Down by Contact/Fumbles

Question 1

DOWN BY CONTACT
Third-and-6 on B30. Runner A1 goes around end and is knocked off balance by B1 at the B28. A1 staggers and falls
to a knee at the B26, fumbles, and A3 recovers at the B20.

Answer 1

Ruling: Fourth-and-2 on B26. Down by contact.

Question 2

RUNNER SLIDES TO GIVE HIMSELF UP - FEET FIRST/SIDEWAYS/HEADFIRST
Third-and-10 on A15. QB A1 scrambles out of the pocket and runs up field. As he nears the A25 he sees that he is
going to be tackled so he (a) slides feet first with the ball at the A23, (b) slides sideways with the ball at the 23 ½, or
(c) dives headfirst and his right knee hits the ground with the ball at the A24 and he slides to the A25. In (a), (b) and
(c), he is not contacted by a defender.

Answer 2

Rulings:
(a) Fourth-and-2 on A23.
(b) Fourth-and-1½ on A23½.
(c) Fourth-and-1 on A24.
Note: When a runner intentionally goes to the ground, he is afforded protection from defensive contact to his body,
(if the slide was early enough), and always to the head and neck area. The ball is placed where it was when the
runner’s first body part other than a hand or foot, hits the ground.

Question 3

DOWN BY CONTACT/OR NOT - SLIDING RUNNER
Third-and-goal on A5. Runner A3 (any player in possession of the football) goes to the ground as he is trying to
reach the goal line. The ball is at the one-yard line when A3’s knee touches the ground, and A3 then slides untouched
into the end zone with the ball. (a) A3 intentionally went to the ground, sliding feet first toward the goal line; (b) A3
intentionally went to the ground, diving head first toward the goal line with the ball stretched ahead of him; (c) A3
stumbled at the 5-yard line, which caused him to unintentionally go to the ground, before sliding across the goal line;
or (d) A3 simulates going to the ground by starting a slide at the B3, remains upright, and runs into the end zone.

Answer 3

Rulings:
(a) Fourth-and-goal on A1. Because A3 intentionally went to the ground, the ball is down at the forward point of the
ball at the time a body part other than A3’s hand or foot touches the ground.
(b) Fourth-and-goal on A1. Whether a runner slides feet first or headfirst, if the runner goes to the ground
intentionally, the ball is down at the forward point of the ball at the time a body part other than A3’s hand or foot
touches the ground.
(c) Touchdown A, kickoff A35. Because A3 did not intentionally go to the ground, he is not down by contact until
touched down by a defender. Therefore, when he slides across the goal line with the ball, untouched by a
defender, it is a touchdown.
(d) Fourth-and-goal on B3. When a runner simulates sliding feet or head first, the ball is dead when he begins to
simulate the slide.

Question 4

DOWN BY CONTACT/OR NOT—IN AIR COLLISION WITH OPPONENT
First-and-10 on A40. A2 and B3 both jump up at the B30 in a legal attempt to catch a pass and collide in midair: (a)
A2 controls the ball and immediately falls down at the B30. He gets up and runs to the B20; (b) they fall separately
after the collision, after which A2 controls the pass and falls to the ground. He gets up and runs to the B15; (c) they
fall to the ground without the ball, and the ball is lying on B3’s back (ball has not touched the ground). A2 reaches
over and takes the ball off B3’s back and runs to the B20.

Answer 4

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. Down by contact.
(b) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B15. Legal advance.
(c) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B20. Legal advance.

Question 5

DOWN BY CONTACT OR NOT—OPPONENT TOUCHES RUNNER’S HAIR, JERSEY, OR TOWEL
First-and-10 on A25. A2 dives for and catches a pass at the A30, jumps to his feet, and runs to the 50 where he runs
out of bounds. While A2 is still on the ground at the A30, B1 reaches and touches: (a) A2’s hair, the hood of a
sweatshirt under the jersey, or jersey; or (b) A2’s towel that is hanging from his belt, but he touches no other part of
A2’s body.

Answer 5

Rulings:
(a) Second-and-5 on A30. Down by contact.
(b) First-and-10 on 50. Not down by contact.

Question 6

DOWN BY CONTACT—OPPONENT TAKING BALL
First-and-10 on A40. A2 and B3 collide in air at the B30 as both legally go for a pass. They fall to the ground without
the ball, and then A2 possesses the ball while lying on the ground. After a momentary pause, B3 reaches over and
takes the ball from A2.

