Copyright© 2025 National Federation of State High School Associations. All Rights Reserved.
This copyrighted power point is presented by the NFHS. This material shall only be reproduced or distributed by member state associations for teaching and training purposes. Distribution to the public is prohibited without the express written consent from the NFHS. Please contact Davis Whitfield, COO at dwhitfield@nfhs.org with requests.
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES POWERPOINT
NFHS INFORMATION
NFHS Publications
NFHS Digital
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES CHANGES
NFHS FOOTBALL RULES
Each state high school association adopting these NFHS football rules is the sole and exclusive source of binding rules interpretations for contests involving its member schools. Any person having questions about the interpretation of NFHS football rules should contact the football rules interpreter designated by the respective state high school association.
The NFHS is the sole and exclusive source of model interpretations of NFHS football rules. State rules interpreters may contact the NFHS for model football rules interpretations. No other model football rules interpretations should be considered.
TOOTH & MOUTH PROTECTOR RULE 1-5-1d(5)a – 4 (NEW)
RULES CHANGES
Effective 2026: Tooth and mouth protectors may not include any attachment(s) that do not serve a purpose and function in protecting the teeth or mouth.
TOOTH & MOUTH PROTECTOR RULE 1-5-1d(5)a – 5 (NEW)
RULES CHANGES
Effective 2026: Tooth and mouth protectors may not include anything on them
that is a health or risk issue and can pose a danger to themselves or other players.
TOOTH & MOUTH PROTECTOR RULES 1-5-1d(5)a – 4, 5 (NEW)
RULES CHANGES
These tooth and mouth protectors neither include any attachment(s) that does not serve a purpose and function in protecting the teeth or mouth, nor anything that is a health or risk issue posing a danger and are not impacted by this rule change.
ARM SLEEVES
RULES 1-5-2d (NEW), 1-5-3c(6)
RULES CHANGES
Effective 2027: Arm sleeves, whether attached to a shirt or unattached, manufactured to enhance contact with the football or opponent must meet the SFIA Specification at the time of manufacture.
ARM SLEEVES
RULES 1-5-2d (NEW), 1-5-3c(6)
Effective 2027: Arm sleeves must have a permanent, exact replica of the SFIA arm sleeve seal (meets SFIA Specification), that must be visible and appear legibly on the exterior of the arm sleeve.
RULES CHANGES
RULES CHANGES
ELECTRONIC SIGNS RULE 1-5-3c(2)
Fixed electronic signs (non-audio) with play signals are allowed to communicate from the sideline.
ELECTRONIC SIGNS RULE 1-5-3c(2)
Scrolling graphics, video footage, connected audio communication are all examples of the use of illegal equipment if this were a between the nine-yard mark conference.
RULES CHANGES
ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT RULE 1-5-3c(3) (NEW)
RULES CHANGES
Any video (camera) device or audio (microphone) worn by a player during the game is illegal.
FORWARD FUMBLE
RULES 3-4-2d, 3-4-3a, 4-3-1 EXCEPTION (NEW)
RULES CHANGES
When a forward fumble in the field of play goes out of bounds between the goal lines, the ball shall be returned to the spot of the fumble and the game clock is started on the ready-for-play.
FORWARD FUMBLE
RULE 4-3-1 EXCEPTION (NEW)
When a forward fumble in the field of play goes into team B’s end zone and is ruled out of bounds, the ball is not returned to the spot of the fumble because it did not go out of bounds between the goal lines.
This play continues to result in a touchback.
RULES CHANGES
FORWARD FUMBLE
RULES 3-4-3a, 4-3-1 EXCEPTION (NEW)
When a backward fumble in the field of play goes out of bounds between the goal lines, the ball shall be spotted where it is ruled out of bounds and the game clock is started on the snap.
RULES CHANGES
FORWARD FUMBLE
RULES 3-4-3a, 4-3-1 EXCEPTION (NEW)
RULES CHANGES
A muff going forward does NOT qualify for the EXCEPTION and would be placed at the out of bounds spot and the clock started on the snap.
FORWARD FUMBLE
RULES CHANGES
RULES 4-3-1 EXCEPTION (NEW), 8-5-2a EXCEPTION
When a forward fumble by team A from team A’s end zone goes out of bounds between the goal lines, the end of the run is in the end zone and the result of the play depends on who caused the ball to be in the end zone. If the momentum exception applies, the forward fumble exception would not apply and a safety would not be awarded.
FORWARD FUMBLE
RULES CHANGES
RULES 4-3-1 EXCEPTION (NEW), 8-5-2a EXCEPTION
When a forward fumble by team B from team B’s end zone goes out of bounds between the goal lines following a change of possession, the end of the related run is where possession was lost by B and the result of the play depends on who caused the ball to be in the end zone. If the momentum exception applies, the forward fumble exception would not apply and a safety would not be awarded.
ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION PENALTY ENFORCEMENT REVISED
RULES 9-6 PENALTY, 10-4-4b (DELETED)
RULES CHANGES
SIX-PLAYER
Rule 2 & 7
RULES CHANGES
As long as there is a change of possession from the snap receiver to another player of team A, the ball can be advanced beyond the line of scrimmage.
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES
JERSEY MARKINGS
RULES 1-5-1b(2)b(1), 1-5-1b(3)b(1)
A school mascot is considered an allowable adornment to a jersey, in addition to the
number, school’s nickname, school logo,
school name and player name.
EDITORIAL CHANGES
EDITORIAL CHANGES
PENALTY ENFORCEMENT RULE 2-33-1a
A loose-ball play is action during a free kick or scrimmage kick other than post-scrimmage kick fouls as defined in 2-16-2h.
EDITORIAL CHANGES
TYPES OF PLAYS RULES 10-3-1, 2
A loose-ball play is action defined in 2-33-1a, b, c, and d. A running play is any action as defined in 2-33-2.
DEFENSELESS RECEIVER RULE 9-4-3p (NEW)
ART. 3 . . . No player or nonplayer shall: …
p. Initiate forceful contact against a defenseless receiver as in 2-32-16b and 2-32-16c that is not:
PENALTY: 15 Yards (Personal Foul)
EDITORIAL CHANGES
EDITORIAL CHANGES
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-32-16d | Removed 2-32-16d and placed it under a new 9-4-3p. |
2-41-9b | Removed the term “related running play.” |
2-41-9c, 10-3-3c | Added in reference to “8-5-2a EXCEPTION” to the rule. |
6-1-9 | Simplified the existing rules language dealing with a free kick. |
7-2-5b EXCEPTION 2 | Clarified the existing rule dealing with the snapper. |
9-4 PENALTY | Added a new PENALTY for the new 9-4-3p dealing with a defenseless receiver. |
9-5-1g, 9-8-1j | Changed “contest” to “game.” |
9-8-1g | Clarified the existing rule dealing with the team. |
EDITORIAL CHANGES
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES
10-4-2b | Changed the penalty reference for special enforcement on roughing the passer to 9-4-4 PENALTY. |
10-4-2d | Grammar changes within the rules language. |
10-4-4a | Correct an omission when the rule was reorganized. |
10-5-3 | Further clarified enforcement with regards to a safety. |
9-, 8-, 6-Player Rules Differences | Updated rules references. |
PENALTY SUMMARY | Added 9-4-3p to the list under loss of 15 yards. |
INDEX | Updated the index with revised rules references. |
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL RULES REMINDER
HOME JERSEYS RULE 1-5-1b(3)
RULES REMINDER
Jerseys of the home team shall all be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts to white.
HOME JERSEYS RULE 1-5-1b(3)
RULES REMINDER
These jerseys of the home team are illegal because all members of the home team must wear the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts to white.
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS
2025 NFHS FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS
ILLEGAL AND IMPROPERLY WORN PLAYER EQUIPMENT
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
To support the safety of all participants, players must wear equipment and uniforms that are properly fitted and worn as intended by the manufacturer.
Before starting each game, the head coach must verify that all players are properly and legally equipped. Allowing players to use illegal equipment or to wear required equipment improperly could subject the coach to a penalty.
ILLEGAL AND IMPROPERLY WORN PLAYER EQUIPMENT
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Illegal (prohibited) equipment includes jewelry (A), tinted visors (B), non- compliant eye shade (C), bands worn around the upper arm, neck or legs (D), and uniform adornments like towels that do not conform to rules (E).
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
ILLEGAL AND IMPROPERLY WORN PLAYER EQUIPMENT
Improperly worn equipment pertains to all equipment that is otherwise legal but not worn as intended. Examples include pants not covering the knees, tooth and mouth protectors not being worn as play starts and shoulder pads not properly covered by the jersey.
SPORTSMANSHIP
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
In determining whether an action rises to the level of an unsportsmanlike conduct 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 or directed at an opponent.
DEFENSELESS PLAYER/TARGETING
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
A defenseless player is a player who, because of his 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 himself. Defenseless players include (A) passers, (B) receivers, (C) sliding runners, and (D) those illegally blocked from the blindside.
2025-26 NFHS FOOTBALL INFORMATION
2026 NFHS FOOTBALL RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL ONLINE FORM
Due: November 1, 2025
Must be submitted to your state association office for approval.
2025-26 NFHS FOOTBALL INFORMATION
NFHS SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT OF CONCUSSION IN SPORTS
In the Appendix in all of the 2025-26 NFHS
Rules Book
NFHS GUIDELINES ON HANDLING PRACTICES AND CONTESTS DURING LIGHTNING OR THUNDER DISTURBANCES
In Appendix E in the
2025 NFHS
Football Rules Book
NFHS HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION AND HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION POSITION STATEMENT
NFHS LEARNING CENTER
Thank You
National Federation of State High School Associations
NFHS.org Phone # 317-972-6900 Email
@NFHS1920 @NFHS_org