2020-2021 Football Rules Clinic Dusty Young NMAA Associate Director Message from the Director

Sally Marquez NMAA Executive Director Important Dates

Monday, February 22 First official day of practice Thursday, March 4 Competition may begin Saturday, April 3 Last day of competition

*NOTE: These dates may be different on a school-by-school basis pending official start dates for hybrid/in-person learning. 2020 Season Formats • Regular Season – 4 weeks for games – Must be played within region or neutral site – Varsity scheduled by NMAA • Postseason – Last week of season – Still TBD • Bowl-Game format within region • Possible 1 vs 2 pending approval from State COVID-19 Guidelines

• PED School Reentry Guidelines – https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NMPED_ReentryGuide_V3_FINAL.pdf • NMAA Return to Participation Guidelines – http://www.nmact.org/file/NMAA-RETURN_TO_PLAY_GUIDELINES.pdf • School/School District Guidelines COVID-19 General Guidelines • Social Distancing & Face Coverings

• Spectators – Per Governor’s orders, will not be permitted

• Physicals for Athletes – 2019-2020 can be used if cleared via waiver – COVID-19 positive since physical • Need to fill out and follow steps on clearance form • Recommended return to activity information COVID-19 General Guidelines • Locker Rooms – Sanitize before and after use – No use of showers – Limit students within locker room & stagger entry and exit; no congregating – Social distancing and face coverings required

• Sideline Personnel – Teams limited to 60 individuals – Additional access should be limited to officials, media, and essential event staff COVID-19 General Guidelines • Coin Toss (Pregame and Overtime) – One captain from each team – Referee and Umpire only – Social Distance – No handshakes before or after

• Ball – Cleaned and sanitized throughout contest – Wilson sanitization instructions available COVID-19 General Guidelines • Face Coverings – Attach/tie to back of head or loop around ears • Cannot be attached to face mask only • Cannot have slit in the middle – Neck gaiters are not allowed – Plastic shields integrated directly in to helmet are allowed, but still need face covering as well – No restrictions on color • Tooth & Mouth Protectors – Must be worn under face covering – Hand sanitizer used if taken out COVID-19 General Guidelines • Team Box – Extended on both sides to 10-yard line – Maintain 6-feet of social distancing on sideline – All coaches must remain in team box unless there is a time out or authorized conference • Cannot be in restricted area at any time – Do not share helmets, other equipment, water bottles, towels – Maximum 60 individuals within the team box • Players, Coaches, Managers, Athletic Trainers, etc. COVID-19 General Guidelines • Time-Outs & Authorized Conferences – Single time-out can be extended to 2-minutes – Authorized conferences should take place between the 9-yard marks instead of the sideline for social distancing purposes

• Intermission Between Periods & Scores – Intermission between 1st/2nd & 3rd/4th periods, after scores/tries, and prior to free kicks can be extended for equipment sanitization and/or hydration purposes COVID-19 General Guidelines • Other – Suspend pregame and postgame handshakes – All game officials and other administrative personnel (chain crew, ball handlers, clock operators, etc.) should maintain social distancing throughout the contest – Whistles for Officials • Electronic or worn under face covering – Gloves can be used but must meet NOCSAE or SFIA standards as per NFHS Rules

Other NMAA Information

• Practice Regulations • Competition Period & Game Limitations • USA Football Heads Up Certification • Mercy Rule • Use of Play Clock Practice Regulations • Week 1: – 2 Days with Helmets Only – 2 Days Helmets & Shoulder Pads Only (shells)

– 2 Days Full Contact (maximum 30 minutes per player per day) *NOTE – If a school has been using helmets and shoulder pads during offseason workouts, the four day acclimation period can be waived and full pads/contact can start immediately. Maximum amount of full contact for the week would be 120 minutes (30 minutes per player per day) • Week 2-End of Season: – 90 Minutes (maximum 30 minutes per player per day) of Full Contact • Important Info & Definitions – Each School/Athlete must participate in a minimum of eight days of practice prior to competing in a game. – Full Contact: football drills or live game simulations where “live action” occurs. – Live Action: contact at game speed where players execute full tackles at a competitive pace taking players to the ground. Competition Period & Game Limitations • Bylaw 7.15.1.C – Competition Period – A student shall not accumulate more than 8 football experiences within a 5-day period. A football experience is defined as follows: *Participating in more than one play on offense during a quarter, or *Participating in more than one play on defense during a quarter

