Eight NFHS Rule Changes Approved
By Referee – August 22, 2025
By Joe Jarosz
Forward fumbles ruled out of bounds between the goallines will now be brought back to the spot of the fumble due to an NFHS rule change for 2025. Equipment, technology and penalty enforcement round out the seven other changes approved by the NFHS Football Rules Committee during its annual meeting Jan. 12-14 in Indianapolis.The changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors, along with editorial changes and points of emphasis.
The changes are presented in perceived order of significance. The caseplays and rulings were written by Referee. Consult NFHS publications for official rulings and interpretations.
Rule Changes
Forward Fumble 3-4-3, 4-3-1 EXC. (NEW)
When a loose ball goes out of bounds or is ruled out of bounds, that location becomes the spot for the start of the succeeding play, except with the new exception to rule 4-3-1. When a forward fumble goes out of bounds or is ruled out of bounds between the goallines, the ball will now be returned to the spot of the fumble. When 4-3-1 Exc. for a forward fumble is involved, the clock will begin on the ready for play signal instead of on the snap.
Play 1: As seen in MechaniGram A, it’s third and 10 at team B’s 15 yardline. A1 takes a pitch, sweeps to his right and fumbles at team B’s 10 yardline. The ball rolls out of bounds at team B’s five yardline. Ruling 1: Because A1 fumbled forward and out of bounds between the goallines, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. It will be fourth and five at team B’s 10 yardline and the clock will start on the ready for play.
Play 2: Fourth and five at team B’s 20 yardline. A1 takes a pitch, sweeps to his right and fumbles at team B’s 16 yardline. The ball is touched at team B’s 14 yardline by prone B2, whose foot is touching the sideline. Ruling 2: Because A1 fumbled forward and the ball was ruled out of bounds between the goallines, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. Since that is short of the line to gain, team B takes over on downs at its 16 yardline and the clock starts on the snap.
Play 3: Third and five at team B’s 20 yardline. A1 takes a pitch and is hit at team B’s 21 yardline. He fumbles and the ball rolls out of bounds at team B’s 22 yardline. Ruling 3: Because the ball went out of bounds behind the spot of the fumble, it belongs to team A at the out-of-bounds spot. It is team A’s ball, fourth and seven at team B’s 22 yardline and the clock starts on the snap.
Play 4: Second and goal from team B’s five yardline. A1 takes a handoff, runs up the middle and fumbles at team B’s one yardline. The ball rolls into team B’s end zone where (a) A2 recovers, (b) B3 recovers, or (c) the ball rolls over the endline. Ruling 4: In (a), it is a touchdown. In (b) and (c), because the ball went into team B’s end zone and was not ruled out of bounds between the goallines, the ball is not returned to the spot of the fumble and both result in a touchback. Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the 20 yardline and clock starts on the snap.
Play 5: As seen in MechaniGram B, it’s first and 10 at team A’s one yardline. A1 takes a handoff and fumbles in his end zone. The ball rolls forward and out of bounds at team A’s three yardline. Ruling 5: Because the ball was fumbled forward and ruled out of bounds between the goallines, it is returned to the spot of the fumble which is team A’s end zone. That results in a safety and team A will free kick from its 20 yardline if not relocated because of penalty. The clock starts per free kick rules.
Be aware that the exception applies to fumbles only and not to backward passes. If a backward pass is muffed out of of bounds between the goallines, it is not returned to the spot of the muff and it will be spotted where it is ruled out of bounds.
Illegal Participation 9-6 Pen.
The penalty for all illegal participation fouls has been standardized as 15 yards, live ball, basic spot enforcement. Previously, some illegal participation penalty enforcement used the previous spot or the spot of the foul, potentially causing an advantage for the fouling team. This rule change does not allow a team to gain an advantage by entering and participating late in a play.
Play 6: First and 10 at team A’s 20 yardline. A1 catches a quick pass and breaks free toward the end zone. Substitute B2 enters the field of play from team B’s sideline at the 50 yardline and chases after A1. He catches and tackles A1 at team B’s 20 yardline.
