NEW YEAR = NEW RULES (maybe).......

[Ralph Damren]

Happy new year to all and, as always, here are the rule change proposals. I value your opinions highly and will bring your suggestions to our national meeting on January 12-14. Thank you in advance for your response :

(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard. 14-0
(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees. 13-2
(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere. 14-1
(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game. 13-1
(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark. 12-0
(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt. 13-2
(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture . 4-11
(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty. 5-9
(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends. 8-7
(10) 12 in game = IS.  11-4
(11) Any whistle = IW. 1-12
(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble.8-6
(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there. 13-2
(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF. 4-10
(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage. 5-9
(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass. 8-7
(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards. 5-10
(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist. 0-13
(19) Grabing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM. 7-8
(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot. 5-8
(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB. 10-4
(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment.  3-10

 


                         

[GoodScout]

My thoughts. I usually am against rule changes unless there's a clear and present need, which there rarely is. That said, I'm surprised how many on your list I don't have a problem with. 

(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard. - OK
(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees. -- YES! With this being a POE. Otherwise NFHS might as well surrender in this battle.
(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere. - OK. Never have consider these a safety issue.
(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game. - YES, with states allowed to make exceptions for hearing- or vision-impaired players.
(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark. -YES.
(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt. - OK
(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture . -NO. UNR is always available in this situation.
(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty. -NO. 2 is fine.
(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends. - NO.
(10) 12 in game = IS. - NO. Rule in place is fine. Not our job to make coaches understand something they can't seem to understand.
(11) Any whistle = IW. - NO.
(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble. - NO. Has never happened intentionally in my 20 years of officiating. Rule in search of a problem in HS, and an example of a "let's adopt the NCAA rule 'cause it's cool."
(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there. - YES. Remove us having to determine if it's "intentional."
(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF. - YES.
(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage. - NO. Current enforcement is fine.
(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass. - NO.
(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards. - NO. Current enforcement is balanced and fair.
(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist. - NO. Unsafe.
(19) Grabing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM. - NO. Flexibility of having 5 yd in our pocket useful.
(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot. - NO.
(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB. - Not opposed to this, but past history indicates it will take 3 years of changes and editorial corrections to get it right.
(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment. - As much as I want to say yes to this, I'm gonna go no.

[GA Umpire]

(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard.  OK
(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees.  Yes
(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere.  OK
(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game.  OK, but define "high-tech".
(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark.  OK
(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt.  OK
(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture .  NO
(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty.  OK
(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends.  OK
(10) 12 in game = IS.  OK
(11) Any whistle = IW.  ?  Example needed.
(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble.  OK, on 4th down.
(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there.  YES
(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF.  OK
(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage.  OK
(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass.  OK
(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards.  OK
(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist.  OK
(19) Grabing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM.  OK
(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot.  NO
(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB.  OK
(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment.  YES

[GA Umpire]

Ralph:
When is the Rules Committee scheduled to meet?

[Ralph Damren]

Ralph:
When is the Rules Committee scheduled to meet?

January 12 (Sunday) to January 14 (Tuesday). 

[ElvisLives]

For any rule set, how about requiring all players to have helmet comms, and all coaches - all coaches - are then positioned in the pressbox, with windows closed?  🤔

[bama_stripes]

Ralph, what is #11 (Any whistle = IW) about?  Is this for a whistle from off the field that can be heard on the field?

[lawdog]

22 rules proposals....  One year leaving it pretty much alone and so everyone wants all their not needed changes pushed to make up for it?  There are some that are OK here, but honestly none of these are really needed.


(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard. - OK Whatever but not a big deal.
(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees. -- That's already the rule isn't it?
(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere. - OK Whatever not a big deal
(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game. - what does this even mean?
(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark. - Big deal.
(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt. - Whatever
(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture . - NO.
(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty. -NO. 2 is fine.
(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends. - Lets rush the injured kid in as soon as possible because one play in a high school is that important....
(10) 12 in game = IS. - NO.
(11) Any whistle = IW. - HUH?  So a ready for play is IW?  We just aren't going to have whistles at all?   
(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble. - NO. Who's doing this?
(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there. - Ya I guess. Never seen it but refs sure talk about it a lot.
(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF. - Not needed already protect the snapper who cares if he stands there?
(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage. - NO. Current enforcement is fine.
(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass. - OK.
(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards. - No.  still trying to fix a screw up from 15 years ago...  Only change I'd support would be put auto first back on DPI.
(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist. - Nothing wrong with current rule.
(19) Grabbing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM. - grabbing helmet?  Not even an opening?  And the 5 yard is an OK option.
(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot. - I like this one but its not been a problem I've ever had.  All for punishing USC to the max.
(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB. - Pretty hard to support or not without knowing what it would be and how bad NFHS would screw it up!
(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment. - You mean he isn't properly equipped or he isn't wearing it properly?  If coach says they are all properly equipped in pregame and they aren't I'm already banging him.  Not that I've ever seen it.

