Penalty Enforcement

Question 1

Third-and-5 on A40. B1 encroaches, continues on, and knocks QB A1 down.

Answer 1

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Multiple dead-ball fouls for encroachment and a personal foul late hit. The
unnecessary roughness penalty will be accepted.

Question 2

TEAM A DEAD-BALL FOULS WITH/WITHOUT DELAY
Second-and-3 on B40. A1 false starts and then A2 grabs B1 by the facemask and throws him to the ground (not a
disqualifying act): (a) immediately after the false start; or (b) after a significant delay

Answer 2

Rulings:
(a) Second-and-18 on A45. Multiple dead-ball fouls for false start and unnecessary roughness. The unnecessary
roughness foul will be accepted. (14-1-3)
(b) Second-and-23 on A40. Because of the delay between fouls for false start and unnecessary roughness, both
dead-ball fouls are enforced.

Question 3

FALSE START—AFTER DELAY—DEAD-BALL FOULS BY BOTH TEAMS
First-and-10 on A25. A2 false starts, and after a significant delay, B2 and A3 slam one another to the ground (not a
part of the false start action, and not a disqualifying act).

Answer 3

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-15 on A20. The false start is enforced, and the subsequent dead-ball fouls are clearly
separate from the timing of the false start, and therefore offset at the succeeding spot.

Question 4

DOWN BEYOND LINE—OFFENSE FOULS—BEYOND/BEHIND DEAD BALL SPOT
First-and-10 on A20. Runner is downed on A28. During the run: (a) A2 held on the A30; or (b) A2 held on the A24.

Answer 4

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-12 on A18. Offensive foul for holding in advance of dead-ball (basic) spot.
(b) A’s ball, first-and-16 on A14. Offensive foul for holding behind the dead-ball (basic) spot.

Question 5

DOWN BEHIND LINE—DEFENSE FOULS BEYOND LINE
First-and-10 on A20. The runner is downed on the A18. During the run, B1 held on the A26

Answer 5

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A25. The dead ball spot is behind the line, so the defensive holding is enforced from
the previous spot. (14-3-6)

Question 6

DOWN BEHIND LINE—OFFENSE FOULS—BEYOND/BEHIND LINE
Second-and-10 on A40. Runner A1 is downed on the A36. During the run, A2 held on the: (a) A44; or (b) A36.

Answer 6

Rulings: (a) and (b) Second-and-20 on A30. Enforce both offensive holds from the previous spot.
Note: If the penalty is declined, third-and-14 on A36.

Question 7

OFFENSE FOULS OUT OF BOUNDS IN END ZONE—SAFETY
First-and-10 on A2. Runner A1 is downed on the A3 near the sideline. During A1’s run, B1 went out of bounds in the
end zone to avoid a block and was pulled to the ground by A2 out of bounds behind the goal line.

Answer 7

Ruling: Safety. Safety kick A20. The offensive holding foul was out of bounds in the end zone.

Question 8

FOUL IN FIELD OF PLAY—AFTER INTERCEPTION IN END ZONE
First-and-10 on B40. B1 intercepts in the end zone and runs with the ball. A2 illegally trips B2 at the B5 during the
run. B1 is downed in the end zone.

Answer 8

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. Tripping. All defensive fouls during a running play are enforced from the dead
ball spot, which is transferred to the 20-yard line as a result of the touchback.

Question 9

FOUL DURING RUN—FUMBLE—RECOVERED BY TEAM A
Third-and-10 on A30. Runner A1 fumbles at the A34. A2 recovers and is downed at the A42. While A1 was a runner:
(a) A3 held at the A28; or (b) B2 grabbed and twisted A2’s facemask at the A32.

Answer 9

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, third-and-20 on A20. Offensive holding enforced from the previous spot.
(b) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B43. Facemask enforced from the dead ball spot.

