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91

National Federation Discussion / Gainesville vs Buford in Georgia

« Last post by ImfromVirginia on August 22, 2026, 05:56:26 PM »

I'm watching this game on TV and notice many players having mouth pieces dangling from their face masks during game action. I even saw a backup QB come into the game with a clear mouthpiece in his face mask awaiting the snap. What's up with all that?

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Texas Topics / Re: TASO Officiating Philosophies and NCAA Officiating Standards

« Last post by ElvisLives on August 22, 2026, 05:55:49 PM »

I have one I'd like to see created...

Add the following to the TASO officiating philosophies in mechanics manual under Formation-Offense or wherever appropriate:

“Do not be technical in determining if scrimmage kick formation numbering exception players forming a 2x2 are within the tackle box. When in question, it is not a foul. When less than 10 players are on the field, allow a late substitute to fill an obvious player vacancy in the 2x2 provided no established 2x2 players shift position or false start.”

Concur on the]technicality of the width of the 'numbering exceptions box,' which is my term for what everyone is calling the "2X2" sub-formation. The full width of the numbering exceptions box is the width of the tackle box. But, we can certainly allow the size of that box to expand, reasonably. What is reasonable has been described as up to where a third player from the snapper would be - essentially the same as a player just "catching a piece of the tackle box. For both feet to be within the box, the box would then be some 6 1/2 yards from the snapper. I think we're all good with that.

Regarding substitutions that affect the "2X2" formation, direction we have received from Shaw, to date, says that, after the "2X2" is established, nothing can be changed about it. No player may move into it, no player may depart from it, no players inside of it may change position, and substitutions affecting the "2X2" are not permitted[/s.
As for players within the box, I am certainly not going to be technical about a player adjusting his stance, or modestly moving laterally to get set - maybe a foot or so in either direction.
But, for actual substitutions, by definition, a substitution is either a replacement for a player, OR for a player vacancy (which means Team A has fewer than 11 players on the field). What you are talking about is a substitution to fill a player vacancy AFTER the "2X2" is established. And Shaw has said, in writing, that substitutions affecting the established "2X2" are not allowed. He has not distinguished between a player replacement and a player vacancy. Unless he (or Matt Young) says that player vacancies may be filled by a substitute, then we need to hold the line and rule an illegal formation at the snap.

OK, in 2026 NCAA Bulletin 2, Matt Young clarified that YES, in fact, Team A may fill a player vacancy within the fully established “numbering exceptions box” (my better term for the “2X2”). As long as we have it in writing, OK by me.

I don’t know what’s happening, but my revision, with the addition of the sentence above was not supposed to be struck-through or color pink. That sentence is the new info we received today, from Matt Young.

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Texas Topics / Re: TASO Officiating Philosophies and NCAA Officiating Standards

« Last post by TxJim on August 22, 2026, 11:26:26 AM »

I have one I'd like to see created...

Add the following to the TASO officiating philosophies in mechanics manual under Formation-Offense or wherever appropriate:

“Do not be technical in determining if scrimmage kick formation numbering exception players forming a 2x2 are within the tackle box. When in question, it is not a foul. When less than 10 players are on the field, allow a late substitute to fill an obvious player vacancy in the 2x2 provided no established 2x2 players shift position or false start.”

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Texas Topics / Re: Fair Catch Kick

« Last post by bctgp on August 21, 2026, 10:04:30 PM »

I think making a holder optional is good for 2027. Wish they would have done it initially.
Not sure they need to add anything on the Tee, the existing definition kind of says it all, but the added language doesn't change/add anything new so no harm if they add it.

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Texas Topics / Fair Catch Kick

« Last post by ElvisLives on August 21, 2026, 02:15:30 PM »

OK, I was able communicate with the UIL Exceptions editor, and he has prepared proposed revised language FOR 2027 (not 2026) to clearly allow any type of legal tee to be used on a Fair Catch Kick, and, more importantly, make the use of a holder OPTIONAL.

So, for a Fair Catch Kick (FCK) in 2026, yes, they may use any type of legal tee, but a player in the ‘holder’s’ position is required, regardless of the type of tee used.
For a FCK in 2027, if their committee approves, the use of a holder will be optional.

With this, IMHO, all known gaps in the FCK rule for 2026 have been addressed, even if the 2026 answers are somewhat nonsensical.
We can make it work, for the massive number of FCK’s we’ll see.😁
But, we are able to effect change, and that’s good.

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NCAA Discussion / Re: OFFENSIVE FACEMASK

« Last post by ElvisLives on August 21, 2026, 01:42:10 PM »

And the ball carrier can even grasp the facemask to ward off, as long as he does not pull or twist, right?  If he contacts and extends and pushes away and his fingers curl around the bars of the facemask, no flag.

