Instant Replay - Kicks, Runs, Fumbles

Question 1

On a free kick, until the ball is legally possessed, replay can review the touching of the kick (including illegal touching, which team
touched the kick first, and whether the ball was touched before it went out of bounds), whether the ball hit a boundary line, pylon,
or the ground, the recovery of a free kick, and momentum/touchback. Formations are not reviewable. Once the kick is possessed, it becomes a running play, and those guidelines apply.

Answer 1

When on-field officials award possession to the kicking team at the end of
any free kick down, including when that ruling is negated by a foul, it is an automatic Replay Official review.

Question 2

Illegal touch after being out of bounds
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball is rolling loose at the sideline at the B40. A1 goes out of bounds, re-establishes, and is the first
to touch at the B40 where he recovers the ball. There are no flags on the play.

Answer 2

Ruling: Reviewable, re-kick A30. Illegal touching by A1. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 3

Illegal touch before ball goes 10 yards
With 6 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, on an onside kick attempt from the A35, the ball is touched first: (a) by A2 at the
A40 and then is recovered by A3 at the A45; or (b) by B2 at the A40 and then is recovered by A3 at the A45. Officials award the
ball to Team A at A45.

Answer 3

Rulings:
(a) Reviewable. B’s ball, first-and-10 on A40, illegal touching by A2.
(b) Reviewable. A’s ball, first-and-10 on A45.

Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of these plays because the kicking team was awarded possession at the end of a
free kick down.

Question 4

Legal touching of onside kick
Team A attempts an onside kick from the A35. A1 has his feet at the A44 when he picks up the ball that is on the ground at the
A46. Officials rule illegal touching.

Answer 4

Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A46. No foul because the ball was touched after it reached B’s restraining line. This
play would need to be challenged by a head coach if it occurred before the two-minute warning, because on-field officials did not
rule a legal recovery by the kicking team.

Question 5

Kick touched before going out of bounds
On a kickoff to start the game, the ball is rolling loose at the B12-yard line. The ball rolls out of bounds at the B10-yard line after
touching B1’s foot. Officials rule kickoff out of bounds

Answer 5

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B10. Touching of a kick.

Question 6

Kick not touched in field of play—Kickoff out of bounds
Team A kicks off and the ball goes between the legs of kick returner B3 without touching him and out of bounds at the B5-yard
line. Officials rule the ball touched B3 and spot the ball at the B5.

Answer 6

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B40. Kickoff out of bounds. Reset game clock to the time of the kickoff.

Question 7

Player straddling sideline—Kickoff out of bounds
Team A kicks off and the airborne ball comes down near the sideline at the B5-yard line where B9 catches it with one foot on the
sideline and another in the field of play. Officials rule that B9 was inbounds when he touched the ball and spot it at the B5.

Answer 7

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B40. Kickoff out of bounds. Reset game clock to the time of the kickoff.

Question 8

Ball touching pylon
Team A kicks off and the ball hits the outside edge of the goal line pylon and then goes out of bounds. Officials rule the ball did
not hit the pylon and that it is a kickoff out of bounds, B’s ball on B40.

Answer 8

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B25. Touchback. Replay can review whether the ball hit a pylon.

Question 9

Ball touching sideline
Team A kicks off and the ball hits the sideline at the B15-yard line and bounces back towards the middle of the field where A2 falls
on it. Officials rule that the ball did not hit the sideline at the B15 and award possession to A.

Answer 9

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B40. Reset game clock to the time of the kickoff. Only the Replay Official can initiate
a review of this play

Question 10

Officials rule ball hit sideline, clear recovery by Team A
Team A kicks off and the ball lands near the sideline at the B15-yard line and bounces back towards the middle of the field where
A2 falls on it at the B17. Officials rule that the ball hit the sideline at the B15, kick off out of bounds. Replays show the ball did not
touch the sideline.

Answer 10

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B17. If there is a clear recovery in the continuing action after the ball hit the ground,
then replay can award the ball to the recovering team at that spot.

Question 11

Recovery at sideline
Team A kicks off and the ball lands near the sideline at the B15-yard line. A2 recovers it there with his left leg touching the sideline.
Officials award the ball to Team A at the B15.

Answer 11

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B40. Kickoff out of bounds. Replay can review whether a player recovered a kick
inbounds. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 12

Recovery in end zone
B9 muffs A’s kickoff at the B2. The ball goes into the end zone where B2 and A4 jump on the loose ball. B2 clearly possesses it
while on the ground. A4 then pulls it away from him. Officials award possession to A for a TD.

Answer 12

Ruling: Reviewable, B’s ball first-and-10 on B25. Touchback. The recovery between two or more players is reviewable in the end
zone or field of play. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 13

Recovery of a kick in the field of play
On an onside kick attempt from the A35, A1 leaps in the air and grabs the ball at the A47-yard line and goes to the ground with it.
A1 maintains control of the ball through his initial contact with the ground, and then B2 then pulls the ball away from A1. The
officials rule A1 never had possession and give the ball to Team B.

