| Rules Changes
or Emphasis for 2007 |
|
1.
|
Officials
must carefully observe the location of the hands when the blocker is
making initial contact with the opposing team. True POE Page 81 |
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2.
|
Beginning
in 2012, players of the visiting team shall wear white jerseys that
have additional limitations as to how much color may appear. True 1-5-1c4 |
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3.
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Spearing is an act by a defensive player who
initiates contact with a ball carrier with the front of his
helmet. False 2-20-1c, 9-4-3i |
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4.
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When
there is a foul by the opponent of the team scoring a touchdown, an
enforcement option has been added starting this season. True 8-2-2 |
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5.
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The
basic spot is the goal line for fouls by the opponent of the team in
possession at the time of the foul when the opponent is responsible for
forcing the ball across the goal line of the team in possession, and
the related run ends in the end zone and is followed by a loose ball,
regardless of where the loose ball becomes dead. False 10-4-6 |
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6.
|
A
6-inch-wide broken restraining line shall be placed around the outside
of the field, at least 1 yard from the sidelines or end lines, as an
extension of the line limiting the team box area. False 1-2-3d |
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7.
|
The
free-blocking zone has been reduced for 11-player football to a square
area extending laterally 3 yards either side of the spot of the snap
and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. False
2-17-1 |
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8.
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A
greater focus must be made by coaches, players and officials on players
having and properly wearing mandatory football equipment as required by
NFHS football rules. True POE Page 85 |
| Dead Ball |
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9.
|
If the try is by kick, the ball becomes dead when
it is obvious the drop kick or place kick has failed. True 4-2-2i, 8-3-2b |
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10.
|
When an illegal forward pass strikes the ground,
the ball does not become dead. False
4-2-2c, 7-5-4 Table |
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11.
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On a free kick, the ball remains dead until it
crosses R's free-kick line. False 2-1-2 |
| Definitions |
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12.
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An interception is securing possession of a live
ball after it strikes the ground. False
2-23 |
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13.
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The snap is considered to be a backward pass and
part of a loose-ball play. True 2-33-1c |
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14.
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If
a forward pass touches an official who is in the field of play, the
pass is rules incomplete even if it is subsequently caught by a player
of either team. False 2-44 |
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15.
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Handing the ball is not a pass. True 2-19-1, 2-31-1 |
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16.
|
A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty
is prescribed. True 2-16-1 |
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17.
|
The goal line is the outer limit of each end
zone. True 2-10-4, 2-26-2 |
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18.
|
Touching is any contact with the ball either by
touching it or being touched by it. True
2-44 |
| Encroachment |
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19.
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Encroachment
cannot occur after the ready-for-play if Team A linemen are not on
their line even though the snapper has his hand(s) on the ball. False 7-1-6 |
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20.
|
If A1 commits a false start which caused B1 to
enter the neutral zone, B1 has not encroached. True 7-1-7 |
| Equipment:
Field |
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21.
|
The ball must have the NFHS Authenticating
Mark. True 1-3-1g |
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22.
|
The referee is the final judge as to the legality
of the game ball. True 1-3-3 |
| Equipment:
Player |
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23.
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A mouth protector must be worn and must be
completely white or clear. False 1-5-1i |
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24.
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The umpire has authority to declare equipment
illegal if he determines it is inappropriate equipment. True 1-5-4 |
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25.
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The numbers 0 and 00 are legal numbers on a
player's jersey. False 1-4-3 |
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26.
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Knee pads are not required equipment. False 1-5-1d |
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27.
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Jerseys may not be altered to produce a knot-like
protrusion or a tear-away type jersey. True
1-5-3j |
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28.
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The
head coach's verification that his players are legally equipped
includes a visible exterior warning label on the helmet regarding the
risk of injury. True 1-5-1a Note |
| Extending a
Period |
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29.
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If
during the last timed down of the first period the Team A coach commits
an unsportsmanlike foul, the period must be extended. False 3-3-3a |
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30.
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If
during the last time down of a period a non-player foul occurs and the
penalty is accepted, the period is extended with an untimed down.
