History of PSK Rule ChangeHistory of PSK Rule Change

On rules committee agenda 10 times since On rules committee agenda 10 times since 19911991Original proposals were copies of NCAA Original proposals were copies of NCAA rule, creating multiple exceptions in NFHS rule, creating multiple exceptions in NFHS codecodeModified proposal discussed in 2001, with Modified proposal discussed in 2001, with experimentation approved based on rule experimentation approved based on rule that would create very few exceptions or that would create very few exceptions or changes in existing code.changes in existing code.

Background of Post Scrimmage Background of Post Scrimmage Kick RuleKick Rule

Basic premise was constant desire for Basic premise was constant desire for equitable penalty enforcement codeequitable penalty enforcement code

Team A/K has chosen to end its Team A/K has chosen to end its possession by kickingpossession by kicking

Team K has kicked the ballTeam K has kicked the ballSeldom Occurs, but more fair application Seldom Occurs, but more fair application

when it doeswhen it does

Background of Post Scrimmage Background of Post Scrimmage Kick RuleKick Rule

More than 11 years in passageMore than 11 years in passage

Necessarily different than collegiate rule in Necessarily different than collegiate rule in order to minimize and eliminate all order to minimize and eliminate all exceptions to NFHS penalty codeexceptions to NFHS penalty code

May require further refinement in future, May require further refinement in future, but for now, leaves unchanged most other but for now, leaves unchanged most other related provisionsrelated provisions

Basic Rule ChangeBasic Rule Change

Defines a PSK Spot (additional Basic Spot Defines a PSK Spot (additional Basic Spot defined in rule 10-4-3 and definition defined in rule 10-4-3 and definition included in 2-40-6)included in 2-40-6)

PSK spot is where kick ends by rule when PSK spot is where kick ends by rule when all conditions for PSK are met (2-40-6).all conditions for PSK are met (2-40-6).

Altered in a minor way, other related Altered in a minor way, other related definitions related to spotsdefinitions related to spots

Basic Rules ChangeBasic Rules ChangeMust use the “window” to properly apply the rule.Must use the “window” to properly apply the rule.The “window” is created and opened The “window” is created and opened

(maintained) when(maintained) whenK has kicked the ball and the ball has crossed K has kicked the ball and the ball has crossed

the expanded neutral zonethe expanded neutral zoneR has yet to possess the ball and the kick has R has yet to possess the ball and the kick has

not ended by rulenot ended by ruleA PSK foul occurs when R fouls “in the window” A PSK foul occurs when R fouls “in the window”

and with the “window” open, and …and with the “window” open, and …When R has the ball at the end of the downWhen R has the ball at the end of the down

Basic Rules ChangeBasic Rules Change

When a PSK foul occurs, the basic spot is the When a PSK foul occurs, the basic spot is the end of the kick (correctly marked by bean bag)end of the kick (correctly marked by bean bag)

Penalties behind basic spot are enforced using Penalties behind basic spot are enforced using all-but-one principle.all-but-one principle.

All other revisions and provisions are consistent All other revisions and provisions are consistent with all-but-one as in place at this time.with all-but-one as in place at this time.

PSK Never Applies on Try (by rule)PSK Never Applies on Try (by rule)

Rules Study TipsRules Study Tips

PSK Never Applies on Made FG (R does not PSK Never Applies on Made FG (R does not have ball)have ball)

PSK MAY apply on missed FG (must be aware PSK MAY apply on missed FG (must be aware of NFHS rule on missed FG compared to of NFHS rule on missed FG compared to collegiate rule)collegiate rule)

PSK MAY apply on a scrimmage kick (punt)PSK MAY apply on a scrimmage kick (punt)PSK MAY apply in Overtime (determined by PSK MAY apply in Overtime (determined by

state overtime procedure), but does not apply if state overtime procedure), but does not apply if using NFHS 10 yard procedureusing NFHS 10 yard procedure

Officiating TipsOfficiating Tips

BJ (LJ on 4 person Crew) may need to carry two BJ (LJ on 4 person Crew) may need to carry two bean bags. One for PSK spot, one in case of bean bags. One for PSK spot, one in case of fumble.fumble.

Rule 2 Definitions will help sort out most any Rule 2 Definitions will help sort out most any PSK foul that happens to occur. In addition, case PSK foul that happens to occur. In addition, case books plays on substitution/participation fouls books plays on substitution/participation fouls MUST be reviewed as spot of foul is critical.MUST be reviewed as spot of foul is critical.

