1. WIAA / WOA Football Clinic
WIAA / WOA Football Clinic
Welcome to the WIAA / WOA Football Clinic.

2. Rules Changes
The next set of slides will review the changes to the NFHS Football Rules.

3. WIAA Modification to the 40-Pt Mercy Rule
The game clock shall run continuously for the remainder of the game except for an injury time-out, a charged time-out, time between quarters, or a score.
A slight modification as to when the clock will stop has been made to the 40-pt mercy rule.
The clock will no longer stop on an official’s timeout. The game clock shall run continuously for the remainder of the game except for an injury time-
out, a charged team time-out, time between quarters, or a score.

4. Game Officials’ Authority Rule 1-1-7
The WIAA has not adopted the changes to Rule
Rules Change:
SECTION 1 THE GAME
ART The game officials shall assume authority for the contest, including penalizing unsportsmanlike acts, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time – an earlier time if required by the state association – or as soon thereafter as they are able to be present.
Rationale for Change:
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 officials’ authority in those states.
Case Book: See SITUATION 1.1.7
WIAA has not adopted the changes to Rule 1-1-7

5. Targeting Rules 2-20-2 (NEW); 9-4-3m (NEW) EXAMPLE: ELBOW TO THE HEAD
Targeting Rules (NEW); 9-4-3m (NEW) EXAMPLE: FOREARM TO THE NECK
Targeting Rules (NEW); 9-4-3m (NEW) EXAMPLE: ELBOW TO THE HEAD
Targeting Rules (NEW); 9-4-3m (NEW) EXAMPLE: FIST TO THE HEAD
Targeting Rules (NEW); 9-4-3m (NEW) EXAMPLE: SHOULDER TO THE HEAD
Targeting is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders. Targeting may be called for contact against any opponent, including the runner.
Rules Change:
SECTION 20 HELMET CONTACT – ILLEGAL, TARGETING
ART Targeting is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders.
SECTION 4 ILLEGAL PERSONAL CONTACT
ART No player or nonplayer shall:
m. Target an opponent.
9-4-3 PENALTY: … Targeting an opponent (Art. 3m) – (S38, 24) – 15 yards. …
Rationale for Change:
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.
Case Book: See SITUATION 9.4.3U

6. Targeting Rules 2-20-2 (NEW); 9-4-3m (NEW)
A blow to the helmet by two linemen in the free blocking zone is not necessarily a targeting foul.

7. Targeting Rule 9-4-3m (NEW) Illegal Personal Contact
Targeting is a 15-yard penalty for illegal personal contact. Note that the passer in this play is also a defenseless player.
Rules Change:
SECTION 4 – ILLEGAL PERSONAL CONTACT
ART No player or nonplayer shall:
m. Target an opponent.
9-4-3 PENALTY: … Targeting an opponent (Art. 3m) – (S38, 24) – 15 yards. …
Rationale for Change:
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.
Case Book: See SITUATION 9.4.3U

8. Illegal Kick Status Rule 2-24-9
When the ball is illegally kicked, the ball retains its original status. The player in PlayPic A fumbles and the player in PlayPic B kicks the loose ball. The ball remains a fumble.
Rules Change:
SECTION 24 KICKS
ART An illegal kick is any intentional striking of the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot which does not comply with Articles 3 and 4. When the ball is loose following an illegal kick, it retains the same status as prior to the illegal kick.
Rationale for Change:
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.
Case Book: See SITUATION 9.7.1B

9. Defenseless Player Rules 2-32-16 (NEW); 9-4-3i(3)
A new definition for a defenseless player has been added. A defenseless player is a player who, because of his physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury.
Rules Change:
SECTION 32 PLAYER DESIGNATIONS
ART A defenseless player is a player who, because of his physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury.
SECTION 4 ILLEGAL PERSONAL CONTACT
ART No player or nonplayer shall:
i. Initiate illegal helmet contact. (butt block, face tackle or spear)
NOTE: Illegal helmet contact may be considered a flagrant act. Acts to be considered flagrant include, but are not limited to:
1. Illegal helmet contact against an opponent lying on the ground,
2. Illegal helmet contact against an opponent being held up by other players, and/or
3. Illegal helmet-to-helmet contact against a defenseless opponent.
9-4-3 PENALTY: … Illegal helmet contact (Art. 3i) – (S24) – 15 yards. …
Rationale for Change:
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.
Case Book: See COMMENT

