Rules changes Coverage

Neck laceration protectors mandated in high school ice hockey

Mandating neck laceration protectors, which is detailed in the new Rule 3-4-4 in the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, furthers the NFHS' commitment to risk minimization and the health and safety of participants and aligns the national rules with the measures taken by many state high school associations and youth hockey leagues across the United States.

New flopping rules established as NFHS announces rules changes for high school basketball

Teams who flop or otherwise fake being fouled will be issued a team warning first, then receive a team technical foul.

Participants now inbounds with one point of contact in high school wrestling

This fundamental change to high school wrestling was one of six major changes impacting almost 30 rules recommended by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 1-3 meeting in Indianapolis. All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

New goal area created and defined in high school water polo rules

Clarification of the new goal area was one of eight revisions recommended by the NFHS Water Polo Rules Committee during its March 29 meeting held virtually. All rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors and will be effective for the 2024-26 NFHS Water Polo Rules Book.

Meet official responsibilities, communication clarified in high school swimming & diving rules

The change comes in conjunction with one of the committee's fundamental goals, which is to increase communication between coaches and officials to promote the flow of a swim meet.

High school cheerleading rules changes focus on risk minimization & skill development in 2024-2025

One of the biggest changes announced by the NFHS involves the separation of braced vs. non-braced transitions.

Fouls & misconduct rule revised in high school soccer, section added for stopping a promising attack

Rule 12 of the NFHS Soccer Rules Book on Fouls and Misconduct has been revised and reorganized and includes a new section on "Stopping a Promising Attack."

The only rule change for high school football in 2024 involves home team uniforms

There is only one rule change for high school football in 2024, and it clarifies the requirements for home team uniforms.

Standard procedure added for penalty corners in high school field hockey

"The introduction of the new whistle start in penalty corners should ensure that all players are set and ready before the ball is inserted," said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Field Hockey Rules Committee.

Minor rules changes announced for 2024 high school volleyball season

In all, four rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations Volleyball Rules Committee.

Girls lacrosse changes from halves to 12-minute quarters in high school

High school girls lacrosse games will now be played in 12-minute quarters instead of two halves, and a player awarded a free position after being fouled outside the critical scoring area no longer has to stop completely before continuing the course of play.

New examples of false starts adopted in high school track and field, cross country rules

In an effort to more clearly define false starts in high school track and field events, two new starting violations have been adopted for the 2024 season as the National Federation of State High School Associations releases rules changes for the 2023-2024 school year.

High school baseball to allow communication devices from dugout to catchers beginning in 2024

The use of a one-way communication device between a coach in the dugout and a team's catcher for the purposes of calling pitches will be permitted in high school baseball beginning in 2024.

Situational faceoff placement again the focus of high school ice hockey rules changes

The faceoff immediately following an instance where the puck has become lodged on the outside of the goal cage will now be contested at the nearest faceoff circle in the offensive zone rather than the neutral zone.

High school basketball eliminates 1-and-1 free throws, sets new foul limits in each quarter

Beginning next year, high school basketball teams will shoot two free throws for common fouls when in the "bonus." This change to Rule 4-8-1 eliminates the one-and-one scenario and sets new foul limits each quarter for awarding the bonus free throw.

Blake: How to use Caitlynn Guarino's story to avoid another eligibility crisis

What makes explaining Guarino's situation so complicated is that Richlands had an A/B component if you took certain classes, which makes sense for AP courses when the tests are administered in May.

By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor

High school wrestling rules changes include allowance of six matches in one day

High school wrestlers will be able to wrestle in six matches in any one day of competition beginning with the 2023-24 season. The six-match limit includes championship and consolation matches and excludes forfeits.

NFHS releases swimming & diving rules changes focused on risk minimization

Swimming stroke changes and a new penalty for close diving board proximity stand out among the high school swimming and diving rules changes approved for the 2023-24 school year.

Released inversions, tosses to stunts highlight high school cheerleading rules changes

Two major rules changes for the 2023-24 high school spirit season involve released inversions and tosses to stunts to clarify rules for consistency.

Blake: What's the rush? Stopping the whirlwind that is early-round playoff basketball

Our current format needlessly hurries along the NCHSAA high school basketball playoffs -- 60 teams in each class were eliminated in eight days. A few tweaks to the opening rounds could create more build-up and excitement.

By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor

Fouls & misconduct clarifications headline high school soccer rules changes for 2023-24

High school soccer officials will now have a set of criteria to consider when determining misconduct for a player "denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity" (DOGSO), as well as added definitions for fouls involving physical contact.

Blake: Three steps to balancing the NCHSAA brackets and cutting down on conference rematches

There are three quick solutions that will mitigate the most credible of complaints against the current system. We can handle split conferences, 1-seeds, and conference rematches differently.

By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor

Loose equipment in field of play ruled as foul as NFHS changes field hockey rules

A change in high school field hockey rules for 2023 defines loose equipment in the field of play as a foul when the loose equipment affects play.

Coaching protocols, jewelry allowances changed for high school volleyball in 2023

The expansion of the coaching zone beyond the end line of the volleyball court and the allowance of one assistant coach to stand and communicate with players headline the new 2023-24 high school volleyball rules changes.

Changes in basic spot for penalties headline football rules changes for 2023

In a move to achieve one of the committee's fundamental tasks of maintaining a balance between offense and defense, 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.