PREGAME ADMINISTRATION
Many game officials may be under the impression that their job begins at kickoff and ends when the game clock expires. However, efficient administration of a game requires advance planning by the crew to ensure awareness of potential distractions that can cause problems and disrupt the orderly conduct of the game.
Pregame administration begins a few days before the game. The referee, as crew chief, has some added administrative responsibilities. The referee should contact the host school (either the athletic director or designated game administrator) by email or phone a few days prior to the game to confirm the date and time of kickoff. This is particularly important if the game was assigned months – and sometimes years – in advance. Games can and will be cancelled or rescheduled by schools, and members of the officiating crew are usually the last people to know of such changes. Moreover, it is a common business courtesy to contact clients in advance to confirm arrangements.
The referee should also inquire about parking location, changing facilities (if provided), the name and phone number of a contact person for the crew upon arrival, and whether there are any special activities occurring prior to the game. The referee should inform the school of the approximate arrival time of the crew. The referee should also inquire where the locker rooms are located for each team. This information can be important because some teams go to their locker room or another designated location after warm-up and return to the field just a few minutes before kickoff. If the referee is not aware of the team’s location and has not had an opportunity to meet with the team’s head coach, the pregame meeting will be rushed if it is held just minutes before kickoff.
Once the referee has contacted the school, the referee should provide the crew with all the information and specify the crew’s arrival time if crew members are arriving separately. After the crew has arrived and changed into game uniforms, the referee should lead the crew in a pregame conference.
When the crew takes the field, each crew member has certain responsibilities, as detailed in this manual. Those responsibilities include field inspection, checking player equipment, checking the chain crew equipment and meeting with the chain crew, meeting with the clock operator, meeting with ball helpers, and checking and securing game balls.
Pregame administrative responsibilities should be conducted in a professional manner and should not be taken lightly. If game officials are diligent in conducting their pregame administrative tasks, the game will flow more smoothly and efficiently.
CLOCK MANAGEMENT
The rule implementing the 40-second play clock that was passed recently by the NFHS created not only some subtle changes to clock management but also had direct impact on the pace of play.
Occasionally, clock operators are volunteers, but in most cases they are hired by the home team and it is not unusual for them to be partisans. The vast majority of operators are ethical, reliable individuals who are burdened with multiple responsibilities. It is common for the game clock operator to also be responsible for maintaining the scoreboard. The latter duty requires the succeeding spot, down and distance to the line-to-gain to be updated promptly after each play. When a team achieves a first down inbounds, the game clock stops and is restarted when the referee signals. That interval should be no more than 3-5 seconds. The problem arises when the referee gives the start-the-clock signal – the “silent wind” – while the clock operator is working on the scoreboard console instead of watching the referee. The clock operator’s briefing should include a request to refrain from changing the scoreboard (down, distance and yard line where the ball is located) until the referee has restarted the game clock.
After a first down inbounds, the ready-for-play occurs when the ball has been spotted and the game official who spotted the ball has stepped away into position. Under no circumstances should the ready be delayed if the chain crew is still moving and is not in position. In such a case, the linesman can drop a beanbag to mark the spot of the snap. In that situation, to ensure the game clock is promptly started, the referee should begin the silent wind when the umpire has possession and is about to spot the ball. That will compensate for the clock operator’s reaction time to the signal and ensure the game clock has been started and is running when the ball is snapped. The prompt starting of the game clock will ensure neither team gets an unfair time advantage especially during the last two minutes of a half. If the spotting of the ball is delayed for any reason e.g., wet ball, exceptionally long gain, etc., the referee can adjust accordingly by slightly delaying the silent wind.