10. Defenseless Player Rules 2-32-16 (NEW); 9-4-3i(3) EXAMPLE: KICKER
Defenseless Player Rules (NEW); 9-4-3i(3) EXAMPLE: FORWARD PROGRESS STOPPED
Defenseless Player Rules (NEW); 9-4-3i(3) EXAMPLE: PLAYER ON THE GROUND
Defenseless Player Rules (NEW); 9-4-3i(3) EXAMPLE: KICK RECEIVER
Defenseless Player Rules (NEW); 9-4-3i(3) EXAMPLE: KICKER
Defenseless Player Rules (NEW); 9-4-3i(3) EXAMPLE: PASS RECEIVER
Defenseless Player Rules (NEW); 9-4-3i(3) EXAMPLE: OUT OF THE PLAY
B6 has chosen not to participate further and is obviously out of the play. He is considered to be defenseless.
After a kick (PlayPic A), a kicker who has not had a reasonable amount of time to regain his balance after the kick (PlayPic B) is a defenseless player.
A pass receiver attempting to catch a pass, or a pass receiver who has clearly relaxed when the player has missed the pass or feels he can no longer catch the pass, is considered defenseless.
A kick receiver attempting to catch or recover the ball is considered defenseless.
A player who is on the ground is considered defenseless.
A runner already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped is defenseless. Contact on the runner could also be considered targeting.

11. Untimed Down Rules 3-3-3; 3-3-4
Team A commits a live-ball foul and time for the period expires during the down. If the penalty is accepted, the period is extended for an untimed down.
Team B commits a live-ball foul and time for the period expires during the down. If the penalty is accepted, the period is extended for an untimed down.
Rules Change:
SECTION 3 ENDING A PERIOD – HALF
ART A period shall be extended by an untimed down if one of the following occurred during a down in which time expires:
a. There was a foul by either team and the penalty is accepted, except for those fouls listed in 3 3-4b.
b. There was a double foul.
c. There was an inadvertent whistle.
d. If a touchdown was scored, the try is attempted unless the touchdown is scored during the last down of the fourth period and the point(s) would not affect the outcome of the game or playoff qualifying.
If (a), (b), (c) or (d) occurs during the untimed down, the procedure is repeated.
ART A period shall not be extended by an untimed down if one of the following occurred during a down in which time expires:
a. When the defense fouls during a successful try/field goal and the offended team accepts the results of the play with enforcement of the penalty from the succeeding spot.
b. There was a foul by either team and the penalty is accepted for:
1. unsportsmanlike fouls,
2. nonplayer fouls,
3. fouls that specify a loss of down,
4. fouls that are enforced on the subsequent kickoff as in Rule 8-2-2, , or 8-2-5; or
5. fouls for which enforcement, by rule, result in a safety.
NOTE: The score is cancelled in the event of an accepted penalty that specifies a loss of down.
Rationale for Change:
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.
Case Book: See SITUATIONS 3.3.3B-D, 3.3.4B-C, 3.3.5A, 8.2.2B-C, D

12. Free-Kick Formation Rules 6-1-3b (NEW); 6-1-3c (NEW)
After the ready-for-play has been signaled and until the ball is kicked for a free kick, team K must have at least four players on either side of the kicker. As shown in the MechaniGram, K is guilty of a dead-ball foul.
On a free kick, from the time the ready-for-play is signaled until the ball is kicked, no K player other than the kicker may be more than five yards from his free-kick line. The formation in the MechaniGram becomes legal when the ball has been declared ready-for-play.
The formation in the MechaniGram becomes illegal when the ball has been declared ready-for-play. K3, K4, K5 and K6 are all more than five yards from their free kick line. No K players, with the exception of the kicker may be more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free kick line. A player satisfies this rule when no foot is on or beyond the line five yards behind K’s free kick. If one player is more than five yards behind the restraining line and any other player kicks the ball, it is a foul.
Rules Change:
SECTION 1 THE KICKOFF AND OTHER FREE KICKS
ART After the ball is marked ready for play, and until the ball is kicked, K must meet the following formation requirements:
a. No player, other than the kicker and the holder for a place kick, may be beyond his free-kick line; and
b. At least four K players must be on each side of the kicker.
c. No K players, with the exception of the kicker, may be more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free-kick line. A player satisfies this rule when no foot is on or beyond the line 5 yards behind K’s free kick. If one player is more than 5 yards behind the restraining line and any other player kicks the ball, it is a foul.
6-1 PENALTY: … Encroachment (Art. 3a, b, c) – (S7-18) – 5 yards. …
Rationale for Change:
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.
Case Book: See SITUATIONS 6.1.3A-C

