Football News
AOS 2025-26 Meeting Schedule
We meet in person for Football at Hoffman Estates High School on Mondays at 7:30 PM. We have a great line-up of Presenters and Topics:
8/11/25 – Monday: 2025 Rule Changes / POEs – Jim Glueckert
8/18/25 – Monday: Part I Exam Review – John Jakobsze
8/25/25 – Monday: Judgement and Holding – Paul Black
9/2/25 – Tuesday: Scrimmage Kick – Ed Bjes
9/8/25 – Monday: RPO Passing – Don Jarosz
9/15/25 – Monday: Penalty Enforcement – Octavio Herrera
10/29/25 – Wednesday: Playoff Preparation
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding our Association, please do not hesitate to email or call Football VP John Jakobsze.
If you need information about AOS, please click here to email us.
Football Rules Changes – 2025
By the NFHS on April 15, 2025
Committee Clarifies and Restricts Attachments on Tooth and Mouth Protectors Effective with the 2026 Season [1-5-1d(5)a – 4, 5 (NEW)] – Items that are attached to the tooth and mouth protector that do not serve a purpose and function in protecting the teeth or mouth will not be allowed. Items that are a part of the tooth and mouth protector that are a health or risk issue to the player and can pose a danger to themselves or other players, will not be allowed.
Arm Sleeve Specifications Developed to Guide Manufacturers, Players and Coaches Effective with the 2027 Season [1-5-2d (NEW), 1-5-3c(6)] – The Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), in working with the football arm sleeve manufacturers and the NFHS, has developed new football arm sleeve performance specifications to be effective with the 2027 playing season. These new specifications closely align with the current rules for football gloves.
Electronic Equipment Approved to Permit Non-Audio and Still Images to Assist with Relaying Plays from the Sideline to Players [1-5-3c(2)] – This change allows for the use of some additional equipment, but continues to preclude in-helmet communication. This would allow for fixed electronic signs with play signals as well as non-audio methods but still would not permit the players between the numbers to watch video.
Rules Additions Further Prohibit the Use of Video and Audio Devices by Players [1-5-3c(3) (NEW)] – No player participating in the game will be allowed to wear any type of audio or video device in order to record or transmit audio or video.
Forward Fumbles Out of Bounds to be Returned to the Spot of the Fumble [3-4-2d (NEW), 3-4-3a, 4-3-1 EXCEPTION (NEW), 8-5-2a EXCEPTION] – A situation potentially giving an unfair advantage to a fumbling team was revised. When a forward fumble goes out of bounds or is ruled out of bounds between the goal lines, the ball shall be returned to the spot of the fumble.
Further Clarifications Made to Rule 10-4 in Specific Situations [9-6 PENALTY, 10-4-4b (DELETED)] – The committee continues its revisions and clarifications within the penalty enforcement rules to ensure consistency, particularly among illegal participation fouls.
Rules for 6-Player Football Revised to Permit Advancement of a Fumbled Snap (Six-Player – Rule 2 and 7, Six-Player – Rule 7) – The committee clarified that as long as there is a change of possession from the snap receiver to another player on offense, the ball can be advanced beyond the line of scrimmage.
2025 EDITORIAL CHANGES
1-5-1b(2)b(1); 1-5-1b(3)b(1); 2-32-16d; 2-33-1a, 2; 2-41-9b; 2-41-9c; 6-1-9; 7-2-5b EXCEPTION 2; 9-4-3p (NEW); 9-4 PENALTY; 9-5-1g; 9-8-1g; 9-8-1j; 10-3-1, 2; 10-3-3c; 10-4-2b; 10-4-2d; 10-4-4a; 10-5-3; NINE-, EIGHT-, AND SIX-PLAYER RULES DIFFERENCES; PENALTY SUMMARY, INDEX. 2025
Football Points of Emphasis – 2025
ILLEGAL AND IMPROPERLY WORN PLAYER EQUIPMENT
In high school football, players must adhere to specific equipment standards for safety and fairness concerns. Illegal equipment refers to items that are prohibited such as: jewelry; tinted visors; non-compliant eye shade; bands worn around the upper arm, neck or legs; back pads not covered; and sweatbands and uniform adornments, including towels, that do not conform to the rules.
On the other hand, improperly worn equipment pertains to all equipment that is otherwise legal but not worn as intended. Examples include pants not covering the knees as required, tooth and mouth protectors not being worn as play starts, and shoulder pads not properly covered by the jersey. Incorrectly wearing these items can diminish their protective effectiveness and potentially endanger players.
Despite the lack of enforcement at the college level, the NFHS is proud of the work high school players, coaches, and game officials have done to properly enforce all rules that reduce the risk of injury. The rules and regulations governing high school football are designed to reduce the injury risk of players while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the game. These rules, often overlooked by casual spectators, play a crucial role in protecting the athletes and preserving the uniformity of team’s appearance. Despite the negative influences by levels of play beyond high school, coaches and game officials must remain vigilant with enforcement of the equipment rules currently in place at the high school level.
