MHSAA makes rule changes for fall sports
The MHSAA released a statement Thursday, Aug. 6 concerning rule changes for the upcoming 2009 fall sports season.
The major football rules change by the National Federation of State High School for 2009 is that the horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal fouls. Effective this season, it will be illegal to grab the inside back or side collar of the runner's shoulder pads or jersey and subsequently pull the runner to the ground. The penalty will be 15 yards from the succeeding spot.
There are two other risk-minimization changes in 2009. One change will make it illegal to grasp an opponent's chin strap, in addition to the opponent's face mask or edge of a helmet opening. The national rules committee also made a significant change in an effort to reduce the risk of injury along the sidelines. A maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area between the sideline and the restraining line to communicate with players during dead-ball situations. Before the ball becomes live, however, the coaches must retreat into the team box. This is to keep the six-foot zone between the sideline and the restraining line open for officials the length of the field. The restraining line is also in place outside the team bench area to keep other sideline personnel - chain gangs, trainers, media, and others -- back from the field during play.
The most visible rules change in girls volleyball will permit head coaches to stand during play with limitations. The head coach may stand in the libero replacement zone during play, and shall not be closer than six feet to the sideline. If the team bench is carded by the official at any point during the match, the head coach will lose the privilege to stand for the remainder of the match. Additionally, a change was made to allow the ball to contact any part of the body legally. Previously, the ball was only allowed to hit a player from the waist up for the contact to be legal.
The major football rules change by the National Federation of State High School for 2009 is that the horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal fouls. Effective this season, it will be illegal to grab the inside back or side collar of the runner's shoulder pads or jersey and subsequently pull the runner to the ground. The penalty will be 15 yards from the succeeding spot.
There are two other risk-minimization changes in 2009. One change will make it illegal to grasp an opponent's chin strap, in addition to the opponent's face mask or edge of a helmet opening. The national rules committee also made a significant change in an effort to reduce the risk of injury along the sidelines. A maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area between the sideline and the restraining line to communicate with players during dead-ball situations. Before the ball becomes live, however, the coaches must retreat into the team box. This is to keep the six-foot zone between the sideline and the restraining line open for officials the length of the field. The restraining line is also in place outside the team bench area to keep other sideline personnel - chain gangs, trainers, media, and others -- back from the field during play.
The most visible rules change in girls volleyball will permit head coaches to stand during play with limitations. The head coach may stand in the libero replacement zone during play, and shall not be closer than six feet to the sideline. If the team bench is carded by the official at any point during the match, the head coach will lose the privilege to stand for the remainder of the match. Additionally, a change was made to allow the ball to contact any part of the body legally. Previously, the ball was only allowed to hit a player from the waist up for the contact to be legal.
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