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GHSA announces several rule changes for 2005 season

Effective with the 2005 high school football season, a team will be limited to one forward pass during a down.  Previously, a team could throw more than one forward pass during a down as long as the passes were thrown from in or behind the neutral zone.

This was one of 13 rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations' Football Rules Committee at its January meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  The rules subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

"The throwing of multiple passes in a down in high school football is not a very common occurrence," said Jerry Diehl, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Football Rules Committee.  "Because teams don't see it that often, confusion has existed regarding the second pass."

"Since teams rarely use this option, the committee determined it would be best to not allow more than one forward pass in an effort to reduce confusion regarding when pass interference rules are in effect for either team.  This change should assist the offense, the defense and the game officials in determining when pass eligibility rules apply."

Two changes were made in Rule 1-5 (player equipment) with risk management in mind.  Beginning with the 2006 season, all helmets shall be secured with a four-snap chin strap, and a colored tooth protector (not clear or white) will be required.

Diehl said that in a survey of helmet manufacturers, it was determined that new helmets are being produced with the four-snap chin strap.  He said the four-snap chin strap will increase the possibility of the helmet staying in place during game action more than the traditional two-snap chin strap.

Two changes were approved by the committee to help officials better determine the 11 legal offensive players in the game.  The first change will require a mark 12 inches in length, 4 inches in width and 9 yards from each sideline to be located on each 10-yard line.  The other change will require all offensive players to be, momentarily, between the 9-yard marks after the ready for play and prior to the snap, and adhere to all other pre-snap requirements.  The 9-yard markings are not required on fields that are visibly numbered.

"The Football Rules Committee has considered various issues over the past few years to address substitutions and the balance between offense and defense," said Brad Cashman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and chairman of the NFHS Football Rules Committee.  "Teams were reportedly returning to previous practices of hiding players near the sideline, as well as attempting to deceive the opponents with various substitution abnormalities.

In addition to the one forward pass restriction, two other changes were approved in Rule 7-5 dealing with forward passes.  Hindering an opponent's vision without making an attempt to catch, intercept or bat the ball is pass interference, even though no contact was made.  This change provides rules support for what has been interpreted as a foul.  In addition, contact by a defender obviously away from the direction of the pass is not considered pass interference.