Happy New Year to everyone from the Southeastern Sports Officials Association!

Merry Christmas to everyone from the Southeastern Sports Officials Association!

Per the NFHS website:

The NFHS proudly presents NFHS Officiating Legends Interviews, a video series hosted by Director of Officiating Services Dana Pappas. It features some of the most influential individuals from the world of officiating including:

Basketball: Joe Crawford & Steve Javie
Football: Jerry Markbreit
Soccer: Esse Baharmart
Wrestling: Rusty Davidson

And more episodes to come!

Check out the NFHS "Officiating Legends" YouTube playlist to view all of the current content..

Congratulations and a job well done by our North Carolina Football Officials representing the #NCHSAA in the NC/SC Shrine Bowl this past weekend!

Umpire - Chuck Klaren
Linesman - Charles Humphreys
ECO - Bill Croom
Back Judge - Darryl Page

If you are interested in officiating Baseball, Softball, Men's/Women's Lacrosse, or Women's Soccer for the 2023 sports season, the Spring sports are quickly approaching! If you have any questions before you register, please do not hesitate to contact the Regional Supervisor Of Officials for the sport(s) you are interested in officiating.

New pay rates for all sports go into effect on January 1, 2023 per the approval at the Winter NCHSAA Board meeting, The pay scale pages have been updated to reflect the new changes. There is also an option to download the pay scale document if you wish.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from the Southeastern Sports Officials Association!

Officials, If you have not taken your fall exams for Football, Volleyball or Men's Soccer, the deadline is THIS SUNDAY, August 14th at 11:59PM! Please don't wait until the very last minute in case there are technical issues with the website or other circumstances that could prevent you from finishing your exam on time.

1-5-4: Change:
ART. 4 . . . The catcher's helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture. Eye shields shall not be attached to the catcher's mask after manufacture. Eye shields that are attached to the catcher's mask at the time of manufacture will be constructed of a molded rigid material and be clear without the presence of any tint. Tinted eyewear worn on the face and under the face mask is permitted. Any helmet or helmet and mask combination...and a protective cup (male only). (1-5-9)

Rationale: There has been an increase of catchers attaching aftermarket eye shields to their face masks that are tinted and not approved by the face mask manufacturer. Attaching a product that was not manufactured for the specific face mask is a risk to the wearer. The tinted eye shield is problematic because it would prevent a medical professional from accessing the eyes of the catcher to determine their condition.

1-5-12: Change:
ART. 12 . . . Jewelry shall not be worn be permitted (3-3-1d) except for including religious and medical medals. Any jewelry that poses harm or injury to the wearer or the opponent shall be immediately removed. (1-5-9) A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert must be taped and may be visible.

Rationale: Any jewelry worn that poses harm or injury to the player or their opponent is covered in existing rules.

2-4-4 (New): Change:
Note: Add Lodged Ball to Section Title
ART. 4 . . . A baseball that remains on the playing field but has become wedged, stuck, lost, or unreachable, is defined to be a lodged ball. If the ball impacts any object in the course of play, stops abruptly, and does not fall or roll immediately, it is considered lodged. It is a dead ball (5-1-1f-3,4; 5-1-1g-4). Exception: if a ball becomes stuck in the webbing of the fielder’s glove, it remains in play. The glove/ball combination is treated as a live ball.

Rationale: A definition of a lodged ball was necessary and appropriate to differentiate when it is stuck on the field or in an apparatus, compared to when it is stuck in a glove.

3-3-1d: Change:
ART. 1 . . . A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not:
sub-articles a-e remain the same.
d. wear jewelry (players participating in the game) or wear bandannas;

Rationale: This is a companion rule change with the deletion of Rule 1-5-12. If jewelry is worn that poses harm to the player or their opponent, there is existing rules support to handle the situation. Bandannas are still prohibited.

6-1-1,2,3: Change:
ART. 1 . . .The pitcher shall pitch while facing the batter from either a windup (Art.2) or a set position (Art. 3). The position of the pitcher’s feet determine whether his the pitcher will pitch from the windup or the set position. The pitcher He shall take or simulate taking the sign from the catcher with the his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher will be considered to be in the set position when the pivot foot is in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher will be considered to be in the windup position when the pivot foot is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and is not parallel to it. The pitching regulations …but not both.

ART. 2 . . . For the wind-up position, the pitcher is not restricted as to how they shall hold the ball. A pitcher assumes the windup position when the his hands are: (a) together in front of the body; (b) both hands are at the his side; (c) either hand is in front of the body and the other hand is at the his side. The pitcher's non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher's plate. The pitcher is limited…lift either foot.

ART. 3 . . . For the set position, the pitcher shall have the ball in either the his gloved hand or the his pitching hand. The pitcher’s His hand shall be down at the his side or behind the his back. Before starting the delivery, the pitcher shall stand with the pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher's plate. Before starting his delivery, he shall stand with his entire non-pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher He shall go…any other fielder.

Rationale: In reference to the high school pitching rule, the position of both the pivot and non-pivot foot was the determining factor to deem if a pitcher was pitching from the windup position or the set position. The game has evolved throughout high school baseball for the pitcher to pitch with the pivot foot in a windup description with the non-pivot foot in a set description. This "hybrid" position was previously illegal by NFHS rule. What is important is that umpires, coaches, and players know what position the pitcher is using so they know which part of Rule 6 is in play. Deleting the use of the non-pivot foot does no damage to the existing pitching position rule and having only the pivot foot determine makes it clean and easily discernible for all involved.

NFHS Official Signals:
NFHS Official Baseball Signals

A—PRE-PITCH SITUATIONAL CHANGES - 8 signals to demonstrate situations & their explanations!

B--DURING PLAY & RESULTS - 8 signals to demonstrate calls

Rationale: Updating signals to further enhance umpire mechanics and communication between officials, coaches, players and fans.

Please congratulate Errol Daniels and Anthony Maynor, receipients of the 2022 Gold Whistle Award! They are pictured here with NFL Official and SSOA's own Brad Allen.

LAST CALL to take the NCHSAA Officials' Survey sent via email from @NCHSAA. TOMORROW 8/5 at 5PM is the deadline!

The purpose of this survey is to gather your thoughts on pay, sportsmanship, and your overall officiating experience in NC. This is an opportunity for us to be heard! The survey should take you about five minutes to complete.

Survey Link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/96ZTQXP

1-4-1:  Removes the number of color restrictions on a glove, including laces and seams, and does not allow any panels of the glove to match the color of the ball.

Rationale: Gloves and mitts are manufactured in variety of designs and multiple colors. As long as the color of the ball is not one of the colors used, does not have markings that give the appearance of the ball or are made in a manner that is judged distracting by the umpire it is permitted for use in NFHS Softball.

2-20-1g:  A fair ball is a batted ball that while over fair territory, an offensive player interferes with a defensive player attempting to field a batted ball.

Rationale: The ball’s status is determined at the point of interference. If an offensive player interferes with the defensive player while the ball is in fair territory, the ball is dead. Adding this language to the definition section mirrors the foul ball definition in Rule 2-25-1e.

3-2-12, 3-6-11: Removes language prohibiting the wearing of jewelry.

Rationale: Removing the language prohibiting jewelry places the softball rules in line with other NFHS sports that have removed the restriction. Umpires still have the authority to rule on anything that is considered a distraction or increases risk to any player.

4-2-1: Defines the protocol for when a fair batted ball clears the home run fence to end the game. All runs are allowed to score before the game is terminated.  

Rationale: Allows for all runs to be counted when a fair batted ball clears the home run fence to end the game. All runs scored by virtue of the home run will be included in individual and team statistics.

8-2-7: New language clarifies batter-runner interference on a fly ball over foul territory.

Rationale: This has always been the enforcement but was not listed in the section covering batter-runner. The language is consistent with the rule covering interference on an initial play on a fair-batted ball and aligns with Rule 8-6-10.

2023 SOFTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-25-1e, 7-1-2 PENALTY 1, 7-4-1, 7-4-11, 8-1-1 EFFECTS 2, 8-4-3d

2023 SOFTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Sportsmanship
2. Time Between Innings
3. Jewelry and Electronic Communication
4. Comparable Drying Agents

Per Cecil Mock @NCHSAA:

"The NCHSAA recognizes several issues that may have caused you to push to get the exam done and not to the best of your abilities. The NCHSAA has updated all of the fall exams to close on 8/14/22 at 11:59pm."

That being said, don't wait until the last minute to take your exam! Make sure to allow yourself enough time in the event you encounter technical issues, etc.

The 2022 Referee Magazine Volleyball Quiz is available on their website. This quiz is a good way to practice before taking your NFHS Exam. It consists of twenty (20) questions that are multiple choice. When you click the link and enter your name and email address, you will receive a PDF of the quiz in your email. https://www.referee.com/volleyball-officials-quiz-2022/

Aligning rules to match the flow of the game is a major theme for upcoming rules changes in high school girls lacrosse. Pace of play, coupled with additional amendments regarding play in the critical scoring area and near the goal, highlight changes for the 2023 season.

The seven rules changes were proposed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Girls Lacrosse Rules Committee at its June 20-22 meeting in Indianapolis. All seven proposals were later approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“The game of high school girls lacrosse has changed dramatically over the last few years,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS director of sports/communications associate and liaison to the NFHS Girls Lacrosse Committee. “The additions of self-starts and free movement have created opportunities for the committee to align game administration rules with the increased pace of play.”

Two changes covering Rules 5-4-1, 5-4-5, 9-1 and 10-1 amend procedures to restarting play via self-start. When play is stopped for a foul outside the critical scoring area, the player fouled will now be allowed to take the free position and commence play within 4 meters – no longer within playing distance. For fouls by the attacking team in the critical scoring area, self-start is now an option for the defensive player awarded the free position unless the game clock is stopped.

Two other changes to Rule 5 modify how a draw is conducted and alternate possession is determined. The change to Rule 5-2-5d establishes that players may not step on or over the restraining lines after the official’s hand is in contact with the sticks at the draw until the restraining line is released regardless of number of players between the restraining lines. Rule 5-5-1f was amended to eliminate alternate possession for offsetting fouls when a card is issued for one of the fouls – applying a more appropriate penalty for a carded offense.

“The committee made it a priority to address rules that created an unfair advantage for either the offense or defense,” Atkinson said.

The goalkeeper may now carry the ball into the goal circle after it has been cleared (passed or carried out of the goal circle) and played (left the player’s crosse and touched by another player or crosse is checked crosse to crosse by an opposing player or play is stopped due to a foul by an opponent), according to an amended Rule 7-1-2c. This provides another option for the goalkeeper to return to the goal circle with the ball.

Continuing the focus on the area around the goal, the administration of a free position for a three-second violation has been amended in a change to Rule 10-1y PENALTIES. Now, if the ball is outside the critical scoring area and above the goal line extended when the defense is called for a three-second violation, the free position will be administered  at the 12-meter fan instead of at the spot of the ball.

The final major rule change focused on the method of checking pocket depth of the crosse by game officials. To ensure consistency, officials will ensure the top of the ball remains above the top of the wooden or plastic sidewall after the ball has been dropped into the front and back of the pocket on a horizontally held crosse. Previously, the rule instructed officials to apply pressure to the ball, before releasing it on both the front and back face of the pocket.

The lone major editorial change replaces references of “slow whistle” with the terms “held whistle” or “flag” for clarity

.

Registration is still open for Fall sports! If you or someone you know is interested in officiating Football, Volleyball, or Men's Soccer there is still time to register with NCHSAA to officiate this season. Head over to nchsaa.org/officials for more information.

Be sure to also contact the Regional Supervisor Of Officials for the sport(s) you are interested in officiating by visiting their section on our website. There contact information is listed there and they will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Source: NFHS
The NFHS Softball Rules Committee has approved the wearing of jewelry in the sport, effective with the 2023 season. Previously, only medical and religious medals were permitted.

The removal of the previous Rule 3-2-12 from the 2022 NFHS Softball Rules Book headlined a set of six rules changes forwarded by the committee. The six proposed changes were compiled at the committee’s recent rules meeting held June 13-15 at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis and were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“The NFHS Softball Rules Committee has entertained this possible rule change on multiple occasions based on previous proposals submitted by the membership,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Softball Rules Committee. “This year’s overwhelming member response in favor of permitting the wearing of jewelry strongly influenced the Committee’s decision to approve this proposal. Rule language, however, continues to allow umpires the authority to expel items they deem dangerous or distracting to any player.”

In a causal change, Rule 3-6-11 strengthens language to emphasize that electronic devices only be used in the dugout during games to prevent teams from utilizing them as an on-field signaling system under the new jewelry-friendly regulations.

Color restrictions for gloves and mitts were also loosened as part of Rule 1-4-1. Previously, gloves and mitts could not consist of more than two colors excluding lacing and manufacturer’s logos. For the 2023 season, there will be no limit on the number of colors as long as no part of the glove/mitt – including lacing and seams – is the same color as the ball; has markings that give the appearance of the ball; or is made in a manner that is distracting to the umpire.

To more accurately depict final scores and individual and team statistics, a new clause was added to Rule 4-2-1 stating that all baserunners involved in a game-ending home run will be scored and credited to the winning team. Previously, only the number of runs needed to win the contest were officially counted in the final score.

Rule 8-2-7, which deals with batter-runner interference, was reformatted to address the infraction in fair territory – “with a fielder attempting to make an initial play on a fair batted ball” (Rule 8-2-7a) – and in foul territory – “with a fielder attempting to field a fly ball over foul territory” (Rule 8-2-7b).

The final rule change for the 2023 season is the insertion of Rule 2-20-1g pertaining to the definition of a fair ball. This new language clarifies that a batted ball will be ruled a fair ball and a dead ball in the instance an offensive player interferes with a defensive player while the ball is in fair territory. Placing this language within the definition of a fair ball also makes it consistent with the definition of a foul ball that is covered in Rule 2-25-1e.

Source: NFHS
High school baseball players and coaches will be permitted to wear jewelry in 2023 after the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee voted to remove its prohibition from the rules. Previously, only medical and religious medals were permitted by rule.

This change to Rule 1-5-12 was one of the rules changes approved by the committee at its June 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

While most jewelry will be permitted, the Baseball Rules Committee noted that the current rules still state that any jewelry worn that poses harm or injury to a player or opponent should be removed.

“The game of baseball has evolved and players have demonstrated that wearing a bracelet or a necklace does not impede their ability to play or increase any risk to themselves or their opponents,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee.

The committee also added a definition for a lodged ball, which is when a ball remains on the playing field, but becomes wedged, stuck, lost or unreachable causing it to stop abruptly or not fall or roll immediately. The ball is declared a dead ball. The definition was necessary to differentiate when a ball becomes lodged in a fielder’s glove, in which the ball remains in play.

Rule 6 was adjusted to only use the pivot foot to determine whether a pitcher is delivering a pitch from the wind-up or set position. Previously, the position of both feet on the pitcher’s plate determined either the wind-up or set positions, prohibiting a “hybrid” position where the pivot foot was in the wind-up position and the non-pivot foot was in the set position.

“The Rules Committee received tremendous input from coaches and umpires that allowing the ‘hybrid’ would assist players to succeed in pitching,” Hopkins said. “Anytime we can write a rule to improve playability or increase participation, then it is prudent that we do so for the sake of the participants.”

