Author Topic: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced  (Read 40128 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Harry

  • Guest
2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« on: February 14, 2011, 02:26:34 PM »
Chop Block Rule Redefined in High School Football
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Bob Colgate

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 14, 2011) — A change in the definition of a chop block in high school football, along with a strong emphasis on proper use of the helmet to minimize risk of injury, highlighted the January 21-23 meeting of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee in Indianapolis.

The modification of the chop block rule was one of 11 rules changes recommended by the Football Rules Committee and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The new language in Rule 2-3-8 defines a chop block as “a combination block by two or more teammates against an opponent other than the runner, with or without delay, where one of the blocks is low (at the knee or below) and one of the blocks is high (above the knee).”

Previous language defined a chop block as “a delayed block at the knees or below against an opponent who is in contact with a teammate of the blocker in the free-blocking zone.”

Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee, said that any combination block where one block is high (above the knee) and one block is low (at or below the knee) will constitute a chop block – with or without delay between the blocks. He also noted that a low-low combination block is no longer a chop block.

Although not an official rules change, perhaps the most significant action by the committee was the issuance of the 2011 Points of Emphasis on concussions, helmets and contact above the shoulders.

The NFHS has been the leader in establishing playing rules to deal with concussions. Last year, the NFHS implemented new guidelines for the management of a student exhibiting signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion. In addition, the NFHS developed a free online course entitled Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know, which has been viewed by more than 135,000 persons.

“The committee chose not to change many of the playing rules as it intends to ensure the continued focus on minimizing risk of injury to high school football players,” said Julian Tackett, chairman of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. “The minimal number of rules changes in high school football this year verifies that the country feels like the game is in great shape.”

In other rules changes, the committee standardized the rules regarding the replacement of apparently injured players, players who exhibit concussion signs and symptoms, and players who are bleeding or have blood on their body or uniform. Players removed in any of these situations must leave the game for at least one down, and the time-out is an officials’ time-out, not one charged to the team.

The rules committee also defined two types of authorized team conferences – the “Outside Nine-yard Mark Conference” and the “Between Nine-yard Mark Conference.” When an injury occurs and the referee grants an authorized conference, it must be an “Outside Nine-yard Mark Conference.” Colgate said this will provide medical personnel time and space to address the injured player.

Three changes were approved in Rule 1 – The Game, Field, Players and Equipment. In Rule 1-1-8, language was added to note that “game officials maintain administrative responsibilities for the contest through the completion of any required reports or correspondence in response to any action occurring while the officials have jurisdiction.” The revised rule further notes that “state associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents after the officials have signaled the end of the game or in the event a game is terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.”

In Rule 1-5-1, the detailed specifications for thigh guards were deleted because they were not necessarily applicable to newer technologies used in current production. The requirements for wearing thigh guards and that the guards be unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production remain part of the rule.

Restrictions on eye shade were added to Rule 1-5-3c. If used, eye shade must be applied using a single solid stroke under each eye.

“The committee’s intent was that eye shade be located below and within the width of the eye socket and not extend below the cheekbone,” Colgate said. “No words, numbers, logos or other symbols of any type may be included within the eye shade.”

Four changes were approved by the committee in Rule 9 – Conduct of Players and Others. Those revisions include the following:

·       All horse-collar fouls being treated as live-ball fouls.

·       Roughing-the-passer penalties being enforced from the dead-ball spot when there is no change of team possession and the dead-ball spot is beyond the line of scrimmage.

·       The illegal participation rule including a player who intentionally goes out of bounds and, while out of bounds, affects the play, touches the ball or otherwise participates.

·       Establishing an unsportsmanlike foul against the head coach for failure to adhere to the limits on squad members being on the field of play during the coin toss.

A final change was made regarding running clock/mercy rules in nine-, eight- and six-player rules.

Football is the No. 1 participatory sport for boys at the high school level with 1,135,052 participants in the 2009-10 school year, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS through its member state associations. In addition, the survey indicated there were 1,350 girls who played football in 2009-10.

FredFan7

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2011, 03:26:38 PM »
On first blush, it doesn't look too earth shaking. 

I guess they want to take the high-low block completely out of the high school game and that's fine by me.  It takes an official's judgement out of the equation too.  See a high-low block,  ^flag.

I wonder the thought process behind the official maintaining "administrative responsiblilites" after the contest is concluded?  Is that to make sure they fill out special reports?

jjseikel

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2011, 07:33:54 PM »
I guess they want to take the high-low block completely out of the high school game and that's fine by me.  It takes an official's judgement out of the equation too.  See a high-low block,  ^flag.

The way I read it the low/high block is included as a foul.

Offline Rulesman

  • Past Keeper of the Keys
  • Refstripes Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 3839
  • FAN REACTION: +65535/-2
  • Live like tomorrow never comes.
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2011, 07:46:02 PM »
The way I read it the low/high block is included as a foul.
Yes, and a low/low combination in the FBZ isn't. Am I missing something, or did the Federation take a step backwards?
"Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good."
- Vince Lombardi

GoGoGo

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2011, 06:48:06 AM »
The news rule changes don't look earth shattering.

