2. History of PSK Rule Change On rules committee agenda 10 times since 1991 Original proposals were copies of NCAA rule, creating multiple exceptions in NFHS code Modified proposal discussed in 2001, with experimentation approved based on rule that would create very few exceptions or changes in existing code.

3. Background of Post Scrimmage Kick Rule  Basic premise was constant desire for equitable penalty enforcement code  Team A/K has chosen to end its possession by kicking  Team K has kicked the ball  Seldom Occurs, but more fair application when it does

4. Background of Post Scrimmage Kick Rule More than 11 years in passage Necessarily different than collegiate rule in order to minimize and eliminate all exceptions to NFHS penalty code May require further refinement in future, but for now, leaves unchanged most other related provisions

5. Basic Rule Change  Defines a PSK Spot (additional Basic Spot defined in rule 10-4-3 and definition included in 2-40-6)  PSK spot is where kick ends by rule when all conditions for PSK are met (2-40-6).  Altered in a minor way, other related definitions related to spots

6. Basic Rules Change  Must use the “window” to properly apply the rule.  The “window” is created and opened (maintained) when  K has kicked the ball and the ball has crossed the expanded neutral zone  R has yet to possess the ball and the kick has not ended by rule  A PSK foul occurs when R fouls “in the window” and with the “window” open, and …  When R has the ball at the end of the down

7. Basic Rules Change  When a PSK foul occurs, the basic spot is the end of the kick (correctly marked by bean bag)  Penalties behind basic spot are enforced using all-but-one principle.  All other revisions and provisions are consistent with all-but-one as in place at this time.  PSK Never Applies on Try (by rule)

8. Rules Study Tips  PSK Never Applies on Made FG (R does not have ball)  PSK MAY apply on missed FG (must be aware of NFHS rule on missed FG compared to collegiate rule)  PSK MAY apply on a scrimmage kick (punt)  PSK MAY apply in Overtime (determined by state overtime procedure), but does not apply if using NFHS 10 yard procedure

9. Officiating Tips  BJ (LJ on 4 person Crew) may need to carry two bean bags. One for PSK spot, one in case of fumble.  Rule 2 Definitions will help sort out most any PSK foul that happens to occur. In addition, case books plays on substitution/participation fouls MUST be reviewed as spot of foul is critical.  Keep in mind, high school punters are happy with more than 3 seconds hang time. PSK fouls don’t happen that often! And is even less likely in non varsity games.

10. Officiating Tips (in order)  Did R End up with the ball?  Did the window open (ball cross the ENZ)  Did the window close (kick end by rule)  Did foul occur with window open, past ENZ, and before window closed?  If all answers are YES, PSK enforcement applies.

11. PSK Mechanics Notes  Movement of LJ may need to be addressed. It may not be as easy for the LJ to break on the snap as many states now do in 5 person, but rather, he/she may have to release when the ball crosses ENZ. Primary coverage as to the ball crossing ENZ has to be L.  Covering official must bean bag PSK spot.  Initial experiment data – 8-10 punts in typical NFHS game, 1 PSK foul per about 8-10 games

12. Dispelled Myths about PSK  This change creates an exception to the rule  This is not an exception. This is a new basic spot, which creates another more equitable enforcement. Enforcement procedures are consistent with all-but- one.  This somehow changes the things that can happen on a punt  This is not the case. The punt can still be muffed or fumbled, the covering team can still end up with the ball. You cannot have PSK without R ending up with the ball!

13. More Dispelled Myths about PSK  This allows the receiving team to get the ball without “clean hands”  This is the biggest myth. Rather than allowing them to get it without clean hands, it simply re-defines the point in time you make that judgment. If they do not foul until after the ball crosses the ENZ, they had clean hands before the change.

14. More Dispelled Myths about PSK  This is not able to be officiated by high school level officials  This has not been the case. It is very easy to understand. It was much more difficult to write than officiate. The high school officials in the experiment states had few if any problems. Most of the problems were caused by  College officials misapplying high school definitions, or  Trying to apply PSK principles to a K team foul

15. More Dispelled Myths about PSK  The high school end zone rule or inadvertent whistles makes PSK not work  The definitions in place at the NFHS level do not cause problems with PSK enforcement as once thought. The rule change is simple and short, and using other existing definitions, all situations can be enforced.

16. Conclusion In theory, many have concluded that this complicated rule change is going to be a problem. In fact, the opposite is true. It happens infrequently, can be enforced using a quick checklist, and once spots are determined, enforcement is the same. Though further refinements are likely (the college rule was amended six times during its first ten years), the principle is a much more fair application.