July 2, 2008
Some rules changes to look for in 2008-09
By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist
None of the Cape-Atlantic League schools will be changing NJSIAA groups in 2008-09. But there will be some changes worth
noting in the CAL.
The most notable change will come in football. The NJSIAA has approved a rule that will change the way the game is timed
when one team leads by 35 points or more in the second half. In that case, the clock will continue to run when a player
goes out of bounds or when a pass falls incomplete. The clock will only stop when there is a timeout, when a team scores,
if there is an injury or if a penalty is called.
Now, you can't fault the thinking behind this rule change, which is similar to rules used in some other states. The
intention is to prevent severely lopsided scores. But it probably won't have as much impact as they expect. First of all,
most teams don't throw the ball or run for the sidelines when they lead by 35. Maybe when they trail by 35, but not when
they are ahead and the clock is on their side.
Plus, most teams that roll up big scores do most of their scoring in the first half. And you can score as many points as
you like in the first 24 minutes with no impact on the clock. The other problem with this rule, and the silly mercy
rules they use in baseball and softball, is it may take away some of the time the backup players get to spend on the
field.
Anyway, it's a rule starting in September.
In soccer, when a player is found to be wearing improper equipment, he/she shall be removed from the game and not
replaced until such time as the player gets approval from an official that the uniform and equipment are in order.
The first yellow card for this violation goes to the head coach. But all subsequent yellow cards for improper equipment
will be issued directly to the players.
In field hockey, rules have been amended to give a little more freedom to the goalkeeper.
While on the ground, the goalie is now allowed to move the ball away from her body with a stick, protective equipment or
any part of her body. The purpose is to reduce the risk of injury by eliminating the opportunity for attackers to drive
the ball into the goalie's body.
In addition, a rule change now allows the goalie to propel an aerial ball with her body, hand or stick. But the new
rules also create a foul if the goalkeeper strikes and/or kicks in an intimidating manner, plays the ball without the
stick in her hand or places the ball after a hand stop of an aerial ball.
There have also been a few changes already approved in winter sports.
In basketball, the positions on each side of the foul lane that are closest to the backboard will be left empty when a
free throw is being attempted. Basketball courts will be re-lined to reflect the new arrangement. They experimented with
this rule in Georgia last year and felt it was a success. There were less personal fouls committed during free throw
rebounding but there was little effect on the percentage of rebounds controlled by the defense.
The areas of emphasis for officials during basketball season will include legal uniforms, rough play, timeouts, slapping
the backboard and the mechanics and signals of the officials.
In wrestling, the back flip from a standing position has been determined an illegal maneuver in an effort to minimize
the risk of injury to the wrestlers. Also, a wrestler's hair in front shall not fall below the eyebrows. A one-pound
weight allowance is permitted when a match is postponed one day or more. And the referee now has the option to stop a
match if there is no action at the edge of the mat and restart wrestling at the center of the mat.
Things will be just a little bit different next season in high school sports.
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