Answer 13

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A47. Possession of a loose ball in the field of play is reviewable. This applies to
fumbles, forward/backward passes, and kicks.

Question 14

Kick hitting ground off the tee
A1 attempts an onside kick from the A35. The ball hits the ground as soon as it leaves the tee and bounds high in the air to the
A48 where B2 signals for a fair catch. (a) A2 hits B2 before the ball arrives and A3 recovers the ball at the A48, and officials rule
fair catch interference; (b) B2 catches the ball, and officials rule a valid fair catch.

Answer 14

Ruling: Reviewable. Whether the ball hit the ground off the tee is reviewable. Once the ball hits the ground, a fair catch is no
longer allowed. (a) A’s ball first-and-10 on A48, no foul for fair catch interference; only the Replay Official can initiate a review of
this play; (b) B’s ball first-and-10 on B47, invalid fair catch signal.

Question 15

Blocking by kickers before touch
On an onside kick attempt, before the ball travels 10 yards, A1 blocks passive player B1 at the A40-yard line enabling his teammate
to recover. Officials give possession to Team A with no flag.

Answer 15

Ruling: Not reviewable.

Question 16

A.R. 15.15 Spot of kick out of bounds near goal line
Team A kicks off and the ball lands at the B3. It bounces high into the air before going out of bounds untouched at the B1. Officials
rule touchback.

Answer 16

Ruling: Not reviewable. Replay can only review whether the ball touches a player, a boundary line, the pylon, the ground, or
anything on a boundary line. Where an airborne kick crossed the sideline is not reviewable.

Question 17

First touched by Team B
Fourth-and-10 on A40. Team A punts and the ball is rolling loose and is downed by A1 on the B10-yard line. The officials rule first
touching by A1 and award the ball to the receivers. Replays show the punted ball grazed off the fingertips of B1 at the B13-yard
line before the recovery by A1.

Answer 17

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-goal on B10. This is a coach’s challenge because the receiving team was awarded
possession on the field.

Question 18

First touched by Team A
Fourth-and-10 on A40. A1 recovers a punted ball at the B10-yard line ruled to have been touched by B1 on the B15-yard line.
Replays show that the ball did not touch B1.

Answer 18

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B10. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 19

Touch with fair catch signal
Fourth-and-7 on A35. B1 signals for a fair catch. The ball hits the ground near A4 and then bounces to the B35-yard line where
B2 picks it up and returns it for a TD. The officials rule A4 touched the ball making B2’s advance legal. Replays show the ball did
not touch A4.

Answer 19

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B35. Since A did not touch the ball, it is dead when B2 possessed it. Reset the clock
to the time when B2 recovered the ball. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 20

Touching of kick beyond line of scrimmage
Fourth-and-9 on A10. A1’s punt is partially blocked and goes to the A13 where it rebounds, untouched, to the A11. A1 recovers
the loose ball at the A11 and runs to the A26. Officials rule that A1 recovered the ball behind the line of scrimmage and award the
ball to Team A at the A26.

Answer 20

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on A11. Replay can review the spot of A1’s touching in relation to the line of scrimmage.
Reset the clock to the time when A1 recovered the loose ball. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 21

Touching of kick before running into the kicker
Fourth-and-3 on B45. A1’s punt goes out of bounds at the B35. B1 is called for running into the kicker. Replays show that B1
tipped the ball before running into the punter.

Answer 21

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B35. If the ball is touched before contact with the kicker, there is no foul for running
into the kicker. This is a coach’s challenge because the receiving team was awarded possession on the field before the foul was
enforced.

Question 22

Touching before roughing the kicker
Fourth-and-19 on B40. A1’s punt goes out of bounds at the B30. B1 is called for roughing the kicker. Replays show that B1 tipped
the ball before roughing the punter

Answer 22

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B30. The touching is reviewable and negates the penalty. If the Referee considers
the action to be unnecessary roughness, the Referee should tell the challenging coach or the Replay Official and announce that
the play will not be reviewed for that reason. This is a coach’s challenge because the receiving team was awarded possession on
the field before the foul was enforced.

Question 23

A.R. 15.22 Touched in field of play
Fourth-and-7 on B42. A’s punt hits on the 1-yard line and bounces in the air toward the end zone. A1 leaps from the field of play
and while airborne bats the ball back to A3 at the 2-yard line. Officials rule touchback. Replays show that A1 did not touch the goal
line before he contacted the ball.

Answer 23

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B2. If spot where A1 left his feet in field of play is more advantageous to receiving
team the ball will be placed there.

Question 24

Touched in end zone
Fourth-and-7 on B42. A’s punt hits on the 1-yard line and bounces in the air toward the end zone. A1 leaps near the goal line and
bats the ball to A3 at the 2-yard line. Officials rule ball dead at 2-yard line. Replays show that A1 stepped on the goal line before
touching the ball.

