2010 NFHS 2010 NFHS RULES RULES

CHANGESCHANGES.

CONCUSSION

• 2-8-5; 3-3-8 Changed the guidelines and procedures for identifying and removing a player who exhibits signs, symptoms and/or behaviors consistent with a concussion.

• CONCUSSION PROCEDURE REVISED (2-8-5; 3-3-8): Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion must be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

• The previous rule directed officials to remove an athlete from play if “unconscious or apparently unconscious.” The previous rule also allowed for return to play based on written authorization by a medical doctor.

2.8.5 SITUATION: A1 and B1 hit heads in diving for a loose ball and both appear injured. However, A1 is immediately removed from the game by the officials as he/she is exhibiting signs consistent with a concussion. Later in the game, A1 reports to the scorer’s table to reenter the contest.

RULING: The rules permit A1 to return to the game once he/she has been cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. The responsibility for obtaining that clearance rests with the coach/school, and need not be verified by the officials

If A1 appears at the scorer’s table to reenter the game, the officials shall assume the coach/school followed the appropriate return to play procedures and A1 is eligible to participate.

HEAD & WRIST BANDS

• 3-5-3a The list of permissible headband and wristband colors was changed to include any single solid school color.

LIST OF LEGAL HEAD/WRISTBAND COLOR EXPANDED (3-5-3a): In 2008-09 the rules stated headbands and wristbands must be a single solid color of white, black, beige or a color similar to the torso of the jersey.

The rule has been revised to state that headbands and wristbands shall be white, black, beige or a single solid school color,

Cont.

provided all team members are wearing thesame color for each item for all participants.This rule change will now allow team membersto wear headbands and wristbands of schoolcolors.

• 3.5.3 SITUATION: Team A’s school colors are blue and gold and the predominate color of Team A’s jerseys are white. Prior to the game, an official notices that several Team A members are wearing (a) blue headbands and blue wristbands; and (b) beige pre-wrap around the entire head and blue wristbands.

• RULING: Legal in (a). Illegal equipment in (b); the headband color does not match the wristband color. The official shall inform the player and the head coach that these items are illegal and may not be worn during the game.

10-3-6i; 10-5-5 Specific rules were added to address the unsporting acts of a player

leaving the playing court for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust or intimidation and team members leaving the bench area and/or playing court for an unauthorized reason.

REMAIN ON COURT

PLAYERS AND TEAM MEMBERS REQUIRED TO REMAINON THE COURT/IN THE BENCH AREA WHILE THE GAM ISIN PROGRESS (10-3-6i; 10-5-5): A player leaving thecourt for an unauthorized reason to demonstrateresentment, disgust or intimidation will be added to thelist of unsporting behaviors by a player with a technicalfoul penalty assessed.

Cont.

The committee hopes this rules change willfurther reduce the likelihood of individualplayers demonstrating unsporting behavior.

In addition, a similar rule will be added requiring teammembers to remain on the court and in the bench areawhile the game is in progress until each quarter or extraperiod has officially ended.

This includes free-throw attempts by an opponent withno time remaining on the clock. Since the Head Coach isultimately responsible for the conduct of all teammembers, the penalty will be a technical foul assesseddirectly to the Head Coach.

10.3.6 SITUATION: With 4 minutes remaining inthe second quarter, B1 commits his/her third foulagainst airborne shooter A1; the try isunsuccessful. Team B’s coach immediately sendsB6 to the scorer’s table to replace B1 after A1’sfirst free-throw. B1’s replacement may not enterthe game until after A1’s first free throw.

Cont.

B1, disgusted with the official’s call andrealizing he/she will soon leave the game, goesand sits on the end of Team B’s bench just afterthe official reports the foul.

• RULING: B1 is assessed an unsporting technical foul for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate disgust. A1 will attempt the two shooting-foul free throws followed by any Team A member attempting the two free throws for the technical foul. (10-3-6i; 3-3-2)

• 10.5.5 SITUATION B: A spectator heckles Team A member, A9, while he/she is sitting on Team A’s bench. A9 leaves the bench area and goes into the stands to confront the fan.

• RULING: Team A’s head coach is assessed a direct technical foul for permitting A9 to leave the bench area for an unauthorized reason. Team B is awarded two free throws and the ball for a division line throw-in.

2010-11 MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES

• 3-3-1a NOTE; 4-34-2: Clarified that when a substitute is not properly reported, the players in the game at the conclusion of the quarter OR when the timeout was granted shall begin play for the new quarter or after the time-out.

• 3.3.1 SITUATION C: Substitute A6 reports to the scorer just after the warning signal is sounded during a time-out. The scorer advises A6 that he/she will not be allowed to enter until the next opportunity for substitution. The Team A coach beckons A6 to return to the bench.

RULING: This is permissible. The substitute is not obligated to remain at the table. However , A6 would have to report again before being allowed to enter the court. If A6 remains at the table, he/she may actually replace any player.

• 3-5-2 Clarified the requirements for guards, casts and braces and that a protective face mask shall be worn molded to the face.

• 4-4-7d Clarified that the ball is at the disposal of a player when it is available after a goal and the official begins the throw-in count.

• 7-6-6 Clarified that when the ball is awarded to the wrong team, the mistake must be rectified before the throw-in ends.