Answer 6

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. An attempt by an opponent to take the ball away from a player who is in
possession of the ball and on the ground, will put that player down by contact. (7-2-1-f)

Question 7

NOT DOWN BY CONTACT—LEGAL ADVANCE
First-and-10 on B30. On a backward pass, A1 catches the ball and is knocked off-balance by B2 on the B36. A1
regains his balance, runs to the B32, stumbles to one knee, and then falls to the ground on the B28. A1 then gets
up and scores.

Answer 7

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35

Question 8

NOT DOWN BY CONTACT—FUMBLE
Third-and-10 on B40. A1 runs to the B25 where he slips and falls to the ground. The ball slides out of A1’s hand and
rests on his arm while A1 is on the ground. B1, while on his feet, reaches in, picks up the ball, and is tackled at the
50.

Answer 8

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. Runner A1 is not down by contact as he did not have possession of the ball
when B1 took it. Team B may advance with the fumble. (7-2-1-f)

Question 9

NOT DOWN BY CONTACT—TEAMMATE TAKES BALL FROM PLAYER ON GROUND
Second-and-3 on A45. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the 50 where he slips and falls to the ground. Immediately
after falling to the ground, A4 takes the ball from A2 and runs for a touchdown.

Answer 9

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35.

Note: The restrictions stated in 7-2-1-f (taking the ball from a player) do not apply to a teammate. However, the
player on the ground may not hand the ball forward to a teammate.

Question 10

ERRONEOUS WHISTLE—FOUL
Second-and-15 on A30. With the clock running at the snap, back A2 runs to the 50 and fumbles the ball. During the
scramble for the loose ball, the Back Judge erroneously blows the whistle. B2 falls on the ball at the B45. During
A2’s run, (a) A4 holds at the A38; or (b) A4 clips at the A38.

Answer 10

Rulings:
(a) Second-and-15 on A30. If Team A elects to replay the down, the offensive hold is disregarded, and the down is
replayed. The game clock is reset to what it was at the time of the snap, and it then starts on the snap. If Team
A chooses to put the ball in play where possession was lost, the offensive hold will be enforced as normal, which
results in second-and-17 on A28, the clock is reset to what it was at the time of the fumble, and the clock starts
on the ready for play.
(b) Second-and-22 on A23. If Team A elects to put the ball in play where possession was lost, the foul is enforced
as normal from the A38, the game clock is reset to what it was at the time of the fumble, and it starts on the
ready for play. If Team A elects to replay the down, the personal foul is enforced from the previous spot, which
results in second-and-30 on A15, the game clock is reset to what it was at the time of the snap, and it then starts
on the snap.

Note: If the down is replayed after an erroneous whistle, only personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct fouls are
enforced, and by rule, they are enforced from the previous spot. If the down is not replayed, all fouls are enforced as
normal.

Question 11

ERRONEOUS WHISTLE—FUMBLE OWN END ZONE
Second-and-16 on A6. The clock is running, and the ball is snapped at 1:25 in the 4th quarter. A1’s fumble at the A5
rolls into the end zone. The Referee erroneously blows the whistle as the ball is loose in the end zone. A2 recovers
in the end zone.

Answer 11

Ruling: Second-and-16 on A6. Replay the down. The game clock is reset to what it was at the snap, (1:25), and it
next starts on the snap. The play clock is set to 25 seconds. Team A’s other option would be to take the ball at the
spot possession was lost, the A5, which they would not do.

Question 12

ERRONEOUS WHISTLE—FUMBLE OPPONENT’S END ZONE
First-and-goal on B5. With the clock running at the snap, A1’s fumble at the B7 rolls into the end zone where A2
recovers. When the ball was loose in the end zone, the Back Judge erroneously blew the whistle.

Answer 12

Ruling: First-and-goal on B5. Replay the down. The game clock is reset to what it was at the time of the snap, starts
on the snap, and the play clock is set to 25 seconds. (7-2-1-m-2)

Question 13

ERRONEOUS WHISTLE—FUMBLE OPPONENT’S END ZONE
First-and-goal on B5. With the clock at 1:25 and stopped prior to the snap, A1 runs to the B2 and fumbles the ball
into the end zone. The fumble occurs with 1:20 on the clock. As the ball is rolling loose in the end zone, the Back
Judge erroneously blows the whistle with 1:15 on the clock. A2 recovers the ball in the end zone.

