2021 NFHS Fall Sports Rules Changes

[Alum-Ni]

Some rules changes and points of emphasis for fall sports going into the 2021-22 season:

FOOTBALL

Action in the Free-Blocking Zone [2-17-2c (NEW), 2-17-4]
Blocking below the waist now requires the block to begin immediately following the snap.

2021 Points of Emphasis

​

1. Sportsmanship​

When considering sportsmanship, many may first think only of the game participants (athletes and coaches) within the timeframe of the game. However, proper sportsmanship also includes the pregame warm-up period, postgame handshake activity, spectator behavior (both students and adults), parents of athletes, public-address announcements and announcers, and bands. All of the above constituents have a role in promoting good sportsmanship.​

​

Players and coaches are the most visible in their displays of sportsmanship. Their behavior sets the tone for fans, game officials and others. As recognizable personalities, it is an expectation that coaches model good behavior. Players must represent their schools and communities as ambassadors of good sporting behavior beginning with pregame activities and concluding with end-of-game activities.​

​

Game officials generally do not assume control until taking the field approximately 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff. Therefore, coaching staffs and game administrators must be vigilant and responsible for ensuring proper sportsmanship during this time. Once the contest begins, school administrators are responsible for the proper conduct of all spectators. This may take the form of reading a sportsmanship public-address announcement prior to the contest and remaining vigilant for possible issues during the contest. Student bodies and spectators in general should be reminded that any behaviors conducted at the expense of the opponents is unacceptable and will be addressed accordingly.​

​

Public-address announcers are responsible for delivering pertinent game-related information -- not to be a play-by-play person or cheerleader. Taking liberties with biased and/or inflammatory announcements must not be tolerated. Their purpose is not to editorialize the quality of play or incite the home crowd in any way.​

​

Working with the band/music director, the school administration must set proper guidelines and ensure compliance regarding when live or recorded music may be utilized.​

​

Good sportsmanship does not occur on its own. Only with specific planning and coordination by all constituents is good sportsmanship achievable. Good sportsmanship is about respect. Good sports win with humility, lose with grace and do both with dignity.​

​

2. Intentional Grounding​

Due to the growing prevalence of televised football, one of the most misunderstood rules at the high school level is intentional grounding. Under NFHS rules, intentional grounding is a foul whenever a legal forward pass is thrown into an area not occupied by an eligible receiver, or when a pass is thrown to prevent a loss of yardage or to conserve time. The only exception to this rule is when the passer intentionally throws the ball forward to the ground immediately after receiving the snap.​

​

Under NFHS rules, it is a foul if there was no eligible receiver in the area of the pass, regardless of the passer's position on the field. Across the country, we are seeing more high school quarterbacks throw the ball away to avoid a sack when outside the pocket, thinking this is legal based on what is seen on television. High school referees need to be aware of these situations and, with the help of the line judge and linesman, make the correct call under NFHS football rules. This is a foul that should be called after the game officials have gathered and discussed the play. When a foul does occur, the penalty flag needs to be thrown by the referee. The penalty is 5 yards from the spot of the foul and a loss of down.​

​

3. Ineligible Downfield and Line of Scrimmage Formation​

In order for the offensive team to have a legal scrimmage formation at the snap (assuming the numbering exception is not being used), at least five Team A players, numbered 50-79, must be on the line of scrimmage. Also, no more than four Team A players may be backs. Only one player may not be on the line but still penetrate the vertical plane through the waistline of his nearest teammate who is on the line. This player must be in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap, but does not have to actually receive it. By rule, he is the only player allowed to be positioned in "no man's land" at the snap. All other players not on the line must be clearly positioned as backs.​

​

Some clarification was recently provided in identifying when an ineligible Team A player is illegally downfield on a pass play. By rule, ineligible Team A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. The neutral zone expands 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage following the snap. The position of the ineligible Team A player at the moment of the legal pass is the primary factor in determining if the player is illegally downfield. When identifying Team A players who are illegally downfield, it is important to make sure that the Team A player is clearly beyond the expanded neutral zone (2 yards) at the moment that the pass is in flight. Players can travel multiple yards in a quick period of time. These players can be legally within the expanded neutral zone when the pass is thrown but beyond as the pass moves downfield. If Team B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated.​

​

​

 

[Alum-Ni]

VOLLEYBALL

4-1-4 (NEW): Allows the use of a molded protective face mask made of hard material during play.

