Title: 2004 NFHS Football Rule Changes, Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis and Mechanics Changes
12004 NFHS FootballRule Changes, Editorial
ChangesPoints of Emphasisand Mechanics Changes
- CFOA / MCOA
- FHSAA Football Field Clinic
- August 20, 2004
2Football Rules Changes for the 2004 Season
- 1-5-3i,k Legal towels must be moisture absorbing
material. - 2-6-2a Conference near sideline can involve
unlimited team members. - 2-16-2g PSK begins with snap and successful
field goal not included. - 2-17-4b Blocking in back permitted against
defensive in the zone. - 3-1-4 Gives authority back to states to handle
interrupted contests. - 3-3-3 Language re-instated for fouls during last
timed down. - 3-5-2a Head coach may now request a time-out.
- 6-1-5, 6-2-4 During a kick, muff or bat into a
receiver shall be ignored. - 8-2-2 Clarification on fouls by defense on a
touchdown. - 8-5-2a Momentum now applies to any defensive
play situation. - 10-2-1b, 10-2-2- PSK as it relates to the
creation of a double foul.
3Legal Towels
- Illegal equipment shall include
- 1-5-3i Slippery or sticky substance on a towel.
- 1-5-3k Uniform adornments other than one
unmarked moisture absorbing white towel. - Towels may not contain any substance that is
sticky or slippery. - Towels must be such that it will absorb moisture.
- As in the past, only white, unmarked towels,
which are no less than 4 inches in width and 12
inches in length and not greater than 18 inches
in width and 36 inches in length, may be worn.
4Conference Near Sideline
- 2-6-2a One or more team members and one or more
coaches directly in front of the team box within
5 yards of the sideline OR - Eliminates the requirement that only 11 players
may participate in the sideline conference. - No advantage was gained if this restriction was
removed. - As in the past, if the sideline conference is
used, it must take place in front of the team
bench and within five yards of the sideline. - Also, no uniformed player wearing a headset may
be on the field during the conference. (1-6-2) - What is a player? Possible conflict with 9-8-3.
- A non player shall not be outside his team box
unless to become a player or to return as a
replaced player.
5Post Scrimmage Kick in 2004
- PSK is used when
- Team R fouls occur during scrimmage kick plays
- Other than trys and successful field goals
- From the time the ball is snapped until the kick
ends - When the ball crosses the expanded neutral zone
- When the foul occurs beyond the expanded neutral
zone - Team R is in possession at the end of the down
- The window now opens when the ball is snapped.
- The kick does not need to end beyond the neutral
zone to apply. - The philosophy is that the location of the ball
is NOT relevant. - It is the location of the foul and the fact that
the ball crosses the neutral zone that are
relevant.
6Post Scrimmage Kick in 2004
- 10-4-3 involves the basic spot in relation to PSK
fouls - The basic spot is where the kick ends when team R
commits a PSK foul - Team R fouls behind the PSK spot are spot fouls
- Clarifies that PSK fouls are an exception to the
rule - Rule 5-2-1 After a distance penalty, the ball
belongs to the team in possession at the time of
the foul unless it is a PSK foul. - Rule 5-2-2 When a foul occurs during a scrimmage
down and before any change of team possession,
and before a receiver is first to touch a
scrimmage kick while it is beyond the neutral
zone, the ball belongs to A or R after
enforcement unless it is a PSK foul.
7Blocking in the Back
- 2-17-4b Blocking in the back is permitted in the
free blocking zone when the following conditions
are met. - a. By offensive lineman who are on the line of
scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. - b. Against defensive players who are on the line
of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. - c. The contact is in the zone.
- Last year, permissible blocking in the back
against defensive players in the free blocking
zone INCORRECTLY included the condition that
those players must be on the line of scrimmage. - Now clipping and blocking in the back have
different requirements.
8Interrupted Contests
- 3-1-4 Games interrupted shall continue unless
the teams agree to terminate the game with the
existing score or as otherwise provided for by
state association adoption. - State associations may develop their own
procedures for completing games that are
interrupted due to circumstances beyond control. - Previously, a conference or league could have one
rule while a neighboring conference or league
could have another. This was most difficult near
state borders. - This change does not preclude the possibility
that in a given contest, the head coaches and
referee may mutually agree to terminate a game.
(3-1-3)
9Untimed Downs
- 3-3-3 NOTE The period shall not be extended
further when the defense fouls during a
successful try (or field goal) and the offended
team accepts the results of the play with
enforcement of the penalty from the succeeding
spot. - Language was eliminated last year which caused
potential confusion in administering penalties
prior to changing goals to begin the next period.
Last year, the period was extended whether the
foul occurred during a timed or untimed down. - The phrase if during the last timed down has
returned. - Example Team A scores a TD as period expires.
