2007 TACKLE RULE CHANGES

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION AND IMPLEMENTATION
The following rule changes, approved during the 2007 Tackle Rules Committee Meeting, are for immediate distribution and implementation. (The changes are italicized and in bold type). They will be added to the next printed edition of the Rule Book due in April / May 2008.

RULE 1, SECTION 1, ARTICLE 9, PAGE#: 2 – Goal Post Assembly
The goal post assembly shall consist of 2 vertical goal posts, 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 metres) apart, centred on the goal line, the mandatory padding specified in paragraph 2 and the crossbar joining them, whose upper edge is 10 feet (3.05 metres) above the ground. The goal posts shall be at least 20 feet (6.1 metres) above the ground level. For new installations the goal posts should measure 30 ft (9.1 metres) above ground level. A wishbone type or single shaft goal post may be used if the height and length of the crossbar meet the above standards, and the base of the goal post can be up to 110 in. (279.4 cm) behind the goal line.
For safety reasons, all goal posts must be properly padded. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide the padding. In the case of a neutral field, the participating teams shall decide which team shall be responsible for padding the goal posts.
NOTE: Goal posts on the goal line are considered to be part of the end zone.

RULE 1, SECTION 3, ARTICLE 1, PAGE #: 3 – Length of Game
The game shall consist of 60 minutes of actual playing time, divided into 4 periods of 15 minutes each. For players at the High School level and below, it is recommended that the game consist of 48 minutes of actual playing time divided into 4 periods of 12 minutes each.

RULE 1, SECTION 5, ARTICLE 2, PAGE #: 6 – Time Stops
Time shall stop on the signal of a field official when:
(a) A score has been made and throughout any convert attempt.
(b) A live ball goes out of bounds.
(c) A forward pass is incomplete.
(d) Penalty application is required.
(e) Player substitution is requested.
(f) Player injury occurs. Time stops after the ball is dead and the injured player must be replaced.
(g) Time expires at the end of a period.
(h) The ball becomes dead after the three-minute warning signal in any half.
(i) Any field official recognizes a request for a time out.
(j) The Referee feels it necessary to suspend play – defective equipment, measurements, etc.
Paragraph (h) has been deleted.
 

RULE 1, SECTION 5, ARTICLE 4, PAGE #: 6 – Time Out
Each team shall be entitled to two time outs in each half of a game. Each time out is 1 minute long. Any player, head coach, or designated head coach may request a time out from the time the ball becomes dead until it is put into play. Time outs may not be accumulated from one half to the next.
After a time out, and any conference with the coaches, Team A players shall not remain in close proximity to their bench, but must return to their huddle, or move clearly away from the team bench area, if they are not using a huddle, or be penalized for illegal procedure. Penalty: L5 PLS DR.
 

RULE 1, SECTION 8, ARTICLE 1, NOTE 4(8), PAGE #: 10,11 – Dead Ball
*NOTE 4: When the whistle is blown inadvertently and the ball is:
(1) In Team A possession -
DNG - Team A option - PLS DR
- PBH downs continue
DG - PBH and 1D
(2) In Team B possession - PBH and 1D.
(3) Loose on a fumble, offside pass or blocked kick, possession will be given to the team last in possession at the point where possession was lost or at the Point of Origin of Pass, and downs continue.
If a foul, which normally would award possession to the non-offending team, is called at the same time as the inadvertent whistle is blown (e.g. offside "A" illegally first touches a kick or commits a restraining zone foul:
Illegal interference on a loose ball, etc.), possession will be awarded to the non-offending team at the point of foul, and the appropriate yardage, if applicable, shall be applied at that point.
Loose on a lateral pass, possession will be given to the team last in possession, at the POP, downs continue, or at the PLS, DR.

If possession has changed prior to the lateral pass and inadvertent whistle, at POP.
(4) In the air on a forward pass; or a punt or attempted field goal which lands on the field of play - PLS DR (see 5, 6, 7 below).
(5) In the air on an attempted field goal, which is successful or on a punt kicked out of the end zone in flight, the score shall count. Play will continue as after any successful field goal, or rouge as applicable.
(6) In the air on an unsuccessful field goal which lands in the end zone, a punt which lands in the end zone, or such a kick which lands in the end zone and
goes out of bounds in the end zone. Team B option - allow Team A 1 point and B 1D at B 35 or at PLS if rouge is after an unsuccessful field goal attempt or Team A PLS DR.
(7) In the air on a return kick from the end zone or on a kick or return kick from the end zone which hits the goal post assembly in flight - cancel the entire play - Team A - PLS DR.
(8) In the air on a punt or unsuccessful field goal, from the field of play, which hits the goal post assembly in flight – Team B – 1D at B20
The statement "or after hitting the ground" has been deleted.

.(9) In the air on a punt or field goal which is kicked out of bounds in flight, the regular ruling applies -
(a) Field of Play - Team B 1D at the out-of-bounds point (hash mark)
(b) End Zone - score (1 pt) Team B 1D at the appropriate point
(10) In play on a 2 point conversion, the convert attempt will be repeated at PLS.
Exception 1.8.1 Note 4 (3)
(11) In the air on an attempted 1 point conversion. If the kick is successful, 1 point shall be scored; if the kick is not successful, the convert attempt is completed; the ball will be put in play by a normal kick off following a convert.
(12) Kicked on a kick off, strikes the ground or a player and then hits the goal post assembly, and then the whistle is blown, repeat the kick off at the point of previous kick off.
(13) In the air on a kick off before the ball is touched, repeat the kick off at the point of previous kick-off, no options.

