Rules

One of the more common misconceptions amongst coaches and spectators is that an eligible receiver loses his eligibility after stepping out of bounds. That is not what the NFHS rules say. Rule…

(Rule 2-17-1) The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area established at the snap and is defined as: (Rule 2-17-4) The free-blocking zone disintegrates immediately when the ball leaves the zone. Three fouls…

One of the most misunderstood rules in the NFHS code is kick catching interference. Many officials know they are supposed to protect the receiver, but they sometimes focus only on whether the…

As a referee, I’ve trained my eyes to identify illegal helmet contact: spearing, butt blocking, and face tackling. But for me, the emphasis on how a player uses his helmet has created…

(Yes, this is a longer-than-normal article; please stick with me as I unpack the concept.) An official recently emailed me with a question that I suspect many officials have asked themselves at…

Every year the NFHS identifies a handful of rules that deserve additional emphasis. One of this year’s Points of Emphasis is Helping the Runner, a rule that officials rarely enforce because the…

In the world of officiating, we are taught that every word in the rulebook matters. For the 2026 season, a seemingly minor “editorial” change was made to Rule 8-2 (Articles 2, 3,…