On 4/27/25, the Nevada State Football Manual Committee met and approved the following changes to the State Football Manual. These changes are in effect for the 2025 season. The Committee meets every 2 years to keep the Manual up to date and is comprised of officials from the SNOA, NNFOA, and NENOA. Some other minor edits are not included here but these are the substantive ones:
Game Clock: Tenths of a second will not be recognized in the state of Nevada. If the game clock is stopped with :00.1-00.9 sec displayed, the Referee will declare the end of the quarter (or game). BJs should have clock operator simply adjust clock to not display tenths of a second during pregame conference with clock operator to make this easier.
Back Judge:
Will escort the down box to new position for the 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th quarter change
On carry over fouls for kickoffs will go directly to succeeding spot and signal foul, in lieu of marching it off first.
Will check with other upfield officials to ensure they are in proper position and ready and have counted team K players and ensure initial K formation is correct before giving ready signal to Referee (LJ in 4 official mechanics)
Is primary for illegal blocks on onside kicks
Will position himself/herself behind punt returner, not in front of, and about 7 yards deeper than returner no wider than 10 yards from returner
Check with wing official on long TD runs that threaten sideline before signaling
Referee: Will only check with BJ for ready signal on kickoffs (no longer scan all officials)
Wings: Goal line mechanics: when line to gain stake is in between snap and goal line, LJ will stop at line to gain stake until it is no longer threatened then proceed to GL. HL will proceed directly to GL at snap as normal. Communicate this mechanic over 020.
May tap upfield leg to tell receiver where LOS is (already in practice, just added to manual)
ALL OFFICIALS:
Black Fox-40 type whistles mandatory to ensure consistent sound amongst crew members
White uniform socks prohibited, must be black
Grooming standards updated, facial hair ok, must be professional looking
Bean bag all fumbles including behind line of scrimmage due to 2025 rule change
FGs and kick trys: option of calling "dirty number" player (an eligible number in an ineligible position, usually the snapper) in lieu of under post officials calling out eligible numbers on their side.
Further definition of a catch is if an airborne receiver makes a natural stepping motion when landing near a sideline, and lands either toe then heel or heel then toe, the entire foot must land inbounds to be a catch. This does not apply to 'toe taps' or 'toe drags'.
