RULES CHANGES 2008 RULES CHANGES 2008

REFEREE’S MICROPHONE d Referee’s Microphone: Mandatory In 2010 Referee’s Microphone: Mandatory In 2010 Lapel Type Is Strongly Recommended Lapel Type Is Strongly Recommended NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA

OPPONENT’S SIGNALS g Illegal to Attempt To Record Opponent’s Signals (Via Audio Or Video) Illegal to Attempt To Record Opponent’s Signals (Via Audio Or Video)

CHOP BLOCK REDEFINED High-Low Or Low-High Combination Block: By Any Two Players Against An Opponent (Not The Runner) By Any Two Players Against An Opponent (Not The Runner) Anywhere On The Field Anywhere On The Field With Or Without A Delay Between Contacts With Or Without A Delay Between Contacts “Low” Component Is At The Opponent’s Thigh Or Below “Low” Component Is At The Opponent’s Thigh Or Below

CLOCK CHANGES h 15-Second Play Clock Eliminated i Clock Adjustment Following Inadvertent Whistle Eliminated

40-SECOND PLAY CLOCK b Play Clock Set to 40 Seconds When Ball Is Dead On Every Play. NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA

CLOCK: OUT OF BOUNDS a-12 Ball Carrier, Fumble Or Backward Pass Goes Out Of Bounds: NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA

FREE KICK OUT OF BOUNDS Penalty Free Kick Out Of Bounds: Option To Have Ball 30 Yards Beyond Previous Spot (Normally at the B-30) Option To Have Ball 30 Yards Beyond Previous Spot (Normally at the B-30) This is not a change for MIAA we stayed at 30 yards when the change was made in This is not a change for MIAA we stayed at 30 yards when the change was made in 2007.

“HORSE-COLLAR” TACKLE p Illegal to Grab Inside Collar (Back Or Side) Of The Shoulder Pads Or Jersey And Immediately Pull The Runner Down Illegal to Grab Inside Collar (Back Or Side) Of The Shoulder Pads Or Jersey And Immediately Pull The Runner Down Does Not Apply To: Does Not Apply To: *Runner Inside The Tackle Box *Quarterback In The Pocket.

FACE-MASK FOUL q (formerly s) Illegal To Twist, Turn Or Pull The Face Mask Or Any Helmet Opening Of An Opponent (15-Yard Penalty) Illegal To Twist, Turn Or Pull The Face Mask Or Any Helmet Opening Of An Opponent (15-Yard Penalty) Not A Foul If The Face Mask Or Helmet Opening Is Not Twisted, Turned Or Pulled Not A Foul If The Face Mask Or Helmet Opening Is Not Twisted, Turned Or Pulled There Is No Longer A 5-Yard Penalty There Is No Longer A 5-Yard Penalty

INITIATING/TARGETING Initiating Contact/Targeting An Opponent Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target An Opponent With The Crown Of The Helmet Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target An Opponent With The Crown Of The Helmet Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target A Defenseless Opponent Above The Shoulders Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target A Defenseless Opponent Above The Shoulders When In Question, It Is A Foul When In Question, It Is A Foul

SIDELINE INTERFERENCE No Longer A Warning First And Second Infractions: First And Second Infractions: Delay Of Game--Five-Yard Penalty Third And Subsequent Infractions: Unsportsmanlike Conduct--15-Yard Penalty Third And Subsequent Infractions: Unsportsmanlike Conduct--15-Yard Penalty NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA, We will use Section from 2007 in place of in NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA, We will use Section from 2007 in place of in 2008.

REVIEWABLE PLAYS Rule 12 Changes Not Applicable under MIAA, rule 12 will not be in effect for any Massachusetts High School games, regular season or Playoffs. Not Applicable under MIAA, rule 12 will not be in effect for any Massachusetts High School games, regular season or Playoffs.

Notable Editorial Changes b b. A player has crossed the neutral zone if his entire body has been beyond the neutral zone. Changes the interpretation of a QB over the line for a pass. Changes the interpretation of a QB over the line for a pass.

Notable Editorial Changes b b. A ball carrier is a runner in possession of a live ball. New definition of Ball Carrier to distinguish from a player simulating carrying the ball. New definition of Ball Carrier to distinguish from a player simulating carrying the ball. There are several editorial changes that insert “ball carrier”. There are several editorial changes that insert “ball carrier”.

