Rule 1, Section 7, Article 4 — Time In (clause added)

After a time out for any reason, time shall start again on the signal of the Referee for any of the following reasons:

• When it is snapped after Team A commits an offensive foul prior to the snap, inside their own 25 yd line or on any convert attempt.

Rule 1, Section 9, Article 8 (Reworded)

If such player reaches back into or re-enters the field of play and touches or recovers a loose ball:

Rule 1, Section 10, Article 4 (Amended)

A player shall not be permitted to wear or apply or have applied on the uniform, equipment or body:

1. an adhesive substance, a rosin bag or tacky cloth that, in the sole judgment of the Referee, has made the game ball unsuitable for play as a result of direct or indirect contact with that player, and/or,
2. a greasy substance that, in the sole judgment of the Referee, has the potential to give that player an unfair advantage.

Rule 4, Section 2, Article 2 — Illegal Movement (sentence added)

Either team shall be subject to penalty for attempting to draw an opponent offside if a player makes a motion or voices a signal that, in the judgment of the official, is intended to draw an opponent offside. This shall include a “snap down” into a two or three point stance by an offensive lineman.

Rule 5, Section 2, Article 7 — Gaining Possession On A Kickoff (Approved Ruling added to Rule Book)

On a kickoff, a player who catches the ball must come down in bounds to gain possession. If the player was the last to touch the ball, either he or the ball must come down in bounds for possession to be awarded.

Rule 5, Section 4, Article 1 (d) (Amended)

(d) if a kicking team player is making no attempt to withdraw from the 5-yard zone, and is hovering over the ball or the receiving team player about to take possession of the ball, a 15‐yard penalty will apply regardless whether the ball bounced.

Rule 5, Section 4 — New Article 3 added

Article 3 — Kick From Scrimmage Going Out-of-Bounds In Flight

On a kick from scrimmage going out of bounds in flight from 20 yard line to 20 yard line, the receiving team will have the option of taking possession at the point the ball went out of bounds in flight, or having a 10 yard penalty applied against the kicking team at the point of last scrimmage, with the down repeated.

Rule 7, Section 2, Article 3(a) (sentence added)

(a) Piling by a player who, in an unnecessarily rough manner, falls upon the ball carrier after the play has been terminated. Any player in possession of the ball, who falls to the ground without contact and is not attempting to advance the ball, may only be touched down and may not be contacted in any other manner.

Rule 7, Section 2, Article 3 (g) (reworded to be consistent with 7-2-4 (c))

(g) All rushing defenders must attempt to avoid forcibly hitting a passer in the pocket, at or below the knees, either if their path to the passer was unrestricted, or if they are coming off a blocker.

Rule 7, Section 2, Article 3 (h) (additional qualification added)

(h) Contacting an opponent above the shoulders in an unnecessarily rough manner, including the long snapper on kicks from scrimmage and convert attempts.

Rule7, Section 2, Article 3 (new clause inserted as (j))

(j) Tackling an opponent by grabbing the inside collar of the side or back of the shoulder pads.

RuIe 7, Section 2, Article 4 (c) (reworded)

(c) All rushing defenders must attempt to avoid forcibly hitting a passer in the pocket, at or below the knees, either if their path to the passer was unrestricted, or if they are coming off a blocker.

Rule 7, Section 2, Article 4 (new clause added)

(f) Contacting the passer if either the initial source of contact, or primary source of contact, is the defender’s helmet.

NOTE – Rulings covering fouls occurring on the last play of a quarter formerly in Rule 1, Section 7, Article 3 have been moved to Rule 8 as a new section 7.

• RULE 1 — CONDUCT OF THE GAME