Football News

During the course of the 2008 football season, I will use this forum as a way to share interpretations, announcements, updates with KSHSAA member school coaches and registered football officials. I will plan on having items posted on Monday of each week. Please check this site weekly for these items.

11-10-08
MECHANICS ISSUES FOR OFFICIALS - With the playoffs beginning last week, I had an opportunity to observe a number of officials/crews at the games I attended. I noticed a troublesome “mechanic” that at least two of the crews I observed used – it involved spotting the ball on plays which ended with the ball close to the line-to-gain spot. In at least two instances, the covering wing official after spotting the ball, tossed the ball into the umpire or back judge for relay to the umpire prior to checking to see if the ball was close to the line-to-gain. Once the referee ruled that the ball was close enough to the line-to-gain for a measurement, the ball was then returned to the spot the covering official had. Whether the play did or did not result in a first down, the impression that observers were left with of the officials was not the best – it is very important that the officials take the time necessary to ascertain if they believe the ball is close enough for a measurement BEFORE moving the ball. If the ball is close enough for a possible measurement, spot the ball at the forward progress spot of the covering official, check for a possible measurement and if necessary, leave the ball at that spot and conduct the measurement. DO NOT send the ball back in to the umpire for placement only to then have to return it back to the covering official for a measurement. There’s an adage about “hustle but don’t hurry”! This is a good example of when hustling to get the ball spotted inside the “hash marks” on plays ending close to the line-to-gain when a measurement needs to occur only to have to return the ball for the measurement does not reflect positively on the crew.

WHEN IN DOUBT – MEASURE – That leads to another observation, if the play results in forward progress close to the line-to-gain spot, if there is any possible doubt as to whether the ball has reached the line-to-gain, bring in the chains for the measurement. How close does it have to be in order to have a measurement? Individual crews will set their own “parameters” for making this determination – but if there is any possible doubt or question MEASURE IT!

LINE-TO-GAIN CREW – Finally just a quick reminder, the line-to-gain crew are considered part of the officiating crew. As such they must remain “neutral” in the manner they conduct the game. This also applies to comments they may make during the course of the game. Linesman, when you conduct your pre-game meeting with these individuals, it does not hurt to remind them of this expectation and then monitor them during the game. The new mechanic for wing officials allows the linesman to be close enough to the sideline to hear any comments that members of the crew may be making that could be considered either “coaching” or inappropriate. As members of the “crew” these individuals are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

CONDUCT A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH PRE-GAME – Whether or not the officials assigned to a playoff game is the “normal” crew you work with or a group of officials that you may not have worked with before HAVE A GOOD PRE-GAME. If you talked about those unique situations that seldom happen, the crew will be better prepared for them when they do happen. OVERPREPARE and be ready for every possible scenario.
WHEN MEETING WITH COACHES, COVER THE UNUSUAL AS WELL AS THE ROUTINE – It may be that you will need more time with the coaches to conduct your pre-game conference with them. The better informed the coaches are, the smoother the game should be. If possible meeting with both head coaches at the same time will lead to a better pre-game meeting, both coaches hear the same message and have the same information and it will not appear to either side that officials spent more time with one team coach than the other.
MAKE SURE THAT PLAYERS ARE WEARING REQUIRED EQUIPMENT – Reinforce with the coaches at the pre-game meeting that players will be expected to wear all the required equipment. It’s pretty easy to see if the players have helmets, shoulder pads, jersey and pants. There’s some equipment that is harder to detect sometimes – hip pads, tailbone protectors, knee pads. When the coach verifies to the officials during the pre-game that their players are all legally equipped and they are wearing the required equipment, he is indicating that during the game those required items will be worn by their players.
NOTIFICATION OF OFFICIALS – We will again be using email to notify officials of any playoff assignments. Check your email regularly!

Playoffs start this week with 112 football games! Weather looks to be good for the Tuesday round of games and projection is that rain will be gone by Friday and Saturday.

10-27-08
2008 REGULAR SEASON WINDING DOWN - PLAYOFFS BEGIN – This week marks the end of the 2008 regular season, the first year of the current playoff districts. The current playoff format means that there are still a large number of games that will determine which teams will be qualifying for the playoffs which will begin Tuesday, November 4. It is important that coaches and players maintain their focus and attention on completing the 2008 season exhibiting sportsmanship and quality play. When the “chips” are all on the table and emotions are high, it is critical that players and coaches keep those emotions in check. It is also important that every official maintains a high level of preparation and intensity with their complete focus on each and every play during a game. Each of the games is important to the players and coaches. Anytime an official looses his focus normal plays turn into controversial ones. Don’t let the players and coaches down – give them the best you have in their game.

