1. National Federation High School Football Rules Variations From The NFL And NCAA Greg C. Kaiser, M.D. Training Director WCOA West Coast Officials Association Tampa

2. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Pass Interference “Catchability” of the ball is NOT a factor at the high school “Catchability” of the ball is NOT a factor at the high school level in determining if pass interference has occurred. level in determining if pass interference has occurred. The only requirement is that the pass be toward the proximity The only requirement is that the pass be toward the proximity of the receiver being interfered with. of the receiver being interfered with. Defensive pass interference is a 15 yard penalty from Defensive pass interference is a 15 yard penalty from the previous spot and an automatic 1 st down. In high school, the previous spot and an automatic 1 st down. In high school, defensive pass interference is NEVER a spot foul. In college, defensive pass interference is NEVER a spot foul. In college, there are certain situations it is a spot foul and in the NFL it there are certain situations it is a spot foul and in the NFL it is always a spot foul. is always a spot foul. Offensive pass interference is a 15 yard penalty from Offensive pass interference is a 15 yard penalty from the previous spot and a loss of down. In college and the the previous spot and a loss of down. In college and the NFL, there is no loss of down for offensive pass interference. NFL, there is no loss of down for offensive pass interference.

3. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Defensive Holding It is NOT a 5 yard penalty and an automatic 1 st down. It is NOT a 5 yard penalty and an automatic 1 st down. At the high school level, it is simply a 10 yard penalty. At the high school level, it is simply a 10 yard penalty.

4. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA The 5 Yard Buffer Zone There is no such thing as illegal contact beyond the 5 yard There is no such thing as illegal contact beyond the 5 yard “buffer zone” in high school. That is an NFL rule. “buffer zone” in high school. That is an NFL rule. In high school, a defender is allowed to make contact with In high school, a defender is allowed to make contact with a receiver going out for a pass up until the receiver breaks a receiver going out for a pass up until the receiver breaks free and clearly defines himself as a receiver running a route. free and clearly defines himself as a receiver running a route. There is no yardage limitation placed on this contact. There is no yardage limitation placed on this contact.

5. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Intentional Grounding Whether the quarterback is positioned in the pocket or outside Whether the quarterback is positioned in the pocket or outside the tackles when he throws the ball and if the pass makes the tackles when he throws the ball and if the pass makes it back to the line of scrimmage are totally IRRELEVANT it back to the line of scrimmage are totally IRRELEVANT at the high school level. at the high school level. At the high school level, if you intentionally throw any pass At the high school level, if you intentionally throw any pass to avoid a loss of yardage with no eligible receiver in the area, to avoid a loss of yardage with no eligible receiver in the area, it is intentional grounding. it is intentional grounding. The only exception is when a team is in a hurry up offense The only exception is when a team is in a hurry up offense and comes to the line to spike the ball to stop the clock. and comes to the line to spike the ball to stop the clock. It is legal to immediately spike a direct center to quarterback It is legal to immediately spike a direct center to quarterback snap. If, however, the quarterback is in the shotgun snap. If, however, the quarterback is in the shotgun formation and takes the snap and spikes it, that is intentional formation and takes the snap and spikes it, that is intentional grounding. grounding.

6. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Quarterback “In The Grasp” There is no such thing at the high school level as a There is no such thing at the high school level as a quarterback being “in the grasp”. If he is blitzed and pushed quarterback being “in the grasp”. If he is blitzed and pushed backwards as he is being sacked, he will be ruled down by backwards as he is being sacked, he will be ruled down by his forward progress but not by being “in the grasp”. his forward progress but not by being “in the grasp”. The same principle is true of “rugby piles” when forward The same principle is true of “rugby piles” when forward progress is stopped and the pile is pushed backwards. progress is stopped and the pile is pushed backwards. Technically, the ball is dead at the forward progress spot. Technically, the ball is dead at the forward progress spot.

7. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Personal Fouls A personal foul in the high school level is a 15 yard penalty A personal foul in the high school level is a 15 yard penalty enforced from the end of the run. It does NOT come with enforced from the end of the run. It does NOT come with an automatic 1 st down. an automatic 1 st down. If a personal foul occurred during the play, either the down If a personal foul occurred during the play, either the down is repeated if the ball is still short of the line to gain is repeated if the ball is still short of the line to gain or if the 15 yard penalty advances the ball past the line to gain or if the 15 yard penalty advances the ball past the line to gain it will result in a 1 st down as a consequence of the mark off. it will result in a 1 st down as a consequence of the mark off. If a personal foul occurs after the play, the down counts and If a personal foul occurs after the play, the down counts and the result of the play determines a first down, change of the result of the play determines a first down, change of possession, etc. The penalty is enforced after that ruling. possession, etc. The penalty is enforced after that ruling. If there are multiple dead ball personal fouls, ALL the fouls If there are multiple dead ball personal fouls, ALL the fouls are enforced in the order they occurred. are enforced in the order they occurred.

8. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Personal Fouls Continued The ONLY personal fouls that come with an automaticThe ONLY personal fouls that come with an automatic 1 st down at the high school level are those personal fouls 1 st down at the high school level are those personal fouls (four in total) that are directed against a very specific player: (four in total) that are directed against a very specific player: 1) Roughing the passer 2) Roughing the kicker 3) Roughing the holder (the holder has the same protection as the kicker) as the kicker) 4) Roughing the snapper (on punts and scoring kick plays the center can not be “bulldozed” at the snap)

9. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Face Mask Fouls The high school level still has BOTH 5 and 15 yard face maskThe high school level still has BOTH 5 and 15 yard face mask penalties. A 5 yard penalty is an inadvertent brief grab and penalties. A 5 yard penalty is an inadvertent brief grab and release of the face mask, chin strap or helmet edge. release of the face mask, chin strap or helmet edge. A 15 yard penalty results from a grab and twist or tackle. A 15 yard penalty results from a grab and twist or tackle. Simply touching the face mask, though, is legal. Simply touching the face mask, though, is legal. The NFL and NCAA have each done away with a 5 yardThe NFL and NCAA have each done away with a 5 yard face mask foul and made them all 15 yards personal fouls. face mask foul and made them all 15 yards personal fouls.

10. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Horse Collar Tackle The operative word is TACKLE, not just grabbing. The operative word is TACKLE, not just grabbing. A horse collar tackle is a one-on-one event with the defender A horse collar tackle is a one-on-one event with the defender using the collar of the shirt or shoulder pads to immediately using the collar of the shirt or shoulder pads to immediately TACKLE the player to the ground from behind or the side. TACKLE the player to the ground from behind or the side. If you grab the collar to slow a player down and then let go, If you grab the collar to slow a player down and then let go, that is legal. that is legal. If one player grabs the collar and a second defender then If one player grabs the collar and a second defender then comes in and tackles them both, that is legal. comes in and tackles them both, that is legal.

11. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls A 15 yard penalty which is enforced from the succeeding A 15 yard penalty which is enforced from the succeeding spot (the next spot the ball will be snapped from after the play spot (the next spot the ball will be snapped from after the play has ended). On scoring plays, the team has the option of has ended). On scoring plays, the team has the option of taking the foul on the kick off or on the extra point. taking the foul on the kick off or on the extra point. All unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will be enforced All unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will be enforced in the order they occurred. in the order they occurred. Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the same Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the same individual results in an automatic ejection from the game. individual results in an automatic ejection from the game. With Hillsborough County Public Schools, there is a special With Hillsborough County Public Schools, there is a special “no profanity rule” such that any use of profanity results in “no profanity rule” such that any use of profanity results in that individual’s immediate and automatic ejection that individual’s immediate and automatic ejection from the game on the first offense. from the game on the first offense.

12. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Removing The Helmet At the high school level, there is NO such rule that removing At the high school level, there is NO such rule that removing the helmet while out on the field is an automatic the helmet while out on the field is an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct foul. unsportsmanlike conduct foul. This is an NCAA and NFL rule. This is an NCAA and NFL rule.

13. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Encroachment When a member of the defense “encroaches” into the When a member of the defense “encroaches” into the neutral zone, the act is immediately whistled dead and there neutral zone, the act is immediately whistled dead and there is no opportunity for a play. There is NO ability for the is no opportunity for a play. There is NO ability for the defense to return to their side of the line of scrimmage. defense to return to their side of the line of scrimmage. The same is true when 1) a member of the kicking team The same is true when 1) a member of the kicking team encroaches over the free kick line prior to the ball being encroaches over the free kick line prior to the ball being kicked off, 2) a member of the receiving team encroaches kicked off, 2) a member of the receiving team encroaches into the 10 yard free kick neutral zone prior to the kick off into the 10 yard free kick neutral zone prior to the kick off or 3) a member of the offense lines up in the neutral zone. or 3) a member of the offense lines up in the neutral zone. Thus, technically there is no such thing as “offsides” at the Thus, technically there is no such thing as “offsides” at the high school level, for there is no opportunity to get back high school level, for there is no opportunity to get back “onsides”. The correct term in high school is “encroachment”. “onsides”. The correct term in high school is “encroachment”.

14. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Illegal Substitution It is perfectly LEGAL for the offense to break the huddle It is perfectly LEGAL for the offense to break the huddle with 12 players at the high school level. with 12 players at the high school level. It is an illegal substitution if a 12 th player: It is an illegal substitution if a 12 th player: 1) Fails to leave the field within 3 seconds 2) Lines up in a formation 3) Leaves the field on the wrong sideline 4) Leaves the field then re-enters

15. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Illegal Formations and Eligible Receivers There must be a minimum of 7 players on the offensive There must be a minimum of 7 players on the offensive line at the high school level, and 5 must have ineligible line at the high school level, and 5 must have ineligible numbers (between 50 – 79). numbers (between 50 – 79). For a player to be an eligible receiver in high school, he must For a player to be an eligible receiver in high school, he must have BOTH an eligible number (1 – 49 or 80 – 99) AND be in have BOTH an eligible number (1 – 49 or 80 – 99) AND be in an eligible position (at the end of the line of scrimmage or in an eligible position (at the end of the line of scrimmage or in the backfield). There is no such thing in high school as a the backfield). There is no such thing in high school as a player with an ineligible number “reporting” as an eligible player with an ineligible number “reporting” as an eligible receiver. receiver. In the NFL, it is illegal for an eligible receiver to be interior to In the NFL, it is illegal for an eligible receiver to be interior to another eligible receiver on the line of scrimmage. It is also another eligible receiver on the line of scrimmage. It is also illegal in the NFL for an ineligible player to line up in an illegal in the NFL for an ineligible player to line up in an eligible position. eligible position.

16. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Blocking Below The Waist Blocking below the waist is always illegal at the high school Blocking below the waist is always illegal at the high school level in all but the free blocking zone (6 yard by 8 yard zone level in all but the free blocking zone (6 yard by 8 yard zone including the center, guards and tackles plus any defensive including the center, guards and tackles plus any defensive players in that zone within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage players in that zone within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap. The ball must be in that zone as well when at the snap. The ball must be in that zone as well when the block occurs.) the block occurs.) In the NFL and NCAA, blocking below the waist is legal In the NFL and NCAA, blocking below the waist is legal except when blocking back toward the original line of except when blocking back toward the original line of scrimmage, during changes of possession and during scrimmage, during changes of possession and during kick plays. kick plays.

17. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Kick Offs And Punts A kick does not end until either 1) the ball is possessed A kick does not end until either 1) the ball is possessed by a member of either the receiving or kicking team, 2) the ball by a member of either the receiving or kicking team, 2) the ball goes out of bounds or 3) the ball crosses the goal line. goes out of bounds or 3) the ball crosses the goal line. If a member of the receiving team touches the ball or muffs If a member of the receiving team touches the ball or muffs the ball (unsuccessful attempt to gain possession), it is still the ball (unsuccessful attempt to gain possession), it is still a kick since this is NOT considered a new force on the ball. a kick since this is NOT considered a new force on the ball. Thus, if the ball crosses the goal line after being touched or Thus, if the ball crosses the goal line after being touched or muffed, the ball becomes dead and it is a touchback. muffed, the ball becomes dead and it is a touchback. If a kick is touched or muffed by the receiving team, the ball If a kick is touched or muffed by the receiving team, the ball does become live within the field of play (100 yards between does become live within the field of play (100 yards between the goal lines) and can then be recovered by the kicking team. the goal lines) and can then be recovered by the kicking team. However, the ball becomes dead at the very spot the kicking However, the ball becomes dead at the very spot the kicking team gains possession (i.e. the ball can not be advanced). team gains possession (i.e. the ball can not be advanced).

18. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Kick Offs And Punts Once a kick breaks the plane of the goal line, it is immediately Once a kick breaks the plane of the goal line, it is immediately dead and it’s a touchback. dead and it’s a touchback. The only time a player can run the ball out of the end zone The only time a player can run the ball out of the end zone is by the momentum rule. If a player gains possession of a is by the momentum rule. If a player gains possession of a kick in the field of play from the 5 yard line to the goal line and kick in the field of play from the 5 yard line to the goal line and then his momentum takes him into the end zone, the player then his momentum takes him into the end zone, the player can then run the ball out of the end zone. If the player fails can then run the ball out of the end zone. If the player fails to run the ball out of the end zone, the ball will be placed at to run the ball out of the end zone, the ball will be placed at the spot it was first possessed and the offense will take over the spot it was first possessed and the offense will take over from that spot (wherever it was between the 5 yard line from that spot (wherever it was between the 5 yard line and goal line). It is NOT a touchback. and goal line). It is NOT a touchback. The momentum rule also applies to interceptions. The momentum rule also applies to interceptions.

19. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Kick Catch Interference This is NOT a 15 yard penalty from the spot of the foul.This is NOT a 15 yard penalty from the spot of the foul. In high school there are 2 choices:In high school there are 2 choices: 1)There is an awarded fair catch at the spot of the foul (i.e. no penalty yards at all). (i.e. no penalty yards at all). 2)A 15 yard penalty enforced against the kicking team back at the previous spot where the ball was snapped back at the previous spot where the ball was snapped from and a replay of the down (typically a re-kick). from and a replay of the down (typically a re-kick).

20. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Field Goal At the high school level, a field goal is a “fancy punt” thatAt the high school level, a field goal is a “fancy punt” that can score 3 points – for all the rules applicable for a punt can score 3 points – for all the rules applicable for a punt are true during a field goal as well. are true during a field goal as well. An unsuccessful field goal that breaks the plane of the goalAn unsuccessful field goal that breaks the plane of the goal line is a touchback. The ball does NOT come back to the line is a touchback. The ball does NOT come back to the spot the ball was kicked from (NFL) nor does it come back spot the ball was kicked from (NFL) nor does it come back to the previous line of scrimmage (NCAA). to the previous line of scrimmage (NCAA). An unsuccessful field goal that is short and lands in the fieldAn unsuccessful field goal that is short and lands in the field of play (the 100 yards between the two goal lines) is treated of play (the 100 yards between the two goal lines) is treated just like a punt. It can be picked up and advanced by the just like a punt. It can be picked up and advanced by the receiving team or it can be downed by the kicking team. receiving team or it can be downed by the kicking team.

21. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Field Goal Continued During a botched or trick field goal (or extra point), the During a botched or trick field goal (or extra point), the holder must have his knee off the ground when he pitches holder must have his knee off the ground when he pitches or throws the ball – otherwise the ball becomes immediately or throws the ball – otherwise the ball becomes immediately dead once it leaves his hand. (i.e. the LSU fake field goal dead once it leaves his hand. (i.e. the LSU fake field goal play is ILLEGAL at the high school level). play is ILLEGAL at the high school level). If it’s a poor snap, the holder can come up off the ground, go If it’s a poor snap, the holder can come up off the ground, go get the ball and then immediately put his knee back to the get the ball and then immediately put his knee back to the ground for a kick and the ball remains live at the high ground for a kick and the ball remains live at the high school level. school level.

22. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Extra Points The moment the defense gains possession of the ball The moment the defense gains possession of the ball during an extra point, the play is immediately dead. At the during an extra point, the play is immediately dead. At the high school level, the defense can NOT score 2 points by high school level, the defense can NOT score 2 points by running an extra point back. running an extra point back. Also, when it is clear an extra point attempt is going to be Also, when it is clear an extra point attempt is going to be unsuccessful, the play is whistled dead. unsuccessful, the play is whistled dead. If the offense commits a penalty during an extra point that If the offense commits a penalty during an extra point that carries a loss of down, then the attempt is ruled unsuccessful carries a loss of down, then the attempt is ruled unsuccessful and the offense loses the opportunity to replay the try. and the offense loses the opportunity to replay the try. - Offensive Pass Interference - Illegal Forward Pass - Illegal Touching - Intentional Grounding

23. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Back To Back Time Outs At the high school level, a team can call all 3 time outs in a At the high school level, a team can call all 3 time outs in a row if they so choose. There is no rule that a team can not row if they so choose. There is no rule that a team can not call a time out back to back. call a time out back to back.

24. NFHS Rules Variations From The NFL / NCAA Overtime Each team has 4 downs from the 10 yard line. It is ALWAYS Each team has 4 downs from the 10 yard line. It is ALWAYS “goal to go” on every down. “goal to go” on every down. No team is ever forced to go for 2 at the high school level No team is ever forced to go for 2 at the high school level no matter how many overtime periods we have. no matter how many overtime periods we have. If the defense gains possession of the ball, the play is If the defense gains possession of the ball, the play is immediately dead and the series ends for the offense. immediately dead and the series ends for the offense. The defense can NOT run the ball back for a touchdown The defense can NOT run the ball back for a touchdown at the high school level during overtime. at the high school level during overtime.