National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009
NFHS
Football Rules Changes
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
IOWA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION
2009
FOOTBALL INTERPRETATION
MEETING
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
COACHES INFORMATION
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Football Practice Begins on August 10th
August 10th, 11th, 12th, Helmets Only
August 15th, Press Day Only, No Practice
August 17th, One Practice Per Day
August 22nd, Practice is Allowed
August 27th, 1st Legal Playing Date
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National Federation of State
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COACHES INFORMATION CONT.
 Player may not participate in more than 14 games
in any one season, excluding the play-offs.
 Player may not participate in more than 4 quarters
per day, nor play in more than 2 games in any one
day.
 Once a game has reached the 35 point differential,
substitute who enters for the first time at that point, is
not required to count that game toward the 14 game
limitation. However, this does count toward the 4
quarter limitation in which a player may not play in
more than 4 quarters in one day. One play equals one
quarter.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
FOOTBALL CASTING RULE
Rule 1-5-3c Illegal Equipment: Shall always include,
but not limited to: Hard substance in its final
form such as leather, rubber, plastic, plaster, or
fiberglass when worn on the hand, wrist, forearm
or elbow unless covered on all exterior surfaces
with no less than ½ inch thick, high density,
closed-cell polyurethane or an alternate
substance of the same minimum thickness and
similar physical properties to protect an injury as
directed in writing by a licensed medical
physician (M.D/D.O.).
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
FOOTBALL CASTING RULE
CONT.
NOTE: While the National Federation of State High School
Association’s football rules stipulate casts may be worn
“as directed in writing by a licensed medical physician,”
the IHSAA is cognizant of the fact that Iowa law provides
a more broad definition of physician. Therefore, we
include all licensed physicians, as per Iowa code, under
our interpretation of this rule.
1. Licensed Physician and Surgeon
2. Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon
3. Osteopath
4. Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
5. Physician’s Assistant
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6. Doctor of Chiropractic
National Federation of State
High School Associations
FOOTBALL CASTING RULE
CONT.
What must be included in a physician’s
statement:
1. First and last name of the athlete for whom the
cast has been prescribed.
2. Location of the cast.
3. The date the cast was prescribed.
4. The licensed medical professional’s signature.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
Rule 1-5-3c ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT
CONT.
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Knee braces made of hard unyielding material,
unless all parts of the brace made of hard
material and extending below the pants are
covered. Any other hard substance across the
front of the leg are to be covered with at least ½
inch of closed-cell, slow-recovery rubber or
other material of the same minimum thickness
and having similar physical properties.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
HEAT & HYDRATION
•
Make sure you take plenty of water breaks
during practice.
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Use the information provided by the IHSAA
1. Heat Index Chart
2. Urine Color Chart
3. Hydration Fact Sheet
4. Order and Heat and Humidity Gauge
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IHSAA ADAPTATIONS
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Any school/district/conference desiring to use
a 25 second clock and/or an on-field
microphone for the referee does not need to
seek permission from the IHSAA in writing.
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Referee is not required to use a microphone.
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Guidelines for the use of the 25 second clock
and the referee’s microphone can be found in
the IHSAA handbook, under “Football”.
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COACHING AUTHORIZATONS
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The IHSAA does not verify attendance
for coaching authorization.
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Anyone in attendance for coaching
authorization renewal credits is
responsible for keeping track of the
dates and place of the rules meeting.
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Go to the website, www.boee.iowa.gov
for current applications.
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COACHING AUTHORIZATIONS
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All coaches (volunteer and contracted) need to
have an authorization or endorsement to teach
sport specific skills to student-athletes.
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Beginning with the first legal day of practice,
you cannot bring in former athletes without this
authorization or endorsement to teach specific
skills. (For example, former high school
quarterback to throw passes to receivers.)
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National Federation of State
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REQUIRED REPORTING OF STATS
The IHSAA adopted the following policy effective
with the 2009-10 school year.
Football:
Completed by Monday at 3:00 PM
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Following the third game
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Following the six game
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Following the ninth game
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End of season for play-off qualifiers
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GENERAL REMINDERS
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No overtimes will be played below the
varsity level.
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The J5V Spalding (Horween Leather
Advance) football [#62-8998] will be used
for all playoff games.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
35 POINT RULE
•
The 35 point differential rule is in effect for all games
played in Iowa, grades 7-12. If there is a 35 point
differential at the end of the first half or anytime after, the
game will be continued with a running clock. Beginning
with the second half kick-off, the 35 point differential goes
into effect.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The clock will only be stopped for:
Following a score
Team timeout
Intermission between the 3rd & 4th quarter
Extended injury timeout
Officials determine it necessary for safety reasons.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
35 POINT RULE CONT.
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Anytime the score differential gets
below 35 points in the second half,
regular timing procedures will be used.
