UIL Exceptions

[ElvisLives]

The UIL has adopted the 2-minute time-out (in the 2nd and 4th periods) for varsity contests. All timing rules triggered with less than 2-minutes (including the 1-minute changes) become effective following the 2-minute time-out.
For sub-varsity, the timing changes becomes effective inside 2-minutes in the 2nd and 4th periods, but the clock is not stopped for a time-out.

[ElvisLives]

One thing about this rule is that the timing rules do not change until AFTER the 2-minute T/O. It is possible for the ball to get snapped before 2:00, then a live-ball foul occurs with less than 2-minutes that also causes the clock to stop. In this case, the foul was NOT the only reason the clock stopped. When the ball became dead, the clock is also stopped for the 2-minute T/O, which supersedes the foul, so there is NO 10-second subtraction.

[Whodatboy18]

Do all other timing rules stay the same such as clock status after OOB?

[ElvisLives]

Do all other timing rules stay the same such as clock status after OOB?

No other changes to timing.

[ElvisLives]

FYI, they did NOT adopt the NCAA’s tougher rule on fake injuries.

They did adopt the extra period change regarding times-out. Beginning with the 3rd EP, each team has only one TO for the remainder of the game. And, if you get to a 5th extra period, there will NOT be a 2-minute mandatory break after the 4th EP (as there is between the 2nd and 3rd EPs).

The UIL changed the Replay rule to allow replay to be used in ‘select’ games in addition to the championship games.

The UIL adopted the NCAA change regarding a scrimmage kick formation in which the snapper is on the end of the line. In those cases, there is no prohibition on a Team B player from aligning ‘head-up’ on the snapper, and there is no requirement for Team B to wait one second to contact the snapper.

The UIL adopted the NCAA change that makes the ball dead when possessed after a Team B player makes a “T” signal during a FREE kick.

The UIL adopted the NCAA rule change that strengthens the prohibition on Team B in making abrupt or exaggerated actions in an obvious attempt to cause a false start.
The UIL also adopted the NCAA rule change that, at the same time, prohibits Team A from using the words, ”move” and “stem” as part of their snap signals.
The UIL adopted the NCAA rule change that allows the Team A to use a clap in their snap count. The language is ambiguous, as it says, “The offense may use a “clap” as a starting signal and this signal may not be used by the defense.” Previous interpretation from Shaw said that Team B couldn’t clap IF Team A used a clap in their signals. This new rule language doesn’t really clarify this, one way or the other. Hopefully, the final language will clear this up.

I’ll be back after I watch Jeopardy.

[ElvisLives]

(Continued)

The UIL adopted the NCAA rule change that was implemented as an in-season interpretation in 2024 (Bulletin No.4), regarding intentional substitution fouls by Team B late in the second and fourth periods. If Team B has more than 11 players participate in a down after the 2-minute Time-Out, following enforcement of the distance penalty at the previous spot (if accepted), Team A may also have the game clock restored to the time at the moment the ball was last snapped, and the clock will start on the snap. (If the 12th player simply failed to exit the field fully before the snap, and had no effect on the action on the field during the down, then there is no clock adjustment.)

The UIL adopted an exception to the NCAA rules, and will allow players and coaches to use ‘wearable technology’ (watches, wristbands, belt packs) to communicate in-game calls. No limit on the number of players/coaches using such devices, but they can only be one-way comms from coach (in the pressbox) to players. There will be no interruption of coach-player comms required. As with any technology, game officials will have no responsibility for enforcement of this rule, but are ‘expected’ to report suspected violations to the UIL. (I will be like Sgt. Schultz: I see nothing…NOTHIIIIINNNNGGG.)

The UIL adopted the NCAA rule change to allow players to wear eye shields that are “nearly clear,” if such visors are approved by the NCAA prior to May 1 for the pending season. The UIL will also allow such visors that are approved by the NCAA. But, at this time, we have no idea how we will know if any specific visor is approved by the NCAA. What a mess.

