1. Football Rules Update 2016 Tony Dutton San Angelo Chapter
Slides Posted on sazebra.org
Go to: Slide Presentations > Rules Update 2016

2. Try to Look At 2016 UIL Update Composition football Knee pads
Eye shields
Game suspended
Disqualified coaches
2016 NCAA Update
Unfair clock tactics
Substitution
Tripping
Targeting
Defenseless player
Scrimmage kick formation
Blocking Below the Waist “Clarified”

3. 3-1 The Ball Composite footballs are illegal for varsity games
May be used in sub-varsity games

4. Knee Pads d
Knee pads must be at least ½ thick and must be covered by pants. It is strongly recommended that they cover the knees. No pads or protective equipment may be worn outside the pants.
UIL EXCEPTION: d. For UIL games, knee pads must cover the knee.
Knee pads no longer must cover the knees.

6. Eye Shields c
Eye shields must be clear and not tinted, and made from molded or rigid material. Eyeglasses must be clear and not tinted. No medical exceptions are allowed.
ADD: “[UIL] Exception: A player(s) is permitted to participate in a UIL game wearing tinted eye shields, eyeglasses, or goggles if the player has been issued a current season UIL Medical Exemption Form that allows for his/her participation wearing the tinted equipment.
The Head Coach must present to the Referee a copy of the properly completed UIL Medical Exemption Form before the start of the game.

9. Suspending the Game 3-3-3-c
If a game is suspended under Rules a and b before the end of the fourth period and cannot be resumed, there are four possible options:
Resume the game at a later date;
Terminate the game with a determined final score;
Forfeit of the game; or
Declare a no contest.

10. UIL Option to Take Effect
Both schools members of the same district
Non-district competition
No agreement between AD’s and coaches
Option determined by District Policy
AD’s of participating schools in consultation with coaches determine the option
UIL policy used to determine outcome if both schools members of UIL

11. Unfair Clock Tactics 3-4-3
The referee shall order the game clock or play clock started or stopped whenever either team conserves or consumes playing time by tactics obviously unfair. This includes starting the game clock on the snap if the foul is by the team ahead in the score. If the game clock is stopped only to complete a penalty for a foul by the team ahead in the score inside the last two minutes of a half, it will start on the snap, at the option of the offended team.

12. Legal Substitutions 3-5-2-e
When Team A sends in its substitutes, the officials will not allow the ball to be snapped until Team B has been given an opportunity to substitute.
Team B must react promptly with its substitutes

13. 9-1-2-c Tripping
There shall be no tripping. (Exception: Tripping the runner is not a foul.)
It is now illegal to trip the ball carrier

14. A.R I
A player on defense sticks out his foot and trips an opponent. (a) The opponent is a wide receiver running a passing route. (b) The opponent is the ball carrier.
RULING: (a) and (b) Personal foul, Tripping. Penalty—15 yards, automatic first down.

15. Targeting 9-1-3 & 9-1-4 Two ways to target
Target and make forcible contact with the crown (top) of the helmet (9-1-3)
Target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder (9-1-4)
This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting

16. Indicators of Targeting 9-1-4 Note 1
Launch – player leaving his feet to attack by an upward and forward thrust to make contact in the head or neck area
Crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to make contact in the head or neck area
Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack head or neck area
Lowering the head before attacking with the crown of the helmet

17. A.R II
As ball carrier A20 sweeps around the end and heads upfield, he lowers his head and contacts defensive end B89 who is trying to tackle him. The players meet helmet to helmet.
RULING: No foul. Neither A20 nor B89 is a defenseless player and neither has targeted his opponent in the sense of Rule

18. New Defenseless Player 9-1-4 Note 2
A ball carrier who has obviously given himself up and is sliding feet-first

19. Clarification – Targeting vs. Striking
Striking a. No person subject to the rules shall strike an opponent with the knee; strike an opponent’s helmet (including the face mask, neck, face or any other part of the body with an extended forearm, elbow, locked hands, palm, fist or the heel, back or side of the open hand; or gouge an opponent.
PENALTY – Personal Foul. 15 yards. Disqualification if flagrant.

20. Example Defensive tackle slaps offensive tackle in the head
Defensive tackle slaps quarterback, who has just thrown a pass, in the head
Personal Foul Striking – 15 yards, automatic 1st, flagrant offenders disqualified
Targeting yards and disqualification

21. A.R II
A1, a ball carrier, strikes tackler B6 with his extended forearm just before being tackled.
RULING: Personal foul. Penalty—15 yards. Enforce from the previous spot if foul occurs behind the neutral zone. Disqualification if flagrant. Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line.

