1. 2019 & 2020 NIRSA Flag and Touch Football Rules & Mechanics Changes
Presenters:
Nicole Green, University of Michigan
Editorial Board Chair
Nick Brigati, Penn State University
Rules Editor
Jason Gant, Farmingdale State College
Officials Manual Editor

2. Agenda: Editorial Board Dedication Rules Changes Mechanics Changes
Experimentation
Question & Answer
Roundtable Discussion (optional)

3. 1: Editorial Board

4. Editorial Board 2017-2019 Members Nicole Green, Chair
Nick Brigati, Rules Editor
Jason Gant, Officials Manual Editor
Jeff Feldhaus
David Parker
Dan Renfro
Joe Wise
Ben Strunk
Mary Kate Crawford
Dan Wrenholt
Jarrode Davis
Joshua Saunders

5. Editorial Board Application Process NIRSA Website
2 or 4 year term
NIRSA Leadership Recruitment Cycle
6 open positions; new members May 1st, 2019
NIRSA Website
19th Edition Publication
Available June 1st, 2019 from Human Kinetics
Goals of this version include gender inclusive language whenever possible
Male / Female - sex assigned at birth; removed
Man / Woman - gender identity; applicable for Co-Rec Games
His / Her - They

6. 2: Dedication

7. James Leonard

8. 3: Rules Changes

9. 1-1-2 & 1-1-3
Article titles changed to “The Game” and “The Co-Rec Game”
Penalty for illegal participation removed from these articles.

10. Hurdling
Hurdling is an attempt by a player to jump (hurdle) with 1 or both feet or knees over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of their body except 1 or both feet.
Changed to match NFHS language.

11. 2-24-9, 7-6-4, & 7-6-5 - Forward Fumble/Backward Pass
A fumble or backward pass which strikes the ground or goes out of bounds between the goal lines in advance of the spot where possession was lost will be returned to the spot of the fumble/backward pass.
This is also the end of the run spot for penalty enforcement.

12. 3-6 - Illegally Conserving or Consuming Time
When a penalty is accepted with less than 2 minutes remaining in either half, the offended team will have the option to start the game clock on the snap.
Option only applies if the clock would have otherwise started on the RFP.
Matches NFHS language.

13. 3-6 - Illegally Conserving or Consuming Time
The Referee may also reset the clock to the time of the previous snap, and start the clock on the snap, should the kicking team delay in kicking the ball in the manner described in Penalty: Illegally Consuming Time, 5 yards from the previous spot.
Relocated existing language into more appropriate location.

14. 8-4, 9-4-1E - Tampering with the Flag Belt
This foul has been changed from “Illegally Secured Flag Belt” or “Intentionally Tampering with the Flag Belt” in various places to “Tampering with the Flag Belt” for uniformity.

15. 8-8-1 - Momentum, Safety, & Touchback
Momentum exception expanded to include R’s recovery of a punt between its 5 yard line and its goal line.
Matches NFHS language.

16. Personal Fouls
It is a personal foul for a nonplayer to be in the restricted area and cause unintentional contact with an official during a live ball.
Matches NFHS language.

17. 10-2-1 & 10-3-12 - Fouls by K During Punts
The basic spot may, at the option of the offended team, be the succeeding spot for fouls by K during a punting down (other than kick catch interference or illegally consuming time) when K will not be next to put the ball in play.
Exception to All-But-One Enforcement Principle.

18. Runner (4 on 4)
The foul for an A runner advancing the ball through A’s scrimmage line or for a B player crossing B’s scrimmage line prior to the release of a pass is Illegal Advancement.
This penalty is 3 yards from the previous spot.

19. Case Plays Case plays were overhauled during this cycle.
Several existing plays were changed or removed.
30+ new plays have been added to assist in clarification.

20. 4: Mechanics changes

21. II-4 (Beginning a Period)
This section was renamed from what was previously “After the 1st and 3rd periods”
The content of this section applies to all periods, halves, etc. and the mechanics should be utilized to start any period

22. II-6 (Scoring Plays)
Inform team captains or coaches of enforcement options if there is a foul by the opponent of the scoring team, or a foul by either team prior to the declaration of the Try.
It is standard to get penalty enforcement options from coaches instead of captains

23. V-1-6d (3-person Back Judge Reverse Mechanics)
Maintain responsibility for your sideline
Adding this makes it clear that the Back Judge, not the Referee, is responsible for the sideline on a change of possession in 3-person mechanics

24. VI-1-4 (Line Judge Mechanics on 3rd and 4th down)
The Line Judge is now responsible for line- to-gain on plays snapped 3 yards or less from line-to-gain on 3rd/4th down
Decreases confusion between Line Judge and Field Judge on who is primarily responsible for covering line-to-gain in short-yardage situations

25. VI-1-4 (Field Judge Mechanics on 3rd and 4th down)
The Field Judge now maintains standard initial position on plays snapped 3 yards or less from line-to-gain on 3rd/4th down
Decreases confusion between Line Judge and Field Judge on who is primarily responsible for covering line-to-gain in short-yardage situations

26. Co-Rec Referee Mechanics V-3-1 (3-person), VI-3-1 (4-person)
Referee mechanics used in standard games will now be used in Co-Rec games. The Referee rules on whether the passer is behind or beyond A’s scrimmage line.
Creates consistency in play coverage game-to-game. Recent Co-Rec changes lessen importance of line of scrimmage.

27. Co-Rec Line Judge Mechanics V-3-1 (3-person), VI-3-1 (4-person)
Line Judge mechanics used in standard games will now be used in Co-Rec games. The Line Judge no longer “holds the line” and can release downfield
Creates consistency in play coverage game-to-game. Recent Co-Rec changes lessen importance of line of scrimmage