Horse Collar illegal in HS now...and other rules changes

[CoachJ]

A few officials in games we had last year actually thought the 'horse-collar rule' was a HIGH SCHOOL rule last year (got it called against us twice in JV games last year).

 

VERY interesting that now ZERO coaches will be allowed in the "sideline box" (area 2 yards off the sideline) during play.

 

Also interesting the note at the bottom about how much participation there is in high school football -- especially that there were over 1,000 girls participating last year.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bob Colgate

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 13, 2009) — The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls in high school football.

This addition to Rule 9-4-3 was one of 10 rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 24-25 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Effective with the 2009 season, it will be illegal to grab the inside back or side collar of the runner’s shoulder pads or jersey and subsequently pull the runner to the ground. The penalty will be 15 yards from the succeeding spot.

Julian Tackett, assistant commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee, said the committee felt the need to continue to address risk minimization issues for the runner.

 

“Risk minimization continues to be one of the most important fundamentals to the rules-writing process of the NFHS,” Tackett said. “Though this play does not happen often, we must ensure that our coaches and officials understand the importance of penalizing this act.”

Another risk-minimization change in Rule 9-4-3 will make it illegal to grasp an opponent’s chin strap, in addition to the opponent’s face mask or edge of a helmet opening.

 

The committee made a significant change in Rule 9-8-3 in an effort to reduce the risk of injury along the sidelines. A maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area to communicate with players during dead-ball situations. Before the ball becomes live, however, the coaches must retreat into the team box.

 

Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee, said this rule change results in a 2-yard belt that is clear of team personnel and helps eliminate sideline congestion while helping to minimize the risk for participating players, coaches and officials during live-ball situations.

“There no longer will be an allowance for three coaches to remain in an area adjacent to the sideline when the ball is live,” Colgate said. “The results of a three-year experiment were favorable, which led to the committee’s support for this rule change in 2009.”

 

A change in Rule 9-8-1g clarifies that the mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed to the head coach if the team is not back on the field prior to the start of the warm-up period.

 

Changes in Rules 7-2-5 and 2-14-2 clarify the numbering-exception rule from when it was originally approved in 1982.

 

“The definition of a scrimmage-kick formation was clarified to differentiate formations that have been used traditionally for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt,” Colgate said. “In addition, the circumstances under which the numbering exception can be utilized have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth downs.” (already a thread started on this)

 

Two changes were made in Rule 1 – The Game, Field, Players and Equipment. The committee clarified Rule 1-3-1c regarding the stripes on the football. The change states that the stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched. In Rule 1-2-3b, a note was added stating that all required field markings must be clearly visible. Further, when other markings such as logos are placed on the field, the required markings shall remain visible.

 

Other changes approved by the Football Rules Committee:

 

• Rule 3-3-4b5 – If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended. The teams will change goals to start the next period.

• Rules 8-2-2, 8-2-3, 8-2-4 (new), 10-5-1f – Three rules were revised and a new article was created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or after a touchdown-scoring play. The revisions now allow the offended team, in most situations, the option of enforcing the penalty on the subsequent kickoff. Fouls committed after the initial ready-for-play signal following the touchdown are not affected by this change.

• Rule 9-7-2 Exception: A foul will now occur for illegal batting by the kicking team if it bats a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is batted by the kicking team toward its own goal line.

 

“Though many of the changes in the rules were subtle clarifications, each of this year’s changes ensures that the sound traditions of the game are protected and that student-athlete safety remains our top priority,” Tackett said.

In addition, the committee identified six points of emphasis for the 2009 season: Illegal Personal Contact, Blocking and Illegal Blocks, Helmet and Face Mask, Uniforms, Sportsmanship and NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances.

 

In terms of the number of participants, football is the most popular high school sport for boys. According to the 2007-08 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 1,108,286 boys played 11-player football with another 27,075 involved in six-, eight- and nine-player football. In addition, 1,225 girls played high school football in 2007-08.

[3wishes]

Also interesting the note at the bottom about how much participation there is in high school football -- especially that there were over 1,000 girls participating last year.

 

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Does this count managers or players? Because it is hard to believe that there were 1000 girls participating in football, as in all geared up.

 

The horse collar rule is a good rule but I worry about it on the high school level, because so many times it will be called when it is a close call, much like how a clipping penalty is almost a given when anyone is hit near the side, yet it has to be between the numbers but it is always called regardless. I think it will be another judgement call that official will get yelled at over.

[sidelinedoc]

I think the sideline 2 yard rule has good intent, but this is a hard one for me. How can coaches be penalized for trying to coach. If you have to have this rule, keep it like it was in 2008. Jmo.

[pigman]

The sideline rule is ridiculous. Most officials care much more about what is going on on the field. There are some that are ate up with keeping coaches in the box instead of officiating the game, this will only make it worse.

[sidelinedoc]

The sideline rule is ridiculous. Most officials care much more about what is going on on the field. There are some that are ate up with keeping coaches in the box instead of officiating the game, this will only make it worse.

 

You said it with way more authority than I did.:notworthy:

[barrel]

The horse collar rule you have to look at. If you grab the inside of the jersey or shoulder pads from the back or side you get it. Key part there is jersey.

 

The coaches box thing is going to be tough because some places there is very little space.