22. A.R IV
A12 who normally plays quarterback in lined up as a wide receiver in the backfield and A33 is five yards behind the snapper in a shotgun formation. A33’s pass intended for A12 is intercepted. During the interception return B55 targets and launches at A33, striking him in the side of the helmet.
RULING: Foul by B55 for targeting and initiating contact at the head of a defenseless player. For purposes of Rule , A33 is a defenseless player since he played the down in the role of the quarterback.

23. Blocking Below the Waist No Changes
No player may block below the waist
During a down in which there is a free kick or scrimmage kick or (9-1-6-c)
After a change of possession. (9-1-6-d)

24. Team B may BBW in the area 5 yds beyond and 5 yds behind the NZ
Also No Changes for Team B
Team B may BBW in the area 5 yds beyond and 5 yds behind the NZ 85 78 63 51 67 71 87 12 32 43 44
Two exceptions:
Against an opponent in position to receive a backward pass
Against an eligible Team A pass receiver beyond the neutral zone

25. Blocking Below the Waist (9-1-6) “Clarified”
The “low-blocking zone” from 2015 has been eliminated
All references are to the Tackle Box (2-34)
The tackle box is the rectangular area enclosed by the neutral zone, the two lines parallel to the sidelines five yards from the snapper, and Team A’s end line
The tackle box disintegrates when the ball leaves it

27. 9-1-6-a Team A Prior to a Change of Team Possession
The following Team A players may legally block below the waist from the front or side inside the tackle box until they leave the tackle box or until the ball has left the tackle box
Players on the line of scrimmage completely inside the tackle box, and
Stationary backs who are at least partially inside the tackle box and at least partially inside the frame of the body of the second lineman from the snapper

28. Other Team A Players 9-1-6-a-2
Allowed to block below the waist only if the force of the initial contact is “from the front,” meaning within the clock-face region between 10 and 2 forward of the player being blocked
May not block below the waist toward the original position of the ball at the snap until the ball is clearly beyond the neutral zone

29. All Team A Players After the ball has left the tackle box
Allowed to block below the waist only “from the front”
May not block below the waist toward Team A’s end line

30. “Restricted” vs. “Unrestricted”
Restricted: may block only from the front
And not toward the original position of the ball at the snap, until
The ball is clearly beyond the neutral zone
Unrestricted: may block from the side or from the front
Within the tackle box until
They leave or the ball leaves the tackle box

31. Unrestricted: May block from front or side inside the tackle box
Restricted: May block only from front
And not toward the original position
of the ball at the snap
Tackle Box 85 78 63 51 67 71 87 12 32 43 44
Until the ball or they
leave the tackle box
Until the ball is beyond the neutral zone

32. May block only from front and not toward
the original position of the ball at the snap OK
FOUL OK
Tackle Box 85 78 63 51 67 71 87 12 32 43 44
Until the ball is beyond the neutral zone

33. As A31 runs a reverse, A82 blocks a
linebacker below the waist from the front
A.R IV
Tackle Box 85 78 63 51 67 71 82 12 43 31 44
Illegal block. The block is “toward the line through the original
position of the ball before it has crossed the neutral zone”

34. As A31 runs a reverse, A82 blocks a
linebacker below the waist from the front
Tackle Box 85 78 63 51 67 71 82 12 43 31 44
Legal block. The ball has crossed the neutral zone.

35. May block only from front and not
Number 44 goes in motion
Tackle Box 85 78 63 51 67 71 87
FOUL OK 12 32 43 44
May block only from front and not
toward the original position of the ball

36. runs outside the tackle box Number 71 curls back and
Number 44 with the ball
runs outside the tackle box
Number 71 curls back and
BBW toward his end line
Tackle Box 85 78 63 51 67 71 87 12 32 43 44
Illegal block. Ball has left the tackle box and no Team A
may block below the waist toward his own end line.

37. Number 71 blocks below the waist toward his end line
Number 12 drops back
To pass
Number 71 blocks below the
waist toward his end line
Tackle Box 85 78 63 51 67 71 87 12 32 43 44
Legal Block. Ball has not left the tackle box and 71
may block below the waist toward his own end line.

38. A.R. 9-1-6 VII A22 shoots between the guard & tackle
and blocks a linebacker low from the side
A.R VII 85 78 63 51 67 71 82 12 31 22 44
Illegal block. A22 has left the tackle box
and must block from the front.

