UIL rule changes for upcoming football season

• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A few aspects of the game of football might look slightly different for the Graham Steers this year as the governing body of Texas high school athletics has instituted multiple rule changes in the sport for the coming athletic year.

We’re less than two weeks away from the start of official practices for football teams across Texas. Less than two weeks after that, teams will play their first scrimmages to give fans their first look at how this season might play out.

While football is an ever evolving sport when it comes to strategy and skill levels, the basic rules of the game haven’t changed much throughout history. A first down is 10 yards, eleven players to a side and a touchdown is worth six points.

However, across different levels of football – NFL, college, high school, etc. – some rules differ. Texas high schools’ governing body, the University Interscholastic League, has made changes to a few rules for the upcoming 2024-2025 year.

Texas is one of the few states in the country whose football rulebook follows that of the college organization, NCAA, instead of the typical high school rulebook by NFHS. But as mentioned previously, there are differences between high school and college, so the UIL occasionally has to make exceptions or changes to certain rules.

One of the first changes players and coaches might notice more often in the 2024 season involves the horse-collar tackle. According to NFL Football Operations, “No player shall grab the inside collar of the back or the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, or grab the jersey at the nameplate or above, and pull the runner toward the ground.”

This rule has applied at all levels for quite some time, with horse-collar tackles outlawed in UIL since 2009.

The exception since then, however, has been that these types of tackles were allowed in the tackle box – referred to as the area between the two offensive tackles on the line of scrimmage.

Starting in 2024, horse-collar tackles anywhere on the field, including in the tackle box, will not be allowed and will bring with them a 15-yard penalty on the defense.

The second rule will come into effect on field goals and extra point kicks. The new UIL rule states that defensive players lined up within one yard of the line of scrimmage must be in a three-point or four-point stance, otherwise they cannot initiate contact with an offensive player.

This rule means that defensive rushers can not be standing up before trying to block a kick, or else a personal foul will be called which brings with it a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down.

There will be no penalty if the snap is muffed or fumbled, or if there is no clear kick attempt taking place, such as in the event of a fake.

The final major rule change for the 2024 season involves the use of in-game technology in coaching booths and the locker rooms.

According to UIL, “Teams are allowed to use video and data technology (computers, tablets, iPads, smartphones, etc) during the game and during half time intermission. The use of the technology is limited to the coaching booths and locker rooms – no sideline or team area use is allowed during the game. The game officials will not be responsible for enforcement of restricted sideline use, but the officials are expected to report any known or suspected violation of this rule in their game report to the UIL.”

Additionally, if any team personnel tries to engage a referee with video technology to show or review a play or game action, the team will automatically be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

These changes likely won’t make a huge difference in the outcome on the field for most teams this season, but they’re still something coaches, players and even fans should be aware of.

• Sports