MANUALS: FOOTBALL

REGULAR SEASON

2023 Football

Manuals provide the most up to date policies, rules, and regulations for Iowa High School Athletic Association sports in the regular season and postseason. Member school athletic directors and head coaches seeking more information or clarifications on the contents of this manual should contact the IHSAA sport administrator for this sport: Jared Chizek, [email protected] . All other inquiries should be directed through athletic directors or coaches at member schools or host schools. 

All football playing schools received a printed edition of the 2023 NFHS Rules Book and were informed to keep the rules book through the 2024 season.

All coaches, grades 7-12 will be required to view the NFHS course, “Concussion in Sports”, prior to the first legal practice date.

​For more information on concussions or sport safety, please visit the Health & Safety resource page. 

To search this manual, click a topic header from the Index above or select Find (Ctrl + F) from your keyboard. 

Classifications

School enrollment numbers from each year inform the following school year’s classifications for IHSAA sanctioned sports. Enrollment numbers are provided by the Basic Educational Data Survey (BEDS) from the Iowa Department of Education. For football only, a socioeconomic adjustment will be applied to each school’s BEDS enrollment. BEDS enrollment minus 40% of the number of the school’s students on free/reduced lunch (as determined by school Free and Reduced Lunch percentage reported to and published by the Department of Education.) In addition, in football, these numbers are used for two-year cycles. Whole grade and cooperative sharing agreements listed as available. To view other sports or overall BEDS numbers, view the Classifications page.

5A: Largest 36 schools.

4A: Next largest 36 schools.

3A: Next largest 36 schools.

2A: Next largest 48 schools.

1A: Next largest 48 schools.

A: Remaining 11-player schools (no minimum enrollment requirement for 11-player)

8P: Schools with adjusted enrollments under 105 and those schools granted 8-player exemption due to enrollment from previous cycle.

Any school interested in playing up in classification must contact the IHSAA by Dec. 1 of the year prior to redistricting. For the next cycle, this date would be Dec. 1, 2024.

Enrollment Requirements

The cap to participate in Eight-Player football per the adjusted BEDS enrollment listing is 105.0 or less. If the adjusted enrollment is larger than 105.0, schools must play 11-player football.

The following exception was recommended by the Football Playoff Committee and approved by the Board of Control:

  • Exception: An 8-player football school whose enrollment was 120 or less at the start of the 2021/2022 district cycle and whose adjusted enrollment increased above 105.0 following the 2022 season, will be allowed 8-player football status for the 2023 and 2024 football seasons. (Note that with the implementation of  the adjusted enrollment number, for the next cycle schools will have needed to be at or below 105.0 adjusted enrollment for the 2023/2024 cycle to apply for the exception.)

 

Playoff Policy

The following exception was approved by the IHSAA Board of Control in June 2010.

A football team would be allowed to compete in postseason play in the class they have been assigned if its adjusted BEDS enrollment increases during the two-year reclassification cycle because of whole grade sharing or reorganization.

2023 Rule Updates

IHSAA Postseason Football

The Wilson GST will be the official football of the 2023 playoffs. Schools may use the GST NCAA 1003 Official Pattern Leather Football or the GST Prime for postseason play.

2023 NFHS Football Rule Change

Towels do not have to be the same solid color for each player (1-5-3a(5)a4, 5).

A player remains out of bounds until returning to the field with any body part touching the field and no body part touching out of bounds (2-29-1).

Criteria added to help identify players who should be defined as defenseless receivers (2-32-16d, 9-4-3g).

Changed intentional grounding exception (adopted what was being used in Iowa for past three seasons) (7-5-2d Exceptions).

Removed “intentional” from pass interference in Table 7-5.

The All-but-One principle has been replaced with basic spot enforcement (10-4).

