When in doubt, philosophies for High School Football

[fbljuj]

Is it Sept. yet? While discussing in our Movie Night last week (yes, what a concept. Get to get out of the house, watch football videos for an hour and a half, Thank You Mr. Summertime for the Aloha films, and oh yea go out for a couple of root beers afterwards) we had a long discussion on targetting a defenseless player. The words, when in doubt came up and philosophies. I am not aware of either of these listed in the rule book or anywhere else. In NCAA, there is a section of the rule book for when in doubt and on several of the NCAA Conference web sites, you can find their philophies which are pretty similar. Anyone know of such a thing for high school football and if not, can we make one up?

[Atlanta Blue]

From the NFHS Official's Manual:

GUIDES FOR - “WHEN IN QUESTION”
• Incomplete pass or fumble ............incomplete pass
• Accidental or intentional ......................accidental
   a. Contact
   b. Touching
   c. Kicking
• Forward or backward pass ......................forward
• Kick or pass touched or not...........................not
• Catch or not........................................no catch
• Passer has thrown or fumbled ..............has thrown
• Legal block or clip ......................................legal
• Touchback or safety ...........................touchback
• Block above or below the waist ...................above
• Fumble or dead ball ...............................dead ball
• 5-15 Face Mask.............................................15
• 5-15 Kicker/Holder .........................................15

[HLinNC]

Reddings NFHS Guide has a 1 1/2 page appendix for When In Doubt.

[biltheref]

From the NFHS Official's Manual:

GUIDES FOR - “WHEN IN QUESTION”
• Incomplete pass or fumble ............incomplete pass
• Accidental or intentional ......................accidental
   a. Contact
   b. Touching
   c. Kicking
• Forward or backward pass ......................forward
• Kick or pass touched or not...........................not
• Catch or not........................................no catch
• Passer has thrown or fumbled ..............has thrown
• Legal block or clip ......................................legal
• Touchback or safety ...........................touchback
• Block above or below the waist ...................above
• Fumble or dead ball ...............................dead ball
• 5-15 Face Mask.............................................15
• 5-15 Kicker/Holder .........................................15

I review these in every pregame.

[RickKY]

When the runner starts behind his own GL and attempts to get out of the end zone, and there is doubt about whether he got the ball out or not -- YES he did get out.

Legal formation with 7 lineman or not -- Make them LEGAL

[fbljuj]

Wow, and our interpreter was in the audience, egg on my face too. I do not see targetting a defenseless player or does that come under contact? Thanks for all of your help.

[Atlanta Blue]

Wow, and our interpreter was in the audience, egg on my face too.

Just remember it was a coach that found that list in the Official's Manual!   

[Sumstine]

Catch or No Catch: I believe this is changing around football and not just games with replay. The idea is that if we are not sure why take it away from the kid. Any thoughts or feedback on this idea?

[VALJ]

When the runner starts behind his own GL and attempts to get out of the end zone, and there is doubt about whether he got the ball out or not -- YES he did get out.

Just please, for the love of the officiating gods, if you're a wingman giving the benefit of the doubt, come in and give a spot MORE than a football's length from the goalline.  It may be "urban legend", but our association has a story about a wing who came in and gave a forward progress spot about 5 inches in front of the goal line...   

One I didn't see above but have heard before - if contact is in the back, and there is doubt about whether it was above or below the waist, the contact as below the waist.

[AlUpstateNY]

Just remember it was a coach that found that list in the Official's Manual!   

A broken clock is right twice a day, you've got one more chance to be right coming.

[fbljuj]

Just remember it was a coach that found that list in the Official's Manual!   

Funniest thing I've seen in a while and you are correct, sir.

[James]

A broken clock is right twice a day, you've got one more chance to be right coming.

Actually a stopped clock is right twice a day. A broken clock might be loosing a minute per day, and then it would only be right... every 720 days - a little less than every 2 years. Seemd more approriate 

[RickKY]

A good rule to follow is "Nothing comes cheaply".
No cheap turnovers, no cheap scores, etc.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

So, this counts as a massive necropost, but...

This seems to have been pulled from all of the NFHS books. I can't find it in the 2024 rule book, case book, or officials' manual. (It wasn't in the previous edition as nearly as I can tell, either.)

Anyone have a sense of (a) if this is published anywhere official anymore and (b) why it was pulled from the books?

[Ralph Damren]

So, this counts as a massive necropost, but...

This seems to have been pulled from all of the NFHS books. I can't find it in the 2024 rule book, case book, or officials' manual. (It wasn't in the previous edition as nearly as I can tell, either.)

Anyone have a sense of (a) if this is published anywhere official anymore and (b) why it was pulled from the books?

I found 'er. Page 99 of 2022-2023 Game Official Manual.  Ayeh, 'spect in in 2024-2025 Manual, too,but them's in my big scary SUV and I'm too tiired/lazy/old to git her.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

I found 'er. Page 99 of 2022-2023 Game Official Manual.  Ayeh, 'spect in in 2024-2025 Manual, too,but them's in my big scary SUV and I'm too tiired/lazy/old to git her.

Appreciated. Wouldn't have thought to look in the "Crew of Seven" section for that. 

But, in the older mechanics manual, it goes from "Reverse Fade Mechanics" to that When In Question table.

In the current one, it goes from "Reverse Fade Mechanics" to "Postgame Conference" - the table is gone, or moved elsewhere.

Running out for a couple of youth games now... I'll look again later.

[SCHSref]

I was curious about the Touchback vs safety when in doubt. Could I get an example?

Thanks

[Ralph Damren]

When referancing the 'ain't sure' note that the suggested call is the one that has the least impact onthe game...ie...forward pass dropped is just incomplete, while backward pass dropped is 'Open season on moose' (ole' Mainer saying)

Don't worry if ya can't find the 'ain't sure' list in this year's manual. 'Cause it ain't there. Don't know why  . If I find out, I'll let ya' know   

[AlUpstateNY]

When multiple officials reach differing conclusion about the result of an action, privately, and as quickly as possible, confer & reach a universal conclusion BEFORE any announcements/signals.

[Ralph Damren]

When multiple officials reach differing conclusion about the result of an action, privately, and as quickly as possible, confer & reach a universal conclusion BEFORE any announcements/signals.

Good point, Yankee Al, SEE IT...THINK IT.....CALL IT. 

AS i OPEN THE SPORTS PAGE OF THE BANGOR DAILY SNEWS, I NOTICE THAT THE WORLD SERIES IS OVER. DON'T FEEL BAD AS ONLY ONCE HAS A TEAM CAME FROM 0-3 TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES (hint: 2004) 

[Ralph Damren]

Good news for those that are asking... the "AIN'T SURE" page will return in the 2026-2027 Game Officials Manual. Until then, one may reference the 2022-2023 Manual