The following response was received by eParisExtra regarding an article on Friday that discussed football rules changes affecting Texas high schools for the 2012-2013 season.
From: Joe Farmer [mailto:jfarmer@1starnet.com]
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 3:20 PM
To: extra@eParisTexas.com
Subject: New Rule Changes and Points of Emphasis for the 2012 Season
Very good article on Paris Football. Here is a very good explanation concerning all football rule changes affecting Texas high schools. This information was put together by Rhett Fendley of Paris. There are a number of sports officials from the Paris area, and we would be glad to answer rules questions … not comment on plays.
Joe Farmer
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NEW RULE CHANGES AND POINTS OF EMPHASIS FOR THE 2012 SEASON
Helmet coming off during and throughout play on the field: Any player who loses his helmet during a play must immediately stop and take himself out of playing action. If that player continues to engage or pursue the play, it will result in a personal foul against him. Any player of the opposing team who engages a player without a helmet will result in a personal foul against himself. Exception: If a player’s helmet comes off during the immediate action around the ball carrier, he will not be penalized for action on the play.
Helmet rule: Any player losing his helmet during and throughout play on the field must leave the game for one scrimmage play. There is no penalty and it is treated as an official’s timeout to replace said player. Exception: If the player’s helmet comes off directly due to a foul against him (i.e., facemask, illegal contact, hitting, hands to the head), he is not required to come out.
Illegal contact: This is a big point of emphasis put upon officiating for protection of player safety and the reduction of the number of concussions in football. Any targeting of defenseless players will result in a personal foul and possible ejection. Not all hits on a defenseless player are illegal. Targeting includes specific observation to the head, neck, or back area of a player, or specific observation on the head and neck area by the crown of the helmet, hands, forearm, or shoulder. These will be personal fouls, and depending on intent and severity could result in ejection. A player launching oneself or both feet leaving the ground in an obvious targeting hit to another player will result in a foul and ejection.
Free kicks: Kickoffs will originate at the 40 yard line. Other than the kicker, no player on the kicking team may be more than five yards back from the position of the ball.
Touchbacks: All touchbacks from kickoffs that go through the end zone or that are downed in the end zone will result in the ball being placed at the receiving team’s 25 yard line instead of the 20 yard line. Other touchbacks such as kicks from scrimmage, passes intercepted in the end zone, or opposing team’s fumbles recovered in one’s own end zone will be brought out to the 20, as in the past. Free kicks following safeties will continue to be from the 20.
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Charles Richards Charles Richards moved to Paris in 2004 after retiring from a 40-year career in journalism – the last 26 years as a news writer and sports writer with The Associated Press in Dallas and Washington, D.C. In mid-2004, The Paris News coaxed him out of retirement, and he began covering the police, court and regional beat for The Paris News. Then in early 2005, he was switched to coverage of a sharply divided Paris City Council. He was appointed by the City Council in 2006 to the 12-member City Charter Review Commission, which extensively rewrote the outmoded document. His writing awards include two first-place awards in statewide competition for feature writing. The most recent was his 2005 story on a Paris doctor’s startling use of leeches in a successful attempt to re-attach a man’s severed ear. Over his career, Richards’ interview subjects include Alabama Gov. George Wallace, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, David Koresh, Arnold Palmer, Muhammad Ali and numerous other political and sports figures. He is an alumnus of Texas Tech, where he was editor of the school newspaper. He lives in Paris with his wife, Barbara, who is retired after 30 years as a teacher and high school counselor.
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