If there is a visible play clock that is not being operated by an on-field official, play clock operators should be certified game officials who are knowledgeable of NFHS play clock rules. Operating the play clock is a more difficult proposition than operating the game clock. The game clock operator can adequately do the job by following on-field signals with only minimal knowledge of NFHS rules. The play clock operator frequently must act without a visible signal from a game official. Knowledge of the situations where a 40-second play clock is required versus a 25-second play clock is essential as is always keeping the referee in view for a play clock re-set signal.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DEAD-BALL OFFICIATING
Dead-ball officiating may be viewed by some game officials as an afterthought and a time to take a break. However, when the ball becomes dead, it is the most critical time for game officials to continue to perform their duties in order to maintain decorum among opponents. Game officials should strive to be excellent dead-ball officials since the likelihood of fouls being committed is at perhaps its highest.
Dead-ball fouls include behavior that is outside of the normally accepted boundaries of football and can involve both players and nonplayers. Some examples are baiting and taunting, fighting, throwing equipment in frustration, verbal abuse of game officials, and initiating contact with an opponent after the play is over. Because this type of behavior tends to gender ill will between opponents, it is imperative that it is immediately recognized by game officials and penalized accordingly.
NFHS football rules penalize unsportsmanlike actions in different ways:
- Illegal personal contact is a category of fouls that involve contact with an opponent. Frequently referred to as a personal foul, illegal personal contact can result in disqualification if the game officials deem the foul to be flagrant. Even though they may involve unsportsmanlike actions, penalties for dead-ball illegal personal contact fouls, with limited exceptions, are always enforced from the succeeding spot, the same way as penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct fouls are enforced. While there are no rules mandating additional penalties for multiple illegal personal contact fouls committed by the same player or nonplayer, good dead-ball officiating will prevent participants from repeatedly committing
these types of fouls. Game officials must recognize situations where opponents are likely to commit dead-ball fouls and prevent them from happening through positioning and communication with players.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, by definition, are non-contact fouls (other than illegal participation) that do not influence a play. The penalties for these fouls are always enforced as dead-ball fouls (i.e., from the succeeding spot). When an unsportsmanlike conduct foul is judged to be flagrant or when any player or nonplayer commits two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in the same game, the offender is disqualified. Unsportsmanlike conduct fouls cannot be combined with illegal personal contact fouls to disqualify an offender.
Recognizing unsportsmanlike actions requires game officials to be familiar with and use approved mechanics. Since most dead-ball fouls occur within three seconds of the end of a play, maintaining appropriate distance and angles after a play ensures game officials who do not have runner responsibility will be positioned so that they can monitor areas around the ball. This “Halo Principle” allows effective coverage of all 22 players. Rather than rushing to retrieve the football or focusing on the area around the runner, game officials should gently pinch-in toward the nearest players keeping them within sight and sound until the opponents have separated and teams are on their own side of their line of scrimmage. This is particularly important after a touchdown or try, when multiple players and substitutes are intersecting as they enter or leave the field.
Understanding the need to eliminate unsportsmanlike actions from the game, properly and consistently penalizing unsportsmanlike conduct and illegal personal contact and using NFHS-approved football game officials’ mechanics and officiating philosophies are all critical steps to improve sportsmanship in high school football.
2025 FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS February 18, 2025
ILLEGAL AND IMPROPERLY WORN PLAYER EQUIPMENT
In high school football, players must adhere to specific equipment standards for safety and fairness concerns. Illegal equipment refers to items that are prohibited such as: jewelry; tinted visors; non-compliant eye shade; bands worn around the upper arm, neck or legs; back pads not covered; and sweatbands and uniform adornments, including towels, that do not conform to the rules.
On the other hand, improperly worn equipment pertains to all equipment that is otherwise legal but not worn as intended. Examples include pants not covering the knees as required, tooth and mouth protectors not being worn as play starts, and shoulder pads not properly covered by the jersey. Incorrectly wearing these items can diminish their protective effectiveness and potentially endanger players.
Despite the lack of enforcement at the college level, the NFHS is proud of the work high school players, coaches, and game officials have done to properly enforce all rules that reduce the risk of injury. The rules and regulations governing high school football are designed to reduce the injury risk of players while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the game. These rules, often overlooked by casual spectators, play a crucial role in protecting the athletes and preserving the uniformity of team's appearance. Despite the negative influences by levels of play beyond high school, coaches and game officials must remain vigilant with enforcement of the equipment rules currently in place at the high school level.