Rationale: Creates consistency with other NFHS rules and codes​

7-1-1; 7-1-1 PENALTIES; 7-1-1 PENALTIES 2 (NEW); 9-9-1a (NEW); 10-3-7b: Eliminates the loss of rally/point penalty for failure to submit the team roster during the prematch conference and replaces the penalty with an unnecessary delay (administrative yellow card).

Rationale: Eliminates the double penalty for a late roster and an incorrect roster before the start of the match.​

​

7-1-4a(1) & (2) NEW: Allows a team to correct a submitted lineup if it lists a libero number that no team member is wearing.

Rationale: Creates consistency in allowing the correction of a clerical error (listing a number that no team member is wearing) on the lineup for a starting position and the libero position.​

​

12-2-6: Establishes that a yellow card issued for unsporting conduct to the head coach, assistant coach(es) or team bench will no longer require the head coach to remain seated, while maintaining that a red unsporting conduct card will require the head coach to remain seated for the remainder of the match.

Rationale: Creates a penalty progression by allowing an official to warn a head coach with a yellow unsporting conduct card without requiring the coach to remain seated for the remainder of the match.​

​

Official Signal #15: Establishes that an official will rotate their forearms around each other with closed hands to signal a substitution.

Rationale: Aligns with current trends of the sport.​

​

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2021 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Bench Behavior / Sportsmanship​

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2. Management of Non-Team Personnel​

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3. Officials' Communication​

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4. Uniform Bottom Compliance​

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[Alum-Ni]

SOFTBALL

1-5-1e, 2-4, 2-4-3, 7-4-2 PENALTY NOTE: Damaged bats are defined.

Rationale: Clarifies that a damaged bat is removed from the game without penalty.​

​

6-1-1: Prior to starting the delivery (pitch), the pitcher shall take a position with the pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate.

Rationale: Clarifies that the pivot foot must be in contact with the pitcher's plate, rather than on the top surface of the pitcher's plate.​

​

9-1-1 EXCEPTION c: A run is not scored if the runner advances to home plate during action in which the third out is made by the preceding runner who is declared out on an appeal play.

Rationale: Clarifies that on any appeal play, a run is not scored if the third out is made by a preceding runner.​

​

1-1-7: Clarifies that game management or a state administrator may establish a dead-ball media area within the confines of the field, but that area will remain a dead-ball area throughout the game.

1-5-1d: Updates to add the new USA Softball All Games certification mark.

8-4-3d PENALTY: Clarifies that the batter-runner, not the batter is awarded bases when a fielder intentionally contacts the ball with detached equipment.

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POINTS OF EMPHASIS

​

1. Bat certification marks and USA Softball's list of Non-Approved Bats with Certification Marks​

​

2. Damaged bat vs. illegal bat penalties​

​

3. Contact with the pitcher's plate​

​

4. Inspection of equipment​

​

 

[Llama57]

Some rules changes and points of emphasis for fall sports going into the 2021-22 season:

FOOTBALL

Action in the Free-Blocking Zone [2-17-2c (NEW), 2-17-4]
Blocking below the waist now requires the block to begin immediately following the snap.

2021 Points of Emphasis

​

1. Sportsmanship​

When considering sportsmanship, many may first think only of the game participants (athletes and coaches) within the timeframe of the game. However, proper sportsmanship also includes the pregame warm-up period, postgame handshake activity, spectator behavior (both students and adults), parents of athletes, public-address announcements and announcers, and bands. All of the above constituents have a role in promoting good sportsmanship.​

​

Players and coaches are the most visible in their displays of sportsmanship. Their behavior sets the tone for fans, game officials and others. As recognizable personalities, it is an expectation that coaches model good behavior. Players must represent their schools and communities as ambassadors of good sporting behavior beginning with pregame activities and concluding with end-of-game activities.​

