Non-Player Conduct

Question 1

SUBSTITUTE SHOVES RUNNER AFTER HE IS OUT OF BOUNDS
Second-and-5 on 50. Runner A1 goes out of bounds in the Team B bench area at the B45. Substitute B12 shoves
A1 to the ground out of bounds.

Answer 1

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. Unsportsmanlike conduct by B12. Penalize from the succeeding spot.
Disqualify B12 if the action is flagrant, (but this action is not the type that counts toward a future disqualification for
similar conduct). Even though there is contact, which is normally unnecessary roughness, the foul was by a player
not in the game at the time, so it is penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct.

Question 2

HEAD COACH COMES ON FIELD—CONFRONTS OFFICIAL
Second-and-10 on B30. Upset when the Line Judge rules a forward pass is incomplete at the B15, A’s head coach
runs onto the field at the B15-yard line to calmly discuss the ruling with the Line Judge.

Answer 2

Ruling: Third-and-25 on B45. Unsportsmanlike conduct. Penalize 15 yards from the succeeding spot.

Question 3

HEAD COACH COMES ON FIELD TOO FAR FROM BENCH AREA
Third-and-10 on B30. A1’s pass falls incomplete at the B18 near the Team B sideline. The Team A head coach
comes onto the field near the numbers to yell at the Side Judge on the opposite side of the field that he missed a
defensive holding call.

Answer 3

Ruling: Fourth-and-25 on B45. Unsportsmanlike conduct. No coach can come into the field of play to address a
game official. Officials will have discretion to warn if the coach comes onto the field a yard or two to get their attention.

Question 4

NON-PLAYER SHOVES OFFICIAL
Third-and-8 on A45. Quarterback A1 throws a pass to A2 near the sideline. The Line Judge rules the pass
incomplete. As the teams line up for the next play, a non-playing member of Team A, A4, pushes the Down Judge.

Answer 4

Ruling: Fourth-and-23 on A30. Unsportsmanlike conduct by non-playing personnel. Disqualify A4.

Question 5

NON-PLAYER IN SIX-FOOT BORDER—CONTACT WITH OFFICIAL
Third-and-5 on A30. An injured Team A player, in street clothes and wearing an appropriate credential, stands in the
six-foot, solid-white border next to the sideline and accidentally trips the Field Judge at the 50 who is covering a long
run to the B20.

Answer 5

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B35. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty is enforced as a dead ball foul. If the
action affected the outcome of the play in any way, the Referee will enforce a 15-yard penalty from the spot that he
and the crew deem most equitable, including awarding/negating a score.

Question 6

NON-PLAYER IN SIX-FOOT BORDER—CONTACT WITH PLAYER
Third-and-5 on B40. On the last play of the game with the score tied and no timeouts left for either team, QBA1
hands off to A2 who runs wide and down the sideline. A2 is at the B30 when he collides with a Team B player from
the bench area who is standing on his sideline. A2 fumbles and A3 recovers at the B20. A2 is injured on the play.

Answer 6

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B15 for an untimed down (A2 could remain in the game), or the Referee may award
a touchdown if he and the crew feel that is equitable.

Question 7

CONTACT WITH COACH IN SIX-FOOT BORDER
First-and-10 on A30. The Side Judge is covering a long run in front of A’s bench area when he runs into Team A’s
head coach who is standing in the six-foot, solid-white border at the 50-yard line. The Side Judge is knocked to the
ground. Team A scores.

Answer 7

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Team B has the option to enforce the foul on the Try or the kickoff. Unsportsmanlike
conduct. The foul is enforced as a dead ball foul. If the action affected the outcome of the play in any way the Referee
will enforce a 15-yard penalty from the spot that he and the crew deem most equitable, including awarding/negating
a score.

Question 8

CONTACT WITH TEAM B COACH IN SIX-FOOT BORDER—TEAM A ALSO FOULS
Third-and-10 on A45. A1 throws a swing pass to back A2 at the B45. A2 runs down the sideline to the B20 where
he is tackled. The Side Judge, while covering the play, is knocked to the ground by a Team B assistant in the
restricted white-border area, outside the Team B bench area. During A2’s run, A7 held B3 at the B30.

