Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2009 NFHS Football Rules Changes

NFHS Football Rules Each state high school association adopting these NFHS football rules is the sole and exclusive source of binding rules interpretations for contests involving its member schools. Any person having questions about the interpretation of NFHS football rules should contact the football rules interpreter designated by his or her state high school association. The NFHS is the sole and exclusive source of model interpretations of NFHS football rules. State rules interpreters may contact the NFHS for model football rules interpretations. No other model football rules interpretations should be considered.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2009 Football Editorial Changes

2009 NFHS Football Editorial Changes  Further defined the sidelines, goal lines and end lines that are in the field diagrams.  1-2-3d Clarified the restraining line in more detail.  1-3-1f Specified that the inflation pressure of a football is psi (pounds per square inch).  1-5-1c(5b, 6b) Added in the football jersey rule “…or following the shoulder seam in traditional yoke construction,…”.  1-5-1i Clarified the language on the tooth and mouth protector.  1-5-3a, b, c Clarified in illegal equipment what is “ball-colored” and what is penalty-marker colored”.  1-5-3k Re-organized the rule on uniform adornments.

2009 NFHS Football Editorial Changes  1-5-3l Re-organized the rule on jerseys and pants and added “or reference” to visible logo/trademark.  1-5-3n Clarified the rules language on the eyeshield.  1-5-3o Moved “Shin Guards” to this section as it is more applicable.  2-11 Added “a player or non-player” to the definition of fighting for clarification.  h Clarified an obvious omission when illegal substitute rule was changed.  2-35 Clarified that the signal is to start the clock.  Changed “fouls” to “penalties”.  Reformatted to match Rule to prevent conflict.

2009 NFHS Football Editorial Changes  3-3-4b Added “8-2-3 and 8-2-4” to the rule references.  3-3-4b NOTE Changed “foul” to “penalty”.  3-4-3j Clarified that if a fair catch is made, the clock will start on the snap.  c Modified the sentence structure in the rule.  Changed “A” to “K” for clarification.  Clarified what illegal forward passes include.  7-5-6a Noted the correct rule reference and EXCEPTION.  8-2-2, 3 Changed “foul” to “penalty”.  8-5-2a EXCEPTION Clarified that the ball belongs to the team in possession when the momentum exception rule is in effect.

2009 NFHS Football Editorial Changes  9-4 PENALTY Added: “illegal horse-collar tackle (Art. 3k) – (S38, S25)” to the PENALTY section.  Added “athletic” before trainer for clarification.  9-9 PENALTY NOTE Changed “fouls” to “penalties” and changed “ejection” to “disqualification”.  b Changed “foul” to “penalty”.  Changed “foul” to “penalty”.  c Clarifies that an inadvertent whistle during a loose ball play (except PSK fouls) should result in a replay.  f Added “8-2-3 and 8-2-4” to the rule references.  10-6 Clarified what a loose-ball play includes.

2009 NFHS Football Editorial Changes  Fundamentals II-5 Added “or fouls as specified in Rule 3-3-4”.  Fundamentals II-6 New: No series can ever start on a down other than first.  Fundamentals IV-6 Added “toward his own goal line”.  Fundamentals IX-3 Added “toward his own goal line”.  Fundamentals X-4 Added “unless the foul occurs on a scoring play and the scoring team chooses enforcement on the kickoff per 8-2-2, or 8-2-4”.  Official Signals #15 Indicated that this is only an NFHS signal.  Official Signals #25 New signal for Illegal Horse-Collar Tackle.  Rule Book Clarified for consistency the use of the word “foul” vs. “penalty”

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2009 Football Points of Emphasis

NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances POINT OF EMPHASIS  Lightning kills or seriously injures hundreds of individuals each year.  Need to remind coaches, players, spectators, administrators and officials of the potential seriousness of lightning during football season.  New NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances listed on page 97 of the 2009 NFHS Football Rules Book.

Illegal Personal Contact POINT OF EMPHASIS  Illegal personal contact involves a number of acts that must not be tolerated in football.  The behavior of players and nonplayers need to be monitored during a game to ensure that sportsmanship prevails at all times.  Coaches need to correctly teach the fundamentals/techniques and the rules of the game to all players.  Officials need to enforce the NFHS football playing rules as written and penalize when illegal personal contact takes place.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations

Blocking and Illegal Blocks POINT OF EMPHASIS  Blocking is obstructing an opponent by contacting him with any part of the blocker’s body (Rule 2-3-1).  Illegal blocking can occur in a variety of ways during football competitions.  Coaches need to teach legal and fundamentally sound blocking techniques.  Officials must be diligent in reading keys, recognizing illegal blocking and making the call.

Helmet and Face Mask POINT OF EMPHASIS  NFHS Football Rules Committee wants more consistency from officials in calling face-mask related fouls.  Two types of fouls: 1. “Incidental” is grasping of the face mask, helmet opening or chin strap. (5-Yard Penalty) 2. “Grasping and twisting, turning or pulling” of the face mask, helmet opening or chin strap. (15-Yard Penalty)

Uniforms POINT OF EMPHASIS  In recent years, players and sometimes teams seem to be attempting to skirt the NFHS rules governing football uniforms, adornments and player equipment.  Regardless of the reason why it occurs, the outcome is a growing problem because these efforts violate the NFHS football rules and player safety or both.  It is the coaches’ responsibility to control and prevent these rules violations.  Officials need to enforce the NFHS football uniform rules.

Sportsmanship POINT OF EMPHASIS  The NFHS Football Rules Committee has once again made Sportsmanship a point of emphasis for the 2009 football season.  Players, coaches, spectators and officials each play a vital role in the promotion of good sportsmanship.  Acts that focus attention on, or those intended to engender ill will toward individuals have no place in educational activities.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2009 Football Rules Reminders

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations

The football jersey rule was revised in 2007 and the implementation date was extended to Football Jerseys Rule 1-5-1c4 (2012)

Legal Football Jerseys 1-5-1c5, 6 (2012)  Legal Football Jerseys – Beginning 2012

Illegal Football Jerseys Rule 1-5-1c5, 6 (2012)  Illegal Football Jerseys – Beginning 2012 A. B. C. D.

RULES REMINDER 2009

Due: November 1, 2009 Must be submitted to your state association office for approval. approval. ► 2010 NFHS Football Rule Change Proposal Form

Additional NFHS Information  NFHS Football Rule Change Proposal Form Due November 1, 2009  2010 NFHS Football Rules Committee Meeting January 23-24, 2010 Indianapolis, IN  2010 NFHS Football Rules Interpreters Meeting July 13, 2010 Indianapolis, IN  addresses: Bob Colgate - Kim Adams -

The following sports are available in an NFHS PowerPoint Presentation:  Baseball  Basketball  Football  Girls Gymnastics  Volleyball  Soccer  Softball  Swimming & Diving  Wrestling  Boys Lacrosse To order copies please contact: Carol Ratliff at the NFHS Phone: or Fax your Request to

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Thank You!