting, picturesque landscapes. In many communities across the country, high school football on a crisp Friday evening is an indelible component of those scenes.

Similar to other interscholastic activities, high school football offers its participants special educational opportunities. During those select few evenings, the student-athletes, pep bands and cheerleaders can showcase their talents on a grand stage.

The educational mission of interscholastic athletics is furthered when student-athletes are most engaged in their respective activities. In the case of high school football, Friday nights provide the optimal experience for the student-athletes, as well as for the administrators, coaches, fans and community involved with the game.

The value of competition during this particular time is no different than a typical Saturday morning cross country meet or Thursday evening volleyball match.

Ultimately, each sport offers students “teachable moments” that are unique to the interscholastic experience. The preservation of high school football on Friday nights will help provide the environment most conducive to those teachable moments, and help perpetuate an important and longstanding American tradition.

Most recently, the concern about the future of the sport has been centered on the long-term effects of concussions suffered by players. As a result, some parents of youth and high school players have anxiety about allowing their sons – or daughters – to participate in the sport.

As a segue to the rest of this point of emphasis, Max Boot, in a recent article in The Wall Street Journal online (), may have said it best:

“The guiding principle with football should be ‘mend it, don’t end it.’ And, in fact, the process of mending the game has been going on for a very long time.” Toward that end, every state in the nation has adopted concussion legislation, and stakeholders have issued protocols and educational materials on concussions.

During the past half century, the NFHS has been a leader in “mending” the sport by minimizing the risk of injury. Contrary to some reports, the risk of serious injury in high school football is less today than it was 40-50years ago. Between 1966 and 1972, there were 134 “direct” fatalities in high school football – those caused by traumatic injury while participating in the skills of the sport – with a high of 26 in 1968. In the 2012 season, there were no direct fatalities in high school football and there have been only six direct deaths in the past four years (2009-12).

This dramatic reduction in football fatalities is the result of the NFHS’ rules-writing process and the focus of the NFHS Football Rules Committee, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC), state high school associations, high school football coaches, football game officials and players to avoid use of the helmet as a weapon.

For the more than 1.1 million participants in high school football, there is tremendous value in making sure that schools continue to provide this opportunity. It is a vital and necessary extension of the classroom that must be retained.

We urge all leaders at the high school level to make the health and safety of our student athletes the No. 1 priority so that those stadium lights will continue to burn bright each week in the fall across the country.

RISK MINIMIZATION

In an effort to minimize the risk of catastrophic head and neck injuries, the NFHS Football Rules Committee continues to urge KEEPING THE HEAD OUT OF FOOTBALL, specifically through the elimination of illegal contact to the helmet. This type of contact must continue to be discouraged in both practices and games. Coaches, game officials, administrators, players and parents involved in the game must reinforce the positive aspects of proper tackling and blocking in high school football. The committee believes emphasis of the four topics listed below can help minimize risk to all players.

TARGETING

While football rules have been in place to penalize fouls for illegal personal contact, the NFHS Football Rules Committee continues to place emphasis on the prohibition of illegal contact to the helmet of an opponent.

This is the 26th time the committee has addressed helmet review or helmet contact since 1980. The definition of targeting and its related penalty were created to call special attention to certain wrongful actions.

Targeting is defined as: “an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders.” The foul states: “no player or nonplayer shall target an opponent.”

In order to gauge the intent of the player, game officials must be diligent in observing the tackler/blocker in all related actions to the tackle/block. Targeting an opponent is unnecessary and the rule must be enforced to minimize the risk of injury in high school football.

DEFENSELESS PLAYER

With the importance placed on risk minimization and injuries to the head and neck area, it is imperative to implement rules that place restrictions on hits to players who are not in a position to defend themselves.

In order to properly implement such rules, a new definition for a “defenseless player” was added. The committee has defined a defenseless player “as a player who, because of his/her physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury.”

Game officials must diligently observe all action for contact against players who are deemed defenseless and penalize illegal personal contact. The game official must draw a distinction between contact necessary to make a legal block or tackle, and contact that targets defenseless players.

CONCUSSIONS

While there seems to have been an increase in the number of reported concussions over the past several years, we don't believe that the actual incidence of concussions has increased. Rather, we believe this is a manifestation of heightened awareness about the injury and improvement in concussion recognition and diagnosis. We have seen a significant reduction in the number of athletes allowed to return to play or practice on the same day of the injury. This is an indication of much-improved education about concussions, and appropriate health-care professionals, coaches, game officials and parents following the mantra of "when in doubt, sit them out.”

Concussions continue to account for the highest percentage of football-related injuries; therefore, proper concussion management at all levels is essential. Coaches and game officials need to continue to be educated on the appropriate steps for minimizing the risk to the participants.

The management of concussions has been and will continue to be a major focus by the NFHS and its member state associations. For the past four years, all NFHS rules books have contained the concussion rule which requires any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion to be immediately removed from the contest and not return until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

The NFHS SMAC also produced the “Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports” position statement, a shortened version of which has been published in all NFHS rules books since 2010-11.

That same year, a six-page section on concussions was included in the fourth edition of the NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook, which was distributed to high schools nationwide.

Coaches and game officials should utilize available professional development tools regarding the proper management of athletes suspected of having a concussion. The NFHS “Concussion in Sports - What You Need to Know” free online course continues to be an excellent resource for coaches, game officials, athletes, parents and other interested persons. This course is offered for free at . With concussion protocols in NFHS playing rules and with concussion laws now in place in every state, high school athletes should not be exposed to repeated concussions.

