Forward Pass/Touch

Question 1

PASS COMPLETE—NOT OUT OF BOUNDS
First-and-10 on A20. Airborne A2 controls a pass and his right foot touches the ground inbounds, then his left foot
steps on B2 at the A40, who is on the ground contacting the sideline. A2 then continues for a touchdown.

Answer 1

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. (3-21-1)

Question 2

PASS COMPLETE—NOT DOWN BY CONTACT
First-and-10 on B20. A2 jumps and controls a forward pass in the air in the end zone. Before he touches the ground
with both feet, B3 pushes A2 in the back causing A2 to lose the ball. A2 regains control of the ball in the air at the
B1, falls down at the B2, gets up, and scores.

Answer 2

Ruling: Touchdown. Not down by contact, as B3 does not contact A2 after he regains control of the pass. (7-2-1-a)

Question 3

PASS CONTROLLED—CONTACT IN AIR
Second-and-10 on A15. A1 throws a long pass to the B45 where B2 and A2 go up together trying to catch the pass.
(a) A2 and B2 collide in the air with both of them touching the ball, but only after they separate in the air does A2 get
possession of the ball; (b) A2 controls the ball in the air, but before he comes down to the ground, contact by B2 jars
the ball loose from A2’s hands. After separating from contact with B2, A2 regains control of the ball either before or
after hitting the ground; or (c) after A2 gains control of the ball in the air, he is contacted in the air by B2. In all
situations listed, A2 falls to the ground at the B45 after losing contact with B2, and then gets up (untouched) and
runs for a touchdown.

Answer 3

Rulings:
(a) Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35.
(b) Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35.
(c) First-and-10 on B45. (7-2-1-a)

Question 4

PASS COMPLETE—CONTACT IN AIR—RECEIVER LANDS ON FEET
First-and-10 on A20. A1 throws a high pass to end A2, who jumps and controls the ball in the air at the A32. B3
contacts A2 from behind and knocks him back to the A30 where he lands on his feet without anyone in contact with
him. A2 scrambles and: (a) runs to the A36 where he is downed; or (b) runs to the A28 where he is downed.

Answer 4

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on A36. If A2 breaks away, he is allowed to advance.
(b) A’s ball, second-and-2 on A28. If A2 breaks away, he is allowed to advance or lose yardage. (7-2-1-a)

Question 5

ILLEGAL CHUCK OUT OF BOUNDS—NO IMMEDIATE RETURN—ILLEGAL TOUCH OF PASS
First-and-10 on 50. Wide receiver A2 is illegally chucked out of bounds at the B40. A2 remains out of bounds and
runs down the sideline until the end zone. He then reestablishes in the end zone and catches a touchdown pass.

Answer 5

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. Offsetting fouls for illegal contact and illegally touching a pass. A2 must make
an immediate attempt to return in bounds in order to be legally the first to touch the pass. If he does not, it is a foul
for illegal touching.

Question 6

INCOMPLETE PASS—HOPS ON SAME FOOT
Second-and-5 on A40. A pass is thrown to the sideline where A2 controls the ball with one foot inbounds and hops
on the same foot inbounds prior to landing out of bounds.

Answer 6

Ruling: Third-and-5 on A40. Both feet did not touch inbounds.

Question 7

INCOMPLETE PASS—SECOND STEP ON PLAYER
First-and-10 on B25. A2 jumps up to catch a pass at the B10 and comes down near the sideline. A2’s left foot lands
on the ground, and his right foot comes down on B2 who is laying on the ground. A2’s next step is out of bounds.

Answer 7

Ruling: Second-and-10 on B25. Incomplete pass.

Question 8

INCOMPLETE PASS—ROLLS OVER ON PLAYER—LANDS OUT OF BOUNDS
First-and-10 on B25. A2 jumps up to catch a pass in the back of the end zone. He controls the ball in the air and
comes down with only one foot on the ground in the end zone as B2 tackles him. A2 lands on top of B2 in the end
zone, and in the process of being tackled, A2 rolls over on top of B2 and his arm then touches the end line.

Answer 8

Ruling: Second-and-10 on B25. Incomplete pass.

