Recent Emphasis

The following includes interpretations and rulings per season

Rule and Case Book changes and new Interpretations (keep up to date by visiting NFHS web
page - see links page).

NY State Overtime Procedures to be used starting in the 2005 season. JV is limited to one OT period.
(PDF File) NYS OT Proc. Print yourself a copy.

The following are PowerPoint shows with each slide up for 10 seconds or you can move manually using arrows on bottom left.. When complete click on back button.

Four Man Mechanics presentation
Four Man Mechanics 2007

Three Man Mechanics presentation 2007
Three Man

Mechanics Presentation 2006 : shows coin toss

Following are the recent rule Changes and Interpretations for all Previous Years

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

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

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

Þ 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”.

Þ 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

BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST

October 4, 2000

Þ 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.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOOTBALL CHAIN CREWS

The typical line-to-gain crew consists of at least three individuals — a down-box operator and two to hold the rods. Unless otherwise possible by use of a fourth crew member, the down-box operator will attach the clip as specified. The crew should be dressed uniformly in readily identifiable attire.

PREGAME DUTIES

1. The line-to-gain crew shall meet the LINESMAN with the Umpire as witness on the sideline opposite the press box at least 15 minutes before game time and also five minutes prior to the second-half kickoff. If an auxiliary-down marker is used, operator shall meet the LINE JUDGE on press-box side at the same time.

2. The LINESMAN shall make certain that the chain and the official down box have been placed opposite the press box or the designated sideline and that all are in good working order and conform to the rules. The LINE JUDGE shall then make certain that the auxiliary marker is in good working order and is placed on the opposite side of the field from the line-to-gain crew.

3. The complete concentration of the crew is absolutely necessary if it is to discharge its duties efficiently. The crew must refrain from showing any partisan reaction to the events taking place on the playing field. The crew must be prepared to act immediately on instructions from the LINESMAN so that teams and all concerned will know the exact situation concerning the down and yards to be gained. The crew shall not move or change the number of the down until signaled to do so by the LINESMAN. The auxiliary down-box operator shall act only on instructions of the LINE JUDGE.

4. The Chains shall be positioned two yards off of the sideline during the game.

GAME PROCEDURES

1. On the LINESMAN’S signal, the crew must move as quickly as possible to the next position.

2. When a runner or pass receiver is going out of bounds in the immediate vicinity, the involved crew member is to quickly move away from the sideline with the down marker or pole keeping his eye on the vacated spot. The crew member away from the play should hold his position if possible.

3. The LINESMAN will set the spot of all first downs by going to the sidelines and marking, while facing the field, the exact spot where the rear stake will be set. The front crew member will then be sure the chain is fully extended before setting his stake.

4. The DOWN-BOX OPERATOR, on every new series of downs, will set the box at the spot marked by the linesman. When the line-to-gain equipment is moved, the rear rod is to be set behind the down marker and then the clip shall be placed at the back edge of the 5-yard line nearest the rear rod. The marker must be held at all times in an upright position with the down correctly shown.

5. The DOWN-BOX OPERATOR is to show the number of the down just completed and shall not indicate the new down until so notified by the LINESMAN. On instruction from the LINESMAN, the DOWN-BOX OPERATOR will move the down marker to a new position with the marker placed at the forward point of the ball and change the marker to the correct down.

6. On all measurements for first down when the chain is moved onto the field, the DOWN-BOX OPERATOR is to place his marker at/off the spot of the front rod until a new series of downs is declared or the chain is returned to its previous position.

7. The DOWN-BOX OPERATOR should be aware of any penalty markers. The marker must not be moved nor the down changed until so notified by the LINESMAN.

8. The chain is not extended if it is a first-and-goal situation. After the chain is clipped, remove it from the sideline.

9. The DOWN-BOX OPERATOR should place the marker on the line of scrimmage on all try situations. This will aid players and officials in determining the line of scrimmage on all plays toward the sideline. The chain will not be placed on a try.

10. If the sidelines become crowded and the crew does not have room to efficiently discharge its duties, the crew is to notify the LINESMAN immediately so that a time-out may be called and the sidelines cleared before the game will be allowed to proceed.

11. If the game is delayed for any reason, the crew will stay with the officials.

12. Operating the equipment outside and within 6 feet of the sideline is for the protection of players, coaches and all persons who are part of the game.

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