Search results
2021 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES BOOK Dr. KARISSA L. NIEHOFF, Publisher Bob Colgate, Editor NFHS Publications To maintain the sound traditions of this sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury, the National Federation of State High School Associations writes playing rules for varsity competition
The NSAA Football Manual provides the most current policies and procedures for regular season and postseason competition. Playing rules and regulations for the sport of football can be found in the NFHS Football Rules Book, which all member schools receive from the NSAA.
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
- 191KB
- 2
- 500 Charleston Street, Suite #1, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-1119
- NSAA MISSION STATEMENT
- NSAA POLICY ON COMMENTS AND NEGATIVE ACTIONS AGAINST OFFICIALS AND JUDGES
- Spiking the Ball to Conserve Time (7-5-2 EXCEPTION)
- ACCOMODATIONS FOR STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES
- NSAA AND NFHS POLICY STATEMENT ON STEROIDS
- NFHS SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT OF CONCUSSION
- Common Signs & Symptoms of Concussion Include:
- Suggested Concussion Management:
- APPROVED RULINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR 3.1.1
- APPROVED RULINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR 3.1.1.2
- Eligibility for District/State Competition
- APPROVED RULINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR 3.5.1
- APPROVED RULINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR 3.5.2
- ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
- NSAA SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES AND EJECTIONS
- DEFINITION (LEVELS) OF CONTACT
- Tie-Breaker
- Opting Up in Classification.
- PARTICIPATION
- VIDEO EQUIPMENT
- GUIDELINES FOR BANDS
- MUSIC LICENSES
- PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER
- VIDEO SCOREBOARDS
- AMBULANCE - MEDICAL PERSONNEL
- MEDICAL PERSONNEL AT REGULAR SEASON CONTESTS
- SPIRIT LINES
- REPORTING SCORES AND GAMES RESULTS
- PARTICIPATION IN NSAA PLAY-OFFS
- POINT SYSTEM TIEBREAKER
- SUBMITTING TEAM STATISTICS AND STATE FINALS INFORMATION
- Expected Behavior at Awards Ceremonies
- HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
- SPIRIT LINES
- MEDIA – STUDENT MEDIA, MEDIA CREDENTIALS & BROADCASTING
- CHEERLEADERS, DRILL TEAMS & SPECTATORS
- PRE-RECORDED MUSIC
- GAME SITES
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHOOLS
- INCLEMENT WEATHER
- HOST SITE DIRECTOR DUTIES
- 2020 NSAA Instant Replay Policy and Protocol
- Fan/Spectator Support Items
This FOOTBALL MANUAL has been prepared and designated to provide information in the administration of interscholastic football, including the state play-off series. Sections of the NSAA Bylaws & Approved Rulings related to football are included in this manual. The wildcard point system, special regulations and the administration of the state foot...
The public and non-public high schools of Nebraska voluntarily agreed to form the Nebraska School Activities Association for the following purposes: To formulate and make policies which will cultivate high ideals of citizenship, fair competition, sportsmanship and teamwork which will complement the member schools’ curriculum programs. To foster...
The National Federation of State High School Associations has devised Code of Ethics guidelines for high school coaches. The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. The coach or sponsor shall respect and support contest officials and judges. The coach or sponsor shall not indulge in conduct t...
• The exception to allow a player to conserve time by intentionally throwing the ball forward to the ground immediately after receiving the snap, has been expanded to include any player positioned directly behind the center. This exception now includes snaps that are not hand-to-hand.
Each state association may, in keeping with applicable laws, authorize exceptions to NFHS playing rules to provide reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs, as well as those individuals with unique and extenuating circumstances. In order to determine if the NSAA can authorize such an accommodation,...
The NSAA and the NFHS strongly oppose the abuse of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances by high school student-athletes. Such use violates legal, ethical and competitive equity standards and imposes unreasonable long term health risks. 4
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that impairs normal function of the brain. An athlete does not have to suffer a direct blow to the head or lose consciousness (be “knocked out”) to sustain a concussion.
Headache or “pressure” in head • Mood, behavior or personality Nausea changes Dazed or stunned appearance • Inability to recall events prior to hit or Confusion about assignment or fall position • Balance problems or dizziness Forgetful, for example, doesn’t follow • Double or blurry vision instructions • Uncertainty of game, score or Sensitivity ...
No athlete should return to play (RTP) or practice on the same day of a concussion. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional as soon as possible. Any athlete with a concussion should be medically cleared by an appropriate health-care professional prior to resuming participation in...
A season begins on the first day of allowable practices for that sport, as designated in 3.1.1.2. The season officially ends with the conclusion of the State Championship in that sport. Students may not participate in outside group instruction or competition once the season officially begins, and outside group instruction or competition may not com...
