offside

Turf.

Dixie.

Here's a couple of fun quizzes to test your knowledge of highschool football rules and an article about a brave sportswriter who took the NCAA official's test: Impress your friends here: http://www.wral.com/sports/prepsports/quiz/1882556/?show_quiz=1 http://www.icaoa.org/football/tests/test-2007-1.htm And sympathize with the scribe here: http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10885924

The NFHS Coaches Code of Ethics: http://www.nfhs.org/web/2004/01/the_coaches_code_of_ethics.aspx And the NFHS Official's Code of Ethics: http://www.nfhs.org/web/2006/08/officials_code_of_ethics.aspx

A scrimmage kick formation requires at least one player 7 yards or more behind the LOS in position to receive the snap. If the player(s) in position to receive the snap are not more than 7 yards behind the LOS, it is not a scrimmage kick formation and there is no snapper protection nor numbering exception. Typically, "shotgun" QBs are not 7 or more yards deep.

1. Yes, a scrimmage kick formation requires at least one player to be 7 yards or more behind the LOS in position to receive the snap. 2. Sure, a covered up lineman can certainly step backwards and fake. 3. Yes, a snapper can be an eligible receiver (by number and position on the end of the line) on any down.

False. Even if the numbering exception is in effect, a player must be eligible by number and position to bat, muff or catch a forward pass. However, there are no eligibility requirements to receive a backward pass.

Thankfully, we don't make the rules--coaches do. So, I would expect that after a few controversial calls (and the resulting uproar in the coaching community) the NFHS Rules Committee will clarify its numbering exception. Additionally, the sidebar to the article contains a real eyebrow-raiser: the coach says that NCAA teams employed this offense last year. I think he's bending the truth a bit because the NCAA numbering exception is much more clear on when it can not be used. For what it's worth, I think it's a novel idea. I only question the motivation for all the hype. Snake oil?

I've been lucky to have been between the lines for some real classics. Here's my top 5: 1. 2006 Regular Season, Covington Catholic at Highlands: Incredible last-second catch in the corner of the endzone. Cov Cath ran an amazing number of plays in the last 20 (or so) ticks of the clock to move the ball from their own territory. 2. 2007 6A State Final, T v. X: The runner was down before the alleged fumble. At least I'm pretty sure. (I'm kidding! But I couldn't resist.) 3. 2006 4A Regional Final, Trinity at Male: Male's heroic, last second drive fell short of the goal line by less than a yard. H players left it ALL on the field. 4. 2004 Regular Season, Boyle County at Highlands: Boyle wins on a last minute punt return for a TD. One of the hardest hits I've ever seen (from Mr. Mitchell, I believe). Despite only having 8,000 fans crammed in there, it was too loud to hear our whistles the entire game. 5. 2003 2A Semi-Final, E-town v. Owensboro Catholic: A blinding, sideways blowing snowstorm. Oh, and it was c-c-cold too. A guy on the chain crew offered me a nip of brandy to stay warm. Regretfully, had to politely decline the offer. Don't remember who won, but it was a tale of two halves. I think the 2002 Trinity v. Male 4A Final was probably the greatest game ever. But I had to watch it on TV, so it doesn't make my list.

That might be my favorite BG Preps quote of all time. Sandman: Most schools in the 9th will only pay one umpire to work JV games. There is no shortage of umpires, there is a shortage of schools who'll pay two of them.

It's all good coach. If I'd thought of it, I would have made my BGP name "Lonesome Polecat". :ylsuper:

Rule 9-8-1 Noncontact Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Nonplayers ART. 1...No coach, substitute, trainer or other team attendant shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner once the officials assume authority for the contest. Examples are, but not limited to: b. Attempting to influence a decision by an official. (Whipping out the rulebook is a great idea, but discretion being the better part of valor and all...).

NFHS Rule 2-17: ART. 1...The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. A player is in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap. ART. 2...Blocking below the waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: a. All players involved in the blocking are on the line of scrimmage an in the zone at the snap. b. The contact is in the zone. ART. 3...Clipping is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: a. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. b. Against defensive players who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. c. The contact is in the zone. ART. 4...Blocking in the back is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: a. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. b. Against defensive players who are in the zone at the snap. c. The contact is in the zone. ART. 5...The free blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive lineman to clip and/or block in the back is not to continue after the ball has left the zone. _______ You are absolutely correct in your interpretation of the rule, coach. But remember, it's a judgment call and it involves safety. While your sideline is yelling about it being legal, the other side is going to be equally vocal that it isn't. The guy on that other side might have a better argument.

You are correct. After the successful appeal of the runner missing the plate, 2 outs have occurred on the play. NFHS Baseball Rules 8-2-6j..."End of Game. If any situation arises which could lead to an appeal by the defense on the last play of the game [in this case, the 10 run rule would cause the game to end], the appeal must be made while an umpire is still on the field of play." After the successful appeal, the offensive team is not winning by 10 runs and the game continues.

That's not really what we're looking for, but it does look especially silly on a carpeted field.

In a perfect world every coach would be undefeated and would never have to argue a call. But how much fun would that be?

Coach, that is a great question. 1. I think you should know the rules as they are written and be able to teach them to the kids as football fundamentals. I think you should take the NFHS Part 1 Rules Exam and then teach and test your student athletes on the rules of the game they play. Smart players win football games and make coaches famous. 2. I also think you should teach the kids that official's judgement will always be a part of the game. Sometimes calls against your team are too ticky-tack, sometimes an obvious foul gets missed. Teach the student athletes to overcome adversity in a sportsmanlike manner above all other lessons.

494 is a gem.

Thank you from the zebra crew. Offside will tell on himself though, see pictures 736 - 739. Might have missed a little facemask call.

Because that's what coaches want. That seems like a flip answer, but it is the answer. And officials are assigned to playoff games from anywhere else in the state except (for the most part) your own region.

A live ball foul against the defense that occurs during a TD can be assessed on either the try or the succeeding kickoff. But a dead ball foul AFTER the TD must be accepted or declined on the try only.

Yes, the rules are different.

A dead ball foul after the TD cannot carry over to the kickoff, it must be accepted or declined on the try. You're right, not very punitive.

The brotherhood of officiating supports her. It's a non-issue.

Thanks for the kind words. We really don't mind a little criticism though, it goes with the job. Most of us would do the "job" for free by the way, but please don't give the KHSAA any ideas. I always read the BGP thread for the games I work before I watch the tape so I know in advance which plays I screwed up. It wouldn't be near as much fun if passionate fans weren't sitting in the stands.