CHANGING THE MINDSET

The emphasis on risk minimization, involving injuries to the head and neck, has not completely changed the mindset prevalent with some persons involved in interscholastic football. Some still consider it a "badge of honor" for a football player to get his/her "bell rung." Given the information we now have regarding the potentially negative effects to the brain that just one concussion (and, certainly, any subsequent and/or progressive concussions) can produce, a player getting his "bell rung" must not be taken lightly.

The positive aspects of interscholastic participation in the sport of football are many. Inherently, these positive aspects have never required a football player to stick his/her "helmet-in-the-numbers!" It has never been acceptable to play with intent to “take out an opponent.” Therefore, this type of mindset must be addressed and removed from all phases of the game by players, coaches and game officials. All stakeholders must understand that the future of high school football will withstand the head being removed from the game and it will survive such a mindset change.

The NFHS Football Rules Committee has repeatedly emphasized the need to KEEP THE HEAD OUT OF FOOTBALL, and has continued this approach by defining TARGETING and DEFENSELESS PLAYER. Also encouraged is a change in the mindset that some people still have regarding “acceptance” of illegal helmet contact. Athletes, coaches and game officials must continue to be diligent and proactive in striving to minimize risk.



2013 FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS

PROHIBITION ON CONTACT TO AND WITH THE HELMET

In an effort to minimize the risk of catastrophic head and neck injuries, the NFHS Football Rules Committee continues to urge KEEPING THE HEAD OUT OF FOOTBALL. While the wearing of a football helmet can never guarantee the elimination of head and neck injuries, all levels of football have increased their focus on reducing these types of injuries as much as possible. It is recognized that one of the biggest steps in that endeavor is to eliminate direct helmet-to-helmet contact and any other contact both with and to the helmet.

Direct helmet-to-helmet contact and any other contact both with and to the helmet must be eliminated from the sport of football at the interscholastic level! Using the helmet to inflict punishment on the opponent is dangerous and illegal. Coaches and game officials must be diligent in promoting the elimination of contact to and with the helmet, as follows:

• Coaches -- through consistent adherence to proper and legal coaching techniques.

• Game Officials -- through strict enforcement of pertinent playing rules and game administrations.

Coaches must insist that players play “heads-up” football by utilizing proper and safe techniques, - not only during games, but on the practice field as well. Coaches must shoulder the responsibility of consistently reinforcing with their players that using the top or face of the helmet goes against all tenets of the basic techniques of safe and legal blocking and tackling. The No. 1 responsibility for game officials must be player safety. Any initiation of contact with the helmet is illegal; therefore, it must be penalized consistently and without warning. Player safety is really a matter of attitude, technique, attention and supervision. Football players will perform as they are taught; therefore, there must be a concentrated focus on consistently enforcing the existing rules. And contrary to most other rule enforcements, when in doubt, contact to and with the helmet should be ruled as a foul by game officials. Contact to and with the helmet may be considered a flagrant act and may be penalized by disqualification if a game official considers the foul so severe or extreme that it places an opponent in danger of serious injury.

Consistent education, recognition and penalty enforcement of contact to and with the helmet must be adhered to throughout practice time and contests, regardless of the situation. Whether it is in the first practice, last practice, first quarter of the first game or overtime of the state championship, contact to and with the helmet must be discouraged and taken out of the game by coaches, players and game officials. It is hoped that this concentrated approach will be a positive step toward reinforcing player safety!

RECONDITIONING AND RECERTIFICATION OF FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT

When addressing overall player safety related to the game of football, an essential component is the recertification and reconditioning of equipment. No piece of equipment lasts for a lifetime, but schools can safely extend the life of equipment if they follow proper procedures and guidelines before, during and after the season concludes. It is important that the equipment manager (i.e., athletic director, coach or volunteer) has a system in place to document equipment use by players, as well as recertification and/or reconditioning dates. This information serves as a valuable resource in determining future equipment needs and expenditures while providing a historical record that can be accessed if necessary.

Careful investigation should be made prior to selecting a recertification and/or reconditioning company. Quality companies will be able to guarantee that any work performed on equipment will meet national safety standards and will most likely have some type of warranty replacement program as part of the process. Schools need to protect themselves and the participants - the company the school selects should be able to provide a certificate of product liability insurance that outlines coverage limits. It is recommended that the school perform a complete evaluation of the certificate prior to entering into any agreement.

Recertification and/or reconditioning efforts are not limited to helmets. Shoulder, rib, hip, thigh, knee, tailbone and back pads need to be cleaned, sanitized and repaired each year. The company the school selects should be able to outline the recertification and/or reconditioning process that will be used and whether or not replacement parts are the manufacturer’s original or from another source. Other items, such as football field equipment that utilizes padding of any type, should be inspected and repaired as well.

Minimizing risk in a football program should involve a comprehensive review of every aspect from player equipment to on-field equipment. Take the time to select a recertification and/or reconditioning company that has a proven track record with multiple clients. It is appropriate to check references before making a final selection. Recertification and/or reconditioning of equipment is an essential part of any football program. Creating a historical tracking record for equipment, repairing equipment to factory standards and recertifying equipment to meet national standards are expected. The following is some specific football reconditioning and recertification information for football helmets:

Definition of Reconditioning and Recertification

ϖ Reconditioning – The inspection, cleaning, sanitizing and repair/restoration of athletic equipment to the original performance standard.

ϖ Recertification – The reconditioning, testing and proper labeling of athletic equipment that has previously met the NOCSAE standard and recertification standard.

