2009 NFHS Rule Changes Bob Sietsema AIA Football Rules Interpreter

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2009 NFHS Rule Changes 10 Rules Changes Approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee

2009 NFHS Rule Changes 1-2-3b NOTE 2 (NEW): All required field markings must be clearly visible c: Stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched ; 7-2-5: The definition of a scrimmage-kick formation was clarified to differentiate formations that have been used traditionally for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt. The circumstances under which the numbering exception can be used have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth downs. Table 3-1; 9-8-1g: The mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. The head coach of each team is responsible for his team being on the field for the warm-up period b5 (NEW): If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended ; 8-2-3; (NEW); f: Three rules were refined and a new article created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or after a touchdown scoring play. Now, the scoring team, in most situations, has the option of enforcing the penalty on the subsequent kickoff h: It is now illegal to grasp the opponent's chin strap k (NEW): The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls, regardless of where it occurs on the field. It is illegal to grasp the inside back or side opening of the collar of the jersey or shoulder pads of the runner and subsequently pull the runner to the ground EXCEPTION: The kicking team cannot bat a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is toward its own goal line. Scrimmage kicks may only be batted by the kicking team towards its own goal line g; 9-8-3: A restricted area has been defined where a maximum of three coaches may communicate with players and substitutes during dead-ball situations. The coaches must move into the team box before the ball becomes live. There will no longer be an allowance for three coaches to remain in an area adjacent to the sideline during play

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Thanks for your attention. Any Questions ?

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Horse-collar Tackle To Be Penalized in High School Football Effective with the 2009 season, it will be illegal to grab the inside back or side collar of the runner's shoulder pads or jersey and subsequently pull the runner to the ground. The penalty will be 15 yards.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes 2 YARD BELT The 2 YARD BELT now extends around the entire field, eliminating the “Coaches Box”. In front of each Team Box is a RESTRICTED AREA that coaches may use during Dead Ball intervals.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes

Team Box / 2 Yard Belt A maximum of three coaches may be in the Restricted Area to communicate with players during dead-ball situations. Before the ball becomes live, however, the coaches must retreat into the team box. Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee, said this rule change results in a 2-yard belt that is clear of team personnel and helps eliminate sideline congestion while helping to minimize the risk for participating players, coaches and officials during live-ball situations.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Rule It is illegal to grasp an opponent's chin strap, in addition to the opponent's face mask or edge of a helmet opening.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes 3 Minute Warm Up Following Halftime Consistency Across the Entire Country 1.When Do You Start the 3 Minutes? 2.When Does A Foul Occur? 3.Liability?

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Rule 9-8-1g clarifies that the mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. Officials are to provide the “opportunity to warm up”, but are not responsible for injury if the Head Coach chooses not to utilize the time to actually warm up.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Rule 9-8-1g Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Charged to the Head Coach) Failure of a team to be ready to start either half Penalty occurs when the 3 minute clock starts.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Numbering Exception Rule Fixing a Loop Hole

2009 NFHS Rule Changes The definition of scrimmage-kick formation was clarified for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt. In addition, the circumstances under which the numbering exception can be utilized have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth downs.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Numbering Exception Basics 1.The rule exception was originally instituted to allow “better athletes” to be the long snapper or to be on the punt coverage team. 2.Coaches developed new offensive formations (i.e. A-11) to capitalize on the exception. 3.The goal of the rule change is to allow the numbering exception to be used for scrimmage kick plays.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Scrimmage-Kick Formation 1.No player in position to receive hand-to-hand snap between the snapper’s legs. 2.At the snap, a player with knee on the ground 7 yards or more behind LOS (in position to be a holder) and another player 3 yards or less behind that player (in position to attempt a kick) OR At the snap, a player 10 or more yards behind the LOS and in position to receive the snap.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Numbering Exception On 1 st, 2 nd, or 3 rd Down, 1.When a team shifts or sets in a scrimmage kick formation, ONLY THE SNAPPER is exempt from the numbering rule. Snapper is always ineligible in this situation (unless pass is touched by B). 2.FOUR linemen must be wearing

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Numbering Exception On 4 th Down or a Kick Try, 1.No requirement for any players to be Players numbered 1-49 or who take an initial position as an interior lineman remain ineligible to catch a forward pass (unless the pass is touched by team B).

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Fouls on Touchdown Scoring Plays Three rules were revised and a new article was created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or after a touchdown-scoring play. The offended team, in most situations, has the option of enforcing the penalty on the subsequent kickoff. Fouls committed after the initial ready-for-play signal following the touchdown are not affected by this change.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Extending a Period Following a Penalty If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended. The teams will change goals to start the next period.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Stripes on the Football The rule change states that the stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Field Markings All required field markings must be clearly visible. Further, when other markings such as logos are placed on the field, the required markings shall remain visible.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Illegal Batting of a Scrimmage Kick It is illegal batting by the kicking team if it bats a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is batted by the kicking team toward its own goal line.

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Points of Emphasis Illegal Personal Contact Blocking and Illegal Blocks Helmet and Face Mask Uniforms Sportsmanship

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Illegal Personal Contact 9-4-3b Charge into or throw an opponent to the ground after he is obviously out of the play, or the ball is clearly dead either in or out of bounds

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Examples: Well behind a long scoring play Punts – Away from the ball Standing near a pile

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Illegal Personal Contact 15 yard penalty Player may be ejected if flagrant

2009 NFHS Rule Changes Thanks for your attention. Any Questions ?