Instant replay, 40second clock coming to high school football

The National Federation of State High School Assns. Board of Directors has approved two major rule changes for high school football, giving states the option of using instant replays in the post season and instituting a 40second play clock for the 2019 season.

According to the NFHS, the play clock will continue to start at 25 seconds (a) prior to a try following a score, (b) to start a period or overtime series, (c) following administration of an inadvertent whistle, (d) following a charged time-out, (e) following an official’s timeout, with a few exceptions, and (f) following the stoppage of the play clock by the referee for any other reason. In all other cases, 40 seconds will be placed on the play clock and start when the ball is declared dead by a game official.

Previously, the ball was marked ready-for-play when, after it had been placed for a down, the referee gave the ready-for-play signal and the 25-second count began. Beginning next season, in addition to the above situations when the 25-second count is used, the ball will also be ready for play when, starting immediately after the ball has been ruled dead by a game official after a down, the ball has been placed on the ground by the game official and the game official has stepped away to position.

State associations will also be allowed to create instant-replay procedures for playoffs only. It would allow game or replay officials to use a replay monitor to review decisions by the onfield game officials.