NFHS 2024 Rule Changes
The following link may be used as study guides on the new rules in high school football for the 2024 season. This material provides more in depth notes covering all NFHS rules, editorial, and POE changes.
Football Rules Changes 2024
/0 Comments/in Rules/by mkbauer1-5-1b(3): Clarified Home Team Uniform Requirement For Each Player — The jerseys of the home team shall all be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts with white.
2024 EDITORIAL CHANGES
1-3-1b; 1-3-1i(5); 1-5-1a(1); 1-5-1d(5)a; 1-5-2b; 1-5-3b(6); 1-5-3c(6); 2-8; 2-32-16b, f; 9-5-1g; 9-8-1j; 9-8-3 PENALTY; 10-3-1c NOTE; 10-4; 10-5; NFHS OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS; PENALTY SUMMARY; INDEX.
2024 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Sportsmanship and Altercation Prevention and Protocol
- Player Equipment and Enforcement
- Formations
2023 Rules Changes
/in Rules/by mkbauerThe following links may be used as study guides that cover the new rules in high school football for the 2023 season. This material provides more in depth notes as well as a powerpoint covering all changes with the NFHS rules.
NFHS 2023 Rules Changes powerpoint
NFHS 2023 Rules Changes with notes
Enforcement Rule Change-Training Aid (thanks to the North Jersey Football Officials Association)
High School Changes with notes- simplified (thanks to the Northern Nevada Football Officials Association)
Football Rules Changes 2023
/in Rules/by mkbauerClarified That Towels Do Not Have To Be The Same Solid Color For Each Player [1-5-3a(5)a 4, 5 (NEW)]: Player towels may contain one manufacturer’s logo and/or one school logo neither exceeding 2¼ square inches. Towels must be a solid color but now do not have to be the same solid color for each player. Towels may not be ball- or penalty-flag colored.
Clarified When A Player Is Inbounds After Being Out of Bounds [2-29-1]: This change clarifies when a player is inbounds after being out of bounds. There is no change to any foul or subsequent penalty provisions, or any rules related to illegal participation or the provisions regarding eligibility to catch a pass.
Added A List Of Criteria To Help Identify Players Who Should Be Defined As Defenseless Receivers [2-32-16d, 9-4-3g]: This change adds to the list of criteria to help identify players who should be defined as defenseless receivers related to application of unnecessary or excessive contact. This clarification should help game officials and coaches by defining allowable contact against defenseless receivers.
Intentional Grounding Exception Changed [7-5-2 EXCEPTION 2a, c (NEW)]: This change permits the exception for intentional grounding to the first and only player to possess the ball after the snap ends.
Removed “Intentional” From Pass Interference in TABLE 7-5 [TABLE 7-5(2)c (DELETE), 7-5 PENALTY]: By removing “intentional” from pass interference, this change puts the rule in line with how it is already enforced which is a 15-yard penalty.
Changes In Basic Spot Penalty Enforcement [10-4, 6]: This change restructures and clarifies the amendments to Rule 10 to eliminate the excessive penalty enforcements for offensive fouls that occur behind the line of scrimmage. This revision stipulates the basic spot for enforcement of fouls behind the line of scrimmage is the previous spot rather than the spot of the foul. Current penalties for illegal kicking, batting and participation fouls, and provisions for offensive fouls occurring in the end zone that may result in a safety remain intact.
Clarification On The Ball Being Handed Forward On A Running Play [Six-Player – Rule 7 (NEW)]: The change allows the ball to be handed forward on a running play, including to the guards/ends, while prohibiting handing the ball to the snapper provided both players are behind the neutral zone.
2023 EDITORIAL CHANGES
3-6-1b(1), NINE-, EIGHT- AND SIX-PLAYER RULES DIFFERENCES – RULES 2 and 7.
2023 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Helping the Runner
- Communication Between Coaches and Game Officials
- Game Management
Football Rules Changes – 2022
/in Rules/by mkbauer1-2-3g NOTES 3. (NEW): Team Box May Be Extended By State Association Adoption
By state association adoption, the team box may now be extended beyond the 25-yard line.
1-3-3: Ball May Be Changed Between Downs
Any game official may order the ball changed between downs.
