Not much in the way of rule changes this year. White and clear mouth guards are now legal, though a player must leave if he has a damaged mouth guard.
Another approved label for gloves--ok, what ev.
The only other one is the biggest, and that is the elimination of clipping in the free blocking zone. I like that rule change. So now, the only person who can be clipped is the runner, or someone pretending to be a runner.
Uniform changes too Schools like Heelan, where everybody has the last name of "Pride", can't do that anymore. (Does Heelan still have "Pride" on the back of their jerseys? I know they used to) There is also an emphasis on illegal jerseys/equipment. Protruding shoulder pads, knees, not covered, and stuff like that.
Another empasis is on unfair acts. Hiding a wide receiver out by the sideline, defensive signals mimicing the offense, and stuff like that.
Also tie break point differential has gone from 13 points to 17 points. I like that too. There are a lot of "13 point" games. Of course, that means top teams need to keep the throttle on late in the game too. Your team is up, with the ball, 1st and 10 with an 11 point lead and 50 yards for a touchdown with a minute to go. You driving for that score?
Lastly, I got my first look at the wild card scenario for 3A-A. I'm imagining scenarios, and I find it highly unlikely anyone with 2 district losses is going to get in the postseason. If 3 teams round robin at 6-1 in District play, they likely will all get in. Could get hairy if a particular class has 3 or more districts with round robin 6-1 co-champs. If so, it will be good to be a "K" school, and suck to be a "J" school. (no Js in 2A, so Kuemper is the alphabet lottery winner, and Hampton-Dumont loses every alphabet tie break)
Another approved label for gloves--ok, what ev.
The only other one is the biggest, and that is the elimination of clipping in the free blocking zone. I like that rule change. So now, the only person who can be clipped is the runner, or someone pretending to be a runner.
Uniform changes too Schools like Heelan, where everybody has the last name of "Pride", can't do that anymore. (Does Heelan still have "Pride" on the back of their jerseys? I know they used to) There is also an emphasis on illegal jerseys/equipment. Protruding shoulder pads, knees, not covered, and stuff like that.
Another empasis is on unfair acts. Hiding a wide receiver out by the sideline, defensive signals mimicing the offense, and stuff like that.
Also tie break point differential has gone from 13 points to 17 points. I like that too. There are a lot of "13 point" games. Of course, that means top teams need to keep the throttle on late in the game too. Your team is up, with the ball, 1st and 10 with an 11 point lead and 50 yards for a touchdown with a minute to go. You driving for that score?
Lastly, I got my first look at the wild card scenario for 3A-A. I'm imagining scenarios, and I find it highly unlikely anyone with 2 district losses is going to get in the postseason. If 3 teams round robin at 6-1 in District play, they likely will all get in. Could get hairy if a particular class has 3 or more districts with round robin 6-1 co-champs. If so, it will be good to be a "K" school, and suck to be a "J" school. (no Js in 2A, so Kuemper is the alphabet lottery winner, and Hampton-Dumont loses every alphabet tie break)
