2011 Rule Changes

Tony Dutton

Knee Pads1-4-4-d

• NCAA: It is strongly recommended that they cover the knees.

• UIL: Pants or approved knee pads must cover the knees.

Towels1-4-6-a

• NCAA: Solid white towels no larger than 4” by 12” with no words, symbols, letters, or numbers. Towels may bear the team logo. [NEW: No restriction on who may have towels.]

• UIL: Towels may be of school color and may contain school name, school initials, mascot insigne. Towels may not contain numbers.

Gloves of Any Color1-4-6-b

• There is no restriction on the color of gloves.

Television Monitors1-4-11 Exception

• Monitors in the coaches’ booths of both teams may be used only to view the live telecast or webcast.

• Jurisdiction resides with game management personnel.

10 Second Clock Runoff3-4-4

• Does not apply to UIL games.

• UIL continues to use the 2005 timing rules. Copy available at taso.org Members Portal Page.

More than 11 Players on Field3-5-3

• Team A may not break huddle with more than 11 players nor keep more than 11 in huddle or formation for more than 3 seconds. Officials shall stop the action whether or not the ball has been snapped.

• Team B may not have more than 11 players in its formation if the snap is imminent. Whether the snap is imminent of has just occurred, the officials shall stop the action.

Illegal Wedge on Free Kick6-1-10

a. A wedge is defined as two or more players aligned shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other.

[NOTE: a wedge of only two players is not illegal.]

6-1-10-b

b. Free –kick down only: After the ball has been kicked, it is illegal for three or more members of the receiving team intentionally to form a wedge for the purpose of blocking for the ball carrier. This is a live-ball foul, whether or not there is contact between opponents.

Key Points

• Free Kick only.• After the ball is kicked.• Three or more members of receiving

team.• Purpose of blocking for the ball carrier.• Live-ball foul.• Whether contact or not.

6-1-10-c & d

c. Formation of the wedge is not illegal when the kick is from an obvious onside kick formation.

d. There is no foul if the play results in a touchback.

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San Antonio Chapter Coverage

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San Antonio Chapter Coverage

6-1-10 Penalty

PENALTY—Noncontact foul. 15 yards, spot of the foul, or 15 yards, spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B if this is behind the spot of the foul. 15 yards, previous spot with the down repeated if the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team A.

Penalty Summary

• Noncontact foul – 15 yards.

• Enforcement spot:

1) Spot of the foul, or

2) Spot where dead ball belongs to B, if behind spot of the foul.

3) Previous spot and rekick, if dead ball belongs to A.

Defensive Lineman on Place Kicks6-3-14

• Only if Team A in or formation for field goal or try.• Illegal for three Team B players: On their line of scrimmage at the snap; Inside the blocking zone: Align shoulder to shoulder and, Move forward together after the snap with, Primary contact against a single Team A player.• Penalty: 5 yards – Illegal formation,

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A.R. 6-3-14 I

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RULING: Foul

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A.R. 6-3-14 I

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RULING: No Foul

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A.R. 6-3-14 I

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RULING: No Foul

Leaps

From 2009-2010 Rule Book

• Delete 7-1-3-b-2.

• It is no longer illegal for offensive players on the line of scrimmage to lock legs.

• Rules committee finds no unfair offensive advantage through this alignment.

• To Repeat: Offensive players on the line of scrimmage may lock legs.

Significant Change Not ListedIn Major Rule Changes

7-1-2-b-5

• False start if Team A never comes to one-second stop prior to the snap after the ball is ready for play.

• Dead-ball foul. Shut down the play and penalize Team A five yards – succeeding spot.

A.R. 7-1-2 II

• Ten Team A players shift while A1 remains stationary. A1 then starts moving backward before one second elapses and the ball is snapped. RULING:

• If A1 did not halt with the other Team A players for one second before the snap, is a dead-ball foul at the snap for a false start.

Illegal Forward Pass7-3-2

• 2010 Rule: illegal either to conserve time or save yardage to throw a forward pass where no eligible Team A player has a reasonable opportunity to catch it.

• 2011 change: illegal either to conserve time or save yardage to throw ball forward into an area where there is no eligible Team A receiver.