Non-compliance with these rules can result in various penalties, ranging from removal of a player for one play for improperly worn equipment, to an unsportsmanlike penalty on the head coach when players are illegally equipped following the pre-game certification.
Chronic violations of the rule for properly worn equipment can significantly impact the game's fairness and safety. Repeated offenses not only jeopardize the individual player's wellbeing but also negatively impact the pace of the game, and fairness to the opposing team. When players persistently disregard the equipment guidelines, there are several administrative options within current NFHS rules:
• A delay-of-game penalty would be a logical consequence for persistent offenses that significantly impact the pace of play.
• Chronic violations of equipment rules by players could result in an unsportsmanlike conduct foul being assessed under Rule 1-5-3c(9) and 9-8-1h, for equipment not worn as intended by the manufacturer.
• Finally, a coach who demonstrates a lack of interest in supporting these important rules of our sport could be easily judged to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner.
Coaches play a pivotal role in addressing chronic violations of equipment rules. They must instill the importance of proper equipment use through consistent reinforcement and education. Additionally, fostering an environment where players hold each other accountable can help minimize infractions. Game officials must also remain vigilant and enforce penalties consistently to deter chronic violations. Issuing temporary removals from the game and escalating penalties for repeated offenses are necessary measures to uphold the integrity of the game.
The high school football player equipment rules are a testament to the sport's commitment to player safety and team unity. This unity extends beyond aesthetics; it reinforces the idea that each player is part of a larger whole, working together toward a common goal. A team’s integrity is maintained when no player stands out for the wrong reason. While it may seem like a minor detail, these regulations play a significant role in reducing injury and maintaining the integrity of the game.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Unsportsmanlike conduct is incompatible with the values of education-based athletics. As unsporting acts increase at the college and professional levels, all stakeholders must work together to ensure high school football embodies the highest principles of sportsmanship and fundamental ethics of competition.
The focus of high school football is on the team – not the individual. The “individual over team” emphasis is contrary to the mission of education-based sports.
High school football is a game of extreme emotion played by exceptionally talented teenagers. Game officials should not be overly technical in applying the rules, but they should always be aware of conduct that does not exemplify sportsmanship. In determining whether an action rises to the level of a foul, game officials should allow for brief, spontaneous, emotional reactions at the end of a play. However, game officials should penalize acts that are prolonged, choreographed, and directed at an opponent.
The following actions are unsportsmanlike conduct that should be penalized without warning: demonstrations of violence such as brandishing guns and throat slashes, rehearsed poses, gestures with sexual connotation, dunking the ball over the crossbar, removal of helmet to celebrate or protest, dancing, somersaults or flips, and spiking or spinning the ball. Any act that is clearly intended to taunt, demean or show disrespect to an opponent or the game should be penalized.
The actions noted above are unsporting and contrary to the values of education-based athletics. The focus must remain on student-athletes, the values of team success, celebrating victory with class, and enduring loss with dignity.
DEFENSELESS PLAYER / TARGETING
A defenseless player is a player who, because of physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury. The player remains defenseless until the player’s physical position and focus of concentration allows the player to have a chance to protect themselves or brace, at least partially, for contact. \The most common types of defenseless players include passers, receivers, sliding runners, runners whose forward progress is stopped, players out of the play and players who are illegally blocked from the blindside. For added defenseless player clarifications, please refer to 2.32.16 COMMENT and CHART in the 2025 NFHS Football Case Book.
A player is defenseless based on the player’s own position and concentration. It is not determined by another player’s actions. When the wrap-up tackle was added to the definition of defenseless player as it relates to contact on a defenseless receiver, it created confusion because this highlighted action by another player. Thus, the forceful contact against a defenseless receiver portion of Rule 2 (definitions) has been relocated to Rule 9 (conduct of players/penalty). By moving the wrap-up tackle portion of the defenseless player guidelines to Rule 9, it clearly limits the contact to a defenseless offensive or defensive receiver, to incidental contact that is a result of making a play on the ball, contact initiated with open hands, or an attempt to tackle by wrapping arm(s) around the receiver.