Answer 24

Ruling: Reviewable. Touchback. B’s ball first-and-10 on B20. Reset the clock to the time when A1 touched the ball.

Question 25

Player does not re-establish
Fourth-and-15 on B40. A2 goes into the end zone and then returns to the field of play to down the ball at the B1-yard line. Replays
show that A2 only had one foot down in the field of play before touching the ball. Officials rule the ball dead at the 1-yard line.

Answer 25

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B20, touchback. A2 must re-establish in the field of play with both feet or any body
part other than his hands before he touches the ball.

Question 26

Ball hitting the goal line
Fourth-and-20 on B40. Punted ball hits the goal line and bounces to the B3-yard line, where it is downed by A1. Officials give the
ball to B at the 3-yard line

Answer 26

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B20, touchback. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the goal line. Ball is
dead when it hits in the end zone. Whether a ball touched the goal line is reviewable.

Question 27

Player out of bounds coming back in and touching kick
Fourth-and-17 on A40. A1’s punt goes over the head of receiver B1 and rolls to the B9-yard line where A2 is the first to touch the
kick. Officials rule that A2 did not step on sideline during the play and give ball to B at the B9-yard line. Replays show A2 touching
the sideline at the 50 before touching the ball.

Answer 27

Ruling: Reviewable. Illegal touching of kick. Receiving team has option for re-kick, A’s ball fourth-and-22 on A35, or B’s ball firstand-10 on B14.

Question 28

Illegal touching inside 5-yard line
Fourth-and-9 on 50. A2 touches the sideline while running downfield to cover a punt and downs the ball at the B3-yard line.
Officials rule that A2 was not out of bounds and give the ball to B at the 3-yard line.

Answer 28

Ruling: Reviewable. Illegal touching on A. Receiving team has option for re-kick, A’s ball fourth-and-14 on A45 or B’s ball firstand-10 on B20. If the illegal touching is inside the 5-yard line, B has the option of taking an awarded touchback, instead of the
five-yard penalty

Question 29

No illegal touching, ball first touched by Team B
Fourth-and-7 on A23. A2 touches the sideline while running downfield to cover the punt. B1 muffs the punt and A2 recovers at the B30-yard line. Officials penalize A2 for illegal touching of a kick. Team A challenges that B1 was the first to touch the kick.

Answer 29

Ruling: Reviewable. Touching of kick by B1 allows A2 to legally recover. A’s ball first-and-10 on B30. Team A’s challenge is
successful, and it is not charged a timeout.

Question 30

A.R. 15.29 Ball hitting sideline
Fourth-and-9 on A25. A1 punts and the ball hits the sideline at the B27 and bounces back into the field of play where B2 picks it
up and runs for a touchdown. Officials award TD to B.

Answer 30

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B27. Reset the clock to the time when the ball hit the sideline. Only the Replay Official
can initiate a review of this play.

Question 31

Ball does not hit sideline
Fourth-and-9 on A25. A1 punts and the ball is muffed by B2 at the B25. The ball hits near the sideline and is recovered by A3 at
the B23. Officials rule the ball hit the sideline at the B25 and award possession to Team B there. Replays show the ball did not hit
the sideline.

Answer 31

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B23. There must be a clear recovery in the immediate continuing action to give the
ball to the recovering team.

Question 32

No clear recovery in the immediate continuing action
Fourth-and-9 on A25. A1 punts and the ball lands near the sideline at the B35 and then bounces to the B5 where it is eventually
downed by A3. Officials rule the ball hit the sideline at the B35 and spot the ball there. Replays show that the ball did not touch
the sideline.

Answer 32

Ruling: Reviewable, but the recovery must occur in the immediate continuing action to change the ruling. If players did not
continue to play through the recovery, then it is B’s ball first-and-10 on B35.

Question 33

Recovery at sideline
Fourth-and-9 on A25. A1 punts and the ball is muffed by B2 at the B25. A2 recovers the ball there with one foot on the sideline.
Officials award possession to A.

Answer 33

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B25. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 34

Ball hitting guide wire
Fourth-and-4 on A33. A1 punts and the ball hits the guide wire for an overhead camera and lands at the B48 where it is downed
by A20. Officials spot the ball there.

Answer 34

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball fourth-and-4 on A33. Reset the clock to the time at the snap and start on snap.

Question 35

Ball hitting the ground before reaching the punter
Fourth-and-11 on B45. B1 is called for running into the kicker. Replays show the ball hit the ground before the punter caught it.

Answer 35

Ruling: Reviewable. Whether the ball hit the ground in the field of play before being touched is reviewable, and the flag for running
into the kicker is picked up. Similarly, if the Referee ruled that there was no foul because the ball hit the ground, replay can create
the foul if replays show that the ball did not hit the ground.

