New rules for 2009 (2010 in Europe)
Statement on Sportsmanship
The Rules Committee strongly supports the way Rule 9-2-1 is written is officiated.
There is even talk about making UNC a true live-ball foul if things don’t change. It will be very interesting to follow this one.
1-1-1-b, 7-1-3-b-1
Last year, the offense needed to have 7 players on the LOS to have a legal formation. Now, the offense needs to have 5 linemen with numbers from 50 to 79 and no more than 4 players in the backfield.
It will no longer be illegal for A to have 10 players on the field and only 6 on the LOS, provided 5 of the 6 have the right numbers.
1-4-3-d
Last year, gloves had to be gray.
Now, gloves must still be gray on the backs, but they can be black on the palms.
If a player grabs jersey, the visible part of the glove must still be gray.
3-2-3
Last year, a period had to be extended if a penalty with loss of down was accepted.
Now, this is not the case anymore.
The obvious example is the QB who runs beyond the LOS and completes a pass for a TD. The clock has run out and A is behind by 5 points. Previously, B would have to accept the penalty, giving A one last shot, because declining the penalty would lose them the game. Now, B can accept the penalty to negate the score, but A will not get another shot at wining the game.
This is true even if Team A would have made a 1st down after completion of the penalty. Also- if B intercepts and throws an IFP when time expires — also no extension (NCAA Bulletin #2).
Additionally — if both teams foul (offset) and Team A’s foul includes a loss of down — the down will be replayed, and the period extended.
The PATIO mnemonic device can still be used. Now it just has an exception.
7-3-10
Last year, the originally ineligible receiver had to initiate contact within 1 yard of the neutral zone and so on.
Now, the rule has been simplified. Ineligibles can go up to 3 yards downfield before the pass is thrown. Blocking is no longer required.
Please note that OPI can still be called even though IDP cannot.
9-1-2-q
Last year, it was the face mask or any helmet opening.
Now, the chin strap has been included.
The rest of the rule is unchanged.
9-1-4-a-5
Last year, a punter could – potentially – be roughed if he ran towards the sideline and then kicked the ball.
Now, RTK only applies inside the tackle box.
Even though RTK does not apply, the punter is still protected against PFs.
If the punter muffs the snap, and recovers outside the tackle box, he still has kicker protection. He must CARRY the ball outside to lose protection.