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KICKOFF (Kicking team is called K and Receiving team is called R)
Case: Kick off late in the game goes towards the sideline at the receiving teams 10 yard line. R1 bats the ball without catching it to try to keep it in bounds to save time and
(a) the ball hits the ground
(b) is caught by R2.Ruling: This is the same as an attempted lateral so
(a) is blown dead when it hits the ground and
(b) if R2 is onside can advance the ball.
Case: R2 in attempting to receive the kick off has it hit their foot and
(a) continues towards their goal line
(b) goes forward.Ruling:
(a) The ball is still live to any team R player and can be downed by a Team K player
(b) The ball is still live to any ONSIDE team R player and can be downed by a Team K player but the ball will be brought back to where R2 touched it.
Case: Kick off hits the goal posts in flight.
Ruling: Team R will scrimmage from their 25 yard line.
Case: Kick off bounces in the end zone forward out of the end zone then back towards the end zone but hits the goal post.
Ruling No point. Team R will scrimmage from their 10 yard line.
Case: Kick off goes only 17 yards and goes off of R2 and then K3 and hits the ground.
Ruling: No penalty since R2 touched the ball first.
Case: The kickoff bounces into the endzone, then rolls out of bounds at the side.
Ruling: One point is awarded and the ball scrimmaged at the 35-year line. There is no option to repeat the kickoff.
THE SCRIMMAGE
Case: The rusher runs towards the Quarterback with their arms up in the air and their hand touches the ball while it is still in the Quarterbacks hand at the tail end of an attempted forward pass.
Ruling: The rusher is playing the ball and not a deliberate attempt to make a touch therefore this is NOT a touch/sack. This is a blocked/deflected forward pass and can be advanced. A subsequent attempt of a forward pass would be illegal.
Case: The rusher jumps inside of 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and the ball is snapped. The rusher runs back past 5 yards then rushes over the line of scrimmage.
Ruling: This is legal. The rusher can go back from beyond 5 yards and be the first to cross the line of scrimmage.
Case: The center snaps the ball over the Quarterback who
(a) does not touch the ball
(b) touches the ball and is touched by the rusher.Ruling:
(a) Do not blow the whistle. Since the Quarterback has not touched the ball they cannot be touched to end the play. The rusher can run down and touch the loose ball only.
(b) the rusher can touch the Quarterback to end the play or run down and touch the loose ball.
Case: The center places the ball on the ground and then lifts it off the ground. The rusher runs in and just before being touched the center snaps the ball off the ground to the Quarterback. The rusher touches the center when going by.
Ruling: Do not blow the whistle. The play continues however the center must be called for illegal procedure.
Case: An offensive player remains on the line of scrimmage while the rest of the team huddles.
Ruling: This is not an automatic penalty. A “sleeper” play (illegal substitution penalty) is only illegal if it is a deliberate attempt to deceive the defense.
Case: The Quarterback ducks to avoid a tag, but ducks into the path of the rusher, who trips over the QB.
Ruling: No roughing the passer or any roughing penalty is called unless one of the players is out of control. Players are discouraged from ducking a tag but it is not illegal to do so. The play should continue until a deliberate tag is made.
Comment: Ducking should be distinguished from putting the head down while running forward. The latter is a 15-yard personal foul against the player that puts their head down.
SCORING (The Offense is called O and the Defense is called D)
Case: Scrimmaging on their own 10 yard line, Quarterback O1 takes the snap at the O’s 5 yard line and attempts to lateral to O2 who is in the end zone but D1 deflects the ball at the 1 yard line into the end zone where it is caught by O1 who is touched in the end zone.
Ruling: Since the ball was directed into the end zone by the defensive player D1 it will only be scored as a single point to the defense. Had it been deflected when already in the end zone then a safety touch would be awarded.
Case: On a kick off the ball deflects off receiving team’s D2 on the D’s 5 yard line and goes into the end zone where the ball is downed or a receiver is touched.
