rules changes 2008 rules changes 2008. referee’s microphone 1-4-9-d referee’s microphone:...

RULES RULES

CHANGES CHANGES 20082008

REFEREE’S REFEREE’S MICROPHONEMICROPHONE

1-4-9-d 1-4-9-d

Referee’s Microphone: Referee’s Microphone: Mandatory In 2010Mandatory In 2010

Lapel Type Is Strongly Lapel Type Is Strongly RecommendedRecommended

NOT ADOPTED BY MIAANOT ADOPTED BY MIAA

OPPONENT’S SIGNALSOPPONENT’S SIGNALS

1-4-9-g 1-4-9-g

Illegal to Attempt To Record Illegal to Attempt To Record Opponent’s Signals (Via Audio Or Opponent’s Signals (Via Audio Or Video)Video)

CHOP BLOCK CHOP BLOCK REDEFINEDREDEFINED

2-3-3 2-3-3

High-Low Or Low-High Combination High-Low Or Low-High Combination Block:Block:

By Any Two Players Against An By Any Two Players Against An Opponent (Not The Runner) Opponent (Not The Runner)

Anywhere On The FieldAnywhere On The Field With Or Without A Delay Between With Or Without A Delay Between

ContactsContacts ““Low” Component Is At The Opponent’s Low” Component Is At The Opponent’s

Thigh Or BelowThigh Or Below

CLOCK CHANGESCLOCK CHANGES

3-2-2-h 3-2-2-h

15-Second Play Clock Eliminated15-Second Play Clock Eliminated

3-2-2-i 3-2-2-i

Clock Adjustment Following Clock Adjustment Following Inadvertent Whistle EliminatedInadvertent Whistle Eliminated

40-SECOND PLAY 40-SECOND PLAY CLOCKCLOCK3-2-4-b3-2-4-b

Play Clock Set to Play Clock Set to 40 Seconds40 Seconds When Ball Is Dead On Every When Ball Is Dead On Every

Play.Play.


CLOCK: OUT OF CLOCK: OUT OF BOUNDSBOUNDS

3-2-5-a-123-2-5-a-12

Ball Carrier, Fumble Or Backward Ball Carrier, Fumble Or Backward Pass Goes Out Of Bounds: Pass Goes Out Of Bounds:


FREE KICK OUT OF FREE KICK OUT OF BOUNDSBOUNDS

6-2-1-Penalty6-2-1-Penalty

Free Kick Out Of Bounds:Free Kick Out Of Bounds: Option To Have Ball Option To Have Ball 30 Yards30 Yards Beyond Beyond

Previous Spot (Normally at the B-30)Previous Spot (Normally at the B-30) This is not a change for MIAA we This is not a change for MIAA we

stayed at 30 yards when the change stayed at 30 yards when the change was made in 2007.was made in 2007.

““HORSE-COLLAR” HORSE-COLLAR” TACKLETACKLE

9-1-2-p9-1-2-p Illegal to Grab Inside Collar Illegal to Grab Inside Collar

(Back Or Side) Of The Shoulder (Back Or Side) Of The Shoulder Pads Or Jersey And Pads Or Jersey And ImmediatelyImmediately Pull The Runner DownPull The Runner Down

Does Not Apply To:Does Not Apply To:

*Runner Inside The Tackle *Runner Inside The Tackle BoxBox *Quarterback In The Pocket.*Quarterback In The Pocket.

FACE-MASK FOULFACE-MASK FOUL

9-1-2-q (formerly s)9-1-2-q (formerly s) Illegal To Twist, Turn Or Pull The Illegal To Twist, Turn Or Pull The

Face Mask Or Any Helmet Opening Face Mask Or Any Helmet Opening Of An Opponent (15-Yard Penalty)Of An Opponent (15-Yard Penalty)

Not A Foul If The Face Mask Or Not A Foul If The Face Mask Or Helmet Opening Is Not Twisted, Helmet Opening Is Not Twisted, Turned Or PulledTurned Or Pulled

There Is No Longer A 5-Yard There Is No Longer A 5-Yard PenaltyPenalty

INITIATING/TARGETINGINITIATING/TARGETING

9-1-3 9-1-3

Initiating Contact/Targeting An Initiating Contact/Targeting An OpponentOpponent

Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target An Opponent With The Crown Of The An Opponent With The Crown Of The Helmet Helmet

Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target Illegal To Initiate Contact And Target A Defenseless Opponent Above The A Defenseless Opponent Above The Shoulders Shoulders

When In Question, It Is A FoulWhen In Question, It Is A Foul

SIDELINE SIDELINE INTERFERENCEINTERFERENCE

9-1-69-1-6

No Longer A WarningNo Longer A Warning First And Second Infractions: First And Second Infractions:

Delay Of Game--Five-Yard PenaltyDelay Of Game--Five-Yard Penalty Third And Subsequent Infractions: Unsportsmanlike Third And Subsequent Infractions: Unsportsmanlike

Conduct--15-Yard PenaltyConduct--15-Yard Penalty

NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA, We will NOT ADOPTED BY MIAA, We will use Section 9-1-5 from 2007 in use Section 9-1-5 from 2007 in place of 9-1-6 in 2008.place of 9-1-6 in 2008.

REVIEWABLE PLAYSREVIEWABLE PLAYS

Rule 12 ChangesRule 12 Changes Not Applicable under MIAA, rule Not Applicable under MIAA, rule

12 will not be in effect for any 12 will not be in effect for any Massachusetts High School Massachusetts High School games, regular season or games, regular season or Playoffs.Playoffs.

Notable Editorial Notable Editorial ChangesChanges

2-19-3-b2-19-3-b

b. A player has crossed the neutral b. A player has crossed the neutral zone if his entire body has been zone if his entire body has been beyond the neutral zone.beyond the neutral zone.

Changes the interpretation of a QB Changes the interpretation of a QB over the line for a pass.over the line for a pass.


2-27-7-b2-27-7-b

b. A b. A ball carrierball carrier is a runner in is a runner in possession of a live ball.possession of a live ball.

New definition of Ball Carrier to New definition of Ball Carrier to distinguish from a player simulating distinguish from a player simulating carrying the ball.carrying the ball.

There are several editorial changes There are several editorial changes that insert “ball carrier”.that insert “ball carrier”.


2-30-4-d2-30-4-d d. A new running play begins when a player gains d. A new running play begins when a player gains

or regains possession.or regains possession. This changes the old adage, no longer is there This changes the old adage, no longer is there

only one running play behind the NZ.only one running play behind the NZ. PLAY: A 2/10 on the A-37. QB A12 rolls to the right and PLAY: A 2/10 on the A-37. QB A12 rolls to the right and

B44 grasps and twists A12’s facemask at the A-31. A12 B44 grasps and twists A12’s facemask at the A-31. A12 gets free and pitches the ball backwards to A80 at the A-gets free and pitches the ball backwards to A80 at the A-28. A80 runs to the B-40 where he is downed. RULING: 28. A80 runs to the B-40 where he is downed. RULING: Since the foul occurred during A12’s run that is the related Since the foul occurred during A12’s run that is the related run for the foul, A12’s run ended behind the NZ, so the run for the foul, A12’s run ended behind the NZ, so the previous spot is the basic spot. A will decline the foul and previous spot is the basic spot. A will decline the foul and will take the ball A 1/10 at the B-40. (2-30-4-d, 10-2-2-c-2)will take the ball A 1/10 at the B-40. (2-30-4-d, 10-2-2-c-2)


3-1-3-g-13-1-3-g-1 & & 8-3-4-a8-3-4-aDistance penalties against either team are declined Distance penalties against either team are declined

by rule by rule (in extra periods) (in extra periods) (Exceptions: Penalties for (Exceptions: Penalties for flagrant personal fouls, dead-ball fouls and live-ball flagrant personal fouls, dead-ball fouls and live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball fouls are enforced on the fouls treated as dead-ball fouls are enforced on the succeeding kickoff or at the succeeding spot in succeeding kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periodsextra periods (succeeding play)(succeeding play)).).

This standardizes how we enforce penalties after a This standardizes how we enforce penalties after a change of possession on the try and in extra change of possession on the try and in extra periods.periods.

Also, it adds flagrant personal fouls back into the Also, it adds flagrant personal fouls back into the fouls that we will enforce at the succeeding spot.fouls that we will enforce at the succeeding spot.


3-1-3-g-33-1-3-g-3 & & 8-3-4-c8-3-4-cIf both teams foul during the down and Team B had If both teams foul during the down and Team B had

not fouled before the change of possession, the not fouled before the change of possession, the fouls offsetfouls offset,, andand the down is not replayed the down is not replayed (and (and the try is over)the try is over)..

