Ten (+ One) Major Differences Between NFHS High School Football Rules And NCAA/NFL
Already have three games down (one this afternoon, too). Officiating high school sports has a lot of rules misunderstandings among fans.
High school rules (NFHS) prioritize safety and simplicity (automatic down rules, wider hashes, stricter blocking rules). College rules (NCAA) are a middle ground with innovations like the targeting ejection and 25-yard line OT. Pro rules (NFL) are the most complex, with spot-foul interference, narrow hashes, and sophisticated eligible/ineligible reporting.
1. Pass Interference
NFHS (High School): Always 15 yards (no automatic first down).
NCAA: 15 yards (unless the foul occurs less than 15 yards downfield, then it’s spot of the foul).
NFL: Spot foul, automatic first down (can result in huge yardage gains).
2. Defensive Holding
NFHS: 10 yards, not automatic first down.
NCAA/NFL: 5 yards and automatic first down
3. Targeting & Contact Above Shoulders
NFHS: “Targeting” and “spearing” exist as personal fouls, but ejection is not automatic; it’s at official discretion.
NCAA: Targeting rule = ejection + 15 yards.
NFL: No specific “targeting” rule, but “crown of helmet contact” and “defenseless player” hits are flagged and fined.
4. Down by Contact
NFHS (and NCAA): Ball carrier is down when any part of the body (except hand/foot) touches ground, even without contact.
NFL: Must be down by contact (unless they give themselves up/sliding).
5. Overtime Procedure
NFHS: Start at the opponent’s 10-yard line, 4 downs to score. (States have discretion on this - NJ uses NCAA)
NCAA: Start at the 25-yard line; after 2OTs, must go for 2; after 3OTs, teams run alternating 2-point plays.
NFL: 10-minute overtime, sudden death after both teams get a possession (with modifications for TDs/FGs).
6. Pass Eligibility Rules
NFHS: Any player numbered 50–79 is ineligible unless reporting differently is allowed by state association. (Not allowed in NJ)
NCAA/NFL: Same restriction, but in the NFL eligible numbers can report as ineligible/eligible (complex mechanics).
7. Hash Marks Placement
NFHS: Hashes are the widest (53'4" apart), nearly at the uprights.
NCAA: Narrower (40' apart).
NFL: Even narrower (18'6" apart, same as goalposts).
This affects kicking angles, offensive spacing, and field position strategy.
8. Blocking Below the Waist
NFHS: Very restrictive—generally prohibited outside the tackle box.
NCAA/NFL: Allowed in more situations (though NFL has tightened rules in recent years).
9. Fair Catch & Free Kick Rules
NFHS: A fair catch inside the 25 does not trigger a touchback rule (ball spotted where caught).
NCAA: Fair catch on kickoffs inside the 25 = automatic touchback at the 25.
NFL: Kickoff touchback to the 30.
10. Two-Point Try / Conversion Rules
NFHS: Defense can return a failed PAT/2-point attempt for 2 points.
NCAA: Same as NFHS (2-point defensive return).
NFL: Defense can return a turnover on try for 2 points (rare but same rule now).
11. Running Clock
When there is a "blow out" game (in NJ when the point differential reaches 33 points), there can be a running clock in the second half, stopping only for penalties, injuries, timeouts, and scores - PITS. This completes the game but helps prevent anger related cheap shots from the winning team running up the score.
No such rule at the higher levels.
No comments.