High School Football Rule Question

[Wildcat Larry]

I've seen this happen twice this season already, so I'm guessing the rule is different in high school than it is in college or the pros.

Apparently, if a defensive player encroaches into the neutral zone, the play is blown dead and offsides is called even if the player touches nobody and gets back onside before the the ball is snapped.

Is that the universal high school rule for this scenario?

[m0fats]

You are correct!

In HS play is stopped immediately when either team enters the neutral zone.
5 yards, repeat down. It was this way in Texas, and thats good enough to be universal.

[gerntz]

It's been that way for over 10 years, maybe 20. Kickoffs that make it to endzone also blown dead.

[Wildcat Larry]

Well, that tells you just how observant I am. :lol::shrug:

[boomdaddy]

I don't like that rule. I would like to see it changed to mirror the college rule of the D player having to touch a player, befor the the ball is snapped

[lighthouse]

It took me a few days to confirm the rule, but you all didn't need me anyway.

Everyone is correct.In HS, the ball is dead as soon as a defensive player crosses the LOS. The official I spoke with concers that the rule should be changed to the college rule because if the player is back or trying to get back, he is at a disadvantage because he's moving backwards and the penalty just makes it worse.

OBTW, the official I spoke with worked our game last Saturday.

[kybuc]

gerntz wrote: It's been that way for over 10 years, maybe 20. Kickoffs that make it to endzone also blown dead.


Not if your playing Trinity! :P