2023 Editorial Changes

1-1-7; 1-1-9; 1-3-2; 1-3-7 Note; Table 1-7; 1-8 (New); 3-6-1b(1); Table 7-5(1)d Exception 2; 9-5-1; 9-8-1; Football Fundamentals – II-5; X-3; X-5; Resolving Tied Games 3-1; Nine-, Eight- and Six-Player Rules Differences – Rules 2 and 7; Penalty Summary; Index

2023 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Helping the Runner
2. Communication Between Coaches and Game Officials
3. Game Management

Schedule Information

Future Practice & Game Dates

School Year First Practice: Date/NFHS Week First Contest: Date/NFHS Week
2023-24 Aug. 7 / Week 6 Aug. 24 / Week 8
2024-25 Aug. 12 / Week 6 Aug. 29 / Week 8
2025-26 Aug. 11 / Week 6 Aug. 28 / Week 8
2026-27 Aug. 10 / Week 6 Aug. 27 / Week 8
2027-28 Aug. 9 / Week 6 Aug. 26 / Week 8

 

Preseason to Regular Season

Teams are permitted to use practice facilities other than their own with local school administration approval. The UNI-Dome is not to be used for any regular season practices except those schools that use it as a home facility.

1. Football teams are allowed four (4) hours of coach-athlete contact per day, in which no more than three (3) hours may consist of physical activity per day. Two-a-day practices are prohibited. Warm-up, stretching, speed and agility rules, strength training, and cool down are all considered part of a practice. Football teams have the option of separating the three hours of physical activity with a brief, supervised period of education, re-energizing, or rehydrating. Optional weight training activities that are available to all students are not considered part of the practice.

2. The first two days of practice will consist of no person to person contact work of any kind. However, during the first two days of practice, it is permitted to use blocking dummies, handshields, blocking sleds, and tackling rings to be used for contact. Helmets and mouth pieces may be worn during the first two days of practice. The IHSAA recommends that during these two days of preconditioning, helmets only be worn when players are doing football drills. It is recommended that during calisthenics, stretching, agilities, or any other time the players are not doing drill work that the helmets be removed. This policy is made for the safety of the players.

3. During days three, four and five of practice, helmets, mouth pieces, and shoulder pads are allowed. Contact above the waist is permitted, but players should not be brought to the ground. Contact with sleds, dummies, shields, and pads are allowed during days three, four, and five.

4. Beginning on day six, full person-to-person contact is allowed.

5. Beginning with practice on Monday, August 21 each individual player is limited to 30 minutes of contact per day using the USA Football definitions of levels of contact.  In addition, each player is limited to 90 minutes of contact per week using the USA Football definitions of levels of contact.

Practice Definitions: 

  • Control: Drill is run at assigned speed through the moment of contact; no pre-determined “winner.”  Contact remains above the waist, players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill.
  • Control to Ground: Drill is run in game-like conditions and is the only time that players are taken to the ground.
  • USA Football Levels of Contact

6. No practice is allowed on Sunday, August 13 and August 20 for Week 1 playing schools (August 6 and August 13 for Week 0).

Coach-Athlete Contact (“Camps & Clinics”)

The Board of Control has adopted the following policy as it relates to football camps/football clinics:

  1. Camps/clinics conducted by school personnel, whether employed or volunteers, must be non-contact with no player wearing full protective equipment. (Helmets only are permitted and are to be rented to the student-athletes on a per use basis).
  2. Practice equipment such as dummies, sleds, ropes, etc., will be allowed for use during football camps/clinics.

Preseason Schedule

First Legal Day of Practice

  • No Contact
  • Helmets and mouth guards are permitted
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Second Legal Day of Practice

  • No Contact
  • Helmets and mouth guards are permitted
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Third Legal Day of Practice

  • Contact above the waist is permitted (form tackling)
  • Helmets, mouth guards and shoulder pads are permitted
  • Contact with blocking sleds and tackling dummies may begin
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Fourth Legal Day of Practice

  • Contact above the waist is permitted (form tackling)
  • Helmets, mouth guards and shoulder pads are permitted
  • Contact with blocking sleds and tackling dummies may continue
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Fifth Legal Day of Practice

  • Contact above the waist is permitted (form tackling)
  • Helmets, mouth guards and shoulder pads are permitted
  • Contact with blocking sleds and tackling dummies may continue
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Sixth Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact may begin
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Sunday (Day 7)