If a student is participating in one sport during a sports season and decides to quit that sport and participate in another sport during the same season, the student shall be restricted from practice and competing for seven school days. No student who has practiced or competed in one sport will be allowed to switch to another sport if the district ...
In all athletic activities, teams wishing to enter a sub-district, district, or state contest shall have participated in a minimum of five interschool varsity contests prior to the sub-district, district, or state contest. Exceptions to the requirements for a team that has not participated in at least five interschool varsity contests would be cons...
To be eligible to participate in a district and/or state contest, a student shall have been a member of a school’s team and shall have been “available to participate” in at least eighty percent (80%) of the school’s scheduled interschool contests because of participating in non-high school competition. The term “available to participate” means t...
During a season of a sport, a student is permitted to take individual instruction from a person other than the high school coach. Group instruction, practices with outside teams, and tryouts for outside teams other than as part of a college or university recruiting visit, however, are not permitted. NSAA ATHLETIC BYLAWS
Each state association may, in keeping with applicable laws, authorize exceptions to NFHS playing rules to provide reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and / or special needs, as well as those individuals with unique and extenuating circumstances. In order to determine if the NSAA can authorize such an accommodati...
Enforcement of the “sit-out rule” for ejections from high school contests for unsportsmanlike conduct is a responsibility of the member school. Failure to properly enforce this rule could result in other sanctions by the NSAA. Administrators will be expected to promptly file a report with the NSAA whenever a participant or coach from their school ...
Levels of Contact focus on the varying levels of intensity throughout practices to build player confidence, ensure their safety and prevent both physical and mental exhaustion. These Levels of Contact will increase player safety by reducing the risk of helmet-to-helmet contact without sacrificing skill development. Five intensity levels are used t...
If schools are tied in enrollment for the last position or positions of a class, the following tie-breaker will be applied: The first tie-breaker will be a three-year average of enrollment which includes the year on which the current year’s classification is based and the two previous years. The higher three-year average will be in the larger clas...
A school may opt up one classification in any NSAA activity. Request to opt up must be submitted to the NSAA within one week of the classification for that activity being released.
The penalty for exceeding contest limitations by a school or an individual shall be the exclusion from competition in the district and / or state competition. Exhibition or unattached participation in interschool high school competition in attempting to circumvent the game, match or meet limitation shall not be permitted. To be a participant in ...
The use of video equipment or a camera of any sort, for the purpose of scouting a football opponent(s) is not allowed without the written consent of the school(s) involved.
The participation of bands at a school football contest is an exciting aspect of the event. The band contributes to the event by increasing the level of excitement and adding a “touch of class” to the festivities. In order to maintain a proper perspective and to ensure equity in competition for the participating teams, a few guidelines must be fo...
Generally, music used for contests (warm-up, half-time, “walk-up” music, etc.) needs to be licensed. Some music may be in public domain; however, most music is not and will require a license. This season, take the necessary time to verify your music is licensed through the proper entities. Visit www.nfhslearn.com to view the video course: Unders...
Activities Directors, coaches and officials need to make sure that the public address announcers at all football games are not doing live play-by-play announcing during the game. The announcers should be done announcing when the teams break the huddle and come to the line of scrimmage and should not announce again until the play is concluded. The...
If a school has a video scoreboard, the time remaining must be visible at all times during pregame, the game itself and at halftime.
It is the policy of the Nebraska School Activities Association to defer to the member school whether a physician and/or ambulances need to be in attendance at football games. This is a local school board decision. The NSAA recognizes the importance of having medical personnel/ambulance on site but is not in the position to make it required. If th...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
In the Chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/spectator support items at all NSAA Sub-District, District, State Playoffs and State Championships. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by fans/spectators. Prohibited items: Confe...
- 2MB
- 70
Memorial Stadium, nicknamed The Sea of Red, is an American football stadium located on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. The stadium primarily serves as the home venue for the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the Big Ten Conference.
Nebraska Student Section Row 16 Row 80 Row 41 Mobility Impaired Seating Row 68 Row 4 Row 41 Row 47 Row 41 Row 98 Row A Row D Corporate Sideline Row 99 Visitors Obstructed view* Row 2 Row 3 ADA Row 15 KEY Row 96 Gates Wheelchair Accessible Seating Husker Shop ATM First Aid *East & West Stadium above row 40; East & West Stadium Rows A-D & 1-4
People also ask
Where can I find NFHS football rules & regulations?
Who interprets NFHS rules?
What is the NSAA football manual?
What are the rules of football?
Who uses NFHS rules?
When should a high school referee call a foul?
Each state high school association adopting these NFHS football rules is the sole and exclusive source of binding rules interpretations for contests involving its member schools.