Does anyone enforce the eye-black and number of members on field for coin toss?

Does anyone else also enforce the uniform adornment rule of long belts hanging, tape stripping on belt or face mask, play sheets on the belts, and colored towels?

jjseikel

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2011, 07:22:00 AM »
Does anyone enforce the eye-black and number of members on field for coin toss?

Yep.

Quote
Does anyone else also enforce the uniform adornment rule of long belts hanging, tape stripping on belt or face mask, play sheets on the belts, and colored towels?

Absolutely.

GoGoGo

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2011, 07:34:31 AM »
Good to hear jaybird. I enforce them and get flack from other officials in my chapter that those shoudl be over looked and are ticky-tack.

Harry

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2011, 09:13:25 AM »
Yes, and a low/low combination in the FBZ isn't. Am I missing something, or did the Federation take a step backwards?

Low-Low isn't much of an issue.  High-Low is, but the NFHS rule is still more lenient than the NCAA rule.  Fed is knee and below.  NCAA is thigh and below.  I think there will be a good number more chop blocks called now that more action is considered a chop block.

Harry

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2011, 09:15:14 AM »
The news rule changes don't look earth shattering.

Does anyone enforce the eye-black and number of members on field for coin toss?

Does anyone else also enforce the uniform adornment rule of long belts hanging, tape stripping on belt or face mask, play sheets on the belts, and colored towels?

We don't allow war paint and we follow the procedure for the coin toss.  I wonder if the eye black rule allows the tape.  It's not clear the way this is written.  I've never liked the writing on the eye black.

I don't think belts are an adornement issue.  They are a saftey issue.  The long belt can get pulled a number of ways which could injure the puller and the pullee.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2011, 01:06:01 PM by Harry »

LarryW60

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2011, 10:35:13 AM »
I don't see why the eye-black tape would be disallowed as long as it meets the requirements here (no wider than the eye, not below the cheekbone, and no writing or logos on them)  Of course, if you can't put your team name on the tape strips, what's the point of using them instead of the the old eye black?  I imagine they cost more per use.

Quote
The illegal participation rule including a player who intentionally goes out of bounds and, while out of bounds, affects the play, touches the ball or otherwise participates.

And THAT should have taken care of the "stands behind the end zone, jumps up, and bats a pass back in play" play.  It SHOULD have, but the new rule still specifies that this has to happen "while out of bounds".  We're back to the same ol' "If he's not touching out of bounds or touching something out of bounds, then he's not 'out of bounds'" nonsense.  Why did they even bother with this if that's the best they could do?

GoGoGo

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2011, 10:40:45 AM »
Excellent point...........

fbrefga

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2011, 12:27:04 PM »
Does anyone else also enforce the uniform adornment rule of long belts hanging, tape stripping on belt or face mask, play sheets on the belts, and colored towels?
I have, as well as my entire association, been making an effort to have long belts tucked in and removing the play bands from the waist.  This was also the direction given by the GHSA.  In every GHSA state championship game this past season, at least one player had a play band on their belt.  Numerous players had long belts.  It was even ironic that some players were standing next to the executive director of the GHSA during the trophy ceremonies with, yes, play bands on their waist.  I may not even worry about it next season.  We look foolish enforcing these type of dress code regulations when the televised games show that it is not enforced throughout the state.  Frustrating!

Offline HLinNC

  • *
  • Posts: 3491
  • FAN REACTION: +133/-24
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2011, 12:29:57 PM »
Quote
Does anyone enforce the eye-black and number of members on field for coin toss?

Does anyone else also enforce the uniform adornment rule of long belts hanging, tape stripping on belt or face mask, play sheets on the belts, and colored towels?

You do not in NC at your own peril.  We've been warned, if it shows up on  any video sent to Chapel Hill, the crew is out of the playoffs in the worst case scenario.

LarryW60

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2011, 01:29:11 PM »
And THAT should have taken care of the "stands behind the end zone, jumps up, and bats a pass back in play" play.  It SHOULD have, but the new rule still specifies that this has to happen "while out of bounds".  We're back to the same ol' "If he's not touching out of bounds or touching something out of bounds, then he's not 'out of bounds'" nonsense.  Why did they even bother with this if that's the best they could do?


Mr. RalphDamren over on the NFHS site explained it for me:

Quote
Part of the proposed rule change was to change 2-29-1: "A player or otherperson is out of bounds when any part of the person HAS TOUCHED anything other than another player or game official that is on or outside the sideline or end line." It was felt changing present tense (is touching) to past tense(HAS TOUCHED) would correct that loophole. The Editorial Committee will provide the final verbage.