39. 44 runs right. 78 moves 2 yards downfield
And blocks a linebacker from the front OK OK
Foul 85 78 63 51 67 71 87 12 32 43 44
78 has left the tackle box and must block only from the front and not toward
the original position of the ball until the ball is clearly beyond the neutral zone

40. 9-1-14 Contact Against the Snapper
When a team is in a scrimmage kick formation, a defensive player may not initiate contact with the snapper until one second has elapsed after the snap

41. 2-16-10 Scrimmage Kick Formation
A scrimmage kick formation is a formation with no player in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap from between the snappers legs and with either (1) at least one player 10 or more yards behind the neutral zone; or (2) a potential holder and potential kicker seven or more yards behind the neutral zone in position for a place kick. For either (1) or (2) to qualify as a scrimmage kick formation, it must be obvious that a kick will be attempted

42. A.R. 9-1-14 I 5 0 4 0 A10 A10 is in a shotgun formation 71/2 yards
behind the snapper.
Immediately at the snap
B55 charges the snapper
pushing him backward.
B55
RULING: Legal. No special protection
for the snapper because A10 is not in a
scrimmage kick formation (at least 10
yards deep). Snapper has usual protection
against any personal foul.

43. 9-2-6-a Disqualified Players and Coaches
Any coach, player or identified squad member in uniform who commits two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in the same game shall be disqualified
A coach disqualified from the game must leave the playing enclosure within a reasonable amount of time after the disqualification and must remain out of view of the field of play for the remainder of the game

44. UIL Exception a
ADD sentence to read: “Exception: In UIL games in which there is only one sideline coach, two unsportsmanlike fouls committed by the coach will not result in his/her disqualification.”

45. A.R XII
During a dead-ball time, a head coach or assistant coach is flagged for coming out to the numbers and cursing the officials in a loud and abusive manner.
RULING: The officials charge either the head coach or the assistant coach with a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. The referee announces that this is either the first or second unsportsmanlike conduct foul against the coach in question. If it is the second, the coach in question is disqualified from the game

46. 9-2-5-b Game Administration and Sideline Interference
Physical interference with an official is a foul charged to the team for unsportsmanlike conduct.

47. A.R. 9-2-5 I Game Administration and Sideline Interference
On the opening kickoff, B22 catches the kick at his goal line and returns the ball down the sideline on Team B’s side of the field. As he moves down the sideline officiating the play, the side judge either runs into or must run around a Team B coach or squad member in the restricted area (“the white”). B22 is driven out of bounds at the A-20.
RULING: Either situation is physical interference with an official during the play. No warning. Team B foul for unsportsmanlike conduct administered as a dead-ball foul. After the 15-yard penalty, Team B will have first and 10 at the A-35.

48. 9-2-1 Penalty Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls
Administered as either live-ball or dead-ball fouls depending on when they occur
If by Team B: Automatic 1st Down
All dead-ball fouls: Succeeding Spot
Live-ball fouls:
By players: 15 yards (3 & 1)
By non-players: 15 yards from succeeding spot

49. A.R. 9-2-1 II RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.
3rd & 15 at
the B 20.
A88 catches a pass at
the 18 and “goose steps”
from the 10 into the end zone. QB
RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.
15 yards, spot of the foul.
A’s ball 3rd and 20 at the 25.
2 0
1 0 G

50. A.R. 9-2-1 III RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.
15 yards, spot of the foul.
A’s ball 2nd and 10 at the 45.
2nd & 5 at
the B 40.
A22 takes backward pass and
heads for the end zone. X
Guard A66 blocks opponent to the
ground, and, when A22 is at the 10,
stands over him taunting at the B30.
4 0
3 0 G

51. A.R. 9-2-1 IV RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct.
3rd & 15 at
the B 20.
A88 catches a pass at
the 18 and very near the
goal line, dives into the
end zone. No team B player
within 10 yards. FJ is uncertain
exactly where 88 started his dive. QB
RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct.
Administer as a dead-ball foul. Penalty
Enforced on try or succeeding kickoff.
2 0 G

52. A.R. 9-2-1 VI RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.
1st & 10 at
the 50.
RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.
Penalty is enforced on either the try
or succeeding kickoff.
A44 takes pitch and races
into the end zone.
LJ flags linebacker B57 for yelling
obscenities that he was held.
5 0 G

53. A.R. 9-2-1 VII RULING: Dead-ball unsportsmanlike.
3rd & 15 at
the A45.
QB A12 is sacked for a 10 yard loss by B77.
B77 stands over A12 taunting and beating
his chest. QB
RULING: Dead-ball unsportsmanlike.
15 yards from succeeding spot
(A’s 35 yard line), automatic 1st down.
A’s ball 1st & 10 at the 50.
5 0 G

54. A.R. 9-2-1 VIII RULING: Unsportsmanlike foul
4 0
RULING: Unsportsmanlike foul
committed by a non-player. Administer
as a dead-ball foul. Touchdown counts
and penalty is enforced on either the try
or succeeding kickoff.
Team A passes. QB
Safety B33 intercepts a pass at the B10
and returns for a touchdown.
B33
LJ runs into coach on the field
Near the B 40 while the ball is alive. G

55. And That’s All Thanks Slides Posted on sazebra.org
Go to: Slide Presentations > Rules Update 2016