3-5-11 – During the last two weeks I’ve had an unusually high number of questions relevant to application of NFHS rule 3-5-11. For those of you who may not be familiar with this rule, this is the rule which permits the coach to request a time-out for the purpose of reviewing a decision which may have resulted from either the misapplication or the misinterpretation of a rule. Such request must be made prior to the time the ball becomes live following the play to be reviewed. Remember that by 2-1-2 a ball becomes live when the ball has been legally snapped or free kicked and a down is in progress. The officials must recognize the request for a time-out for the purpose of reviewing the ruling on a play prior to the ball being legally snapped or free kicked. IF there has been an error in the application or interpretation of a ruling, a correction can be made. The opposing coach must be informed and the time-our will become an official’s time-out and play will continue. There is therefore a method by which a correction to a misapplication or misinterpretation of a ruling can be made. Some officials have a mistaken understanding that there is just no way to reverse what may have been a misapplication or misinterpretation of a rule. 3-5-11 spells out the procedure by which a change can be made should a misapplication or misinterpretation of the rules occur.

Sixty-four playoff games will be played on Tuesday, November 4. Sixteen playoff games will be played on Friday, November 7 and then thirty-two games will be played on Saturday, November 8. That makes one-hundred and twelve games the first week of the playoffs. Officials for the first round of 4A, 3A, 2-1A and 8 Man games (Tuesday) have been notified of their assignment. Officials for the first round of 6A and 5A games will be notified early this week. As we proceed into this week, I will be making some preliminary assignments based on the best guess I can make of the pairings for the games. Final assignments will be contingent upon the teams that eventually make the playoffs.

As has been my practice for several years, assignments during the first week of the playoffs will be primarily to “crews” – I believe in the bi-district round this year, sixty intact crews were assigned. In some areas, it may be necessary to put together officials from different crews – this is primarily a result of some members of one crew not available for assignment. After the first week of playoffs, there will be some crews assigned as a group to a game and some officials that come from different crews.

10-20-08
This season there have been calls to my office from both officials and coaches seeking information/clarification as to when the clock is stopped when a player goes out of bounds. There is little confusion re: stopping the clock on a loose ball going out of bounds. Based on the calls to me if there is any confusion or uncertainty, it appears to be when is the clock stopped (or is it to remain running) when the runner goes out of bounds as a result of a tackle. The NFHS in cooperation with Referee Enterprises prepares annually a “Preseason Guide”. In the 2008 publication the applicable rules concerning this very issue was reviewed. MechaniGram refers to illustrations showing the play situations described in the text. The following comes from that article:

“Forward Progress at the Sideline – The concept of forward progress is a fairly simply one to teach when it comes to plays in the middle of the field. The idea is that the runner is given the yardage he gained before he was downed. Any yards that come after that – because the runner bounced or slid, or pushed or rolled the ball forward – do not count.

Many officials struggle when the idea of forward progress shifts to the sidelines. Yet the principle is the same. An associated consideration is the clock.

In MechaniGram A, A1 runs to his left. About a foot inbounds at A’s 38-yard line, A1’s forward progress is stopped but he stays on his feet. A1 is shoved or falls backward and goes out of bounds at A’s 36-yard line. The ball should be spotted at the hashmark on A’s 38-yard line because that’s as far as A1 advanced. Assuming that neither a first down nor a change of possession is involved, because the runner’s forward progress was stopped inbounds, the game clock should continue to run even if A1 subsequently goes out of bounds.

MechaniGram B illustrates A1 being tackled from behind. A1’s advance ended because he went out of bounds, and the ball is spotted where it crossed the sideline when the ball became dead by rule. Because A1’s progress ended out of bounds, the game clock should be stopped.

The last possible scenario is seen in MechaniGram C. A1 is driven out of bounds sideways. Again A1 is given the benefit of his farthest advance. His progress was stopped inbounds and the clock should continue to run.”

It is important that the covering official recognizes whether or not the ball carrier’s forward progress was stopped in bounds or not. That becomes the key factor in determining whether the clock stops if the player subsequently is driven out of bounds. Of course this is assuming that other factors do not come into play (i.e., reaching the line-to-gain, or change of possession, etc.).

