2004 Football Rules Changes
8-2-2 CORRECTION If during a touchdown-scoring play, a foul by the opponents of the scoring team occurs on a play where there is no change of possession; or a foul by the opponents of the scoring team occurs after the change of possession if there is a change of possession, the scoring team may accept the results of the play and have the penalty enforced from the succeeding spot.
OTHER CHANGES
BLOCKING IN THE BACK (2-17-4b) The following language was removed from the 2003 rule: “on the line of scrimmage.” Reason for Change: The language was incorrectly included in last year’s publication.
MOMENTUM EXCEPTION (8-5-2a Exception) Change Applies to any defending possession Applies to any non-grounded forward pass, fumble, backward pass, scrimmage kick or free kick Occurs inside 5-yard line and the ball is declared dead in defenders end zone Will rarely occur that a second “momentum” situation would occur during the same down If occurs, it would be some 90-yards away from first momentum occurrence
SELECTED EDITORIAL CHANGES 1-5-2c NOTE: Gloves may not have any web-like material between fingers. :A snapper must face opponent’s goal line and have shoulders approximately parallel to opponent’s goal line. Puts snapper definition in line with the definition of a lineman.
SELECTED EDITORIAL CHANGES (Cont.) 4-2-3:Added a clarifying statement that when an inadvertent whistle occurs and a penalty is accepted, the inadvertent whistle is ignored. 10-6:Updated this section for application of a post-scrimmage kick foul.
OFFICIALS MANUAL Change in free-kick assignments for umpire, linesman and back judge (five-official). Visual count by back judge of last 5 seconds prior to delay of game penalty in a five-official crew when visual 25-second clocks are not used. Added guideline for free kicks when the kicking team is not ready in the prescribed time
OFFICIALS MANUAL (Cont.) Added a chart concerning Chop Blocks. Change in position for the referee on punts in a four-official crew. Adjusted signal chart
RRules Changes Form Due NNovember 1, 2004 22005 Rules Committee Meeting JJanuary 8 and 9 HHilton Head, South Carolina E addresses:
2004 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES INTERPRETATIONS