The rule that needs to be changed is a personal foul should be an automatic first down. What is stopping a kid on 4th and goal from the 2 who thinks I can't tackle the runningback coming right at me from scoring so I will grab his face mask and yank him down and the only penalty is half the distance to the goal which is a yard and replay the down and the runningback could be injured in the process.

From a safety aspect I am not sure I like the new rules. As noted this will encourage more contact down field and MAYBE reduce safety somewhat. Or MAYBE officials will call these fouls more often and increase safety. Just not sure.

 

As for the out of the pocket it seems that allowing the QB to 'throw the ball away' would be good for safety. But this rule as it is currently on the books is balanced by 'no uncatchable' aspect of interference. I agree that QBs will still throw the ball away but as long as an eligible receiver is anywhere near the sidelines they usually get away with this - even if the spirit of the rule is not being applied.

 

I believe defensive holding is still an automatic first down. I would see some officials making that call more often if they see intentional interference on the 3rd and 4th and longs.

 

I think that the rules need to reduce the need for officials to make subjective calls but at the same time promote safety.

From a safety aspect I am not sure I like the new rules. As noted this will encourage more contact down field and MAYBE reduce safety somewhat. Or MAYBE officials will call these fouls more often and increase safety. Just not sure.

 

As for the out of the pocket it seems that allowing the QB to 'throw the ball away' would be good for safety. But this rule as it is currently on the books is balanced by 'no uncatchable' aspect of interference. I agree that QBs will still throw the ball away but as long as an eligible receiver is anywhere near the sidelines they usually get away with this - even if the spirit of the rule is not being applied.

 

I believe defensive holding is still an automatic first down. I would see some officials making that call more often if they see intentional interference on the 3rd and 4th and longs.

 

I think that the rules need to reduce the need for officials to make subjective calls but at the same time promote safety.

 

 

Is D. Holding currently an auto 1st down?

Defensive Holding is NOT an automatic first down. 10 yd penalty and replay the down.

You never see it called but the offical can call another penalty like unsportsmanlike for an intintional dpi. I'll double check on that. It is a version of the rule you don't see enforced.

You never see it called but the offical can call another penalty like unsportsmanlike for an intintional dpi. I'll double check on that. It is a version of the rule you don't see enforced.

 

Unsportsmanlike fouls are non contact fouls. Doesn't apply here. Regardless, UNS doesn't carry an automatic first down either.

 

There is no "intentional DPI"foul. If the act is severe enough, a personal foul could be called in the case but that also does not carry an automatic first down.

Just an observation: I have seen intentional grounding called when I was pretty sure the QB was trying to complete a pass. A WR close to the throw and jumping to try to catch it while the ball sails out of bounds. Just crazy.

Defensive Holding is NOT an automatic first down. 10 yd penalty and replay the down.

 

Sorry about that miss. My apologies.

Found what I was looking for. An offical can take on an additional 15 yd if the PI was done on purpose

 

PENALTY: Illegal forward pass (Arts. 2a,b,c) – (S35); intentional grounding

 

(Arts. 2d,e) –(S36) – 5 yards plus loss of down – (S9). Pass interference (Art.

 

10) – (S33) – 15 yards and automatic first down if by B, 15 yards plus loss of

 

down if by A – (S9). If the pass interference by either player is intentional, his

 

team shall be penalized an additional 15 yards (S27). Ineligible downfield

 

(Art. 12) – (S37) – 5 yards. Illegal touching (Art. 13) – (S16) – 5 yards plus loss

 

of down.

If the pass interference by either player is intentional, his

 

team shall be penalized an additional 15 yards (S27).

 

This is of high interest to me...I have seen MANY 'intentional' pass interferences fouls over the last 15 or so years (some by my guys, some by theirs). Not once have I seen an extra 15 yard penalty.

I have never witnessed it myself but it is in the books. I believe that in the OH playoffs this year it was called. I am sure most coaches don't even know the rule is in the book. The only reason I heard of it is because a crazy coach on another site that qoutes the rulebook all the time

The rule that needs to be changed is a personal foul should be an automatic first down. What is stopping a kid on 4th and goal from the 2 who thinks I can't tackle the runningback coming right at me from scoring so I will grab his face mask and yank him down and the only penalty is half the distance to the goal which is a yard and replay the down and the runningback could be injured in the process.

 

Similarly, with the new rules on pass interference, it gives the defensive backs all the reasoning in the world to interfere with the receivers instead of giving up a TD in goal line situations. 2nd and goal, ball on the 3 yard line - interfere instead of getting beat. Then the down is just replayed from the 1 1/2 yard line instead of giving up the 6 points.

Similarly, with the new rules on pass interference, it gives the defensive backs all the reasoning in the world to interfere with the receivers instead of giving up a TD in goal line situations. 2nd and goal, ball on the 3 yard line - interfere instead of getting beat. Then the down is just replayed from the 1 1/2 yard line instead of giving up the 6 points.

 

That is pretty common tactic. Most DB coaches say go ahead and take the DPI before a TD. What people are worried about is a team taking a DPI on 3rd/4th and 20+ instead of giving up the first down. The real interesting question is will the "additional 15 yds for intentional DPI/OPI" be called now.

That is pretty common tactic. Most DB coaches say go ahead and take the DPI before a TD. What people are worried about is a team taking a DPI on 3rd/4th and 20+ instead of giving up the first down. The real interesting question is will the "additional 15 yds for intentional DPI/OPI" be called now.

 

Yes...but now the change is that the down is replayed instead of the offense getting a first down and a new set of downs to score on.

From Indianapolis Star:

New helmet rules

The National Federation of State High School Associations has approved rules for next season in an effort to minimize the risk of injury in football.

 

As a follow-up to last year’s rule change that requires a player to sit out one play if their helmet falls off while the ball is live, the NFHS Board of Directors has made it illegal for a player to initiate contact with an opposing player whose helmet has come completely off and made it illegal for a player whose helmet has come off to continue participation beyond the immediate action in which the player is engaged.