IHSAA Rule Books

[Daniel_Bragg]

Does anyone know of a place where you can find the rule books for IHSAA sports that DON'T require a membership or buying the physical book?  Personally, this is crazy to me that we can't just look up rules for these sports, but I'm hoping I just haven't found the right spot yet.  Thanks.

[Bobref]

59 minutes ago, Daniel_Bragg said:

Does anyone know of a place where you can find the rule books for IHSAA sports that DON'T require a membership or buying the physical book?  Personally, this is crazy to me that we can't just look up rules for these sports, but I'm hoping I just haven't found the right spot yet.  Thanks.

Are you talking about playing rules, or things like IHSAA tournament rules? The IHSAA does not publish playing rules. The National Federation does. You can order the hard copy here https://www.nfhs.com/p-1414-2024-football-rules-book.aspx?CategoryID=0&SectionID=0&ManufacturerID=0&DistributorID=0&GenreID=0&VectorID=0&

I’m not sure how a non-official gets an electronic copy. 
 

As for a free online rulebook, the NF rulebook contains the following:

“© 2020, By the National Federation of State High School Associations. Neither the whole nor any part of this publication may be copied or reproduced and/or translated without first obtaining express written permission from the publisher.

  Republication of all or any portion of this publication on the Internet is expressly prohibited. Published by the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS”

 

Edited July 11, 2024 by Bobref

[JustRules]

1 hour ago, Daniel_Bragg said:

Does anyone know of a place where you can find the rule books for IHSAA sports that DON'T require a membership or buying the physical book?  Personally, this is crazy to me that we can't just look up rules for these sports, but I'm hoping I just haven't found the right spot yet.  Thanks.

Bobref is correct. A big portion of the NFHS revenue is selling rule books so they don't provide them for free. The iHSAA distributes them to licensed officials as part of their dues every other year. I believe they provide them to coaches as well. But the IHSAA purchases them from the NFHS. They also provide us access to the NFHS portal that has a digital version that is only available through their app or the portal site.

[Daniel_Bragg]

5 hours ago, Bobref said:

Are you talking about playing rules, or things like IHSAA tournament rules? The IHSAA does not publish playing rules. The National Federation does. You can order the hard copy here https://www.nfhs.com/p-1414-2024-football-rules-book.aspx?CategoryID=0&SectionID=0&ManufacturerID=0&DistributorID=0&GenreID=0&VectorID=0&

I’m not sure how a non-official gets an electronic copy. 
 

As for a free online rulebook, the NF rulebook contains the following:

“© 2020, By the National Federation of State High School Associations. Neither the whole nor any part of this publication may be copied or reproduced and/or translated without first obtaining express written permission from the publisher.

  Republication of all or any portion of this publication on the Internet is expressly prohibited. Published by the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS”

 

Thanks. I was afraid of that. As a broadcaster, I just like knowing absolutely every rule that I can. I'll stop being cheap. LOL

[JustRules]

3 hours ago, Daniel_Bragg said:

Thanks. I was afraid of that. As a broadcaster, I just like knowing absolutely every rule that I can. I'll stop being cheap. LOL

I appreciate your interest as a broadcaster to try to learn and understand the rule. Just having the book won't be enough though. Many situations involve multiple rules, and you have to know all that apply. To do this you have to review and understand the rules. Having the rule book is a great first step though. Most announcers mean well when trying to explain rules to fans, but the first thing I learned when I became an official is announcers are the #1 source for incorrect rules knowledge. Unfortunately most fans (and even coaches and players) get their rules knowledge from announcers which makes it hard on officials when we actually apply them correctly. Good luck, and I hope you are able to gain a better understanding of the rules with a copy of the rule book. I wonder if your station couldn't contact the IHSAA and request a couple rule books. It's worth a shot!

Thank you and good luck!

