2010 NFHS Football Rules Changes

2010 NFHSFootball Rules Changes

NFHS Football Rules Each state high school association adopting these NFHS football rules is the sole and exclusive source of binding rules interpretations for contests involving its member schools. Any person having questions about the interpretation of NFHS football rules should contact the football rules interpreter designated by his or her state high school association. The NFHS is the sole and exclusive source of model interpretations of NFHS football rules. State rules interpreters may contact the NFHS for model football rules interpretations. No other model football rules interpretations should be considered.

NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion See Appendix B on Page 100 of the 2010 NFHS Football Rules Book

A replaced player must leave the field within three seconds. The three seconds begins when a player becomes a replaced player as defined in 2-32-12 and a substitute becomes a player as defined in 2-32-15. It is not a foul to break a huddle with more than 11 players as long as the replaced player begins to leave the field within three seconds.

Penalty Enforcement on Scoring Play Rules 8-2-2, 8-2-3, 8-2-4, 8-2-5, 10-5-1f

Field Markings in Nine-, Eight- and Six-Player Rule Differences Adjusted

2010 Football Editorial Changes

2010 NFHS Football Editorial Changes

2010 Football Points of Emphasis

2010 NFHS Football Points of Emphasis • Concussion Recognition and Management- • Heat Illness and Hydration- • Illegal Helmet Contact- • Assisting the Runner- • Sportsmanship and Public Address Announcers- • NFHS Football Officials Manual-

Concussion Recognition and Management • A concussion is a brain injury that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function- • A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body- • Only 3.2 percent of all concussed athletes lost consciousness during the 2009 football season- • Neither officials, nor coaches, are expected to “diagnose” a concussion, as that is the job of an appropriate health-care professional- • Officials, coaches and administrators are being asked to make all efforts to ensure that concussed athletes do not continue to participate-

Concussion Recognition and Management • The game official is not responsible for the sideline evaluation or management of the athlete after he or she is removed from play- • If an appropriate health-care professional on the sideline determines that the athlete HAS NOT suffered a concussion, the athlete may return to play- • If there is no appropriate health-care professional available to evaluate the athlete, the athlete SHOULD NOT be allowed by the coach to return to play- • Athletes with continued concussion symptoms are at significant risk for recurrent, cumulative and even catastrophic consequences of a second concussive injury-

Concussion Recognition and Management

Heat Illness and Hydration • 31 high school football players have died from heat-related causes since 1995- • The vast majority of heat-related deaths are preventable if specific steps are taken by coaches and administrators- • Develop an Emergency Action Plan- • Allow athletes to acclimatize to heat and humidity- • Access to water should never be restricted- • Athletes should be encouraged to take in fluids frequently before and after practices and games- • Practices should be scheduled at times during the day that minimize exposure to heat and humidity-

HEAT – HUMIDITY INDEX CHART

Sportsmanship and Public Address Announcers SPORTSMANSHIP • Players, coaches, officials, cheerleaders, game announcers, students and spectators all play a vital role in the promotion of good sportsmanship- • It is essential that all individuals involved understand that the playing field is an extension of the classroom- • Acts that are intended to engender ill will toward individuals, have no place in the educational activities-

Sportsmanship and Public Address Announcers PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCERS • Contributes in a major way to the atmosphere for the event- • Should never be an advocate from behind the microphone- • Use proper language at all times- • Never criticize players, coaches or officials- • Should not attempt to be bigger than the game or event by doing play-by-play or by providing commentary-

NFHS Football Officials Manual Communication Between Officials and Head Coach • Communication between officials and the head coach is a key to a smoothly run contest- • All communication between the two parties should be professional and to the point- • Head coaches who want to officiate rather than coach should be dealt with swiftly and in a firm manner- Enforcement of Uniform Adornment Rules • Both the head coach and the officials are responsible for enforcement of the uniform adornment rules and those rules must be enforced consistently in order to prevent problems from developing with player safety or sportsmanship-

NFHS Football Officials Manual Enforcing that Legal Equipment is Worn Properly • Head coaches and officials should always keep in mind that safety comes first- • Required equipment is mandated for the well-being of the players- • Coaches and officials must work together to make the game as safe as possible for the athletes participating by requiring compliance with equipment rules- • Officials have the responsibility to penalize the head coach when players are not legally equipped and to prohibit the players from participating until they do become legally equipped-

2010 Football Rules Reminders

Field Markings Rule 1-2-3b NOTE 2

Required Player Equipment Rules 1-5-1c1, 2, 3

Football Jerseys Rules 1-5-1b6, 7 (2012) The football jersey rule was revised in 2007 and the implementation date is fall 2012.

LegalFootball JerseysRules 1-5-1b6, 7 (2012) • Legal Football Jerseys – Beginning 2012

Illegal Football JerseysRules 1-5-1b6, 7 (2012) • Illegal Football Jerseys – Beginning 2012 C. A. B. D.

2010 NFHS Football Rules Changes