A major focus of the NFHS Football Rules Committee is to promote uniform enforcement of illegal contact on defenseless players across the country. We urge all coaches and game officials to study the rules, watch and share video, and have discussions with one another about what constitutes legal and illegal contact. Furthermore, a review of targeting provisions is crucial for minimizing risk for all players.
It is imperative that players clearly comprehend what contact is acceptable and be able to recognize when an opponent is considered defenseless. Players must realize that the responsibility for making legal contact resides with the person initiating the contact.
Game officials must demonstrate a broad awareness of what contact is necessary to make a legal block or tackle and contact considered excessive and, in some cases, flagrant. Forceful contact that is avoidable should not be tolerated by coaches or officials. When in doubt, game officials should throw a flag for illegal personal contact and should be supported in doing so.
The long-term success of high school football is linked to risk minimization. Coaches, game officials, players and administrators share the responsibility to eliminate targeting and illegal contact against defenseless players from our great game.
**FINAL
October 17, 2024
NAERA (National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association), NOCSAE (National Operating
Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) and helmet manufacturers are informing you of
reconditioning and recertification recommendations for football, lacrosse, baseball and softball helmets.
NAERA recommends that during every football, lacrosse, baseball and softball season or practice period,
every helmet should be cleaned and inspected regularly by a school or organization staff member with
knowledge of manufacturer recommendations. We further recommend every helmet should be
reconditioned and recertified annually unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer. ONLY a company
licensed by NOCSAE can perform the recertification of football, lacrosse, baseball and softball helmets.
For a list of NAERA members that are licensed by NOCSAE please visit our web site www.naera.net.
More information regarding NOCSAE and their standards can be found at www.nocsae.org.
Reconditioning/Recertification and Sanitization: NAERA recommends every football, lacrosse, baseball
and softball helmet be reconditioned and recertified prior to being issued to all athletes, unless stated
otherwise by the manufacturer. NAERA further recommends that nonrecertifiable equipment, including but
not limited to, football and lacrosse shoulder pads, chest protectors and shin guards be sanitized in
accordance to manufacturer guidelines.
On January 1, 2017NOCSAE put into effect standard ND 001 6.1.1 shown below.
ND 001 6.1.1. Helmets intended to be recertified shall have a recertification interval provided by the
manufacturer. Certification life is limited to this time period. Helmets not recertified during the stated
interval shall no longer be certified. Recertification interval'required for warranty validation shall
satisfy this requirement.
What does ND 001 6.1.1 mean for your school or organization? For Football helmets, as of this writing, the
requirements from all football helmet manufacturers for recertification is a minimum of every other year. If
you acquired new helmets in 2023 these helmets will need recertification per this standard for 2025 play.
Helmets that have a lapsed certification per NOCSAE DOC. 001 may be recertified under most conditions.
Always ask your NAERA representative if you have doubts. Remember when your team Captain or
Coach tells the official your team is legally equipped, you need to know that is correct and factual.
Every state association playing under NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) and
NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules has adopted the NOCSAE standards for football,
lacrosse, baseball and softball helmets. Other state associations may have similar rules; however, most
support the helmet manufactures recommendations.
NAERA encourages schools and organizations to send your equipment for reconditioning and recertification
as soon as your season is complete. Please make certain you are using a reconditioning company licensed
by NOCSAE. For a list of NOCSAE licensed athletic equipment reconditioners visit www.naera.net.