What is the recommendation on how often football helmets should be reconditioned/recertified?

The helmet manufacturers recommend every year and a minimum of every other year to maintain the warranty on their helmets. The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) and

the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA) both recommend every year. All NAERA members are licensed by NOCSAE to recondition and recertify all football helmets manufactured under the NOCSAE logo.

How often are football helmets required to be reconditioned/recertified?

The state of California is the only state that requires helmet reconditioning/recertification. The NOCSAE standards do not specify or require reconditioning or recertification of football helmets on any particular schedule or frequency. A common practice is to inspect all football helmets at the end of the football season, and schedule half of a school’s inventory to be reconditioned/recertified annually. Inspection of all football helmets may identify helmets that are in need of reconditioning/recertification after each season. As of the 2012 football season, NAERA members do not recondition/recertify any helmet 10 years of age or older.

Can a football helmet be recertified without being reconditioned?

No. All helmets taken in to a NAERA facility are required to be reconditioned and recertified. A random sample of football helmets is NOCSAE drop-tested before and after the reconditioning process with the data collected on those test helmets.

FREE BLOCKING ZONE ENFORCEMENT – CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT OF BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST

Free Blocking Zone

The free blocking zone is defined as a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. A player is considered to be in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap. The definition of the line of scrimmage for each team is a vertical plane through the point of the ball nearest to the team’s goal line.

Blocking Below the Waist is Permitted in the Free-Blocking Zone:

1. All players involved in blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.

2. The contact is in the free-blocking zone.

3. The ball has not left the free-blocking zone.

Clipping and Blocking in the Back is Permitted in the Free-Blocking Zone:

1. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap.

2. Against defensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the

snap.

3. The contact is in the free-blocking zone.

4. The ball has not left the free-blocking zone.

The basic guideline is that the free-blocking zone exists while the ball is in the zone and ceases to exist when the ball has left the zone. The exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive player to clip and/or block is not to continue after the ball has left the zone. With the creation of the “shot-gun” and “pistol” formations, an interpretation of the free-blocking zone rule allows for an offensive lineman to legally initiate contact, immediately at the snap, with a defensive lineman by blocking below the waist, clipping or blocking in the back, even though the ball leaves the free-blocking zone soon after the snap. Any delay in the block would make it illegal, as the free-blocking zone no longer exists.

The Basic Rules to Keep in Mind at the Snap:

1. Defensive players may not clip.

2. Offensive backs may not clip.

3. Offensive linemen not in the zone at the snap may not clip.

Items for Game Officials to Consider:

1. Because a quarterback in the "shotgun" or "pistol" formation is usually positioned more than 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap, a legal block below the waist, clip or block in the back must be initiated simultaneously with the snap. Once the ball leaves the free-blocking zone, a block below the waist, clip or block in the back is a foul.

2. Offensive linemen set in a 2-point stance in a "shotgun" or "pistol" formation are particularly suspect. Any delay in executing a block below the waist, clip or block in the back after the snap in these formations results in a foul.

3. Be alert to running backs and wide receivers who line up outside the free-blocking zone, being “cut” by defenders on sweeps or roll-out passes. Blocking-below-the-waist rules apply equally to the offense and defense.

4. Up backs should not be allowed to block defenders below the waist when the team is in a scrimmage kick, shot-gun or pistol formation. Only those players on the line of scrimmage and in the free- blocking zone at the time of the snap can block below the waist, and only in the free-blocking zone, and only if the free-blocking zone still exists.



2012–2013 GAME OFFICIALS MANUAL POINTS OF EMPHASIS

SPORTSMANSHIP – END OF GAME MANAGEMENT

The NFHS Game Officials Manual Committee has once again made Sportsmanship a point of emphasis for the 2012-2013 football seasons and wants to extend the focus to include end-of-game protocol/preventive officiating. NFHS football rules allow state associations to prescribe a point differential that allows the game to be terminated or a running clock to be used. The NFHS Football Rules Committee shares the concern about potential injuries and the issues surrounding sportsmanship in those situations when the point differential is implemented. A basic requirement for all athletes is to be able to control their emotions when things occur that could trigger unsportsmanlike behavior. It is of the utmost importance that participants, coaches and game officials carefully and diligently enforce all playing rules, but particularly those regarding safety and risk minimization. Unwarranted and unnecessary "punishing" of an opponent has become a style of play that is specifically condemned when a game has been decided. Players must be made aware of potentially unsafe techniques and refrain from their use. For game officials, dead-ball officiating is critical in these types of games. Players must be monitored carefully as they may resort to cheap shots. Game officials must be ever vigilant to make calls involving player safety and potential risk. There are several areas of officiating that should never be compromised. Taunting and fouls that endanger player safety must never be ignored. Obvious and blatant acts cannot be ignored. Players also have responsibilities to their teams and their opponents to play within the rules for the whole game. All game officials have an opportunity to exercise preventive officiating but must call those fouls related to player safety. Game officials will at times need to be more vocal on the field and empower the captains to help game officials keep their teammates in line. Coaches and game officials must act decisively to eliminate - to the greatest extent possible - threats to the welfare of football players.