False 2-32-10, 3-3-3a |
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31.
|
If
any dead-ball foul by either team occurs after the last timed down of
either half, it is enforced from the succeeding spot on the kickoff or
overtime. True 3-3-6 |
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32.
|
If during the last timed down of a period a
double foul occurs, the period is over. False
3-3-3b |
| Fair Catch |
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33.
|
Any receiver may signal for a fair catch while
any legal kick is in flight. True 6-5-1 |
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34.
|
If R1 gives a valid signal and the scrimmage kick
is caught by R2, the ball remains live, as it is not a fair
catch. False 6-5-2, 3 |
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35.
|
If R1 gives a fair-catch signal after the kick
has hit the ground, the signal is an illegal fair catch signal. False 2-9-4c |
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36.
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An
invalid signal by R1 causes the ball to become dead when the scrimmage
kick or free kick is caught or recovered by any R player. True 4-2-2g |
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37.
|
R1 may not fair-catch a free kick in the neutral
zone. False 6-5-2 |
| Field Goal |
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38.
|
A field goal may not be scored if the kick
touches the ground before passing through the goal. True 8-4-1b |
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39.
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After a field goal, the opponent of the scoring
team shall designate which team will kick off. True 8-4-2 |
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40.
|
If a drop kick or place kick is used following a
safety, it is possible to score a field goal. False 8-4-1a |
| Passing |
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41.
|
A backward pass ends when it is caught, recovered
or is out of bounds. True 2-31-6 |
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42.
|
Prior
to releasing the ball on a pass, if the potential passer is contacted,
and the ball is released, it is not a forward pass if his arm was
moving forward on contact. False 2-31-2
Note |
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43.
|
Touching of a forward pass by B1 causes pass
interference restrictions to end and all A players to become
eligible. True 7-5-9a |
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44.
|
If
B1 tackles eligible A1 in or behind the neutral zone while the forward
pass is in flight, it is pass interference by B1. False 7-5-10a, 9-2-3c |
| Fouls |
|
45.
|
If B1 tackles A1, who is obviously not the
runner, it is defensive holding. True
9-2-3c |
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46.
|
An illegal snap or other snap infraction causes
the ball to remain dead. True 7-1-4,
10-1-2 |
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47.
|
It is not illegal for runner A1 to spear
B1. False 2-20-1c, 9-4-3i |
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48.
|
Butt blocking is illegal in the open field but is
permitted only in close line play. False
2-20-1a, 9-4-3i |
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49.
|
The runner may use his hands or arms to ward off
or push an opponent. True 2-3-4a |
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50.
|
When both teams commit simultaneous dead-ball
fouls, it is a double foul. False 2-16-2b |
| Free Kick |
|
51.
|
For any free kick, a free-kick line,
corresponding to a scrimmage line, is established for each team. True 6-1-1 |
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52.
|
If
a free kick goes out of bounds between the goal lines touched inbounds
by R, the ball is put in play by R at the inbounds spot. True 6-1-9 |
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53.
|
If any K player recovers or catches a free kick,
the ball becomes dead. True 6-1-5 |
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54.
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If a free kick becomes dead inbounds while
opponents are in joint possession, the ball is awarded to K. False 6-1-5 |
| Fundamental
Statements |
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55.
|
A dead ball may become live only by a legal snap
or free kick. True Fund III-3 |
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56.
|
A player who is an eligible receiver at the snap
becomes ineligible if he goes out of bounds intentionally and
returns. False Fund VII-1 |
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57.
|
Penalties are either 5, 10 or 15 yards. True Fund X-2 |
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58.
|
The penalty for offensive pass interference does
not include the loss of down. False Fund
X-6 |
| Illegal
Participation |
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59.
|
It is illegal substitution to have 12 or more
players participating at the snap or free kick. False 9-6-4c |
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60.
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It is not illegal participation for a
disqualified player to re-enter the game. False
9-6-4f |
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61.
|
It
is illegal participation when any player, replaced player, substitute,
coach, trainer or other attendant enters and participates during a
down. True 9-6-4a |
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62.
|
If
R1 accidentally goes out of bounds during a scrimmage kick and then
returns and catches the punt, it is a foul for illegal
participation. False 9-6-1 |
| Inadvertent
Whistle |
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63.
|
The down is replayed if an inadvertent whistle
sounds during the snap. True 4-2-3a |
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64.
|
Following a change of possession, if an
inadvertent whistle is sounded, the down must be replayed. False 4-2-3b |
| Miscellaneous |
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65.
|
The head coach will decide if an unconscious
player may return to the game and participate after regaining
consciousness. False 3-5-10b |
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66.
|
During
a down, a replaced player or substitute who enters the field but does
not participate constitutes illegal substitution. True 3-7-6 |
| Penalty
Enforcement |
|
67.
|
Illegal participation is enforced as a live-ball
foul. True 9-6-1 Penalty |
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68.