10-13-08
Extend the period or nor? First and goal with 35 seconds remaining in the period, A’s ball on B’s 9 yard line. Team A snaps the ball and the play ends with A in possession at the 6 yard line with 9 seconds to go. Team A hurriedly tries to line up for another play but commits a false start. Following the penalty assessment for the false start, Team A is unable to get the snap off before time expires for the period. Is the period extended or not? NFHS Rule 3-3-3 provides that a period must be extended by an untimed down if DURING THE LAST TIMED DOWN of the period there was a foul (other than fouls listed in 3-3-4b) by either team and the penalty is accepted. NFHS Rule 2-7-1 defines a down as “action which starts with a legal snap (beginning a scrimmage down) or when the ball is kicked on a free kick (beginning a free-kick down). In this scenario Team A’s false start foul was a dead ball foul which occurred prior to the clock expiring. The last timed down of the period (when A moved the ball down to the 6) was penalty free. The period is NOT extended. Let’s change the scenario a little – on the last down (the play which moved the ball from the 9 to the 6) there was a foul by either team and the penalty for the foul(s) was accepted. Team A then commits the false start prior to the ball being legally snapped, would the period then be extended by an untimed down? Answer – Yes - by 3-3-3 since a foul that occurred during the last timed down was accepted, the period would have to be extended. The false start foul was not the foul that required the down be extended, it was the accepted foul that occurred during the last timed down.
Running the ball out of the end zone? A’s ball first and goal on B’s 2. A1 fumbles the ball and it rolls into B’s end zone where B1 recovers the ball and starts to advance out of the end zone. B1 recovers the ball as it is bouncing and he does not recover/gain possession with a knee on the ground – B1 is not down. CAN B1 advance the ball out of his own end zone or is it an automatic touchback as soon as B1 recovered the ball? NFHS rule 8-5-3c provides that it is a touchback when “a fumble is the force…which sends the ball to or across the opponent’s goal line AND PROVIDED such opponent is in team possession or the ball is out of bounds WHEN it becomes dead on or behind its goal line”. In this play, the ball was not dead when B gained possession. It was still a live ball and B could advance the ball out of their end zone. Let’s say B tries to advance but is tackled in the end zone, is that a Safety? NO, the force that put the ball in B’s end zone was A’s fumble (A then supplied the force). So if B is tackled in this play, it is a touchback (8-5-3c). If B advanced the ball out to their 5, it would then be B’s ball 1st and 10 from their 5.

10-6-08
Players using communication headsets – A question has arisen as to whether or not players may use headphones (communicating with coaches in the press box) while in a team huddle. As most of you may remember, a rules change made just a couple of years ago now permits a player to communicate with coaches in the press box via a school headset/school communications system under certain conditions. For many years substitutes while in the team box could communicate with coaches using headsets but players could not communicate with coaches using headsets. The change of a few years ago permits players to use specific communication devices during a SIDELINE CONFERENCE. There still exists a prohibition for a player to use any communication device during a conference held between the inbounds marks. A coach may use a communication device while they are in either a sideline conference or a conference held between the inbounds marks. (NFHS rule 1-6-2). There is an excellent review of conferences in the “RULES BY TOPIC” book pages 243-250.

OFFICIALS – send in your applications for post-season assignments – If you have not yet sent in the application for post-season assignments, PLEASE do so ASAP. Assignments for the first week of the playoffs will begin in about 2 weeks – assignment information will be sent via email to the referee (if they have email) or to one or more members of the crew (those having email addresses). ALL OFFICIALS should check their personal information on their own page on the KSHSAA officials tab to verify that the correct email address is provided for the official – that is the avenue we will use to send notification of assignments to officials.

OFFICIALS – notify the KSHSAA of any potential conflicts – officials should contact the KSHSAA or indicate on your application if there are any schools you should not be assigned to officiate for – close personal or family ties to players/coaches on a team or employment with a school or district are examples of conflicts that should always be avoided. The fact that you have a conflict with a school team does not eliminate an official from consideration for assignment to a post-season game, it just means that they should not be assigned to work a particular team. Such conflicts put both the official, coaches and school administrators in “no-win” situations regardless of how competent and capable the official.

COACHES – if you observe a very competent crew or officials these last few weeks of the season, please inform your Principal or Athletic Director. They can add the names of officials to the list of recommended officials by the schools by contacting the KSHSAA even after the school recommendations form has been sent to the KSHSAA office. All school recommendations will be considered in determining the officials selected for post-season game assignment.

9-29-08
Officiating – the only job that you do where perfection is expected 100% of the time! Well I dropped the ball and confirmed what many people already knew, I’m not perfect! I was informed this morning of a error in an NFHS casebook play that was the basis for one of the “And the Ruling is…” that I covered at this year’s rules meeting. It was situation 4 (the IW plays) and concerned an IW during a scrimmage kick and the ball rolling on the ground. There was a foul by R1 before the IW. The ruling (based on NFHS Casebook play 4.2.3E) was that if the penalty is accepted, the IW disappeared with the penalty assessed under PSK provisions. In response to a more astute student of the rules I contacted the NFHS to confirm that the casebook play was correct. I was informed by the NFHS that “Football case book situation 4.2.3E ruling is not correct and so the whole case book play should be deleted.” Should any of you have had a similar situation occur so far this year and administered as per 4.2.3E, I apologize – both coaches and officials. If the situation did occur as described in the “and the ruling is…” scenario, we would apply 4-2-3a – foul declined, replay the down. Foul accepted, assess from previous spot. My apologies for the error!

Officials – don’t forget to send in your playoff applications. All applications should be sent to our office by Oct. 3 – we had posted an incorrect date on our web site. The correct date is OCTOBER 3, 2008.

Approaching the half-way mark - With the 2008 football season approaching the ½ way mark, it is an appropriate time for every crew and each official to conduct a “mid-season” evaluation. How is the “crew” working – should any changes be made in positioning? Are there any rules that need to be reviewed in more depth during the pre-game? Can we change our pre-game routine or procedure so we don’t get stale? Can we identify any “patterns” that as a crew (or as an individual) we (I) am following into? Are those patterns good? Or bad? Are there any plays or formations that are presenting challenges in covering? Don’t overlook “reviews” of the rules. Finish the season strong and never settle into the mind-set of “just finishing” the season.