ENFORCING THAT LEGAL EQUIPMENT IS WORN PROPERLY

Head Coaches and game officials should always keep in mind that risk minimization comes first. Required equipment is mandated for the well-being of the players. Coaches and game officials must remember that high school players are apt to mimic what they see collegiate or professional players do on television. Note that what is allowed at those levels by either rule or application of rules can be totally different than what is legal or should be allowed in high school. Permitting players to wear knee pads that do not cover the knee is one such area of concern. Requiring the play card to be worn on the wrist as intended by the manufacturer is another. Enforcing the NFHS football equipment rules is just as important as enforcing a clip or chop block as both of these rules deal directly with player safety. Ideally, the head coach should shoulder a great deal of this responsibility because the coach is required to verify that all of the team’s players are legally equipped. Game officials have the responsibility to penalize the head coach when players are not legally equipped and to prohibit the players from participating until they become legally equipped. It is suggested that game officials address these equipment concerns during the pre-game activities through a diligent review of all players. Coaches and game officials must work together to require compliance with NFHS football equipment rules.

LINESMAN AND LINE JUDGE POSITIONING

It is important that the Linesman and Line Judge begin each play positioned on the sideline, outside the field of play. The Linesman and Line Judge should start each play aligned opposite each other straddling the neutral zone, working just out of bounds but inside the restraining line that aligns with their respective sideline. This will help the wing officials with several field management duties:

Player and non-player safety as well as sideline control with the prospect for clear communication between the game officials and coaches is very important. Positioning along the sideline allows the action to be in front of them. Working wide will give the Linesman and Line Judge a broader view of the play with complete outside-in coverage while keeping the play boxed in. Working outside the field of play will also prevent game officials from having players lining up or positioned behind them. It is essential to begin each play wide. This gives the game official a better perspective with a wider peripheral view for better officiating opportunities.

KICKOFF MECHANICS AND COVERAGE

Significant changes were implemented by the NFHS Game Officials Manual Committee regarding kickoff mechanics and coverage. As a result of the addition of the new NFHS football rule 9-3-8, the committee is emphasizing the new mechanics and coverage on the kickoff.

The rationale for the changes has to do with the addition of NFHS football rule 9-3-8 and the number of deep kicks that are occurring throughout the country. The Umpire and Line Judge have reversed their positions. This will allow for the Line Judge to be on the line during runbacks and allow him/her to make the calls on the line he/she would typically make during the other plays of the game. In addition, the positioning of the Line Judge has been moved back to the 10-yard line to help with kicks in the deep corner. The Referee has been positioned closer to the sideline to take care of deep kicks to his/her deep corner. The Linesman has been moved up to the receiver’s free-kick line to have a better look at the legality of blocks if an on-sides kick occurs. As in other situations, the crew should consider other factors such as wind conditions, skill of the kicker, etc., in adjusting their positions on the kickoff.



2012 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES INTERPRETATIONS

SITUATION 1 (3.5.10): Team A has the ball 1st and 10 at A’s 20-yard line. A31 is carrying the ball when B33 lowers his head and strikes A31 helmet to helmet trying to make the tackle. The contact makes the helmets for both A31 and B33 come completely off with A31 in possession of the ball at A’s 26-yard line. RULING: The ball is dead immediately due to the helmet coming off the runner. B33 is penalized 15 yards for illegal helmet contact making it 1st and 10 at A’s 41-yard line. A31 may remain in the game due to the opponent foul. B33 must leave the game for one play as A31 did not foul and B33's helmet came off during the down.

(3-5-10d; 4-2-2k; 9-4-3i)

2012 NFHS Football Case Book Clarifications

(Underlining shows additions; shows deletions.)

Page 55, *7.5 COMMENT: The following chart should help game officials distinguish

between the various possible fouls that can occur when an ineligible receiver touches or is touched by the ball, including accidentally striking, muffing or catching, and with basic fouls regarding ineligibility. ENZ refers to expanded neutral zone. Answers are "Is it?".

[pic]

Page 61, *7.5.13 SITUATION A: Ineligible receiver A2 is behind, in or beyond his neutral zone and has committed no act against a defender that could be considered pass interference when a forward pass by A1: (a) accidentally strikes him in the back; or (B is muffed by him; or c) is caught by him. RULING: In (a), there is no foul for illegal touching. In ( B and c), it is illegal touching. The acts in both (B and c) are intentional and not accidental as in (a). COMMENT: Game officials should be very clear in explaining penalty options if the same act constitutes more than one foul as listed above, as each of the fouls has a different penalty.



_______________________________________________________________________

NFHS COMMENTS ON THE 2011 FOOTBALL RULES CHANGES

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF GAME OFFICIALS CLARIFIED (1-1-8): The committee clarified

that administrative duties for game officials may need to continue after the game to

document actions which occur during the game. This revision illustrates the difference

between the game officials’ jurisdiction during the game and other administrative responsibilities

such as submitting specific reports after the game. In addition, the committee clarified

that State Associations may continue to develop and implement policies that allow for

review of unusual incidents that occur while the game officials have jurisdiction or after the

game.

THIGH GUARD STANDARD REVISED (1-5-1c(4)): The committee determined that the thigh

guard specifications regarding composition, compression resistance and required thickness

of the outside and inside surfaces were not necessarily applicable to newer technologies

being used in current production. The requirements for wearing thigh guards and that

the guards be unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production remain part of

the rule.

EYE SHADE RESTRICTIONS ADOPTED (1-5-3c(3) NEW): The committee adopted new

restrictions in response to increasing use of “face painting” and the placement of words and

other symbols within eye shade (grease or no-glare strips or stickers). In recent years, players

were applying materials in situations where it was not necessary for game conditions.

In other cases, it appeared that some use of eye shade and other face paint was intended

to draw attention to the individual player. Under the revision, if a player uses eye shade, it

must be applied using a single solid stroke under each eye. The committee’s intent was that

eye shade be located below and within the width of the eye socket and not extend below the

cheek bone. No words, numbers, logos, or other symbols of any type may be included within

the eye shade.