[Ralph Damren]

Ralph, what is #11 (Any whistle = IW) about?  Is this for a whistle from off the field that can be heard on the field?

Bandleader, dawg trainer, drunk fan and the like, blows a whistle that can be heard on the field would shut the play down and be treated as IW.

[bama_stripes]

Bandleader, dawg trainer, drunk fan and the like, blows a whistle that can be heard on the field would shut the play down and be treated as IW.

I can see a strong possibility for shenanigans if this is passed.

[bossman72]

(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard.
Ok?

(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees.
Isn't this the current rule?  I'm for less uniform strictness, not more.

(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere.
Yes.

(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game.
Yes.

(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark.
Yes.  No need to police this unless it's vulgar.

(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt.
Yes!

(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture .
Might need clarification.  What exactly would constitute roughing in this scenario?

(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty.
I'm fine with either.

(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends.
Yes.

(10) 12 in game = IS.
Yes.

(11) Any whistle = IW.
Can you clarify?

(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble.
I don't feel strongly either way.  Sounds like a change "because college".

(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there.
I think that's what the intent has been.  No foul unless the ball is on or over OOB territory.

(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF.
No.  The current roughing the snapper rule is sufficient.  I see no point in this rule in the college game either.  One more thing for us to mess up.

(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage.
No.  Just creates confusion with IFP enforcement for no reason.  Another "because college" change.

(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass.
Yes.

(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards.
Ok?

(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist.
No.  I'm having trouble viusalising this exception too.

(19) Grabing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM.
YES

(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot.
NO

(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB.
Yes!  If anyone wants to see it...
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m03iN9klsQptpWvsIrUClDJXMfIxKxLv/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115846223743828963000&rtpof=true&sd=true


(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment.
No

[Ralph Damren]

For what it's worth, here's my current leanings......

1-6 : Removes us from being the fashion police. 'High-tech stuff' refers to helmet radios and such.= Strong YES.

#7 : RTP = potential passer in a passing posture. =Leaning NO, as it sounds like you can't sack the QB if he is set to pass. There is a game of two-hand touch, but it's not our game.

#8 : Last 3 minutes of half, choice of clock on snap. = Strong NO, 2 min. works fine.

#9 : Injured player can return if qtr. ends. =  Unsure

#10 : 12 in game is IS = Strong YES

#11 : Any whistle is IW. = Strong NO

#12 : Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble. Leaning YES, If remove our job of intent on 4th down and not allow A to gain yardage by fumbling.

#13 : FK dead by touching OOB R, no foul R's ball there. = Solid YES 

#14 : R can't have player over snapper during SKF. = Leaning NO, player over snapper may be there to attempt block of FG/PAT.

#15 : IG = spot of foul & LOD only. = Strong NO, benefits A, NCAA & NFL needs to sell tickets, NFHS doesn't.

#16 : QB over LOS to return to backfield and forward pass = Leaning NO, one more thing forusto watch for.

#17 : DPI =15=AFD, OPI =10. = Strong YES, we need AFD back in DPI.

#18 : Hurdle OK if tackle below the waist. = Strong NO, Hurdling is a dangerous act, not for NFHS.

#19 : Grabing helmet = 15, on more 5 yd. FM = Leaning NO, not in favor or removing 5 yd. FM.

#20 : USC during TD = live ball foul. = Leaning NO, when does celebrating become taunting ? This seems to be a rare call now, if we took the TD away it would probably become more rare.,

# 21 : Full rewrite of IP on OOB plays. = Strong YES, a concern that some may shy away because of complexity with visions of Rule 10 dancing in their head 

#22 : Coach USC if player not with or wearimng proper equipt.= Solid NO, currently USC/coach comes if a player is wearing ILLEGAL equipment (nails tied to his gloves,etc). This would USC/coach if player had a dangling mouthpiece. I failed to add 'wearing' to my topic.