Otherwise, same ‘ol stuff.

[FWREF]

Where can we go to get a copy of this?

[Whodatboy18]

They are posting it on taso.org sometime next week.

[TxJim]

(Continued)

....

The UIL adopted the NCAA rule change to allow players to wear eye shields that are “nearly clear,” if such visors are approved by the NCAA prior to May 1 for the pending season.

"Nearly clear." Sufficiently vague. Partly cloudy. Jumbo shrimp.   

[Grant - AR]

"Nearly clear." Sufficiently vague. Partly cloudy. Jumbo shrimp.   

Are you going to have to carry a tint meter like police do to see if it's too dark?

[ElvisLives]

I predict this will be very difficult to control for NCAA, and impossible for UIL. This will go the way of knee coverings. The HC will show us some piece of paper that says they are using shields approved by the NCAA. Even if the approval is legitimate, it will be for some specific tinting, and we won’t have any way to verify. It may be for a 2% tinting and they’ll throw a 20% tinting at us, and we won’t be able to know what’s what.
What a huge frickin’ mess. Ban it, or let it all go. Forget this certain tint business, NCAA and UIL.

And we don’t even have NIL yet. Just wait.

[dammitbobby]

If they're not going to define 'nearly clear' then I will - if I can't see the outline of your eyeballs, or if you move your eyes and I can't see them, it's too dark. Don't like it coach, lobby your coaches association to beg UIL for a better written rule. 

[blindtxzebra]

Of note: Shaw said in Chicago last week that the T-Signal is being discussed to be an invalid signal on ALL kicks, not just free kicks.

[ElvisLives]

Of note: Shaw said in Chicago last week that the T-Signal is being discussed to be an invalid signal on ALL kicks, not just free kicks.

That would make our lives simpler.

[Bulldog75]

I've seen clear visors, and obviously dark visors.  I think those are easy even with the new rule.  What would be ambiguous to me are the ones that have a reflective coating.  Those are clear if you get close and look straight at them.  But if you're any distance away or at an angle then they're completely reflective and opaque with kind of a rainbowy sheen to them.  Are those "nearly clear"?

[ElvisLives]

I just want the UIL to provide a listing of specific manufacturer(s) and model(s) of visors that have readily visible factory stamped identification, so EVERYBODY, not just us, can see that a suspect visor is, or is not, approved.
Better yet, leave us out of it, entirely, and tell the teams that they have to provide FILM photographic evidence (negative and print) to the UIL of alleged violations, and make the penalty to be forfeiture of the game in question.

Somebody wake me up…

[ElvisLives]

OK, more UIL Exception info.

The Guardian caps will be acceptable for UIL football, without any medical waiver. However, they must match the color of the helmet. Also, the straps that attach the cover to the helmet are subject to the facemask foul rule, should they get grasped, causing a twist/turn.
However, at this time, TAPPS will still require THEIR medical waiver. This could change.

The “nearly clear visor” thing is still a mess. However, we still don’t know how we, as officials, are supposed to know what visors are UIL (NCAA) approved. This will still have to be worked out with the UIL.

The two-minute rule changes will apply to Varsity and Sub-varsity, we just won’t have a time out in sub-varsity. We just have to know the rules change upon the first time the ball is dead inside 2-minutes (sub-varsity). In Varsity, we have to actually have the “Two-Minute Timeout” before the rules change.

H & L swapping sidelines at halftime applies to ALL crews of 5, including sub-varsity. The pressbox side official performs all duties assigned the L, and the opposite sideline official performs all the duties of the H.

[Bulldog75]

And on 5 man mechanics changing, the H will go under the goal post for FGs and XPs and the L will stay at the LOS?  For OT, do we stay on the same sideline as the 2H?

[ElvisLives]

And on 5 man mechanics changing, the H will go under the goal post for FGs and XPs and the L will stay at the LOS?  For OT, do we stay on the same sideline as the 2H?