This standardizes the way we deal with offsetting This standardizes the way we deal with offsetting fouls on the try and in extra periods.fouls on the try and in extra periods.

Also, this clarifies what to do if team B fouls both Also, this clarifies what to do if team B fouls both before and after the change of possession.before and after the change of possession.


3-2-5-e3-2-5-ee. When Team B is awarded a first down and will next snap e. When Team B is awarded a first down and will next snap

the ball, the clock will be stopped and will start on the the ball, the clock will be stopped and will start on the snap.snap.

PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 hands the ball off to PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 hands the ball off to running back A32. A32 runs to the A44 where he is running back A32. A32 runs to the A44 where he is downed inbounds. At the snap team B was offside. downed inbounds. At the snap team B was offside. RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the ready RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the ready for play. (3-2-5-a-1)for play. (3-2-5-a-1)

PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 drops back to pass and PLAY: A 4/3 on the A-42. QB A12 drops back to pass and throws the ball over the outstretched arms of A80 and the throws the ball over the outstretched arms of A80 and the ball falls incomplete. At the snap team B was offside. ball falls incomplete. At the snap team B was offside. RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the snap. RULING: A 1/10 on the A-47. Start the clock on the snap. (3-2-5-c)(3-2-5-c)


6-1-26-1-2

(Second sentence) The referee will (Second sentence) The referee will declare the ball ready for play when declare the ball ready for play when the officials are in position after the the officials are in position after the kicker has received the ball.kicker has received the ball.

We no longer blow the ready as soon We no longer blow the ready as soon as the kicker gets the ball, wait for as the kicker gets the ball, wait for the U to get into position. I think we the U to get into position. I think we were doing this anyways.were doing this anyways.


7-3-2-a7-3-2-a

a. If thrown by a Team A player whose a. If thrown by a Team A player whose entire body is beyond the neutral entire body is beyond the neutral zone when he releases the ball [S35 zone when he releases the ball [S35 and S9].and S9].

As stated earlier, the passers whole As stated earlier, the passers whole body must be over the line.body must be over the line.


7-3-2 Exception7-3-2 ExceptionException: It is not a foul when the passer, who is or has been Exception: It is not a foul when the passer, who is or has been

outside the outside the frame of the body of the normal tackle position toward frame of the body of the normal tackle position toward a sideline, throws the ball so that it crosses the neutral zone or a sideline, throws the ball so that it crosses the neutral zone or neutral zone extended (Rule 2-19-3) (A.R. 7-3-2-IX).neutral zone extended (Rule 2-19-3) (A.R. 7-3-2-IX).

The change here is from lands to crosses, which is significant The change here is from lands to crosses, which is significant because of the definition of “crosses”. Also it explicitly states that because of the definition of “crosses”. Also it explicitly states that if it crosses the NZ extended it is not a foul. if it crosses the NZ extended it is not a foul.

PLAY: A 3/5 on the A-38. QB A12 drops back and is flushed from PLAY: A 3/5 on the A-38. QB A12 drops back and is flushed from the pocket under a heavy rush. He attempts to throw the ball the pocket under a heavy rush. He attempts to throw the ball away from the A-29. The ball is tipped by B67 at the A-35 and the away from the A-29. The ball is tipped by B67 at the A-35 and the ball lands inbounds at the A-42. RULING: Intentional grounding. ball lands inbounds at the A-42. RULING: Intentional grounding. Ball will be placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down. A 4/14 Ball will be placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down. A 4/14 on the A-29. This is reading the rules as written, waiting for on the A-29. This is reading the rules as written, waiting for official ruling from Secretary Editor.official ruling from Secretary Editor.


There are several instances where There are several instances where they clean up the language regarding they clean up the language regarding “tack-on” penalties on scrimmage and “tack-on” penalties on scrimmage and free kicks.free kicks.

See the Highlighted version of the See the Highlighted version of the rulebook on the web site and match it rulebook on the web site and match it up with your 2007 book to see the up with your 2007 book to see the other changes. The rule book can be other changes. The rule book can be downloaded at: downloaded at: http://www.emaifo.net/assets/pdf/2008_NCAA_Football_Rules_(Highlighted).pdf

rules changes 2008 rules changes 2008. referee’s microphone 1-4-9-d referee’s microphone:...

Documents