2009 NFHS Football Rules Changes
1-2-3b NOTE 2 (NEW): All
required field markings must be clearly
visible.
1-3-1c: Stripes
located on the football must be adjacent to
and perpendicular to the seam upon which the
laces are stitched.
2-14-2; 7-2-5: 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. The circumstances under which the
numbering exception can be used have been
changed to clarify what can be done on
first, second, third and fourth downs.
Table 3-1; 9-8-1g: The
mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins
immediately following the conclusion of the
halftime intermission. The head coach of
each team is responsible for his team being
on the field for the warm-up period.
3-3-4b5 (NEW): If
a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on
the last timed down of a period, the period
is not extended.
8-2-2; 8-2-3; 8-2-4 (NEW);
10-5-1f: Three
rules were refined and a new article created
regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball,
non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that
occur during or after a touchdown scoring
play. Now, the scoring team, in most
situations, has the option of enforcing the
penalty on the subsequent kickoff.
9-4-3h: It
is now illegal to grasp the opponent's chin
strap.
9-4-3k (NEW): The
horse-collar tackle has been added to the
list of illegal personal contact fouls,
regardless of where it occurs on the field.
It is illegal to grasp the inside back or
side opening of the collar of the jersey or
shoulder pads of the runner and subsequently
pull the runner to the ground.
9-7-2 EXCEPTION: The
kicking team cannot bat a scrimmage kick
that has not yet been grounded unless it is
toward its own goal line. Scrimmage kicks
may only be batted by the kicking team
towards its own goal line.
1-2-3g; 9-8-3: A
restricted area has been defined where a
maximum of three coaches may communicate
with players and substitutes during
dead-ball situations. The coaches must move
into the team box before the ball becomes
live. There will no longer be an allowance
for three coaches to remain in an area
adjacent to the sideline during play.
Editorial and Other Changes
1-2-1; 1-2-3d; 1-3-1f; 1-5-1c(5b, 6b);
1-5-1i; 1-5-3a, b, c; 1-5-3k, l, n, o (NEW);
2-11; 2-16-2h; 2-35; 2-41-1, 9; 3-3-4b;
3-3-4b NOTE; 3-4-3j (NEW); 3-5-10c; 6-2-1;
7-5-2; 7-5-6a; 8-2-2, 3; 8-5-2a EXCEPTION;
9-4 PENALTY; 9-8-1; 9-9 PENALTY NOTE;
10-2-2b; 10-2-3; 10-4-2c; 10-5-1f; 10-6;
FUNDAMENTALS: II-5, II-6 (NEW), IV-6, IX-3,
X-4; OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS – 15, 25
(NEW)
Points of Emphasis
1. NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests
During Lightning Disturbances
2. Illegal Personal Contact
3. Blocking and Illegal Blocks
4. Helmet and Face Mask
5. Uniforms
6. Sportsmanship