Question 9

INCOMPLETE PASS—PLAYER JUMPS FROM OUT OF BOUNDS
Second-and-10 on A40. In an effort to intercept a pass at the B45, B2, who is standing with one foot on the sideline
and the other inbounds, jumps up in the air and gains control of the ball. B2 then comes down to the ground with
both feet inbounds and carries the ball out of bounds at the B45.

Answer 9

Ruling: Third-and-10 on A40. Incomplete pass, as B2 is considered out of bounds when he touches the ball the first
time. The play is dead when B2 first touches the pass.

Question 10

PROCESS OF THE CATCH—BALL TOUCHED BY OUT OF BOUNDS PLAYER
First-and-10 on B47. A4 controls a pass near the sideline at the B23 while airborne. B3 jumps from out of bounds
and touches the ball in A4’s hands before A4 gets his second foot to the ground. After A4 comes to the ground, he
runs for a touchdown. (a) The ball was still loose when B3 touched it; or (b) the ball was held securely in A4’s hands
throughout.

Answer 10

Rulings:
(a) Second-and-10 on B47. Incomplete pass, because the ball was not in player control when it touched something
that was out of bounds.
(b) Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. The touching by B3 does not put the ball out of bounds because it was in
player control.

Note: The result is the same if this occurs in the end zone.

Question 11

PASS COMPLETE—FOOT TOUCHES PYLON
Second-and-10 on B30. A1 throws a forward pass high to A2 near the sideline. A2 controls the ball in the air and
gets one foot down inbounds. His second foot touches the pylon and then touches down in the end zone.

Answer 11

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. (3-21)

Question 12

CONTACT BEFORE/AFTER QUARTERBACK BEGINS THROWING MOTION—PASS GOES BACKWARD
Third-and-9 at the B39. Quarterback A1 sets up to pass at the B46. He is hit by B1: (a) before beginning his throwing
motion; or (b) after beginning his throwing motion. This causes A1’s body to turn, and the pass goes backward,
where it is recovered by B2 at the B49.

Answer 12

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B49. If a Team B player contacts the passer or the ball before his throwing motion of a
forward pass begins, the passer is responsible for the direction of the pass if he passes the ball.
(b) A’s ball, fourth-and-9 on B39, incomplete pass. If the contact happens after his throwing motion begins, it is a
forward pass if he passes the ball, regardless of the ball’s direction.

Question 13

QUARTERBACK “TUCK”— PASS/FUMBLE
Second-and-10 on A30. After quarterback A1’s hand has started forward in a passing motion, he sees his intended
receiver is covered and attempts to bring the ball back to his body. The ball is knocked loose by B1 and recovered
by B2 at the A25. The ball came loose: (a) before he started to tuck it back to his body; (b) as he was bringing it back
to his body; or (c) was secured against A1’s body.

Answer 13

Rulings:
(a) Third-and-10 on A30. Incomplete pass.
(b) and (c) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A25. Fumble. A1 lost the ball after he began to tuck it back to his body. (3-22-4-
Item 2)

Question 14

COMPLETE PASS—RECEIVER CARRIED OUT OF BOUNDS
Second-and-10 on B45. A1 throws a pass to A2 near the sideline. A2 goes high to catch the pass, secures
possession while in the air, and would have come down with both feet inbounds at the B30; however, B1 wraps him
up while he is still in the air and carries A2 toward the sideline where he finally comes down out of bounds: (a) at the
B28; or (b) at the B32.

Answer 14

Rulings:
(a) First-and-10 on B28 (or where the ball crossed the sideline).
(b) First-and-10 on B30. When a receiver is carried out of bounds, rather than pushed out, the pass is complete,
and the receiver gets his forward progress.

Question 15

NO FUMBLE RECOVERY—RECOVERING PLAYER FORCED OUT
First-and-10 on A25. A1 runs to the A30 where he fumbles the ball near the sideline. B1 secures control of the ball,
but before his second foot touches the ground, A2 pushes him out of bounds at the A31. B1 never bobbles or loses
control of the ball

Answer 15

Ruling: Second-and-5 on A30. Fumble forward out of bounds. The criteria for possession of a pass, or the recovery
of a backward pass or fumble, are the same.