  • No practice allowed

Seventh Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Eighth Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Ninth Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Tenth Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Eleventh Legal Day of Practice

  • Scrimmage against another school is permissible on this date.
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Twelfth Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Sunday (Day 14)

  • No practice allowed

Thirteenth Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Fourteenth Legal Day of Practice

  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed
  • One practice, four hours of total coach/athlete contact allowed; maximum of three hours of physical activity is allowed

Fifteenth Legal Day of Practice

  • First day schools are allowed to lift weights/walk-through in the morning and then have one practice, maximum of three hours after school.
  • Full person-to-person contact is allowed

First Legal Playing Date

  • Thursday, August 24 (August 17 for Week 0)

It is intended that the local school could have more than 14 days of acclimatization and the local administrator, because of heat, Labor Day, or other matters, would have the choice whether or not to practice. A weekday is considered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

 

Contest Information

Cancellation vs. Forfeiture of Football Season

The season starts with the first game. If a team does not play a game, it does not have a season and this is considered a cancellation, not a forfeiture, Per Board of Control Policy January 2014, the continuation of the season for a team that forfeits a regular season game shall be determined by the IHSAA administrative staff and the school’s administration.
The Board of Control of the IHSAA adopted the following policy March 1, 2003: If a team forfeits a game and it is the forfeiting team’s opponent’s home game, the forfeiting team will play at the opponent’s site the following year if it is during a two-year scheduling time period.

NOTE: In simple terms, the canceling team gives their opponent a game back if it was the opponent’s home game the year they forfeited.

Per Board of Control policy January 2017, any school that forfeits a district football contest will be ineligible for the post season.

 

Game Protests Not Upheld

The Board of Control will not uphold any protest by a member school arising from any interscholastic contest involving the question of judgment by any of the contest officials. This includes desired appeals regarding the ejection of any student- athletes (targeting, helmet-to-helmet contact, etc.).

Regulations Pertaining To Scrimmages

In football, a school may have one scrimmage, and this scrimmage may not take place until the school has had the opportunity for 10 days of practice or thereafter. Up to four teams are allowed at one of the participating school’s facilities for a scrimmage, however, a school may only scrimmage one team.  Please keep in mind that a bona fide scrimmage is where, no admission charged, no scores kept, no public address is used after each play and no school time may be used for travel or participation in such a scrimmage.

Individual Football Game Limitations-Season

A player may not participate in more than 14 football games in any one season. Those schools that are granted permission to play a 10th varsity game to help another school have a full schedule are still limited to 14 football games for all their players. The participation in the football playoffs is permitted in addition to the 14 games.

Violation of the individual season game limitation will result in forfeiture of the contest in which the violation occurred.

Individual Football Game Limitations-Daily

A player may dress for no more than two games per day as the maximum, and they may not play in any part of more than five quarters in the two games.  This would count as one game toward the player’s game limitation. A player’s participation in one or more quarters of a game constitutes a game with the following two exceptions. One play equals one quarter. A reminder that a player may only participate in 8 quarters per week. A week is defined as Sunday through Saturday.
Exception One: Once a game has reached a 35-point differential, a substitute who enters the game for the first time at that point is not required to count that game toward the 14-game limitation rule, if the game differential falls below 35 points, it still does not count toward the 14-game limitation rule; however, participation in this game does count toward the five-quarter limitation rule in which a player may not play in any part of more than five quarters in one day or a total of 8 quarters per week.

Exception Two: A player who participates in only free kick downs and scrimmage kick downs during the game is not charged with game participation as it relates to the 14-game player limitation rule nor do these free kick or scrimmage kick downs count toward the five-quarter daily/eight quarters weekly rule.

Hypothetical situation: Last Friday night, Team A played Team C in a varsity only game on Friday night. Joe Smith held the ball for the place kicker in all 4 quarters of that game with Team C. Joe Smith is not charged with a game for playing only on free kick downs and scrimmage downs, according to exception two.

