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Practice by naming each signal in sequence.3 Man Mechanics Presentation
5 Man Mechanics Presentation
2011 NFHS Football Rules Changes
Chop Block Rule Redefined in High School Football
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Bob Colgate
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 14, 2011) — A change in the definition of a chop block in high school football, along with a strong emphasis on proper use of the helmet to minimize risk of injury, highlighted the January 21-23 meeting of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee in Indianapolis.
The modification of the chop block rule was one of 11 rules changes recommended by the Football Rules Committee and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The new language in Rule 2-3-8 defines a chop block as “a combination block by two or more teammates against an opponent other than the runner, with or without delay, where one of the blocks is low (at the knee or below) and one of the blocks is high (above the knee).”
Previous language defined a chop block as “a delayed block at the knees or below against an opponent who is in contact with a teammate of the blocker in the free-blocking zone.”
Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee, said that any combination block where one block is high (above the knee) and one block is low (at or below the knee) will constitute a chop block – with or without delay between the blocks. He also noted that a low-low combination block is no longer a chop block.
Although not an official rules change, perhaps the most significant action by the committee was the issuance of the 2011 Points of Emphasis on concussions, helmets and contact above the shoulders.
The NFHS has been the leader in establishing playing rules to deal with concussions. Last year, the NFHS implemented new guidelines for the management of a student exhibiting signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion. In addition, the NFHS developed a free online course entitled Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know, which has been viewed by more than 135,000 persons.
“The committee chose not to change many of the playing rules as it intends to ensure the continued focus on minimizing risk of injury to high school football players,” said Julian Tackett, chairman of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. “The minimal number of rules changes in high school football this year verifies that the country feels like the game is in great shape.”
In other rules changes, the committee standardized the rules regarding the replacement of apparently injured players, players who exhibit concussion signs and symptoms, and players who are bleeding or have blood on their body or uniform. Players removed in any of these situations must leave the game for at least one down, and the time-out is an officials’ time-out, not one charged to the team.
The rules committee also defined two types of authorized team conferences – the “Outside Nine-yard Mark Conference” and the “Between Nine-yard Mark Conference.” When an injury occurs and the referee grants an authorized conference, it must be an “Outside Nine-yard Mark Conference.” Colgate said this will provide medical personnel time and space to address the injured player.
Three changes were approved in Rule 1 – The Game, Field, Players and Equipment. In Rule 1-1-8, language was added to note that “game officials maintain administrative responsibilities for the contest through the completion of any required reports or correspondence in response to any action occurring while the officials have jurisdiction.” The revised rule further notes that “state associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents after the officials have signaled the end of the game or in the event a game is terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.”
In Rule 1-5-1, the detailed specifications for thigh guards were deleted because they were not necessarily applicable to newer technologies used in current production. The requirements for wearing thigh guards and that the guards be unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production remain part of the rule.
Restrictions on eye shade were added to Rule 1-5-3c. If used, eye shade must be applied using a single solid stroke under each eye.
“The committee’s intent was that eye shade be located below and within the width of the eye socket and not extend below the cheekbone,” Colgate said. “No words, numbers, logos or other symbols of any type may be included within the eye shade.”
Four changes were approved by the committee in Rule 9 – Conduct of Players and Others. Those revisions include the following:
· All horse-collar fouls being treated as live-ball fouls.
· Roughing-the-passer penalties being enforced from the dead-ball spot when there is no change of team possession and the dead-ball spot is beyond the line of scrimmage.
· The illegal participation rule including a player who intentionally goes out of bounds and, while out of bounds, affects the play, touches the ball or otherwise participates.
· Establishing an unsportsmanlike foul against the head coach for failure to adhere to the limits on squad members being on the field of play during the coin toss.
