NIRSA Rules - Differences
This page is intended to illustrate some of the differences between the High School rules used during the first 3 years and the rules used under the National Intramural - Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). Please note that this list is designed to illustrate the major changes only.
2) A down marker shall be used to indicate the number of the down and placed at the end zone line-to-gain. It shall be positioned 2 yards out of bounds and operated under the jurisdiction of the Line Judge (old rule - no down marker needed).
3) A mouth guard is REQUIRED (FHSAA modification).
4) Neutral Zone (defensive rush line) is one yard in length (old rule - 5 yards, unless within 5 yards of the line-to-gain).
5) Sunglasses - NOT permitted (FHSAA modification).
6) Coin toss - Winner chooses offense, defense, choice of goals, or defer option to second half
7) Game time - 12 minute quarters, MUST change goals each quarter
8) Line of Scrimmage Requirements - 4 players must be on the line of scrimmage prior to the snap
9) Snap method - No direct snaps. Center may snap sideways if desired
10) Mercy rule - 19 points
11) Extra Points - 1 point (3 yard line), 2 points (10 yard line), 3 points (20 yard line). Old rule - no 3 point attempt permitted. NOTE: The next play shall be snapped by the opponent of the scoring team from their own 15 yard line (no ensuing kickoff).
12) Offensive Screen Blocking - permitted without contact
13) Home team wears DARK shirts, while away team wears WHITE.
From: Dave Dunning (March 19, 2007)
To: All Flag FB Officials
I have been absolutely besieged by calls and personal meetings with coaches the
first week of the season over non-judgment calls and rules applications by
numerous officials. I felt you all needed to be made aware of the following in
lieu of an emergency meeting for rules review and training:
1. Screen Blocking is LEGAL under NIRSA rules!!! All officials should review
Articles 3, 4, 5 and 6 under Rule 9 on page 53 of your Rulebook. Screeners can
MOVE in any direction, including the protection of a runner or quarterback,
short of initiating contact. There is NO FOUL without contact deemed severe
enough for the screener to have gained an advantage. If the runner is twenty
yards ahead of the nearest defender and you see contact-not intentional or
savage in nature-by a screener, you need to keep the flag in your pocket.
Offensive players lined up on the line of scrimmage on the one-yard line,
standing straight up, hands to their sides are NOT possibly in the act of
illegally screening. The defender(s) must go around to pull a flag. Review Page
53!!!
2. Gloves are LEGAL!!! Review pages 18-20.
3. If a flag belt falls off a player after the snap, that player is perfectly
eligible to run with the ball or receive a pass. That player is deemed tackled
or down with a touch between the shoulders and knees by the defense.
4. A punt that lands in the end zone remains a live ball. If the receiving team
picks up the ball and runs around the end-zone and is de-flagged, this a
TOUCHBACK!!!!!!! It can only be a safety if the ball completely comes out of
the endzone and is brought entirely back in the endzone where the player/runner
is deflagged. Review pages 48 and 49 of your Rulebooks.
5. The natural motion of a runner with hands and the ball above the flagbelt is
NOT flag-guarding. This includes both arms swinging or rocking back-and-forth.
The flags must be covered by the arm or body of the runner for flag-guarding to
occur. Remember, too: You can not call flag-guarding if there is no defender
near enough to reasonably pull a flag. Do not be baited into calling
flag-guarding if a runner is spinning. In NIRSA, a runner can spin 360 degrees
and once again, if the belt is exposed for pulling, no foul can happen!!!
6. A 4-minute warning and a 30-second break at the 2-minute warning are not
required under NIRSA. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a crew
doing this as a courtesy to BOTH teams because time is kept on the field by the
back judge or Referee. Decide as a crew in pre-game discussions.
7. Studs in the ear are ILLEGAL!!! Covering up the jewelry with a band-aid or
tape is even more illegal. The stud went in so by every law of physics I know,
they can come out if that player(s) wants to play. Do NOT let any player
continue with jewelry covered by tape. Remember: In your pre-game conference
you ask both head coaches if their "players are legally equipped." Clean this
up early so you don't have to call penalties.
8. Defenders standing side-by-side on the goal-line is perfectly legal and a
runner can NOT be held if they have nowhere to go but around the defense. A
smart runner will extend the ball across the goal-line and it can not be
stripped, by rule.
The last thing I want to do is call a meeting(it will be on a Sunday)for
emergency training so get in your Rulebooks. Just taking an easy exam with 46
questions from the previous year's test does not make you a hot-shot. If I
continue to hear complaints from coaches and other officials about rules
applications, we will have a training meeting before April 1st. No one,
including me, Bob Segal or Ed Magan, will question your judgment calls. We do
expect, especially our veterans, to be leaders and properly apply NIRSA rules.
Dave Dunning