Now, this week in the Friday night sophomore curtain-raiser game against Team B, Joe Smith will be playing quarterback all 4 quarters against Team B. The question: Can Joe Smith be the place-kick holder in the varsity game to be played afterwards?

The answer: Yes, Joe Smith can be the place-kick holder for the contest according to exception two.

Joe Smith plays in all 4 quarters of the sophomore game prior to the varsity game for Team A. After halftime of the varsity game, Team A is ahead by 35 points and the continuous clock is in affect. Can Joe Smith play in the varsity contest?

The answer: Yes, Joe Smith can play offense, defense or both in either the third quarter or the fourth quarter, but cannot play in both quarters as that would put him over the 5 quarter daily limitation.

Team Football Game Limitations- Season

Class 8-player, A, 1A and 2A schools are permitted to play in a maximum of eight regular season games, and Class 3A, 4A and 5A schools are permitted to play in a maximum of nine regular season games, unless approval is given by the Board of Control for an additional game to help a school with a scheduling conflict. All varsity regular season football games must be played by the eighth Friday of the football season for Class 8-Player, A, 1A and 2A schools and by the ninth Friday of the football season for Class 3A, 4A and 5A schools (calendar week #15 & #16 respectively; see suspended game exception below).

Class 8-Player, A, 1A and 2A schools not qualifying for the postseason are permitted to play a ninth regular season game during the week of October 17-22. These schools will be responsible for selecting an opponent, choosing the site of the contest and contracting officials. The two schools will be responsible for all financial obligations involved with this game.

Class 3A, 4A and 5A schools that receive a forfeit win as a result of a school not being able to field a team and cannot find another opponent to play or scrimmage during the regular season, may play against an opponent of their choosing during Week 17 of the NFHS calendar.

Suspended Games

Suspended game provisions apply to games in progress and postponed. There is no point in a contest in which the contest is considered “official” and a winner can be determined. If it is mutually agreed upon by both school’s athletic administration, a game can be determined as over prior to the end of the fourth quarter and a winner declared. The season ends for a playoff qualifying team when they are defeated in the postseason. Suspended game provisions apply to games in progress and postponed. The season ends for a playoff qualifying team when they are defeated in the postseason. All games must be played to determine a winner (no tied games) by the following Monday of the suspension except for the regular season finale which must be finalized by Saturday.

No football game may be scheduled after the start of the football season without the approval of the Board of Control. Any school desiring to schedule an additional game must write to the IHSAA Office and ask for permission.

No junior varsity, sophomore, or freshman games may be played after the last varsity playing date without the approval of the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

35 Point Differential Rule

The 35-point differential rule is in effect for all games played in Iowa, grades 7-12, eight-player or 11-player. If there is a 35-point differential anytime during the contest, the game will be continued with a running clock. Beginning with the ensuing kick-off when the 35-point differential becomes effective, the following changes, and only these changes, will be made regarding rules determining when the the clock will and will not be stopped.

The clock will run continuously except for the following situations when it will be stopped:

  1. Anytime a time-out is charged to a team;
  2. After a score;
  3. Intermission between first and second quarter;
  4. Intermission between third and fourth quarter;
  5. Administration of a penalty
  6. Extended injury time-out;
  7. Anytime officials determine it is necessary for safety reasons.

Anytime the score differential gets below 35 points, regular timing procedures will be used.

Sub-Varsity Overtime Procedures

In junior varsity, sophomore, and freshman games, a maximum of one overtime period will be allowed. After each team has had the opportunity to play offense and defense, the game will end, regardless of the score.

Eight-Player Field Dimension Requirements

All eight-player games shall be played on the NFHS requirements of the dimensions of an eight-player field, which is 80 yards long and 40 yards wide. Those schools that share a facility with an 11-player school will need to make provisions to play on the properly marked field.

Football Field Markings/Collegiate Field Use

A 4-inch-wide broken restraining line shall be placed around the outside of the field, at least 2 yards from the sidelines and end lines, as an extension of the line limiting the team box area. The line shall be 12 inches in length and occur every 24 inches.