Ruling 6: Illegal participation by B2. The basic spot is team B’s 20 yardline and the penalty will be enforced half the distance from there, not from the spot where B2 entered the field and began to participate in the play. On this play, the referee needs to consider whether a touchdown should be awarded to team A if B2’s illegal participation prevented a score (9-9-5).
Basic Spot 10-4-4b (DELETED)
Illegal participation was removed from the list of spot foul enforcements in rule 10. The change better maintains balance between offense and defense and ensures consistency with penalty enforcement changes from recent years, particularly among illegal participation fouls.
Electronic Signage 1-5-3c(2)
Static electronic signage was removed from the list of illegal equipment. The change allows for increased opportunities to use electronic communication devices by way of fixed signs with play signals and other non-audio communication, but still does not permit non-fixed video to be used from the sideline nor between the numbers during timeouts.
Play 7: As seen in PlayPic C, while in the pre-snap huddle, team A players look toward their sideline where the offensive coordinator is holding an electronic sign with (a) static numbers and characters displayed, (b) scrolling numbers and characters displayed, or (c) as seen in PlayPic D, video recording of action from the previous play. Ruling 7: Legal in (a), illegal in (b) and (c). The penalty yardage for the dead-ball nonplayer foul is enforced 15 yards. Static electronic signage was removed from the list of illegal equipment, but non-fixed or scrolling elements are not allowed except during a conference outside the nine-yard mark.
Audio and Video Devices 1-5-3c(3) (NEW)
Microphones and cameras are now among devices listed as illegal equipment. No player participating in the game will be allowed to wear any type of audio or video device in order to record or transmit audio or video as seen in PlayPics E and F.
Tooth and Mouth Protectors 1-5-1d(5)a – 4, 5 (NEW)
Effective in 2026, tooth and mouth protector attachments are illegal and have been added to the list describing tooth and mouth protectors. Adornments that do not serve a purpose and function in protecting the mouth or present a risk to players are not allowed. Pacifiers loops, any dangling objects and spinning fans are all examples of illegal attachments.
Arm Sleeves 1-5-2d (NEW), 1-5-3c(5)
Effective in 2027, arm sleeves manufactured to enhance contact with the football or an opponent must meet the specifications determined by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). This includes sleeves attached to a shirt. All sleeves manufactured to enhance contact with the ball or opponent must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA seal that must be visible and appear legibly on the exterior of the sleeve as seen in PlayPic G.
Six-Player Rule 2 and 7
The change clarified that as long as there has been a change in possession from the snap receiver to another player of team A, the ball can be advanced beyond the line of scrimmage. No longer must the snap receiver execute a direct handoff or clear pass in order for the ball to be advanced across the line. For example, if the snap receiver possesses and then fumbles, the ball may be recovered by his teammate and advanced across the line of scrimmage.
Editorial Changes
Jersey Markings 1-5-1b(2)b(1), 1-5-1b(3)b(1)
Player uniforms may now contain a school mascot within the body and/or on the shoulders, in addition to the previously allowed school’s name, nickname, logo and/or the player’s name.
Penalty Enforcement 2-33-1; 10-3-1, 2
A loose-ball play is action during a free kick or scrimmage kick other than post-scrimmage fouls as defined in 2-16-2h and 2-33-1a, b, c, and d. A running play is any actions as defined in 2-33-2.
Spots 2-41-9b
The term “related running play” is not otherwise used in the rulebook and so it was eliminated from rule 2-41-9b. The spot where a run ends is where the runner loses player possession if his run is followed by a loose ball, but the related run continues until the ball becomes dead or any player gains possession.
Free Kick 6-1-9
This change reorganizes language and eliminates duplication with the penalty statement for choices allowed to the offended team. When a free kick is ruled out of bounds between the goallines untouched by team R, the penalty is five yards from the previous spot and rekick, five yards from the succeeding spot or putting the ball in play 25 yards beyond the previous spot.
