National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Presented by Georgia Football Officials Association (GFOA) July 28, 2014 Points of Emphasis Football Rules Changes

2014 NFHS Football Rules Points of Emphasis  High School Football – State of the Game  Risk Minimization  Targeting  Defenseless Player  Concussions  Changing the Mindset

2013 NFHS Football Rules Points of Emphasis  Contact To and With the Helmet  Reconditioning and Recertification of Football Equipment  Free Blocking Zone Enforcement – Consistent enforcement of Blocking Below the Waist

2012 NFHS Football Rules Points of Emphasis  Concussions, Contact to and with the Helmet, Helmet Technology and Proper Helmet Fitting  Heat Acclimatization and Preventing Heat Illnesses  Hurdling  Illegal Blocking Below the Waist  Illegal Shifts Involving the Quarterback  Improper Uniforms

2011 NFHS Football Rules Points of Emphasis  Concussions  Contact Both To and With the Helmet  Helmet Technology and Proper Helmet Fitting

NFHS Rule Changes for 2014 REVISED  Game officials authority (1-1-7)  Illegal kick clarified (2-24-9)  End-of-Period Procedure changed (3-3-3, 4)  Roughing the Passer Fouls (9-4-4)

NFHS Rule Changes for 2014 (con’t.) NEW  Targeting Definition and Foul (2-20-2; 9-4-3m)  Definition of Defenseless Player ( ; 9-4-3i(3))  Provisions to Free-kick Formations (6-1-3b,c)  Clarification of Creating a New Force (8-5-1b)

NFHS Rule Changes for 2013 REVISED  Solid-colored towels now legal  Use of communication devices expanded  Definition of a catch clarified  Loss of helmet after down clarified  Pass interference penalties revised  Score on a try clarified  Blocking on free kicks revised

NFHS Rule Changes for 2013 (con’t.) NEW  Kick-catching interference penalty added  Initiating contact with a helmet-less opponent is an illegal personal contact foul  Players continuing to play without a helmet is illegal participation

NFHS Rule Changes for 2012 REVISED  Blocking-Below-the-Waist rules revised  Definition of a Catch revised  Player Required to be Removed if Helmet Comes off During the Down  Illegal Personal Contact Penalty has been revised  Horse Collar Rule has been modified  Gloves must meet NOCSAE Test Standard starting in 2013

NFHS Rule Changes for 2012 (con’t.) NEW  Restrictions Removed for Corporate Advertising and Markings on the Field of Play  Play Cards Must be Worn on the Wrist  Restrictions Added to Blocking on Free Kicks

Free Blocking Zone  What is it?  Who is affected?  What is allowed?  How long does it last?

Blocking Below the Waist  By the Offense  By the Defense  By the Kicking Team  By the Receiving Team (All are 15-yard penalties)

Official’s Philosophy Infractions vs. Penalties  Some type of infraction occurs on every play Catch the “whales” and let the “minnows” go  Point of attack / Influencing outcome of play  Advantage / Disadvantage  Safety of players

GFOA Contacts Keith Hammond(404) Gordon Dickerson(404)