Keep in mind, high school punters are happy Keep in mind, high school punters are happy with more than 3 seconds hang time. PSK fouls with more than 3 seconds hang time. PSK fouls don’t happen that often! And is even less likely in don’t happen that often! And is even less likely in non varsity games.non varsity games.

Officiating Tips (in order)Officiating Tips (in order)

Did R End up with the ball?Did R End up with the ball?Did the window open (ball cross the ENZ)Did the window open (ball cross the ENZ)Did the window close (kick end by rule)Did the window close (kick end by rule)Did foul occur with window open, past Did foul occur with window open, past

ENZ, and before window closed?ENZ, and before window closed?If all answers are YES, PSK enforcement If all answers are YES, PSK enforcement

applies.applies.

PSK Mechanics NotesPSK Mechanics NotesMovement of LJ may need to be addressed. It Movement of LJ may need to be addressed. It

may not be as easy for the LJ to break on the may not be as easy for the LJ to break on the snap as many states now do in 5 person, but snap as many states now do in 5 person, but rather, he/she may have to release when the rather, he/she may have to release when the ball crosses ENZ. Primary coverage as to the ball crosses ENZ. Primary coverage as to the ball crossing ENZ has to be L.ball crossing ENZ has to be L.

Covering official must bean bag PSK spot.Covering official must bean bag PSK spot. Initial experiment data – 8-10 punts in typical Initial experiment data – 8-10 punts in typical

NFHS game, 1 PSK foul per about 8-10 NFHS game, 1 PSK foul per about 8-10 gamesgames

Dispelled Myths about PSKDispelled Myths about PSKThis change creates an exception to the ruleThis change creates an exception to the rule

This is not an exception. This is a new basic spot, This is not an exception. This is a new basic spot, which creates another more equitable enforcement. which creates another more equitable enforcement. Enforcement procedures are consistent with all-but-Enforcement procedures are consistent with all-but-one.one.

This somehow changes the things that can This somehow changes the things that can happen on a punthappen on a puntThis is not the case. The punt can still be muffed or This is not the case. The punt can still be muffed or

fumbled, the covering team can still end up with the fumbled, the covering team can still end up with the ball. You cannot have PSK without R ending up with ball. You cannot have PSK without R ending up with the ball!the ball!

More Dispelled Myths about PSKMore Dispelled Myths about PSK

This allows the receiving team to get the This allows the receiving team to get the ball without “clean hands”ball without “clean hands”This is the biggest myth. Rather than allowing This is the biggest myth. Rather than allowing

them to get it without clean hands, it them to get it without clean hands, it simply simply re-defines the point in time you make that re-defines the point in time you make that judgmentjudgment. If they do not foul until after the ball . If they do not foul until after the ball crosses the ENZ, they had clean hands crosses the ENZ, they had clean hands before the change.before the change.

More Dispelled Myths about PSKMore Dispelled Myths about PSKThis is not able to be officiated by high This is not able to be officiated by high

school level officialsschool level officialsThis has not been the case. It is very easy to This has not been the case. It is very easy to

understand. It was much more difficult to write understand. It was much more difficult to write than officiate. The high school officials in the than officiate. The high school officials in the experiment states had few if any problems. experiment states had few if any problems. Most of the problems were caused by Most of the problems were caused by College officials misapplying high school College officials misapplying high school

definitions, or definitions, or Trying to apply PSK principles to a K team foulTrying to apply PSK principles to a K team foul

More Dispelled Myths about PSKMore Dispelled Myths about PSK

The high school end zone rule or The high school end zone rule or inadvertent whistles makes PSK not workinadvertent whistles makes PSK not workThe definitions in place at the NFHS level do The definitions in place at the NFHS level do

not cause problems with PSK enforcement as not cause problems with PSK enforcement as once thought. The rule change is simple and once thought. The rule change is simple and short, and using other existing definitions, all short, and using other existing definitions, all situations can be enforced.situations can be enforced.

ConclusionConclusionIn theory, many have concluded that this In theory, many have concluded that this complicated rule change is going to be a complicated rule change is going to be a problem. In fact, the opposite is true. It problem. In fact, the opposite is true. It happens infrequently, can be enforced happens infrequently, can be enforced using a quick checklist, and once spots using a quick checklist, and once spots are determined, enforcement is the same.are determined, enforcement is the same.Though further refinements are likely (the Though further refinements are likely (the college rule was amended six times during college rule was amended six times during its first ten years), the principle is a much its first ten years), the principle is a much more fair application.more fair application.