2009 NFHS
Rule
Changes
Bob Sietsema
AIA
Football Rules
Interpreter
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
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2009 NFHS Rule Changes
10 Rules Changes
Approved by the
National Federation
of State High School
Associations (NFHS)
Football Rules Committee
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
•
1-2-3b NOTE 2 (NEW): All required field markings must be clearly visible.
•
1-3-1c: Stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched.
•
2-14-2; 7-2-5: The definition of a scrimmage-kick formation was clarified to differentiate formations that have been used traditionally
for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt. The circumstances under which the numbering exception can be
used have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth downs.
•
Table 3-1; 9-8-1g: The mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime
intermission. The head coach of each team is responsible for his team being on the field for the warm-up period.
•
3-3-4b5 (NEW): If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended.
•
8-2-2; 8-2-3; 8-2-4 (NEW); 10-5-1f: Three rules were refined and a new article created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball,
non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or after a touchdown scoring play. Now, the scoring team, in most situations,
has the option of enforcing the penalty on the subsequent kickoff.
9-4-3h: It is now illegal to grasp the opponent's chin strap.
•
•
9-4-3k (NEW): The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls, regardless of where it occurs on
the field. It is illegal to grasp the inside back or side opening of the collar of the jersey or shoulder pads of the runner and
subsequently pull the runner to the ground.
•
9-7-2 EXCEPTION: The kicking team cannot bat a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is toward its own goal
line. Scrimmage kicks may only be batted by the kicking team towards its own goal line.
•
1-2-3g; 9-8-3: A restricted area has been defined where a maximum of three coaches may communicate with players and
substitutes during dead-ball situations. The coaches must move into the team box before the ball becomes live. There will no longer
be an allowance for three coaches to remain in an area adjacent to the sideline during play
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Thanks for your
attention.
Any Questions ?
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Horse-collar Tackle To
Be Penalized in High
School Football
Effective with the 2009 season, it will
be illegal to grab the inside back or
side collar of the runner's shoulder
pads or jersey and subsequently pull
the runner to the ground.
The penalty will be 15 yards.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
2 YARD BELT
The 2 YARD BELT now extends around the entire
field, eliminating the “Coaches Box”.
In front of each Team Box is a
RESTRICTED AREA that coaches may use during
Dead Ball intervals.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Team Box / 2 Yard Belt
• A maximum of three coaches may be in the
Restricted Area to communicate with players during
dead-ball situations. Before the ball becomes live,
however, the coaches must retreat into the team box.
• Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to
the Football Rules Committee, said this rule change
results in a 2-yard belt that is clear of team personnel
and helps eliminate sideline congestion while helping
to minimize the risk for participating players, coaches
and officials during live-ball situations.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Rule 9-4-3
It is illegal to grasp an opponent's chin
strap, in addition to the opponent's
face mask or edge of a helmet opening.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
3 Minute Warm Up
Following Halftime
Consistency Across the Entire Country
1. When Do You Start the 3 Minutes?
2. When Does A Foul Occur?
3. Liability?
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Rule 9-8-1g clarifies that the mandatory
three-minute warm-up period begins
immediately following the conclusion of the
halftime intermission.
Officials are to provide the “opportunity to
warm up”, but are not responsible for
injury if the Head Coach chooses not to
utilize the time to actually warm up.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Rule 9-8-1g
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
(Charged to the Head Coach)
Failure of a team to be ready to start either half
Penalty occurs when the 3 minute clock starts.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Numbering Exception
Rule
Fixing a Loop Hole
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
The definition of scrimmage-kick formation
was clarified for attempting a field goal or kick try
from those used for a punt.
In addition, the circumstances under which the
numbering exception can be utilized have been
changed to clarify what can be done on
first, second, third and fourth downs.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Numbering Exception
Basics
1.
2.
3.
The rule exception was originally instituted to
allow “better athletes” to be the long snapper or
to be on the punt coverage team.
Coaches developed new offensive formations
(i.e. A-11) to capitalize on the exception.
The goal of the rule change is to allow the
numbering exception to be used for scrimmage
kick plays.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Scrimmage-Kick Formation
1.
No player in position to receive hand-to-hand
snap between the snapper’s legs.
2.
At the snap, a player with knee on the ground 7
yards or more behind LOS (in position to be a
holder) and another player 3 yards or less
behind that player (in position to attempt a kick)
OR. . . . . ..
3.
At the snap, a player 10 or more yards behind
the LOS and in position to receive the snap.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Numbering Exception
st
nd
rd
On 1 , 2 , or 3 Down,
1. When a team shifts or sets in a
scrimmage kick formation, ONLY THE
SNAPPER is exempt from the
numbering rule. Snapper is always
ineligible in this situation (unless pass
is touched by B).
2. FOUR linemen must be wearing 5079.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Numbering Exception
On
th
4
Down or a Kick Try,
1. No requirement for any players to be 50-79.
2. Players numbered 1-49 or 80-99 who take an
initial position as an interior lineman remain
ineligible to catch a forward pass (unless the
pass is touched by team B).
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Fouls on Touchdown
Scoring Plays
Three rules were revised and a new article was created regarding
penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike
fouls that occur during or after a touchdown-scoring play. The
offended team, in most situations, has the option of enforcing the
penalty on the subsequent kickoff.
Fouls committed after the initial ready-for-play signal following the
touchdown are not affected by this change.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Extending a Period
Following a Penalty
If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on
the last timed down of a period, the period
is not extended. The teams will change
goals to start the next period.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Stripes on the Football
The rule change states that the stripes
located on the football must be adjacent
to and perpendicular to the seam upon
which the laces are stitched.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Field Markings
All required field markings must be clearly
visible. Further, when other markings such
as logos are placed on the field, the
required markings shall remain visible.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Illegal Batting of a
Scrimmage Kick
It is illegal batting by the kicking team if it
bats a scrimmage kick that has not yet
been grounded unless it is batted by the
kicking team toward its own goal line.
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Points of Emphasis
Illegal Personal Contact
Blocking and Illegal Blocks
Helmet and Face Mask
Uniforms
Sportsmanship
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Illegal Personal Contact
9-4-3b
Charge into or throw an
opponent to the ground
after he is obviously out
of the play, or the ball is
clearly dead either in or
out of bounds
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Examples:
Well behind a long scoring play
Punts – Away from the ball
Standing near a pile
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Illegal Personal Contact
15 yard penalty
Player may be ejected if flagrant
2009 NFHS Rule Changes
Thanks for
your attention.
Any Questions ?