Comments on the 2011 football rules changes

[HLin NC]

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF GAME OFFICIALS CLARIFIED (1-1-8): The committee clarified
that administrative duties for game officials may need to continue after the game to
document actions which occur during the game. This revision illustrates the difference
between the game officials’ jurisdiction during the game and other administrative responsibilities
such as submitting specific reports after the game. In addition, the committee clarified
that State Associations may continue to develop and implement policies that allow for
review of unusual incidents that occur while the game officials have jurisdiction or after the
game.

THIGH GUARD STANDARD REVISED (1-5-1c(4)): The committee determined that the thigh
guard specifications regarding composition, compression resistance and required thickness
of the outside and inside surfaces were not necessarily applicable to newer technologies
being used in current production. The requirements for wearing thigh guards and that
the guards be unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production remain part of
the rule.
EYE SHADE RESTRICTIONS ADOPTED (1-5-3c(3) NEW): The committee adopted new
restrictions in response to increasing use of “face painting” and the placement of words and
other symbols within eye shade (grease or no-glare strips or stickers). In recent years, players
were applying materials in situations where it was not necessary for game conditions.
In other cases, it appeared that some use of eye shade and other face paint was intended
to draw attention to the individual player. Under the revision, if a player uses eye shade, it
must be applied using a single solid stroke under each eye. The committee’s intent was that
eye shade be located below and within the width of the eye socket and not extend below the
cheek bone. No words, numbers, logos, or other symbols of any type may be included within
the eye shade.

CHOP BLOCK REDEFINED (2-3-8): The definition of a chop block was modified by the committee.
The revised language specifies that any combination block where one block is high
(above the knee) and one block is low (at or below the knees) constitutes a chop block, with
or without a delay between the blocks. The rule change also stipulates that a low-low combination
block is no longer a chop block.

INJURY TIMEOUT CONFERENCES RESTRICTED TO OUTSIDE NINE-YARD MARKS (2-6-1,
2; 3-5-8): With two changes, the committee labeled the two types of authorized team conferences
(“Outside Nine Yard Mark Conference” and “Between Nine Yard Mark
Conference”). In addition, the committee specified that when an injury occurs and the referee
grants an authorized conference, it must be an “Outside Nine Yard Mark Conference”.
This will give medical personnel time and space to address the injured player.

PROVISIONS FOR REMOVAL OF INJURED PLAYERS STANDARDIZED (3-5-10a-c): The
committee standardized the rules regarding the replacement of apparently injured players
(3-5-10a), players who exhibit concussion signs and symptoms (3-5-10b) and players who
are bleeding or have blood on himself or the uniform (3-5-10c). Players removed in any of
these situations must leave the game for at least one down (unless halftime or the overtime
intermission occurs) and comply with the remainder of the applicable rule. The rule also
stipulates that the time-out taken in such circumstances constitutes an officials’ time-out.

HORSE COLLAR PENALTY ENFORCEMENT CLARIFIED (9-4-3k): The committee stipulated
that all horse collar fouls are to be treated as live ball fouls.

ENFORCEMENT SPOT FOR ROUGHING THE PASSER REVISED (9-4 PENALTY): Penalties
for roughing the passer are now enforced from the dead ball spot when there is no change
of team possession and the dead-ball spot is beyond the line of scrimmage provided A
maintains possession.

ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION REVISED (9-6-2): With this change, the rule regarding illegal
participation now has been extended to apply to a player who intentionally goes out of
bounds and, while out of bounds, affects the play, touches the ball or otherwise participates.
Action of this type would now constitute illegal participation and be penalized 15
yards from the basic spot.
PENALTY ADDED FOR VIOLATIONS OF RULE 3-2-2 (9-8-1g(3) NEW): This change stipulates
that an unsportsmanlike penalty will be assessed to the head coach for violation of the
restrictions contained in Rule 3-2-2.

REMOVAL OF POINT DIFFERENTIAL NOTE (NINE-, EIGHT- AND SIX-PLAYER RULES DIFFERENCES):
This change removes the provision in the Nine-, Eight- and Six-player rules
differences regarding point differential as state association running clock/mercy rules
would apply per Rule 3-1-2.