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Reminder, the first half is played under
regular timing procedures, regardless of
the score.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
PLAYER PARTICIPATION
•
Once a game has reached the 35 point
differential, a substitute who enters the game
for the first time at this point, is not required to
count that game toward the 14 game limitation
rule.
•
However, this does count toward the 4 quarter
per day limitation rule, in which a player may
not play in any part of more than 4 quarters in
one day.
•
One play equals one quarter.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
PLAYER PARTICIPATION
•
A player who participates in only free kick
downs and scrimmage kicks during the game is
not charged with game participation as it relates
to the 14 game player limitation rule.
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However, this does count toward the 4 quarter
per day limitation rule, in which a player may
not play in any part of more than 4 quarters in
one day.
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A player may play in two games in a day,
constituting only 1 of his 14 games, equaling no
more than a total of 4 quarters.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
SubstateWednesday, October 28, 2009
7:00 PM
1st Round PlayoffsMonday, November 2, 2009
7:00 PM
Quarterfinal Round PlayoffsFriday, November 6, 2009
7:00 PM
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High School Associations
2009 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Semi Final Round Playoffs
Monday, November 16th
Class 2A- 10:30 AM
Class 2A- 1:30 PM
Class 3A- 4:30 PM
Class 3A- 7:30 PM
Friday, November 20th (Finals)[UNI-Dome]
10:35 AM- 8 Player
2:05 PM- Class A
7:05 PM- Class 4A
Saturday, November 21st (Finals)[UNI-Dome]
10:05 AM- Class 1A
1:05 PM- Class 2A
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4:05 PM-Class 3A
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Semi Final Round Playoffs- [UNI-Dome]
Thursday, November 12th
8 Player- 10:00 AM
8 Player- 1:00 PM
Friday, November 13th
Class A- 10:30 AM
Class A- 1:30 PM
Class 4A- 4:30 PM
Class 4A- 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 14th
Class 1A- 10:00 AM
Class 1A- 1:00 PM
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009 Post Season District Match-Ups
Class 3A
Class 2A
Class 1A
District 1 and District 8
District 1 and District 2
District 1 and District 8
District 2 and District 7
District 3 and District 4
District 2 and District 3
District 3 and District 4
District 5 and District 6
District 4 and District 5
District 5 and District 6
District 7 and District 8
District 6 and District 7
Class A
Class 8 Player
District 1 and District 2
District 1 and District 2
District 3 and District 4
District 3 and District 4
District 5 and District 6
District 5 and District 6
District 7 and District 8
District 7 and District 8
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Officials make sure you have registered online.
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Supervised exam will be given Tuesday August 25 &
Wednesday August 26, sites & dates are listed in your
Officials Guide.
Officials please read your Officials Guide.
You must 1) attend a rules meeting every year to be
eligible to work football playoffs, 2) turn in your
sportsmanship ratings on time (online) and 3)submit your
request form online in a timely manner.
All other officials not wanting to be considered for playoffs need only attend a rules meeting once every three
years, but we recommend attending every year.
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High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
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NEW OFFICIALS CLINIC REQUIREMENT
Starting with 2008-09 registration, all first year
officials and any officials wanting to be
tournament eligible, must attend an IHSAA
state sponsored clinic in that sport.
Tournament eligible officials will be required to
attend clinics within a three year period starting
this year, in order to continue to be tournament
eligible and fulfill this requirement, you will need
to attend a clinic within every three year period.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFICIALS CLINICS
August 7- Iowa Falls-Alden High School- 6 PM
August 7- Maquoketa Valley High School- 6 PM
August 8- OA-BCIG High School- 9 AM
August 14- Ottumwa High School- 6 PM
August 15- Creston Elementary School- 9 AM
ALL CLINICS INCLUDE IHSAA RULES MEETING
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High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
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FOOTBALL PLAY-OFF REQUEST FORM:
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Officials online request form:
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2009 football officiating schedule must be submitted by
your referee/crew chief by September 4, 2009 to be eligible
for football play-offs.
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All referees/crew chiefs that work any varsity contests
and are interested in working the playoffs need to
complete a request form.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
•
Last year’s crew recommendations are
what is commonly used for post season
selection football play-off officials.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Officials Sportsmanship Ratings:
If you officiate any varsity level contests, you must
login to your “Individual Officials Information Page,”
using your password and rate each school. Once
logged in, you must click on “Enter your
sportsmanship .” If you have any changes to your
ratings, you can now log back in, see what you
have completed, and make the necessary changes
yourself.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPORTSMANSHIP RATINGS MUST BE
COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED NO LATER
THAN NOVEMBER 23, 5:00 P.M.