Question 36

Possession of a punt
Fourth-and-10 on A20. B1 attempts to field a punt, but loses the ball at the B40-yard line. A3 recovers there. The officials rule
fumble, and A3 is allowed to advance for a touchdown. Replays show that B1 never had control of the ball before it hit the ground.

Answer 36

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B40. Whether a punt is muffed or fumbled is reviewable. Reset the clock to when A3
recovered the ball. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 37

Possession of a punt
Fourth-and-10 on A20. B1 attempts to field a punt, but fumbles the ball at the B40. A3 recovers there and advances the ball across
B’s goal line. Officials rule that B3 muffed the ball and kill the play when A3 recovers it.

Answer 37

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B40. Whether the punt was muffed or fumbled is reviewable, but no advance can be
given. The touching of the kick by B1 is also reviewable. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 38

Spot of untouched kick out of bounds
Fourth-and-5 on A45. A’s airborne punt goes out of bounds untouched at the 9-yard line. Officials mark the ball at the 4-yard line

Answer 38

Ruling: Not reviewable. The spot where an airborne kick crosses the sideline is not reviewable.

Question 39

Blocking into a kicked ball
Fourth-and-8 on A33. A’s punt is rolling at the B31 where A1 blocks passive player B1 into the ball. A2 picks up the ball and the
officials award possession to A.

Answer 39

Ruling: Not reviewable. While touching of a kick is reviewable, being blocked into a kicked ball is not. Replay can review the touch
by B and possession by A.

Question 40

Invalid fair catch signal
Fourth-and-5 on A35. On a punted ball B1, who is standing at the B30-yard line, extends his right arm straight up in the air for a
second and brings it back down. B1 is awarded with a valid fair catch.

Answer 40

Ruling: Not reviewable. Fair catch signal is not reviewable.

Question 41

Fair catch interference
Fourth-and-18 on A40. B1 signals for a fair catch, but is contacted by A1 before he can catch the ball. The ball bounces off B1 to
the B35. A1 recovers the ball there and the officials award Team A possession with no flags on the play.

Answer 41

Ruling: Not reviewable. The action that creates a foul for fair catch interference or interference with the opportunity is not
reviewable. The only reviewable aspect of this play is whether B1 touched the ball and whether A1 recovered it.

Question 42

Advance by fair catch signaler
Fourth-and-7 on A35. B1 signals for a fair catch. The ball hits the ground and bounces to B1 who scores a TD.

Answer 42

Ruling: Not reviewable. A fair catch signal is not reviewable.

Question 43

Line to gain in field of play
Third-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs close to the first down marker. Officials spot the ball at the 29 even though A1
had the ball extended to the 31-yard line when his knee hit at the 29.

Answer 43

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A31.

Question 44

Line to gain at the sideline
Third-and-4 on A36. A1 runs near the sideline and is pushed out of bounds at the A40. Officials rule that the ball crossed the
sideline at the A39 and make it fourth down. Replays show that the ball crossed the sideline at the A41.

Answer 44

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A41.

Question 45

Line to gain at the sideline, player ruled out of bounds
Third-and-5 on A35. A1 runs near the sideline and officials rule that he stepped out of bounds at the A39 and spot the ball there.
Replays show that A1 did not step out of bounds at the A39, and when his foot was near the sideline, the ball was at the A40.

Answer 45

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A40. Whether A1 stepped out of bounds at the A39 is not reviewable. However, the
spot of the ball when A1 was ruled out of bounds is reviewable in relation to the line to gain.

Question 46

Forward progress related to line to gain
Third-and-10 on B20. A1 runs to the B9-yard line and then gets driven back by defenders. Officials rule forward progress was
stopped at the 11-yard line.

Answer 46

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-goal on B9. When on-field officials rule that a runner’s forward progress was stopped, the
ball is spotted at its furthest point before the runner was driven backward.

Question 47

Re-spotting of ball
Third-and-3 on A40. A2 takes a handoff and is tackled near the line to gain. The officials spot the ball at the A41. Team A challenges
that the ball reached the line to gain. Replays show the correct spot was at the A42.

Answer 47

Ruling: Reviewable play. A’s ball, fourth-and-1 on A42. The ball is re-spotted at the A42, but since the line to gain was not reached
Team A loses the challenge and is charged a timeout.

Question 48

Forward progress near sideline
Second-and-3 on B43. QBA1 throws a forward pass to A2 at the B40 where he is contacted by B3. A2 runs forward to the B39
and is then driven backwards and out of bounds at the B41. Officials rule A2 out of bounds, stop the clock and mark the ball short
of the line to gain at the B41. Team A wants to challenge that the forward progress of A2 was stopped beyond the line to gain.

Answer 48

Ruling: Not reviewable. A’s ball third-and-1 on B41. An on-field ruling regarding whether the runner’s forward progress was
stopped in the field of play is not reviewable. However, if officials rule that forward progress was stopped in the field of play, the
spot of forward progress in relation to the line to gain or the goal line is reviewable.

Question 49

Runner down by contact
First-and-10 on A30. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A40-yard line where he is hit by a defender and his right knee hits the
ground, but he continues to run and is eventually tackled at the B43-yard line. Officials rule the runner down at the B43.

Answer 49

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A40, reset game clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind on the
ready-for-play.

Question 50

Runner down by contact
First-and-10 on A30. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A45 where he is hit by B3 causing him to stumble and before he can
regain his balance, he goes to the ground at the 50 where he gets up and advances to the B20.

Answer 50

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A50, reset game clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind on the
ready-for-play. If the runner does not regain his balance after being contacted by a defender, he is down by contact when a body
part other than his hands or feet touch the ground.

Question 51

Receiver down by contact
First-and-10 on A30. A2 jumps to catch a pass at the B38 and controls the ball while airborne. B2 jumps to try to bat the pass
down and contacts A2. They separate and A2 goes to the ground. He immediately gets up and advances the ball for a TD, which
the officials allow.

Answer 51

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B38, reset game clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind on the
ready-for-play. If the contact occurs after the receiver gains control of the ball, then he is down by contact when a body part, other
than his hands or feet, touches the ground. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 52

Runner not down by contact while going to the ground
First-and-10 on 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the B40 where he is hit by B3, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground
at the B37. Officials rule that A2’s knee touched the ground at the B40 when he was hit. Replays show that A2’s knee did not
touch the ground at the B40.

Answer 52

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B37, reset game clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind on the
ready-for-play. Successful challenge. Whether a runner was down by contact is reviewable. If a runner is ruled down-by-contact
while falling or stumbling, the ball can be placed at the correct down-by-contact spot if replays show that he was not initially down
by contact. No advance after the runner regains his balance is allowed.

Question 53

Runner stepping out of bounds
First-and-10 on A30. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the B24-yard line where he is pushed out of bounds. Replays show that A2
stepped on the sideline at the B42-yard line.

Answer 53

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B42. Reset clock to when A2 stepped out of bounds

Question 54

Line to gain
Third-and-6 on B46. A1 runs to the B40 and gets hit, causing his helmet to come off. Officials kill the play and spot the ball at the
B41. Replays show that the ball was at the B40 when the helmet came completely off his head.

Answer 54

Ruling: Reviewable Play. A’s ball first-and-10 on B40. The helmet coming off is treated just like down by contact.

Question 55

Down by contact
First-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A25 where he is hit by B3 causing him to stumble and his left knee
appears to hit the ground at the A28, but he regains his balance and runs out of bounds at the A40. Officials rule the runner down
at the A28. Replays show that he was not down.

Answer 55

Ruling: Not reviewable. A’s ball second-and-2 on A28. On this type of play, once a player is ruled down by contact, replay cannot
award any further advance.

Question 56

Runner stepping out of bounds
Second-and-10 on A10. A2 takes a handoff and the officials’ rule that he steps out of bounds at the A16-yard line. Replays show
that A2 did not step out at the A16.

Answer 56

Ruling: Not reviewable. A’s ball third-and-4 on A16.

Question 57

Forward progress not involved with line to gain or goal line
Third-and-3 on B43. A2 takes a handoff, and his forward progress is stopped near the line to gain. The officials spot the ball at the
B41, resulting in fourth down. Replays show that the ball was at the B42 when A2’s forward progress was stopped. Team B’s
coach wants to challenge that the ball should have been spotted at the B42.

Answer 57

Ruling: Not reviewable. Team B could challenge that the ball was short of the line to gain if officials ruled a first down, but it cannot
challenge the spot of the ball when officials ruled the ball short of the line to gain. If Team A challenged the line to gain ruling, the
ball would be placed at the B42, and the challenge would be unsuccessful.

Question 58

Runner down before fumble
First-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A25 where he is hit by a defender and loses the ball and B1 recovers.
Officials rule fumble and give possession to B. A1’s left knee hit the ground before he lost the ball.

Answer 58

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-5 on A25, reset game clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind on the
ready-for-play. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 59

Runner not down, back of hand or wrist touches
First-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A25 where he is hit by a defender and loses the ball and B1 recovers.
Officials rule fumble and give possession to B. The back of A2’s hand and wrist touched the ground before he lost control of it.

Answer 59

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on A25. Any part of the hand or wrist does not put a player down. Any part of the arm
above the wrist will put a player down. The same holds true for the foot or the ankle. It must be above the ankle (shin/calf) to put
a player down. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 60

Runner down, any body part other than hand or foot touches
First-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A25 where he is hit by a defender and loses the ball and B1 recovers.
Officials rule fumble and give possession to B. A2’s left shin hit the ground before he lost control of the ball.