What is “an area where there is no eligible Team A receiver”?

• CFO Bulletin (see tasofb.wordpress.com):• “There is not, nor will there ever be, an exact yardage

distance between the receiver and where the pass lands that will absolutely determine whether a foul has been committed. That distance can vary significantly based on the circumstances of the play and the direction of the pass. This phrase ‘direction of the pass’ is emphasized as it provides the crucial piece of evidence that allows us to determine the ‘intentional’ aspect of the play.”

• “For a foul to be called it should be clear to everyone that the passer throws the ball into an area not occupied by an eligible receiver. Do not be overly technical.

Blocking Below the Waist Defined2-3-2

• Force of the initial contact is below the waist.

• Opponent has one or both feet on the ground.

• When in question: contact is below the waist.

• Not a block below the waist if:1) Blocker makes contact above the waist then slides

below the waist.

2) Blocker first contacts opponent’s hands at or above the waist.

Blocking Below the Waist Rule9-1-6

• Blocking below the waist (except against the runner) is illegal (with a few exceptions).

• Blocking below the waist is always illegal for any player: After a change of possession; During a down which includes a kick (free

or scrimmage).

B-B-W Legal

• Offensive team players who at the snap are:

1. Completely inside the tackle box, or

2. On the line of scrimmage inside the seven-yard limit

• May block below the waist.

• These players are unrestricted.

Blocking Zone

Tackle Box(Centered on Snapper)

(Centered on Middle Lineman)

Legal to block below the waist:Completely inside the tackle box orOn the line of scrimmage inside the seven-yard limit.

B-B-W Legal Only Along a North-South Line or

Toward Sideline Adjacent at the Snap

• Offensive players on the line of scrimmage more than seven yards from middle lineman or,

• In the backfield with any part of the body outside the tackle box or,

• In motion.

North-South Line: parallel to sidelines from end line to end line (2-12-9).

Wide Receiver 85 positioned on the line of scrimmageMore than seven yards from middle lineman.

North-South Line

84

Number 84 moves to a position between the tackle and end.

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Number 84 is in motion at the snap.

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Number 84 is in motion at the snap.

B-B-W Defensive Team

• 2011 Rule 9-1-6-c (FR-85) Rewritten Should read as follows:

• “Players of the defensive team may block below the waist until the ball has gone more than five yards beyond the neutral zone.” [Two exceptions:]

1. Against a Team A player in position to receive a backward pass.

2. Against an eligible Team A receiver beyond the neutral zone unless attempting to get to the ball or ball carrier.

Defensive players may block below the waist until the ball is more than 5 yards beyond the neutral zone. (Exceptions: 1) player to receive backward pass or 2) eligible receiver beyond the neutral zone.

Action Out of Bounds9-1-7-b

• Illegal for any player clearly out of bounds to initiate a block against an opponent who is out of bounds.

• Spot of the foul: where blocker crosses the sideline going out of bounds.

• [Guideline – Cooper Castleberry: all four feet out of bounds for illegal block.]

Roughing the Kicker 9-1-16

• Old Rule: Defensive player legally blocked into kicker not exempt from roughing. Illegally blocked into kicker, exempt.

• 2011 Rule: When defensive player’s contact with kicker caused by opponent’s block (legal or illegal) there is no foul (9-1-16-a-5).

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls9-2-1

• Administered as either live-ball or dead-ball fouls depending on when they occur.

• Auto 1st Down if by Team B.

• All dead-ball fouls: succeeding spot.

• Live-ball fouls:

1. By players: 15 yards (3 &1 administration).

2. By non-players: 15 yards from succeeding spot.

QB

A88 catches a pass at the 18 and “goose steps” from the 10 into the end zone.

A.R. 9-2-1 II

RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.15 yards, spot of the foul.A’s ball 3rd and 20 at the 25.

3rd & 15 atthe B 20.

A22 takes backward pass andheads for the end zone.

A.R. 9-2-1 III

RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.15 yards, spot of the foul.A’s ball 2nd and 10 at the 45.

2nd & 5 atthe B 40.