CHOP BLOCK REDEFINED (2-3-8): The definition of a chop block was modified by the committee.

The revised language specifies that any combination block where one block is high

(above the knee) and one block is low (at or below the knees) constitutes a chop block, with

or without a delay between the blocks. The rule change also stipulates that a low-low combination

block is no longer a chop block.

INJURY TIMEOUT CONFERENCES RESTRICTED TO OUTSIDE NINE-YARD MARKS (2-6-1,

2; 3-5-8): With two changes, the committee labeled the two types of authorized team conferences

(“Outside Nine Yard Mark Conference” and “Between Nine Yard Mark

Conference”). In addition, the committee specified that when an injury occurs and the referee

grants an authorized conference, it must be an “Outside Nine Yard Mark Conference”.

This will give medical personnel time and space to address the injured player.

PROVISIONS FOR REMOVAL OF INJURED PLAYERS STANDARDIZED (3-5-10a-c): The

committee standardized the rules regarding the replacement of apparently injured players

(3-5-10a), players who exhibit concussion signs and symptoms (3-5-10b) and players who

are bleeding or have blood on himself or the uniform (3-5-10c). Players removed in any of

these situations must leave the game for at least one down (unless halftime or the overtime

intermission occurs) and comply with the remainder of the applicable rule. The rule also

stipulates that the time-out taken in such circumstances constitutes an officials’ time-out.

HORSE COLLAR PENALTY ENFORCEMENT CLARIFIED (9-4-3k): The committee stipulated

that all horse collar fouls are to be treated as live ball fouls.

ENFORCEMENT SPOT FOR ROUGHING THE PASSER REVISED (9-4 PENALTY): Penalties

for roughing the passer are now enforced from the dead ball spot when there is no change

of team possession and the dead-ball spot is beyond the line of scrimmage provided A

maintains possession.

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION REVISED (9-6-2): With this change, the rule regarding illegal

participation now has been extended to apply to a player who intentionally goes out of

bounds and, while out of bounds, affects the play, touches the ball or otherwise participates.

Action of this type would now constitute illegal participation and be penalized 15

yards from the basic spot.

PENALTY ADDED FOR VIOLATIONS OF RULE 3-2-2 (9-8-1g(3) NEW): This change stipulates

that an unsportsmanlike penalty will be assessed to the head coach for violation of the

restrictions contained in Rule 3-2-2.



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2011 NFHS Football Rules Interpretations

SITUATION 1 (6.1.6): With 4th and 5 from K’s 30-yard line, K9 punts the ball downfield where it is grounded and touched by K88 (first touching) at R’s 30. The ball continues rolling and is picked up by R35 at R’s 25-yard line. R 35 is subsequently hit and fumbles at R’s 28. The loose ball is recovered by K88 on the ground at R’s 26. During the kick, R55 is flagged for holding. RULING: If K accepts R’s foul for holding, then it is enforced from the previous spot with a re-kick since post-scrimmage kick cannot apply as K is next to put the ball in play as a result of the play. If K accepts the foul, the awarded spot for illegal touching is not applied. If K declines R’s foul, R will take the ball at the spot of first touching. (2-12-1, 2; 2-16-2h)

SITUATION 2 (9.4.8): A1 is illegally in motion at the snap. The play goes to the sideline where one of B’s coaches makes unintentional contact with a game official (9-4-8). RULING: Both fouls will be penalized, first the live-ball foul for A’s illegal motion, then the 15 yards for unintentional contact in the restricted area. The 9-4-8 foul is a nonplayer foul and is therefore penalized as a dead-ball foul, even though the contact occurred during a live ball. (2-16-2f; 10-4-5c)

SITUATION 3 (9.6.2): K1 free-kicks the ball toward the sideline. R1 runs to a sideline and intentionally steps out of bounds. While R1 is still out of bounds, he intentionally touches the ball as it nears the sideline. The ball is declared dead by the covering official. RULING: Illegal participation by R1. This is not a kick out of bounds as the ball was touched by an R player and the ball became dead when it was touched. (4-3-1; 6-1-8)

2011 NFHS Football Rules Book Clarifications

(Underlining shows additions; shows deletions.):

Page 64, RULE 8-2-2: ...(other than unsportsmanlike conduct or a nonplayer foul)…; Page 64, RULE 8-2-3: ...(other than unsportsmanlike conduct or a nonplayer foul)… .

2011 NFHS Football Rules PowerPoint Clarification

(Underlining shows additions; shows deletions.):

Slide #44 under 2011 Football Rules Reminders. Need to make a change in the text on the slide below the pictures: If a player, coach or nonplayer is in the restricted zone while the ball is live but does not contact a game official, a warning is issued for the first offense. The second instance results in a five-yard penalty and the third offense results in a 15-yard penalty

_______________________________________________________

2010 NFHS Football Rules Interpretations

SITUATION 1: A has possession, fourth and 8 from B’s 40-yard line. A1 advances 7 yards where B1 grabs him by the inside back collar of the jersey and commits an illegal horse-collar foul. The jersey/collar is grabbed one yard inbounds and B1 pulls A1 down: (a) inbounds, or (b ) just out of bounds. RULING: In both (a) and (b ), the penalty for illegal horse-collar is penalized from the end of the run and A is awarded a new series. COMMENT: Even though the tackle in (b ) ends up out of bounds, the NFHS Football Rules Committee’s intention for 2010 was clearly to be able to enforce the foul whether or not the ball became dead between the grabbing the inside back collar of the jersey and the bringing of the player to the ground. (9-4-3k)

SITUATION 2: In the first quarter, the assistant coach for Team A accidentally collides with the line judge while the line judge is covering a play. Team A’s head coach is penalized 15 yards. In the second quarter, the back judge is covering a play near the sideline and observes an assistant in the restricted area during the play. RULING: As written, this is a first warning for Team A for violation of the restricted area and is not penalized in terms of yards. The occurrences of the new illegal personal contact foul and the restricted area violation are not combined for penalty enforcement purposes. (9-4-8)

2010 NFHS Football Rules Book Clarification

(Underlining shows additions; shows deletions.)