Team B fouled during the play. Period is extended
for the try (if needed). Team B fouls during the
successful kick try. Period is - NOT extended if results accepted and enforced
from succeeding spot. - extend if penalty accepted and replay of the down
is chosen.
10Timeouts
- 3-5-2a A charged team time-out occurs when the
ball is dead and a players or the head coachs
request is legally granted. - A head coach may now request a time-out from the
team box. - If the head coach chooses to observe play from
the press box or other off-field spot, the team
loses the ability to call timeouts from the
sideline. - Teams with co-head coaches must designate which
person is the head coach for purposes of this
rule. - An ejected head coach may designate a replacement
head coach who may assume the privilege. - Wingmen, get to know your head coaches. The
calling official must clearly identify that it is
the head coach making the request. Be aware of
the game situation.
11Muffs During Free Kicks
- 6-1-5 Such touching is ignored if it is caused
by K pushing or blocking R into contact with the
ball or if K muffs the ball into contact with R. - This change clarifies a potential free kick
situation where R might be penalized for an act
of K. - The committee believes that the same principles
should apply if K mishandles, muffs or pushes the
ball, and it touches R. - If a team K player muffs a free kick in the
neutral zone causing the ball to touch a team R
player, the touching by team R is ignored. - This change prevents the possibility that team K
recovers a kick due to unforced touching by team
R. - If R is making no attempt to touch the ball and K
muffs the ball into R, R should not lose
possession of the ball.
12Muffs or Bats During Scrimmage Kicks
- 6-2-4 Such touching is ignored if it is caused
by K pushing or blocking R into contact with the
ball or is caused by K legally batting or muffing
the ball into R. - This change clarifies a potential scrimmage kick
situation where R might be penalized for an act
of K. - If a team K player legally bats a scrimmage kick
so that it touches a team R player, the touching
by team R is ignored. - This change prevents the possibility that team K
recovers a kick due to unforced touching by team
R. - On a scrimmage kick that goes beyond the line of
scrimmage, if R is making no attempt to touch the
ball, R should not lose possession of the ball if
K legally bats or muffs the ball into R.
13Fouls on Touchdowns
- 8-2-2 If during a touchdown-scoring play, a foul
by the opponents of the scoring team occurs on a
play where there is no change of possession or a
foul by the opponents of the scoring team occurs
after the change of possession, if there is a
change of possession, the scoring team may accept
the results of the play and have the penalty
enforced from the succeeding spot. - Last years change regarding penalties on
touchdown plays to carry over to the succeeding
spot intimated that the privilege extended to
both teams and any type of play. This conflicted
with 10-5-3. - The committee intended to address only fouls by
team B when there was no change of possession, or
by the opponent of the scoring team if the foul
occurs after a change of possession. - The change clarifies that A fouls occurring prior
to the change of possession are not applicable to
this rule.
14Momentum Exception
- 8-5-2a EXCEPTION When a B defensive player
intercepts a forward pass, fumble, backward pass
by an opponent. - The momentum exception has been expanded to
potentially include both teams. - Now, if A becomes the defensive team because of a
change of possession and As momentum carries him
into the end zone, the spot of As interception
(inside the 5) will become the dead ball spot and
will not result in a safety. - Remember, the momentum exception only applies to
fumbles, passes or kicks that are caught. Once
the ball hits the ground, the momentum exception
no longer applies.
15Double/Multiple Fouls and Post Scrimmage Kick
- 10-2-2 If each team fouls during a down in which
there is a change of possession and all R fouls
are post-scrimmage kick fouls, then R may retain
the ball, provided R declines the penalty for Ks
foul(s), other than a nonplayer or
unsportsmanlike foul. In this case, the team that
was not last in possession has no penalty options
and the foul against R will be enforced. - If both teams foul and team Rs only foul(s)
qualifies as a PSK foul, team R may keep the ball
by declining team Ks fouls. - Last year there was confusion as to whether the
team K foul would combine with team Rs foul to
create a double foul.
16Major Football Editorial Changes 2004 Season
- Miscellaneous
- 1-5-2c NOTE Gloves must be absent of any
web-like material between the fingers and/or
thumb. - 2-15-1 Forward progress is now the forward most
point of the ball (not the runner). It also
defines the forward progress spot for a fumble
out of bounds. - 2-30-14 The snapper must now face his opponents
goal line with his shoulders approximately
parallel thereto. - 4-2-3 If an inadvertent whistle occurs during a
down in which a foul occurs, and the penalty is
accepted, the inadvertent whistle is ignored.