Answer 60

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-5 on A25, reset game clock to the time when A2 was down by contact, and wind on the
ready-for-play. Any part of the leg above the ankle will put a player down. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 61

Runner out of bounds before fumble
First-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A35 near the sideline where he is hit by a defender and loses the ball
and B1 recovers. The officials rule fumble and give possession to B. A2’s left foot was out of bounds before he lost the ball.

Answer 61

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A35, reset game clock to the time when A2 stepped out of bounds. Only the Replay
Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 62

Runner fumbled, clear recovery
First-and-10 on 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the B40 where he loses the ball and B1 recovers at the B42 and advances into
A’s end zone. Officials rule A2 was down by contact at the B40. Replays show that A2 lost the ball before he was down by contact.

Answer 62

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B42. Replay can give the ball to B, but cannot award an advance. Reset the clock to
the time when B1 recovered the ball.

Question 63

Runner fumbled – Officials make preliminary ruling of recovery
First-and-10 on 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the B42 where he loses the ball and several players from both teams attempt
to recover it in a pile at the B42. The Referee ruled that B1 recovered the loose ball at the B42, but the Line Judge ruled that A2
was down by contact before the ball came loose. Replays show that A2 fumbled before he was down by contact. Team B
challenges the play.

Answer 63

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B42, Team B is not charged with a timeout. When on-field officials make a preliminary
ruling of which team recovered the ball, that preliminary ruling constitutes a clear recovery. If officials do not make a preliminary
ruling of recovery and there is no video evidence of a clear recovery, the ball remains with Team A at the original down by contact spot, and the defense loses the challenge and a timeout. A player coming out of a pile with the ball is not a clear recovery. If the
players piled on the ball are all from the same team, then it is a clear recovery.

Question 64

Fumble following interception, no clear recovery in end zone
Second-and-5 on B25. On the first series of Overtime, QBA1 throws a long pass to A2, which is intercepted by B1 in the end zone.
B1 runs the ball out to the B5-yard line, where he is tackled by A2 and ruled down by contact. During the tackle, the ball comes
loose and rolls into the end zone where players from both teams attempt to recover the ball in a pile of players. Replays show that
B1 fumbled the ball before he was down by contact. The Replay Official challenges the play.

Answer 64

Ruling: Reviewable. Safety. Game over. Team A wins. There is no clear recovery by Team A, so a touchdown cannot be
awarded. However, someone recovered the ball in the end zone, so it is at least a safety. The on-field ruling of down by contact
is therefore reversed to a safety. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 65

Runner fumbled, touchback
First-and-goal on B5. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the B1 near the goal line pylon. He gets hit and fumbles the ball through the
end zone before he is down by contact. The officials rule A2 down at the B1.

Answer 65

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B20, reset clock to the time when the ball touches out of bounds. If there is clear
visual evidence that the ball went out of bounds through the end zone in the continuing action after the fumble, then replay can
make it a touchback.

Question 66

Runner fumbled, clear recovery
First-and-10 on 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the B40 where he loses the ball and B1 recovers at the B42 and advances into
A’s end zone. Officials rule that A2 was out of bounds at the B40. A2 lost possession before he was out of bounds.

Answer 66

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B42. Replay can give the ball to Team B, but no advance is given. Reset game clock
to the time when B1 recovered the ball. There must be video evidence of a clear recovery inbounds or the ruling on the field
stands.

Question 67

Runner fumbled, touchback
First-and-goal on B5. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the B1 near the goal line pylon. He gets hit and fumbles the ball through the
end zone. The officials rule A2 out of bounds at the B1. Replays show that A2 did not step out of bounds before the fumble.

Answer 67

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B20. Reset game clock to the time when the ball touched the ground out of bounds.
If there is clear visual evidence that A2 did not step out of bounds before the fumble and the ball went out of bounds through the
end zone in the continuing action after the fumble, replay can make it a touchback.

Question 68

Fumble backward out of bounds
First-and-10 on A5. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A7 near the sideline. He gets hit and loses the ball which goes out of
bounds at the A1. The officials rule A2 out of bounds at the A7. Replays show that A2 lost the ball before he stepped out of bounds.

Answer 68

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-14 on A1. In this play, if there is clear visual evidence that the ball went out of bounds
in the field of play, then replay can put it at that spot after the review. If there is no video evidence that the ball went out of bounds
in the field of play or through the end zone, then the ruling on the field stands.

Question 69

Helmet comes off before fumble
First-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A25 where he is hit by a defender and loses the ball and B1 recovers.
Officials rule fumble and give possession to B. A1’s helmet came completely off his head before he lost control of the ball.

Answer 69

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-5 on A25, reset clock to the time when A1’s helmet came completely off his head. Only
the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play

Question 70

Fumble before helmet comes off
First-and-10 on A20. A2 takes a handoff and runs to the A25 where he is hit by a defender and loses the ball and B1 clearly
recovers. Officials rule that A1’s helmet came completely off before he lost control of the ball. Replays show that the ball was loose
before the helmet came off.