Tony Beam, BA, E.S., CAA
Executive Director, NAERA
NAERA SHOULDER PAD CARE RECOMMENDATIONS
At the end of each football season NAERA recommends sending all of your shoulder pads that
were used during the past season to a NAERA member for reconditioning. During the
reconditioning process, the NAERA member will inspect the plastic for cracks or weak points,
they will also inspect the cushions for tears as well as clean and sanitize each pad. NAERA
further recommends that you have a routine in-season maintenance plan that includes
checking for broken or missing parts, cleaning and sanitizing, per the manufacturer's
guidance.
Even with regular maintenance and reconditioning, high impact equipment requires regular
rotation for aging equipment. NAERA recommends you have a system to remove aging
shoulder pads from your inventory according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
*****************************
Updated: September 20, 2024
To help clarify for schools and organizations experiencing warning labels separating from football helmets reconditioned in 2024:
The loss of a mandatory label that might occur after the helmet has been properly recertified and returned to the customer does not void the certification or recertification. Helmets with warning label issues DO NOT need to be removed from play. If during inspection of helmets in your inventory an exterior warning label is missing, you should determine if your helmets are current with manufacturer recommended intervals for recertification. If so, the helmets will still meet NOCSAE and manufacturer recertification guidelines for on field play. Please reach out to your reconditioning representative for instructions to replace the missing label.
Sincerely, Tony Beam, BA, CAA Executive Director, NAERA
Update: August 29, 2024
Issues with FB Helmet Warning Label
2024 NOCSAE Reconditioner Licensees
Athletic Equipment Repair Corporation Athletic Helmet Reconditioning
Gil Mikula Jason Mikula Lane Womack
5350 W Clinton Ave 17548 US Highway 69 South
Milwaukee, WI 53223 Alto, TX 75925
Phone: 414-271-2837 Phone: 936-858-9990
Fax: 414-271-4670 Fax: 936-858-9992
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Athletic Helmet Reconditioning Southeast Capitol Varsity Sports
Brandon Freeman Bob Fawley
5080 Hwy 20 East 6723 Ringwood Rd
Tuscumbia, AL 35674 Oxford, OH 45056
Phone: 256-627-4787 Phone: 513-523-4126
Fax: 513-523-0426
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Continental Athletic Supply Harco Reconditioners
Jason Soares Chris Bachman
1050 Hazel Street 520 North Link Lane
Gridley, CA 95948 Ft. Collins, CO 80524
Phone: 530-846-4711 or 1-800-544-5564 Phone: 970-482-1814
Fax: 530-846-5155 Fax: 970-482-0336
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Integrity Sport Services Mercury Sports
Jeff Harrison Darren Cato
869 Broad Street, Suite 106 31 W Tennessee St
Wadsworth, OH 44281 Evansville, IN 47710
Phone: 330-485-3105 Phone: 812-422-9066
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Proline, Inc. Riddell/All American
Rod Zide Nate Bickhart
120 Industry Road 7501 Performance Lane
Marietta, OH 45750 North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Phone: 740-373-6446 Phone: 888-681-1717
Fax: 740-373-5653
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Riddell/All American Schutt Sports
Nate Bickhart Larry Curry
127 Burson St 2510 S Broadway Ave
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Salem, IL 62881
Phone: 888-681-1717 Phone: 1-800-426-9784
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Sportsman’s Reconditioning Stadium System, Inc.
Greg Heider Mike Schopp
829 Horner Street 61 Church Street
Johnstown, PA 15902 Canaan, CT 06018
Phone: 814-536-5318 Phone: 860-824-5479
Fax: 814-536-7868 Fax: 860-708-0060
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
USA Reconditioning Xenith
Frank Scordo Customer Service
615 Cincinnati Ave 4333 W Fort Street
Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 Detroit, MI 48209
Phone: 973-340-8282 Phone: 877-257-8669
Fax: 978-328-5277
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
**Updated September 2024
Education – along with proper football techniques – is one of the biggest deterrents to concussions and one of the keys to athletes being treated properly if one does occur
Direct helmet-to-helmet contact and any other contact both with and to the helmet must be eliminated from the sport of football at the interscholastic level! Using the helmet to inflict punishment on the opponent is dangerous and illegal. Coaches and game officials must be diligent in promoting the elimination of contact to and with the helmet, as follows:
• Coaches -- through consistent adherence to proper and legal coaching techniques.