Ruling: If the ball would have gone into the end zone without being touch then only a single point is awarded to the kicking team. The receiver would have to have propelled the ball into the end zone for a safety touch.
Case: After a touchdown the captain of the offense asks the referee for a 1 point convert. The referee sets the bags then the captain asks to change it to a 2 point convert.
Ruling: The scoring team is allowed to change the convert points until the referee ANNOUNCES to the defense the points for the convert attempt.
Case: On a field without goal posts - the scoring team asks the referee to place the ball on a hash mark for a convert attempt.
Ruling: The ball must be placed in the center of the field. The ball can only be moved to a hash mark if goal posts are present.
Case: The intended pass receiver dives back towards the ball and catches it with their feet in the end zone but the rest of their body and the ball is completely outside the end zone.
Ruling: No touchdown. Any part of the ball must be over the goal line in order for a touchdown to be awarded.
Case: A touchdown occurs at the end of the third quarter. The scoring team asks to attempt the convert at the other end of the field.
Ruling: There are no circumstances in which the convert should be played at the other end.
PUNTS
NEW!!
Case: O1 punting, line of scrimmage at D 20 yard line, D3 receives the punt in their end zone and return punts but the ball goes up in the air in the end zone then D4 knocks it to the ground.
Ruling: D4 touching the return punt should be called for “no yards”. Team O has the option to accept the no yards and take possession, first down at the D10 yard line or at the point of last scrimmage (the D 20 yard line) or decline the penalty and be awarded one point.
Case: Team O third and 27 from the O 20 yard line. On the snap O-4 jumps offside. After O-1 punts the ball, the D rusher is called for roughing the kicker. As the D player catches the punt at the O 45 yard line, O-5 is called for “no yards”.
Ruling: The offence first has the choice of accepting the roughing penalty as a live ball or dead ball foul…
If Team O accepts the roughing the passer as a live ball foul - since each side has committed a live ball foul, then the down will be repeated Team O third and 27 from the O 20 yard line.
If Team O accepts the roughing the passer as a dead ball foul - Team D now has the choice of :
a) Accept the offside penalty and have Team O repeat third down and 17 from the O 30 yard line (difference between the live ball offside 5 yards and dead ball roughing 15 yards penalties).
b) Decline the offside and accept the "no yards" penalty and take possession of the ball at O 50 yard line (difference between the live ball “no yards” 10 yards and dead ball roughing 15 yards penalties)
Case: O1 punting, line of scrimmage at D 25 yard line, ball hits ground in end zone and a) bounces backwards but hits the goal post b) D2’s return punt hits the goal post in flight before coming out of the end zone c) D2’s return punt comes out of the end zone and bounces back and hits the goal post.
Ruling: a) No point. D scrimmages on their own 10 yard line. The defense did not have an opportunity to attempt to get the ball out of their end zone. b) O is awarded 1 point - same as ball hitting ground in end zone on the return punt. c) O will scrimmage first down on D’s 1 yard line (see case#3 – p. 43).
Case: O1 punting, line of scrimmage at D 25 yard line, ball hits D3 at the 28 yard line and continues in the air into the D end-zone where it is caught by O4.
Ruling: The deflection by D3 that continues towards the goal line is ignored since it did not hit the ground behind the line of scrimmage. The punting team must still give yards in the end zone and therefore by catching the ball are guilty of no-yards. The receiving team has the option of applying the penalty and taking possession on their own 10 yard line OR declining the penalty and giving up a single-point and taking possession on their 35 yard line.
Case: A punt receiver fails to get out of their end zone, but no-yards is called.
Ruling: If the penalty is accepted then no point is awarded and the ball is scrimmaged at the 10-yard line. If the receiving team declines the penalty then 1 point is awarded and the ball is scrimmaged at the 35-yard line.
Case: A player inside the 5-yard restraining zone stops running and makes no attempt to touch the punt returner.
