Prep football primer: Rule changes for 2013 season

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The National Federation of High School Associations have made some changes to its football rulebook for the 2013 season.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Defensive pass interference remains a 15-yard penalty. However, the foul will no longer result in an automatic first down.
• Similarly, offensive pass interference is still a 15-yard penalty, but the foul will not result in a loss of down.
• If a player is interfered with while trying to field a kick, the receiving team will have the option of accepting possession of the ball with a 15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul OR a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot and a re-kick.
• If a player loses his helmet during the course of play, an illegal participation foul will be called if that player blocks, tackles or otherwise continues to participate in the play beyond the immediate action that led to the helmet being dislodged.
• A personal foul will be called on any player who initiates contact with an opposing player whose helmet has come completely off.
• A receiver who has his forward progress stopped inbounds and is carried out-of-bounds by an opponent before contacting the ground will be awarded a catch from the spot of the forward progress.