Question 10

LEGAL/ILLEGAL CONTACT WITH FACEMASK BY RUNNER
Second-and-10 on B30. A2 runs right to the B10 where A2 stiff-arms B1 in the facemask and continues into the end
zone for an apparent touchdown. (a) A2 leaves his hand on the facemask for three yards, but does not grasp it; (b)
A2 delivers a blow with the stiff arm; (c) A2 grabs the facemask and controls the defender (but does not twist, turn,
or pull) and releases it after three yards; or (d) A2 twists and turns the facemask.

Answer 10

Rulings:
(a) Touchdown Team A. Kickoff A35. No foul.
(b) A’s ball, second-and-5 on B25. Unnecessary roughness.
(c) and (d) A’s ball, second-and-5 on B25. Facemask.

Question 11

FUMBLE AND DEFENSIVE FOUL BEHIND LINE—FOLLOWED BY CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Third-and-10 on A20. Quarterback A1 fades back and fumbles on the A10 where B1 recovers. Prior to the fumble,
B2 held A3 at the A12.

Answer 11

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A25. The defensive holding foul is enforced from the previous spot.
Note: A defensive foul during a run followed by a change of possession is penalized from the spot of the fumble. If that spot is behind the line of scrimmage, the foul is enforced from the previous spot.

Question 12

FOUL BY TEAM A—FOLLOWED BY CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Third-and-10 on A30. Runner A1 fumbles or throws a backward pass at the A34. B1 recovers and is downed on the
A33. While A1 was a runner: (a) A2 held on the A28; or (b) A3 clipped B2 on the A32.

Answer 12

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A33. Decline penalty for offensive holding.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A18. The clipping foul before the recovery of the fumble or backward pass (change of
possession) is carried over and the penalty is enforced from the dead-ball spot.

Question 13

FOUL BY TEAM B—FOLLOWED BY CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Second-and-10 on A38. Runner A1 fumbles or throws a backward pass at the A42. B1 recovers and is downed on
the A30. While A1 was a runner: (a) B2 pushed and held A3’s head back on the A40; or (b) B3 grabbed and twisted
A2’s facemask on the A40.

Answer 13

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on A47. Illegal hands to the face. Enforce from the spot of the fumble or backward pass,
since that spot is beyond the line of scrimmage.
(b) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B43. Facemask. Enforce from the spot of the fumble or backward pass, since that spot
is beyond the line of scrimmage.

Question 14

KICKOFF—TEAM A FOUL—FOLLOWED BY CHANGE OF POSSESSION
B1 receives the kickoff at the B10. B1 runs to the B25 where he fumbles and A2 recovers there. During B1’s run,
A15 blocks low at the B15.

Answer 14

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B40. Enforce the low block from the spot of the fumble.

Question 15

INTERCEPTION - TEAM A FOUL—FOLLOWED BY CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Second-and-10 on A35. B1 intercepts a pass on the B35 and, during the return, he fumbles on the B40 where A1
recovers. (a) A2 tripped B1 on the B36 before the fumble; (b) A2 tripped B1 on the B36 before the interception; (c)
A4 and A5 chop blocked B7 before the interception.

Answer 15

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. Enforce the tripping foul from the spot of the fumble.
(b) A’s ball, second-and-20 on A25. Enforce the tripping foul from the previous spot because Team B did not retain
possession of the ball.
(c) B’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. Enforce the chop block foul from the spot of the interception and Team B retains
possession.

Question 16

FOUL BY TEAM A—FUMBLE AND CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Second-and-10 on B40. A2 and A3 chop block as A1 drops back to pass. A1 then scrambles and runs to the B35
where he fumbles. B1 recovers the ball at the B30 and: (a) runs to the 50 where he is downed; or (b) runs to the 50
where he fumbles, with A3 recovering the fumble at the 50.

Answer 16

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A35. The chop block before the change of possession is carried over and the penalty is
enforced from the dead-ball spot.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. The chop block, before the change of possession, is enforced from the spot of B’s
recovery of the loose ball.

Question 17

FOUL BY EITHER TEAM PRIOR TO—LEGAL FORWARD PASS
Second-and-10 on A10. A1’s pass is incomplete. Prior to the pass: (a) B1 held receiver A2; (b) A3 held B2 on the
A3-yard line; or (c) A3 held B2 in A’s end zone.

