Question on NCAA rule

[kickerdad]

Can someone explain the "Official NCAA rule on noise makers? When I look at the rules it sounds like it was written for Championship games only. Then you see somewhere else where the rules committee recinded the rule.

My wife nearly got arrested 2 weeks ago at Averett for having a dang cowbell that was purchased in the Averett bookstore with Averett printed on it.

The problem started when the announcer told people to stop using air horns, yet some on the PA system was playing a siren. So when Averett scored it lonely touchdown she ran her cowbell and the folks on the other side that had the air horns complained. The rest of the story is nasty and she was close to getting the police called on her and thrown out because she refused to surrender her cow bell.

Went to Greensboro this past week and people ran cow bells all night and not a word was said.

So please, someone tell me what is going on. I can tell you this. We went to a VT game this year and you heard everything and the only folks that got removed were the ones that had cups with octane in them and were talking ugly and falling all over everyone. The noise makers were left alone.

I had a gentleman who appeared to be in his late 70's ask what all the fuss was about and he said "Hell, what a bunch of idiots" "Cowbells were invented for football not cows"

[downtown48]

Here's a couple.


knee down...play dead.  College.

knee down...play not dead until touched.  NFL



Ball carriers helmet flies off during play...play over.  College

Ball carriers helmet flies off during play...keep playing.  NFL

[KitchenSink]

Off the top of my head, just a few -

HS Neutral zone - if a defensive player so much as puts a finger in the neutral zone - - whistle & flag, 5 yard penalty and no opportunity to jump back.

Replay specifically banned in HS

3 minutes for stretching on top of normal half-time break in HS

15 minutes vs 12/10/9 HS V/JV/Fr

25 second clock vs NFL 40

I'm sure there will be plenty more as somebody remembers them ...

[Knightstalker]

HS rules will vary state to state also I believe.

[roocru]

Texas and I believe Massachusetts play with NCAA rules in HS. I believe all other states play National Federation of High School rules.

[Knightstalker]

I know a long time ago PA and NJ had some different on the field rules regarding blocking and tackling, but that was in the late 70's.  In NJ offensive linemen could not extend their hands out past their shoulders and could not grab in pass blocking but PA allowed use of the hands in pass blocking.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Do any states have 'mercy' rules in football?  In Michigan, they would go to a running clock once a game was too lop-sided (I believe it was by mutual consent of coaches rather than automatic at a set score, and not certain whether it is still in effect).

Michigan has a cut-and-dried mercy rule in soccer - once a team is down 8 goals, game over.  I understand the reason for it, but don't like it - it just takes away PT from the very players who rarely get it.

[roocru]

Do any states have 'mercy' rules in football?  In Michigan, they would go to a running clock once a game was too lop-sided (I believe it was by mutual consent of coaches rather than automatic at a set score, and not certain whether it is still in effect).

Michigan has a cut-and-dried mercy rule in soccer - once a team is down 8 goals, game over.  I understand the reason for it, but don't like it - it just takes away PT from the very players who rarely get it.

Texas has a "mercy rule" in our 6-man football conference only.

[Ralph Turner]

Do any states have 'mercy' rules in football?  In Michigan, they would go to a running clock once a game was too lop-sided (I believe it was by mutual consent of coaches rather than automatic at a set score, and not certain whether it is still in effect).

Michigan has a cut-and-dried mercy rule in soccer - once a team is down 8 goals, game over.  I understand the reason for it, but don't like it - it just takes away PT from the very players who rarely get it.

Texas has a "mercy rule" in our 6-man football conference only.

Yes, 45 points in the second half. 

[Warren Thompson]

Yeah, that's basically how we got started on the topic. Guy in Texas was asking for a horsecollar penalty.

Whatever the merits or demerits of the "horsecollar" tackle, two weeks ago an outstanding high school running back in San Antonio, Texas, had his season ended
by an apparent horsecollar tackle that resulted in his exit from the field with a broken ankle (it required surgical reduction -- and from recent personal experience, I know that ain't much fun!).

After the game, his tackler was reportedly "upset" at what he'd done ....

[KentATM]

Can someone explain the "Official NCAA rule on noise makers? When I look at the rules it sounds like it was written for Championship games only. Then you see somewhere else where the rules committee recinded the rule.

My wife nearly got arrested 2 weeks ago at Averett for having a dang cowbell that was purchased in the Averett bookstore with Averett printed on it.

The problem started when the announcer told people to stop using air horns, yet some on the PA system was playing a siren. So when Averett scored it lonely touchdown she ran her cowbell and the folks on the other side that had the air horns complained. The rest of the story is nasty and she was close to getting the police called on her and thrown out because she refused to surrender her cow bell.

Went to Greensboro this past week and people ran cow bells all night and not a word was said.

So please, someone tell me what is going on. I can tell you this. We went to a VT game this year and you heard everything and the only folks that got removed were the ones that had cups with octane in them and were talking ugly and falling all over everyone. The noise makers were left alone.

I had a gentleman who appeared to be in his late 70's ask what all the fuss was about and he said "Hell, what a bunch of idiots" "Cowbells were invented for football not cows"

I would also like to know the deal on this rule as some friends and I are planning on make a bunch of them for our homecoming game against Trinity.

[ADL70]

I can think of width of uprights and hash marks.

[PA_wesleyfan]

Do any states have 'mercy' rules in football?  In Michigan, they would go to a running clock once a game was too lop-sided (I believe it was by mutual consent of coaches rather than automatic at a set score, and not certain whether it is still in effect).

Michigan has a cut-and-dried mercy rule in soccer - once a team is down 8 goals, game over.  I understand the reason for it, but don't like it - it just takes away PT from the very players who rarely get it.

Texas has a "mercy rule" in our 6-man football conference only.

Yes, 45 points in the second half. 

In P.a. After a team goes ahead by 35 pts the clock is continually run for the remainder of the game. Sans a TD or injury of course

[KitchenSink]

In Wisconsin we use the National Federation of High Schools Rule book, with a couple of state adaptations (running clock in 2nd half if a 35 or more point lead, minimum number of officials, no OT for freshman).  There are a couple of exceptions to the running clock - TO, Qtr-end, after a score.

I was under the impression that this is more or less the standard for all high schools across the country.  There probably are exceptions, but the rule book does indicate members from (it appears) every state.  There's even sections on 9 / 8 / 6 man games.

[Jonny Utah]

In Wisconsin we use the National Federation of High Schools Rule book, with a couple of state adaptations (running clock in 2nd half if a 35 or more point lead, minimum number of officials, no OT for freshman).  There are a couple of exceptions to the running clock - TO, Qtr-end, after a score.

I was under the impression that this is more or less the standard for all high schools across the country.  There probably are exceptions, but the rule book does indicate members from (it appears) every state.  There's even sections on 9 / 8 / 6 man games.

Yea, except for Massachusetts and Texas, all states go by federation rules.  The main exceptions I learned from the two are this....

NCAA rules: Offensive players can block below the waist anywhere on the field (except chop blocks of couse
Federation: No blocking below the waist anywhere on the field

NCAA rules: FG and XP kickers can use a plastic block
Federation: No block, kickers must kick from the ground.

I think those are the major differences between the two.