AND THE RULING IS…--Here’s the situation, at the end of regulation the score is 14 – 14. On the first series, Team A scores a touchdown. On the play, B1 fouls (grasps the facemask). Team A informs the officials that they would like to have the penalty assessed on the first down when Team B gets the ball to start their series. Team A’s PAT is good. The ball is then spotted on the 25 yard line to start their series. Team B is told that it is their ball First and ten! RULING…8-2-2 does not permit the “carry-over” of a foul on a touchdown scoring play to the start of B’s series in overtime – 8-2-2 only permits the carry-over to the subsequent kickoff (which in the case of Kansas does not occur in overtime). In this situation, the penalty must be assessed (if accepted by A) to the PAT. The only situation in which a live ball foul is carried over to B’s possession in overtime would be a live ball foul on a successful PAT or a successful field goal or a dead ball foul following the PAT or field goal attempt. These are permitted by 8-3-5 and 8-4-3. Also refer to 8.2.2 Situation C. In overtime, the series always begins for either team as a first and goal. Refer to 1.H.1 and interpretations in 1.H.2 in the KSHSAA football manual. Regardless of the yardline the ball is spotted on following a foul that is assessed on the succeeding spot, the down and distance will be first and goal.

EVEN AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS – Remember our discussion at this year’s rules meetings rule 4-2-3 (inadvertent whistle)? One of the points I tried to consistently make was that “regardless of the game situation, anytime there is an IW, one team will come out of it feeling that they were severely harmed by it”! Many of us probably witnessed an IW that will, over time, become one of the most often referenced IW’s of the game – San Diego v. Denver. To show that it’s not just the younger, less experienced official that may have an IW, in this game one of the NFL’s most respected referee’s had the IW – during a running play and during a loose ball! Even with the technology used by the NFL, once the IW occurred, there is little that can be done to re-dress the impact of it on the play. Fundamental to officiating any game, whether it be football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, etc., etc., is what can officials do to try and avoid the IW, realizing that any IW could have a significant impact on the game?

First and foremost is “FOCUS” – This is such a fundamental of officiating at any level and is so often mentioned during pre-games and discussions by officials, that we sometimes loose the importance it has in officiating. Regardless of the events the official may have encountered during the day, or the personal issues of work, family, etc., they have had to deal with during the day, when you put on your officials uniform all of those things must be cleared from you mind. Total focus (mentally, sensory, emotionally) has now got to be given to the game and the events of the game that you are now working. It also means that your focus must begin again with every play. Don’t dwell on the previous play, don’t allow thoughts to go back to a previous play – get your thoughts centered only on the play before you right now. There’s time AFTER the game to go back over those plays you may want to review in your mind or with your fellow officials.

Next is “BE IN POSITION” – While it may not be possible for you to “keep up” with that 17 year old athlete, the experience and knowledge you have of the game can serve you well in helping you anticipate the best angles to take in observing the playing action. Good officials don’t stay in one position during a play, as the play unfolds, they are moving to another position to give them a better view of players. The good officials will “flow” with the play while staying focused on their areas of responsibility. Officials can’t be “ball watchers” – each official has specific areas of the field and players to cover – your fellow teammates are counting on you to cover your areas of responsibility – if anyone fails in those duties, the entire “team” (your fellow officials) is affected by it.

“BE A STUDENT OF THE GAME” – Most of us spend hours upon hours in front of a TV during the fall watching sports. In most situations, it’s not too hard to figure out if it is going to be a “run” or “pass”. But a student of the game will be able to narrow the options down given down and distance and field situation as to which player(s) would be the most likely ones to carry the ball or be the target for a pass or which linemen would be the most likely ones for a player to count upon to make that hole. This is all part of “getting into the game” for the official.

9-15-08
FOUL DURING A SAFETY BEING ASSESSED AT START OF OVERTIME – During one of this year’s rules meetings one of the officials in attendance at the meeting raised the question of whether a foul during a play resulting in a safety could also be carried over to succeeding spot or even to the start of overtime. At that time I gave an incorrect response/answer. Upon review of NFHS rules if during the last time down of the fourth period if a safety is scored and the team that was scored upon commits a foul, the scoring team’s options are to 1) accept the penalty and replay the down (this would mean that in this case the period would be extended by an untimed down), or 2) decline the penalty and keep the score. They cannot have the penalty for the foul during a play which results in a safety carried over to the overtime if the 2 points tied the score. I apologize for the incorrect ruling given in response to the question.