 

On a side note clipping is blocking below the waist from behind. Block in the back is when you hit them in the back and is often a toss up on if it is going to be called or not. Ask any official and they will tell you it needs to be square in the back for it to be a block in the back but they call it from the side a bunch.

[Freebird23]

I think it is 'bout time for the horse collar rule in HS football. Nothing positive comes out of a horse collar tackle.. its all ugly.

 

Sadly, I saw Dicky Lyons go down last year at the UK game with the horse collar tackle. The SEC officials did not make the call...

 

Will they make the call in HS ball? :ohbrother:

[theguru]

The sideline rule is ridiculous. Most officials care much more about what is going on on the field. There are some that are ate up with keeping coaches in the box instead of officiating the game, this will only make it worse.

 

I couldn't disagree more. First and foremost this is a safety issue.

 

Second, as a working member of the media many gametime sidelines are out of control with coaches, support staff, players, former players, friends of the program, etc. Most staffs not only violate the 3 in the box rule with several coaches in the box but most of them end up on the field of play too which makes it very difficult for working media.

 

I understand why most officials haven't enforced the coach in the box rules because it can come off as ticky tacky but the rules are the rules and they should enforce them all.

 

The other problem you have is the working media are normally "policed" by a representative of the school and many places are very strict in their enforcement which is fine. However, if you have the school cracking the whip on the media and the coaches setting up camp all over the place it makes it very difficult to work a game.

 

Besides, is it really too much to ask for all the coaches to move back six feet off the field of play?

[offside]

The sideline rule is ridiculous. Most officials care much more about what is going on on the field. There are some that are ate up with keeping coaches in the box instead of officiating the game, this will only make it worse.

 

I disagree. Here's a couple reasons why the rule was changed to move the coaches into the team box:

 

1. Nowadays, many (if not most) highschool offenses "spread the field" from sideline-to-sideline, and modern players are faster and more athletic than ever before. Because of this, officiating mechanics have changed. Officials are now positioned on the sidelines at the snap, and on plays near the boundaries, they must have room to move to an out-of-bounds position.

 

2. Because of the aforementioned developments, safety and liability issues have become a concern. Sideline collisions between coaches and officials have occurred, resulting in serious injuries and high-profile lawsuits.

 

Although the language of the new rule is not finalized, I am confident that coaches will be able to move forward and communicate with their team between downs as they have always done. Once the snap is imminent, they'll just have to move back a couple steps to keep everybody safe. That's all that will change.

[supersugarcat63]

The sideline rule is ridiculous. Most officials care much more about what is going on on the field. There are some that are ate up with keeping coaches in the box instead of officiating the game, this will only make it worse.

 

I can understand varsity play, because they are older and media so forth. But in Freshman and JV games where most coaches get most of the coaching for the young guys it will be difficult to teach. Not much media at those games. Also, if a coach, player, or the media is that close to the field they may want to pay attention so they do not get hurt, otherwise they deserve a hit.

 

Dumb Rule:ohbrother:, Horse collar ok.

[leatherneck]

I couldn't disagree more. First and foremost this is a safety issue.

 

Second, as a working member of the media many gametime sidelines are out of control with coaches, support staff, players, former players, friends of the program, etc. Most staffs not only violate the 3 in the box rule with several coaches in the box but most of them end up on the field of play too which makes it very difficult for working media.

 

I understand why most officials haven't enforced the coach in the box rules because it can come off as ticky tacky but the rules are the rules and they should enforce them all.

 

The other problem you have is the working media are normally "policed" by a representative of the school and many places are very strict in their enforcement which is fine. However, if you have the school cracking the whip on the media and the coaches setting up camp all over the place it makes it very difficult to work a game.

 

Besides, is it really too much to ask for all the coaches to move back six feet off the field of play?

 

 

I'm with you on this issue brother. Is it really that big of a deal to step back a few steps?

[offside]

I think it is 'bout time for the horse collar rule in HS football. Nothing positive comes out of a horse collar tackle.. its all ugly.

 

Sadly, I saw Dicky Lyons go down last year at the UK game with the horse collar tackle. The SEC officials did not make the call...

 

Will they make the call in HS ball? :ohbrother:

 

Based on Mr. Tackett's choice of words in the press release, it appears that the NFHS definition of a horsecollar tackle will differ from the more narrowly defined NCAA rule.

 

To summarize, an illegal horsecollar tackle in the NCAA requires that the runner be "immediately pulled down" by the inside (back or side) collar of the shoulderpads or jersey. The interpretation of "immediately" from my conference was "within one and a half steps."

 

However, Julian used the term "subsequently" pull the runner to the ground by the inside back or side collar of the shoulderpads or jersey. That could be a very big difference.

 

FWIW: I have seen exactly one play on the field that fit the narrow NCAA definition of a horsecollar. Unfortunately, it happened in a highschool game and it was legal.

[whataboutthis]

The visiting coaches will be the first row at Highlands.

[bigbluefan02]

The horse collar is a rule that I understand. The rule about the two yard box is a joke. The coaches are trying to coach give me a break. If they want to make a rule they can keep every Tom, Dick, and Harry off the field that does not belong. Again the wrong people are being penalized, the coaches, just let them coach.

[jmoore33]

I challenge anyone to try to coach a team and remember some box at your feet. This will always be an issue as long as the game will be played. The problem will not go away. This only opens the door for some tick tack flag to change the outcome of the game.