(14) If an inadvertent whistle occurs on a play during which time expires at the end of the second or forth quarters, or overtime, allow additional play. (Exceptions Note (4)(5)(8)(9)(11))
(15) Any fouls which occur during the play will be administered as they would be in a regular play situation on which no whistle had been blown.
 

RULE 1, SECTION 11, ARTICLE 4, PAGE #: 15 – Footwear
For all playing surfaces, a cleated shoe with the following specifications will be accepted. Turf or running shoes are also acceptable.
i. Minimum of 7 cleats per sole, with a minimum cleat tip diameter of 3/16 inch (4.8 mm).

ii. Additional cleats may be of lesser tip diameter, provided the maximum length is 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).
iii. Maximum cleat length of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).
iv. A cleat made of metal or with a metal tip is illegal.
NOTE 1: Illegal cleats include those made of metal, or with a metal tip, or made of any material that burrs, chips, or fractures.
Penalty: L5 from point where the ball would have been put into play if no other foul had occurred or added to the penalty for any other foul. If more than 1 player offends on the same play, only 1 penalty L5 will be applied on that play. The offending player shall be removed from the game until the illegal equipment is replaced. Immediate substitution will be made, but the game shall not be delayed.

RULE 5, SECTION 3, ARTICLE 4, PAGE #: 38 – Blocked Through End Zone
(a) When a kick is blocked and the ball goes dead in A possession in the end zone or is last touched by A before going out of bounds, even if the ball is touched (not directed) by a B player on the field of play into the end zone.
2 points (safety touch) to B
(b) When a kick is blocked on the field of play, and after being blocked, is directed (not kicked) into the end zone from the field of play by a B player, this will be treated as an offside pass by Team B. If the ball

(1) Goes dead in A possession in the end zone, or is touched last by an A player in the end zone before the ball goes out of bounds in the end zone
1.2D – A 1D at the 10 yard line (no score).
3D – B 1D at the point where B last touched the ball on the field of play.
(2) Goes out of bounds in the end zone, without again being touched, or after being last touched by B in the end zone.
1.2.3D – B 1D at the point where B last touched the ball on the field of play.
(c) When a return kick by Team B is blocked by Team A in the B end zone, and the ball goes dead in the B end zone, in B possession, or goes out of bounds in the B end zone, either directly or after being touched by A or B, a score of 1 or 2 points as appropriate is awarded to Team A.

RULE 5, SECTION 4, ARTICLE 1, PAGE #: 39, 40 – Offside beyond Line of Scrimmage (Restraining Zone Foul)
This article does not apply to a dribbled ball, or to a kick which does not cross the LS.
When on a kick from scrimmage (ball crosses the line of scrimmage), or on an open-field kick, a player is offside in relation to the kicker, such player:
(a) shall not touch or be touched by the ball.
Penalty: - in field of play - L15 from PBT (point ball touched)
- in goal area - L15, penalty applied at 10 yard line
(b) shall allow 5 yards to an opponent attempting to gain possession of the kicked ball. The five-yard zone is determined by a circle with a five yard radius, with the centre point being the ball at the instant it is first touched.

Penalty: - in field of play - L15 from PBT
- in goal area - L15, penalty applied at 10 yard line

If the ball strikes the ground and kicking team players are making an effort to retreat before being touched by the receiving team:
Penalty: - in field of play - L5 from PBT (point ball touched)
- in goal area - L5, penalty applied at 10 yard line
(c) shall not interfere with a receiving team player attempting to gain possession of the kicked ball, with or without contact
Penalty: - L15 from normal point of application
A player of the kicking team who invades the five-yard zone, and contacts a receiving team player who is attempting to play the ball in an unnecessarily rough manner, will be subject to an additional 15 or 25 yard penalty, regardless of whether the ball had struck the ground.
NOTE: For players at levels of football lower than college or junior, league executives may wish to reduce the severity of the above penalty to 10 yards (10 metres). A penalty in the opponents’ end zone may be awarded at the 10 yard (10 metre) line. Field officials should be notified in writing of any such variations in order to maintain consistency for the teams.
 

RULE 6, SECTION 4, ARTICLE 7 (c), PAGE # : 48 – Incomplete Pass
A forward pass is incomplete as follows:
(a) When the ball touches the ground, goal post assembly, an official, downsbox marker or yardstick assembly or goes out of bounds, even if previously touched by a player.
(b) When an eligible receiver catches a pass while off the ground, inbounds, and lands on or outside a boundary line, without being contacted by an opponent.
Paragraph (c) and NOTE have been deleted.

RULE 7, SECTION 3, ARTICLE 11, PAGE #: 55 – Delayed knee blocking
It shall be illegal for a player to block an opponent, at or below the knees, at the time that the opponent is already being engaged by a teammate of the blocker, with or without physical contact.
 

RULE 7, SECTION 3, ARTICLE 12, PAGE #: 56 – Protection of Centre
On all kick plays from scrimmage (punts, field goal attempts, and converts) it is illegal to contact the centre on, or within one yard in advance of the line of scrimmage.
Penalty: L15, PLS, PBD - AFD