Question 16

SIMULTANEOUS CATCH—BALL BELONGS TO OFFENSE
First-and-10 on A20. A2 and B3 simultaneously control a pass in the air at the A40. As they land, one or both players
fall to the ground with both players still in control of the ball.

Answer 16

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A40. If there is a simultaneous catch, the ball is awarded to the offense once one or
both players are on the ground, assuming neither of them lands out of bounds.

Question 17

NOT A SIMULTANEOUS CATCH—PLAYER LANDS OUT OF BOUNDS
First-and-10 on A20. A2 and B3 simultaneously control a pass in the air at the A40. As they land, (a) A2 maintains
control of the ball and lands inbounds, but B3 lands with one foot out of bounds, or (b) both players land with one
foot out of bounds.

Answer 17

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on A40. A2 maintains control of the ball and lands inbounds, so B3’s touching of the ball
while out of bounds does not make the pass incomplete. Because A2 completed the process of the catch inbounds
and B3 did not, this is a catch by A2. This is not a simultaneous catch.
(b) A’s ball, second-and-10 on A20. Incomplete pass. Neither player completed the process of the catch inbounds.

Question 18

NOT A SIMULTANEOUS CATCH—CONTROL NOT SIMULTANEOUS
First-and-10 on A20. A2 controls a pass in the air at the A40. B3 then also gets control of the ball before they land.
A2 and B3 fall down to the ground with both players controlling the ball.

Answer 18

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A40. Not a simultaneous catch as A2 first gained and retained control of the ball
once both players hit the ground.

Question 19

PASS BEYOND LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
First-and-10 on A30. Quarterback A1 scrambles to the A32 and throws a forward pass to end A2, who is tackled and
downed on the 50.

Answer 19

Ruling: Second-and-13 on A27. A forward pass from beyond the line of scrimmage is a five-yard penalty from the
spot of the pass and loss of down.

Question 20

PASS BEYOND LINE OF SCRIMMAGE - DEFENSE CONTACTS RECEIVER EARLY
First-and-10 on A30. Quarterback A1 scrambles to the A32 and throws a forward pass to end A2. B1 interferes with
A2, but A2 catches the ball and runs for a touchdown

Answer 20

Ruling: Second-and-13 on A27. Illegal forward pass. No pass interference can occur on an illegal forward pass,
unless it is a second forward pass from behind the line, or a pass thrown after the ball has crossed the line and
comes back behind the line.

Question 21

ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS—SECOND FORWARD PASS FROM A’S END ZONE
Second-and-12 on A10. Quarterback A1 has his pass batted back into his hands in the end zone. A1 then shovels
the ball forward to back A2 who is tackled at the A9.

Answer 21

Ruling: Safety. Safety kick A20. If the spot of an illegal forward pass is in Team A’s end zone it will be a safety.
Team B also has the option of declining the foul and taking the result of the play, 3-13-A9.

Question 22

ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS—BATTED BY TEAM B PLAYER
Third-and-5 on B11. Quarterback A1 hands off to back A2 who runs to the B5 where he attempts to lateral the ball
to A3, but the ball goes forward to the B4-yard line where B2 bats the ball in the air into the end zone. B3 then falls
on the ball.

Answer 22

Ruling: Fourth-and-4 on B10. An illegal forward pass by A2 is incomplete when it hits the ground. Five yards and
loss of down from the spot of the pass. A forward pass, legal or illegal, may be batted in any direction by any eligible
player.

Question 23

PUNT TOUCHED BEYOND LINE BY B—RECOVERED BY A BEHIND LINE —FORWARD PASS
Fourth-and-5 on A30. The punt is partially blocked by B1 and rolls to the A32 where B2 tries to pick it up, but B2
muffs it, and it rolls back to the A27. A1 picks up the ball there, sees end A3 at the A40, and throws him the ball. A3
catches the ball at the A40 and runs to the B25 where he is tackled.

Answer 23

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A22. A’s pass was illegal, but when Team A recovered the ball after Team B touched
it beyond the line, a new series of downs started for Team A. It keeps the ball after enforcement.

Question 24

ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS—COMPLETE—FUMBLED
Fourth-and-5 on A30. The punt is partially blocked by B1. The ball rolls to the A32 where B2 tries to pick it up, but it
gets away and rolls back to the A27. A1 picks up the ball there and throws to A3 at the A40. A3 catches the ball at
the A40 and runs to the B25 where he is stripped of the ball by B3, who recovers there.

