2009 Football Rules Interpretations

Publisher's Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications 2009

Case Book Clarifications: (Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.)

Page 21, *3.3.4 SITUATION D: In the middle of a period, Team A throws a pass which is intercepted by B1. B1 advances to the 8-yard line 3-yard line where he:...

Page 32, 4.2.2 SITUATION J: ... RULING: In (a), play continues and it is a first down for A after enforcement of the face mask foul. In (b), ...

Pages 76-77, 9.5.2 SITUATION: ...RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct foul in (a), (b) and (c), the touchdown counts and A will be penalized 15 yards on the try or on the subsequent kickoff. In (d), B1's contact foul will be penalized on the try at the 1½-yard line or on the subsequent kickoff. If deemed flagrant, …

Page 80, 9.7.2 SITUATION B: K1's punt is coming down over R's 10-yard line and: (a) R3 is in position to catch the ball; or (b) no R player is in position to catch the ball, when K2 bats attempts to bat the ball toward his own goal line while it is in flight, but the batted ball subsequently goes into R's end zone. RULING: ...

Page 86, *10.2.2 SITUATION B:  ...COMMENT: Whenever both teams foul during a change of possession down and the team in final possession gets the ball free of a foul (with "CLEAN HANDS"), they have the opportunity to retain possession. The fact that their opponent's foul occurred after the change of possession has no bearing on the enforcement. However, when B, the "clean hands" team, retains possession by declining the opponent's foul, the penalty for B's foul may must be enforced. (9-4-1 Penalty; 10-2-1b)

SITUATION 1: A1 is carrying the football when B1 grabs him by the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey. A1 then: (a) fumbles the football and is subsequently brought to the ground by B1; (b) crosses the goal line to score a touchdown and is then brought down by B1; or (c) crosses the sideline and is then brought down by B1. RULING: The official must judge whether or not a personal foul has occurred, but if called, it cannot be a horse-collar tackle. COMMENT: B1's contact on A1 meets part of the definitions of a horse-collar tackle in that he grabbed the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey.  However, in (a), when the runner (A1) fumbled the football, he was no longer a runner. In (b) or (c), when the runner (A1) crossed the goal line or sideline, the football became dead and A1 was no longer a player (in possession of a live ball).  (2-26-13; 9-4-3k)