Quiz/Questions to teach NFHS rules to HS Players?
 

One of the things I learned this past season, my first as a real HS coach, is that the kids don't really know the rules (nor do the refs or coaches as well as they should). So, for next season, I would like to give my kids a take-home "quiz" or "worksheet" that they have to fill out that would require them to at least write the right answer, hopefully and ask questions if they don't know. No grades and they can work together, but just so they know certain things that we assume to be fundamental, like:

A player in motion can not be going forward at the time of the snap.
There must be 7 players on the line of scrimmage. The two on the end must be eligible numbers. If there is a TE on the right side, then the WR must not be on the LOS otherwise the TE is ineligible.

But also cover other things, like what personal-fouls are and the penalty yards for certain types of penalties.

I'll cover other things like "name this formation" and stuff as well.

Has anyone done anything like this? Does anyone have any questions or quizzes they have done in before they could send me? Was this beneficial to your kids?

Misconceptions about HS Rules
 

I've put together a list of misconceptions about HS Rules. We hear these from fans and coaches. This might be a good start. I'd love to distribute this to coaches and fans.

If anyone has any others, please post them.

Misconception
1 Two feet required inbounds for a catch.
2 Defense can be "offsides" and get back.
3 Uncatchable pass rules out interference.
4 Quarterback out of the pocket can ground the ball.
5 Restrictions on punt team players going downfield.
6 Missed FG goes back to line of scrimmage.
7 Automatic first down on face mask and personal foul.
8 Interference possible on all passes.
9 Loss of down on ineligible down field.
10 FG holder can throw a pass from the knee. (LSU)


The Truth
1 Only one foot is required inbounds for a catch.
2 No one can enter the neutral zone and get back.
3 There is no "uncatchable" rule in high school football.
4 Intentional grounding is not related to the "pocket."
5 No restrictions on when punt team can go downfield.
6 Missed FG is treated like a punt. Goes to 20 if it enters the EZ.
7 Only automatics are roughing and defensive pass interference.
8 No interference if ball doesn't cross the line of scrimmage.
9 LOD only on illegal passes and illegal touching.
10 Holder must rise to continue to play.

Assuming your state plays under NFHS rules -

The rules requiring eligible numbers applies only if the players go downfield on passes that cross the neutral zone. Numbers 50 through 79 can legally line up on the end of a line. You'll often see this in an unbalanced line formation.

I'll add a few of my favorites -

That's a horse collar.
That's a crackback block.
They broke the huddle with 12 players.
They can't chuck the receiver after 5 yards.
There can't be roughing the kicker, the snap hit the ground.
The runner is the only one who can recover a ball that he fumbled forward.

Here's a few more:

Misconception #1: You can have an ineligible down field on a punt.

Misconception #2: Players other than 1-49 and 80-99 on the end of a line have to "report."

Misconception #3: Coaches think it matters if an accepted foul at the end of a period is offense or defense. They confuse it with an NFL rule. I forget exactly what it is. But, you guys know what I mean. An accepted live-ball player foul extends a period.

I would also add the reasons for some of the rules. Its not enough to know you have to have 7 guys on the line - why is that? Why is it important to know when I'm supposed to be on the line and when I'm supposed to be in backfield.

Also - the federation has a nice handout for captains, this captures a lot of the important rules (go to the national federation football page and download it).

A few other little-known rules:
PAT kick is dead if blocked (offense can't pick it up and run it in).
Rules on free kicks after a safety.
Motion rules (have to wait until everyone is set, QB going under center is a shift,etc).

Even college announcers/fans don't know this one. I was at the WSU/UCLA game this weekend, and on the last play of the 3rd quarter, UCLA was called for a hold. WSU accepted and the white hat even said when reporting the foul "There will be one untimed down." The officials were boo'ed and hissed (not too surprising given the state of Pac 10 officiating this year). I even heard on guy yell "Go back to officiating school idiots, there wasn't a defensive penalty!" :rolleyes: