Recently, the National Federation of State High School Associations released some rule changes for the upcoming academic sports year.
Changes will be seen in basketball, baseball, competitive cheer and dance, field hockey, football, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.
A complete listing of all the rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select the sport you’re looking for.
Per the NFHS:
Basketball
Beginning next year, high school basketball teams will shoot two free throws for common fouls when in the “bonus.” This change eliminates the one-and-one scenario and sets new foul limits each quarter for awarding the bonus free throw.
In addition to awarding two foul shots for all common fouls, teams will reach the bonus when their opponent commits five fouls in each quarter and team fouls will reset at the end of each quarter. Previously, teams were awarded the one-and-one bonus when their opponents committed seven fouls in a half and two foul shots when ten fouls were committed each half.
“The rules committee studied data that showed higher injury rates on rebounding situations and saw this as an opportunity to reduce opportunities for rough play during rebounds,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. “Additionally, resetting the fouls each quarter will improve game flow and allow teams to adjust their play by not carrying foul totals to quarters two and four.”
The throw-in procedure for front-court violations was simplified. When the ball is in team control in the offensive team’s frontcourt and the defensive team commits a violation, a common foul prior to the bonus, or the ball becomes dead, the corresponding throw-in by the offensive team will be at one of four designated spots determined by where the infraction took place. The designated spots are either the nearest 28-foot mark along each sideline or the nearest spot three feet outside the lane line on the end line. The one exception is when the defensive team causes a ball to be out of bounds, the throw-in shall be the spot where the ball went out of bounds.
Throw-in administration was also addressed. When an official administers a throw-in to the wrong team, the error can be fixed before the first dead ball after the ball becomes live unless there has been a change in possession.
Other approved rules changes include:
- Clarifying that multiple styles of uniform bottoms may be worn by teammate, but they must all be like-colored and adhere to uniform rules regarding logos and trademarks.
- Addressing undershirts and allowing teams to wear a single solid color or solid black for visiting teams with dark jerseys. This provides an opportunity for schools with hard-to-find colors to have all players wear a black undershirt.
- Amending a rule to allow a player to step out of bounds and return to the court if they gain no advantage. A player is penalized only if, after returning inbounds, the player is the first to touch the ball or avoids a violation.
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, basketball is the third-most popular high school sport for boys with 521,616 participants in 18,428 schools nationwide. It is the fourth-most popular girls’ sport with 370,466 participants in 17,901 schools.
Baseball
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.
The new rules prohibit coaches from communicating with any other player besides the catcher on defense and with any player while batting. The coach must also be in the dugout when using the communication device.
“This change is consistent with the growth of the game and is indicative of a measured and responsible approach to enable technology into our level of competition,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS Director of Sports and Educational Services and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “The committee has made these changes to maintain the balance between offense and defense; increase the pace of play; and will responsibly manage technology so there is no advantage gained by schools that have more available resources than some of their contemporaries. Creating a level playing field is paramount to education-based athletics.”
Game management by umpires was addressed. The edit removes spectators’ behavior from the umpire-in-chief’s jurisdiction when deciding to forfeit a contest. Only infractions by players, coaches or team/bench personnel are under the umpire’s jurisdiction. The committee agreed that poor behavior by spectators should be handled by game administration.
“This change is a complementary rule to support schools’ game management role in addressing unacceptable behavior and will allow the umpire to focus on the action and players on the field,” Hopkins said.
A rule was added and designates a wristband with defensive shifts, pitching choices or game directions as non-electronic equipment and must be a single, solid color and worn on the forearm. Pitchers’ cards must not be white, gray or a distracting color and worn on their non-pitching arm.
According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, baseball is the fourth-most popular sport for boys with 481,004 student-athletes in 15,925 high schools nationwide. The survey also indicated that 1,156 girls across the country play high school baseball.
Competitive cheer, dance
Two major rules changes for the 2023-24 high school spirit season involve released inversions and tosses to stunts to clarify rules for consistency.
Several rules regarding released inversions with various twisting limitations were consolidated. As a result, every usage of a “half turn” was changed to a “one twist” to allow for consistency. This revision establishes the same twisting allowance for each type of landing. Previously, there were full twist-, half- and quarter-turn landings.
“Consolidating each landing to one twist considers sensible anatomic body movement to create a safer twisting motion,” said James Weaver, NFHS director of performing arts and sports and liaison to the Spirit Rules Committee. “The committee ensures that any skill changes are accompanied with appropriate skill progressions.”
A change in a rule alters stunt terminology from a “vertical” stunt to a “non-inverted” stunt. “This is a change, because we didn’t allow for horizontal catching in the past, and this is going to allow that,” Weaver said. The rule change allows a toss to be caught in a horizontal or vertical stunt by the original bases while clarifying that only a ball-up position is allowed during the release of a toss caught in a non-inverted stunt. The height of the toss cannot significantly exceed the height of the bases’ hands during the release, which remains consistent with past rules.
The Spirit Rules Committee determined that some non-pyramid stunts, including Diamond Heads and Whirlybirds, are subject to the same restrictions dealing with hanging Stunts. The term “hanging pyramid” was changed to “hanging stunt” to include broader skills that need the same restrictions. This edit was deemed necessary to prohibit people from working around restrictions.
The committee determined that during braced flips, non-arm bracer(s) must be at prep level or below. In a prep or shoulder stand, the bracer(s) shall have two bases or a base and spotter. This change clarifies the requirement for a bracer that does not have hand-to-hand contact with the top person.
The committee agreed that as the inversion rule has evolved and the connection between the top person and the bracer has changed from two arms to one arm, there is a need for further clarification for bracers who do not have hand-to-hand contact with the flipping top person, according to Weaver.
A rule regarding the helicopter was altered to decrease the number of tossers/catchers from four to three, which brings the personnel requirement in line with similar skills that already use three tossers/catchers. The committee noted it shall be easier for players to learn skill progressions and fill the base requirements. Helicopters will continue to require a tosser/catcher to be in position to support the top person’s head and shoulders at the beginning and end of the skill.
Another edit allows for a wider range of below-prep level inversions to be performed legally, mirroring the language in prep level inversions. This also aligns cheerleading with a 2018 dance rule.
Revisions allow dance to adopt a cheer skill that has been effective. The term “and does not pass through an extended position” was deleted in referring to at least two catchers and/or bases catch the upper body of the top person. A part was added to establish that when the catchers are not the original bases and the top person begins or passes through an extended overhead position, three catchers are in place.
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, competitive spirit ranks ninth in participation for girls with 140,552 participants in 7,236 schools.
Field Hockey
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.
As an example, throwing any object or piece of equipment at the ball or at another player, umpire or person will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. A penalty corner shall be awarded when the ball hits any loose defensive player equipment in the circle, and a penalty stroke shall be awarded when the official deems that loose defensive player equipment in the circle stops the ball from entering the goal.
Two new penalties were approved regarding suspended and disqualified players. According to the new guidelines, a suspended player who remains in or re-enters the game before serving the full suspension time shall be removed from the game to serve the remaining time. In addition, a disqualified player who remains in or re-enters the game shall be removed from the game, and the team will play short-handed.
An adjustment affects time-outs and the length of the playing period.
“We’re allowing a playing captain to request a time-out from a nearby official in addition to the coach, who already had that opportunity,” said Anna Saccoccio, chair of the NFHS Field Hockey Rules Committee. “If no playing captain is on the field of play, then only the coach may call a time-out.”
In other changes: “Shoes worn under the kickers shall be rubber-soled shoes. Plastic, leather or rubber cleats may be worn.”
Regarding goalkeeper equipment, a note was approved which will bring uniform requirements for goalkeepers in line with the player’s uniform number.
Finally, players will now be allowed to wear jewelry with their uniform. According to the committee, permitting jewelry aligns with current trends in other rules codes for consistency of officiating and coaching.
Sixteen NFHS member state associations conduct state championships in field hockey, a sport that includes 55,829 girls participants in 1,767 schools nationwide according to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey.
Football
A notable change will eliminate the excessive penalty enforcements for offensive fouls that occur behind the line of scrimmage in high school football.
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. Current penalties for illegal kicking, batting and participation fouls, as well as provisions for offensive fouls occurring in the end zone that may result in a safety, remain intact.
As an example, a team on offense at its own 40-yard line that is called for holding 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage at its own 30-yard line, would be faced with first and 20 from its 30-yard line rather than the almost insurmountable task of first and 30 from its own 20-yard line.
In a change that addresses another goal of every NFHS rules committee – risk minimization – additional criteria were approved to help identify players who should be defined as defenseless receivers related to the application of unnecessary or excessive contact.
An addition states that another example of a defenseless player includes a receiver, as previously defined in the rule, including the person intercepting the pass, who is forcefully contacted by an opponent that is not 1) incidental contact as a result of making a play on the ball, 2) initiated with open hands, or 3) an attempt to tackle by wrapping arm(s) around the receiver.
The committee also approved a clarification to the intentional grounding rule change implemented last year. The change permits the exception for intentional grounding to the first and only player to possess the ball after the snap ends.
A revision in a rule clarifies when a player is inbounds after being out of bounds. While the committee approved additional language for clarification, there is no change to any foul or subsequent penalty provisions or any rules related to illegal participation or the provisions regarding eligibility to catch a pass.
One change was approved regarding player equipment, specifically player towels, which now may contain one manufacturer’s logo and/or one school logo, neither exceeding 2¼ square inches. Towels must be a solid color, but now do not have to be the same color for each player. Towels may not, however, be the color of the ball or penalty flag.
Regarding forward pass interference, the word “intentional” was removed, which puts the rule in line with how it is already enforced, which is a 15-yard penalty.
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 11-player football is the most popular high school sport for boys with 973,792 participants in 13,733 schools nationwide. In addition, there were 34,935 boys who participated in 6-, 8- and 9-player football, along with 3,633 girls in all four versions of the game for a grand total of 1,012,360.
Soccer
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.
A rule was added and includes four criteria to consider when determining if a goal-scoring opportunity was denied: the distance between the offense and the ball, the general direction of the play, the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, and the location and number of defenders. The rule also outlines the resulting consequences if DOGSO is determined to have occurred.
A new section on fouls was created, which defines the seven direct free kick fouls and provides consistency for officials when interpreting misconduct. The corresponding definitions for Careless, Excessive Force, Serious Foul Play, Tactical Fouls and Violent Conduct were adjusted.
“When determining if a foul has been committed, officials must also consider the degree of contact used when committing the foul,” Stan Latta, chair of the Soccer Rules Committee, said. “These definitions within the rules for direct free kick fouls will provide consistency for officials when determining misconduct.”
Multiple changes were made to a rule regarding substitutions and injured players. Determining when an injured player must leave the field of play was addressed. If the referee stops play for an injured player, the player must only leave the game if a coach or health-care professional is beckoned from the sideline.
A rule was added to clarify that a player being replaced shall exit the field on the bench side unless an injury prohibits it. This would avoid unnecessary interaction with opposing teams and fans, limiting the potential for unsporting behavior. A rule was amended to clarify that players must re-enter a game from the official area after being beckoned in. This change helps avoid potential confusion when a player re-enters after exiting the game elsewhere on the field.
Other rules changes include:
- Defining the criteria for deliberately playing the ball when determining an offside infraction. A player must have the time and space, and sufficient sight of the ball, to control the ball and have the possibility of passing the ball to a teammate or gaining possession of the ball.
- Rules were added to indicate that a player shall be penalized for handling even if the contact is accidental, eliminating the need for referees to determine the intent of hand or arm contact.
- A rule that adds language and direction for officials when a goalkeeper illegally handles the ball both inside and outside the penalty area. If a goalkeeper handles the ball inside the penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded but given no disciplinary sanction. However, if the violation is playing the ball a second time (with or without the hand/arm) after a restart and before touching another player, the goalkeeper shall be cautioned if stopping a promising attack. The goalkeeper is ejected if denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity while improperly handling the ball.
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, soccer is the fifth-most popular high school sport for boys with 436,465 participants in 12,539 schools nationwide. Soccer is the third most popular sport for girls with 374,773 participants in 12,071 schools.
Softball
Beginning next year, pitchers in high school softball will be allowed to disengage both feet from the playing surface if the pivot foot is not replanted prior to the delivery of the pitch. Previously, the pivot foot was required to remain in contact with the ground.
“The committee discussed was whether a pitcher gains an advantage by having their pivot foot airborne vs. having it remain in contact with the ground. Our rules have traditionally allowed for flexibility to accommodate the differing skill levels of high school athletes. This change allows for exploration of different styles of pitching during student-athletes’ developmental stages.”
In another change, a rule now permits electronic information to be transmitted to the dugout from anywhere outside of live ball area. This reflects current technology and still requires that electronic devices are used in the dugout but no longer stipulates where the video is recorded or how it is transmitted.
Beginning January 1, 2027, softball uniforms may display only the player’s name, school name or nickname, school mascot and/or school logo. An additional uniform change for the 2024 season was approved, which more clearly defines what can be worn on the head to be consistent with other NFHS sports.
Changes to a rule clarify where wristbands with a playbook/playcard attached can be worn. The equipment is only permitted to be worn on a player’s wrist or arm, and pitchers must wear it on their non-pitching arm, prohibiting wristbands from being worn on the belt.
The NFHS Softball Rules Committee further clarified the list of approved and non-approved substances to be used as drying agents for the pitcher. The rule specifies that dirt is not considered a foreign substance and does not have to be wiped from the hand prior to contacting the ball. Acceptable use of drying agents under the supervision and control of the umpire includes powdered rosin or any comparable drying agent listed on USA Softball’s certified equipment website.
According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, fast-pitch softball is the fifth-most popular sport for girls with 362,038 participants in 15,877 high schools nationwide. The survey also indicated an additional 6,602 participants in slow-pitch softball.
Swimming and Diving
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.
Several technical rules changes were made to breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. “We removed rules that do not present a competitive advantage, are rarely seen today, and make sense for high school swimmers,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee.
Backstroke swimmers are now permitted to submerge at the backstroke flags and be completely underwater at the finish. The change allows the official to concentrate on the finish at the wall and aligns with national trends. The rule applies to all backstroke finishes including the medley relay and the individual medley.
Changes to breaststroke and butterfly provide clarity, consistency and remove elements of the turn and finish that were difficult to officiate. Alterations are not expected to provide a competitive advantage for athletes.
A penalty will now be imposed if the diver’s head is too close to the diving board. A penalty was already in place for when a diver hit the board. Diving referees will determine the new penalty call and should sit in line with the end of the board to see where divers enter the water in relation to the board.
Three diving positions were removed with changes. The committee determined that performing these dives in the straight position was too dangerous at the high school level due to the close placement of the diver’s head in relation to the board. The difficulty level was such that divers were not typically performing the dives, according to Searcy.
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, swimming and diving is the 10th-most popular sport for boys with 123,208 participants in 7,831 schools, and the eighth-most popular sport for girls with 149,751 participants in 8,079 schools.
Track and Field
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.
Previous language which required participants to remain motionless after assuming the set position prior to the starting device being fired, has been replaced with the following:
“If a runner leaves their mark with a hand or foot after the ‘set’ command but before the starting device is fired.”
In addition, a new violation calls for a violation “if a runner leaves their mark with a forward motion without the starting device being fired.”
Further, a new note in a rule states that “extraneous motion before the device is fired does not necessarily require a false start to be charged unless the criteria in the rule are met. If the starter thinks the movement creates a situation of unfairness to any of the competitors, the starter may cancel the start with the command ‘stand up,’ or if the device has been fired, recall the race as an unsteady or unfair start and redo the starting procedure.” This NOTE was also added to Rule 8 regarding cross country.
A significant change was approved by the committee regarding field events. In the discus, shot put and javelin, athletes will be permitted to apply tape to their fingers as long as the fingers are not taped together, and all fingers can move independently. The specific language approved by the committee is as follows:
“A wrist wrap used in lieu of tape is acceptable and is not considered an artificial aid.”
In other changes to field events, further definition related to breaking ties was added. To address the situation when two or more tied competitors withdraw from the competition/jump-off at the same time, the committee added the following language to determine first place:
The rule states that “if all competitors eligible for a jump-off withdraw from the competition before the jump-off begins or at a height change, those competitors shall tie for first place, and any team points shall be added together and divided equally among the tying competitors.”
In addition, a NOTE was added to the rule stating that an athlete who withdraws from a jump-off concedes the higher place, but the withdrawal does not negate the athlete’s performance in that event up to the point of withdrawal. In addition, withdrawing from a jump-off is not unsporting conduct.
Another field event change was approved, stating that in the high jump and pole vault, one minute shall be allowed for the first trial of a competitor first entering the competition. The committee noted this additional language clarifies how the rule is to be interpreted and adds support to the official’s decisions when a competitor enters the vertical jumps after the event has started.
In other changes to running Events, some of the specific language regarding track markings was deleted and replaced with the following general statement: “Staggered markings are dependent on the geometry of each individual track.” In addition, a NOTE was added to the rule stating that a competent surveyor should determine the lane staggers. The same language was added regarding indoor track and field.
In other rule changes, a clarification was provided to the section on hurdling infractions. It is an infraction if a competitor knocks down or displaces any hurdle by hand. The addition of displacement of any hurdle was added to give guidance to officials when ruling on infractions.
In a rule regarding “Competitors and Competition,” state associations will be permitted to allow participants in a high school track and field meet to compete in more than four events, effective with the 2024 season.
The rule stated that a competitor shall not compete in more than four events, including relays, remains intact; however, a NOTE was added to the rule for flexibility for state associations as follows: “State associations may adopt different participation limitations, not to exceed six events.”
Ultimately each state will determine the number and type of events best suited for its state and student-athletes – not to exceed six total events.
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, track and field is the second-most popular sport for boys with 569,262 participants in 17,070 high schools nationwide, and it is No. 1 for girls with 456,697 participants in 17,028 schools.
Volleyball
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.
A rule was added to define the coaching zone as the area from the libero replacement zone to the area beyond the end line and the sideline extended. In addition to head coaches utilizing the coaching zone, the rule was changed to allow one assistant coach to stand within the coaching zone during dead-ball situations. The assistant coach standing within the coaching zone may change throughout the match. All other assistant coaches must remain seated.
“The committee felt it was necessary to better define the space in which coaches are allowed to stand and instruct both players on the floor and on the bench while also providing some flexibility for specialized coaching by assistant coaches during dead-ball situations,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee.
The wearing of jewelry by players is addressed, which now states that all jewelry must be removed, except small, secured studs or posts worn above the chin. No jewelry is permitted below the chin, including string bracelets, commemorative bracelets and body jewelry. In addition, taping over jewelry is not permitted. This rules change aligns high school rules with NCAA rules on the wearing of jewelry.
Beginning in 2028, uniform numbers with a leading zero will not be permitted. This change eliminates confusion when signaling numbers and aligns NFHS rules with other rules codes.
The procedure for requesting a substitution was amended. The head coach may now verbally request a substitution to an official in addition to visually signaling.
According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, volleyball is the second-most popular sports for girls (trailing track and field) with 454,153 participants in 16,532 schools nationwide. In addition, there are 66,487 boys participating in the sport at 2,682 schools.
Wrestling
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.
The increase from five to six matches for regular-season competition follows the change two years ago which permitted six matches in any one day of tournament competition. With experiments conducted last year by state associations with no reported injuries, the committee thought the increase to six for regular-season competition was a natural progression.
With risk minimization in mind, the committee also approved a rule which states that no contestant shall wrestle in more than 10 matches in two consecutive days.
Another significant change was made which lists the points of support when a wrestler is down on the mat, “foot/feet” was added to the list that includes the knee(s), side of the thigh, buttocks, hand(s) and head.
“Feet are regularly supporting the wrestler’s weight during the match while on the mat,” said Elliot Hopkins, director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. “We allow a wrestler’s feet to be considered supporting points while in a near-fall situation. By adding it to the list of usual supporting points on the mat, it will create more clarity and consistency for the wrestlers, coaches and officials – without creating additional injury risk.”
In another rule revision, the committee expanded the definition of forfeit to include a medical forfeit. The new language states that “it shall be considered a medical forfeit when the opponent fails to appear for a match due to injury or illness that occurred during the tournament. This determination will be made by the tournament director.” A medical forfeit would not count against the wrestler’s record.
In a rule regarding the wrestler’s uniform and appearance, language was altered to denote that the one-piece singlet may be worn with full-length, form-fitted tights. The stirrups requirement was deleted because the tights worn by wrestlers today do not ride up the wrestler’s leg causing a disadvantage to the opponent.
In another rule, the committee deleted additional language regarding facial hair requirements and approved a simple new sentence: Facial hair is permissible.
“If there are any questionable areas with regard to skin disease on or around the face, the on-site approved health-care professional would be involved; however, the length of the facial hair does not have any influence on the referee’s decision,” Hopkins said.
Another change approved by the committee allows competitors to wrestle in two consecutive matches with a 30-minute rest rather than the previous 45-minute rest period. The committee said the sentiment was that 30 minutes was sufficient rest between matches.
The final revisions were made which will permit white or gray trim on the referee’s shoes. Regarding the end-of-match procedure, which provides the official another option to raising the hand of the winning wrestler. The rule now states that the wrestlers shall shake hands and the referee shall declare the winner “by raising the winning wrestler’s hand or by raising the color wristband of the winning wrestler on the referee’s arm or have the winning wrestler raise their own arm.”
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, wrestling is the sixth-most popular high school sport for boys with 231,874 participants in 10,797 schools nationwide. In addition, there were 31,654 girls who participated in wrestling in 4,802 schools.