17Major Football Editorial Changes 2004 Season
- Series of Downs
- 5-1-2a A new series of downs is awarded after a
1st, 2nd or 3rd down, only after considering the
effect of any act during the down and any dead
ball foul by B. - 5-1-2b A new series of downs is awarded after a
4th down, only after considering the effect of
any act during the down, other than a nonplayer
or unsportsmanlike foul. - A conflict still exists with
- FF II-2 Whether the next down will be first is
determined at the time the ball becomes dead and
after considering any act, except a nonplayer or
unsportsmanlike foul, which occurred during the
down.
18Major Football Editorial Changes 2004 Season
- Post Scrimmage Kick Cleanup
- 5-1-3d
- 5-1-3f
- 5-1-3g
- 5-2-1
- 5-2-2
- 5-2-5e
- 5-2-5f
- 5-2-5g
- 10-4-3
- 10-6
- FF I-3
- FF II-3
19Major Football Editorial Changes 2004 Season
- Player Numbering Requirements
- 7-2-5a Removed the at least seven A players to
read seven A players shall be on their line of
scrimmage at the snap. - 7-2-5b No longer requires that just five players
(50-79) on their line of scrimmage. It can be at
least five players. - Force That Makes Safety
- 8-5-2b It is a safety when a player forces a
loose ball from the field of play to or across
his goal line by a new force to a grounded loose
ball with his muff or bat or illegal kick,
provided the ball becomes dead there in his
teams possession.
20Major Football Editorial Changes 2004 Season
- Pass Eligibility
- 7-5-6b All A players become eligible when B
touches the last forward pass. - Pass interference restrictions on a legal forward
pass end for all - 7-5-9a A players, when B touches the pass or
last forward pass if more than one. - 7-5-9b Eligible A players when A touches the
last forward pass. - 7-5-9c B players when the first forward pass has
been touched by A or B.
21Minor Football Editorial Changes 2004 Season
- Minor Nit Picks
- 1-5-1 Mandatory equipment shall fit properly.
- 1-7-15 Use of TV/radio time-out added to state
association adoptions. - 2-12-2 First touching during a scrimmage kick if
touched by any kicker beyond the expanded neutral
zone. - 2-16-2d A multiple foul is two live ball fouls
(other than nonplayer or unsportsmanlike) by the
same team. - 2-16-2f A player foul is a foul (other than
nonplayer or unsportsmanlike) by a player in the
game. - 2-42-4 Team designations (A and B, K and R) are
retained until the ball is next declared ready
for play. - 9-2 Pen Interlocked blocking no longer uses
helping the runner signal. It is back to using
the holding signal.
22Football Points of Emphasis for the 2004 Season
- 1. Helmet Contact
- Intentional helmet-to-helmet contact and leading
with the head must not be taught or condoned. - 2. Substitution and Participation
- While deception is part of football, the rules
committee does not believe this rule or any rule
should create a situation where the offense,
defense or officials are confused or distracted. - This is related to the proliferation of specialty
players and specialty situations within games. - 3. Team Box and Sideline Management
- We must be more vigilant to prevent unfortunate
incidents. - Violation of rules 1-2-3e, 9-8-3 and 2-6-2 must
be enforced by officials. - Sideline violations are handled by a progressive
component in 9-8. - Media, boosters and guests should be handled by
game management.
23Football Officials Manual Revisions for the 2004
Season
- 1. Change in free-kick assignments for umpire,
linesman and back judge (five-official). 50-53 - 2. Visual count by back judge of last 5 seconds
prior to delay of game penalty in a five-official
crew when 25-second clocks are not used. 64, 67 - 3. Added guideline for free kicks when the
kicking team is not ready in the prescribed time.
50 - 4. Umpire now notes Bs players on LOS in free
blocking zone. 62, 66 - 5. All relevant officials mark spot of fumble,
first touching, momentum or end of kick. 70, 73 - 6. Referee has additional responsibilities during
injury time-out. 80 - 7. Added a chart concerning chop blocks. 84
- 8. Adjusted signal chart for touchback. 84
24New Free Kick Positions (5-man)
- The Back Judge now has K's restraining line, the
Line Judge stays where he was, the Head Linesman
is now on Rs 30 opposite the press box, the
Umpire is on the press box side at R's 20 and the
Referee stays where he was. - The rational was that since most kicks do not end
beyond team R's 30 yard line, the linesman will
be better positioned to get the chain crew into
position for the start of the next series. The
back judge, who is more accustomed to having
plays run toward him, will get that same look on
free kicks and will also be closer to normal
position for scrimmage downs. - Umpire is now under the upright (rule on
crossbar) when there is a field-goal attempt by
free kick following a fair catch or awarded fair
catch.
255-man Positions for Kickoff (Regular)
BJ
HL
R
LJ
U
Press Box
265-man Positions for Kickoff (Obvious Short Kick)
BJ
HL
R
LJ
U
Press Box