ACCESSING PART I EXAM SCORES - As I mentioned at the rules meetings this fall, it is now possible for coaches to go on-line and access their test scores and to print out an answer sheet showing their answers (as submitted on-line) and whether those answers were correct or not. Thanks to the efforts of Bob Maendele of our staff, it is also possible for officials to access on-line their test scores and to print out an answer sheet showing their answers as submitted on-line and whether they were correct or incorrect. By using this process, officials and coaches can access the results of their test earlier in the season than in the past. This provides much quicker information to both coaches and officials than our traditional method of sending the results back to the coaches and officials through the conventional mail process.

Here’s the process to follow to print out the graded answer sheets:

COACHES – Log-in under the “school” tab on the KSHSAA web site (you will enter your name when requested and using the school USERID and the coach/sponsor password – just as you did when you submitted the answers on-line). If done correctly, the school page for your school will come up. At the top of the school page is a heading “Sports Exam”, click on that heading. The next page that will come up will show the sport(s) you are the head coach for. At the bottom of that page is a listing of the sports you are the head coach for. One of the columns is “EXAM” and if you submitted the answers for the NFHS Part I test by the due date, that column will show either “Pass” or “Fail”. Click on the “Pass” or “Fail”. The next page that will come up will show your answers and whether they were correct or incorrect. You should print that page and keep for reference.

OFFICIALS – You will log-in under the “official” tab on the KSHSAA web site (you will enter your official’s number and official’s password). Toward the bottom of the first page is a list of the sport(s) you are registered for with the KSHSAA (officials who have failed to pay any fees or penalties with the KSHSAA will not be able to access your scores). One of the columns is titled “Exam Score” with “Pass” or “Fail” in that heading. By clicking on “Pass” or “Fail” you will be able to get a page that will show your answers and whether they were correct or incorrect. You should print that page and keep for reference.

Since it is possible now for both coaches and officials to print out their own answer sheets, we will not be sending out test answer sheets to those coaches and officials who submitted their answers to the NFHS Part I.

ENTHUSIASM OR “SHOWBOATING”? - Is it excitement over scoring or making a “great hit” or is it “showboating” when players “chest bump” each other or give each other “high fives” following a play? Truth be known, it’s probably a little bit of both – football is a game that evokes strong feelings and emotions – it’s a game that includes hard hitting plays that brings out one’s enthusiasm. Players, coaches and officials all bear collective responsibility to give direction to athletes as to what “limits” need to be followed so that enthusiasm over a play does not become “showboating”. In the 2007 NFHS football rule book one of the points of emphasis addressed was that of sportsmanship. A number of examples were included to assist coaches and officials with some general guidelines as to what was appropriate and what was inappropriate actions following a score or play. The list of examples was not intended to be “all-inclusive”. One example that was not listed was the “chest bumping” or the “high five” that is so often seen by players at the collegiate and professional level. How should officials respond to such actions during interscholastic games? It is appropriate for players to congratulate each other when they do something that is notable, that’s the type of enthusiasm that is part of all sports. As noted in the 2007 POE, celebrations should be spontaneous and shared with teammates. It is not appropriate for players to engage in choreographed or extended displays of such actions. Perhaps the most appropriate action for an official to take when displays of enthusiasm become extended or involve a large number of teammates is to verbally inform the players that such displays are to end. A firm verbal warning of “that’s enough” or “let’s get on to the next play” or even “ball here” should be enough to let the players know that it’s time to stop celebrating and move on to the next play. Immediately following that more forceful warning, officials should let the player’s know that such future extended or prolonged displays would be dealt with more forcefully – officials should not seek to penalize or prohibit all displays of enthusiasm, but they should not permit extended or prolonged displays either. Let the players know when limits have been reached. As noted in the 2007 POE, perhaps the best advice that coaches can give to their players (and thus their expectation of the players) is to “ACT LIKE YOU BEEN THERE BEFORE”.

9-08-08
TINTED EYE SHIELDS – TINTED EYE GLASSES – There still appears to be some confusion re: NFHS rules as they apply to football players wearing a “tinted eye shield” or “tinted eye glasses. Let me address this one more time and hopefully make it as clear as possible for all. NFHS rule 1-5-3n permits players to wear an eye shield which is attached to the helmet BUT ONLY WHEN THE EYE SHIELD IS MADE OF A MOLDED, RIGID MATERIAL THAT IS CLEAR AND PERMITS 100 PERCENT (NO TINT) ALLOWABLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION. This is clear – NO TINTED EYE SHIELDS CAN BE WORN. This also means that even if there is a letter from a Doctor that the player needs to wear a tinted eye shield, NO TINTED EYE SHIELDS CAN BE WORN. Casebook 1.5.3 Situation C confirms this – “a physician’s statement CANNOT supersede this rule”. The NFHS rules DO NOT prohibit the wearing of glasses. There are a number of reasons why a student/player may need to wear glasses. To prohibit the wearing of glasses for some students may effectively deny them a chance to participate. Therefore, it is permissible for players to wear eye glasses, even if they are tinted! To some it may appear that permitting the wearing of tinted eyeglasses and not permitting the wearing of a tinted eye shield brings about a conflict with the rationale for having this rule – my assumption is that the NFHS rules do not prohibit the wearing of glasses because glasses can be removed from a player without movement of the head/neck (important in case of a possible spinal cord injury). To remove the helmet in order to see a player’s eyes in case of a head injury, the head/neck would have to be moved. If the helmet had a tinted shield on it, the helmet would have to be removed to observe the eyes.