Thank, guys ,for your opinions and please keep them coming. I value them and often they tend to change my vote.

 

[BIG UMP]

Happy new year to all and, as always, here are the rule change proposals. I value your opinions highly and will bring your suggestions to our national meeting on January 12-14. Thank you in advance for your response :

(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard.OK
(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees.YES
(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere.OK
(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game.YES
(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark.OK
(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt.OK
(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture .NO
(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty.
(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends.OK
(10) 12 in game = IS.NO
(11) Any whistle = IW.OK
(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble.OK
(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there.NO
(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF.YES
(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage.OK
(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass.NO
(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards.YES
(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist.OK
(19) Grabing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM.NO
(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot.YES
(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB.YES
(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment. i LIKE THE IDEA OF A BUIILD UP LIKE BOX VIOLATIONS, WARNING, 5 YD, THEN 15. 

 


                         

[ncwingman]

(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard. Yes
(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees. Yes
(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere. Yes
(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game. Yes
(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark. No
(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt. No

These seem to be "Let them do it as seen on TV" or "We're not enforcing it anyway, so why not make it legal" stuff. I get not wanting to be the fashion police, but there's a safety reason for some of these rules. If we're not going to enforce pants covering the knees, then might as well remove the requirement for knee pads at all.

The high tech stuff should be kept out because of an equity concern -- I work a lot of schools that couldn't possibly afford extra expensive gadgets and gizmos, and let's not encourage making that divide worse. It's already awkward enough when the rural mountain school with barely enough pads for 20 players is across the field from the big city school with a home theater set up to have their offense look at plays during the game.

(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture . No. If it's a personal foul, it's already a personal foul. No need to make extra rules for situations already covered.
(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty. No. Rarely used under 2 minutes anyway, why make it 3?
(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends. No. Don't poke holes to make exceptions. A play is a play.
(10) 12 in game = IS. No? Not sure the intent here. I wouldn't want to encourage letting plays go with 12 on the field rather than shutting down pre-snap.
(11) Any whistle = IW. This needs explained better. Like a whistle from the crowd?
(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble. Maybe, but make it consistent. Don't add exceptions for "Only on 4th down" or "Only in the last 2 minutes" or some absurdity like that.
(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there. Yes, if the ball is over the field of play when touched by an OOB R player. I can see this being poorly written to have unintended consequences -- ball bouncing inbounds, still airborne when R's coach catches the ball well on the sideline
(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF. Yes
(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage. Yes, the additional 5 yards always seems excessive
(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass. No
(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards. No to AFD. OPI being 10, sure, might get called more often - blocking downfield gets ignored a lot.
(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist. No. Don't encourage hurdling, it will only lead to injuries.
(19) Grabing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM. Yes
(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot. Maybe. I agree with the intent, but not convinced it will be implemented correctly.
(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB. Yes, but I have no faith in the editorial committee to do so on their own...
(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment. Has illegal equipment, yes. Missing or improperly worn, only after warning.
                       

[Ralph Damren]

Questions on # 11, any whistle treated as IW. I have questions,too. As sounds as if anything such as Bubba whistling at the prom queen. 1-1-6 is available if something off the wall should happen and not adding the duty of us to listen for faint whistles and deciding if they effected the play.

 

[ttown44]

The under 3:00 rule would come into play under the following condition:

A, leading 10-7, gains a first down with 3:00 remaining.  On 1/10, Wideout A88 inadvertently jumps offsides with 2:22 remaining.  The following play clocks would then occur.
0-1=25, 1-2=40, 2-3 = 40, 3-4=40
Total of 145 seconds, or 2:25.  You may now knee it out as there is 2:22 remaining.  The offense gains an advantage through penalty.

[Snapper]

(1)  Can't attach stuff to mouthguard.  Ok, I guess. Not sure what they mean or are trying to accomplish.

(2)  Unaltered pants must cover knees.  Shouldn't be needed, but ok if that reinforces things.

(3)  Sweatbands allowed anywhere.  Ok

(4)  No high-tech stuff allowed on players in the game.  Ok.  But allow exceptions by state associations when needed for individual medical or legal reasons.

(5)  Eyeshade can have have logo or trademark.  No.  Too many logos in football already.

(6)  Playcards can be worn on belt.  YES

(7) RTP on a potential passer in a passing posture.  Yes.  Won't happen often, but it's a Safety rule.