Rule 1-5-4 added language clarifying that eye shields attached to a catcher’s mask after manufacture are prohibited. Eye shields that are attached at the time of manufacture must be clear.

In addition, the officials signals for baseball were updated to include eight pre-pitch situations and eight signals during play and results.

The NCHSAA 2022 State Volleyball Clinic is THIS MONDAY, July 11, 2022 at Fayetteville Academy, 3200 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, NC. The clinic will start promptly at 6:00pm. The SSOA Volleyball All Officials Clinic will immediately follow the state state clinic. Please make sure to bring a pen and paper with you to the clinic.

The 2022 Referee Magazine Football Quiz is available on their website. This quiz is a good way to practice before taking your NFHS Exam. It consists of twenty (20) questions that are multiple choice. When you click the link and enter your name and email address, you will receive a PDF of the quiz in your email. https://www.referee.com/football-officials-quiz-2022/

The 2022 Referee Magazine Soccer Quiz is available on their website. This quiz is a good way to practice before taking your NFHS Exam. It consists of twenty (20) questions that are multiple choice. When you click the link and enter your name and email address, you will receive a PDF of the quiz in your email. https://www.referee.com/soccer-officials-quiz-2022/

We hope that you have a safe and happy 4th Of July!

Officials, the SSOA Application is NOW OPEN for you to register for this season. The link is on our homepage and Join page. If you submitted the form prior to July 1st, 2022, you will need to go back in and fill it out again so that it is current.

If you are a lifetime member, you will need to fill out the form as well. Be sure to select "LIFETIME MEMBER" when doing so.

SSOA Dues are $20.00 and cover your SSOA membership from July 1st through June 30th. Payments this year must be made by check (payable to SSOA). Mail checks to Post Office Box 41441, Fayetteville, NC 28309. There may be an in person option to pay at state clinics and this will be communicated through your Regional Supervisor of Officials.

The online credit card option is not available this year. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Officials, the 2022 NCHSAA State Soccer Championship is coming up this weekend! Soccer Officials are admitted free with your 2021-22 NCHSAA Soccer officials card. This year the card is digital and you must request it through Dragonfly.

Officials, the 2022 NCHSAA State Baseball Championship is coming up this weekend! Baseball Officials are admitted free with your 2022 NCHSAA Baseball officials card. This year the card is digital and you must request it through Dragonfly.

Officials, the 2022 NCHSAA State Softball Championship is coming up this weekend! Softball Officials are admitted free with your 2022 NCHSAA Softball officials card. This year the card is digital and you must request it through Dragonfly.

We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day. Thank you to all that served and continue to serve our country!

Officials, the 2022 NCHSAA State Lacrosse Championship is coming up this weekend! Lacrosse Officials are admitted free with your 2022 NCHSAA Lacrosse officials card. This year the card is digital and you must request it through Dragonfly.

Registration is now open for the NCHSAA 2021-22 sports season. Head over to NCHSAA.org/officials to signup. Don't wait around, you will need to receive rulebooks in time to study for your exam! Fall Sports exams begin on July 26th through the Dragonfly platform. If you have any questions before registering, please contact the Regional Supervisor for that sport.

Source: NFHS
The allowance of hair adornments made of hard material has been clarified in high school basketball. Adornments made of hard material are permitted provided they are securely fastened close to the head and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates or opponents.

This change to Rule 3-5-4d was approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its annual meeting April 11-13 in Indianapolis. The recommendation was subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The committee adjusted the rule to be inclusive of hair styles while maintaining that the risk of injury to the athlete and others not be compromised.

“It was extremely important to the rules committee to create rules language that supported diversity of hair trends while minimizing the risk of injury to the athlete, teammates and opponents,” said Lindsey Atkinson, director of sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. “Creating educational tools through case plays and the annual NFHS Basketball Rules PowerPoint will be the focus of the committee.”