[Bobref]

9 hours ago, Daniel_Bragg said:

Thanks. I was afraid of that. As a broadcaster, I just like knowing absolutely every rule that I can. I'll stop being cheap. LOL

Just promise me you’ll never use the terms “illegal procedure” or “offsides” when broadcasting high school football! 😂

[AW0352]

On 7/11/2024 at 3:55 PM, Bobref said:

Are you talking about playing rules, or things like IHSAA tournament rules? The IHSAA does not publish playing rules. The National Federation does. You can order the hard copy here https://www.nfhs.com/p-1414-2024-football-rules-book.aspx?CategoryID=0&SectionID=0&ManufacturerID=0&DistributorID=0&GenreID=0&VectorID=0&

I’m not sure how a non-official gets an electronic copy. 
 

As for a free online rulebook, the NF rulebook contains the following:

“© 2020, By the National Federation of State High School Associations. Neither the whole nor any part of this publication may be copied or reproduced and/or translated without first obtaining express written permission from the publisher.

  Republication of all or any portion of this publication on the Internet is expressly prohibited. Published by the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS”

 

What is the difference in the rule book, case book, official's book, and the simplified and illustrated book?

[Bobref]

5 hours ago, AW0352 said:

What is the difference in the rule book, case book, official's book, and the simplified and illustrated book?

The rulebook simply sets out the rules and Points of Emphasis. The case book contains play situations that illustrate the rules. The Officials Manual lays out mechanics and best practices. The simplified and illustrated book contains pictures and diagrams that illustrate the rules.

[Frozen Tundra]

On 7/12/2024 at 7:44 AM, Bobref said:

Just promise me you’ll never use the terms “illegal procedure” or “offsides” when broadcasting high school football! 😂

Our longtime PA guy at Columbus East used both terms. Lol. Can’t remember if the current guy does.

[JustRules]

On 7/13/2024 at 4:00 PM, Frozen Tundra said:

Our longtime PA guy at Columbus East used both terms. Lol. Can’t remember if the current guy does.

There are many that do. Sadly I hear many officials use those terms as well.

The other big one that is nails on a chalkboard - lateral. There is no such thing. It's either a forward pass or backward pass.

[Impartial_Observer]

9 hours ago, JustRules said:

There are many that do. Sadly I hear many officials use those terms as well.

The other big one that is nails on a chalkboard - lateral. There is no such thing. It's either a forward pass or backward pass.

My pat answer when asked regarding a “lateral”, I have no idea what that means, there’s no definition in the book. 

[BDGiant93]

On 7/12/2024 at 7:44 AM, Bobref said:

Just promise me you’ll never use the terms “illegal procedure” or “offsides” when broadcasting high school football! 😂

What should we be saying instead? Asking for a group of high school students who will soon be calling games.

[WCGrad92]

I am going to guess Neutral Zone Infraction LOL

 

even though not one stat program has that listed as a penalty, its either Offsides on D or False Start on O

[Bobref]

1 hour ago, BDGiant93 said:

What should we be saying instead? Asking for a group of high school students who will soon be calling games.

“Encroachment” instead of “offsides.”

As far as “illegal procedure” goes, if it occurs before the snap, it’s either a false start or a snap infraction. If it occurs at the snap, it’s an illegal formation. All use signal #19.

 

[WCGrad92]

3 hours ago, Bobref said:

“Encroachment” instead of “offsides.”

As far as “illegal procedure” goes, if it occurs before the snap, it’s either a false start or a snap infraction. If it occurs at the snap, it’s an illegal formation. All use signal #19.

 

ahhh, Encroachment,  forgot about that one. that word is still not in any stat program LOL, it just says offsides ....

 

forgive me @Bobref i was wrong, my new stat program does say Encroachment as a penalty, but still says offsides too, LOL

 

[BDGiant93]

On 7/25/2024 at 11:48 AM, Bobref said:

“Encroachment” instead of “offsides.”

As far as “illegal procedure” goes, if it occurs before the snap, it’s either a false start or a snap infraction. If it occurs at the snap, it’s an illegal formation. All use signal #19.

 

I will use this with our students! Thanks!