NCAA vs. NFHS (high school) rule differences

[LaxRef]

Here is my list of NFHS vs. NCAA rule differences, compiled last year. I don't know what changes NFHS made this year, and I didn't account for NCAA changes made this year, so I'm fairly sure this list is not entirely complete nor entirely correct, but it's a good starting point.

Sorry about the formatting, but it's the best I could do for now.

Rule -----High School-----NCAA

Quarters -----12 minutes stop time-----15 minutes stop time

Mercy rule -----Running time in second half if one teamleads by 10 or more-----None

Lime-green balls -----Prohibited-----Permitted

Football helmets -----Prohibited-----Permitted if face mask legal

Jewelry -----Prohibited (exception: religious/medical)-----Permitted unless deemed dangerous

Matching gloves/helmet-----Recommended (helmets match by 2005)-----Required

Matching sweatpants-----Recommended (required by 2004)-----Required (if worn)

Round-pipe goals -----Permitted -----Allowed only for 90° or obtuse-angle goal

Field width -----Field may be 53 1/3 yards to 60 yards wide without agreement in writing-----Variations in alterable dimensions must be agreed to in writing prior to game day

Head coach or on-field player from team in possession calling timeout during live ball-----Permitted no matter where the ball is on the field-----Only permitted if player in possession is in contact with the ground in his offensive half of the field

Replacing goalkeeper -----One-minute warmup permitted-----Timeout required to warm up

Coin flip-----Winning team gets possession arrow and choice of goals-----Winning team gets choice of either possession arrow or choice of goals

Penalty expires before possession during faceoff-----Player may return to field provided the wing area was left vacant for faceoff-----Player must wait for possession

Football shoulder pads -----Prohibited -----Permitted if not used to initiate contact

Attack area -----Dashed lines-----Solid lines

No spectator lines-----No penalty-----Penalty

Forfeits-----Procedures determined by state or local associations-----NCAA authority

Multiple penalties -----Any number of players from one team may be in the penalty area-----Penalties “stack”; a team is never down more than 3 men at once

Shot out of bounds-----When the ball touches the sideline or endline or something out of bounds-----When the ball breaks the plane of the sideline or endline

Unconscious player-----Needs medical clearance to return -----May return to game

Expelled player-----Adults must leave premises. Minors must leave premises with school official; otherwise confined to bench-----Must leave premises

[spenny]

Attack area -----Dashed lines-----Solid lines

i was under the impression that everybody had solid lines now. i know our fields do (youth) i not positive with local HS fields, but i'm pretty sure that they dont either

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by spenny
Attack area -----Dashed lines-----Solid lines

i was under the impression that everybody had solid lines now. i know our fields do (youth) i not positive with local HS fields, but i'm pretty sure that they dont either

As I said, this was based on last year's rules. NFHS often takes a year to catch up to NCAA on things. It wouldn't surprise me if everyone is solid lines now, since it makes sense: you can't tell if someone is on the line if it's dashed and they hit the unlined part.

[LaxMVP25]

thee matching helmet glove thing fo nhsf will that be a requirement in 2005 or still recomended. and i asume that means everyone wears the same glove

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by LaxMVP25
thee matching helmet glove thing fo nhsf will that be a requirement in 2005 or still recomended. and i asume that means everyone wears the same glove

IIRC, by next season everyone on the team will have to have matching helmets. The recommendation is that the gloves for everyone on the same team should match, but that is not required yet.

In college, all helmets must match and all gloves must match (but helmets can be different color than gloves).

[TheKOB]

the glove model doesn't have to match, just the dominant color. Also, the dominant color of the helments should be the same (diff color visor, chinguard is ok).

Laxref, where does it say in the rulebook about in the NCAA needing to be on the offensive half of the field prior to calling a T.O.? Also, could you let me know where to find the passage about the jewelry? Both of these have been issues this past season, and I'd like to be able to quote them if and when they come up again...

[Snake~eyes]

Originally posted by LaxRef
As I said, this was based on last year's rules. NFHS often takes a year to catch up to NCAA on things. It wouldn't surprise me if everyone is solid lines now, since it makes sense: you can't tell if someone is on the line if it's dashed and they hit the unlined part.
I'm sure they'll make this change as they've already changed the 2004 diagram. Most games I've done have had solid lines anyways.

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by TheKOB
axref, where does it say in the rulebook about in the NCAA needing to be on the offensive half of the field prior to calling a T.O.? Also, could you let me know where to find the passage about the jewelry? Both of these have been issues this past season, and I'd like to be able to quote them if and when they come up again...

As for NCAA timeouts (partial rule quote):

RULE 4 SECTION 28. When the ball is dead, only a member of either team who is
on the field or a team’s head coach may request an official to call timeout.
During play, official team timeouts may be called by a field player
of a team in possession of the ball or by that team’s head coach
only when the player in possession of the ball has contact with the
ground with two feet in that team’s offensive half of the field.
During timeouts and between periods (except for halftime), coaches
shall remain in their respective coaching areas.

As for jewelry, the word "jewelry" does not appear in the NCAA rulebook anywhere (searching .pdf files is a wonderful thing); the only relevant rule is:

RULE 1 SECTION 24. The following general prohibitions relating to equipment
shall be adhered to:
a. No player shall wear or carry equipment that, in the opinion of the officials,
endangers that individual or other players.
b. No player shall wear anything on the outside of his jersey or alter the
jersey in any other way that might obstruct the view of his number.

Thus, if I think your jewelry is dangerous, you can't wear it. I'd tell you to take it off, and if you saw it again I'd give you an USC penalty.

[TheKOB]

man....now I know that you're referring to UnSportsmanlike Conduct penalties...I wasn't sure if you were just calling my team out. I had to stop and think if you had ever reffed one of our games before :laugh