Answer 8

Ruling: Third-and-10 on A45. The dead ball unsportsmanlike conduct combines with the live ball hold to create a
double foul. The fouls offset at the previous spot and the down is replayed.

Question 9

SUBSTITUTE COMES ON FIELD DURING PLAY—RECOVERS FUMBLE
Third-and-5 on B45. Runner A1 fumbles at the B35. (a) Substitute B12 comes off the bench and recovers the ball;
or (b) substitute A12 comes off the bench and recovers the ball, at the B33.

Answer 9

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B20. Palpably unfair act by B12. The Referee will enforce a 15-yard penalty from the
spot that he and the crew deem most equitable. Team A retains the ball. Disqualify B12.
(b) A’s ball, fourth-and-20 on A40. Palpably unfair act by A12. The Referee will enforce a 15-yard penalty from the
spot that he and the crew deem most equitable. Team A retains the ball. Disqualify A12.

Question 10

SUBSTITUTE COMES ON FIELD DURING PLAY—BATS LOOSE BALL
First-and-10 on A45. Runner A1 fumbles near the sideline at the 50. Substitute B12 runs onto the field of play and
bats the ball to player B6 who recovers at the B45.

Answer 10

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B35. Palpably unfair act by B12. The Referee will enforce a 15-yard penalty from
the spot that he and the crew deem most equitable. Disqualify B12.

Question 11

SUBSTITUTE COMES ON FIELD DURING PLAY—PUSHES OPPONENT AND RECOVERS FUMBLE
Second-and-5 on B45. Runner A1 fumbles in front of his own bench. Substitute A12 comes onto the field, pushes
B2 away, and recovers the ball at the B40.

Answer 11

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A45. Palpably unfair act. The Referee will enforce a 15-yard penalty from the spot
that he and the crew deem most equitable. Disqualify A12.

Question 12

SUBSTITUTE COMES ON FIELD DURING PLAY—TACKLES RUNNER
A1 is on his way to an apparent touchdown when B12 comes off his bench to tackle A1 at the B30.

Answer 12

Ruling: Touchdown Team A, and they also have the option to enforce the 15 yard penalty on the Try or the kickoff.
Palpably unfair act. The game officials should allow the play to continue to its conclusion and then penalize Team
B. If it is clear that A1 would have scored, the Referee will award the touchdown. Disqualify B12.

Question 13

CONTACT WITH OFFICIAL BY COACH/PLAYER DURING HALFTIME/GOING TO OVERTIME
After the end of the first half (or second half if the game is going into overtime), a Team A coach or player contacts
an official while arguing with him as they leave the field, in the tunnel, or prior to the coin toss before the overtime
period begins.

Answer 13

Ruling: Enforce the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct against Team A on the ensuing kickoff. Disqualify the
coach/player. The officials’ jurisdiction continues during intermissions.

Question 14

OFFICIALS’ JURISDICTION BEGINS ONE HOUR AND 40 MINUTES PRIOR TO KICKOFF
While the teams are warming up 30 minutes before the game, A1 punches B1 on the field.

Answer 14

Ruling: Team A will be assessed a 15-yard unnecessary roughness on the opening kickoff, and A1 is disqualified.
The officials’ jurisdiction starts when the pregame security meeting takes place approximately 100 minutes before
kickoff, and all unnecessary roughness/unsportsmanlike conduct rules take effect at that time.

Question 15

SUBSTITUTE LEAVES BENCH AREA DURING PLAY—ENTERS FIELD TO CELEBRATE AFTER PLAY
Third-and-10 on A40. Receiver A4 catches a pass near the sideline at the 50, breaks a tackle, and has a clear path
to the end zone. Substitute A13, not wearing a helmet, runs down the sideline (just outside the white) parallel with
the runner all the way to the end zone. After A4 scores, A13 runs into the end zone and jumps on A4’s back to
celebrate, and then high fives other teammates before returning to the bench.

Answer 15

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Team B has the option to enforce the 15 yard penalty on the Try or the kickoff. It is
unsportsmanlike conduct for a substitute, coach or any team personnel to be out of the team bench area during the
play. That penalty will be enforced on the Try or ensuing kickoff. There is no prohibition against uniformed substitutes
coming onto the field to celebrate after the play, if they comply with normal celebration rules. Further, the rules
against a player removing his helmet do not apply to substitutes coming off the bench. This unsportsmanlike conduct
foul is not one that could lead to a disqualification.