If the field of play has a logo in the center or at any other part of the field of play, that logo should not obstruct the visibility of the required marks every five yards. A solid or shadow-bordered 4-inch-wide line is permissible. A shadow line is a line that designates the required 4-inch width by use of a border or outline lines, at least ¼-inch wide which shall lie within the 4-inch width. Shadow lines that are the natural color of the field of play are permissible. The area within these lines need not be one color, but the continuous 4-inch-wide outline must be clearly visible to the game officials.

It is permissible to use college fields with hash marks marked at the distance specified by their respective codes along with goal post width specified by their respective codes.

Advertising and/or commercial markings may be placed on the field of play by home management as long as they do not obstruct the yard lines, hash marks or nine-yard marks (seven-yard marks for eight-player).

Protocols Regarding Marching Bands Playing During The Game

The pep/marching band may play during pre-game, halftime, quarter breaks, and time-outs. Once the center is over the ball, there is to be no music played by the pep/marching band, nor any artificial noise over the public address system.

Immediately after a down has finished and before the center is over the ball, the band may play during that very quick interval. Pep/marching bands that violate this protocol may subject their team to penalties which could include 5 yard delay of game penalties, all the way to 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalties.

National Anthem Protocol

The Iowa Football Coaches Association recommends that during the regular season schools be on the field during the playing of the National Anthem. The National Anthem should take place five minutes prior to kickoff. Both teams are required to have 30 minutes of uninterrupted pre-game warm up.

Team Box Area Restriction Rule

Any player/athlete on the bench as a substitute or in uniform who is involved in the breaking up, participating in or initiating a fighting incident will automatically ejected from the contest and student-athlete ejection policy penalty will be invoked.

Game Official Jurisdiction

The game officials maintain administrative responsibilities for the contest through the completion of any required reports or correspondence in response to any action occurring while the officials have jurisdiction. The IHSAA may intercede in the event of unusual incidents after the officials have signaled the end of the game or in the event the game is terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play. For all unsporting acts, IHSAA Bylaws as they relate to unsportsmanlike behavior and officials’ jurisdiction supersedes any other rules book.

Any player/athlete on the bench as a substitute or in uniform who is involved in the breaking up, participating in or initiating a fighting incident will automatically ejected from the contest and student-athlete ejection policy penalty will be invoked.

Referee Microphone and 25/40 Second Play Clocks

Microphones on referees and 25-second clocks are both permitted. IHSAA permission is not needed, nor is mutual consent required. Use of a referee microphone and a 25-second clock is a host school decision. The use of electric clocks, including the 25-second clock, is considered official. The line/back judges will coordinate with the timers. The Referee shall announce the offender’s number when using a microphone. All football field markings should be in compliance with NFHS rules. It is permissible to play on a field marked for collegiate games.

Visible 25/40-second play clocks are not mandatory for high school football.

Use of 25/40-second clocks is a home team management decision. Following are general guidelines for the usage of these clocks.

  • Placement: A visible 25/40-second play clock should be placed in EACH end zone, a safe distance off the end line and at a height so that players and officials may view them.
  • Operator: The visible play clock operator shall meet with the game official (BJ) prior to the game. The operator shall start the play clock on the Referee’s signal and reset the clock to 25/40 on the snap of the ball or when told to by the Referee’s signal (upward hand push). The operator shall keep the play clock at zero (0) if it runs out prior to the snap. If the game clock is running with less than 25 seconds in a quarter, the 25/40-second play clocks shall be turned off or not started. The 25/40-second play clocks shall operate by rule for PAT, kick-off and overtime
  • Officials: If a school has the 25/40-second play clock, use them. The Referee may correct a timing error on the 25/40-second play clock and a new 25/40-second timing started. If any timing error occurs, the game clock and 25/40-second play clocks shall be reset and re-started by rule. If the officials cannot determine the game clock elapsed time, a new 25/40-second play clock shall be started and the game clock shall start on the snap. If one of the play clocks becomes inoperative, BOTH will be turned off with both coaches notified. The Back Judge will then time the 25/40 seconds. The Back Judge remains the primary official for timing/operation/enforcement of the play clock.