1-4-3: The Number “0” Is Now Legal
The single digit number “0” is now a legal number.
2-3-8: A Chop Block Has Been Redefined
A chop block has been redefined as an illegal combination block where contact is made above and below the waist.
3-4-7: Clarified The Offended Team’s Game Clock Options
Clarified the offended team’s game clock options following a foul committed with less than two minutes remaining in either half.
3-6-1a(1)e EXCEPTION 2. (NEW): Added A New Exception To The Play Clock Administration
Added a new exception to the play clock administration following a foul committed only by the defensive team.
7-5-2 EXCEPTION 2. (NEW): Added A New Exception For The Passer
Added a new exception that allows the passer to legally throw the ball away to conserve yardage.
2022 EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-28-2; 5-2-4; 6-2-6; 10-2-2; 10-2-3; FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTALS – VII-2, X-3-E; RESOLVING TIED GAMES – 5-1-1, 8-3; NINE-, EIGHT- AND SIX-PLAYER RULES DIFFERENCES – RULE 2 and 7
2022 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Targeting / Defenseless Player
- Legal Uniforms and Equipment
- Sportsmanship
NFHS link to sport and rule changes.
football article – Revised Intentional Grounding, Chop Block Rules
Football Rules Changes – 2021
/in Rules/by mkbauerAction in the Free-Blocking Zone [2-17-2c (NEW), 2-17-4]
Blocking below the waist now requires the block to begin immediately following the snap.
2021 EDITORIAL CHANGES
1-5-1b(3); 2-10-1; 2-10-2; 3-5-1; 9-4-4 PENALTY, NINE-, EIGHT- AND SIX-PLAYER RULES DIFFERENCES – GENERAL; SIX-PLAYER RULES DIFFERENCES – RULES 2 and 7
2021 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Sportsmanship
- Intentional Grounding
- Ineligible Downfield and Line of Scrimmage Formation
Football Rules Changes – 2020
/0 Comments/in Rules/by mkbauerDEFINING TEAM DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE FOR PENALTY DECISIONS [1-4-1, 1-4-4 (NEW), 2-32-5, 3-5-2, 10-1-1, 10-1-2, 10-2-4]
Rationale: Prior to the game, the head coach will notify the referee of the designated representative (coach or player) who will make decisions regarding penalty acceptance or declination.
HALFTIME INTERMISSION OPTION FOLLOWING WEATHER DELAY [Table 3-1 NOTES 2 (NEW)]
Rationale: The halftime intermission may be shortened by mutual agreement of opposing coaches if a weather delay occurs during the last three minutes of the second period.
40-SECOND PLAY CLOCK CLARIFICATION [3-6-1a(1)e EXCEPTIONS 2 and 3 (NEW)]
Rationale: To eliminate a potential timing advantage gained by the defensive team, the rules committee approved the play clock being set to 40 seconds when an officials’ time-out is taken for an injury to a defensive player or a defensive player has an equipment issue.
25-SECOND PLAY CLOCK CLARIFICATION [3-6-1a(1)f (NEW)]
Rationale: Following a legal kick when either team is awarded a new series, the play clock will be set to 25 seconds.
DISCONCERTING ACT PENALTY RECLASSIFIED [7-1-9 (NEW), 7-1-9 PENALTY (NEW), 9-5-1d]
Rationale: Disconcerting acts or words by the defense has been reclassified from a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul to a 5-yard foul.
SPIKING THE BALL TO CONSERVE TIME (7-5-2 EXCEPTION)
Rationale: The exception to allow a player to conserve time by intentionally throwing the ball forward to the ground immediately after receiving the snap, has been expanded to include any player positioned directly behind the center. This exception now includes snaps that are not hand-to- hand.
2020 EDITORIAL CHANGES
TABLE 1-3-1, 2-41-9, 3-4-8, 7-2-5a, b and c (NEW), 7-5-12, 8-2-4, 10-4-2 EXCEPTION, 10-5-1j, PENALTY SUMMARY, NFHS OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS, APPENDIX, INDEX
2020 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Sportsmanship
- Intentional Grounding
- Ineligible Downfield and Line of Scrimmage Formation.
