Perspective: Football Rules Revisited

August 29, 2012

A number of new football rules were introduced during last week's season openers around the state. 

In this week's MHSAA Perspective, we explain those regulations taking effect this fall.

"Football Rules Revisited" - Listen

MHSAA Perspective is a weekly audio commentary about the world of high school sports. The program runs from late August through mid March on over 60 radio stations across the state. 

Click to see a list and listen to all of this school year's commentaries. Archived "Perspectives" can be heard on demand at MHSAAnetwork.com -- choose school year from the list on the right..

Be the Referee: Football Rules Similarities

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

August 30, 2023

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Football Rules Similarities - Listen

Last week we highlighted some major differences between high school football and the college and pros. This week — how about some of the things that are similar?

New as of last year is the addition of a tackle box when judging intentional grounding. In high school, like college and pros, the QB must be outside of the tackle box and throw it past the line of scrimmage for it to NOT be intentional grounding.

Horse collar tackles are penalties at all three levels of play. The ball carrier must be pulled down backward or to one side for there to be a foul … but if there is, it’s 15 yards.

And a receiver at the high school level needs to have a body part down in bounds, the same as in college. But the NFL requires two feet in for a catch.

Previous Editions

Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen

(PHOTO by Douglas Bargerstock.)