Defenseless Players 2-32-16d; 9-4-3 (NEW)
Rule 2-32-16d has been eliminated and contact against a defenseless receiver has been reorganized into rule 9-4-3. Previously, the determination of a player as defenseless based on actions of an opponent was inconsistent with the definition of a defenseless player, which is based on his own position and focus of concentration. No player shall initiate forceful contact against a defenseless receiver as in 2-32-16 (b) and (c) that is not: (a) incidental contact as a result of making a play on the ball; (b) initiated with open hands; or (c) an attempt to tackle by wrapping arm(s) around the receiver.
Numbering Exception 7-5-12
The numbering exception is in effect from the time the snapper touches the ball.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct 9-8-1g
Clarification was given to rule 9-8-1g in that violating any one of the examples listed there is grounds for a foul and not only if all the examples are violated. Failure to (1) comply with the restrictions of 3-2-2 at the coin toss or simulated coin toss, or (2) be ready to start the first half, or (3) be on the field following the conclusion of the halftime intermission, or (4) be ready to start the second half at the conclusion of the mandatory warmup period are to be penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct.
Basic Spot 10-4-2
Changes combine two rules that say essentially the same thing. The basic spot is the previous spot unless 8-5-2 applies for a foul by team A or team B when the related run ends behind the line of scrimmage when there is no change of possession or before a change of possession and also when a foul occurs during a loose ball play. The basic spot is the spot of the foul for illegal batting or illegal kicking.
Penalty Enforcement 10-5-3
If the offensive team throws an illegal forward pass from its end zone or commits any other foul in its end zone for which the penalty is accepted, and enforcement is from on or behind the goalline, it results in a safety. Previous wording indicated the spot of penalty measurement not enforcement.
Points of Emphasis
The committee identified player equipment, sportsmanship and defenseless player definitions as points of emphasis.
Player equipment concerns include illegal equipment and improperly worn equipment. Illegal equipment refers to prohibited items like jewelry, tinted visors, upper arm bands and towels that do not conform to the rules. Improperly worn equipment pertains to all legal equipment items not worn as intended. Common examples include knee pads that don’t cover the knees, uncovered shoulder and back pads, and tooth and mouth protectors not worn as play begins.
Repeated violations of equipment rules can impact the game’s safety and fairness. Current NFHS rules leave officials with several administrative options to deal with persistent offenders. Delay-of-game fouls can be enforced when persistent offenses impact the pace of play. If noncompliance becomes a major issue, unsportsmanlike conduct fouls may be enforced for equipment not being worn by the offending player as intended by the manufacturer. As a last resort, coaches who demonstrate a lack of interest in supporting important safety rules can be judged to be acting in an unsporting fashion and can be directly penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The NFHS demands all stakeholders of high school football work together to ensure the highest principles of sportsmanship and ethics of competition. While game officials are encouraged to not be overly technical in their judgment, celebratory acts which are prolonged, choreographed or directed at an opponent must be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. Brief, spontaneous and emotional responses to good plays are allowed, but actions such as throat slashing or brandishing weapons, rehearsed poses, gestures with sexual connotation, dunking the ball over the crossbar, somersaults or flips, and spiking or spinning the ball are specifically illegal. Since that list is by no means comprehensive, it is important for officials to remember any act clearly intended to draw attention to oneself or to demean an opponent must be penalized.
Uniform enforcement of illegal contact against defenseless opponents across the country is a major focus of the rules committee. A player is especially vulnerable to injury when physical position and focus of concentration makes him unable to protect himself against contact from an opponent. By definition, these players are defenseless and remain so until their position and focus allow them to brace for contact or otherwise protect themselves. Common categories for defenseless players include passers, receivers, sliding runners or those with forward progress stopped, players out of the play or those receiving an illegal blindside block. Special attention must be paid to these particularly vulnerable participants and coaching and officiating decisions must reflect the importance of player safety and risk minimization to the future success of high school football.
Joe Jarosz is an associate editor for Referee. He officiates college and high school football, college and high school basketball, and high school baseball.