13. Free-Kick Formation Changes / Responsibilities
R: Responsible for making sure there are at least four players on each side of the kicker
U: Starting position is opposite the chains on team R’s 20 yardline
L: No changes or added responsibility
LJ: Starting position is opposite the chains on team R’s free-kick line
BJ: Responsible for making sure no players are on or behind the 5-yard restraining line
Free-Kick Formation Changes / Responsibilities
R: Responsible for making sure there are at least four players on each side of the kicker
U: Starting position is opposite the chains on team R’s 20 yardline
L: No changes or added responsibility
LJ: Starting position is opposite the chains on team R’s free-kick line
BJ: Responsible for making sure no players are on or behind the 5-yard restraining line

14. Force Rule 8-5-1b (NEW)
K1 blocks R2 into the ball. The accidental touching of a loose ball by a player who was blocked into the ball by an opponent is ignored and does not constitute a new force. The result of this play is a touchback.
Rules Change:
SECTION 5 FORCE, SAFETY AND TOUCHBACK
ART Responsibility for forcing the ball from the field of play across a goal line is attributed to the player who carries, snaps, passes, fumbles or kicks the ball, unless a new force is applied to a grounded backward pass, kick or fumble.
a. The muffing or batting of a pass, kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new force; and
b. The accidental touching of a loose ball by a player who was blocked into the ball is ignored and does not constitute a new force.
Rationale for Change:
This rule change clarifies that a new force is not created when a player is blocked into the ball.
Case Book: See SITUATION 8.5.1B

15. Roughing the Passer Rule 9-4-4
No defensive player shall charge into, or commit any illegal personal contact foul listed in Rule against the passer who is standing still or fading back, because he is considered out of the play after the pass and has not moved to participate in the play. Grasping of the face mask is considered roughing the passer.
Rules Change:
SECTION 4 ILLEGAL PERSONAL CONTACT
ART Roughing the passer. Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer, who has thrown the ball from in or behind the neutral zone, after it is clear the ball has been thrown. No defensive player shall commit any illegal personal contact foul listed in against the passer.
9-4 PENALTY: … Roughing the passer (Art. 4) – (S34) – 15 yards and a first down from the dead ball spot when the dead ball spot is beyond the neutral zone and A has possession of the ball at the end of the down, and there has been no change of team possession, or otherwise 15 yards and first down from previous spot; running into kicker/holder (Art. 5) – (S30) – 5 yards from the previous spot. …
Rationale for Change:
Roughing-the-passer fouls now include all illegal personal contact fouls listed in Rule These fouls against the passer now result in an automatic first down in addition to a 15-yard penalty.
Case Book: See SITUATION 9.4.4D

16. Editorial Changes
The next five slides contain the 2014 NFHS Editorial Changes. Feel free to pause the clinic if you would like to further review the editorial changes.

17. 2014 NFHS Football Editorial Changes
Field Diagrams
Adjusted the pylon locations in the end zone.
1-1-8
Changed “jurisdiction” to “authority.”
1-2-3l
Standardized the rules language on advertising and/or commercial markings on the field of play.
1-3-5b
Added “head” before “linesman.”
1-5 NOTE
Deleted SGMA as a reference.
1-5-1d(5)
Clarified the rules language on the tooth and mouth protector.
1-5-3c(4) NOTE
Added a new Note under the eyeshield rules language.
Table 1-7 (2.)
Added a new state association adoption dealing with game officials’ authority.

18. 2014 NFHS Football Editorial Changes
2-1 Heading
Changed the section heading to “Status of Ball – Dead, Live, Loose.”
2-8
Added rules references into the encroachment definition.
2-20 Heading
Changed the section heading to “Helmet Contact – Illegal, Targeting.”
2-24-3
Removed the word “legal” from the free-kick definition.
2-24-4
Clarified the definition for a scrimmage kick.
3-4-4j (NEW)
Added a new situation for when the clock shall be stopped.
3-5-10b
Updated the reference document from Appendix B in the rules book.