^NOTE – Special Teams plays do not count towards participation limits / football experiences. Coach Education Requirement • Bylaw 7.15.1.K – Football Coaches must complete the USA Football Heads Up Certification Course. It is the responsibility of the school district to ensure that each coach has this certification, which is current for four (4) years from the date of completion. – This requirement is for ALL mid school & high school coaches. Coach Education Requirement

• New Courses for 2020-2021

– Available via NFHSlearn.com • Protecting Students from Abuse • Bullying, Hazing, & Inappropriate Behaviors – Must take every other year Concussion Requirements

• Concussion in Sports Fact Sheet for Coaches, Athletes, and Parents is a legal YEARLY requirement. For more information visit the NMAA website at www.nmact.org.

• SB 38 – Legislation effective as of May 2017 (all student-athletes must take the NFHS Concussion for Students Course)

*NOTE – This is State Law MERCY RULE

• Bylaw 7.15.1.C – 8Man-6A: Running clock will go in to effect when a team is up by 35 points. Game will be ended when a team is up by 50 points at half-time or at any point in the second half. – 6Man: Running clock will go in to effect when a team is up by 35 points at any time during the second half. Game will be ended when a team is up by 50 points at half-time or at any point in the second half. – Applies to sub-varsity and middle school as well.

• *NOTE – If a team scores a touchdown that puts them up 50 or more points during the second half, the point after should not be attempted. USE OF PLAY CLOCK

• Bylaw 7.15.1.L • Per NFHS Rules, an electronic/field level 40/25- second clock can be used if the host school has the technology and staff available to effectively operate the system. Game officials can opt to keep this 40/25-second count on the field if it is determined that the clock is malfunctioning or operated inconsistently.

*NOTE – This does not require schools to use this technology; it simply allows it as an option.

NFHS Power Point Rule Changes & Points of Emphasis

• Jack Jones – Former NMOA Official & Group Leader 2020 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES CHANGES Rule Change

DESIGNATING TEAM REPRESENTATIVE RULES 1-4-1, 1-4-4 (NEW), 2-32-5, 3-5-2, 10-1-1, 10-1-2, 10-2-4 Prior to the game the head coach will A B notify the referee of the designated representative (coach or player) who will make decisions regarding penalty acceptance or declination (PlayPic A). When a foul occurs, the linesman or line judge will inform the referee as to the penalty decision if a coach is the decision maker (PlayPic B).

www.nfhs.org Rule Change HALFTIME INTERMISSION OPTION FOLLOWING WEATHER DELAY RULE 3-1-6c EXCEPTION (NEW)

HALFTIME INTERMISSION A B

If weather causes a delay of at least 30 minutes during the last three minutes of the second period, the opposing coaches may mutually agree to shorten the halftime intermission below the 10-minute minimum (PlayPic A). The mandatory 3-minute warm-up must take place before the third period begins (PlayPic B).

www.nfhs.org Rule Change

40-SECOND PLAY CLOCK CLARIFICATION RULES 3-6-1a(1)e EXCEPTIONS 2 AND 3 (NEW)

A B

The play clock will be set to 40 seconds when an officials’ time-out is initially taken for an injury to a defensive player (PlayPic A) or a defensive player has an equipment issue (PlayPic B).

www.nfhs.org Rule Change

25-SECOND PLAY CLOCK CLARIFICATION RULE 3-6-1a(1)f (NEW)

A B

When either team is awarded a new series after a legal kick (MechaniGram A), the play clock is set to 25 seconds and starts with the ready-for-play signal (PlayPic B).

www.nfhs.org Rule Change

DISCONCERTING ACT FOUL AND PENALTY RECLASSIFIED RULES 7-1-9 (NEW), 7-1-9 PENALTY (NEW)

Disconcerting acts or words by the defense has been reclassified from an unsportsmanlike foul to a disconcerting act foul, and the penalty changed from 15 yards to 5 yards. Signal 23 will be used to indicate the foul.

www.nfhs.org Rule Change

SPIKING THE BALL TO CONSERVE TIME 7-5-2e EXCEPTION, TABLE 7-5-2e EXCEPTION, TABLE 7-5e EXCEPTION

The exception to allow a player to conserve time by intentionally throwing the ball forward to the ground immediately after receiving the snap has been expanded. This exception now includes snaps that are not hand-to-hand.

www.nfhs.org 2020 NFHS FOOTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES Editorial Change

CORRECTING PLAY CLOCK ERRORS RULE 3-4-9 (NEW)

A B

The referee shall have the authority to correct obvious errors in timing by the play clock (PlayPic A) if discovery is prior to the snap (PlayPic B).

www.nfhs.org 2020 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES REMINDERS Rules Reminder

FOOTBALL JERSEY NUMBERS RULE 1-5-1c

The entire body of the number (the continuous horizontal bars and vertical strokes) exclusive of any border(s) shall be approximately 1½-inches wide, and a single solid color that clearly contrasts with the body color of the jersey starting in 2024.

www.nfhs.org Rules Reminder

FOOTBALL JERSEY NUMBERS RULES 1-5-1c, 1-5-1c(6)

The style of the numbers on all three of these jerseys are legal now and will be in 2024 as well.

www.nfhs.org Rules Reminder

FOOTBALL JERSEY NUMBERS RULES 1-5-1c, 1-5-1c(6)

The style of the numbers on these jerseys are legal through the 2023 season. The following four types of number designs will be illegal in 2024.

www.nfhs.org Rules Reminder

TRIPPING RULES 2-45, 9-4-3o, 9-4-3o PENALTY

The foul for tripping has been expanded to include the runner. It is now illegal to trip any opponent. Tripping is the intentional use of the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent below the knee. The penalty is 15 yards.

www.nfhs.org 2020 NFHS FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS 2020 NFHS FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Sportsmanship 2. Intentional Grounding 3. Ineligible Downfield and Line of Scrimmage Formation

www.nfhs.org Points of Emphasis

SPORTSMANSHIP

A B C

When considering sportsmanship, many may first think only of the game participants (athletes and coaches) within the timeframe of the game. Although players and coaches are the most visible in their displays of sportsmanship, proper sportsmanship also includes public address announcers (PlayPic A), bands (PlayPic B) and spectators (PlayPic C).

www.nfhs.org Points of Emphasis

INTENTIONAL GROUNDING

A B

Under NFHS rules, unless using the legal exception in Rule 7-5-2e, intentional grounding is a foul whenever a forward pass is thrown to prevent a loss of yardage or to conserve time (PlayPic A) or to an area not occupied by an eligible receiver (PlayPic B). High school referees need to be aware of these situations and, with the help of the line judge and linesman, make the correct call under NFHS football rules.

www.nfhs.org Points of Emphasis

INELIGIBLE DOWNFIELD

Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. The neutral zone expands two yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage following the snap. When identifying A players who are illegally downfield it is important to make sure that the A player is clearly beyond the expanded neutral zone (2 yards) at the moment that the pass occurs.

www.nfhs.org Points of Emphasis

LINE OF SCRIMMAGE FORMATION

Only one player may not be on the line but still penetrate the vertical plane through the waistline A of his nearest teammate who is on the line. This player (A) must be in position to receive a hand-to- hand snap, but does not have to actually receive it. By rule, he is the only player allowed to be positioned in “no man’s land” at the snap. All other B players not on the line must be clearly positioned as backs. The player marked (B) is in an illegal position.

www.nfhs.org GameRESET Officials ManualPLAY CLOCK-SIGNAL 17 (NEW) NFHS OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS

www.nfhs.org 2019 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES CHANGES FORMATION RULES 2-14-1, 7-2-5a

A scrimmage formation requires a minimum of five A players legally on their line and no more than four players behind their line at the snap. This formation would be a foul at the snap.

www.nfhs.org FORMATION RULES 2-14-1, 7-2-5a

Even though there are only 10 Team A players on the field, because there are at least five linemen properly numbered and no more than four backs, this formation is legal.

www.nfhs.org ILLEGAL KICKING AND BATTING RULES 6-2-1 PENALTY, 9-7 PENALTY

The penalties for illegally kicking the ball (PlayPic A) and illegally batting the ball (PlayPic B) have been reduced from 15 yards to 10 yards.

www.nfhs.org ILLEGAL HORSE-COLLAR TACKLE RULES 9-4-3k

The name plate area (directly below the back collar) has been added to the criteria for an illegal horse-collar tackle. It is a foul to grab the inside back, name plate area or side collar of either the shoulder pads or the jersey of the runner and subsequently pull (backwards or sideward) that opponent to the ground, even if possession is lost. The horse-collar is enforced as a live-ball foul.

www.nfhs.org 2019 NFHS FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS FREE-BLOCKING ZONE AND LEGAL BLOCKING

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.