South Dakota High School Activities Association
A u g u s t 2 4 , 2 01 6
A u t h o r : B u c k T i mmi n s
Finally, Game Day Has Come
Make The Most Of It
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Everyone has worked hard the past few weeks in preparation for the
season--online rules meetings, mechanic clinics, region meetings, jamborees
are now complete--we are ready to start the season
Make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of what
should be an outstanding season.
Put yourself in position to make the call by using sound officiating
mechanics, rule knowledge and good common sense.
Never give up your responsibility to MAKE THE CALL!
Communicate well with players, coaches and other officials
Have Some Fun
SDHSAA Standardized Coin Toss Procedure
Pregame Duties—Meeting With Coaches
The pregame meeting with the coaches should include reviewing the new SDHSAA
standardized coin toss procedure. Ask the coaches if they have any questions about the coin
toss taking place immediately prior to kick‐off after all introductions, starting line‐ups,
announcements, National Anthem and other associated pre‐game items have been
completed.
Inform the coach that once the coin toss is complete, officials will proceed to their
positions for the opening kick and teams are expected to be ready to go.
New Recommended Crew Communication Signals
Coaches, players and officials should note that the final five seconds of the play
clock should be counted out with a visible count by the back judge (Five Game Officials
Crew) or the referee (Four Game Officials Crew) regardless if a play clock is used on the
field.
The count starts by the official raising his/her arm to indicate that five seconds
remain, followed by the upward motion with the same arm.
So all football officials are on the same page, the SDHSAA recommends that the
count starts with the official raising his/her arm to indicate five seconds remain.
Mandatory Player Equipment—Legal Jerseys
In order to provide for the safety and protection of all participants, players are
required to wear equipment and uniforms which are properly fitted and worn in the
manner intented by the manufacturer. Jersey are required to completely cover the
shoulder pads.
It is becoming more common to see the sleeves of jerseys slide up over the top of the
shoulder pad, thus exposing a portion of the pad. Due to the potential for injury to either
the player wearing such jersey, it is essential that players not be permitted to participate
unless their jersey comply with the rules.
A player whose jersey slides up during game action must immediately make an
adjustment to the garment to ensure that it covers all pads. If adjustment to the jersey
during a dead-ball period cannot be made, the player should not be permitted to continue
as a participant on the field of play.
The head coach should shoulder this responsibility because the coach is required to
verify that all of the team's players are legally equipped. Officials have the responsibility to
prohibit the players from participating until they do become legally equipped. Coaches and
officials must work together to make the game as safe as possible for the athletes
participating by requiring compliance with equipment rules.
The jersey shown on the left is a cap sleeve jersey. The jersey has short tight
hemmed sleeves with elastic cuffs made to fit tight. If the short tight sleeve slides up over
the top of the shoulder pads, thus exposing a portion of the pad players will not be
permitted to participate unless their jersey comply with the rules. Second picture has
football player wearing a T-Shirt over the shoulders pad. The third picture has the player
wearing his team jersey over the T-Shirt which covers the shoulder pads. We would
determine the player in the far right picture to be legal for play, the player on the left to be
illegal.
Knee Pads
Knee pads only restriction is that they’re worn over the knee, under the pants and
shall be at least ½ inch thick or 3/8 inch thick if made of shock absorbing material. There is
no specification on the size of the pads width/length, the thickness is all that is mandated
other than the knee be covered.
The 2016 NFHS Points of Emphasis require that that the pants must completely
cover the knees, thigh guards and knee pads and any portion of any knee brace that does
not extend below the pants.
Officials should be extra vigilant for missing knee pads on receivers and missing
tailbone protectors on linemen, who may think the pads will slow them down.
Prior to a game, the head coach must verify to the umpire and referee that all his
players are legally equipped and know how to use the legal equipment. Coaches must
instruct players on how to wear equipment properly, and they must wear all mandatory
equipment when participating in the game.
When required equipment is missing or illegal equipment is found, correction must
be made before the player participates.
Knee pads may extend below the pants. Knee pads may be worn over the pants if a
legal knee pad is also worn under the pants. Knee braces may NOT be worn over the pants.
Kickoff Formation
The timing of the foul in Rules 6-1-3 and 6-1-4 for not having at least four players (3
in nine man football) on both sides of the kicker has been changed to the time of the kick.
The change allows lateral movement by the kicking team within the five yard belt but
requires game officials to ascertain whether or not the formation is legal when the ball is
kicked (dead ball foul).
1. At least four (3 in nine man football) players on either side of the kicker. If a
member of the free kick team is holding the ball for the kicker he is included in
the count on the side of the ball he is located on in the 11 or 9 player game.