Answer 24

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on the B25. Illegal forward pass, but the play continues after it was caught by A3, and
Team B would decline the foul for the illegal forward pass and keep the ball.

Question 25

ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS—NOT FROM SCRIMMAGE—NO DPI
Fourth-and-5 on A30. The punt is partially blocked by B1. The ball rolls to the A32 where B2 tries to pick it up, but it
gets away and rolls back to the A27. A1 picks up the ball there, sees end A2 at the A40, and throws him the ball. B1
interferes with A2 as he is reaching for the forward pass. B1 intercepts and runs for a touchdown.

Answer 25

Ruling: Touchdown Team B. Kickoff B35. No foul by B1, as the pass was “not from scrimmage,” since the LOS went
away when B2 touched the kick beyond the line. Team B will decline the foul for A1’s illegal forward pass for throwing
a forward pass after a change of possession.

Note: Had the ball not been touched by Team B beyond the line, and simply rolled back behind it on its own, in
addition to an illegal forward pass by A1, this would also be defensive pass interference by B1, because the line of
scrimmage would still exist. The fouls would offset, and the down would be replayed.

Question 26

ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS FROM BEHIND THE LINE—DEFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE
Third-and-10 on A30. During a forward pass that was thrown after A1 had crossed the line and then returned behind
it, B1 interferes with receiver A2 at the A45. The pass is complete to A2 who is tackled at the 50.

Answer 26

Ruling: Third-and-10 on A30. Illegal forward pass and defensive pass interference fouls offset. Pass interference,
roughing the passer, and intentional grounding rules apply on legal or illegal passes thrown from behind the line of
scrimmage. They do not apply on illegal passes thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage or when there is no line
of scrimmage.

Question 27

FORWARD PASS—CAUGHT BY INELIGIBLE IN TEAM A’S END ZONE
First-and-10 on A5. A1 drops back into his end zone and sets up a screen pass. A1 throws the ball to eligible A2,
but ineligible A5 catches it in the end zone and is tackled there.

Answer 27

Ruling: Safety. Safety kick A20. Foul for illegal touching of a pass. The play results in a safety so the foul would be
declined. If this were the last play of either half, Team B could request a safety kick from the A20 as the foul also
resulted in a safety.

Question 28

FORWARD PASS—CAUGHT BY INELIGIBLE IN TEAM A’S END ZONE—ADVANCE
First-and-10 on A6. A1 drops back into his end zone and throws a screen pass to eligible receiver A2, but ineligible
A5 catches it in the end zone and is tackled at (a) the A2; or (b) the A16.

Answer 28

Rulings:
(a) and (b) Safety. Safety kick A20. Illegal touching of a pass in the receiver’s own end zone, but the play is not dead
when the pass is caught.

Question 29

SECOND FORWARD PASS FROM TEAM A’S END ZONE—PASS INTERFERENCE
Second-and-10 on A10. Quarterback A1 drops back into his end zone and has his forward pass batted back into his
hands by B1. A1 throws another pass from the end zone to A3 at the A20. A3 is about to catch the pass when B4
interferes with A3. The pass falls incomplete.

Answer 29

Ruling: A’s ball, second-and-10 on A10. Illegal forward pass and defensive pass interference offset at the previous
spot. Pass interference rules apply when a pass, (legal or illegal), is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.

Question 30

ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS AFTER INTERCEPTION IN TEAM B’S END ZONE
Second-and-10 on B15. On the last play of the first half, A1 throws a forward pass which B1 intercepts in the end
zone and runs out to the B3. As he is being tackled, B1 throws a backward pass to B2. After catching the pass, B2,
while running in the end zone, attempts a backward pass to B3 that goes forward and hits the ground.

Answer 30

Ruling: Safety. Since the safety was the result of a foul, Team A has the option to extend the period for a safety kick
from the B20.

Question 31

ELIGIBLE RECEIVER—ILLEGALLY CHUCKED OUT OF BOUNDS—PASS INTERFERENCE
Third-and-5 on B40. End A2 is illegally chucked out of bounds at the B30, immediately returns inbounds, and is
interfered with by B2 at the B25, while the pass is in the air. B2 intercepts the ball and is tackled at the B40.