Pages 94-95, SIX-PLAYER – RULE 7: b. Re-letter c-f.

___________________________________________________________________________

|2009 Football Rules Interpretations |

|Case Book Clarifications: (Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.) |

|Page 21, *3.3.4 SITUATION D: In the middle of a period, Team A throws a pass which is intercepted by B1. B1 advances to the 8-yard line 3-yard |

|line where he:... |

|Page 32, 4.2.2 SITUATION J: ... RULING: In (a), play continues and it is a first down for A after enforcement of the face mask foul. In (b), ...|

|Pages 76-77, 9.5.2 SITUATION: ...RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct foul in (a), (b) and (c), the touchdown counts and A will be penalized 15 yards|

|on the try or on the subsequent kickoff. In (d), B1's contact foul will be penalized on the try at the 1½-yard line or on the subsequent |

|kickoff. If deemed flagrant, … |

|Page 80, 9.7.2 SITUATION B: K1's punt is coming down over R's 10-yard line and: (a) R3 is in position to catch the ball; or (b) no R player is |

|in position to catch the ball, when K2 bats attempts to bat the ball toward his own goal line while it is in flight, but the batted ball |

|subsequently goes into R's end zone. RULING: ... |

|Page 86, *10.2.2 SITUATION B:  ...COMMENT: Whenever both teams foul during a change of possession down and the team in final possession gets the|

|ball free of a foul (with "CLEAN HANDS"), they have the opportunity to retain possession. The fact that their opponent's foul occurred after the|

|change of possession has no bearing on the enforcement. However, when B, the "clean hands" team, retains possession by declining the opponent's |

|foul, the penalty for B's foul may must be enforced. (9-4-1 Penalty; 10-2-1b) |

|SITUATION 1: A1 is carrying the football when B1 grabs him by the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey. A1 then: (a) |

|fumbles the football and is subsequently brought to the ground by B1; (b) crosses the goal line to score a touchdown and is then brought down by|

|B1; or (c) crosses the sideline and is then brought down by B1. RULING: The official must judge whether or not a personal foul has occurred, but|

|if called, it cannot be a horse-collar tackle. COMMENT: B1's contact on A1 meets part of the definitions of a horse-collar tackle in that he |

|grabbed the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey.  However, in (a), when the runner (A1) fumbled the football, he was no |

|longer a runner. In (b) or (c), when the runner (A1) crossed the goal line or sideline, the football became dead and A1 was no longer a player |

|(in possession of a live ball).  (2-26-13; 9-4-3k) |

 

|2008 Football Rules Changes |

1-2-3a: White is the recommended color for all field markings. The rule continues to allow the use of other colors for field markings, when appropriate.

1-2-3d; NEW 2-26-8: The restraining line can now be either solid or broken. It is recommended that a broken line be used and marked by placing 12-inch-long lines separated at 24-inch intervals. Only game officials are allowed in the area marked by the restraining line.

1-5-1b,d,h: Hip pads, tailbone protector, knee pads and thigh guards must not be altered from the manufacturer's original design/production. Shinguards, if worn, must meet NOCSAE specifications.

1-5-2b, NOTE: A hand pad is now defined as a covering for the hand which may have separate openings for each finger and thumb, is absent of any web-like material between the fingers and/or thumb, and not covering each finger and thumb. The implementation date for a mandatory securely attached label or stamp has been changed from 2008 to 2012.

2-16-2e; 3-3-4b; 8-2-2; 8-2-3; 10-2-4: Four changes in the playing rules were refined regarding the penalty options for teams that score but were fouled during the play. Rule 2-16-2e was clarified (along with Rule 10-2-4) to revise the definition of a multiple foul to stipulate that a team must foul twice during the same down to commit multiple fouls. Rule 3-3-4b was amended to clarify issues at the end of the half, and along with amendments to Rules 8-2-2 and 8-2-3, clearly stipulate that fouls by the opponent of the scoring team on the last timed down of the first half can carry over to the second-half kickoff, however fouls by the opponent of the scoring team on the last timed down of the second half cannot carry over to overtime.

3-5-1: The option to carry over unused second-half time-outs into overtime has been removed. The NFHS-recommended Resolving Tied Games procedure continues to provide for one time-out per overtime period with the revisions stipulating that unused time-outs do not carry to subsequent overtime periods.

3-5-2a, NOTE: The head coach can now designate another coach for the purpose of requesting time-outs. The designee shall remain in place for the entire game except in case of emergency.

4-2-3: The inadvertent whistle rule has been clarified. The new wording indicates the options available in a simpler form and makes the choosing of an option an easier process to understand.

9-9 PENALTY: Hiding the ball under the jersey will now be enforced as a basic spot foul using the all-but-one principle.

