2014 CCA Collegiate Football Rules: Simplifed & Illustrated - Sample Chapter

COLLEGIATE COMMISSIONERS ASSOCIATION

2014

COLLEGIATE

FOOTBALL

RULES Simplified & Illustrated Ideal for Coaches, Players, Officials and Fans

Table of Contents 2014 NFHS Football Rules Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Part 1 2014 New or Revised NFHS Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Part 2 2014 NFHS Points of Emphasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Part 3 Rule 1 The Game, Field, Players and Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Rule 2 Definitions of Playing Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Rule 3 Periods, Time Factors and Substitutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Rule 4 Ball in Play, Dead Ball and Out of Bounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Rule 5 Series of Downs, Number of Downs and Team Possession After Penalty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Rule 6 Kicking the Ball and Fair Catch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Rule 7 Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Rule 8 Scoring Plays and Touchback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Rule 9 Conduct of Players and Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Rule 10 Enforcement of Penalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Official Football Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Recommended Crew Communication Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 2014 NFHS Football Rules Penalty Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Each state high school association adopting the NFHS football rules is the sole and exclusive source of binding rules interpretations for contests involving its member schools. Any person having questions about the interpretation of NFHS football rules should contact the rules interpreter designated by his or her state high school association.

The NFHS is the sole and exclusive source of model interpretations of NFHS football rules. State rules interpreters may contact the NFHS for model football rules interpretations. No other model football rules interpretations should be considered.

Rule 

1

The Game, Field, Players and Equipment

Knowledge of the rules is extremely important for all concerned in order to have an orderly, well-officiated game. As required by rule, the game should start promptly at the scheduled time. The game is divided into four periods of 15 minutes each and played by two teams of no more than 11 players each.

The field dimensions and marking are specified on the field diagram.

All dimension lines must be four inches in width except the sidelines and endlines, which may exceed four inches. Short yardlines shall be inside the sideline. Goal lines may be of one contrasting color. On each side of the field there shall be a team area back of the limit line and between the 25-yard lines for exclusive use of substitutes, trainers and other persons affiliated with the team. Media personnel are restricted from the field by a 12-foot limit line and should be restricted from the team areas by a six-foot limit line.

All markers and obstructions within the playing enclosure shall be placed or constructed in such a manner to avoid any possible hazards to players.

Players shall be equipped with legal mandatory equipment including kneepads covered by pants. Uniform attachments, as described in rule 1-4-3 are prohibited. Players shall be numbered as required by rule. A torn jersey is illegal and shall not be worn.

Prior to the starting time of the game, the referee shall approve no more than six game balls from each team and, if conditions warrant, additional balls may be approved. A yardage chain or other line-to-gain indicator and down marker shall be operated approximately six feet off the sideline opposite the press box.

It is recommended that the players and those responsible for the administration of the game familiarize themselves with the rules in order to make the game safe and interesting.

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12 FEET

6 FEET COACHES

RESTRAINING LINE LIMIT LINE

TEAM AREA PLAYERS IN UNIFORM AND NO MORE THAN 60 OTHERS PROPERLY IDENTIFIED

BENCHES 6 FEET

1-1-2-c, 1-2-4-a, 1-2-4-b: The team area must be marked from the 25-yard line to the 25-yard line. The area between the sideline and coaching line in the team area must be solid white. The team area shall be limited to squad members in full uniform and a maximum of 60 others directly involved in the game. Those not in full uniform must wear a credential numbered 1-60 and marked “Team.” No other credential is valid for the team area.

4 feet

4 feet 4 feet

1-1-2-d: If markings in the end zone are white or similar in color to the goal lines, they may be no closer than four feet to the boundary lines or goal lines.

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A

B

1-2-1-h: Advertising is prohibited on the field with the exceptions of any game not played in-season when the sponsor is associated with the game, or if the logo is the NCAA Football USA logo. The logo in MechaniGram A is illegal because the yardline is obscured. The logo in MechaniGram B is legal.

1-2-4-e, 1-4-9-d: Media personnel or equipment may not be in the team area during the game. Microphones attached to coaches during the game for media transmission are also prohibited. Team personnel may not be interviewed from the start of the first period until the end of the fourth period, including extra periods. Exception: Only coaches may be interviewed between the end of the second period and the start of the third period.

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3 feet

3 feet

1-2-6: Soft, flexible four-sided, red or orange pylons four inches by four inches with an overall height of 18 inches are required. They must be placed at the inside corners of the intersections of the sidelines with the goal lines, the sidelines and the endlines and the intersections of the endlines and inbounds lines extended. The pylons may include no more than a two-inch space between the bottom of the pylon and the ground.

PRESS BOX

1

1

PRESS BOX

C

1-2-7-b, 1-2-7-e, 1-2-7-e: All line to gain and down indicator rods must have flat ends. The official down indicator must be placed six feet outside the sideline opposite the pressbox. Unofficial down box and line to gain indicators on the pressbox-side of the field are optional. A line-to-gain indicator other than the conventional chains is authorized when teams mutually agree.

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1-2-8-a, 1-4-9-c, 1--4-11-c: Media communication equipment, including the camera depicted in the MechaniGram, as well as sound devices and microphones are prohibited on the field. Practice kicking nets are not permitted outside the team area except in stadiums where playing enclosures are limited in size. All markers and obstructions within the playing enclosure shall be placed or constructed in such a manner as to avoid any possible hazard to players. That includes anything dangerous to anyone at the limit lines. The referee shall order removed any hazardous obstructions, such as the golf cart depicted in the MechaniGram, or markers located inside the limit lines.

1-3-1-e, 1-3-1-i, 1-3-1-j: One-inch stripes, located between three and three and one-quarter inches from the ends of the ball are required. Pro league logos on the ball are prohibited. The ball may not be altered, including the use of any ball-drying substance. Mechanical ball-drying devices are not permitted near the sidelines or in the team area.

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1-4-2-a: All players shall be numbered one through 99 inclusive. Numbers preceded by zero, and all numbers greater than two digits, are illegal. The numbers illustrated in the PlayPic are illegal.

1-4-2-b: If teammates wearing identical numbers participate during a down, it is a foul at the snap for failure to wear required equipment. If a player attempts to enter the game wearing a number identical to one of his teammates, the official should not permit him to enter.

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