 

Event* Play Clock Starts at Game Clock Starts at Covering Officials’ Signal Referee’s Signal
Dead Ball Inbounds 40 Running Hand above Head None
Dead Ball Out of Bound 40 Snap Waves hands above head None
Incomplete Pass 40 Snap Waves hands in front of body None
Team A awarded 1st Down 40 Signal of 1st Down Waves hands above head Wind the clock
Double change of Possession-Team A snaps 40 Ready for Play Hand above head Wind the clock

 

Event* Play Clock Starts at Game Clock Starts at Covering Officials’ Signal Referee’s Signal
Penalty Administration 25 Ready for Play Waves hands above head Wind the clock
Charged Team Timeout 25 Snap Waves hands above head Ready for Play
Injury/Helmet Off Defensive Player 40 Ready for Play Waves hands above head Wind the clock
Measurement 25 Ready for Play Waves hands above head Wind the clock
Change of Possession- Team B Snaps the ball 25 Snap Waves hands above head Ready for Play
Touchdown 25 N/A Touchdown Ready for Play
Try, Field Goal, Safety 25 Varies** Varies** Ready for Play
Start of Each Period 25 Snap N/A Wind the clock
Legal Kick 25 Snap Waves hands above head Ready for Play
Start of Overtime 25 N/A N/A Ready for Play
Other Administrative Stoppages *** 25 Ready Waves hands above head Wind the clock

 

*If the event does not occur in conjunction with any other event that stops the clock

**The game clock will start on the free kick by rule.

***Includes inadvertent whistle and period extension.

 

 

 

Overtime Information

3-1:  When the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team boxes.  There will be a three-minute intermission during which both teams may confer with their coaches.  All game officials will assemble at the 40-yard line for 8-Player and the 50 yard line for 11-Player, review the overtime procedure, and discuss how penalties, if any, including any carry-over penalties from the regulation contest will be assessed to start the overtime procedure.  (See 8-3-5, 6.)  At the end of the intermission, the linesman will go to the team on the side of the field where the line to gain equipment is located and the line judge will go to the other team.  They will inform the coaches of any special penalty enforcements that apply.

3-2-1:  At the coin toss in the center of the field the visiting-team’s captain shall be given the privilege of choosing “heads” or “tails” before the coin is tossed.  The winner of the toss shall be given his choice of defense or offense first, or of designating the end of the field at which the ball will be put in play for overtime.  The loser will have his choice of the other options.  The referee will indicate the winner of the toss by placing a hand on his shoulder.  To indicate which team will go on offense, the referee will have that captain face the goal toward which his team will advance and indicate this with the first-signal.  The other team captain will face the offensive captain with his back toward the goal he will defend.

In Iowa, all overtimes will be played on the same 10-yard line as designated with the initial overtime. 

3-5-1:  Each team shall be permitted one time-out during each overtime period (a series for A and a series for B).  The team scoring the greater number of points in the overtime shall be declared the winner.  The final score shall be determined by totaling all points scored by each team during both regulation time and overtime periods.

5-1-1:  To start the overtime, the offensive team shall put the ball in play, first and goal, on the defensive team’s 10-yard line or succeeding sport if carry-over penalty has been administered anywhere between the hash marks.  The first offensive team shall have a series of four downs.  That series shall be terminated by any score by the offensive team or if the defensive team has possession of the ball.

If the team on offense scores a touchdown, it is entitled to the opportunity for a try unless the points would not affect the outcome of the game of playoff qualifying.

A field goal attempt is permitted during any down.

If the defensive team gains possession, the ball becomes dead immediately and the offensive team’s series of downs is ended.

After the first team on offense has completed its series of downs, the first team on defense will become the offensive team with the ball in its possession at the same 10-yard line anywhere between the hash marks.  The same end of the field will be used for possessions by both teams during the two sets of downs to ensure equal game conditions and conserve time.

If the score remains tied after each team has been given one series of downs in an overtime period, then the procedure shall be repeated with other overtime periods until a game winner is determined.  In this case, there shall be an intermission of two minutes.  At the subsequent meeting of team captains, the loser of the first overtime coin toss will be given first choice of offense or defense.   If additional overtime periods are required, then first options will be alternated with no coin toss.

