ALBANY, GA (WALB) -
Before the boys of the fall strap on the pads for real they'll need to know the new rules for the upcoming season and that was the topic of discussion today at Deerfield-Windsor. The All-Star Football Officials Association had its annual meeting in Albany on Saturday. Last year's big topics were the new heat rules.
This year more new safety rules will be implemented that states a player who gets his helmet knocked off must now leave the field for at least one play. It's all part of minimizing concussions during games.
Also added this season, on kickoffs the kicking team can't hit the receiving team until after the ten yard mark. The new rules are not only for officials to monitor but coaches as well.
ASFOA president Scott Willis said "Before every game the coaches are asked if they are legally equipped and that's basically there to help protect those players and it takes a teamwork effort from the coaches and us to help keep those players safe. So yea they play a big role if not bigger than us when it comes to the safety of those players and when it comes to that type stuff. A common theme where you see a players helmet continuously come off because they either don't strap them on properly or they are not sized properly so therefore they end up falling off so we have to do something to help the players."
The All-Star Officials are also excepting applications for new officials. For more info go to www.asfoa.net
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