1-2-3b NOTE 2 (NEW): All required field markings must be clearly
visible.
1-3-1c: Stripes located on the football
must be adjacent to and perpendicular to the seam upon which the laces are stitched.
2-14-2; 7-2-5: The definition of a scrimmage-kick formation was clarified to differentiate formations
that have been used traditionally for attempting a field goal or kick try from those used for a punt. The circumstances under
which the numbering exception can be used have been changed to clarify what can be done on first, second, third and fourth
downs.
Table 3-1; 9-8-1g: The mandatory three-minute
warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. The head coach of each team is responsible
for his team being on the field for the warm-up period.
3-3-4b5 (NEW): If
a penalty resulting in a safety occurs on the last timed down of a period, the period is not extended.
8-2-2; 8-2-3; 8-2-4 (NEW); 10-5-1f: Three rules were refined and
a new article created regarding penalty enforcement for dead-ball, non-player or unsportsmanlike fouls that occur during or
after a touchdown scoring play. Now, the scoring team, in most situations, has the option of enforcing the penalty on the
subsequent kickoff.
9-4-3h: It is now illegal to
grasp the opponent's chin strap.
9-4-3k (NEW): The horse-collar tackle
has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls, regardless of where it occurs on the field. It is illegal to
grasp the inside back or side opening of the collar of the jersey or shoulder pads of the runner and subsequently pull the
runner to the ground.
9-7-2 EXCEPTION: The
kicking team cannot bat a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is toward its own goal line. Scrimmage kicks
may only be batted by the kicking team towards its own goal line.
1-2-3g;
9-8-3: A restricted area has been defined where a maximum of three coaches may communicate with
players and substitutes during dead-ball situations. The coaches must move into the team box before the ball becomes live.
There will no longer be an allowance for three coaches to remain in an area adjacent to the sideline during play.