5-2-1: The offensive team shall be awarded a new series of downs when any one of the following occurs:

  1. Offensive team recovers a scrimmage kick (field-goal attempt) between the goal lines after it has been touched first by the defensive team beyond the neutral zone.
  2. Defensive team is guilty of roughing the kicker, place-kick holder, snapper or passer.

5-3-1: The line to gain is always the goal line regardless of whether or not a penalty enforcement places the ball more than 10 yards from the goal line to start a new series.

For additional overtime information and situations, please review “Resolving Tied Games” in the NFHS Football Rule Book.

Video Information

HUDL Video Exchange

Based on a recommendation from the football advisory committee, the IHSAA has created one pool for HUDL video exchange.  All IHSAA football playing schools (5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A, A, 8 Player) are now part of a single pool.  Any school in any class is now able to view video from any of the IHSAA football playing schools throughout the football season.  Coaches are expected to enter their Friday game by 12 PM the following Saturday, or 12 PM the following Sunday if playing on Saturday.  Scrimmage and Week 0 video does not need to be uploaded to the pool. Rationale for this change focused on inconsistencies with non-district contests that involved different classifications and the ability for schools to view and educate themselves regarding schemes throughout the state.

Videotaping of  Opponents

Videotaping or filming is permissible in scouting your opponent during both scrimmages and regular/post season contests. It is a common courtesy that the host school  be notified. Space for taping or filming for scouting is not required of the host school. Hand-held cameras are recommended.  Patrons are allowed to videotape contests with paid admission to a contest.  Tripods are not recommended to be used from spectator seating.

Video Guidelines for Regular Season Exchange

The Iowa Football Coaches Association feels that the exchange of game tapes is a vital part of our football program.  Each year both the Iowa Football Coaches Association and the Iowa High School Athletic Association receive concerns regarding the quality and integrity of game film.  The Iowa Football Coaches Association based, on a recommendation from the Football Playoff Advisory Committee has created the following guidelines to help with the consistency of how games are recorded and exchanged. Any issues or concerns regarding regular season film exchange need to be addressed with the Iowa Football Coaches Association.  The Iowa Football Coaches Association understands and appreciates that often times volunteers and students are those that have the responsibility to videotape.  Hopefully, these general guidelines will allow practice and improve consistency in the game exchange process.

General Points:

  1. Close up shots are not often necessary. Zoom in on the players as the play ends to see how both teams are moving, blocking, and tackling.
  2. Do not zoom out too much. The idea is to see the players, not empty grass. There is no need to see things off the football field.
  3. Focus on the action. When the play starts, try to have all of the players on the screen.  You should have the entire offensive backfield on one side and the entire defensive backfield on the other side.
  4. Hold the camera as steady as possible and mute the sound if at all possible. Be sure that you are on “Record” or “Pause”.  Check this before each play.
  5. Remember, more is better. It is better to stop later than too soon.  The coaches can edit time, but cannot regain a play.

Special Teams: Kickoff, Punt, Field Goal & Point after Touchdown

  1. Take a wide angle shot of the teams as they line up. Keep all the players in the picture before the kick.
  2. After the kick, focus on the return team. Do not track the ball in the air.  Simply pan back to the returner and capture the blockers and coverage as they come to him.
  3. Keep the returner on one side of the screen and slowly zoom in as the players converge on the returner.

Scrimmage Plays:

  1. Start to record as the offensive team breaks the huddle. Show the defensive front seven and the offensive line.  Then zoom back to show the formation and any motion.
  2. Running Plays- Follow the runner to include the blockers and defenders in the area as you close in on the action.
  3. Passing Plays- Zoom out to include all players on the screen. The quarterback should be on one side of the screen with defenders and pass patterns on the other side of the screen. Once the ball is thrown, treat like a kick.  Do not film the ball in the air, but instead follow the action on the field.
  4. After the play ends, zoom in so the runner/receiver, blockers and tacklers can be seen as they unpile.
  5. Film referee’s preliminary signal after each penalty.
  6. Film the scoreboard after each score and at the start of each quarter.

