MHSAA Institutes New Rules for High School Football Beginning in 2012

The 2012-2013 fall sports season officially begins next week, when approximately 110,000 student-athletes in Michigan begin practice in eight sports regulated by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Practice sessions begins on Aug. 6 in football, followed by all other sports on Aug. 8. Practice in football must begin on Aug. 6 for all schools wishing to begin regular season games the weekend of Aug. 23-26.

Schools must have 12 days of preseason practice at all levels before their first game, which may not occur before 16 calendar days. All football schools must also conduct at least three days of practice before beginning contact, and those sessions may not include any pads.

In golf and tennis, competition may commence no earlier than after three separate days of team practice, and not before seven calendar days. The first day competition may take place in golf and tennis is Aug. 15. In all other fall sports, contests can take place after seven days of practice for the team and not before nine calendar days. The first day competition may take place in cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, and volleyball in the fall is Aug. 17.

This year, two football dates precede Labor Day, and Thursday varsity games will take place both weeks. Subvarsity competition may begin on Aug. 22.

There are several significant rules changes on football for 2012:

• On passing plays, a receiver must first contact and establish control of the ball while inbounds – regardless of the opponent’s action. In other words, a catch cannot be ruled on plays where the receiver may have come down in bounds if not for the action of the defender.
• If a player’s helmet comes off during a play, and did not occur as a result of a foul by the opponent, that player must leave the game for one play, unless it happens on the final play of a half or an overtime.
• Hand contact by a blocker below the waist of a defender is now considered blocking below the waist.
• The kicking team may not contact a member of the receiving team on a kickoff until the ball has traveled 10 yards, or unless a member of the receiving team initiates the contact.
• Jerseys of the visiting team must be white in color, and home jerseys are restricted in the use of white for varsity competition.  This was a rule change made in 2007 for implementation this season.

In soccer, Michigan will not participate in a National Federation rules change this year involving the disqualification from a game when a player receives a second yellow card and the subsequent red card. In Michigan, the player will still be ejected from the contest, but that team will not continue the game a player down.

The penalty for a hand ball by a player other than the goalkeeper to prevent a score has been changed. If the goal is prevented, the penalty remains a disqualification of the player; however, if the goal is scored, the penalty will now be a caution to the player who deliberately handled the ball.

There are no substantial rules change in other fall sports. 

The 2012 fall campaign culminates with post-season tournaments beginning Oct. 1, and wraps up with the football playoff finals on Nov. 23-24.

Here is a complete list of fall tournament dates:

Cross Country: 

U.P. Finals -- Oct. 20
L.P. Regionals -- Oct. 26 or 27
L.P. Finals -- Nov. 3

11-Player Football: 

Selection Sunday - Oct. 21
Pre-Districts – Oct. 26 or 27
District Finals -- Nov. 2 or 3
Regional Finals -- Nov. 9 or 10
Semifinals -- Nov. 17
Finals -- Nov. 23-24

8-Player Football: 

Selection Sunday - Oct. 21
Regional Semifinals – Oct. 26 or 27
Regional Finals -- Nov. 3
Semifinals -- Nov. 10
Finals -- Nov. 16

L.P. Girls Golf: 

Regionals -- Oct. 10 or 11 or 12 or 13
Finals -- Oct. 19-20

Soccer: 

Boys L.P. Districts -- Oct. 15-20
Boys L.P. Regionals – Oct. 23-27

Boys L.P. Semifinals – Oct. 31
Boys L.P. Finals -- Nov. 3

L.P. Girls Swimming & Diving 

Diving Quals -- Nov. 13 
Swimming/Diving Finals-Nov. 16-17

Tennis: 

U.P. Girls Finals –Oct. 3 or 4 or 5 or 6

L.P. Boys Regionals -- Oct. 11 or 12 or 13
L.P. Finals --Oct. 19-20

Girls Volleyball: 

Districts –Oct 29-Nov. 3
Regionals – Nov. 6 & 8
Quarterfinals – Nov. 13
Semifinals – Nov. 15-16
Finals – Nov. 17