New 9-9-4; 9-9 PENALTY: No player shall use a kicking tee in violation of Rule 1-3-4. The use of an illegal kicking tee will now be penalized as an unfair act committed by the player. Acceptance of this foul on a try or field goal will nullify any points scored, with the penalty enforced as a basic spot foul using the all-but-one principle.

10-4-6; 10-4-7: The change to Rule 10-4-6 allows the same enforcement for either team by defining the basic spot as the 20-yard line for this type of foul (15-yard line in nine-, eight-, and six- player). A change to Rule 10-4-7 helps clarify the basic spot on running plays for fouls by the opponent of the team in possession when the team in possession puts the ball in the end zone and, subsequently, possession is lost.

Editorial and Other Changes

1-5-1a; 1-5-1f-1b; 1-5-1f2; 1-5-3b; 1-5-3c; 1-5-3l-3; 1-5-4; 1-6-1, 2; 2-13-1; 2-16-2h5; 2-22; 2-29-1, 2, 3; NEW 2-34-3; 3-3-3a; 3-4-2; 3-5-10c; 6-1 PENALTY; 7-2-5; 7-3-2b; 7-5-13; Table 7-5 #4; 8-3-5b; 9-4 PENALTY; 9-9-1; 10-2-1, 2, 3, 4; 10-5-1g, h, i; FUNDAMENTALS X-8; 9-, 8-, and 6-player NEW Rule 10; Penalty Summary; OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS – 10, 47

Points of Emphasis

1. MRSA and Communicable Skin Conditions

2. Purpose of a Football Helmet

3. Altering Legal Football Equipment

4. Sideline Management and Control

5. False Starts, Shifts and Motion

2007 Football Rules Changes

2-22, 9-4-3i, 9-4-3: To place emphasis on helmet contact these rules are being placed under a new heading in the rule book, Illegal Helmet Contact. This is a Point of Emphasis.

 2-16-2: Definition of Flagrant added to rule book. Flagrant fouls result in disqualification.

8-2-2: Penalty enforcement during a play which results in a touchdown. Choice of taking penalty on the try or on the ensuing kickoff. Note: at

end of 2nd and 4th Qtr the kickoff is part of extended period and not

carried over to following Quarter or overtime.

 2-31-11: Definition of passer. Passer is a player who throws a legal forward pass. Illegal contact on player who throws an illegal pass would be a personal foul and not roughing.

 3-5-2a: Timeout privilege may be designated to another Coach on the field if Head Coach is disqualified.

 10-4-6, 10-4-7: When a play ends in a team's own end zone and there is a foul by the opponent and a loose ball occurs. Basic spot is the 20 yard line if the force which put the ball in the end zone was provided by the fouling team. Goal line if force was provided by the fouled team.

 1-2-3d, 1-2-3k: Restraining Lines outside of the Team Box and surrounding the field are mandatory. A four inch wide unbroken line must be around the outside of the field, at least two yards from the sidelines and endlines. Field Diagram

 1-2-3k: Forearm pads along with Hand pads must carry the NFHS/NCAA label starting in 2008.

 1-5-1f2: Beginning in 2008, when measuring the length of a non-removable cleat, the measurement shall be from the tip of the cleat to the sole of the shoe.

1-5-1c: Delayed till 2012.>> Beginning in 2010, the visiting team shall wear white jerseys. Also, the home team has additional limitations as to how much white may be on its jerseys.

 Points of Emphasis

1. Concussions

2. Spearing and Illegal Helmet Contact

3. Making the Difficult Call – Assisting the Runner; Officials Professionalism

4. Goal Line and End Zone Calls

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Recent Rule Discussions: 2006

>> The 11th player enters prior to the snap and lines up as a wide receiver but was never within the nine yard tick marks. Illegal formation, a live ball  foul.

>> Third and goal, offense scores, offense commits interference, time expired during the down. Defense accepts penalty to wipe out touchdown. Period ends as penalty included a loss of down - any accepted penalty which includes a loss of down will not result in a untimed down as the offense lost the right to repeat the down.

>> Misconduct by the sideline is an Unsportsmanship foul and the bench warning penalty process is not used.

>> Force: review Case Book page 58, 59: 8.5.3A, 8.5.3B

 >> Roughing: see Pages 68 and 69 all situations

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2005 

An offensive  Lineman, after the ready for play and after the Center has placed a hand(s) on the ball, extends his arm and points at the defense.

What could be the call if;

A. Arm breaks the plane of the neutral zone, encroachment

B. One second has not elapsed after movement and ball is snapped, illegal motion.

C. Movement is sudden, false start.

D. Act is intended to cause B to encroach, false start.

A tight End is covered by a wing who is on the line thus making him an interior lineman. Can the End go in motion.  Yes, as long as he has not placed his hand on or near the ground and his actions do not simulate action at the snap which would be a false start. Read Rule 7-2 all articles.

All of the input from the audience about a lineman being set has noting to do with this issue *as long as the lineman

in question has not placed his hand on or near to the ground. Anyone on the line except the snapper can go in

motion as long as they are 5 yards from the line of scrimmage at the snap. Rule requires all 11 members of offense to be set for 1 second prior to the snap, they can reset numerous times as long as - see above*.

A side note, only the lineman on the end of the line can move to a new set position after placing his hand on the ground.

            Shift

It is a shift when the Quarterback lowers his body into a position to receive a snap. Same is true if a player in a shot gun formation crouches down. You are to correct this when you first see it unless it is suddenly used in a quick snap to beat the defense then it must be penalized. After correcting and informing coach this action must be penalized. In the case plays article within October Referee magazine there is a discussion on QB movements. We have generally not considered it a shift if QB moves foot backward to signal another player to go in motion. If he sets his foot backward with another player in motion, it is an illegal motion.