Checklist:

  1. Extra batteries that are charged
  2. Extension cord and battery adapter (in case the battery fails)
  3. Tripod- Reminder that by IHSAA policy, tripods are not allowed in the bleachers during contests to video tape.

Mandatory Reporting of Stats

Schools are required to enter game statistics into Bound. Stats need to be entered by 3:00 p.m. on the Tuesday following the third, sixth, eighth/ninth game of the season. For teams making the first round of the postseason and continuing to the conclusion of their season, stats must be entered by noon the next day after each contest.

Weather Information

Lightning Safety

The safety of the players and spectators is always more important than the game! Communication between game management, officials & coaches is essential for the safety of everyone.

Lightning only takes an instant to strike. You are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder.

All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from rainfall. Don’t wait until the last minute to seek shelter.

If thunder is heard, or cloud-to-ground lightning is seen, immediately suspend the event and instruct everyone to take shelter in a safe structure.

Have a lightning safety plan in place. Know where teams and spectators will go for safety and know how much time it will take them to get to safety. A “safe structure” is a completely enclosed building that is normally occupied or frequently used by people. The building should have plumbing and electrical wiring to help ground it from lightning. If there is no such structure available, an enclosed vehicle with a metal roof and sides is a reasonable second choice.

When a contest is suspended due to lightning, wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder before leaving safe shelter and resuming activity.

Lightning detectors are a great tool to draw one’s attention to the fact that lightning is in the vicinity. Remember, even with lightning detectors, the weather should be monitored closely for lightning or thunder.

 

Precautions To Take In Hazardous Weather

Rule 3, Section 1, Article 5 of the National Federation Football Rule book states, “WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE CONSTRUED TO BE HAZARDOUS TO LIFE OR LIMB OF THE PARTICIPANTS, THE CREW OF OFFICIALS IS AUTHORIZED TO DELAY OR SUSPEND THE GAME.” Rule 1, Section 1, Article 7 states, “The game officials shall assume authority for the contest, including penalizing unsportsmanlike acts, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time, or as soon thereafter as they are able to be present.” Both of these rules dictate the authority of the officials, but school administrators assume the responsibility for decisions made prior to the time the officials’ authority begins.

Hazardous Weather Guidelines

The primary concern when signs of hazardous weather are present is the safety of participants and spectators. Have a safety plan for any type of hazardous weather that may occur. Practice and follow the plan. Know where people will go for safety and know how much time it will take for them to get there. Have specific guidelines for suspending the event so everyone has time to reach a place of safety before the threat becomes significant.

Suspension Or Postponement Of Contests

I. Prior to the contest officials’ assuming authority.
A. The home school’s management shall determine whether a contest should be suspended or postponed due to severe weather.
1. In making the decision whether or not to suspend or postpone a contest, the host management should first take into consideration the safety of the participants and spectators.
2. Playing surface conditions should be considered and what continued use may do to the surface.
3. If the decision is made by the host management to postpone the contest, administrators from both schools should mutually agree if, and when, to reschedule.

II. Once the contest officials’ authority begins.
A. Refer to NFHS playing rules, or IHSAA post-season rules, for the exact rules in each sport regarding contest officials authority to suspend the contest.
III. Postponing the contest.
A. Wait a sufficient amount of time to see if the severe weather will subside.
B. Home management and/or contest officials shall decide whether to postpone or resume the contest.
C. Playing surface conditions should be considered when making this decision.
IV. If the contest resumes.
A. Adequate time should be given for contestants to warm up prior to continuing play.

V. If the contest cannot be resumed after a severe weather delay.
A. Administrators from both schools need to come to an agreement. The contest may be considered complete with the existing score becoming the final score, or the contest may be postponed and continued from the point of interruption, at a time mutually agreed to by both schools. Suspended games must be played to determine a winner (no ties) by the following Monday of the suspension except for the regular season finale which must be finalized by Saturday.

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