2. All players on the kicking team except the kicker must be no more than five
yards behind the free kick line after the ball has been marked ready-for-play in
the 11 man or 9 man player game. A player satisfies this rule when no foot is on
or beyond the line 5 yards behind Team K’s free kick line.
3. If one player is lined up more than 5 yards behind the restraining line, he/she is
the only player who may kick the football in both the 11 or 9 player game. If any
other player kicks the ball, it is a foul. This a dead ball foul for encroachment.
4. If no player on a free kick is more than 5 yards behind the free kick line, any
player is eligible to kick the ball as long as the kicking team has at least 4 other
players on either side of the player who kicks the ball, (3 in 9 player football).
This is intended to limit the running start kicking teams have during the play and
thus reduce the potential for injury.
Restricted Area—Rule 1-2-3g, 9-8-3
COACHES & OFFICIALS: The restricted area (formerly the coaches box) has been
defined where a maximum of three coaches may communicate with players and substitutes
during dead ball situations. The (up to three) coach(s) must move behind the restricted
area before the ball becomes live. Coaches you need to name a “get-back-coach,” so you as
coaches in the restricted area have ample room to move into this area before the ball
becomes live.
This National Federation rule has been adopted for safety purposes for all parties
involved.
If a game official unintentionally contacts a coach or other nonplayer in the
restricted area while the ball is live, the team is assessed a 15-yard penalty for a nonplayer,
illegal personal contact foul. As a nonplayer foul, the penalty is enforced from the
succeeding spot. A second such offense would result in the head coach’s disqualification.
Unlike a foul for sideline interference (non-contact, Rule 9-8-1k or 9-8-3), no warning or 5yard penalty is required in this situation.
Officials, it is your responsibility to enforce the rule fairly (both teams) when a
violation of the rule takes place. The SDHSAA understands you have a responsibility with
players on the field, but when the rule is violated we expect you to address the situation
when it presents itself.
Penalty enforcement applies to each individual team pertaining to any violation(s)
enforced.
• First offense, flag, team sideline warning, no yardage penalty assessed
o Sideline warning—don’t wait until the fourth quarter—if coaches are there
now, it is because you as an official have let them be there the entire game
• Second offense, a five-yard penalty for sideline interference
• Third offense, 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct charged to the
offending head coach.
Mercy Rule For 11-A, 11-B, and 9-Man Football
In 11-A, 11-B and 9-man football when a team secures a 35 point lead in the second
half, the clock will continue to run except for timeouts (team or official) and after a score.
If a team is 50 points or more ahead at the end of the first half or if it secures such a lead
during the second half, the game is ended immediately. Regulation timing is followed in the
first half regardless of the score.
Once the mercy rule is in effect, the clock will continue to run until the completion
of the game. Regulation timing will not resume if the score differential drops below 35.
The clock will run continuously except for the following situations when it will be
stopped:
• Any time-out charged to a team (re-start with the ensuing snap)
• After a score (restart clock with the ensuing kick-off when legally touched by R, or
by the ensuing snap--kick out-of bounds or touchback)
• Intermission between the 3rd and 4th quarter (re-start with snap)
• Extended injury time-out –only if the coach is brought out – (re-start with ready for
play)
• Penalty enforcement (restart will the ready for play)
• Anytime officials deem it necessary for safety reasons – (re-start with the ready for
play)
If the SDHSAA football game is being played at a Class A site, the mercy
rule will be part of the game. If the game is played at a Class AA/AAA site,
the mercy rule is not part of the football game.
Blocking a Player Who Is Completely Out-of-the-Play
PLAY: A1 is headed for the end zone to score a would be touchdown (a) on the five yard
line (b) has broken the plane of the goal line with the ball; when teammate A2 throws a
blind-sided block on an opponent completely out-of-the-play at the 50 yard line.
RULING: Personal foul, 15 yard penalty from the spot of the foul on Team A player in
situation (a); in situation (b), count the score and the defensive team has their choice of
penalizing Team A on the PAT or succeeding kick-off (exception, if this occurred on the
last play of the game, penalty can only be enforced on the PAT).
Extra Time-Out Due To Heat
The SDHSAA authorizes all football officials to call a “heat time-out” in the event of
heat/humidity. This time-out is not charged to either team. The officials are authorized to
call a heat time-out somewhere close to the mid-point of each quarter. It should be taken at
a time when it will not strategically benefit or work to the disadvantage of either team-after a change of possession. DO NOT take a heat time out when team is driving for a score.
The decision as to whether heat time-outs will be taken should be dealt with prior to
the start of game—it is always better to error on the side of safety. The rationale for taking
these additional time-outs is concern for the safety and health of the student/athletes. The
additional time-outs will enable the athletes to cool down a bit and also get a drink of water
or some other appropriate fluids.
