Rules of the Game: The Ransom report – Edition 1

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Kevin Ransom | August 25, 2023

Rules of the Game: The Ransom report – Edition 1

Welcome to “Rules of the Game”

My name is Kevin Ransom and throughout the 2023 football season it is my hope to introduce the average high school football fan to the complexities of the PIAA Rules Book.  It is possible that you will find this column to be educational; you might learn about existing rules or even the new rules that are put into place each year.  You might also find this column to be confusing; wading through the nuances of the PIAA football rules book has confused some of the most seasoned football officials.  Finally, you might find this column to be challenging; attempting to answer the rule questions posed to the readers are likely to challenge most average football fans.  Regardless of your experience with this column, I just hope it is enjoyable and we can celebrate and learn about the game we love!

I believe it was the old ABC Monday Night Football broadcast from the 1980’s that sponsored short segments during breaks in the game entitled “You Make the Call.”  They would show you a clip and you needed to identify the foul, assign the penalty enforcement, and decide possession and clock status.  I hope to create a fun and enjoyable version of this old segment using the written word as opposed to video and using high school rules as opposed to the NFL rules.  Video may come at a later date.

With Week #1 upon us, it might be best to spend time during this first edition reviewing the rule changes for the 2023 season.  Don’t worry, we will dive into the “You Make the Call” in our second edition.

RULES CHANGES FOR 2023

Clarified That Towels Do Not Have to Be the Same Solid Color for Each Player – This rule clarification allows players from the same team to each wear towels that are a different color.  A worn towel must be a solid color with a possible manufacture’s logo measuring no larger than 2 ¼ inches.  Simply put, this means that a Quarterback can wear a solid Red Towel, while the Center is wearing a solid White Towel.

Added A List of Criteria to Help Identify Players Who Should Be Defined as Defenseless Receivers – This change adds to the list of criteria to help identify players who should be defined as defenseless receivers related to application of unnecessary or excessive contact. This clarification should help game officials and coaches by defining allowable contact against defenseless receivers. The rule change simply removed the foul for violent contact against a defenseless player if the action is during a normal tackling motion. Leading with the helmet and initial contact above the shoulder remain a foul.

Intentional Grounding Exception Changed – This change permits the exception for intentional grounding to the first and only player to possess the ball after the snap ends.  Simply stated, the player that receives the snap (typically considered the QB) is the only player afforded the ability to “throw the ball away”.  A Running Back who receives a handoff is not afforded that same ability.

Changes In Basic Spot Penalty Enforcement – This change restructures and clarifies the amendments to Rule 10 to eliminate the excessive penalty enforcements for offensive fouls that occur behind the line of scrimmage. This revision stipulates the basic spot for enforcement of fouls behind the line of scrimmage is the previous spot rather than the spot of the foul unless otherwise specified by rule. Current penalties for illegal kicking, batting and participation fouls, and provisions for offensive fouls occurring in the end zone that may result in a safety remain intact. Simply stated, most fouls by the offensive team that occur behind the line of scrimmage will NO LONGER be enforced from the spot of the foul.  Instead, they will be enforced from the Line of Scrimmage (Often called the Previous Spot).

Other minor changes and some editorial changes have also occurred. A complete list of rule changes can be found on the PIAA site.

Interested in becoming a PIAA Football official?  Contact the PIAA or any local official.  They can help you get started.  Have a question about this column?  I can be reached at kevinransom95@hotmail.com

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