Amateur Tackle Rule Book Changes for 2020

April 21st, 2020 | 9:00AM

Source: FootballCanada.com

The changes are for immediate distribution and implementation. They will be added to the next printable edition of the rule book in May 2020.

A summary of the changes can be found below, a more detailed version can be found HERE :

• Rule 1 section 6 article 4 page 6: Clarification to ‘Change of possession’ rule
  • a) Scrimmage Play – Team A is in possession until it loses possession (ie: fumble, blocked kick). Team B is in possession when a B player gains possession. Until Team A or Team B gains possession, the ball is in neither team’s possession and is defined as a “loose ball”.
  • C) Scrimmage Kick – Team A is in possession until the ball is kicked. Team B is in possession when a B player gains possession. Until Team B or Team A gains possession, the ball is in neither team’s possession and is a ball “in flight”.
• Rule 1 section 10 article 8 page 10: Player Out of Bounds rule – A player who goes out of bounds as a result of contact with an opponent, a missed block or tackle, or who slides out of bounds on slippery field or a player of the receiving team who is playing a kicked ball in the air on its original trajectory may legally return to the field and participate in the play
• Rule 1 section 11 article 1c1 page 10: The following equipment is mandatory and shall be worn by all players. The equipment shall be designed and manufactured by a professional manufacturer and shall not be altered in any way which will decrease the protection of the player.
  • soft knee pads, worn over the knees, and covered by the pants
• Rule 3 section 2 article 5 page 20: Allowance for a legal fumble recovery
  • 2 points – by scoring a touchdown. A punt or onside kick is prohibited. If B gains possession, the ball is dead immediately. 
• Rule 4 section 1 article 6 page 21: Article 6 – Blocking below the waist zone
  • Blocking below the waist zone is defined as an area between the tight ends or tight end position, within 2 yards of the defensive side of the line of scrimmage extending back to the initial position of the quarterback or kicker. 
• Rule 4 section 5 articles 2 and 3 page 24: Article 2 – Team A , Article 3 – Team B
  • D) On any play from scrimmage, it shall be illegal for a player to block an opponent below the waist except as per – Rule 7 Section 3 Article 19 
  • Reason for change: Player safety – blocking below the waist happening outside the blocking below the waist zone becomes less safe as it is not expected. Therefore, this rule has been moved to the Unnecessary Roughing section of the rule book.
• Rule 5 section 2 article 5 page 28 : Article 5 – Interference
  • b) On a kickoff, if Team A legally recovers the ball, or a Team B fumble, Team A players may interfere with any opponent anywhere within bounds, provided that the initial contact is made at or above the waist.
    • Penalty: 1. Ball in possession of either Team
      • Holding, illegal block – L10 PBH or option
      • UR – L15 PBH or PBD
      • RP – L25 PBH or PBD
    • Ball in flight.
      • Holding, illegal block. – L10 point where possession is gained or option.
      • UR – L15 point where possession is gained or PBD.
      • RP – L25 point where possession gained or PBD.
    • Reason for change: Player safety – blocking below the waist happening outside the blocking below the waist zone becomes less safe as it is not expected. Therefore, this rule has been moved to the Unnecessary Roughing section of the rule book.
  • Rule 5 section 2 article 5 page 28: 
    • d) on any kick play, it shall be illegal for 3 or more players to align shoulder to shoulder within 2 yards of each other and move forward in an attempt to block for a ball carrier. (wedge block). Penalty L10 PBH or PP 
    • Reason for change: Player safety. A wedge places many players close together thus providing the opportunity for the opponent to be hit multi times in a short period by different players
  • Rule 7 section 3 article 10 page 44: Article 10 – Crack-Back Blocking : It shall be illegal for any Team A player to block an opponent below the waist, or deliver a forcible block, in an area from 5 yards ahead of the line of scrimmage, from sideline to sideline, extending back to the Team A deadline, if:
    • Reason for change: Player safety. With last year’s change to blind side block we made it possible for an offensive wide out to clean out a defensive end from the blind side.
  • Rule 7 section 3 article 19 page 46: Article 19 – Blocking below the waist. It shall be illegal to block an opponent below the waist in the following circumstances: 
    • a) On any play from scrimmage, except when the block occurs in an area between the tight ends or tight end position, within 2 yards of the defensive side of the line of scrimmage extending back to the initial position of the quarterback or kicker. A player initiating a block below the waist in this area must be positioned in this zone at the snap of the ball for the block to be legal. 
    • Note: A player coming from outside this zone, must come to a complete stop in the zone, prior to the snap of the ball to be considered positioned in the zone. 
    • b) After an interception or fumble recovery 
    • c) On open field kick after the ball is kicked. 
    • d) On a kick-off commencing the moment the ball is kicked 
    • Reason for change: Player safety – blocking below the waist happening outside the blocking below the waist zone becomes less safe as it is not expected. Therefore, this rule has been moved to the Unnecessary Roughing section of the rule book.
  • Signals page 67:
    • Blind Side Block: Two closed fists coming together chest high
    • Targeting: Closed fist to the temple

---

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to never miss our social media content!