A final change was made regarding running clock/mercy rules in nine-, eight- and six-player rules.
http://www.nfhs.org/...nt.aspx?id=4648
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NFHS COMMENTS ON THE 2011 FOOTBALL RULES CHANGES
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF GAME OFFICIALS CLARIFIED (1-1-8): The committee clarified
that administrative duties for game officials may need to continue after the game to
document actions which occur during the game. This revision illustrates the difference
between the game officials’ jurisdiction during the game and other administrative responsibilities
such as submitting specific reports after the game. In addition, the committee clarified
that State Associations may continue to develop and implement policies that allow for
review of unusual incidents that occur while the game officials have jurisdiction or after the
game.
THIGH GUARD STANDARD REVISED (1-5-1c(4)): The committee determined that the thigh
guard specifications regarding composition, compression resistance and required thickness
of the outside and inside surfaces were not necessarily applicable to newer technologies
being used in current production. The requirements for wearing thigh guards and that
the guards be unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production remain part of
the rule.
EYE SHADE RESTRICTIONS ADOPTED (1-5-3c(3) NEW): The committee adopted new
restrictions in response to increasing use of “face painting” and the placement of words and
other symbols within eye shade (grease or no-glare strips or stickers). In recent years, players
were applying materials in situations where it was not necessary for game conditions.
In other cases, it appeared that some use of eye shade and other face paint was intended
to draw attention to the individual player. Under the revision, if a player uses eye shade, it
must be applied using a single solid stroke under each eye. The committee’s intent was that
eye shade be located below and within the width of the eye socket and not extend below the
cheek bone. No words, numbers, logos, or other symbols of any type may be included within
the eye shade.
CHOP BLOCK REDEFINED (2-3-8): The definition of a chop block was modified by the committee.
The revised language specifies that any combination block where one block is high
(above the knee) and one block is low (at or below the knees) constitutes a chop block, with
or without a delay between the blocks. The rule change also stipulates that a low-low combination
block is no longer a chop block.
INJURY TIMEOUT CONFERENCES RESTRICTED TO OUTSIDE NINE-YARD MARKS (2-6-1,
2; 3-5-8): With two changes, the committee labeled the two types of authorized team conferences
(“Outside Nine Yard Mark Conference” and “Between Nine Yard Mark
Conference”). In addition, the committee specified that when an injury occurs and the referee
grants an authorized conference, it must be an “Outside Nine Yard Mark Conference”.
This will give medical personnel time and space to address the injured player.
PROVISIONS FOR REMOVAL OF INJURED PLAYERS STANDARDIZED (3-5-10a-c): The
committee standardized the rules regarding the replacement of apparently injured players
(3-5-10a), players who exhibit concussion signs and symptoms (3-5-10b) and players who
are bleeding or have blood on himself or the uniform (3-5-10c). Players removed in any of
these situations must leave the game for at least one down (unless halftime or the overtime
intermission occurs) and comply with the remainder of the applicable rule. The rule also
stipulates that the time-out taken in such circumstances constitutes an officials’ time-out.
HORSE COLLAR PENALTY ENFORCEMENT CLARIFIED (9-4-3k): The committee stipulated
that all horse collar fouls are to be treated as live ball fouls.
ENFORCEMENT SPOT FOR ROUGHING THE PASSER REVISED (9-4 PENALTY): Penalties
for roughing the passer are now enforced from the dead ball spot when there is no change
of team possession and the dead-ball spot is beyond the line of scrimmage provided A
maintains possession.
ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION REVISED (9-6-2): With this change, the rule regarding illegal
participation now has been extended to apply to a player who intentionally goes out of
bounds and, while out of bounds, affects the play, touches the ball or otherwise participates.
Action of this type would now constitute illegal participation and be penalized 15
yards from the basic spot.
PENALTY ADDED FOR VIOLATIONS OF RULE 3-2-2 (9-8-1g(3) NEW): This change stipulates
that an unsportsmanlike penalty will be assessed to the head coach for violation of the
restrictions contained in Rule 3-2-2.