X Guard A66 blocks opponent to the ground, and, when A22 is at the 10, stands over him taunting at the B30.

QB

A88 catches a pass at the 18 and very near thegoal line, dives into theend zone. No team B playerwithin 10 yards. FJ is uncertainexactly where 88 started his dive.

A.R. 9-2-1 IV

RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct.Administer as a dead-ball foul. PenaltyEnforced on try or succeeding kickoff.

3rd & 15 atthe B 20.

A44 takes pitch and racesinto the end zone.

A.R. 9-2-1 VI

RULING: Live-ball unsportsmanlike.Penalty is enforced on either the tryor succeeding kickoff.

1st & 10 atthe 50.

LJ flags linebacker B57 for yellingobscenities that he was held.

QB

QB A12 is sacked for a 10 yard loss by B77.B77 stands over A12 taunting and beatinghis chest.

A.R. 9-2-1 VII

RULING: Dead-ball unsportsmanlike.15 yards from succeeding spot (A’s 35 yard line), automatic 1st down.A’s ball 1st & 10 at the 50.

3rd & 15 atthe A45.

Safety B33 intercepts a pass at the B10 and returns for a touchdown.

A.R. 9-2-1 VIII

RULING: Unsportsmanlike foulcommitted by a non-player. Administeras a dead-ball foul. Touchdown countsand penalty is enforced on either the tryor succeeding kickoff.

LJ runs into coach on the field Near the B 40 while the ball is alive. X

Team A passes.

A Few OtherEditorial Changes

Limit Lines 1-2-3-b(12 Feet Outside Sidelines)

• 2010: No person outside the team area shall be inside the limit lines.

• 2011: No person outside the team area shall be inside the limit lines. Game management personnel have the responsibility and the authority to enforce this rule.

Passer 2-27-5

• 2010: The passer is the player who throws a legal forward pass.

• 2011: The passer is the player who throws a forward pass.

Disqualified Player 2-26-12-b

• A disqualified player must leave the playing enclosure within a reasonable amount of time after his disqualification.

• UIL Exception: Does not apply. Disqualified players do not need to leave the playing enclosure.

Ball Declared Dead Exception4-3-b

• 2010: The ball remains live when an offensive player has simulated a kick or is in position to kick the ball held for a place kick by a teammate.

• 2011: The ball remains live when an offensive player has simulated a kick or at the snap is in position to kick the ball held for a place kick by a teammate.

Safety Exception 8-5-1-a

• Not a safety if player between his 5-yard line and his goal line intercepts a pass or fumble or recovers an opponent’s fumble or catches or recovers a kick; and his original momentum carries him into his own end zone; and the ball remains behind his goal line and is declared dead there. This includes a fumble that goes from the end zone into the field of play and out of bounds.

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B intercepts pass at the 2.Momentum carries him intothe end zone where he ishit and fumbles out of bounds.

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RULING: B’s ball at thespot of the interception.

Defenseless Player 9-1-4

• 2010: No player shall initiate contact and target a defenseless player above the shoulders.

• 2011: No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless player with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder.

Leaping & Landing 9-1-11-b-3

• No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone and leaps from beyond the neutral zone in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or try may land on any player(s).

• It is not foul if an offensive player initiates contact against the player who leaps.

Illegally Batting or Kicking 9-4

• Penalty changed from 15 yards to 10 yards.

Review of Batting & Kicking

• Batting (2-11-3): Batting the ball is intentionally striking it or intentionally changing its direction with the hand(s) or arm(s). [WIQ: accidental touching rather than batting.]

• Kicking (2-16-1-a): Kicking the ball is intentionally striking the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot.

Batting Rules 9-4 1 to 3

• Player may bat a pass in flight in any direction. Two Exceptions:

1. passing team may not bat a backward pass forward;

2. player in possession may not bat the ball forward.

• No player may bat other loose balls forward in the field of play, or in any direction in the end zone.

Illegally Kicking 9-4-4

• Player may not kick: A loose ball, A forward pass or, A ball being held for a place kick by

opponents.

• Penalty: 10 yards plus loss of down for fouls by Team A. No loss of down if foul occurs when a legal scrimmage kick is beyond the neutral zone.