Notable Editorial Changes d d. A new running play begins when a player gains or regains possession. d. A new running play begins when a player gains or regains possession. This changes the old adage, no longer is there only one running play behind the NZ. This changes the old adage, no longer is there only one running play behind the NZ. PLAY: A 2/10 on the A-37. QB A12 rolls to the right and B44 grasps and twists A12’s facemask at the A-31. A12 gets free and pitches the ball backwards to A80 at the A-28. A80 runs to the B-40 where he is downed. RULING: Since the foul occurred during A12’s run that is the related run for the foul, A12’s run ended behind the NZ, so the previous spot is the basic spot. A will decline the foul and will take the ball A 1/10 at the B-40. ( d, c-2) PLAY: A 2/10 on the A-37. QB A12 rolls to the right and B44 grasps and twists A12’s facemask at the A-31. A12 gets free and pitches the ball backwards to A80 at the A-28. A80 runs to the B-40 where he is downed. RULING: Since the foul occurred during A12’s run that is the related run for the foul, A12’s run ended behind the NZ, so the previous spot is the basic spot. A will decline the foul and will take the ball A 1/10 at the B-40. ( d, c-2)

Notable Editorial Changes g-1 & a Distance penalties against either team are declined by rule (in extra periods) (Exceptions: Penalties for flagrant personal fouls, dead- ball fouls and live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball fouls are enforced on the succeeding kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods (succeeding play)). This standardizes how we enforce penalties after a change of possession on the try and in extra periods. This standardizes how we enforce penalties after a change of possession on the try and in extra periods. Also, it adds flagrant personal fouls back into the fouls that we will enforce at the succeeding spot. Also, it adds flagrant personal fouls back into the fouls that we will enforce at the succeeding spot.

Notable Editorial Changes g-3 & c If both teams foul during the down and Team B had not fouled before the change of possession, the fouls offset, and the down is not replayed (and the try is over). This standardizes the way we deal with offsetting fouls on the try and in extra periods. This standardizes the way we deal with offsetting fouls on the try and in extra periods. Also, this clarifies what to do if team B fouls both before and after the change of possession. Also, this clarifies what to do if team B fouls both before and after the change of possession.

Notable Editorial Changes e e. When Team B is awarded a first down and will next snap the ball, the clock will be stopped and will start on the snap. PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 hands the ball off to running back A32. A32 runs to the A44 where he is downed inbounds. At the snap team B was offside. RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the ready for play. (3-2-5-a-1) PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 hands the ball off to running back A32. A32 runs to the A44 where he is downed inbounds. At the snap team B was offside. RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the ready for play. (3-2-5-a-1) PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 drops back to pass and throws the ball over the outstretched arms of A80 and the ball falls incomplete. At the snap team B was offside. RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the snap. (3-2-5-c) PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 drops back to pass and throws the ball over the outstretched arms of A80 and the ball falls incomplete. At the snap team B was offside. RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the snap. (3-2-5-c)

Notable Editorial Changes (Second sentence) The referee will declare the ball ready for play when the officials are in position after the kicker has received the ball. We no longer blow the ready as soon as the kicker gets the ball, wait for the U to get into position. I think we were doing this anyways. We no longer blow the ready as soon as the kicker gets the ball, wait for the U to get into position. I think we were doing this anyways.

Notable Editorial Changes a a. If thrown by a Team A player whose entire body is beyond the neutral zone when he releases the ball [S35 and S9]. As stated earlier, the passers whole body must be over the line. As stated earlier, the passers whole body must be over the line.

Notable Editorial Changes Exception Exception: It is not a foul when the passer, who is or has been outside the frame of the body of the normal tackle position toward a sideline, throws the ball so that it crosses the neutral zone or neutral zone extended (Rule ) (A.R IX). The change here is from lands to crosses, which is significant because of the definition of “crosses”. Also it explicitly states that if it crosses the NZ extended it is not a foul. The change here is from lands to crosses, which is significant because of the definition of “crosses”. Also it explicitly states that if it crosses the NZ extended it is not a foul. PLAY: A 3/5 on the A-38. QB A12 drops back and is flushed from the pocket under a heavy rush. He attempts to throw the ball away from the A- 29. The ball is tipped by B67 at the A-35 and the ball lands inbounds at the A-42. RULING: Intentional grounding. Ball will be placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down. A 4/14 on the A-29. This is reading the rules as written, waiting for official ruling from Secretary Editor. PLAY: A 3/5 on the A-38. QB A12 drops back and is flushed from the pocket under a heavy rush. He attempts to throw the ball away from the A- 29. The ball is tipped by B67 at the A-35 and the ball lands inbounds at the A-42. RULING: Intentional grounding. Ball will be placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down. A 4/14 on the A-29. This is reading the rules as written, waiting for official ruling from Secretary Editor.

Notable Editorial Changes There are several instances where they clean up the language regarding “tack-on” penalties on scrimmage and free kicks. There are several instances where they clean up the language regarding “tack-on” penalties on scrimmage and free kicks. See the Highlighted version of the rulebook on the web site and match it up with your 2007 book to see the other changes. The rule book can be downloaded at: See the Highlighted version of the rulebook on the web site and match it up with your 2007 book to see the other changes. The rule book can be downloaded at: