Rules clarification

Hey everyone

The commissioner of our league sent out some information defining what the rules are for St Raphael football. St Raphael has it's own rule book but for the rules that are not covered by the St Raphael rule book, we defer to the IHSA high school rule book, not the NFL rule book.

Here is a copy of what was sent to me........

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL RULES & THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLUS OTHER COMMON RULES MISCONCEPTIONS!

1. The pass was uncatchable so there can't be pass interference!
Uncatchable or not, if the offensive or defensive player interferes with the other player
it’s a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down (if by defense) or loss of down (if by
offense). If there is contact when both players are playing the ball, it’s probably not pass
interference, nor is contact which is obviously away from the direction of the pass.
However there does not have to be contact for pass interference to be called, e.g. face
guarding is a foul.
2. He was outside the tackle box so there can't be intentional grounding!
If the quarterback throws the ball away in an attempt to avoid a sack and there is no
receiver in the area, it's intentional grounding and loss of down, no matter where he is
on the field. Simply put, there is no tackle box in high school football.
3. The ball didn't make it back to the line of scrimmage so it's intentional grounding!
That's an NFL and College rule, not high school. See the Intentional Grounding rule
above. However, spiking the ball to stop the clock must be done from a direct snap; it is
intentional grounding if it's done from the shotgun formation.
4. He's the running back so he can't be called for a facemask!
Wrong, grasping the facemask is a foul no matter who does it. The incidental variety
carries a 5 yard penalty and the 15 yard version involves pulling or twisting of the
headgear. It should also be noted that the penalty is described in the NFHS (high
school) Rule Book as grasping the facemask or helmet opening. This means grasping
the ear hole or any of the edges of the helmet, as well as the facemask itself are
potential violations.
5. He got back before the ball was snapped!
Maybe so, but once any player penetrates the neutral zone, it's a 5 yard dead ball
penalty. You cannot "get back". Also, the first player to enter the neutral zone is
penalized.
6. They broke the huddle with 12 men!
Not a problem. The rule says a replaced player must leave the field within 3 seconds of
being notified, so as long as the 12th player is heading off the field, breaking the huddle
with 12 is not a foul.
7. We can demand a first down measurement and you have to do it!
You can request it but it is the referee's decision whether or not it will be granted.
8. We teach them to hit anyone standing around!
That will probably get you a 15-yard illegal personal contact penalty. Charging into or
throwing an opponent to the ground after he is obviously out of the play, or after the ball
is clearly dead, either in or out of bounds is illegal.
9. That's a horse collar!
Maybe but it's a horse collar tackle that's illegal. That is, grabbing the inside of the
shoulder pads or jersey is not a foul. Pulling the player to the ground is, as long as this
was the only tackle. If another player assists in the tackle it is not a foul.
10. The whistle hadn’t blown yet so it can't be a late hit!
Incorrect. The whistle is a reminder that the play has already ended or the runner is
down. If a player hits an opponent after the play has ended, it is a foul. If you instruct
your players to “hit someone on every play” or “hit to the whistle” don’t be shocked if you
are called for unnecessary roughness at some point. You told them to do it! The play is
over when the play is over, not when the whistle blows.
11. Personal fouls are automatic first downs!
Nope. Only roughing the passer, snapper, kicker or holder plus defensive pass
interference get you an automatic first down. Likewise illegal forward handing, an illegal
forward pass, offensive pass interference and illegal touching of a pass by an ineligible
receiver are loss of down penalties.
12. He returned it 101 yards!
You cannot return a kick if the ball is in the end zone. It's where the ball is, not the
player's feet that matters. The goal line is considered in the end zone.
13. A recovered kick can be advanced!
Nope – a kick that is muffed (no possession) by the return team and recovered by the
kicking team cannot be advanced. If he has possession and fumbles it then it can be
advanced.
14. Coaches have the right to question any call by the officials!
If a coach wishes to question an official's decision because he thinks a rule was
misapplied, he can request a timeout for an official's conference. The official does not
have to grant it but if the call is reversed, no timeout is charged. If the call is not
reversed the team is charged with a timeout. If no timeouts remain, the team is charged
with a 5-yard delay of game penalty. The following items are, by rule, a 15-yard
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty:
1. Attempting to influence a decision by an official.
2. Disrespectfully addressing an official.
3. Indicating objections to an official's decision.
15. An injured player can stay in the game if a timeout is called!
Incorrect. If the officials stop a game for an injured player, he must leave the field for at
least one snap. A dead ball foul does not constitute a snap. Otherwise it is a 15-yard
illegal participation penalty. He can return in the 2nd half or overtime, however, if he was
injured on the last play of the first half or the game.
16. That’s a clip!
It's probably not clipping but a block in the back. Clipping is below the waist.
Furthermore, a block in the back must be "in the back", that is below the helmet, above
the waist, and INSIDE the shoulders. It doesn't matter if his head was in front or not.
17. We can have 3 coaches "in the box"!
Correct, but no more than three, up until the ball is snapped. At that point, everyone
must be out of the restricted area. If an official makes contact with anyone in the
restricted area it is a 15-yard penalty assessed against the head coach. A second
violation results in another 15-yard penalty and the head coach being ejected.
18. My orthodontist gave me this clear mouth guard!
We understand, however it's still illegal. By rule, mouth guards can be any color except
completely clear or completely white.
19. The NFL players wear em!
No arm bands, bicep bands, silly bands, magnetic bands, or rubber bands. This is a
safety hazard and they can get caught on something and break a wrist. The only items
allowed are sweatbands and they must be no more than 3 inches above the wrist. And
while we’re at it, no jewelry of any type is allowed. Religious and medical alert medals
can be worn but must be taped down. Tinted eye shields are not allowed, even with a
doctor's note, and long belts must be tucked in. And yes it is a rule that jerseys must be
tucked in as well.
20. Chad OchoCinco doesn't have to snap his chinstrap!
Correct but in high school all four snaps must be fastened before the snap or it is a
penalty. The helmets are designed to protect the head best when all four snaps are
fastened.
21. Peyton Manning calls audibles this way!
Yep but he plays on Sundays. Once the quarterback puts his hands under center he has
to come out with the ball. Likewise, once the center puts his hand(s) on the ball he has
to snap it. Failing to do either result in a 5-yard false start penalty.
22. Come on Ref, let em play!
We do. However safety comes first and there are rules that must be enforced. Rules are
rules; we don't get to decide which ones are called and which ones aren't. We hear this
most often from the parents of the team that was just penalized. We never hear it from
the mother of the player who was just blocked illegally, etc. I wonder why?
23. All we want is a fair game, Ref!
This is an act of gross unsportsmanlike conduct because you are accusing the
referee(s) of cheating. You may not agree with the calls and are unhappy with their
decisions but questioning the integrity of an official is never appropriate.

Please understand the above information is listed to help you understand the rulings on the field during games. At no time should anyone on our sideline have any type of contact, verbal or otherwise, with the officials.

Coach Z