The 40 second play clock mechanics
/0 Comments/in Rules/by mkbauerThe 40 second play clock is used to ensure that each team be given a standardized, consistent interval between plays and from game to game. Both a 40 second and a 25 second play clock are required with the new NFHS rule change. Click on the link to download the state mechanics pdf.
NFHS Instructions for Football Game and Play Clock Operators
/0 Comments/in Rules/by mkbauerThe following set of instructions is for the play clock operators to assist with the 2019 NFHS football rule change to the play clock that now involves a 40-second or 25-second possibility for a delay of game. The following are the instructions for the 40-second and the 25-second play clock, to be used if and when visible play clocks are available to be used.
Football Rules Changes – 2019
/0 Comments/in Rules/by mkbauerBY STATE ASSOCIATION ADOPTION, USE OF VIDEO REVIEW ALLOWED FOR STATE POST-SEASON CONTESTS [1-3-7 NOTE (NEW), TABLE 1-7 – 1-3-7 NOTE (NEW)]
Rationale: By state association adoption, instant replay may only be used during state postseason contests to review decisions by the on-field game officials. This adoption would allow state associations to develop protocols for use of video replay.
IMPROVED VISIBILITY OF NUMBERS [1-5-1c, 1-5-1c(6) (NEW)]
Rationale: The purpose of numbers on jerseys is to provide clear identification of players. In order to enhance the ability to easily identify players, the committee has clarified the size requirements for jersey numbers through the 2023 season. The committee also added a new requirement that, effective in the 2024 season, jersey numbers must be a single solid color that clearly contrasts with the body color of the jersey.
REDEFINED REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL SCRIMMAGE FORMATION (2-14-1, 7-2-5a)
Rationale: A legal scrimmage formation now requires at least five offensive players on their line of scrimmage with no more than four backs. This change will make it easier to identify legal and illegal offensive formations.
40-SECOND PLAY CLOCK (2-35-1, 3-6-1, 3-6-2a, 7-2-1)
Rationale: To have a more consistent time period between downs, the rules committee approved situations where 40 seconds will be placed on the play clock. The new rule defines when 40 seconds will be placed on the play clock and when 25 seconds will be placed on the play clock.
PROHIBITION ON TRIPPING THE RUNNER [2-45, 9-4-3o (NEW), 9-4-3o PENALTY (NEW)]
Rationale: In an effort to decrease risk, tripping the runner is now prohibited. It is now a foul to intentionally use the lower leg or foot to obstruct a runner below the knees.
ILLEGAL KICKING AND BATTING PENALTY REDUCED (6-2-1 PENALTY, 9-7 PENALTY)
Rationale: The penalty for illegally kicking or batting the ball was reduced from 15 yards to 10 yards.
HORSE-COLLAR TACKLE ADDITION (9-4-3k)
Rationale: Grabbing the name plate area of the jersey of the runner, directly below the back collar, and pulling the runner to the ground is now an illegal personal contact foul.
2019 EDITORIAL CHANGES
1-1-9, 1-3-6, 1-5-5, 1-6-1 NOTE, TABLE 1-7, 2-6-2b, 2-8, 2-24-3, 2-25-1, 2-26-5, 2-28-1, 2-43, 3-1-2, TABLE 3-1, 3-3-1, 3-4, 3-4-1, 3-4-2, 3-4-3, 3-4-4, 3-4-5, 3-4-6, 3-4-8, 3-5-2 NOTE b, 3-5-3, 3-5-6, 3-5-7j, 3-5-9, 3-5-10, 3-5-10a, 3-6-2d, 4-1-6, 4-3-6, 5-2-2, 5-2-4, 5-3-1, 5-3-2 NOTE, 6-5-4, 6-5 PENALTY, 7-1-5, 7-1-7, 7-2-6, 7-2 PENALTY, TABLE 7-5-2, TABLE 7-5, 8-3-2, 8-5-2 EXCEPTION, 9-2-3a, 9-3 PENALTY, 9-4 PENALTY, 9-4-6b, 9-9-5 NOTE, 10-4-2c EXCEPTION, 10-5-1c, 10-5-1j, Resolving Tied Games, Nine-, Eight-, Six-Player Rules Differences, Penalty Summary, Index.
2019 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Proper Procedures for Weather Delays
- Free-Blocking Zone and Legal Blocking