Adjustments were also made to the Shot Clock Guidelines in the Basketball Rules Book as states begin to implement its use by state association adoption this season. The committee reiterated that the Shot Clock Guidelines are strongly suggested, but not required.

In addition, the Shot Clock Guidelines were simplified to suggest a full reset of the shot clock after a ball is intentionally kicked or fisted. However, states may choose to institute a partial reset in these instances, if desired.

According to the latest updates, four states have adopted full use of the shot clock since last year’s rules changes: Iowa, Minnesota, Montana and Utah. Three others have adopted it for limited use: Nebraska, South Carolina and Florida. Ten state associations previously had implemented or approved a shot clock prior to the NFHS rule change: California, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington and the District of Columbia. Idaho has tentatively approved a shot clock with a second vote coming in June.

“High school basketball from a playing rules perspective is in a good place,” said Billy Strickland, executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the Basketball Rules Committee. “The Committee spent a significant amount of time during our April meeting discussing future rule proposals, an increase in physicality within the game and unsportsmanlike behavior by spectators, as well as the upcoming implementation of the 35 second shot clock in several states.”

The Basketball Rules Committee identified three points of emphasis for the upcoming season, including promoting good sportsmanship. The points also focus on reducing illegal contact in post-play, off-ball play and through hand checks. The third point of emphasis reminds officials to first address illegal uniforms, equipment and apparel directly with the head coach and not players.

Source: NFHS
High school wrestlers may now have facial hair on the entire face and chin, provided a skin check can still be conducted. Previously, wrestlers were required to be clean shaven with the exception of sideburns and a neatly trimmed mustache.

The change to facial hair requirements was one of three rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its meeting April 3-5 in Indianapolis, which subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The revised procedure for facial hair is that the skin must be visible to allow for a skin check to be performed, as determined by the referee or a designated onsite appropriate health-care professional overseeing skin checks. In the event a skin check cannot be performed, a wrestler will be permitted to trim the facial hair to within the guidelines and must do so before competing. A wrestler may also choose to wear a face mask in lieu of making adjustments to the facial hair.

“We have been systematically removing barriers of participation in our sport,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports, sanctioning and student services and liaison to the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee. “It started with allowing the optional two-piece uniform, then modifying the hair rule, providing options for state associations with three choices of weight classes for boys and adding three separate girls’ sets of weight classes and now this change. Literally, there is no rule-based reason that a young person cannot participate. We accept all students who want to learn how to wrestle with no restrictions and encourage them to try out for their school team.”

An additional change to Rule 4-2-1 permits wrestlers to wear hair-control devices and other adornments in the hair that are securely fastened and do not present an increased risk to the wrestler or opponents.

“The NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee continues to be forward-thinking with rules changes that promote participation in our sport,” said Anthony Clarke, chair of the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee. “The committee also strives to adopt rules changes that make wrestling easier for officials, coaches, wrestlers and fans to understand.”

In the event a wrestler’s shoelace laces become untied or the shoe comes off during a match, a wrestler will now be penalized for stalling. Previously, this situation resulted in a technical violation. Shoe and shoelace infractions are no longer subject to injury time and the match will not be stopped to warn or penalize this instance of stalling. Additionally, any two-point stalling infractions and penalties will not cause the match to be stopped to warn or penalize a wrestler.

Changes to 4-1-1 and 4-5-7 clarified the uniform requirements for female wrestlers. Female wrestlers shall wear a sports bra that completely covers their breasts and minimizes the risk of exposure during weigh-ins and competition. Additionally, the change also clarifies that compression shirts may be worn underneath a one-piece singlet and are not required for female wrestlers unless needed to ensure complete coverage.

Officials, the NCHSAA State Basketball Championship is coming up this Saturday! Basketball Officials are admitted free with your 2021-22 NCHSAA Basketball officials card. This year the card is digital and you must request it through Dragonfly.

Source: NFHS
Hair adornments, including beads, may be worn by high school soccer players beginning next fall, provided they are secured in a bun and do not present a safety hazard to the player, teammates or opponents.