While the manual may refer to the "H" and the "L," we need to understand that, in the manual, the "H" means the official opposite the press box, and the "L" means the official on the pressbox side, regardless of what position letter they may have on their backs (for those wearing position letters). Yes, all wings officials will now need to be "interchangeable." They will BOTH need to confer with the chain crew before the game. They will all need to know the keys, and what do do on punts and field goal attempts, etc., for their position on the field in each half. The H will get the pay of an L for the first half, and the pay for an H in the second half. And vice versa for the L. 

[TxJim]

So the 2025 UIL exceptions have been posted to the TASO football portal.

"...will be considered for approval"...  So, based on the wording, I'm assuming there could be a subsequent UIL announcement sometime prior to August for this season regarding the exception to the exception for 1-4-6-c Eye shields?

EXCEPTION: 1-4-6-c. DELETE the sentence that states: “No medical exceptions are allowed.”

ADD: “Exception: A player(s) is permitted to participate in UIL games wearing tinted eyeglasses
or goggles, if the player has been issued a current season UIL Medical Exemption Form that allows
for his/her participation wearing tinted eyeglasses or goggles. Prior to the start of each game in
which the player will potentially participate wearing tinted eyeglasses or goggles, the Head Coach
must present to the Referee of the game a copy of the properly completed UIL Medical Exemption
Form that allows for the player’s participation with tinted eyeglasses or goggles. Once the game
begins, no player may participate wearing tinted eyeglasses or goggles unless the coach has
presented the UIL Medical Exemption Form to the Referee prior to the start of the game. (Note:
The exemption applies only to tinted eyeglasses or goggles – tinted eye shields are prohibited and
medical exceptions are not allowed for tinted eye shields. Exception - any NCAA approved eye shields
submitted by May 1 for upcoming year will be considered for approval by the UIL)”

[ElvisLives]

So the 2025 UIL exceptions have been posted to the TASO football portal.

"...will be considered for approval"...  So, based on the wording, I'm assuming there could be a subsequent UIL announcement sometime prior to August for this season regarding the exception to the exception for 1-4-6-c Eye shields?

EXCEPTION: 1-4-6-c. DELETE the sentence that states: “No medical exceptions are allowed.”

ADD: “Exception: A player(s) is permitted to participate in UIL games wearing tinted eyeglasses
or goggles, if the player has been issued a current season UIL Medical Exemption Form that allows
for his/her participation wearing tinted eyeglasses or goggles. Prior to the start of each game in
which the player will potentially participate wearing tinted eyeglasses or goggles, the Head Coach
must present to the Referee of the game a copy of the properly completed UIL Medical Exemption
Form that allows for the player’s participation with tinted eyeglasses or goggles. Once the game
begins, no player may participate wearing tinted eyeglasses or goggles unless the coach has
presented the UIL Medical Exemption Form to the Referee prior to the start of the game. (Note:
The exemption applies only to tinted eyeglasses or goggles – tinted eye shields are prohibited and
medical exceptions are not allowed for tinted eye shields. Exception - any NCAA approved eye shields
submitted by May 1 for upcoming year will be considered for approval by the UIL)”

This is still problematic. Even if we get a list of approved shields (by brand/model), we, as officials, will have no way to verify if a shield is one of those models - unless the NCAA requires the shields to be permanently marked in some manner. The desire is for the UIL to prohibit tinting or remove this from our jurisdiction, altogether. We shall see.

[TxJim]

We shall see.

"Will shall see" .... if it's clear or nearly clear   

[Official_21]

The UIL has adopted the 2-minute time-out (in the 2nd and 4th periods) for varsity contests. All timing rules triggered with less than 2-minutes (including the 1-minute changes) become effective following the 2-minute time-out.

Going to take some getting used to when I run the game clock.
First time I see it happen I am going to be thinking to myself "Wait, wut?"

Hopefully, my chapter will go over this during clock operator training.