8 Man Football - Differences
Barring penalty enforcements:
- Kick-Offs - from the 30 yard lineReceivers - at the 40 yard line
- Touchbacks - ball spotted at the 15 yard line
- After a Safety – Ball free kicked from the 15 yard line.
- PAT’s – from the 3 yard line
- Kicks out of bounds is 5 yard penalty and re-kick or ball placed at 25 yard line.
Scrimmage plays:
- 5 men on LOS
- 3 in backfield
- No numbering requirements for eligibility
- 3 ‘middle’ lineman ineligible (but not by number)
- Top of numbers is at 7 yard mark - (9 yd in 11 man)
- Inbounds spot (hash marks) are 15 yards in from the sideline
45 point rule in effect
- If there is a 45 point differential at halftime, game is over
- If there is a 45 point differential after halftime, use a running clock
All other rules and enforcements are the same as in an 11-man game
NOTE: See page 9 of current NFHS Rule book for 8-man field diagram
2009 NFHS Football Rules Changes
1-2-3b NOTE 2 (NEW): All required field markings must be clearly visible.
1-3-1c: Stripes located on the football must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched.
2-14-2; 7-2-5: The definition of a scrimmage-kick formation was clarified to differentiate formations that have been used traditionally for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt. The circumstances under which the numbering exception can be used have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth downs.
Table 3-1; 9-8-1g: The mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. The head coach of each team is responsible for his team being on the field for the warm-up period.
3-3-4b5 (NEW): If a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended.
8-2-2; 8-2-3; 8-2-4 (NEW); 10-5-1f: Three rules were refined and a new article created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or after a touchdown scoring play. Now, the scoring team, in most situations, has the option of enforcing the penalty on the subsequent kickoff.
9-4-3h: It is now illegal to grasp the opponent's chin strap.
9-4-3k (NEW): The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls, regardless of where it occurs on the field. It is illegal to grasp the inside back or side opening of the collar of the jersey or shoulder pads of the runner and subsequently pull the runner to the ground.
9-7-2 EXCEPTION: The kicking team cannot bat a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is toward its own goal line. Scrimmage kicks may only be batted by the kicking team towards its own goal line.
1-2-3g; 9-8-3: A restricted area has been defined where a maximum of three coaches may communicate with players and substitutes during dead-ball situations. The coaches must move into the team box before the ball becomes live. There will no longer be an allowance for three coaches to remain in an area adjacent to the sideline during play.
Editorial and Other Changes
1-2-1; 1-2-3d; 1-3-1f; 1-5-1c(5b, 6b); 1-5-1i; 1-5-3a, b, c; 1-5-3k, l, n, o (NEW); 2-11; 2-16-2h; 2-35; 2-41-1, 9; 3-3-4b; 3-3-4b NOTE; 3-4-3j (NEW); 3-5-10c; 6-2-1; 7-5-2; 7-5-6a; 8-2-2, 3; 8-5-2a EXCEPTION; 9-4 PENALTY; 9-8-1; 9-9 PENALTY NOTE; 10-2-2b; 10-2-3; 10-4-2c; 10-5-1f; 10-6; FUNDAMENTALS: II-5, II-6 (NEW), IV-6, IX-3, X-4; OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS – 15, 25 (NEW)
Points of Emphasis
1. NFHS Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning
Disturbances
2. Illegal Personal Contact
3. Blocking and Illegal Blocks
4. Helmet and Face Mask
5. Uniforms
6. Sportsmanship
2007 High School Rules
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USA Football Officiating Philosophies