Ruling: A no-yards penalty must be called, but it can be reduced to a 5-yard minor no-yards if the infraction is judged not to have effected the play. Usually, it at least affects the direction in which the punt returner may take.
Correction: The Minor no-yards penalty has been eliminated. All no-yard penalties are 10 yards
Case: On a punt return, a member of the return team runs forward 5 yards and stops, causing a member of the punting team to run into them.
Ruling: The return team player is penalized for obstruction. A player may take up a stationary position only to avoid contact, not to cause it.
Comment: If a stationary position is taken legally and the punt returner uses them to avoid a touch then NO obstruction penalty can be applied.
Case: A punter is tagged while the ball is in the air between their hands and their foot.
Ruling: The ball is considered in the punter’s possession until it leaves their foot. Therefore, a tag should be awarded.
Case: A punt bounces in front of a member of the return team, who does not catch it but kicks it out of the air to a member of their own team.
Ruling: The ball is ruled dead at the point where the player kicked it out of the air. The kicked ball is not ruled as a punt because the player did not have possession of the ball.
Case: On a third down late in the half - after receiving a forward pass on the D-20 yard line, O4 turns and attempts to punt the ball. D4 who was running in to make a tag makes contact with O4’s foot, blocking the punt and knocking O4 down to the ground.
Ruling: If it is ruled that D4 is coming in out of control then this would be roughing the kicker which is a live-ball foul and the offense would scrimmage first-and-10 on the D-10 yard line (halfway to the goal line). Anyone attempting a punt from anywhere is considered a kicker just like anyone attempting a pass or lateral is considered a passer for a roughing penalty.
PASSING
Case: Team O second and 10 from the O 10 yard line. Just before being touched the Quarterback on the 3 yard line turns around and throws the ball into the end zone - there is no halfback near the ball so it hits the ground.
Ruling: An Intentional Grounding penalty should be called. The Defense has the choice to accept the penalty and O would have third down and 17 from the O 3 yard line or they can decline the penalty and score a safety touch.Comment: If a halfback was close to the lateral that hits the ground in the end zone then a safety touch is scored with no penalty called and no options to the defense.
Case: Receiver catches the ball and then runs face-first into the goal post pad with the ball held in front, then the ball is dropped.
Ruling: Touchdown. The goal posts are considered IN the end zone.
Case: On third down, the Quarterback attempts a lateral to the halfback but it is ruled forward. The halfback throws a forward pass down field, before gaining a first down, which is intercepted.
Ruling: The defense has the option to accept the Illegal Forward Pass penalty and take possession from the point where the second forward pass was thrown or decline it and take possession from the point where the ball becomes dead after the interception.
Case: After receiving a punt D2 hands the ball to D3 who runs in front of D2.
Ruling: This is an offside pass because a handoff in a forward direction is considered a forward pass and is illegal on a punt return.
Case: The rusher blocks an attempted forward pass by the Quarterback but it is then caught by the Quarterback who throws a completed forward pass to a receiver.
Ruling: This is considered as two forward passes and therefore the ball is returned to point where the Quarterback threw the second pass.
Case: A receiver catches a pass in the air and lands on a teammate who is in bounds then out of bounds without having touched the ground in bounds.
Ruling: This is an incomplete pass - the receiver must touch the ground in bounds. However if it was an opponent that they landed on then the pass would be ruled complete if it was possible for the receiver to land in bounds without the presence of the defender.
Case: The Quarterback throws from their own end zone but the ball hits the post.
Ruling: This is an incomplete pass, the same as if the pass hit the ground in the end zone. This should not be confused with a punt from the end zone hitting the post, which is a safety touch.
Case: An onside pass from the Quarterback to the halfback bounces before it is caught.
Ruling: The ball is dead where it hits the ground. Play may only continue if the halfback touches the ball before it hits the ground.
Case: A pass defender holds a receiver’s arm in the target zone, but the pass is overthrown and ruled uncatchable.