(8)  W/I 3:00 of half for choice of clock on snap for penalty.  No, not needed.  Ref can already use 3-4-6 to correct any inequities above 2 mins.

(9) Injured player can return if qtr. ends.  No.  Why make an exception to a Safety rule, when this should rarely happen?

(10) 12 in game = IS.  Yes.  Make it simple and clean and an appropriate penalty to what is usually just a procedural mistake by a team.

(11) Any whistle = IW.  NO.  Let the officials continue doing what they deem fair if there is a whistle from outside the field.

(12) Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble.  Yes.  It's fair and it's easy to administer.

(13) Inbounds FK dead by touch of OOB R = no foul R's ball there.  I don't care.  Most people on here seem to be in favor, though.

(14) R can't have player over snapper when in SKF.  Yes.  Safety rule.  Works fine in college.

(15) IG = spot of foul + LOD, no yardage.  Yes.  This is an appropriate penalty.

(16) QB over LOS can't come back and forward pass.  I would change this to say if the ball has been beyond the LOS.  Who cares if a player has been?  But the ball should not be across and then come back and be thrown forward.

(17) DPI = 15+AFD, OPI = 10 yards.  Agree with AFD.  Disagree with OPI being only 10 yds.

(18)Hurdle OK if  tackle is below waist.  No.  Don't complicate it in high school.

(19) Grabing helmet =15, no more 5 yd. FM.  Yes

(20) USC during TD = live ball foul from spot.  Yes.  Although for consistency, wouldn't it be better to make any live ball UNS by a player a spot foul?  And not worry about whether there was a score or not?  A taunts at the B-20 and then a) scores a TD, or b) stumbles and falls at the 1.  Seems more consistent to just mark off either penalty from the spot of the foul as long as it's behind the Basic Spot.

(21)  FULL REWRITE OF IP ON OOB.  YES!  YES!!  YES!!!  I hate the current Fed rule for a receiver who accidentally goes OOB.  It's a disproportionate penalty for what should basically just be a misdemeanor.

(22) USC on coach if player not with proper equipment.  No.  Not needed.

[bama_stripes]

For what it's worth, here's my current leanings......

#9 : Injured player can return if qtr. ends. =  Unsure   YES. The purpose is to give medical personnel time to evaluate the injury, which would happen during the qtr change.

#12 : Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble. Leaning YES, If remove our job of intent on 4th down and not allow A to gain yardage by fumbling.  Solution in search of a problem in NFHS games.

#16 : QB over LOS to return to backfield and forward pass = Leaning NO, one more thing forusto watch for.  I don’t see how this would be a problem to officiate.  Plus, most coaches and officials already think this is the rule.

#20 : USC during TD = live ball foul. = Leaning NO, when does celebrating become taunting ? This seems to be a rare call now, if we took the TD away it would probably become more rare.  We are still seeing this in our area.  I’m in favor of this change.

Thank, guys ,for your opinions and please keep them coming. I value them and often they tend to change my vote.

 

Other than the above, I concur with you, Ralph.

[ncwingman]

Questions on # 11, any whistle treated as IW. I have questions,too. As sounds as if anything such as Bubba whistling at the prom queen. 1-1-6 is available if something off the wall should happen and not adding the duty of us to listen for faint whistles and deciding if they effected the play.

 

I'd be for the following -- if there's some obvious external situation that occurs that causes one or both teams to stop playing because they were obviously distracted by whatever happened in the crowd, or parking lot, or wherever, we can kill the play and treat the situation like an inadvertent whistle. I don't want to necessarily invoke the God Rule, but that feels like it's already covered by the God Rule. I wouldn't want Creepy Uncle Steve wolf whistling at a cheerleader, that both teams ignored and continued playing, to make us shut down the play. It would have to be such an egregious, obvious, "What's going on over there?" distraction that it would need special application of the rules, which is already a 1-1-6 situation.

[AlUpstateNY]

Ralph:
When is the Rules Committee scheduled to meet?

 
apology for "Beating a dead horse".  the growing practice, at both NCAA & NFL levels of "prolonged individual and/or groups of players engaging in pre-planned/individual or group "celebrations" after the results of play be subject to (1st time) DOG, repeat performances as USC.  These antics, apparently accepted, at the higher levels of the sport,  are increasingly likely to be repeated at the NFHS level, unless and until prohibited.

[GoodScout]

Ralph, I agree with most of your thoughts.

Since you said you can be influenced, let me try and talk you off changing item #12 (Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble)

How many times have you seen a team in high school intentionally do this? IMO, it's a rule in search of a problem in high school.
Or worse, it's a "gee, isn't that NCAA rule cool?"