Offline GAHSUMPIRE

  • *
  • Posts: 566
  • FAN REACTION: +19/-3
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2011, 06:36:41 AM »
I have, as well as my entire association, been making an effort to have long belts tucked in and removing the play bands from the waist.  This was also the direction given by the GHSA.  In every GHSA state championship game this past season, at least one player had a play band on their belt.  Numerous players had long belts.  It was even ironic that some players were standing next to the executive director of the GHSA during the trophy ceremonies with, yes, play bands on their waist.  I may not even worry about it next season.  We look foolish enforcing these type of dress code regulations when the televised games show that it is not enforced throughout the state.  Frustrating!

AMEN!!! tiphat:

Offline bama_stripes

  • *
  • Posts: 2936
  • FAN REACTION: +115/-27
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2011, 08:25:37 AM »
The news rule changes don't look earth shattering.

Does anyone enforce the eye-black and number of members on field for coin toss?

Does anyone else also enforce the uniform adornment rule of long belts hanging, tape stripping on belt or face mask, play sheets on the belts, and colored towels?
We aren't strict on towel color.  Otherwise, we enforce all the things you mentioned.

Offline bama_stripes

  • *
  • Posts: 2936
  • FAN REACTION: +115/-27
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2011, 08:28:56 AM »
I'm disappointed that FED didn't change the illegal formation definition to "more than four in the backfield".

I also would have liked to see the OPI penalty modified.  (I understand that the proposal received majority support, but not enough to pass)

GoGoGo

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #17 on: February 16, 2011, 10:10:09 AM »
AMEN!!! tiphat:

I second the AMEN and feel the same frustration.

LarryW60

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2011, 10:18:02 AM »
We run into the same thing... we enforce the state's wishes, only to watch a different association within the state seemingly ignoring the state's wishes.  Whatever.  As the State is the one that certifies us to work with the public schools, we're going to do what they want.  And for now, they want the entire NFHS Rules book enforced.

Offline VALJ

  • *
  • Posts: 2428
  • FAN REACTION: +90/-14
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #19 on: February 16, 2011, 04:43:37 PM »
And THAT should have taken care of the "stands behind the end zone, jumps up, and bats a pass back in play" play.  It SHOULD have, but the new rule still specifies that this has to happen "while out of bounds".  We're back to the same ol' "If he's not touching out of bounds or touching something out of bounds, then he's not 'out of bounds'" nonsense.  Why did they even bother with this if that's the best they could do?

We'll have to see the final verbiage to be sure.  The fact that they've gone this far leads me to hope that they'll tweak a definition or two to prevent this play, though.

Offline VALJ

  • *
  • Posts: 2428
  • FAN REACTION: +90/-14
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #20 on: February 16, 2011, 04:46:18 PM »
The news rule changes don't look earth shattering.

Does anyone enforce the eye-black and number of members on field for coin toss?

I haven't been looking at eye-black (though I will now); our association is pretty clear that we need to watch the team for the coin toss, though, as directed by the state.

Quote
Does anyone else also enforce the uniform adornment rule of long belts hanging, tape stripping on belt or face mask, play sheets on the belts, and colored towels?

Yessir.

LarryW60

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #21 on: February 17, 2011, 12:09:36 PM »
We'll have to see the final verbiage to be sure.  The fact that they've gone this far leads me to hope that they'll tweak a definition or two to prevent this play, though.
It looks like they're going to change the definition of "out of bounds" from "is touching" to "has touched", making anything done by a player to affect the play after they step out of bounds subject to the illegal participation rule.

Offline Kirby

  • *
  • Posts: 109
  • FAN REACTION: +7/-4
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #22 on: February 17, 2011, 12:14:59 PM »
It looks like they're going to change the definition of "out of bounds" from "is touching" to "has touched", making anything done by a player to affect the play after they step out of bounds subject to the illegal participation rule.

If a receiver inadvertanly steps on the sideline then immediatley jumps to try catch a pass, it would seem based on "has touched" that once the receiver touches the ball, it is now technically dead in mid-air. Interesting...

Offline bama_stripes

  • *
  • Posts: 2936
  • FAN REACTION: +115/-27
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #23 on: February 17, 2011, 12:46:14 PM »
If a receiver inadvertanly steps on the sideline then immediatley jumps to try catch a pass, it would seem based on "has touched" that once the receiver touches the ball, it is now technically dead in mid-air. Interesting...
I don't think so.  Illegal participation doesn't cause the ball to become dead.  The editorial change will simply add a provision to the IP rule that previously lacked clear coverage.

LarryW60

  • Guest
Re: 2011 NFHS Rules Changes Announced
« Reply #24 on: February 18, 2011, 09:08:43 AM »
If a receiver inadvertanly steps on the sideline then immediatley jumps to try catch a pass, it would seem based on "has touched" that once the receiver touches the ball, it is now technically dead in mid-air. Interesting...
The rule change in the OP specifies that the player has to intentionally go out of bounds. Inadvertantly stepping out of bounds is considered "intentionally" going out of bounds, so yes, I believe that would be the ruling.  The only time it wouldn't happen would be if a player was pushed out of bounds and immediately returned to the field.