Answer 70

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on A25, reset the clock to when B1 recovered the ball. There must be a clear recovery
in the continuing action after the fumble to give the ball to the recovering team.

Question 71

Loose ball recovery in field of play
First-and-10 on 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs up the middle to the B47 and fumbles. Replays show that B1 recovers in the field
of play and is contacted by an opponent. Officials rule that A3 recovered.

Answer 71

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B47, reset clock to the time when B1 recovered the ball. Possession of a loose ball
between opponents is reviewable in the field of play and the end zone.

Question 72

Simultaneous recovery of loose ball
First-and-10 on A20. A2 runs to the A25 and fumbles. Replays show that A1 and B1 recover simultaneously in the middle of the
field. Officials give the ball to Team B.

Answer 72

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-5 on A25. Wind clock. This play is reviewable in the field of play and in the end zone.
Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 73

Recovery of a fumble in relation to the sideline
First-and-10 on A20. A2 runs to the A28 and fumbles. Replays show B1 recovers at the A30 with one foot on the sideline. Officials
give ball to Team B.

Answer 73

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-2 on A28, reset clock to the time when B1 touched the ball, and wind clock. Forward
fumble out of bounds, bring ball back to spot of fumble. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 74

Losing control of ball before completing recovery
First-and-10 on A20. A1 runs to the A35-yard line and fumbles. B1 gains control of the ball at the A34 while airborne but loses
possession after hitting the ground out of bounds. Officials award the ball to B at the A34.

Answer 74

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A34, wind clock. Gaining possession of a fumble is treated the same as catching a
pass. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 75

Player must re-establish
First-and-10 on A20. A2 runs to the A25 and fumbles. B1 leaps from out of bounds and touches the ball at the A27 before reestablishing himself in the field of play. B2 then recovers the ball inbounds at the A29. Officials give the ball to B.

Answer 75

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-5 on A25, reset the clock to the time when B1 touched the ball and then wind. Only the
Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 76

No clear recovery at sideline
First-and-10 on A20. QBA1 throws a pass to A2 at the A33 near the sideline. A2 catches the pass and turns up field before being
hit and the ball comes loose at the A35. B1 recovers the ball near the sideline, but there is no clear evidence whether B1 was
touching out of bounds when he recovered the ball. Officials rule an incomplete pass. Team B challenges the play.

Answer 76

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A35, reset the clock to the time when B1 touched the ball and then wind. This is a
catch and fumble, but there is no clear recovery because B1 did not clearly recover the ball inbounds. When there is no clear
recovery in this situation, the ball will be awarded to the team last in possession at the spot where possession was lost. The
challenge is successful, and Team B is not charged a timeout.

Question 77

Ball out of bounds
First-and-10 on A20. A2 runs to the A28 and fumbles. The ball hits the sideline at the A30 and bounces back into the field of play
where B1 recovers. Officials give ball to Team B at the 30-yard line.

Answer 77

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball second-and-2 on A28, reset game clock to the time when the ball touched the sideline, and then
wind. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 78

Ball not out, clear recovery
First-and-10 on A20. A2 runs to the A28 and fumbles. The ball hits near the sideline at the A30 and is recovered by B1 at the A32.
Officials rule the ball hit the sideline and give the ball back to A. Replays show the ball did not hit the sideline.

Answer 78

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on A32. Reset game clock to the time when B1 recovered the ball. If there is a clear
recovery in the continuing action after the ball hit the ground, replay can give the ball to that team at that spot. If there is no clear
recovery, the ruling on the field stands.

Question 79

Forward progress before ball coming loose
First-and-10 on 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs up the middle to the B47 where he gets hit and loses the ball. The Down Judge
ruled that A2’s progress had been stopped before the ball came loose.

Answer 79

Ruling: Not reviewable. A’s ball second-and-7 on B47. Whether a runner’s forward progress was stopped before a fumble is not
reviewable.

Question 80

Fumble before forward progress
First-and-10 on 50. A2 takes a handoff and runs up the middle to the B47 where he gets hit and loses the ball as he is being driven
back by defenders. The Down Judge rules fumble and B77 recovers at the B45.

Answer 80

Ruling: Not reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B45. Whether a runner’s forward progress was stopped before a fumble is not
reviewable.

Question 81

Fourth-down fumble
Fourth-and-goal on B8. A1 runs to the B3 and fumbles, the ball rolls into the end zone where it is recovered by A4. Officials award
touchdown to A.

Answer 81

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B3. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 82

Two-minute fumble
Second-and-12 on A23. With 1:12 remaining in the second quarter, QBA1 and back A2 muff the exchange at the A20, the ball
bounces up to A2 who runs to the A28 where he is tackled. Officials spot the ball at the A28.

