2007 Rules Change Focus On Illegal Helmet Contact

In its continuing emphasis on illegal helmet contact in high school football, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee has reorganized and clarified several rules with the intention of further reducing the risk of injury in the sport.

Rules revisions regarding illegal helmet contact were among 14 rules revisions made by the committee at its annual meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

In Rule 2, the committee placed butt blocking, face tackling and spearing under the heading of "Helmet Contact -- Illegal" to place more emphasis on risk-minimization concerns. In Rule 9-4-3, the committee added a note that lists examples of some types of illegal helmet contact that could result in disqualification.

Examples of illegal helmet contact that could result in disqualification include, but are not limited to: a) illegal helmet contact against an opponent lying on the ground; b) illegal helmet contact against an opponent being held up by other players; and c) illegal helmet-to-helmet contact against a defenseless opponent.

In addition, the committee formulated a definition of a flagrant foul, an often-used term in the rules book but which previously was not specifically defined. A flagrant foul will be defined as a foul that may or may not involve physical contact, but involves such acts as fighting, contacting a game official, fouls so severe as to place an opponent at risk, persistent or extreme abusive conduct and the use of vulgar language or gestures.

"While these changes mostly involve reorganization, the committee is confident that the rules now place a stronger emphasis on flagrant acts and illegal helmet contact," said Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee. "These revisions continue our ongoing emphasis on risk minimization and good sportsmanship."

"Annually, the NFHS Football Rules Committee has sought ways to better promote the health and physical welfare of the participants and cultivate the high ideals of good sportsmanship," said Brad Cashman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee. "The rules committee has again raised the standard in regard to both areas of concern."

Changes in the football game jersey specifications that were approved last year for implementation in 2010 were revised slightly this year, and the implementation date was moved back to 2012. The revised rule will still require the visiting team's game jerseys to be white and contrast with the home team's jersey.

"The changes made this year by the committee will provide manufacturers and schools a clearer direction on the specifications," Colgate said. "The committee extended the implementation date to give schools an opportunity to make the necessary adjustments during the normal uniform rotation and replacement cycles during the next five seasons."

In Rule 8-2-2, an enforcement option has been added when there is a foul by the opponent of a team scoring a touchdown. In addition to its previous option of accepting the result of the play and having the penalty enforced on the try-for-point, the scoring team may choose to have the foul enforced on the ensuing kickoff.

Two changes were made in Rule 1-2-3 regarding "The Field and Markings." A 4-inch-wide broken restraining line is now required around the outside of the field, and the line must be at least two yards from the sidelines and end lines. The only exception to this rule will be in stadiums where the total field enclosure does not permit the line. In addition, a line, 4 inches wide by 12 inches long, that bisects the limit line at each 5-yard line extended, may be used.

"These lines are used to assist line-to-gain crews, as well as providing additional safety features for players, officials and sideline media; helping game officials with an unobstructed sideline operating area; and providing coaches with an unobstructed view from the coaching box," Colgate said.

Rule 1-2-3 now will also provide rule support for the location and dimension of a three-yard line marking that appears on the field diagram. A line, 4 inches wide by a minimum of 24 inches in length, shall be centered and placed three yards from each goal line.

The committee added two new articles to Rule 10-4 regarding basic spots for enforcement of penalties. The basic spot will be the 20-yard line for plays when the end of the related run is in the end zone followed by a loss of possession and the ball re-enters the playing field and then goes out of bounds.

Following are other changes approved by the Football Rules Committee:

- Added the word "legal" to the definition of a passer to help clarify Rule 2-31-11.

- Provided an opportunity for a coach who assumes the head coaching responsibility during a game (when the head coach has been disqualified) to call a time-out.

- Beginning with the 2008 season, required forearm pads to meet same specifications as gloves and hand pads as set forth by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association in 1994. The new rule will require forearm pads to have the NFHS/NCAA label attached beginning in 2008.