Answer 13

Ruling: Team A’s option: First-and-goal on B5. Reset the clock to 1:25, (what it was at the time of the snap), and
the clock then starts on the snap; or second-and-goal on B2. Reset the clock to 1:20, (what it was at the time of the
fumble), and the clock starts on the ready for play. In both cases, the play clock is set to 25 seconds.

Question 14

ERRONEOUS WHISTLE—KICK IN THE AIR
Fourth-and-10 on A30. With the clock running at the snap, A1 punts the ball from the A15, and while the kick is in
the air at the 50, the Line Judge erroneously blows the whistle. B3 catches the punt and returns it to the A40.

Answer 14

Ruling: Fourth-and-10 on A30. Replay the down. Reset the clock to what it was at the time of the snap, and the
clock starts on the snap. The play clock is set to 25 seconds

Question 15

ERRONEOUS WHISTLE—DURING A FUMBLE—AFTER A CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Fourth-and-10 on A30. B1 catches A1’s punt at the B40 and returns to the B45 where he fumbles the ball to the 50
where A2 recovers. The back Judge erroneously blows the whistle during the fumble when the ball is at the B47.

Answer 15

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Team B was last in possession before the whistle, so they have the option to
take the ball at the spot possession was lost, or replay the down. The game clock starts on the snap because of the
change of possession, and the play clock is set to 25 seconds.

Question 16

ERRONEOUS WHISTLE—TEAM A FOUL IN ITS END ZONE
Second-and-15 on A6. Quarterback A1 attempts to hand off to back A2, who drops the ball. It rolls into the end zone
and the Line Judge erroneously blows the whistle while the ball is in the end zone. (a) A2 clips in the end zone before
the whistle blew or (b) A2 holds in the end zone before the whistle blew.

Answer 16

Rulings:
(a) Second-and-18 on A3. Team A will elect to replay the down, so the game clock is reset to what it was at the
time of the snap, the play clock is set to 25 seconds, and the game clock starts on the snap. If the down is
replayed, as it is here, the only fouls that are enforced are UNR/UNS, and the enforcement is from the previous
spot.
(b) Second-and-15 on A6. Team A will elect to replay the down, so the game clock is reset to what it was at the
time of the snap, the play clock is set to 25 seconds, and the game clock starts on the snap. Since the down is
being replayed, and only unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness fouls are enforced on a replay
of the down, the holding foul is not enforced.
Note: If the down is replayed due to an erroneous whistle, by rule, any fouls that are enforced are done so from the
previous spot, rather than from their normal enforcement spot, had there not been an erroneous whistle.

Question 17

PUNT—FUMBLE OUT OF BOUNDS—TOUCHBACK
Fourth-and-8 on B49. B3 catches a punt in the end zone. He attempts to run in the end zone, fumbles, and the ball
goes out of bounds over the end line.

Answer 17

Ruling: Third-and-1 on B26. Fumble forward out of bounds. A loose ball is dead when it touches anything, including
a game official, on the sideline. Return the ball to the spot of the fumble, and wind the clock on the Referee’s signal
that the ball has been returned the field of play. (8-7-3-Item 3-b)

Question 18

FUMBLE OUT OF BOUNDS—FORWARD
Second-and-5 on B30. A3 takes a handoff and runs to the B26 and fumbles. The ball touches the Line Judge who
is standing on the sideline at the B25. The ball then rolls to the B22 where B2 falls on the ball.

Answer 18

Ruling: Third-and-1 on B26. Fumble forward out of bounds. A loose ball is dead when it touches anything, including
a game official, on the sideline. Return the ball to the spot of the fumble, and wind the clock on the Referee’s signal
that the ball has been returned the field of play. (8-7-3-Item 3-b)

Question 19

FUMBLE INSIDE TWO MINUTES
Second-and-goal on B6. Thirty seconds remain in the game. A2 runs to the left and is tackled at the B4 and fumbles
with the ball going into the end zone. A3 recovers the ball in the end zone.