19. 2014 NFHS Football Editorial Changes
3-6-2g (NEW)
Added a new situation under delay of game.
5-3-2
Added “head” before “linesman.”
6-1-8
Clarified a free kick that goes out of bounds.
6-1 PENALTY
Added Art. 3a, b, c under the encroachment penalty.
6-5 PENALTY
Revised the officials signal under the blocking after giving a valid or invalid signal penalty.
7-2-4
Clarified the description for a legal snap.
8-3-6b
Clarified the rules language dealing with a down that is replayed after enforcement during an unsuccessful try.
8-5-1a
Reorganized the rules language dealing with force.

20. 2014 NFHS Football Editorial Changes
9-4 PENALTY
Clarified the rules articles with regard to the disqualification penalty if flagrant.
9-8-1m
Standardized the rules language dealing with illegal equipment.
9-8 PENALTY
Added a nonplayer foul for illegal equipment.
10-1-6, 7
Clarification from a 2013 rules change.
Football Fund. II-5
Clarified when the period is to be extended.
Resolving Tied Games – 3-1
Added “head” before “linesman.”
Resolving Tied Games – 5-2-1

21. 2014 NFHS Football Editorial Changes
Resolving Tied Games – Situation P
Clarification from a 2013 rules change.
Nine-, Eight- and Six-Player Rules Differences
Standardized the General Rules Language and also updated the rules on free-kick formations based on the 2014 rules changes.
Official Football Signals - #24
This official signal will now also be used for Targeting.
Penalty Summary
Revised the Penalty Summary to reflect the 2014 NFHS football rules changes.

22. Points of Emphasis
This section reviews the NFHS Points of Emphasis

23. High School Football – State of the Game
High School Football – State of the Game (Point of Emphasis):
“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 (WSJ.com), 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 years 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 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 ( ).
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.

24. Risk Minimization Risk Minimization (Point of Emphasis):
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 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.

25. Risk Minimization Risk Minimization (Point of Emphasis): 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.
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.

26. Risk Minimization Risk Minimization (Point of Emphasis):
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.

27. WOA is proud to announce Cliff Keen Athletic as the Exclusive Officials’ Uniform Manufacturer of the WOA. Cliff Keen Athletic is known throughout the world for manufacturing the finest officiating gear you can buy. Cliff Keen, along with the WOA, has developed a Custom Sublimated shirt, exclusively for Football officials in Washington State. This shirt may be worn during the regular season and postseason, as long as the entire crew is dressed alike.
The shirts can be purchased at any Cliff Keen vendor, including Gerry Davis Sports and Sound Athletic Supply.
Washington Football Officials Short Sleeve Shirt
The Short Sleeve SK06WA features a special 2 1/4" stripe pattern with the wide black side panels and black sleeves. No more patches--Your U.S. Flag "patch" is actually dyed directly in the fabric, on the left sleeve, and the WOA logo is seamlessly dyed into the shirt in the center of the pocket. The WIAA logo is dyed directly in the fabric on the right sleeve. Cliff Keen's proprietary MXS® Loose Gear Fabric performs great in the heat of the early season contests, as well as the cooler fall night games. Moisture-wicking and anti-microbial, Cliff Keen's Loose Gear fabric is light, comfortable, yet plenty durable.
Washington Football Officials Long Sleeve Shirt
New for the WOA, the long sleeve version of the SK06WA. The Long Sleeve SK07WA features a special 2 1/4" stripe pattern with the wide black side panels and black sleeves, this shirt will look sharp on the field! No more patches--Your U.S. Flag "patch" is actually dyed directly in the fabric, on the left sleeve, and the WOA logo is seamlessly dyed into the center of the pocket. Cliff Keen's proprietary MXS® Loose Gear Fabric performs great in the heat of the early season contests, as well as the cooler fall night games. Moisture-wicking and anti-microbial, Cliff Keen's Loose Gear fabric is light, comfortable, yet plenty durable.

28. Thank you for your time and commitment to interscholastic football.
Have a great season!
Thank you for your time and commitment to interscholastic football.
Hope you have a great season!