http://www.nfhs.org/...et.aspx?id=5254
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2011 NFHS Football Rules Interpretations
SITUATION 1 (6.1.6): With 4th and 5 from K’s 30-yard line, K9 punts the ball downfield where it is grounded and touched by K88 (first touching) at R’s 30. The ball continues rolling and is picked up by R35 at R’s 25-yard line. R 35 is subsequently hit and fumbles at R’s 28. The loose ball is recovered by K88 on the ground at R’s 26. During the kick, R55 is flagged for holding. RULING: If K accepts R’s foul for holding, then it is enforced from the previous spot with a re-kick since post-scrimmage kick cannot apply as K is next to put the ball in play as a result of the play. If K accepts the foul, the awarded spot for illegal touching is not applied. If K declines R’s foul, R will take the ball at the spot of first touching. (2-12-1, 2; 2-16-2h)
SITUATION 2 (9.4.8): A1 is illegally in motion at the snap. The play goes to the sideline where one of B’s coaches makes unintentional contact with a game official (9-4-8). RULING: Both fouls will be penalized, first the live-ball foul for A’s illegal motion, then the 15 yards for unintentional contact in the restricted area. The 9-4-8 foul is a nonplayer foul and is therefore penalized as a dead-ball foul, even though the contact occurred during a live ball. (2-16-2f; 10-4-5c)
SITUATION 3 (9.6.2): K1 free-kicks the ball toward the sideline. R1 runs to a sideline and intentionally steps out of bounds. While R1 is still out of bounds, he intentionally touches the ball as it nears the sideline. The ball is declared dead by the covering official. RULING: Illegal participation by R1. This is not a kick out of bounds as the ball was touched by an R player and the ball became dead when it was touched. (4-3-1; 6-1-8)
2011 NFHS Football Rules Book Clarifications
(Underlining shows additions;
Page 64, RULE 8-2-2: ...(other than unsportsmanlike conduct
2011 NFHS Football Rules PowerPoint Clarification
(Underlining shows additions;
Slide #44 under 2011 Football Rules Reminders. Need to make a change in the text on the slide below the pictures: If a player, coach or nonplayer is in the restricted zone while the ball is live but does not contact a game official, a warning is issued for the first offense. The second instance results in a five-yard penalty and the third offense results in a 15-yard penalty
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Approved Major Changes to the 2010 and 2011 NFHS Football Officials Manual
________________________________________________
Date: March 1, 2010
The following are the major changes approved by the 2010 NFHS Football Officials Manual Committee for the 2010 and 2011 high school football seasons:
1. The Five-Man Mechanics come before the Four-Man Mechanics in the NFHS Football Officials Manual.
2. By state association adoption, officials have the choice of wearing white or black officiating shorts. The entire crew shall be dressed alike.
3. By state association adoption, foul weather, full length, lined black pants with a single 1 ¼ inch white stripe down each leg may be worn in place of the standard, all-white tapered knickers if worn by the entire crew.
4. The Back Judge shall carry two different color bean bags; one for marking the end of the kick and one for marking first touching.
5. The Back Judge and Line Judge bring approved game ball from each team to the coin-toss if footballs are being run off of both sidelines.
6. The Referee’s normal starting position be moved to one that is visible to the clock operator, approximately 10- yards deep and 5-yards wide of the huddle when marking the ball ready-for-play on scrimmage downs.
7. The Line Judge temporarily move to nine-yard marks (top of the numbers), as receiving team is lining up for a free kick. (Four-Man Mechanics)
8. The Referee’s scrimmage kick position be adjusted to 3-5 yards outside the tight end and 2-3 yards behind the kicker, on line judge’s side of the field.
9. If the football falls or blows off tee just prior to free kick, Back Judge sounds whistle to prevent action and moves to kicker to give instructions.
10. The Back Judge assists with relay of the football in side zone from wing official to Umpire.
11. The Referee’s position changed to 3-5 yards outside the tight end and 2-3 yards behind the kicker, on kicking-leg side on scrimmage kicks.
12. The Back Judge’s position changed to 10-12 yards wider than and 2-3 yards behind the deepest receiver on linesman’s side of field on scrimmage kicks.
13. The Referee’s position changed to 2-3 yards to rear and 3-5 yards to side of potential kicker, facing holder and able to see holder receive the football on field goal attempts or trys.
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1999-2009 NFHS Football Rules Changes
2000-2009 NFHS Football Rules Interpretations