Answer 19

Ruling: Third-and-goal on B4. The clock will stop upon the recovery and will restart on the Referee’s signal as the
ball is brought back into the field of play

Question 20

FUMBLE FORWARD OUT OF BOUNDS—AFTER TWO MINUTE WARNING
First-and-ten on A35. Twenty seconds remain in the game. A2 runs to his left, fumbles the ball at the A32, and it
rolls out of bounds at the A35.

Answer 20

Ruling: Second-and-thirteen on A32. The clock will stop when the ball rolls out of bounds and will restart on the
Referee’s signal as another ball is being brought into the field and before it is spotted at the inbounds line.

Question 21

ENTIRE BALL NOT OUT OF END ZONE - FOUL BY TEAM A IN THEIR END ZONE
First-and-10 on A5. A1 circles back in the end zone to avoid tacklers. A1 is contacted by B1 in the end zone and
fumbles the ball. While the ball is loose, A3 clips in the end zone, and A4 recovers the ball on the goal line. The back
of the ball is still in A’s end zone.

Answer 21

Ruling: Safety. Safety kick A10. The result of the play is a safety and the personal foul carries over to the safety
kick.

Question 22

LOCKED LEGS—LEGAL
Third-and-5 on B30. Guard A1 interlocks his leg with tackle A2. A legal forward pass is completed to A3 who is
downed on the B6.

Answer 22

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-goal on B6. It is legal to interlock legs. (7-5-1-Note)

Question 23

RUNNER TAKES HIS HELMET OFF
Second-and-5 on B45. QBA1 completes a pass to end A2 at the B20 with no defenders in the area. A2 then runs
toward the goal line, and at the B5, he takes his helmet off in celebration and holds it up in the air and backs into the
end zone. He then crosses the goal line.

Answer 23

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-ten on B20. The ball is dead by rule when the runner’s helmet comes off at the B5. A2’s
actions are also taunting. That foul is enforced from the dead ball spot, and it is first-and-10 after enforcement. The
foul is the first qualifying foul toward potential disqualification of A2.

Question 24

PASS STRIKES OFFICIAL’S FLAG
Second-and-5 on A40. QBA1 from the pocket throws a pass toward end A2 at the B40 yard line near the sideline.
Prior to the pass, B2 chucked A2 at the A48 yard line with QBA1 still in the pocket. The Side Judge throws his flag,
and the pass hits the official’s flag in flight and falls incomplete at the B40.

Answer 24

Ruling: Second-and-5 on A40. An official’s flag in flight is considered “any other object” and the down is replayed
by rule. The game clock is reset to the time at the snap, the play clock is set to 25 seconds, and the game clock will
start on the snap. Personal and unsportsmanlike conduct fouls are enforced from the previous spot. All other fouls
are disregarded.

Question 25

FUMBLE FORWARD—OUT OF BOUNDS
Third-and-6 on A40. Back A2 runs to the 50 and fumbles the ball to the B48 where B3 and A3 recover the ball
simultaneously. B3’s right foot is touching the sideline when the ball is recovered.

Answer 25

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. A simultaneous recovery would belong to the fumbling team, but since B3 is out
of bounds and touching a loose ball, this is a fumble forward out of bounds and not a simultaneous recovery. The
Referee starts the clock as the ball is being brought back into the field of play, and he should attempt to tell the
quarterback.

Question 26

FUMBLE FORWARD—TOUCHED BY OUT OF BOUNDS PLAYER
Third-and-8 on B34. A2 fumbles near the sideline at the B28. B2, who was out of bounds, steps inbounds and
recovers the fumble at the B25 with one foot touching the sideline.

Answer 26

Ruling: A’s ball, fourth-and-2 on B28. For a legal recovery, the player must have re-established with both feet (or
body part other than hands) inbounds prior to the recovery. Fumble forward out of bounds. The game clock should
be restarted by the Referee as the ball is being brought back into the field, before it is actually spotted at the hash
mark. If time is an issue, the Referee should tell the QB that the clock will be starting.

Question 27

FUMBLE—FOURTH-DOWN FUMBLE RULE
Fourth-and-7 on B17. A1 runs to the B16 and fumbles. The ball rolls back to the B21 where A2 picks it up and throws
a completed pass to end A3 in the end zone.

Answer 27

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B21. Fourth-down fumble. The play should be blown dead immediately when ball is
recovered by A2.

