2009 NFHS RULE CHANGES

1. 2009 NFHSRULE CHANGES Michael Livingston PNFOA

2. 2009 Rule ChangesGame Equipment • Field Markings (Rule 1-2-3b NOTE 2) – All required field markings must be clearly visible. If the field of play has a logo in the center or at any other part of the field of play, that logo should not distract from the visibility of the required marks every five yards. • Stripes on Ball (Rule 1-3-1c) – Stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched.

3. 2009 Rule ChangesScrimmage Kick Formation • Definition (Rule 2-14-2) – The definition was clarified to differentiate between formations traditionally used for a field goal/kick try from those used for a punt. • Numbering Exception (Rule 7-2-5 Exceptions) • On first, second, or third down, when Team A sets or shifts into a field goal scrimmage-kick formation (2-14-2a) only the snapper is allowed a numbering exception, number 1-49 or 80-99. Team A is still required to have at least 4 players numbered 50-79 on its line of scrimmage. • On fourth down or during a kick try, when Team A sets or shifts into a scrimmage-kick formation the numbering exception applies to all A players on its line of scrimmage.

4. 2009 Rule ChangesMandatory Warm-up Period • Warm-up Period (Table 3-1) – 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. • Coach Requirements (Rule 9-8-1g) – It is an unsportsmanlike foul on the head coach for failure of a team to: • Be ready to start the first half. • Be on the field following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. • Be ready to start the second half at the conclusion of the mandatory warm-up period.

5. 2009 Rule ChangesPeriod not Extended • Fouls enforced on the subsequent kickoff (Rule 3-3-4b4) – If a penalty for a foul will be enforced on the subsequent kickoff as in Rule 8-2-2, 8-2-3, or 8-2-4, the period is not extended. • Penalties resulting in a Safety (Rule 3-3-4b5) – If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended.

6. 2009 Rule ChangesScoring Play Enforcements • Three rules were refined (8-2-2, 8-2-3, and 10-5-1f) and a new article created (8-2-4) 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.

7. 2009 Rule ChangesScoring Play Enforcements • Dead-ball fouls between scoring play and try (8-2-4) – If after a touchdown-scoring play and prior to the initial ready-for-play signal on the try, either team commits any foul for which the basic spot is the succeeding spot, the offended team may choose to have the penalty enforced on the succeeding spot OR on the subsequent kickoff.

8. 2009 Rule ChangesFace Mask • Face Mask Foul (9-4-3h) – The chin strap is now considered part of the helmet. It is illegal to grasp an opponent’s chin strap.

9. 2009 Rule ChangesHorse Collar Tackle • Horse Collar Tackle (9-4-3k) – Grabbing the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey of the runner and subsequently pulling the runner to the ground.

10. 2009 Rule ChangesHorse Collar Tackle Case Book • A1 is running in the open field and B1 grabs A1’s shoulder pad opening from behind and • Pulls A1 down abruptly backwards – FOUL • Pulls A1 down to the ground from the side – FOUL • Rides A1 for several yards before pulling A1 backwards to the ground – FOUL • Rides A1 for several yards before A1 falls forward - LEGAL

11. 2009 Rule ChangesHorse Collar Tackle Case Book • A1 is running in the open field and B1 grabs A1’s shoulder pad opening from behind and • A1 does not go down from the contact – LEGAL • B2 comes in and tackles A1 while still in B1’s grasp – LEGAL • A1 runs four more yards before being pulled down – FOUL because runner subsequently went down because of the horse collar tackle

12. 2009 Rule ChangesHorse Collar Tackle Case Book • A1 is running in the free blocking zone and • B1 grabs A1’s jersey collar opening from behind and pulls him down - FOUL • B1 grabs the front of A1’s jersey collar opening and pulls him down – LEGAL • B1 grabs A1’s jersey at the top of the shoulder area and pulls him down – LEGAL

13. 2009 Rule ChangesBatting a Scrimmage Kick • Batting a Scrimmage Kick (9-7-2 Exception) – The kicking team can only bat a scrimmage kick, whether grounded or in flight, back towards his own goal line.

14. 2009 Rule ChangesRestricted Area • Definition (1-2-3g) – 2-yard belt between the front of the team box and the sideline that stretches between 25-yard lines. It becomes a restricted area when the ball is live. • (9-8-3) – A maximum of 3 coaches may be in the restricted area when the ball is dead. No player, non-player, or coach shall be in the restricted area when the ball is live. • First Offense – Warning • Second Offense – 5 yards • Each subsequent Offense – 15 yard Unsportsmanlike on coach

15. 2009 Rule ChangesWOA Mercy Rule (non-1B) • 57.6.0 WIAA Handbook – Beginning in the second half, if the point differential is 45 points or greater, the following game ending procedures shall be in effect: • 57.6.0.1 For all classifications except 1B, the game clock will run continuously for the remainder of the game except for: • An Official’s time-out • A charged team time-out • Time between quarters • A Score

16. 2009 Rule ChangesWOA Mercy Rule (1B) • 57.6.0 WIAA Handbook – Beginning in the second half, if the point differential is 45 points or greater, the following game ending procedures shall be in effect: • 57.6.0.2 For 1B schools, the game shall be terminated.