            Field

There is no penalty for an incorrectly lined field. You are to notify the AD to have it corrected prior to the next game.

(PDF File)  Rule and Case Book Changes 2005

2004   

> Free Kick out of bounds:   Read case book Page 42, 6-1-8.  (c) If ball is in bounds and touched by a receiver who is out of bounds the receiver has caused the ball to be out of bounds. The ball will be spotted there. 

>Kicker: a player becomes a kicker after he has kicked the ball. 

>Use of deception:  The foul is unsportsmanlike conduct prior to the snap. The penalty if accepted will be accessed from the previous spot. Since the ball will be snapped the results of the play will determine if offended Team accepts penalty. The play may be stopped if it results in a travesty.

The use of a pretended substitution is a form of deception.

This is illegal participation at the snap.  A defensive team does not count players nor check to see if a player is off the field. 

2003

> Chain Crew instructions: please read this and insure equipment is not dropped.

> Momentum Rule applies only to a catch of ball in the air.

Ball issue:  the BADEN FC 500 is a legal ball, although it feels tacky, the NFHS has it listed as an official ball, The tacky feel is not "a foreign substance". Freeport HS uses this ball. Issue has been referred to NFHS for review.

First Down: A new series cannot begin with more then 1st and 10. Any dead ball foul or fouls treated as dead ball must be assessed prior to setting the chains. If a foul occurs after the Referee signals "ready for play", then  series will begin with more or less then 10 yards to gain.  A gains 15 yards, first down, A commits foul after play ends and prior to "ready", assess penalty, reset chains to first and 10.

Official time out for injury: Teams are allowed to go to side line, on the field, and talk to Coaches who must remain in the Coaches box. A Coach on the field is restricted from contact with players other then the injured player. Wing Officials must manage sideline during these instances.

Unnecessary roughness - unnecessary contact with a player obviously out of the play play, personal foul. Officials must enforce as such contact will incite.

The lineman - good review provided by REFEREE < click for link  

Rule correction: Page 22,  Rule 2-17-Article 4 part B delete statement "on the line of scrimmage". Therefore Offensive lineman in the zone can block in the back any Defensive player in the zone at the snap.

  

Exception: All fouls during a scoring down by the opponents of the scoring  team can be carried over to the succeeding spot- except fouls which occur prior to a change of possession. If R fouls prior to an interception which B returns for TD, B must decline penalty to keep TD, therefore,  B cannot accept penalty and have it applied to succeeding spot.

The PSK spot for a scrimmage kick which results in a touchback is the 20 yard line.

2002

An example of Defensive holding: The offensive back is tackled by the defense thus taking him out of the option play. It is obvious the defense has the intent to eliminate the option. The defense is restricted from grasping or holding anyone other then the runner or a player pretending to be a runner.

Block below Waist: Please read Rule 2-17 page 22.  There have been numerous instances when either offensive lineman, defensive ends and line backers have violated the conditions and they have not been penalized. Wings as well as Referee and Umpire must insure they are not all watching the ball carrier. 

Equipment:  A new Neck Brace with a hard bow tie shaped area on its back (no sharp edges) is now making appearances. This is shaped so it cannot be reasonably put under the jersey. State has ruled it is permissible to wear without any additional covering. By default other neck braces do not have to be covered.

Discussion: Between downs a player may approach his Team Box to receive instructions. The player must be on the playing field and the Coach inside of the Team Box.  The player must return to the Team's side of the neutral zone prior to the center placing his hands on the ball. In addition, there cannot be contact with the ball or an opponent if this player is not on his side of the neutral zone after the ready for play. The ready for play will not be delayed to allow such conferences.

Discussion:  Lineman in process of moving to down position when ball is snapped. Live Ball Foul either Motion or team not set for 1 second. Not a False start. 

INTERPRETATION – RULES

⇒    KICK FORMATION > 2-14-2: PLAYER IS AT LEAST 7 YARDS BEHIND LINE OF SCRIMMAGE IN POSITION TO RECEIVE SNAP (BETWEEN THE OUTSIDE SHOULDERS OF THE TWO PLAYERS NEXT TO THE SNAPPER) AND NO ONE IS IN POSITION TO RECEIVE A HAND TO HAND SNAP FROM BETWEEN THE SNAPPERS LEGS. ALSO, NO PLAYER SHALL BE IN A POSITION IN A DIRECT LINE FROM THE SNAPPER TO THE PLAYER IN THE “KICKERS POSITION”.

⇒      ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS ARE ESTABLISHED WHEN TEAM FIRST LINES UP UNDER THE NUMBERING EXCEPTION RULE – KICK FORMATION. Example-Cannot shift to clear a eligible number who was originally lined up as a tackle

 

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BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST

October 4, 2000

⇒      BLOCKING BELOW WAIST –INITIAL DIRECTION OF BLOCK

Discussion on this topic was introduced at the recent meeting. The issue focused on the times when a defensive player makes first contact  with a blocker who then proceeds to block below the waist. If such contact is made in an effort to protect himself from a blocker who has already initiated a block in a direction below his waist and the blocker makes contact below the waist it is a foul. The intent of the rule is to allow a blocker who is in contact at an area above the waist of the defender to then proceed in continuation below the waist. If the direction of the block is at the knees and a player places hands on the blocker to ward him off but is unsuccessful then the block would be illegal.

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