Question 28

TEAM B FUMBLE—FOURTH-DOWN FUMBLE RULE
Fourth-and-2 on B20. Before the two-minute warning, A1 fumbles on the B18. B1 picks up the ball there and runs to
the B20 where he fumbles. B2 recovers and runs to the B30.

Answer 28

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. The fourth-down fumble rule only applies to Team A, and only before a change
of possession. (The two-minute fumble rule applies to everyone).

Question 29

FUMBLE—AFTER TWO-MINUTE WARNING
First-and-10 on 50. On the last play of the game with the score tied, end A2 catches a forward pass at the B10 and
runs to the B1-yard line, is tackled, but before he is down the ball pops out of A2’s hands into the air. A3 catches the
ball in the end zone.

Answer 29

Ruling: Go to overtime. Only A2 can recover and advance the ball.

Question 30

FUMBLE/MUFFED HANDOFF—AFTER TWO-MINUTE WARNING
First-and-10 on A20. After the two-minute warning, A1 attempts to hand the ball to A2 at the A18. A2 does not get
the ball cleanly and bobbles the ball until he gets to the A21, at which point: (a) he gains full control of the ball without
it ever hitting the ground; or (b) before getting control of the ball, it hits the ground once at the A21 and bounces right
back up into A2’s hands and he gains complete control. A2 runs to the 50 where he is run out of bounds.

Answer 30

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. This is transferring player possession and not a fumble if either player immediately
regains control of the ball before it hits the ground, so A2 can advance once he gains control.
(b) A’s ball, second-and-12 on A18. Since neither player immediately regained control before the ball hit the ground,
this is considered a fumble by A1 on the exchange, and therefore the ball returns to the A18, which is the spot
of the fumble by the fumbling player (A1).

Question 31

FUMBLE BY TEAM B AFTER INTERCEPTION—BEFORE/AFTER TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Second-and-7 on B15. B1 intercepts a pass in the end zone, runs, and fumbles the ball in the end zone. The ball
rolls out to the B3 where B2 recovers: (a) prior to the two-minute warning; or (b) after the two-minute warning.

Answer 31

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B3. Before the two-minute warning, only Team A is restricted from advancing a fourthdown fumble, and there are no restrictions for Team B.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B20. Two-minute fumble rules apply to both teams, throughout the down.

Question 32

TEAM B FOUL DURING FUMBLE BEYOND LINE
Second-and-12 on A40. A2 runs to the B45, fumbles, and B5 recovers. B3 committed a personal foul at the 50 during
the fumble.

Answer 32

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. When a foul occurs during a fumble, the basic spot of enforcement is the spot
of the fumble.

Question 33

TEAM B FOUL DURING FUMBLE BEHIND LINE
Second-and-12 on A40. A2 fumbles at the A35. B6 holds A2 to allow B5 to recover the fumble at the A35.

Answer 33

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A45. When the fumble is behind the line of scrimmage, the enforcement spot for a
foul during a fumble is the previous spot.

Question 34

TEAM A FOUL DURING FUMBLE
Third-and-6 on A44. A2 runs to the B45 where he fumbles. A3 recovers the ball on the B40. During the fumble, A4
holds on the 50.

Answer 34

Ruling: Third-and-10 on A40. Foul by Team A during the fumble. Since the foul occurred behind the spot of the
fumble, the penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul.

Question 35

TEAM B PERSONAL FOUL DURING FUMBLE—ADVANCED BY TEAM A
First-and-10 on A40. A2 fumbles the ball at the A45, and during the fumble, B1 grabs and twists A3’s facemask in
an effort to recover the fumble. A2 recovers the fumble at the 50 and runs to the B40 where he is tackled.

Answer 35

Ruling: First-and-10 on B25. Team B’s personal foul can be enforced from the dead-ball spot because Team A had
possession at the end of the down; see 14-2-4.

Question 36

MUFFED FORWARD HANDOFF HITS GROUND
On the kickoff to start the second half, B1 catches the kick on the B4-yard line and runs to the B10 where he hands
the ball forward to B2 who is in front of him. B2 muffs the handoff, the ball hits the ground on the B11, and (a) A1
falls on the ball there, or (b) B3 recovers the ball at the B13.

Answer 36

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B11. This is an illegal forward handoff resulting in a fumble, so Team A would decline
the foul and keep the ball.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B5. Illegal forward handing is enforced from where the player was when he handed the
ball forward.