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Every official on the crew working any
varsity contests, must fill out his/her
sportsmanship rating for each varsity
contest officiated.
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High School Associations
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Officials with temporary status:
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You must take and pass the online open book
exam each year you are a temporary official.
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You must take and pass the closed book exam
sometime in the first three years or before you
work year four.
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High School Associations
EJECTIONS
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Officials, be accountable for your ejection. Don’t let
your emotions get ahead of your actions. Stay calm,
take a deep breath, see the whole situation,
understand the intent, communicate with a fellow
official who may have seen the same scenario, then
make a decision. If you are having problems with a
player(s), inform the coach and allow them the
opportunity to handle the situation.
Coaches take advantage of this opportunity to keep
your player on the field.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
EJECTIONS
Officials, if you eject a player or coach
grades 7-12, the ejection form must be
filled out by going into your account
online and filling out the ejection report.
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High School Associations
EJECTIONS
Coach, if you or one of your players are
ejected from a contest, you must get with
your Athletic Director and fill out the online
ejection report Form by logging into the
“Member Schools Link”.
Please get this report filled out the following
day, unless this occurs on a Friday or
Saturday, then submit the form on Monday.
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009
NFHS
Football Rule
Changes
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009
Football
Points of Emphasis
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NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests
During Lightning Disturbances
POINT OF EMPHASIS
 Lightning kills or seriously injures hundreds of
individuals each year.
 Need to remind coaches, players, spectators,
administrators and officials of the potential
seriousness of lightning during football season.
 New NFHS Guidelines on Handling
Contests During Lightning
Disturbances listed on page 97 of
the 2009 NFHS Football Rules Book.
Illegal Personal Contact
POINT OF EMPHASIS
 Illegal personal contact involves a number of
acts that must not be tolerated in football.
 The behavior of players and nonplayers need
to be monitored during a game to ensure that
sportsmanship prevails at all times.
 Coaches need to correctly teach the
fundamentals/techniques and the rules of the
game to all players.
 Officials need to enforce the NFHS football
playing rules as written and penalize when
illegal personal contact takes place.
National Federation of State
High School Associations
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Blocking and Illegal Blocks
POINT OF EMPHASIS
 Blocking is obstructing an opponent by
contacting him with any part of the blocker’s
body (Rule 2-3-1).
 Illegal blocking can occur in a variety of ways
during football competitions.
 Coaches need to teach legal and
fundamentally sound blocking techniques.
 Officials must be diligent in reading keys,
recognizing illegal blocking and making the
call.
Helmet and Face Mask
POINT OF EMPHASIS
 NFHS Football Rules Committee wants more
consistency from officials in calling face-mask
related fouls.
 Two types of fouls:
1. “Incidental” is grasping of the face
mask, helmet opening or chin strap.
(5-Yard Penalty)
2. “Grasping and twisting, turning or
pulling” of the face mask,
helmet opening or chin
strap. (15-Yard Penalty)
Uniforms
POINT OF EMPHASIS
 In recent years, players and sometimes
teams seem to be attempting to skirt the
NFHS rules governing football uniforms,
adornments and player equipment.
 Regardless of the reason why it occurs, the
outcome is a growing problem because these
efforts violate the NFHS football rules and
player safety or both.
 It is the coaches’ responsibility to control and
prevent these rules violations.
 Officials need to enforce the NFHS football
uniform rules.
Sportsmanship
POINT OF EMPHASIS
 The NFHS Football Rules Committee has
once again made Sportsmanship a point of
emphasis for the 2009 football season.
 Players, coaches, spectators and officials
each play a vital role in the promotion of good
sportsmanship.
 Acts that focus attention on, or
those intended to engender ill
will toward individuals have no
place in educational activities.
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009
Football
Rules Reminders
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
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Football Jerseys
Rule 1-5-1c4 (2012)
The football jersey rule was revised in 2007 and the
implementation date was extended to 2012.
Legal Football Jerseys
1-5-1c5, 6 (2012)
 Legal Football Jerseys
– Beginning 2012
Illegal Football Jerseys
Rule 1-5-1c5, 6 (2012)
 Illegal Football Jerseys
– Beginning 2012
C.
A.
B.
D.
RULES
REMINDER
2009
National Federation of State
High School Associations
ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION
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