If you use heat time-outs during the first half, you must use the heat time-outs
during the second half even if there is a change in the weather conditions.
Officials plan to allow for longer breaks during the natural course of play (i.e.:
going 90 seconds between score and kick-off, etc.) so athletes can cool down and get a drink
of water.
Hit Until The Whistle
Coaches need to teach their players that the play kills itself. Players need to be
taught when the “ball is dead by rule.” If players “hit until the whistle,” often they are
hitting late as the whistle signifies the ball is already dead. The officials whistle only
indicates that the down is over. Football players need to understand when a player is down
by action or out of the play.
Officials Can Flag Personal Fouls
Coaches Can Stop The Personal Foul Action
Safety Of Players Is Of Most Importance
Length of halftime
An intermission (“halftime”) follows the second period. When teams leave the field,
the intermission for all 11-man varsity completion shall be 15 minutes. A 12 minute
halftime followed by the 3 minute warm up time does not constitute a 15 minute
halftime. This would be legal but mutual agreement must be obtained from both coaches
to reduce the halftime to less than the normal 15 minutes plus 3 minute warm up.
Halftime may be extended to a maximum of 20 minutes plus 3 minute warm up time
only if both teams are provided 24 hours of advance notice. Any greater extension is not
permitted either by mutual agreement or prior notification.
By mutual agreement of opposing coaches, the intermission may be reduced to a
minimum of 10 minutes. They may not shorten the halftime to less than 10 minutes.
A mandatory 3-minute warm-up activity follows intermission. The game officials
are responsible for ensuring that there is a 3-minute warm-up period posted on the clock
for use by the coaches immediately after the halftime intermission expires. The head coach
is responsible for his team being on the field for mandatory warm-up time at the end of the
scheduled halftime intermission.
The rules book contains no definition of what constitutes a warm-up. It simply
requires that an opportunity to warm up be made available. A team does not have to
actively warm up
Enforcement
Fouls During A Loose-Ball Play
If a foul occurs during a loose ball play, the basic spot is the previous spot unless
post-scrimmage kick enforcement applies (10-4-2b)
PLAY 1: First and 10 for Team A from its own 30 yardline. A1’s legal forward pass is
incomplete beyond the line. Holding is called at Team A’s 45 yard line on (a) A2, or (b) B3.
RULING 1: In either case, the penalty is enforced from the previous spot. In (a), it will be
first and 20 for Team A from its own 20 yardline. In (b), it will be first and 10 for Team A
from its own 40 yard line.
PLAY 2: During a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone, snapper A58 holds B74
behind the neutral zone.
RULING 2: Penalize Team A 10 yards from the spot of the foul. The basic spot is the
previous spot because it is a loose ball play. The foul is behind the previous spot so the
holding penalty has spot foul enforcement.
Fouls During A Running Play
If a foul occurs during a running play, the basic spot is the spot where the run ended,
unless it is a foul by the offense (team in possession) behind the end of the run. In that case,
enforce the penalty from the spot of the foul (2-41-1; 10-4-4). If the runner does not lose
possession, the ball becomes dead when the run ends.
PLAY 3: Quarterback A17 is downed behind his scrimmage line on a play during which
B49 commits a defensive holding penalty downfield.
RULING 3: The foul occurs on a running play and the basic spot is the end of the run. The
foul is by the team not in possession, so the penalty is from the basic spot. Hence Team B is
penalized 10 yards from the end of the run.
PLAY 4: First and 10 on Team A’s 46 yardline. A1 is sacked on his 35 yardline. During the
down, A2 clipped at his (a) 47 yard line, (b) 41 yardline, or (c) 33 yardline. In each case, the
penalty is accepted.
RULING 4: The basic spot is where the run ended, Team A’s 35 yard line. In (a) and (b),
the penalties are enforced from the 35 yard line (end of run) back to Team A’s 20 yardline.
In (c), it is a spot foul moving the ball back to Team A’s 18 yardline as the foul is behind
the end of the run.
PLAY 5: Runner A33 is downed one yard beyond the neutral zone on play during which
B49 commits a personal foul (a) 10 yards downfield, or (b) behind the neutral zone.
RULING 5: The foul occurs on a running play and the basic spot is the end of the run. In
either (a) or (b), Team B is penalized 15 yards from the end of the run.
Officials Quiz 2016
Question 1: It is 3rd and 10 from Team B’s 45 yard line. A89 catches a pass at the B38 and
runs to the B5 where he is downed in bounds. During A89’s run, A50 blocked B10 in the
back on the B30. What is the penalty enforcement?
