New rules this year

[Guest etbu]

http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2008/2008/08/02/080308_web_footballrules.html

Advertisement

New gridiron rule changes focus on player safety

By Jay Neal, News Messenger

Saturday, August 02, 2008

With less than 30 days until the start of the respective high school and college football seasons, coaches, players and fans alike may want to take a few moments to review some of the key rule changes that will most certainly affect their respective team this fall.

Larry Clemons — a referee's referee — has the responsibility of training all new officials as well as recertifying the current membership of the Texas Association of Sports Officials' (TASO) East Texas Chapter. That group has the sometimes thankless task of officiating all the high school football games south of Interstate 30, east of Tyler all the way down to the Texas coast.

Clemons, who will be calling prep contests for the 27th consecutive season this year, is the TASO East Texas Chapter Educational Coordinator and a referee as well.

The Gilmer resident indicated three rule changes, in addition to two brand new ones, that are expected to get the most attention this fall.

At the top of the list is the discarding of the incidental (five yard) face mask call.

"Eliminating the incidental face mask — the five-yard variety — will be a big change," Clemons said as he was wrapping up an Arkansas vacation when reached by phone Friday afternoon. "The new rule allows a player to put a hand on an opponent's face mask without being penalized. However, if the (opponent's) head is twisted, turned or pulled to any degree it will result in a 15-yard penalty."

One of the more difficult infractions in the past for even the most seasoned official to call was the chop block penalty.

The rule has now been simplified not only to the delight of the men in the black and white shirts, but coaches and players as well.

"Chop block has been redefined," Clemons said. "In the past in rule book it was so difficult to be able to put all the elements together to be able to process in the heat of the moment that it (a chop block penalty) was hard to call. Now it (the rule) is much easier stated; any high-to-low, low-to-high contact anywhere on the field by anybody is considered to be a chop block. To me this is my favorite rule change."

The third major rule change involves the conduct of the coaches along the sideline.

No longer will sideline warnings be issued when members of the coaching staff stray outside their designated area.

Clemons stated if an official has to dodge a coach in the white area a 5-yard delay of game penalty will be called on both the first and second occurrences.

Additional violations will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct (15-yard) penalty being marked off.

One of the new calls for 2008 will be the horse collar infraction.

The policy states if a player grabs another inside the back of the shoulder pad or from the side of the inside shoulder pad and proceeds to pull him down, a foul will be called.

Clemons went on to further clarify the new ruling, which will be enforced at the high school and collegiate levels.

"A player has to immediately grab and jerk the other player down for a horse collar penalty to be called," he said. "Its a good rule that makes the game safer. Also, a horse collar penalty cannot be called if the quarterback is in the pocket or if any runner is inside the tackle box."

Safety and the prevention of serious, often catastrophic injuries, was at the forefront of another new amendment — targeting opponents — being drafted.

The new rule protects players from being the target of other players who may have a notion to catapult themselves into the upper portion of an opponents body, for example, a defensive back attempting to dive into the head of the opposing quarterback.

"The rule is designed to eliminate hits above the shoulder pad area," Clemons said. "We want to take that (element) out of the game. It is simple; if one player touches the head of the quarterback a 15-yard penalty will be called."

According to Clemons most of the violation modifications are designed to make football safer and if violations occur they will result in penalties being called. On the other hand, officials will continue to have to utilize their best professional judgement in some cases.

"Most rule changes do involve safety issues," he said. "Also, a little common sense goes a long way for everybody."

Clemons, who works in the insurance business by day, officiates around 20 games each year, calling Lone Star Conference (NCAA Division II) tilts, American Southwest Conference (NCAA Division III) affairs as well as prep encounters.

Contact sports writer Jay Neal at [email protected].

Vote for this story!

Buzz up!

[24 over par]

good to know the changes ahead of time thanks for the info

[bronco1]

Coaches have been complaining about the high-low(chop block) for years. This new rule is going to ruin some schools blocking schemes.  :-X    ;D

[KFDM COOP]

Thanks E

[KFDM COOP]

At the top of the list is the discarding of the incidental (five yard) face mask call.

"Eliminating the incidental face mask — the five-yard variety — will be a big change," Clemons said as he was wrapping up an Arkansas vacation when reached by phone Friday afternoon. "The new rule allows a player to put a hand on an opponent's face mask without being penalized. However, if the (opponent's) head is twisted, turned or pulled to any degree it will result in a 15-yard penalty."

[WTB]

There is not one school that uses "chop blocking" as part of their scheme. Thats like saying the head coach of the program is trying to hurt the other team.

[KFDM COOP]

I wonder how the new Facemask rule will work out?

[Guest etbu]

There is not one school that uses "chop blocking" as part of their scheme. That's like saying the head coach of the program is trying to hurt the other team.

Your right Wtb about this one and hope this will prevent some serious knee injuries.

[77]

Does'nt say anything about 4 wheeled vehicles on the field. Guess DRH will be safe. ;D ;D ;D just a joke dont anyone get upset.

[bronco1]

There is not one school that uses "chop blocking" as part of their scheme. That's like saying the head coach of the program is trying to hurt the other team.

Your right Wtb about this one and hope this will prevent some serious knee injuries.

It may not be a part of their scheme but it happens alot.

[Guest Wildcat 08]

There will be lots of bickering with REFS from coaches this year on the Facemask rule. 

[mustang]

There is not one school that uses "chop blocking" as part of their scheme. Thats like saying the head coach of the program is trying to hurt the other team.

AMEN! I don't know of one single coach that has ever said to "high-low" someone. 

Cutting is still legal.