Non-compliance with these rules can result in various penalties, ranging from removal of a player for one play for improperly worn equipment, to an unsportsmanlike penalty on the head coach when players are illegally equipped following the pre-game certification.
Chronic violations of the rule for properly worn equipment can significantly impact the game’s fairness and safety. Repeated offenses not only jeopardize the individual player’s well-being but also negatively impact the pace of the game, and fairness to the opposing team. When players persistently disregard the equipment guidelines, there are several administrative options within current NFHS rules:
• A delay-of-game penalty would be a logical consequence for persistent offenses that significantly impact the pace of play.
• Chronic violations of equipment rules by players could result in an unsportsmanlike conduct foul being assessed under Rule 1-5-3c(10) and 9-8-1h, for equipment not worn as intended by the manufacturer.
• Finally, a coach who demonstrates a lack of interest in supporting these important rules of our sport could be easily judged to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner.
Coaches play a pivotal role in addressing chronic violations of equipment rules. They must instill the importance of proper equipment use through consistent reinforcement and education. Additionally, fostering an environment where players hold each other accountable can help minimize infractions. Game officials must also remain vigilant and enforce penalties consistently to deter chronic violations. Issuing temporary removals from the game and escalating penalties for repeated offenses are necessary measures to uphold the integrity of the game.
The high school football player equipment rules are a testament to the sport’s commitment to player safety and team unity. This unity extends beyond aesthetics; it reinforces the idea that each player is part of a larger whole, working together toward a common goal. A team’s integrity is maintained when no player stands out for the wrong reason. While it may seem like a minor detail, these regulations play a significant role in reducing injury and maintaining the integrity of the game.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Unsportsmanlike conduct is incompatible with the values of education-based athletics. As unsporting acts increase at the college and professional levels, all stakeholders must work together to ensure high school football embodies the highest principles of sportsmanship and fundamental ethics of competition.
The focus of high school football is on the team – not the individual. The “individual over team” emphasis is contrary to the mission of education-based sports.
High school football is a game of extreme emotion played by exceptionally talented teenagers. Game officials should not be overly technical in applying the rules, but they should always be aware of conduct that does not exemplify sportsmanship. In determining whether an action rises to the level of a foul, game officials should allow for brief, spontaneous, emotional reactions at the end of a play. However, game officials should penalize acts that are prolonged, choreographed, and directed at an opponent.
The following actions are unsportsmanlike conduct that should be penalized without warning: demonstrations of violence such as brandishing guns and throat slashes, rehearsed poses, gestures with sexual connotation, dunking the ball over the crossbar, removal of helmet to celebrate or protest, dancing, somersaults or flips, and spiking or spinning the ball. Any act that is clearly intended to taunt, demean or show disrespect to an opponent or the game should be penalized. 3 The actions noted above are unsporting and contrary to the values of education-based athletics. The focus must remain on student-athletes, the values of team success, celebrating victory with class, and enduring loss with dignity.
DEFENSELESS PLAYER/TARGETING
A defenseless player is a player who, because of physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury. The player remains defenseless until the player’s physical position and focus of concentration allows the player to have a chance to protect themselves or brace, at least partially, for contact.
The most common types of defenseless players include passers, receivers, sliding runners, runners whose forward progress is stopped, players out of the play and players who are illegally blocked from the blindside. For added defenseless player clarifications, please refer to 2.32.16 COMMENT and CHART in the 2025 NFHS Football Case Book.
A player is defenseless based on the player’s own position and concentration. It is not determined by another player’s actions. When the wrap-up tackle was added to the definition of defenseless player as it relates to contact on a defenseless receiver, it created confusion because this highlighted action by another player. Thus, the forceful contact against a defenseless receiver portion of Rule 2 (definitions) has been relocated to Rule 9 (conduct of players/penalty). By moving the wrap-up tackle portion of the defenseless player guidelines to Rule 9, it clearly limits the contact to a defenseless offensive or defensive receiver, to incidental contact that is a result of making a play on the ball, contact initiated with open hands, or an attempt to tackle by wrapping arm(s) around the receiver.
A major focus of the NFHS Football Rules Committee is to promote uniform enforcement of illegal contact on defenseless players across the country. We urge all coaches and game officials to study the rules, watch and share video, and have discussions with one another about what constitutes legal and illegal contact. Furthermore, a review of targeting provisions is crucial for minimizing risk for all players.
It is imperative that players clearly comprehend what contact is acceptable and be able to recognize when an opponent is considered defenseless. Players must realize that the responsibility for making legal contact resides with the person initiating the contact.
Game officials must demonstrate a broad awareness of what contact is necessary to make a legal block or tackle and contact considered excessive and, in some cases, flagrant. Forceful contact that is avoidable should not be tolerated by coaches or game officials. When in doubt, game officials should throw a flag for illegal personal contact and should be supported in doing so.