Question 16

NON-UNIFORMED PLAYERS LEAVE THE TEAM BENCH AREA TO CELEBRATE AFTER TD
Third-and-10 on A40. QB A1 throws a pass to A2 who catches the ball and scores a touchdown. After A2 scores,
uniformed and non-uniformed players and coaches or other team personnel run onto the field and surround A2 in
the end zone to celebrate.

Answer 16

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Team B has the option to enforce the 15 yard penalty on the Try or the kickoff. It is
legal for teammates who are dressed in uniform to leave the bench area to celebrate after a score, but it is a 15-yard
unsportsmanlike conduct foul for players who are not in uniform, coaches, or other team personnel to come onto the
field to celebrate. This would not be they type of foul that qualifies toward disqualification for two such fouls, unless
the coach or staff member directs his actions toward an opponent.

Question 17

COACH OR TEAM STAFF MEMBER LEAVES THE TEAM BENCH AREA TO CELEBRATE AFTER TD
Third-and-10 on A40. QB A1 throws a pass to A2 who catches the ball and scores a touchdown. After A2 scores, a
Team A coach or team staff member runs down the sideline and celebrates with A2 in the end zone.

Answer 17

Ruling: Touchdown Team A. Team B has the option to enforce the 15 yard penalty on the Try or the kickoff. It is
unsportsmanlike conduct if any coach or team staff member leaves the bench area to participate in a celebration.
This would not be they type of foul that qualifies toward disqualification for two such fouls, unless the coach or staff
member directs his actions toward an opponent.

Question 18

FG ATTEMPT—SNOW BEING CLEARED FROM FIELD
Fourth-and-10 on B30. Team A calls a timeout to prepare for a FG in snowy conditions. During the timeout, (a)
players begin clearing snow from the area the kick will be made, using only their hands and feet; or (b) team
personnel or grounds crew begin clearing snow from the same area.

Answer 18

Rulings:
(a) No foul. Players may help clear snow, using only their hands or feet (no towels, etc.)
(b) Fourth-and-25 on B45. Unsportsmanlike conduct. It is impermissible for the grounds crew or other team
personnel to clear away snow for a Try, field goal, punt, or kickoff. Officials should try to prevent this as soon as
they see someone coming out on the field, thus avoiding the need to call a penalty.

Question 19

BENCH PERSONNEL ENTERS FIELD OF PLAY—SNAP OCCURS—DOES NOT INTERFERE
Second-and-five on A40. Before the snap, a Team B attendant runs onto the field to grab a towel that fell off a player.
While he is on the field behind the offense, the ball is snapped, and A1 throws an incomplete pass. The action by
the attendant did not affect the outcome of the play.

Answer 19

Ruling: Third-and-five on A40. Since the movement onto the field did not affect the play, there is no penalty. If there
is any question in a game official’s mind that the movement could affect the play, the game official should blow the
whistle immediately and kill the play. If the action affected the outcome of the play, in any way, the Referee will
enforce a 15-yard penalty from the spot that the Referee and the crew deem most equitable, including awarding or
negating a score.

Question 20

SUBSTITUTE ENTERS FIELD FROM HIS BENCH AREA BEFORE/AFTER THE SNAP
Third-and-10 on 50. Substitute B3 is attempting to get on the field of play as the eleventh defensive player. A1 throws
an incomplete pass on the play: (a) B11 is stepping on the defensive side of the ball with his right foot on the field,
but his left foot does not touch in the field of play before the snap. He then continues onto the field. (b) B11 steps on
the field with both feet, but he is on the offensive side of the ball when the ball is snapped.

Answer 20

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, third-and-5 on B45. Illegal substitution. To be legally on the field, an incoming substitute must get both
feet or body part other than a hand or foot down prior to the snap, or it is illegal substitution. Depending on the
action taken by the player as the play develops, a 5 or 15-yard penalty could be assessed.
(b) A’s ball, third-and-5 on B45. Defensive offside. B11 is legally on the field, but is offside at the snap. If B11 was
on the field and near the offensive backfield at the snap, blow the play dead for unimpeded to the QB/Kicker.