Question 37

BATTING OF FORWARD PASS BY TEAM A PLAYER TO TEAMMATE
First-and-10 on A25. A1 throws a forward pass to A2 who, at the A40, bats the ball forward to eligible A3 at the A45,
who catches the ball and runs for a touchdown

Answer 37

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. Legal play. A forward pass in flight may be batted in any direction by any
eligible player.

Question 38

CONTROLLED BAT OF PASS BY TEAM A—FORWARD/BACKWARD
Third-and-10 on A40. Receiver A2 jumps in the air and controls the forward pass while still airborne at the B30.
Before coming to the ground, A2 throws the ball: (a) forward; or (b) backward, to A3 who catches the ball and scores.

Answer 38

Rulings:
(a) Fourth-and-20 on A30. The illegal bat is enforced from the previous spot with a loss of down. This is also a foul
if the pass is incomplete or intercepted. A forward pass that is controlled by a player and thrown forward (before
completing the catch), is an illegal bat. While a forward pass in flight may be batted in any direction by any
eligible player, a controlled forward bat is illegal.
(b) Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. This is a legal bat toward Team A’s end line.

Question 39

BATTED PASS BY TEAM A CAUGHT BY INELIGIBLE
First-and-10 on A25. A1 passes forward to A2 who, at the A30, bats the ball forward to tackle A6 who was legally
downfield. A6 catches the ball and runs for a touchdown.

Answer 39

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. Legal play. The touch by A2 makes A6 eligible to catch the pass.

Question 40

FORWARD HANDING BEHIND LINE—PASS TO SHOTGUN QB
Second-and-10 on A20. Quarterback A1, in a shotgun formation, hands off forward to back A2, who runs right on a
sweep, stops, and passes from the A18 to A1 at the A26 who catches the pass and is tackled at the A31.

Answer 40

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A31. Since A1 was not under center, he is an eligible receiver and the handoff
forward to an eligible receiver behind the line is legal and not considered a forward pass.

Question 41

INTERCEPTION—FORWARD PROGRESS
Second-and-10 on B25. A1’s pass is intercepted by B1 in B’s end zone, and B1 is tackled from behind by A2. A2
drives B1 into the field of play (either while B1 is airborne or on his feet), causing B1 to fall to his knee on the B1 with
the ball at the B2.

Answer 41

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B2. Since A2 drove B1 forward, there is no forward progress, and the dead ball spot
is where the ball is when B1 was down.

Question 42

NO PASS INTERFERENCE—ELIGIBILITY LOST
Third-and-10 on A40. Eligible receiver A1, near the sideline, is chucked out of bounds by B1 at the A42. Before he
can come back inbounds, B2 puts an arm across his chest and restricts A1 from being able to reach for the pass on
the A43. The pass falls incomplete.

Answer 42

Ruling: Fourth-and-10 on A40. No foul, as A1 is no longer eligible after legally being forced out of bounds.

Question 43

ACTION BY QUARTERBACK IMMEDIATELY AFTER SNAP—FAKE SPIKE/KNEEL DOWN
Second-and-10 on B25. Quarterback A1 takes the snap and then immediately: (a) fakes spiking the ball into the
ground; or (b) fakes taking a knee at the B26. A1 then throws a complete pass to A2 in the end zone.

Answer 43

Rulings:
(a) Touchdown Team A. Legal play.
(b) Third-and-11 on B26. The Referee should kill the play immediately when the QB fakes taking a knee.

Question 44

QUARTERBACK MUFFS SNAP—ATTEMPTS TO SPIKE/SPIKES BALL
Third-and-10 on B25. Quarterback A1, who wants to spike the ball to kill the clock, muffs the snap, and: (a) pushes
the ball to the ground in an attempt to spike it, and B3 falls on the ball at the B30; (b) regains possession of the ball
before it hits the ground, and immediately spikes the ball which glances off A2’s foot and hits the ground; or (c)
regains possession of the ball before it hits the ground, and immediately spikes the ball which glances off A2’s foot
and bounces up (without hitting the ground) and is intercepted by B3 at the B30 where he is tackled.

Answer 44

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. This is a muffed backward pass and a legal recovery by Team B.
(b) Fourth-and-10 on B25. Incomplete pass. There is no foul for intentional grounding or illegal touching.
(c) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. Interception since the ball never touched the ground. There is no foul for illegal
touching. (3-22)