This change to Rule 4-2-2 of the NFHS Soccer Rules Book was recommended by the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee at its February 6-8 meeting in Indianapolis. This change and five other rules revisions were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The allowance of hair adornments and specifically beads is an attempt to be more inclusive of participants’ cultural and religious beliefs.

“The Soccer Rules Committee wants to support diversity and ensure that all competitors are welcomed in the sport of soccer while maintaining safety in the sport,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee. “The committee felt it was important to create rules language that supported diversity of hair trends while minimizing the risk of injury to the athlete, teammates and opponents.”

A revision to Rule 12-2 further defines the arm when determining handling offenses. A player is penalized for handling when carrying, striking or propelling the ball with a hand or arm, which is now further defined by the upper boundary of the arm in line with the armpit.

"The rules committee has received several inquiries regarding handling,” said Stan Latta, chair of the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee. “In an effort to define what parts of the arm/hand are considered in determining handling, wording was approved to describe the specific areas of  the arm/hand that should be considered when determining a handling violation."

Rule 14-1 Penalty describes the process for a penalty kick and was amended to add clarification that the kick must be kicked forward, toward the goal. If a penalty kick is not kicked forward, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team.

Other rules changes include:

• Rule 7-1-3 now states that a suspended game should be considered an official game if one complete half or more has been played unless otherwise set forth by state association adoption.

• Rule 10 was revised to state that a goal cannot be scored directly from a goalkeeper’s throw into the opponent’s goal.

• Regarding corner kicks, Rule 17-1-2 clarifies that the defending team shall be 10 yards from the corner arc until the ball is kicked and the corner kick shall be kicked from the ground within the corner arc.

Source: NFHS
A new rules exception that allows a passer to intentionally throw an incomplete forward pass for the purpose of conserving yardage, and the redefining of the term “chop block” – both of which are intended to minimize risk of injury – are the two most notable rules changes coming to high school football for the 2022 season.

These changes stand out among the seven total recommendations brought forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee, which held its annual rules meeting January 23-25 at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The NFHS Board of Directors subsequently approved all seven of the committee’s suggestions.

“With this year’s rules changes, the committee once again showed its focus on minimizing risk in high school football,” said Bob Colgate, NFHS Director of Sports and Sports Medicine and liaison to the NFHS Football Rules Committee. “By expanding the parameters for a legal forward pass and redefining the chop block so it can be more easily officiated by game officials, the committee has taken measures to mitigate two potentially risky situations within the game.”

Rule 7-5-2 EXCEPTION 2 now permits a player to purposefully throw an incomplete forward pass without warranting an intentional grounding penalty provided the passer is outside of “the pocket” (lateral boundary of the free-blocking zone) and the pass reaches the neutral zone or the extension of the neutral zone beyond the sideline.

“The question (with this rule) has always been, ‘if the defense makes a good play, are we bailing out the offense by letting the quarterback throw the ball away?’” said Richard McWhirter, Chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and Assistant Executive Director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. “This year, I think the committee felt the wellbeing of the passers and not subjecting them to extra hits was worth changing the rule.”

An alteration to Rule 2-3-8 addressed the new definition of a chop block, which is now described as “a combination block by two or more teammates against an opponent other than the runner, with or without delay, where one of the blocks is below the waist and one of the blocks is above the waist.” Previously, the defensive player’s knee was used to determine the high and low components of a chop block.

“This is going to strengthen the rule and it’s also going to help the game officials,” said McWhirter. “I think they're going to be able to enforce this rule better than they have in the past because determining ‘below the knee’ and ‘above the knee’ is tough to do. I think it’s really going to improve the game.”

Players will be able to wear the number 0 as a jersey number starting in 2022, as the range of acceptable numbers listed in Rule 1-4-3 was expanded from 1-99 to 0-99. However, any number preceded by the digit zero will be illegal.

