2008 NFHS Football Rules
Changes
1-2-3a: White is the
recommended color for all field markings. The rule
continues to allow the use of other colors for field
markings, when appropriate.
1-2-3d; NEW 2-26-8: The
restraining line can now be either solid or broken. It
is recommended that a broken line be used and marked by
placing 12-inch-long lines separated at 24-inch
intervals. Only game officials are allowed in the area
marked by the restraining line.
1-5-1b,d,h: Hip
pads, tailbone protector, knee pads and thigh guards
must not be altered
from the manufacturer's original design/production.
Shinguards, if worn, must meet NOCSAE specifications.
1-5-2b, NOTE: A hand pad is now
defined as a covering for the hand which may have
separate openings for each finger and thumb, is absent
of any web-like material between the fingers and/or
thumb, and not covering each finger and thumb. The
implementation date for a mandatory securely attached
label or stamp has been changed from 2008 to 2012.
2-16-2e; 3-3-4b; 8-2-2; 8-2-3;
10-2-4: Four changes in the playing rules were refined
regarding the penalty
options for teams that score but were fouled
during the play. Rule 2-16-2e was
clarified (along with Rule 10-2-4) to revise the
definition of a multiple foul to stipulate that a team
must foul twice during the same down to commit multiple
fouls. Rule 3-3-4b was amended to clarify issues at the
end of the half, and along with amendments to Rules
8-2-2 and 8-2-3, clearly stipulate that
fouls by the opponent of
the scoring team on the last timed down of the first
half can carry over to the second-half kickoff,
however fouls by the
opponent of the scoring team on the last timed down of
the second half cannot
carry over to overtime.
3-5-1: The option to
carry over unused second-half
time-outs into overtime has been removed.
The NFHS-recommended Resolving Tied Games procedure
continues to provide for one time-out per overtime
period with the revisions stipulating that unused
time-outs do not carry to subsequent overtime periods.
3-5-2a, NOTE: The
head coach can now designate
another coach for the purpose of requesting time-outs.
The designee shall remain in place for the
entire game
except in case of emergency.
4-2-3: The
inadvertent whistle rule
has been clarified. The new wording indicates the
options available in a simpler form and makes the
choosing of an option an easier process to understand.
9-9 PENALTY: Hiding the ball
under the jersey will now be enforced as a basic spot
foul using the all-but-one principle.
New 9-9-4; 9-9 PENALTY: No
player shall use a kicking tee in violation of Rule
1-3-4. The use of an
illegal kicking tee
will now be penalized as an unfair act committed by the
player. Acceptance of this foul on a try or field goal
will nullify any points scored, with the penalty
enforced as a basic spot foul using the all-but-one
principle.
10-4-6; 10-4-7: The change to
Rule 10-4-6 allows the same enforcement for either team
by defining the basic spot as the 20-yard line for this
type of foul (15-yard line in nine-, eight-, and six-
player). A change to Rule 10-4-7 helps clarify the basic
spot on running plays for fouls by the opponent of the
team in possession when the team in possession puts the
ball in the end zone and, subsequently, possession is
lost.
Editorial and Other Changes
1-5-1a; 1-5-1f-1b; 1-5-1f2;
1-5-3b; 1-5-3c; 1-5-3l-3; 1-5-4; 1-6-1, 2; 2-13-1;
2-16-2h5; 2-22; 2-29-1, 2, 3; NEW 2-34-3; 3-3-3a; 3-4-2;
3-5-10c; 6-1 PENALTY; 7-2-5; 7-3-2b; 7-5-13; Table 7-5
#4; 8-3-5b; 9-4 PENALTY; 9-9-1; 10-2-1, 2, 3, 4;
10-5-1g, h, i; FUNDAMENTALS X-8; 9-, 8-, and 6-player
NEW Rule 10; Penalty Summary; OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS
– 10, 47
Points of
Emphasis
1. MRSA and
Communicable Skin Conditions
2. Purpose of a Football Helmet
3. Altering Legal Football Equipment
4. Sideline Management and Control
5. False Starts, Shifts and Motion
