New rules and regulations for the 2012 football season were discussed last week at the annual North Carolina Coaches Clinic in Greensboro.

As first reported by Carolina Preps, several new on-field and general high school football rules were announced to coaches in preparation for the 2012 season.

Players are allowed to wear gloves on the field, but all gloves must meet the standards of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Failure to have gloves that meet those standards will result in a 15-yard penalty. Players may also wear wristbands with the plays listed on then, but the bands can no longer be fastened to the belt around the waist.

There is a new rule for helmets coming off during play as well. If a player’s helmet comes off, the player must sit out one play, the coach cannot call a timeout to keep his player on the field. The only time that rule does not apply is if the helmet is pulled off by an illegal act, such as a facemask penalty. The player can remain in the game in that circumstance.

Starting this season, kickoff teams will have a new rule to abide by. The kicking team cannot block or touch a member of the receiving team before the ball has been caught, touches, or it goes 10 yards downfield.

Other rules include:

• Any pass that a receiver catches while in the air, and gets forced out of bounds before touching the ground, will be ruled an incomplete pass. There is no force-out rule.
• If a player makes a clothesline tackle, he is ejected from the game and will be suspended for the following game.
• Towels that players, including the quarterback, wear during games must be white with no logos.
• All high-low chop blocks are illegal.
• First organized practice may not take place until July 30. First scrimmage must be August 9.
• A licensed athletic trainer or a medical first responder must be at every practice and every game.
• Head coaches who do not attend the NCHSAA rules meeting will be fined $400.
• Schools can now opt out of playing in the playoffs without facing a fine from the NCHSAA.
• Middle School players cannot practice with high school players.
• This season, a team can drop any non-conference game, not just the Endowment Game.
• Schools can now sell their playing field name for commercial advertisements.