Introduction to the Rule Book: Rule 1

Mike PasenelliCACPFO Rules Interpreter

Revised 21 February 2011

My StyleOur MissionBackground Rule 1 Highlights

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Agenda

I brief as if this was a DoD briefingMy briefing faults:

• I talk too fast• When I ask “Are there any questions” and no one says anything, I believe you

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My Style

Go over the codesIntroduce you to the Rule Book and Case Book

Go over the key parts of Rule 1

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Our Mission

NFL, the pros NCAA, collegeNFHS, Federation, High School

• 48 States• Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Director, Brad Cashman, is on the Football Rules Committee, as shown in the front of the book

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Codes

10 Rules Rule 1 starts on page 11 Rule, section, article (abbreviated as art.) So, rule 1, section 5, begins on page 17 Rule 1, section 5, article 6, is on page 22 It tells us that each player shall properly wear

the mandatory equipment while the ball is live It’s way too hard to say “rule 1, section 5,

article 6”, so officials use a shorthand version: 1-5-6

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Rule Book Organization

Top of page 22 tells us that the page starts with 1-5

Top of page 23 tell us that the page starts with 1-6

Notice the portions shaded in gray on both pages That indicates that the rule has been changed in

the year the rule book was written

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Other Information From Pages 22 and 23

Case book, page 2, Case Book Format Rule book references are shown by a dash, case

book references are shown by a decimal (dot) 1-5-6 is a rule reference 1.5.6 is a case book reference The case book is linked to the rule book, so

1.5.6, on page 12, is a case related to rule 1-5-6 Above 1.5.6 is case *1.5.3D, which has an

asterisk: • That means the case is has been revised or is

completely new for 20108

Case Book #1

A is the team that puts the ball in play (implies a non-kicking down)

B refers to the opponent of Team A K is the team which kicks the ball during the

down R refers to the opponent of team K Team designations remain until the ball is next

declared ready for play Offense is the team in possession of the ball, but

that is not always team A

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A, B, K and R: Case Book Page 2

Quarterback A1 receives the snap• He is a member of team A• His team is on offense

Quarterback A1 throws a forward pass that is intercepted by linebacker B1• B1 now has possession of the ball, and his team is on

offense• His teammates are B2 through B11

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Team Designation—Example 1

K1 punts the ball• Receiver R1 makes a catch and begins to run• R is on offense as soon as he makes the catch• The ball is now in team possession of R • R1 fumbles and an opponent, K2, recovers• K2 is now on offense

Summary:• Designation of A, B, K & R never changes during the

down• Designation of offense can change several times during

the down

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Team Designation—Example 2

Front of the book highlights some of the new rules

Back of the book: page 80: Fundamentals• A series of statements that are always true

Page 82: Points of Emphasis Page 89: Comments on new rules Page 91: Resolving Tied Games Page 93: 9, 8 and 6 player football rules Page 96: Signal Chart Page 98: Penalty Summary

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Other Parts of the Rule Book

These are highlights only, and are designed to cover the major topics

The title of rule 1 tells you what the rule covers• The game• The field• Players• Equipment

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Key Parts of Rule 1

1-1-2: While the ball is live, there is an interval called a down that is in progress

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Rule 1-1 Highlights

DEAD BALL

READY FOR PLAY

SNAP OR FREE KICK

LIVE BALL

END OF DOWN

DEAD BALL

1-1-3: A team must begin the game with 11 players, but it may continue with fewer

1-1-4: The game is administered by game officials whose title and duties are stated in the official’s manual: • Referee (aka crew chief, white hat)• Umpire

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Rule 1-1 Highlights

1-1-6 (the elastic clause): The referee has the authority to rule promptly, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered in the rules• Does not mean the referee can change rules• Example is found in 1.1.6

1-1-7: Game officials shall assume authority 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time or as soon as they are able to be present

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Rule 1-1 Highlights (cont.)

1-1-8: Officials’ jurisdiction extends through the referee’s declaration of the end of the fourth period or overtime

1-1-9: No replays 1-1-10: A forfeit decision is final 1-1-11: There is no protest of a rule that is

recognized by the Federation

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Rule 1-1 Highlights (cont.)

Open the rule book to the Table of Contents on page 7

Turn the pageWe are only going to talk about the 11 player field diagram

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Field Diagrams

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The Parts of the Field in 1-2 1-2-1: Sidelines 1-2-1: Goal lines 1-2-1: Field of play 1-2-1: End lines 1-2-3b: Yard lines 1-2-3b Note 1: Yard

line extensions 1-2-3d: Restraining

line 1-2-3e: Hash marks

1-2-3-e Note 2: We can use college or pro fields

1-2-3f: 9 yard marks, or tops of the numbers

1-2-3g: Team boxes 1-2-3g: Coaches’ box 1-2-3g: Team boxes can

be on the same sideline 1-2-3k: 3 yard mark

4 inches square 18 inches high Orange, red or yellow Not a safety hazard Intersection of the sidelines with the goal lines

and end lines, plus the intersection of the hash marks extended

Out of bounds at the intersection of the sideline and goal line extended

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1-2-4: Pylons

Think of it as a sheet of glass that goes up forever The bottom rests on the crossbar, and the edges are

inside of the uprights The top of the crossbar is 10 feet from the ground The crossbar is 23 feet 4 inches long Each upright is 23 feet, 4 inches from each other Uprights are a maximum of 4 inches wide, and a minimum

of 10 feet above the crossbar Goal posts must be padded Uprights and crossbars must be free of decorative

material, except paint. Recommended silver, white or yellow.