Answer 82

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball third-and-15 on A20, reset clock to the time when A2 recovered the ball and either team can elect to
use a charged team timeout to avoid a 10-second runoff from that time. If the officials fail to bring the ball back to the spot of a
fumble or fumble recovery when required to do so by rule, it is a reviewable play. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of
this play.

Question 83

Two-minute fumble, Team A score
Third-and-goal on B2. With 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, QBA1 and back A2 muff the exchange at the B4 and the ball rolls
into the end zone where A2 falls on it. Officials award a touchdown to Team A.

Answer 83

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball fourth-and-goal on B4, reset the clock to the time when A2 recovered the ball and either team can
elect to use a charged team timeout to avoid a 10-second runoff from that time. Since A2 never possessed the ball, the fumbling
player is A1. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 84

Two-minute fumble, change of possession
Second-and-10 on A26. With 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, A2 catches a pass and runs to the A39 where he is hit and
fumbles. A3 picks up the loose ball at the A41 and runs to the 50 where he fumbles. B6 recovers and returns to the A20.

Answer 84

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on A39, reset the clock to the time when A3 recovered the ball and either team can elect
to use a charged team timeout to avoid a 10-second runoff from that time. The ball is dead once it is possessed by A3. Team A
retains possession at the spot of the fumble. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.

Question 85

Two-minute fumble, safety
Third-and-10 on A2. With 0:56 left in the fourth quarter, QBA1 drops back into his end zone and gets hit causing him to fumble the
ball. A3 picks up the loose ball in the EZ and runs to the A7 where the officials spot the ball.

Answer 85

Ruling: Reviewable, Safety, SK A20. Reset the clock to the time when A3 recovered the loose ball. Only the Replay Official can
initiate a review of this play.

Question 86

Fourth-down fumble, line to gain
Fourth-and-4 on B34. A1 runs to the B31 and fumbles. The ball is recovered by A2 at the B30 and the officials spot the ball there,
first-and-10 for Team A.

Answer 86

Ruling: Reviewable. B’s ball first-and-10 on B31, reset the clock to the time when A2 recovered the ball.

Question 87

Fumble forward out of bounds, line to gain
Third-and-6 on B46. A1 runs to the B41 and fumbles. The ball goes out of bounds at the B39 where the officials spot the ball.

Answer 87

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball fourth-and-1 on B41, reset clock to the time when the ball touched out of bounds.

Question 88

Spot of fumble
Second-and-10 on B20. On the first play after the two-minute warning, A1 runs to the B12 and fumbles. A2 recovers at the B5-
yard line. Officials move the ball to the B16-yard line instead of the B12.

Answer 88

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball third-and-2 on B12. Reset the clock to the time when A2 recovered the loose ball and either team
can elect to use a charged team timeout to avoid a 10-second runoff from that time. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review
of this play.

Question 89

Fumble forward out of bounds, goal line
Third-and-12 on A2. Back A2 gets hit in the end zone and fumbles the ball which goes out of bounds at the A5. The officials bring
the ball back to the A1 and spot the ball there.

Answer 89

Ruling: Reviewable. Safety, SK A20, reset clock to the time when the ball touched out of bounds.

Question 90

Fourth-down fumble, line to gain
Fourth-and-5 on B25. A2 catches a pass and fumbles the ball at the B19-yard line. The ball is recovered by A3 at the B15. Officials
bring the ball back to the B21-yard line and give the ball to B.

Answer 90

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball first-and-10 on B19. Spot of fumble was beyond the line to gain, wind clock. This is a coach’s
challenge for all plays that start before the two-minute warning.

Question 91

Fumble forward out of bounds, line to gain
Third-and-3 on A27. A2 runs to the A29 and fumbles the ball, and it rolls out of bounds at the A33. Officials bring the ball back to
the A30 and award a first down to Team A.

Answer 91

Ruling: Reviewable. A’s ball fourth-and-1 on A29, reset clock to the time when the ball touched out of bounds. Spot of fumble
was behind the line to gain.

Question 92

QB pass/fumble
Fourth-and-10 on B20. QBA1 drops back to pass, is hit at the B27 where he loses the ball. A2 catches the ball in mid-air at the
B25 and runs to the B5. Officials rule the play a pass, but replays show that A1 lost the ball before his arm started moving forward.

Answer 92

Ruling: B’s ball first-and-10 on B27, reset the clock to the time when A2 caught the ball. Reversal creates fourth-down fumble
administration.

Question 93

Fumble forward out of bounds
First-and-10 on B20. A1 runs to the B18-yard line and fumbles. B2 recovers at the B15-yard line where the officials award Team
B possession. Replays show that B2 had his foot on the sideline when recovering the ball.

Answer 93

Ruling: A’s ball second-and-8 on B18, reset clock to the time when B2 recovered the ball. Reversal creates fumble forward out
of bounds administration. Only the Replay Official can initiate a review of this play.