The long-term success of high school football is linked to risk minimization. Coaches, game officials, players and administrators share the responsibility to eliminate targeting and illegal contact against defenseless players from our great game.
Football Rules Changes – 2024
By NFHS on July 15, 2024
Clarified Home Team Uniform Requirement For Each Player [1-5-1b(3)] — The jerseys of the home team shall all be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts with white.
2024 EDITORIAL CHANGES
Football Helmet Warning Statement; 1-3-1b; 1-3-1g; 1-3-1i(5); 1-5-1a(1); 1-5-1b(2), (3); 1-5-1c(5); 1-5-1d(5)a; 1-5-2b; 1-5-3b(6); 1-5-3c(6); 1-7(7); 1-8; 2-8; 2-32-16; 5-2-4; 7-2 PENALTY; TABLE 7-5; 9-2 PENALTY; 9-5-1g; 9-8-1j; 9-8 PENALTY; 10-3-1c NOTE; 10-4; 10-5; TABLE 10-4; PENALTY SUMMARY; NFHS OFFICIAL FOOTBALL SIGNALS.
2024 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Sportsmanship and Altercation Prevention and Protocol
- Player Equipment and Enforcement
- Formations
Football Rules Changes – 2023
By NFHS on May 24, 2023
Clarified That Towels Do Not Have To Be The Same Solid Color For Each Player [1- 5-3a(5)a 4, 5 (NEW)] — Player towels may contain one manufacturer’s logo and/or one school logo neither exceeding 2¼ square inches. Towels must be a solid color but now do not have to be the same solid color for each player. Towels may not be ball- or penalty-flag colored.
Clarified When a Player Is Inbounds After Being Out of Bounds [2-29-1] — This change clarifies when a player is inbounds after being out of bounds. There is no change to any foul or subsequent penalty provisions, or any rules related to illegal participation or the provisions regarding eligibility to catch a pass.
Added A List of Criteria to Help Identify Players Who Should Be Defined as Defenseless Receivers [2-32-16d (NEW), 9-4-3g] — This change adds to the list of criteria to help identify players who should be defined as defenseless receivers related to application of unnecessary or excessive contact. This clarification should help game officials and coaches by defining allowable contact against defenseless receivers.
Intentional Grounding Exception Changed [7-5-2d EXCEPTION 2a, c (NEW), TABLE 7-5-2 d EXCEPTION 2a, c (NEW), TABLE 7-5 (1)d EXCEPTION 2a, c (NEW)] — This change permits the exception for intentional grounding to the first and only player to possess the ball after the snap ends.
Removed “Intentional” From Pass Interference in TABLE 7-5 [TABLE 7-5 2c (DELETED), 7-5 PENALTY] — By removing “intentional” from pass interference, this change puts the rule in line with how it is already enforced which is a 15-yard penalty.
Changes In Basic Spot Penalty Enforcement [10-4, TABLE 10-4 (NEW), 10-6 (DELETED)] — This change restructures and clarifies the amendments to Rule 10 to eliminate the excessive penalty enforcements for offensive fouls that occur behind the line of scrimmage. This revision stipulates the basic spot for enforcement of fouls behind the line of scrimmage is the previous spot rather than the spot of the foul unless otherwise specified by rule. Current penalties for illegal kicking, batting and participation fouls, and provisions for offensive fouls occurring in the end zone that may result in a safety remain intact.
Clarification On The Ball Being Handed Forward On A Running Play [Six-Player – Rule 7g (NEW)] — The change allows the ball to be handed forward on a running play, including to the guards/ends, while prohibiting handing the ball to the snapper provided both players are behind the neutral zone.
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
- Helping the Runner
- Communication Between Coaches and Game Officials
- Game Management
HUDL Video Requests
Any official who requests a video share from a school on HUDL must be a member of a participating Officials Association such as AOS. The requests are handled through the crew chiefs.
If you are a crew chief, please click here to email us with the names of your crew and your 2023 Football Game Schedule. Please do not screen shot arbiter and send it to us. That means we have to manually enter each game and crew members. Please send us a list either typed out or exported into excel.
For your schedule, we just need the Game Date, Home School and Visiting School. For crew members, we need Name and Email Address.
If you are not a crew chief and your crew chief is a member of a participating Officials Organization, they should handle video requests through their organization. If your crew chief or anyone on your crew is not a member of such an organization, we would be happy to send them a membership application to AOS.
Please do not share usernames and passwords. HUDL does not take this procedure lightly and will revoke membership if their rules are not followed. If you have any questions, just email us.
You should also advise both head coaches that Suburban Officials will be requesting video of their game. You can use a game card to hand to both coaches. Click here for an example of the game card. You should include the following information on your notification to the coaches:
School: Suburban Officials
Team: Boys Varsity Football
{crew chief name} will be requesting a one-way video exchange. Please include ODK and Down/Distance as well as all camera angles.
We are looking forward to a great season and being able to use this very valuable tool to help us all get better at officiating.