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All dead-ball fouls are enforced in the order in
which they occurred and always from the spot of the foul. False 10-2-5, 10-4-5 |
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69.
|
Kick-catching interference carries a 15-yard
penalty plus a loss of down. False 6-5-6
Penalty |
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70.
|
After a double foul, the down is replayed and no
yardage penalty is enforced. True 10-2-1 |
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71.
|
A foul during a try is not paired with a
dead-ball foul to create a double or multiple foul. True 10-2-6 |
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72.
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No Team A penalty causes loss of down. False 7-5 Table |
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73.
|
All nonplayer fouls are enforced from the
succeeding spot. True 10-4-5c |
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74.
|
When the final result of a down is a touchback,
the basic spot is the goal line. False
10-4-5d |
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75.
|
A disqualified player must be removed from the
game even though the penalty for the foul is declined. True 2-32-6, 9-4 Penalty, 9-5 Penalty, 10-5-6 |
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76.
|
No penalty can be assessed for action of
individuals not subject to the rules even if such action hinders
play. False 9-9-1 Penalty |
| Periods |
|
77.
|
If time for any period expires during a down,
play shall continue until the down ends. True
3-3-2 |
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78.
|
The clock running time for a game shall be 60
minutes for high schools with periods and intermission. False 3-1-1 |
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79.
|
Between the first and second and between the
third and fourth periods, the teams may change goals. False 3-2-4 |
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80.
|
A period may be shortened in any emergency by
agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee. True 3-1-3 |
| Safety |
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81.
|
A
safety will be scored when an offensive player commits any foul for
which the penalty is accepted and enforcement is from a spot in his end
zone. True 8-5-2c |
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82.
|
If B1 intercepts A's forward pass in B's end
zone, it is a safety if he is tackled there. False 8-5-3d |
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83.
|
If B1 intercepts a forward pass in B's end zone
and begins to return, but is tackled in the end zone, it is a
touchback. True 8-5-3d |
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84.
|
It is a safety if A1 retreats into A's end zone
and fumbles the ball beyond the end line. True
8-5-2b |
| Time-outs |
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85.
|
Only four time-outs may be charged to a team
during each half of a regulation game. False
3-5-1 |
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86.
|
An official's time-out can be called for unusual
heat or humidity situations. True 3-5-7h |
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87.
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Any coach may request a time-out. False 3-5-2a |
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88.
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An
official's time-out shall be declared to permit prompt repair of
equipment that becomes illegal or defective during use. True 1-5-5 |
| Timing |
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89.
|
There is a two-minute intermission following a
try, successful field goal or safety and prior to a free kick. False 3-5-7m |
|
90.
|
On a free kick to start a period, the clock will
start when the ball is touched other than first touching by K. True 3-4-1a |
|
91.
|
If a free kick is repeated, the clock starts on
the ready-for-play signal if it had been started on the original
kick. False 3-4-2 |
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92.
|
During a down, if time expires for a period and a
signal is sounded, the officials shall ignore the signal. True 3-3-2 |
| Touchback |
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93.
|
It
is a touchback if A1 fumbles on B's 5-yard line and B1's muff forces
the loose ball into B's end zone and out of bounds beyond the end
line. False 8-5-2b |
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94.
|
It
is a touchback when a grounded three-point field-goal attempt breaks
the plane of R's goal line unless R chooses spot of first touching by
K. True 8-5-3a (1) |
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95.
|
If a kick becomes dead in R's end zone, it is
always a safety or touchback. False
6-3-2, 8-5-2, 3 |
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96.
|
It is a touchback when a forward pass is
intercepted in B's end zone and becomes dead there in B's
possession. True 8-5-3d |
| Touchdown |
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97.
|
It
is a touchdown for A if A1 fumbles into B's end zone and A2 is the last
to touch the ball prior to its going out of bounds beyond the end
line. False 8-5-3c |
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98.
|
A touchdown is worth seven points. False 8-1 Table |
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99.
|
If
airborne A1 controls a forward pass in B's end zone, but B1's contact
causes A1 to come down out of bounds in possession of the ball, it is a
touchdown. True 2-4-1 |
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100.
|
Possession of a live ball in the opponent's end
zone is always a touchdown. True 8-2-1 |