Question 2: Backs A1 and A2 simultaneously move to new backfield positions prior to the
snap. In less than one second after both are stationary: (a) A3 goes in motion and is in
motion at the snap; (b) the ball is snapped. What is the ruling?
Question 3: The holder places his knee down on the 10-yard line for the PAT attempt
following a touchdown. As he receives the snap, he keeps his knee on the ground as the ball
is placed on the tee. Just before the kicker reaches the ball, the holder flips the ball forward
to an eligible receiver who catches the ball and advances for a score. What is the ruling?
Question 4: Player R33 has eye shade that covers his entire face with designs that look like
the band “Kiss”. Is this eye shade placement legal?
Question 5: With five seconds remaining in the first half, A8 completes a pass to A82. Time
expires during the down and B32 piles on after the play. When is the penalty enforced?
Question 6: Team A has 11 players in the huddle when A12 enters the game. After about
two seconds have elapsed, Team A breaks the huddle with 12 players. A5 continues to his
team bench area. Is this legal?
Question 7: With no-time-outs remaining and fourth down with 40 seconds to go in the
third period with the game clock running, Team K is preparing to punt into a strong wind.
With 20 seconds remaining, K1 commits a false start. When does the game clock start?
Question 8: With four minutes remaining in the halftime intermission, both teams are on
the field and are warming up. The coaches agree to start the second half without a formal
warm-up period. What is the ruling?
Question 9: On fourth down from his own 22 yard line, punter K43 muffs the snap and, at
his own six yard line, kicks the rolling ball through the end zone. What is the ruling?
Question 10: Second down and 15 for Team A at the Team B 18-yard line. A34 gains four
yards and goes out of bounds at the 14 yard line where he is hit by B70 after the ball is
dead. What is next down and distance?
Football Officials Or Coaches Concerns
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If you have any play situations during your games that officials statewide should
know about to help them become better officials, please send plays to be included
in weekly bulletins.
If you have questions about rule interpretation, please forward your concerns to
[email protected] or call me at 605-996-1483 (home) or 605-933-1493
(cell).
If you have any questions or comments about any information you will receive
this football season--please forward your concern to me.
If you have any ideas for newsletter topics that would benefit all the SDHSAA
officials, please let me know your topic(s).
Quiz Answers
Ruling 1: Illegal block in the back, the 10 yard penalty will be administered from the spot
of the foul making it 3rd and 5 from the B40, clock with start on Ready For Play. The basic
spot is not the previous spot, the foul occurred during the running play.
Ruling 2: Illegal shift in both (a) and (b). Following a huddle or shift, all 11 (9) players of
Team A must come to a complete stop and must remain stationary simultaneously for at
least one second before the snap or before a player goes in motion.
Ruling 3: The ball is dead as soon as the holder executed the forward pass while on his
knee. The same play would have been legal if the holder had risen off his knee when in
possessing, and then passing the ball.
Ruling 4: NO. Eye shade must be a single, solid stroke with no words, numbers, logos or
other symbols within the eye shade.
Ruling 5: The 15 yard penalty is enforced on the second half kickoff.
Ruling 6: Legal. It is not a foul for Team A to break the huddle with 12 players as long as
any replaced player begins to leave the field within three seconds of the arrival of his
substitute.
Ruling 7: Penalize Team K 5 yards and start the clock with the snap. Under normal
circumstances, the clock would start with the ready-for-play signal, but this would permit
the period to end and K could then punt with the wind. K will not be permitted to gain this
advantage by committing a foul to consume time.
Ruling 8: The three minute warm-up period must be held. With mutual consent of the
coaches, the referee may shorten the halftime intermission, but a separate three minute
warm-up must be put on the clock.
Ruling 9: The foul occurs on a loose ball play and the basic spot is the previous spot. This
is by the team in possession behind the basic spot. Thus, the penalty is enforced from the
spot of the foul. If Team R accepts the penalty, Team K will replay fourth down after
enforcement from the six to the three yard line. Team R may decline the penalty and take
the result of the play, a safety.
Ruling 10: Half-the-distance enforcement to the seven-yard line; no automatic first down.
Third and four.
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SDHSAA Supervised Test
Supervised Test Date—Wednesday, September 2
To move from “registered” classification to “certified” classification, officials must
take and pass the supervised test (closed book)—score at least 75% to pass.
The supervised test will be offered at Aberdeen Central, Faith, Mitchell, SDHSAA
Office, Rapid City Central, SF Lincoln, Watertown and Yankton.
You need to contact the athletic director at the school where you will be taking the
supervised test so the athletic director knows you will be there to take test.
An official may stay in the “registered” classification indefinitely.
Registered officials are restricted to working only regular season contests.
Be Outstanding Protecting Players