State associations now have the option to extend sideline team boxes beyond their traditional 50-yard expanse (between the 25-yard-lines) as long as both teams are allowed to use the same dimensions. This new NOTE attached to Rule 1-2-3g also gives state associations the freedom to decide which individuals can access the extended area.

Two minor changes involving game clock and play clock procedures were made to Rules 3-4-7 and 3-6-1a(1)e EXCEPTIONS, respectively.

In Rule 3-4-7, any foul committed within the last two minutes of either half will automatically result in the offended team’s option to start the game clock on the snap. Prior to this change, the offended team was required to accept its opponent’s penalty in order to gain control of the game clock.

The committee edited the EXCEPTIONS to Rule 3-6-1a(1)e, which clarify the necessary conditions for an abbreviated 25-second play clock after a stoppage in play. This rule now includes an exception for Rule 3-5-7i, mandating that a 40-second play clock be employed following a foul committed only by the defensive team. 

The final rule change for 2022 is an alteration to Rule 1-3-3 regarding game equipment. Any game official – not just the referee – may order the ball changed between downs.

Source: NFHS
Hair adornments such as beads are now legal in high school volleyball as long as they are securely fastened and do not endanger other players. This rule change, along with eliminating manufacturer reference size and quantity restrictions on uniform bottom waistbands, headline new rules adopted for the 2022-23 season.

In all, seven rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball Rules Committee at its annual meeting January 16-18. All rules changes were reviewed and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“Most of this year’s rules changes deal with the administrative side of things. The NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee really feels like the sport is in a great place,” said Jo Auch, assistant executive director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association and chair of the NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee. “The two changes of note relax restrictions on hair adornments such as beads, as well as the number of manufacturer logos on uniform bottoms. We’ve seen some different trends in these areas that helped lead to the changes we made. We feel pretty positive about them and believe coaches, officials and players will, too.”

To align officials’ rulings on flat barrettes and other hair adornments, the Volleyball Rules Committee eliminated size restrictions of 2 inches or less that were previously cited in Rule 4-1-6. The rule now allows for bobby pins, flat clips, flat barrettes and other adornments to legally be worn in the hair as long they do not present a safety hazard to the player, teammates or opponents.

The adoption of changes to Rule 4-2-1f presents student-athletes with the opportunity to wear uniform bottoms featuring multiple manufacturer logos, trademarks or references that exceed 2¼ inches on waistbands. Oftentimes, student-athletes are responsible for supplying their own uniform bottom. Given current trends in the sport of volleyball, the rules committee recognized the lack of uniform bottoms available to student-athletes without substantial manufacturer representation.

“The Volleyball Rules Committee took another step in creating a more inclusive environment within the sport by relaxing restrictions on hair adornments,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee. “It was extremely important to the rules committee to create rules language that supported diversity of hair trends while minimizing the risk of injury to the athlete, teammates and opponents.”

Another focal point of the committee was the alignment of Rule 5-6-3b, e, and Rule 5-7-3e, addressing scorer and libero notification procedures. The committee’s actions eliminate the use of the sounding device when an improper server is used and aligns the notification to that of a discrepancy in the score, at which point the second referee is notified during the first dead ball.

Other changes adopted by the Volleyball Rules Committee include additional allowances for time-out and substitution-related requests by a head coach, assistant coach or playing captain.

Changes to Rule 11-2-1 now allow for verbalized requests for a time-out on a dead ball by the head coach or playing captain prior to the first referee’s signal for the ensuing serve. This allows the second referee to grant a time-out during a dead ball without visual signal when heard verbalized by a head coach or captain and not require the visual signal.

The introduction of new language to Rule 12-2-5a clarifies that assistant coaches may ask the second referee for the number of their team’s substitutions during a dead-ball situation. Previously, the rule allowed for assistant coaches to review the accuracy of the score, verify the number of time-outs, request the serving order of the assistant coach’s team, and verify the proper server for the opponent.

Happy New Year from SSOA!