EYE BLACK – During a couple of this fall’s rules meetings I mentioned a call I received from a CAT (certified athletic trainer) this summer. His call was relevant to the wearing the eye-black “patches” that we often see on collegiate or professional football players. He was familiar with a particular company that made these patches (rather than the traditional eye black that came in a tin in a paste form and was applied by the player just under the eye, this company made them as a “peel off” patch applied under the eye). The patches had an imprinted lightning bolt on the patch. I understand there are other similar patches which have a logo or a company brand name on them. He wanted to know if players could wear such patches under NFHS rules. He also wanted to know if there were restrictions as to the amount of eye black that players could apply. I’ve responded to these questions a couple of times over the years – the purpose of eye black is to assist in reducing glare (something that is a rarity when games are played in evenings). Putting excessive amounts of eye black under the eyes so that it covers large portions of the face is not appropriate. I’ve been told that some players have covered their face with the stuff. That’s “face painting” and has no place in the game of football. The use of the peel off patches with logos/names or trademarks is also inappropriate – that’s adornments no less so than a player with jewelry on and is also not permitted.

Last week I had a very good conversation with a gentleman who for several years has served as the public address announcer for one of the KSHSAA member schools. His call was to confirm his understanding of the “role and responsibilities” of the football PA announcer prior to the start of the 2008 season. He also wanted to share a concern he had with some of the things he witnessed while attending interscholastic football games in other communities over the years. Of particular concern was how some PA announcer, in announcing the events of games, seemed to “put much more emphasis on the actions/plays made by members of the home team” when the same things when done by members of the visiting team received only limited announcement. My sense was that this person truly did try to follow the guidelines found in the KSHSAA football manual (point #1 in section 1.D – Responsibilities of the Public Address Announcer) – BE IMPARTIAL. ANNOUNCE THE GAME WITH NO SHOW OF FAVORITISM. The role of the PA Announcer is important to the game – by the way they announce the game, they can show enthusiasm for the game and recognize the abilities of ALL players – giving credit to the outstanding play of both teams and the players who make up those teams. The PA Announcer is not a “cheer-leader” for the home team. Most of the individuals who volunteer to assist schools in serving as the announcer for interscholastic games do so because of a love for the game and the values/skills that participation in interscholastic sports gives to the kids who do participate. Even though they may not be “professionally” trained announcers, all can be carrying out this service in a “professional” way.

09-01-08
NFHS FOOTBALL RULE BOOK CLARIFICATION – In the front of the NFHS football rules book is a listing and brief explanation of the 2008 NFHS football rules changes. Please note this clarification to the comments posted for 2-16-2e, 3-3-4b, 8-2-2, 8-2-3, 10-2-4: Contained in the last sentence of the explanation is the following language – “however, fouls by the opponent of the scoring team on the last time down of the second half cannot carry over to overtime.” This is correct if during the last timed down of the second half/4th quarter a TOUCHDOWN was scored. BUT the statement is not correct if during the last timed down of the second half/4th quarter a FIELD GOAL is scored. 8-4-3b permits the team fouled during a successful field goal to have as one of their options – keep the three points and have the penalty assessed on the succeeding spot – which if the FG ties the score, the succeeding spot would be the 10 yard line at the start of the overtime period.

SITUATIONS AND RULINGS – And the ruling is… As you remember, during this year’s rules meetings there were sheets with various play situations provided to people attending the meetings. During the course of the meeting people were called upon to provide “rulings” to the situations. Below are the situations on the sheets and the rulings for those situations. Following the ruling, I’ve noted the NFHS rule reference and the casebook situation from which I drew the rulings.

Rulings for the following situations will be provided during the course of the meeting. How many did you get correct?

Situation 1: During the inspection of the playing field the officials find that: a) this is a combination soccer and football field. The game administration informs the officials that since the soccer out-of-bounds line (a single solid yellow line) is more than 2 yards away from the football field sideline, game administration has decided to designate the soccer out-of-bounds line as the restraining line; b) the school’s field marking crew marked the restraining line with a single solid yellow line which is 2 or more yards away from the football sideline and endline; c) the school’s field marking crew marked the restraining line using 6” long dashes every 6 feet; d) there are no markings to designate the restraining line.

d) Even if the site does not have the restraining lines marked – PLAY THE GAME - COMMENT – inform Rick Bowden of the situation. – SEE 1.2.3 on page 6 of the Casebook.

Situation 2: Team A during the second half used one timeout and Team B used three timeouts. The game ended tied. a) At the start of the first overtime period, how many timeouts does each team have? b) Neither team scores in the first overtime period. During the first overtime period Team A does not take a timeout and Team B takes one timeout. How many timeouts does each team have at the start of the second overtime period?