• Game Officials -- through strict enforcement of pertinent playing rules and game administrations.
Coaches must insist that players play “heads-up” football by utilizing proper and safe techniques, - not only during games, but on the practice field as well. Coaches must shoulder the responsibility of consistently reinforcing with their players that using the top or face of the helmet goes against all tenets of the basic techniques of safe and legal blocking and tackling.
The No. 1 responsibility for game officials must be player safety. Any initiation of contact with the helmet is illegal; therefore, it must be penalized consistently and without warning. Player safety is really a matter of attitude, technique, attention and supervision. Football players will perform as they are taught; therefore, there must be a concentrated focus on consistently enforcing the existing rules. And contrary to most other rule enforcements, when in doubt, contact to and with the helmet should be ruled as a foul by game officials. Contact to and with the helmet may be considered a flagrant act and may be penalized by disqualification if a game official considers the foul so severe or extreme that it places an opponent in danger of serious injury.
NFHS Information
NOCSAE Statement - Add-Ons (2018) | NOCSAE Statement - Add-ons
The NFHS does not perform scientific tests on any specific items of equipment to determine if the equipment poses undue risks to the student-athletes, coaches, officials or spectators. Such determinations are the responsibility of equipment manufacturers, and we rely heavily on products meeting NOCSAE standards.
NFHS Football Rule 1-5-1a states, in part, that “A helmet and facemask which met the NOCSAE test standard at the time of manufacture…” is required. A consideration in determining whether add-on helmet attachments are legal is that our rule specifies only that the helmet had to meet the NOCSAE test standard at the time of manufacture; helmet add-ons typically are added after the time of helmet manufacture.
The attached NOCSAE Statement gives manufacturers of add-on attachments (in the fourth bullet) the option to have helmets tested with the helmet add-on attached; however, this would presumably require such manufacturers to test every make and model of helmet with their add-on attached.
The third bullet of the NOCSAE Statement gives the right to helmet manufacturers to determine, under the NOCSAE standards, whether given helmet add-on items would render the certification void. While that may occur, we have no information that it has happened yet.
In the interim, absent decisions by the helmet manufacturers, under the NOCSAE standards, to declare their certifications void pursuant to the third bullet point, or absent further revisions of the pertinent NOCSAE Statement, or absent an NFHS football rules change, our position about the permissive use of such helmet add-ons remains unchanged from last August.
We know and understand that this position by NFHS is not as proactive as some may wish as to whether given helmet add-ons should be considered legal; however, when considering the NOCSAE Statement and the applicable rules, the NFHS is not in a position to change our Rules Review Committee determination that such equipment is permissive.
NOCSAE statement on third party helmet add-on products and certification
There are many new products on the market that are intended to be added to helmets, in particular football helmets, which products claim to reduce concussions and make helmets safer and more protective. Read the entire NOCSAE Position Statement.
Minimizing risk for all participants is the number one priority.
When in doubt as to whether or not a targeting foul has occurred - game officials will be instructed to call targeting.
When in doubt as to whether or not a flagrant targeting foul has been committed - game officials will be instructed to classify the foul as flagrant and disqualify the offending player.
The WIAA will continue using the Overtime Procedures used during previous years.
New NCAA Overtime Procedures for 2021 will be monitored and reviewed during the NCAA season ahead.
FOOTBALL
25-YARD LINE OVERTIME PROCEDURE
WIAA ADAPTATION
of the
NCAA FOOTBALL 25-YARD LINE OVERTIME PROCEDURE
Note: In the text that follows the word “inning” is used but alternate wording is given in the square brackets “[ ].”
OVERVIEW
The 25-yard line overtime procedure to resolve tied games adopted by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association for the 2011 football season and beyond incorporates elements of the NCAA tie breaker system modified to comply with football rules published by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Football/tie-breakersystem.pdf