NFHS Definition of Playing Terms
NFHS Rule 2-1-1 — Status Of Ball — Dead, A dead ball is a ball not in play. The ball is dead during the
Live, Loose interval between downs.
NFHS Rule 2-1-2 — Status Of Ball — Dead, A live ball is a ball in play. A ball becomes live when the ball
Live, Loose has been legally snapped or free kicked and a down is in
progress.
NFHS Rule 2-1-3 — Status Of Ball — Dead, A loose ball is a pass, fumble or a kick. The terms "pass,"
Live, Loose "fumble" and "kick" are sometimes used as abbreviations when
the ball is loose following the acts of passing, fumbling or
kicking the ball. A loose ball which has not yet touched the
ground is in flight. A grounded loose ball is one which has
touched the ground. Any loose ball continues to be a loose
ball until a player secures - possession of it or until it becomes
dead by rule, whichever comes first.
NFHS Rule 2-3-1 — Blocking Blocking is obstructing an opponent by contacting him with
any part of the blocker's body.
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,NFHS Definition of Playing Terms
NFHS Rule 2-3-2 — Blocking (Part 1 of 2) In blocking, a player may contact opponents with the arms or
hands provided the technique is legal. The legal techniques
are as follows: a. Closed or cupped hand technique: 1. The
elbows may be inside or outside the shoulders. 2. The hands
must be closed or cupped with the palms not facing the
opponent. 3. The forearms are extended no more than 45
degrees from the body. b. Open hand technique. The hand(s)
shall be: 1. In advance of the elbow. 2. Inside the frame of the
blocker's body; the frame of the blocker's body is th front of
the body at or below the shoulders. 3. Inside the frame of the
opponent's body, except when the opponent turns h back to
the blocker during the block or after the blocker is committed
to h charge. The frame of the opponent's body is at the
shoulders or below othe than the back. 4.
NFHS Rule 2-3-2 — Blocking (Part 2 of 2) At or below the shoulders of the blocker and the opponent,
except when the op ponent squats, ducks or submarines
during the block or after the blocker is com mitted to his
charge. 5. Open, when the palm(s) are facing the frame of the
opponent or when the forearms are extended beyond the 45
degree angle from the body.
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, NFHS Definition of Playing Terms
NFHS Rule 2-3-3 — Blocking The blocker's hand(s) may not be locked nor may he swing,
throw or flip the elbow or forearm so that it is moving faster
than the blocker's shoulders at the time the elbow, forearm or
shoulder contacts the opponent. The blocker may not initiate
contact with his arm or hand against an opponent above the
opponent's shoulder, but he may use his hand or arm to break
a fall or maintain his balance.
NFHS Rule 2-3-4 — Blocking An offensive player may also use his hands or arms: a. When
he is a runner, to ward off or push any player. b. During a kick,
to ward off an opponent who is attempting to block him. c. To
push, pull or ward off an opponent when the ball is loose if he
may legal touch or possess the ball if such contact is not pass
interference, a persona foul or illegal use of hands.
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NFHS Rule 2-1-1 — Status Of Ball — Dead, A dead ball is a ball not in play. The ball is dead during the
Live, Loose interval between downs.
NFHS Rule 2-1-2 — Status Of Ball — Dead, A live ball is a ball in play. A ball becomes live when the ball
Live, Loose has been legally snapped or free kicked and a down is in
progress.
NFHS Rule 2-1-3 — Status Of Ball — Dead, A loose ball is a pass, fumble or a kick. The terms "pass,"
Live, Loose "fumble" and "kick" are sometimes used as abbreviations when
the ball is loose following the acts of passing, fumbling or
kicking the ball. A loose ball which has not yet touched the
ground is in flight. A grounded loose ball is one which has
touched the ground. Any loose ball continues to be a loose
ball until a player secures - possession of it or until it becomes
dead by rule, whichever comes first.
NFHS Rule 2-3-1 — Blocking Blocking is obstructing an opponent by contacting him with
any part of the blocker's body.
1
,NFHS Definition of Playing Terms
NFHS Rule 2-3-2 — Blocking (Part 1 of 2) In blocking, a player may contact opponents with the arms or
hands provided the technique is legal. The legal techniques
are as follows: a. Closed or cupped hand technique: 1. The
elbows may be inside or outside the shoulders. 2. The hands
must be closed or cupped with the palms not facing the
opponent. 3. The forearms are extended no more than 45
degrees from the body. b. Open hand technique. The hand(s)
shall be: 1. In advance of the elbow. 2. Inside the frame of the
blocker's body; the frame of the blocker's body is th front of
the body at or below the shoulders. 3. Inside the frame of the
opponent's body, except when the opponent turns h back to
the blocker during the block or after the blocker is committed
to h charge. The frame of the opponent's body is at the
shoulders or below othe than the back. 4.
NFHS Rule 2-3-2 — Blocking (Part 2 of 2) At or below the shoulders of the blocker and the opponent,
except when the op ponent squats, ducks or submarines
during the block or after the blocker is com mitted to his
charge. 5. Open, when the palm(s) are facing the frame of the
opponent or when the forearms are extended beyond the 45
degree angle from the body.
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, NFHS Definition of Playing Terms
NFHS Rule 2-3-3 — Blocking The blocker's hand(s) may not be locked nor may he swing,
throw or flip the elbow or forearm so that it is moving faster
than the blocker's shoulders at the time the elbow, forearm or
shoulder contacts the opponent. The blocker may not initiate
contact with his arm or hand against an opponent above the
opponent's shoulder, but he may use his hand or arm to break
a fall or maintain his balance.
NFHS Rule 2-3-4 — Blocking An offensive player may also use his hands or arms: a. When
he is a runner, to ward off or push any player. b. During a kick,
to ward off an opponent who is attempting to block him. c. To
push, pull or ward off an opponent when the ball is loose if he
may legal touch or possess the ball if such contact is not pass
interference, a persona foul or illegal use of hands.
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