Situation 3: Prior to the game Team A Head Coach informs the officials that a) he is designating his offensive coordinator as the coach who may request a timeout when they are on offense and his defensive coordinator as the coach who may request a timeout when they are on defense; b) he is designating a different assistant each quarter as the coach who may request a timeout during that quarter; c) his first assistant head coach as the coach who may request a timeout. In c) during the 2nd quarter the designee is ejected from the game. Who may now call a timeout from the sideline?

Situation 4: In the following plays an inadvertent whistle (IW) occurs as follows:

Scrimmage kick, ball is in flight – ball is muffed by R1 – ball is loose when the IW occurs. K1 recovers the ball after the IW.
Pass play, A1 is flagged for holding prior to pass, ball is in flight when the IW occurs, B1 intercepts.
Scrimmage kick, ball is rolling on the ground, ball is on the 16 when R1 blocks K1 in the back at the 22, IW occurs, K2 covers the ball.
B1 intercepts ball at his 3 yard line, B1 while trying to avoid tacklers carries the ball into B’s endzone. IW occurs.
4th and goal at the 6. Running play - A1 is hit and fumbles the ball at B’s 2 yard line. Ball is in B’s endzone when IW occurs. B recovers following the IW.

Situation 4 rulings:
a) Down is replayed – kick had not ended (4-2-3a/4.2.3A) K cannot keep the ball in this situation as they recovered a dead ball.
b) B cannot keep the ball – make sure B’s coach understands this (the IW ended the down) – if B accepts A’s penalty, assess the penalty from the basic spot (4-2-3d). If B declines the penalty, replay the down (4-2-3a). 4.2.3B
c) In this situation if the foul is accepted it is administer as per PSK enforcement (2-16-2h; 4-2-3d) If foul is declined, replay the down. 4.2.3E
d) Since B put the ball in their endzone (force to put the ball in B’s endzone was supplied by B) when the IW happened, if they accept results of play it is a safety (8-5-2a; 4-2-3c). If they do not accept the results of the play, down is replayed (4-2-3c)4.2.3D
e) Since A was team last in possession, they can either accept the results of the play (B’s ball at the 2) and count the down or replay the down (4-2-3b).4.2.3C
IW’S ARE NEVER GOOD – ONE TEAM OR THE OTHER WILL FEEL “CHEATED” - DON’T GET TOO QUICK WITH THE WHISTLE-HAVE YOUR BEAN BAG READY IN CASE OF A LOOSE BALL, FUMBLE, ETC.!!!

B1 is flagged for holding A1 prior to ball being passed; Pass is completed to A2 who advances for a TD. A elects to have the holding penalty assessed on subsequent KO. On the successful 2 point try, B2 roughs A1.
Live ball foul during the last timed down of the second period, A1 scores a touchdown, live ball foul by B.
Live ball foul during the last timed down of the second period, A1 kicks a field goal, live ball foul by B.
Live ball foul during the last timed down of the fourth period, A1 scores a field goal, live ball foul by B. FG ties the score with B.
Last timed down of the fourth period, Team A scores leaving them 2 points behind. A’s 2 point PAT is successful and B fouls during the PAT.

Situation 5 rulings:
a) The penalty for the foul by B2 could also carry over to the ensuing kickoff. In this situation, both the holding penalty on B1 (on the TD play) and the roughing penalty on B2 (on the try) could be assessed on the kick-off. (8-2-2; 8-3-5) 8.2.2E
b) A may elect to have the penalty assessed on either the try (which is an extension of 2nd period) or on the KO to start the 2nd half. (8-2-2) 8.2.2B(b)
c) A may elect to keep the 3 points and have the penalty assessed on succeeding spot which in this situation is the KO to start the 2nd half or accept the penalty and replay the down following penalty assessment. (8-4-3) 8.2.2B(a)
d) A’s options are - Accept and replay the down following assessment or leave the FG and if this ties score and game goes to OT penalty would be assessed at start of OT– MAKE SURE THIS HAS BEEN EXPLAING TO BOTH COACHES PRIOR TO COIN TOSS! (8-4-3) 8.2.2C(b)
e) A would probably keep the 2 and have penalty assessed at start of OT – Again, make sure both teams know this! (8-2-2) 8.2.2C(c)

In situations such as these, it is important to remember that the NFHS Rules code provides clarity as to which fouls could be carried over to start of Overtime (as the succeeding spot) and which one could not. Remember these specific rules:

8-2-2, 3 - Live ball fouls during the down in which a TD is scored – assess on PAT or if there is a kickoff, penalty can carry over to Kickoff. If there is no kickoff (such as when the TD was on the last timed down of the 4th ¼), penalty can only be assessed on PAT.
8-3-5 – Fouls during a successful try – may carry over to OT if the try was after the last timed down play of game – foul can be assessed at succeeding spot (which is the 10 yard line if the game goes to OT).
8-4-3 – Live ball fouls during the down in which FG is scored – options are to accept results of play (keep the score) and assess penalty at SUCCEEDING spot or accept the penalty and replay the down – if FG is successful any time other than the last timed down of fourth period – the succeeding spot is KO! If at the end of the 4th period – the succeeding spot is the 10-yard line (to start the OT if FG ties score and it stands).