Officially, and technically, correct. But, in reality, IMHO, it would be very hard to grasp a mask without twisting or turning the head. But, possible.

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Still kicking around the Fair Catch Kick rule (see what I did there?😂)

« Last post by ElvisLives on August 21, 2026, 01:39:33 PM »

Any free kick can be a place kick or drop kick (and it can also be a punt after a safety)

A place kick is make when the ball is either in a fixed position on the ground or on a kicking tee, and it is allowable (but not required) that a holder hold the ball in that fixed position. A tee is made of pliable material and elevates the lowest point of the ball no more than two inches -- that's the entire rule regarding tees. There's no other requirement or restriction on types of tees. A team could use the same tee for a field goal that they use for a kick off.

A holder is required when a place kick is used for a scrimmage kick, but after a fair catch, it is a free kick not a scrimmage kick.

My random theory is that other codes have substituted "scrimmage kick" with the concept of a "scoring kick" - i.e., if the play has the ability to score points, then scrimmage kick rules come into play, such as a requirement for a holder. Fed rules haven't done this, so the basic free kick rules apply for any free kick, including one that can score points.

Thank you. I am grateful.

I deleted the message I originally had below, because I received a message from the UIL rule editor that included proposed language to clearly permit any type of tee, and to make the use of a holder optional. That will not apply for 2026, but should be approved for 2027. For 2026, they gotta have a player in the holder position, even if he does nothing. But, that will be corrected for 2027.
OK. So, the system can work.
That’s it here, for this subject.

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NCAA Discussion / Re: OFFENSIVE FACEMASK

« Last post by Bulldog75 on August 21, 2026, 01:35:40 PM »

And the ball carrier can even grasp the facemask to ward off, as long as he does not pull or twist, right?  If he contacts and extends and pushes away and his fingers curl around the bars of the facemask, no flag.

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Still kicking around the Fair Catch Kick rule (see what I did there?😂)

« Last post by ncwingman on August 21, 2026, 09:39:49 AM »

Any free kick can be a place kick or drop kick (and it can also be a punt after a safety)

A place kick is make when the ball is either in a fixed position on the ground or on a kicking tee, and it is allowable (but not required) that a holder hold the ball in that fixed position. A tee is made of pliable material and elevates the lowest point of the ball no more than two inches -- that's the entire rule regarding tees. There's no other requirement or restriction on types of tees. A team could use the same tee for a field goal that they use for a kick off.

A holder is required when a place kick is used for a scrimmage kick, but after a fair catch, it is a free kick not a scrimmage kick.

My random theory is that other codes have substituted "scrimmage kick" with the concept of a "scoring kick" - i.e., if the play has the ability to score points, then scrimmage kick rules come into play, such as a requirement for a holder. Fed rules haven't done this, so the basic free kick rules apply for any free kick, including one that can score points.

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National Federation Discussion / Still kicking around the Fair Catch Kick rule (see what I did there?😂)

« Last post by ElvisLives on August 21, 2026, 07:39:20 AM »

Please tell me what the NFHS rules for a Fair Catch Kick say regarding the use of a tee. Other than raising the lowest point of the ball not more than 2” above the ground, is there any mention of what type of tee may be used? Or prohibited?

All of the video examples I have seen (all from NFHS games) show the ball being kicked from a standard ‘kickoff’ tee that supports the ball without the need of a holder. Is that because the rule does not address the type of tee that may be used? Thus, since a kickoff style tee isn’t prohibited, it is allowed. (?)
Or, does the rule specifically state that any sort of tee that meets the maximum height requirement (and is not a safety hazard) may be used?

I am inquiring because the Texas governing organization (UIL) has specifically stated that, with a Fair Catch Kick attempt, “…a holder is required, unless the kick is a drop kick.”
This makes absolutely no sense, if a standard kickoff tee is allowable. Their rule does not address the type of tee that may - or may not - be used. That would seem to me to mean that they may use any type of otherwise legal tee. And, if that is the case, the requirement for a holder is simply stup…uh, nonsensical.

Help me understand your rule, so I can have that ammunition on my belt when I inquire about this with the UIL’s rules exception editor. I want him to explain why a holder is “required,” if a standard kickoff tee is allowable.

I will note that the new NCAA rule doesn’t use the term “required,” only that, “The kick must be a field goal attempt with a holder (no tee), or drop kick,…” In their case, since they can’t use ANY type of tee, a holder would seem to be a practical necessity, if the kicker wants to kick the ball with it standing vertically on one end. But, I would still argue that a holder should not be required, because there just might some kicker out there that wants to kick the ball while it is laying sideways on the ground, so a holder wouldn’t be needed. But, that’s another story, for another day.

Help me understand your rule. Thank you.