Answer 31

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B25. Since A2 was illegally contacted out of bounds, he is an eligible receiver as
soon as he re-establishes, and this is defensive pass interference. Decline the illegal contact penalty. A2 must make
an immediate attempt to return inbounds in order to be eligible.

Question 32

ILLEGALLY CHUCKED OUT OF BOUNDS—RE-ESTABLISHES—FIRST TO TOUCH
Third-and-5 on B40. End A2 is illegally chucked out of bounds at the B30, immediately re-establishes inbounds,
catches a pass at the B25, and runs for a touchdown.

Answer 32

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. An eligible receiver forced out of bounds illegally can be the first to touch
a pass, provided he makes an immediate attempt to return inbounds and is inbounds when he first touches the pass.
Decline the illegal contact penalty.

Question 33

RECEIVER LEGALLY CHUCKED OUT OF BOUNDS—NO PASS INTERFERENCE
Second-and-10 on A30. A3 is pushed out of bounds at the A34, and the pass is then thrown to him. He re-enters,
gets both feet down, and reaches for the pass. B4 pushes A3 away from the ball and intercepts it. B4 runs it back to
the A20 where he is downed.

Answer 33

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A20. There can be no pass interference on A3, as he is an ineligible receiver.

Question 34

RECEIVER OUT OF BOUNDS—FIRST TO TOUCH PASS
Second-and-10 on A30. A3 is pushed out of bounds at the A34. He jumps from out of bounds and touches the pass
before he gets both feet down. A3 catches the pass and runs to the A40 where he is downed.

Answer 34

Ruling: Third-and-10 on A30. A3 is out of bounds because he did not re-establish before touching the ball. The pass
is incomplete as soon as A3 touches it.

Question 35

RECEIVER OUT OF BOUNDS—RE-ESTABLISHES—LEGAL TOUCHING
First-and-10 on B25. Wide receiver A2 muffs a forward pass up into the air near the sideline, then steps out of
bounds, re-establishes inbounds, and then completes the catch at the B10 where he is tackled.

Answer 35

Ruling: First-and-10 on B10. Completed pass. Once the pass is touched legally, all players become eligible, even
if they step out of bounds, as long as they re-establish before touching the pass.

Question 36

RECEIVER OUT OF BOUNDS—ILLEGAL TOUCH—OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE
Second-and-10 on A30. A3 is pushed out of bounds at the A34. He re-establishes and interferes with B4’s opportunity
to intercept the pass by pushing him away from the ball. A3 catches the pass and runs to the A40.

Answer 36

Ruling: Second-and-20 on A20. Decline the foul for illegal touching and enforce the foul for offensive pass
interference; or third-and-10 on A30. Decline the foul for offensive pass interference and enforce the foul for illegal
touching.

Question 37

PASS TOUCHES INELIGIBLE RECEIVER—NOT INTENTIONAL
Second-and-10 on A30. A1 throws a forward pass that glances off tackle A5 at the A28 and is then caught by end
A2 at the A40 where he fumbles and B1 recovers.

Answer 37

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A40. There is no foul for illegal touching, as the touching by A5 was unintentional.

Question 38

PASS TOUCHES INELIGIBLE RECEIVER BEHIND LINE
Fourth-and-8 on B12. On a fake field-goal attempt, holder A1 throws a screen pass that accidentally hits guard A6’s
helmet at the B14. Back A2 pushes B2 out of the way at the B14, catches the ball, and runs it into the end zone.

Answer 38

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. There is no foul for the unintentional touching of a forward pass. There can be no
offensive pass interference behind the line of scrimmage or after the ball is touched.

Question 39

ILLEGAL TOUCH—ILLEGAL CONTACT
Third-and-5 on 50. End A2 is illegally chucked out of bounds at the B40. He returns immediately inbounds, but after
several steps, he voluntarily goes out of bounds at the B35. He re-establishes inbounds, catches a pass, and runs
for a touchdown

Answer 39

Ruling: Third-and-5 on 50. The illegal touch and illegal contact offset. The ball is alive until the end of the play.