BLOCKING – NFHS rule 2-17-1, 2, 5 – application and interpretation – NFHS 2-17 is the “free-blocking” zone rule. Articles 1, 2 and 5 provide the specifics as to the dimensions of the zone (article 1); who, when and where in the zone players can legally block below the waist (article 2) and when the zone disintegrates and the when the exception which permits blocking below the waist, clipping or blocking the back ends (article 5). It still seems that there is some lack of understanding as to when the conditions are present which provide for the exception to allow either blocking below the waist, or clipping or blocking in the back. This lack of understanding has lead to corresponding lack of consistency in application of the provisions of 2-17. While the playing action that occurs during many plays has not lead to concerns re: the application of the rules in 2-17, there still appears to be a high level of concern as to how the rules are applied in plays that are run out of “shot-gun” formations.

Size of the free blocking zone – for 11-man it is a box that is 4 yards on either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage – often referred to as a 6 yd. x 8 yd. rectangular box (the reality is that it is the length of the football more than 8 yds.) – for 8-man the zone is 3 yds. on either side of the spot of the snap and it is 3 yds. behind each line of scrimmage – again it is a box but for 8-man it is a 6 yd. x 6 yd. box;
A player is “in the zone” when any part of his body is in the zone;
The zone lasts as long as the ball is in the zone – once the ball initially leaves the zone, it disintegrates even though the ball may during the course of a play “re-enter” the zone after having left it (but once the zone is initially gone on the play, it cannot come back into existence until the next snap/down);
Players who are on their line of scrimmage (at the snap) may legally block below the waist players from the other team that were on their line of scrimmage at the snap – provided the contact was in the zone and the zone had not disintegrated;
Offensive linemen who are in the zone at the snap may legally clip defensive linemen who are in the zone at the snap – provided the contact is in the zone and the zone had not disintegrated; and finally
Offensive linemen who are in the zone at the snap may legally block in the back any defensive player who is in the zone at the snap – provided the contact is in the zone and the ball had not left the zone.

Now for most plays/formations the free blocking zone rules are fairly easy to apply. The challenge, as noted above, is when the offensive team is either in a “shot-gun” or a “scrimmage kick” formation. In those formations (i.e., a “shot-gun” or “scrimmage kick” formation), depending upon the depth behind the LOS for the QB (or the player positioned to receive the snap) the zone could disintegrate rather quickly after the snap. Example, the offensive team sets up in a shot-gun formation with the QB positioned three yards behind the line of scrimmage (which would place the player and the ball in the free blocking zone). In this situation as long as the ball does not “leave” the zone, the FBZ is still in existence. But if the QB steps backward one step, the zone disintegrates. While the FBZ is still in existence, it is still possible for players to legally block below the waist, in the back or clip (again, provided the requirements of 2-17 are met). But once the FBZ disintegrates, then all blocking has to be above the waist and within the frame of the players. If the QB was in a position four yards behind the line of scrimmage, as soon as the QB receives the ball, since he is now four yards behind the line of scrimmage, the FBZ disintegrates. In this type of formation, the time period that it would be legal under 2-17 for players to legally block below the waist, in the back or clip, would not be great - the contact would have to occur immediately after the snap to be legal. Effectively then any delay in that contact, would mean that the contact occurred after the ball had left the FBZ. To reinforce – the interpretation of rule 2-17 would permit players to legally block below the waist, clip or in the back (again assuming they met the provisions of 2-17) when a team is in a shot-gun or scrimmage kick formation IF that contact occurred immediately after the ball is snapped. Any delay in contact between players when Team A is in a shot-gun or scrimmage kick formation would have to be above the waist and within the frame of the players since the FBZ would have disintegrated by the time any DELAYED contact could occur. There are still some officials and/or coaches who mistakenly believe that anytime a team lines up in a shot-gun formation or a scrimmage kick formation that it is impossible for players to legally block in the back, clip or block in the back. Even in that formation there is a very brief time period when it still may be possible for the provisions of 2-17 to be in effect BUT that would have to be when contact (i.e., blocking) occurs immediately after the snap. For those coaches and officials who do have a 2008 NFHS football casebook, they may want to look at 2.17.2 Situations A-E, 2.17.3 and 2.17.4 Situations A-D for examples to help clarify the rules relevant to the FBZ, etc. These are on pages 13-14 of the 2008 Casebook. In particular 2.17.2 Situation E provides an interpretation that hopefully clarifies that when the contact occurs immediately after the snap (even when A is in a shot-gun or scrimmage kick formation) it is still possible for there to be legal contact below the waist.

UPDATES – During the course of the season, if you have questions/ideas re: items to address on this page, send them to me. I may not be able to cover everything but will try to add things that will make this more valuable for officials and coaches.