​

Game officials generally do not assume control until taking the field approximately 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff. Therefore, coaching staffs and game administrators must be vigilant and responsible for ensuring proper sportsmanship during this time. Once the contest begins, school administrators are responsible for the proper conduct of all spectators. This may take the form of reading a sportsmanship public-address announcement prior to the contest and remaining vigilant for possible issues during the contest. Student bodies and spectators in general should be reminded that any behaviors conducted at the expense of the opponents is unacceptable and will be addressed accordingly.​

​

Public-address announcers are responsible for delivering pertinent game-related information -- not to be a play-by-play person or cheerleader. Taking liberties with biased and/or inflammatory announcements must not be tolerated. Their purpose is not to editorialize the quality of play or incite the home crowd in any way.​

​

Working with the band/music director, the school administration must set proper guidelines and ensure compliance regarding when live or recorded music may be utilized.​

​

Good sportsmanship does not occur on its own. Only with specific planning and coordination by all constituents is good sportsmanship achievable. Good sportsmanship is about respect. Good sports win with humility, lose with grace and do both with dignity.​

​

2. Intentional Grounding​

Due to the growing prevalence of televised football, one of the most misunderstood rules at the high school level is intentional grounding. Under NFHS rules, intentional grounding is a foul whenever a legal forward pass is thrown into an area not occupied by an eligible receiver, or when a pass is thrown to prevent a loss of yardage or to conserve time. The only exception to this rule is when the passer intentionally throws the ball forward to the ground immediately after receiving the snap.​

​

Under NFHS rules, it is a foul if there was no eligible receiver in the area of the pass, regardless of the passer's position on the field. Across the country, we are seeing more high school quarterbacks throw the ball away to avoid a sack when outside the pocket, thinking this is legal based on what is seen on television. High school referees need to be aware of these situations and, with the help of the line judge and linesman, make the correct call under NFHS football rules. This is a foul that should be called after the game officials have gathered and discussed the play. When a foul does occur, the penalty flag needs to be thrown by the referee. The penalty is 5 yards from the spot of the foul and a loss of down.​

​

3. Ineligible Downfield and Line of Scrimmage Formation​

In order for the offensive team to have a legal scrimmage formation at the snap (assuming the numbering exception is not being used), at least five Team A players, numbered 50-79, must be on the line of scrimmage. Also, no more than four Team A players may be backs. Only one player may not be on the line but still penetrate the vertical plane through the waistline of his nearest teammate who is on the line. This player must be in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap, but does not have to actually receive it. By rule, he is the only player allowed to be positioned in "no man's land" at the snap. All other players not on the line must be clearly positioned as backs.​

​

Some clarification was recently provided in identifying when an ineligible Team A player is illegally downfield on a pass play. By rule, ineligible Team A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. The neutral zone expands 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage following the snap. The position of the ineligible Team A player at the moment of the legal pass is the primary factor in determining if the player is illegally downfield. When identifying Team A players who are illegally downfield, it is important to make sure that the Team A player is clearly beyond the expanded neutral zone (2 yards) at the moment that the pass is in flight. Players can travel multiple yards in a quick period of time. These players can be legally within the expanded neutral zone when the pass is thrown but beyond as the pass moves downfield. If Team B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated.​

​

​

I still have a hard time understanding NFHS rationale for not changing the intentional grounding rule. Many rules have been changed because of "player safety", yet make a QB run around in HS to try & make a play when nothing is there. Just doesn't make sense IMO.

 

[GoSkers3]

I still have a hard time understanding NFHS rationale for not changing the intentional grounding rule. Many rules have been changed because of "player safety", yet make a QB run around in HS to try & make a play when nothing is there. Just doesn't make sense IMO.

One of the most absurd rules in the high school game. We let professional quarterbacks throw the ball away when out of the pocket but yet we won't let a high school quarterback throw it away? Don't understand it at all.

 

[Yossarian23]

One of the most absurd rules in the high school game. We let professional quarterbacks throw the ball away when out of the pocket but yet we won't let a high school quarterback throw it away? Don't understand it at all.

I've always felt like some rules were in place to take subjectivity out of it for officials.

This one and no ball being considered 'uncatchable' for pass interference are the two main ones that make me feel that way.