BULLETIN #1MAY 19, 2017

Off Season

We hope that each of you had a productive spring. Getting onto the field working spring scrimmages and games serves many purposes. It allows us to start implementing mechanical item’s that were discussed in the off season, invigorates us to work hard over the summer as we prepare for the upcoming season and gives each of us a chance to meet new coaches and player’s. It is also our hope that each of you across the country have been making it to off season rule and game film study groups in your area. These have proven to be beneficial as we discuss many scenarios with our small groups.

Rule Changes

The 2017 rule changes have been posted on the NAIA / Arbiter site. Please look over these and discuss with your staffs and fellow officials. We would like to point out that the technology rule has been delayed until the 2018 season.

Uniforms

We will continue to emphasize uniform rules. The knee pad should be enforced along with making sure all player’s pads are covered. This includes lineman whose shirts are cut midriff. There are many reasons for this that include; opposing coaches, game officials, administration and media to identify the player appropriately. We encourage all conferences that have schools that are not in compliance with legal uniforms to address the matter prior to opening day.

Rule 1-4-5 (Highlights of the rule)

Please review the complete rule.

Jersey Design, Color and Numerals

ARTICLE 5. a. Design.

1. The jersey must have sleeves that completely cover the shoulderpads. It must not be altered or designed to tear. The jersey must befull-length and tucked into the pants or made even with the waistline.It must cover all pads worn at or above the waist. Vests and/ora second jersey worn concurrently during the game are prohibited.

3. Any item in paragraph 2 must not exceed 16 square inches in area(i.e., rectangle, square, parallelogram), including any additionalmaterial (e.g., patch).

5. Jerseys may not be taped or tied in any manner.

FR-22 Rule 1 / The Game, Field, Players and Equipment

1. Players of opposing teams shall wear jerseys of contrasting colors. Players on the same team shall wear jerseys of the same color anddesign.

2. The visiting team shall wear white jerseys; however, the home teammay wear white jerseys if the teams have agreed in writing beforethe season.

3. If the home team wears colored jerseys, the visiting team may alsowear colored jerseys, if and only if the following conditions havebeen satisfied

a. The home team has agreed in writing prior to the game; and

b. The conference of the home team certifies that the jersey of thevisiting team is of a contrasting color.

4. If on the kickoff at the start of each half, the visiting team wears acolored jersey in violation of the conditions specified in paragraph3, it is a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct.

PENALTY—Administer as a dead-ball foul. 15 yards at the succeedingspot following the kickoff. If the kickoff is returned for atouchdown, the penalty is assessed either on the try or onthe succeeding kickoff, at the option of the home team.

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5. If a colored jersey contains white, it may appear only as any of the items listed in paragraph a-2 above.

c. Numerals.

1. The jersey must have clearly visible, permanent Arabic numeralsmeasuring at least 8 and 10 inches in height front and back,respectively. The number must be of a color that itself is clearlyin distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of anyborder around the number.

2. Teams wearing jerseys/numerals that do not conform to this rulewill be asked to change into legal jerseys before the game and beforethe start of each quarter until the jerseys are changed. Officialsshall charge a team timeout at the start of each quarter the illegaljerseys are worn. (A. R. 1-4-5-I)

The first video training tape will be on the NAIA site for viewing and discussion before the end of the month. Stay healthy and keep working to be the best.

Danny Harris

NAIA Officiating Resource Advisor

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Last Modified: 3/30/2017 9:17:00 AM1