As for AFD on DPI, I must be in the minority who doesn't want this back.

And on #9, I join those who oppose, as there's no pressing need to rush injured players back in.

[NVFOA_Ump]

 
apology for "Beating a dead horse".  the growing practice, at both NCAA & NFL levels of "prolonged individual and/or groups of players engaging in pre-planned/individual or group "celebrations" after the results of play be subject to (1st time) DOG, repeat performances as USC.  These antics, apparently accepted, at the higher levels of the sport,  are increasingly likely to be repeated at the NFHS level, unless and until prohibited.

We've actually had this covered for many years with Rule 9-5 and it can be a USC 1st time.

[Ralph Damren]

Ralph, I agree with most of your thoughts.

Since you said you can be influenced, let me try and talk you off changing item #12 (Forward fumble OOB = ball back to spot of fumble)

How many times have you seen a team in high school intentionally do this? IMO, it's a rule in search of a problem in high school.
Or worse, it's a "gee, isn't that NCAA rule cool?"

As for AFD on DPI, I must be in the minority who doesn't want this back.

And on #9, I join those who oppose, as there's no pressing need to rush injured players back in.

Thanks, GoodScout, for your opinions.. On the forward fumble OOB rule, I initially felt it would remove our need to rule intent and possibly  IFP., but we would still  have that need if the fumble stayed inbounds on 4th down. We would also need to beanbag fumbles behind the LOS with this rule. YOU WIN.. I'm not 'leaning yes' anymore .
I'm strong ,and will stay, on returning AFD to DPI. While 15 yards creates a first down in 85% of the calls, inside B's 30 halving the distance doesn't always. We had a state championship where an intentional DPI occurred on 4th & goal from B's 8. On 4th & goal from B's 2 ,A failed to score. My phone rang off the hook shortly thereafter. 
On injured player returning after qtr. ended, I'm totally open.

You're opinions help. On Monday we are devided into 4 subcommittes where debate which proposals should come to a floor vote. After a final list is complied,, Monday night is dedicated to discussing and sharing opinions on the final list. The final vote and discussion occurs Tuesday. 2/3 are needed to pass. Thank  all of you for your time taked to respond
                                                     

[AlUpstateNY]

Thanks, GoodScout, for your opinions.. On the forward fumble OOB rule, I initially felt it would remove our need to rule intent and possibly  IFP., but we would still  have that need if the fumble stayed inbounds on 4th down. We would also need to beanbag fumbles behind the LOS with this rule. YOU WIN.. I'm not 'leaning yes' anymore .
I'm strong ,and will stay, on returning AFD to DPI. While 15 yards creates a first down in 85% of the calls, inside B's 30 halving the distance doesn't always. We had a state championship where an intentional DPI occurred on 4th & goal from B's 8. On 4th & goal from B's 2 ,A failed to score. My phone rang off the hook shortly thereafter. 
On injured player returning after qtr. ended, I'm totally open.

You're opinions help. On Monday we are devided into 4 subcommittes where debate which proposals should come to a floor vote. After a final list is complied,, Monday night is dedicated to discussing and sharing opinions on the final list. The final vote and discussion occurs Tuesday. 2/3 are needed to pass. Thank  all of you for your time taked to respond
                                                     

Thank you, for describing the extensive efforts you, and your fellow committee members expend, developing input prior to applying, and/or rejecting, rule modification suggestions for NFHS football rules, on an annual basis.  I suspect, included in these multi-layer discussions, is considerable informed debate, on the merit or lack thereof,  each proposed revision provides, subject to continuing review following application.

[ncwingman]

How many times have you seen a team in high school intentionally do this? IMO, it's a rule in search of a problem in high school.
Or worse, it's a "gee, isn't that NCAA rule cool?"

I actually had this (almost) happen this year. Running back coming around the corner, is angled off by a defender, looks he's going to be contacted prior to the LTG... when out of nowhere, with no contact from the defender, the ball squirts out of the runner's hands, forward, out of bounds just across the LTG.

From my position as back judge, I had no clear view of the play other than "What just happened there?" ... The R and HL (with a much better view than I had) were adamant that it was not intentional, he took a high step/lowered his arm and somehow kneed the ball out of his own hands. It took a good minute to explain to the HC of the defense (which it was his sideline too) that the ball doesn't go back to the spot of the fumble, and it was a first down.

We all agreed after the game that the RB couldn't have done that again if he tried.