Can have a wind streamer, 4” x 42”, red, orange or yellow

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1-2-5: The Goal

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1-3: Ball

Tan colored cover One set of laces, 8 or 12 evenly spaced, not closer than

3¾ inches from each end A 1 inch white or yellow stripe on the 2 panels next to

the laces Weighs between 14 and 15 ounces Air pressure between 12.5 and 13.5 psi Has an NFHS stamp Each team must bring a ball If a touchdown occurs after a COP, the team scoring

can use their ball for the try

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1-3: Ball

Tee (1-3-4): Pliable material, which elevates the lowest part of the ball no more than 2” off the ground

Chains (1-3-5): Operated 2 yards outside the sideline on the side opposite the press box

Clock (1-3-6): There will be a “game clock”

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1-3: Tees, Chains and Clock

1-4-1: Captains communicate with officials Captain’s first choice of any offered decision is

final, except for 6-5-4 6-5-4: After a fair catch or awarded fair catch, the

captain can choose• To snap or free kick, anywhere between the inbounds

line• If a dead ball foul occurs, or a foul occurs during the

down, or an inadvertent whistle sounds and the down is replayed, the captain has all of those same choices

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1-4: Captains

1-99

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1-4-3: Numbers

MandatoryOptional Illegal

• Is actually illegal/optional

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1-5: Equipment

1-5-1a: Helmet and face mask plus at least a 4 point chin strap • Helmet must have a warning label showing it meets the NOCSAE standards

1-5-1b: Jersey with numbers 1-5-1c: Pads and protective equipment:

• Hip pads and tail bone protector• Knee pads• Thigh guards

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1-5-1: Mandatory Equipment

PantsShoes with cleats not more than ½” long

Shoulder pads, fully covered by jersey

Tooth and mouth protector, must not be completely white or completely clear

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1-5-1c: Mandatory Equipment (cont.)

a. State authorized artificial limb b. Forearm pads* c. Gloves with a stamp*, unless made of unaltered plain cloth

c. Hand pads* d. Tape, bandage or support wrap on the hand or forearm

*Can be anchored with tape

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1-5-2: Auxiliary (Optional) Equipment

Transverse stripes below the elbow Slippery or sticky substance Adornments except for:

• A towel that is: White Minimum: 4” x 12” Maximum: 18” x 36”

• A sweatband that is Worn on the wrist no more than 3” toward the elbow

Tear away jerseys or knots in a jersey

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1-5-3a: Illegal Equipment #1

Casts on the hand, wrist, forearm or elbow, unless:• Covered with a minimum of ½” thick foam;

and Knee and ankle braces that are altered Knee braces that are worn over the pants Rib/back pads unless they are fully covered by a jersey

Pads without rounded radii Shin guards that are not NOCSAE certified

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1-5-3: Illegal Equipment #2

An eye shield is legal if it is:• Constructed of a molded, rigid material• It is clear without any tint

Metal projections are illegal Ball colored helmets, jerseys, patches, pads or glove are illegal Jerseys, undershirts or arm covers/pad manufactured to enhance

contact with the football or the opponent Jewelry is illegal, but,

• Religious medals and medical alert medals are not considered jewelry

• Religious medals must be taped and worn underneath the uniform• A medical alert medal must be taped and may visible

Communications equipment, except:• Coaches headphones are OK• Players can use headphones only during authorized sideline

conferences 35

1-5-3: Illegal Equipment #3

Prior to the game, the Head Coach must verify that all players are legally equipped and in compliance with the rules

Any questions regarding legality of a player’s equipment will be resolved by the umpire

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1-5-4 Head Coach’s Certification

1-5-5 Players must be legally equipped to participate, and an official’s time out will be called to permit prompt repair of equipment which became illegal or defective through use

1-5-6: Each player shall properly wear all mandatory equipment while the ball is live

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Missing/Illegal Equipment

What’s at the bottom of 1-5? The standard penalty section:

• PENALTY:• Name of the foul, and which articles it pertains to• The signal for that foul• The penalty prescribed for that foul

A foul is the infraction, a penalty is the result imposed for a foul

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Missing/Illegal Equipment

1-6-1 Coaches can wear headsets 1-6-2 Players may use headsets only during authorized sideline conferences

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1-6 Coaches Field Equipment

A series of rules that states can adopt, or not

Note: if a state changes a rule, other than state adoptions, they forfeit their right to be on the rules committee of the NFHS

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1-7 State Association Adoptions

#3 Mandate a specific ball for postseason competition

#4 Authorized the use of supplementary equipment to aid in game administration (microphones, 25 second clocks )

#9 Adopt a procedure to resolve tied games (the NFHS overtime procedures found on page 91, without exception)

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1-7 PIAA Adoptions

#10 Establish a point differential to establish a running clock—the “Mercy Rule”—a running clock in the 2nd half if there is a 35 point differential

#12 Adopt 10 minute periods for 9th grade games

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1-8 PIAA Adoptions (cont.)

The field is 160’ wide and it is divided into thirds

The goal posts are 23’4” apartThe uprights are at least 10’ highOnly the goal lines and end lines touch the sidelines

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Summary

Go over the codesIntroduce you to the Rule Book and Case Book

Go over the key parts of Rule 1

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Our Mission