2025 Rule Changes

[JustRules]

The press release for the new rule changes are here. Some are uniform related (don't we all love uniform rules?). The most significant change is something that doesn't happen often, but could impact action around the line to gain. Forward fumble out of bounds will come back to the spot of the fumble. It doesn't happen often, but I have seen teams gain a first down this way. The press release doesn't state it, but I would expect the rule to not apply on fumbles that go into the end zone and out of bounds. If they are consistent with other rule sets, that will still be a touchback.

https://www.nfhs.org/articles/player-equipment-changes-highlight-2025-high-school-football-rules-revisions/

[Coach Nowlin]

Get out there in the yard and start working on throwing that bean bag while on the move !!!!

 

[JustRules]

On 2/3/2025 at 6:34 PM, Coach Nowlin said:

Get out there in the yard and start working on throwing that bean bag while on the move !!!!

 

No different than now other than the fact we now have a real reason to bag fumbles behind the LOS. There aren't that many in a season. Remember by definition a backward pass isn't a fumble so you still won't bag that behind the line of scrimmage. And a snap is by definition a backward pass. They are fumbles in the stat book, but stats guys use different rules. I think a muffed punt recovered by the kicking team is considered a fumble.

[FarmerFran]

Probably a dumb question, but why is there such an emphasis on knee pads being worn? You look at any level above high school and there are very few players that even wear them anymore. The pads themselves do little to prevent knee injuries.

[Coach Nowlin]

1 hour ago, FarmerFran said:

Probably a dumb question, but why is there such an emphasis on knee pads being worn? You look at any level above high school and there are very few players that even wear them anymore. The pads themselves do little to prevent knee injuries.

I brought that up last year in the REF forum I believe, still have yet to see any scientific studies that has shown in 2025 that the knee pad size they are having reps sell us that circle about the size of a Coke Can prevents tearing of ligaments of knees.    

Texas HS Football, which has been a NON NFHS state, (NCAA) has been going just fine without them 

 

[wabashalwaysfights]

On 2/5/2025 at 10:42 AM, Coach Nowlin said:

I brought that up last year in the REF forum I believe, still have yet to see any scientific studies that has shown in 2025 that the knee pad size they are having reps sell us that circle about the size of a Coke Can prevents tearing of ligaments of knees.    

Texas HS Football, which has been a NON NFHS state, (NCAA) has been going just fine without them 

 

I never thought of knee pads as preventing ligament damage, more to protect against a bone bruise type injury on the actual knee cap. Unfortunately we've had kids not wearing knee pads and knock knees in practice and complain about how much it hurts, which this old guy says, "maybe wear your knee pads..."

[Titan32]

It always cracks me up when I hear guys who have never been an RB with 25+ carries a game say kneepads don't help.

Contusions and bruises hurt my friends...they ache...they make it take longer for you to get warm and loose, and they accumulate in number and intensity as the season goes on.  You simply aren't as fluid when beat up, no matter how "tough" you are.

Not having knee pads is MUCH more about fashion than effectiveness. 

[wabashalwaysfights]

2 hours ago, Titan32 said:

Not having knee pads is MUCH more about fashion than effectiveness. 

This.

[First_Backer_Inside]

On 4/5/2025 at 2:24 PM, Titan32 said:

It always cracks me up when I hear guys who have never been an RB with 25+ carries a game say kneepads don't help.

Contusions and bruises hurt my friends...they ache...they make it take longer for you to get warm and loose, and they accumulate in number and intensity as the season goes on.  You simply aren't as fluid when beat up, no matter how "tough" you are.

Not having knee pads is MUCH more about fashion than effectiveness. 

But why keep it as a penalty? Put it on the coaches to make sure if they want their players to be more durable for the season they will make sure their knee pad covers their whole knee. After that, be done with it. Don't put it on the refs to then also make a decision and possibly call a penalty on top of it. If a coach allows a player to play without the knee pad covering their knee, and the player gets beat up over time or has a season ending injury I feel like that is punishment enough, it's on the player and ultimately the coach. Take it off the refs plate and away from them having to make a call that could determine a game.

[wabashalwaysfights]

7 minutes ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

But why keep it as a penalty? Put it on the coaches to make sure if they want their players to be more durable for the season they will make sure their knee pad covers their whole knee. After that, be done with it. Don't put it on the refs to then also make a decision and possibly call a penalty on top of it. If a coach allows a player to play without the knee pad covering their knee, and the player gets beat up over time or has a season ending injury I feel like that is punishment enough, it's on the player and ultimately the coach. Take it off the refs plate and away from them having to make a call that could determine a game.

Similarish issue: should a player be punished for not having their mouthpiece in at the start of a play? Chinstrap buckled? 

[Titan32]

42 minutes ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

But why keep it as a penalty? Put it on the coaches to make sure if they want their players to be more durable for the season they will make sure their knee pad covers their whole knee. After that, be done with it. Don't put it on the refs to then also make a decision and possibly call a penalty on top of it. If a coach allows a player to play without the knee pad covering their knee, and the player gets beat up over time or has a season ending injury I feel like that is punishment enough, it's on the player and ultimately the coach. Take it off the refs plate and away from them having to make a call that could determine a game.

Based on that logic.....why wear a helmet....you will learn soon enough that it sucks without one?

[First_Backer_Inside]

7 hours ago, wabashalwaysfights said:

Similarish issue: should a player be punished for not having their mouthpiece in at the start of a play? Chinstrap buckled? 

I understand where you are coming from, but this isn't as easy to recognize as the knee pads and if I had to guess there are a lot of players that don't have one in during games. I know I hardly played with a mouthpiece in. It is a similar issue you are right because it is just like the knee pads. How many college and NFL players play with a mouthpiece in or all their buckles buckled? Just to be clear because I wasn't before, I think that players should be wearing knee pads over their knees. Just playing a little devils advocate. I didn't see temptation post anywhere on the thread, so I figured I'd assume the role.

6 hours ago, Titan32 said:

Based on that logic.....why wear a helmet....you will learn soon enough that it sucks without one?

I don't think a helmet and knee pads are in the same category. One is making contact with someone just about every single play, one is not. 

[wabashalwaysfights]

14 hours ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

I understand where you are coming from, but this isn't as easy to recognize as the knee pads and if I had to guess there are a lot of players that don't have one in during games. I know I hardly played with a mouthpiece in. It is a similar issue you are right because it is just like the knee pads. How many college and NFL players play with a mouthpiece in or all their buckles buckled? Just to be clear because I wasn't before, I think that players should be wearing knee pads over their knees. Just playing a little devils advocate. I didn't see temptation post anywhere on the thread, so I figured I'd assume the role.

I don't think a helmet and knee pads are in the same category. One is making contact with someone just about every single play, one is not. 

Not attacking at all, because I understand what you're doing, but to devil's advocate your devil's advocate: just because some get away with it doesn't mean it should be gotten rid of.  Rules are rules.  I don't like seatbelt laws, I think they are kinda stupid honestly. Still, just because I think they are stupid does not mean that I am exempt from them.  Likewise to the Pro/College point; people getting away without wearing their seatbelts doesn't mean I'm exempt.