1. NFHS FOOTBALL
Official’s Manual

2. Officials Manual Committee
Dale Pleimann – Missouri - - Chair
Steve Stearns – California - - Vice Chair
Ralph Damren – Maine
Mike Webb – West Virginia
Ralph Swearngin – Georgia
Dave Anderson – Wisconsin
Tom Robinson – Colorado
Clark Sanders – Oregon
Tom Lorang – Montana - - NFHS-OA

3. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
Change in free-kick assignments for umpire, linesman and back judge (five-official).
Linesman moves to umpires spot (R’s 30 yard line).
Umpire moves to back judges spot (R’s 20 yard line).
Back judge moves to linesmans spot (K’s free kick line).

4. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS

5. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
Change in free-kick assignments.
Reasons for change:
The linesman will be better positioned to get the chain crew into position for the start of the series.
The back judge is more accustomed to having plays run toward him.
The back judge will also be closer to normal position for the next scrimmage down.

6. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
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.
A counting motion similar to that used by basketball officials is suggested.
The manual committee has not mandated a signal; however, a raised hand is not suggested because it is the signal for a dead-ball foul (#7).

7. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
Added guideline for free kicks when the kicking team is not ready in the prescribed time.
As provided in 3-5-7m there is a one-minute intermission after a score.
However, when the minute expires, the kicker must be ready.
If not, the back judge (linesman in 4-official crew) is to place the ball on the ground and move to his position on the sideline.
The referee gives the ready signal (#1) and the 25-second count begins.

8. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
Added a chart concerning Chop Blocks. p84
SIMULTANEOUS BLOCKS
Blocker 1 Blocker 2 Ruling
High Low Legal Block
Low High Legal Block
Low Low Legal Block
High High Legal Block
DELAYED BLOCKS
First Blocker Second Blocker Ruling
High High Legal Block
High Low Chop Block
Low Low Chop Block

9. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
Change in position for the referee on punts in a four-official crew.
The referee was aligned on the kicking-leg side of the punter.
The referee’s is now positioned on the line judge’s side of the field (facing the linesman) for all punts.
With this position, the referee will be able to cover the sideline that is left uncovered because the line judge is downfield with the receivers.

10. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
Adjusted signal chart. P 86-87
#7 – Ball dead - - Dead ball foul.
# Added Interlocked blocking.
Now the same as the signal chart in the Rule Book.

11. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
Points of Emphasis Section created in manual. P 84
The proper touchback signal (#7).
Location of authorized conferences.
Changes in assignments on kickoffs (5-official).
Visual count by back judge.

12. SIGNIFICANT MANUAL REVISIONS
The Officials Manual Committee will meet briefly (one hour) following the Third General Session in the years that the manual will not be printed.
To discuss mechanics changes necessitated by rule changes and Points of Emphasis.
These items will be placed on the NFHS web site until the next printing of the Manual.

13. CORRECTIONS
Page 15: III-A-3; add Back Judge (5-person) obtains football.
Page 16: III-B-2-b; add Back Judge (5-person) obtains football.

14. CORRECTIONS
Page 19-20: After a Score or Try – Prior to Free Kick; Refer to pages – Before Kick for each position.
Page 50: Diagram; U for Umpire is not filled in on 20-yard line.

15. CORRECTIONS Page 52: IV A3 Change R to K
Page 74-75: After a Touchback, Safety, Try or Field Goal; Refer to pages – Before Kick for each position.

16. SUGGESTIONS or CONCERNS
Contact: Dale Pleimann, Assistant Director—Missouri State High School Activities Association