Ruling: A penalty must be called. If the ball is uncatchable, the call is remote zone interference.
Case: The Quarterback runs over the line of scrimmage, then runs back behind it to throw a forward pass.
Ruling: The pass is illegal, and ruled dead BEHIND the line of scrimmage where it was thrown. The player is NOT awarded for their furthest point of progress, over the line of scrimmage.
Case: QB throws a forward pass to receiver O3 downfield who tips the ball in the air and before it hits the ground D3 intentionally sticks out their leg and kicks the ball up where a) D3 catches the ball b) D4 catches the ball c) O4 catches the ball.
Ruling: In a) and b) this is a legal interception but the ball cannot be advanced further and they would scrimmage from where it was kicked or caught - whichever is closest to their deadline. In c) if O4 is onside to where O3 first tipped the ball then it can be advanced otherwise would go back to the tip as an offside pass.
MISCELLANEOUS
Case: Overtime convert attempts.
Offense scores on their first/second (not final) convert attempt. Defense is called for Roughing.
Ruling: According to 12.8 of the Rule Book - If a team commits a dead ball penalty on a convert attempt, the non-penalized team has the option to apply the penalty on the repeated convert attempt, if there is one, or on the subsequent kick off.
Since there is no subsequent kickoff in Overtime converts, the penalty unfortunately cannot be carried over at all.
Comment: Use strong judgment in the above situation. If the roughing seemed to be a cheap shot - like well after a catch by the receiver rather than an over aggressive attempt to defend - the player should be ejected immediately.
Case: Team O scrimmaging on the Team D 5 yard line. Receiver O4 runs a pattern very close to the goal post and cuts sharply by the post without making contact causing D2 to be obstructed by the post while in pursuit. Pass is completed to O4 for a touchdown.
Ruling: Using the goal post without contacting it is similar to using a player who has taken a stationary position – both are legal. It is up to the defender to get into a position where it is difficult for the receiver to use the goal post to their advantage.
Case: The ball is received on the goal line is ruled by the linesman who is positioned on the goal line. The linesman rules a touchdown, but is overruled by the head referee.
Ruling: This is incorrect. A head referee should never overrule another official unless that official’s view is blocked. The correct procedure is to ask the linesman if they are sure the ball crossed the line, and if they are, rule the touchdown.
Case: A player dives forward with no players in front of them, and the extended ball crosses the goal line as the player is tagged.
Ruling: Diving is illegal. A 15-yard penalty is applied from the point where the dive began.
Case: On a convert attempt, target zone interference is called against the defense on an offensive player who is not in the endzone.
Ruling: Since the infraction occurred outside the endzone, the convert is NOT awarded automatically. The offense has the options of declining the penalty, or repeating the convert attempt either at the point of the infraction, or half-way between the convert scrimmage line and the goal line.
Comment: Target zone interference should only be called if the receiver if within a 5-yard radius of where the ball arrives. Even if the player would have reached the target zone had they not been impeded, the call must still be remote zone.
Case: The Quarterback is roughed with the ball still in their possession on a third and 20.
Ruling: If the Quarterback is not in the throwing motion, it is a dead-ball foul, so the sack counts, the ball is turned over and then the 15-yard penalty is assessed. If the Quarterback is in the throwing motion then it will be third down repeated and 5 yards. The sack still counts.
Correction: Roughing penalties can now be applied as a live ball foul. See case in rule book.
Case: Both O3 and O4 are close together when O3 makes a catch. While a defender is coming in to touch O3, O4 pushes O3 away from the defender who misses the tag.
Ruling: As long as O4 does not get between the defender and O3 this is not obstruction.
Case: The ball carrier is running down field but falls in front of the chasing defender. The defender’s hand passes over the fallen player but does not make contact.
Ruling: There is no longer a rule to award a touch for a hand passing over a fallen player. There is a specific rule awarding a touch but only for jumping over a fallen player. Therefore no touch is awarded and the fallen player can get back up and continue running.