Answer 17

Rulings:
(a) First-and-10 on A15. Defensive holding. Previous spot enforcement.
(b) Second-and-15 on A5 or third-and-10 on A10. Offensive holding. Previous spot enforcement.
(c) Safety. Safety kick A20. Offensive holding that occurs in Team A’s end zone results in a safety

Question 18

ILLEGAL CONTACT—PRIOR TO PASS OR RUN
Second-and-10 on A10. Quarterback A1 drops back to pass, and while A1 is in the pocket, B2 chucks A2 on the
A17. A1 then: (a) passes complete to A3 who is tackled on the A20; (b) passes incomplete; or (c) scrambles, runs,
and is tackled at the A11.

Answer 18

Rulings:
(a) First-and-10 on A20. Illegal contact. Decline the penalty.
(b) First-and-10 on A15. Illegal contact. Enforced from the previous spot.
(c) First-and-10 on A16. Illegal contact. Enforced from the end of the run.

Question 19

PERSONAL FOUL BY DEFENSE—PRIOR TO COMPLETION
Third-and-10 on A30. Prior to A1’s forward pass, B1 grabs and twists lineman A3’s facemask. A1’s pass is then
completed to A2 who is tackled at the: (a) A35; or (b) A25.

Answer 19

Rulings:
(a) First-and-10 on 50. The facemask is enforced from the dead-ball spot.
(b) First-and-10 on A45. The facemask is enforced from the previous spot.

Question 20

PERSONAL FOUL BY OFFENSE—PRIOR TO INTERCEPTION—TEAM B MAINTAINS/LOSES POSSESSION
Third-and-10 on A30. Prior to A1’s forward pass, lineman A2 chop blocks. A1’s pass is intercepted by B1 at the 50.
B1 returns the interception to the A35 where: (a) B1 is tackled, or (b) B1 fumbles and A3 recovers at the A30.

Answer 20

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A20. Chop block. The chop block is tacked on from the dead ball spot.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A35. Chop block. The chop block is enforced from the spot of the interception.

Question 21

PERSONAL FOUL BEFORE OR AFTER INTERCEPTION—TOUCHBACK
Second-and-10 on B25. A1’s pass is intercepted by B1 in the end zone where B1 is tackled. (a) A3 chop blocks
before the pass; or (b) A4 tackles B1 by the facemask in the end zone.

Answer 21

Rulings: (a) and (b): B’s ball, first-and-10 on B35. Chop block/facemask. As the play resulted in a touchback,
personal fouls before or after the change of possession are enforced from the 20-yard line.

Question 22

PERSONAL FOUL BY TEAM A PRIOR TO CHANGE OF POSSESSION
First-and-10 on 50. A4 and A5 chop block. The pass is complete to A2 at the B30, but A2 fumbles at the B28 and
B1 recovers there and returns the fumble to the B40.

Answer 22

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A45. The chop block is enforced from the dead-ball spot.

Question 23

INTENTIONAL GROUNDING—EXCEPTION TO HALF THE DISTANCE ENFORCEMENT
Third-and-5 on A10. Quarterback A1 is called for intentional grounding on the A4.

Answer 23

Ruling: Fourth-and-11 on A4. Intentional grounding. If the spot of the foul is more than half the distance, the
enforcement is to put the ball at the spot of the foul.

Question 24

INTENTIONAL GROUNDING—HALF-DISTANCE ENFORCEMENT
Third-and-5 on A10. Quarterback A1 is called for intentional grounding on the A6

Answer 24

Ruling: Fourth-and-10 on A5. Intentional grounding. The penalty for intentional grounding

Question 25

ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS BEYOND LINE—TEAM A PERSONAL FOUL
Third-and-15 on A30. Quarterback A1 scrambles to the A32 where he throws a forward pass to A2 at the B20. The
pass is underthrown, and B1 is in position to intercept the pass, when A2 grabs and twists B2’s facemask while the
pass is in the air. The pass falls incomplete.

Answer 25

Ruling: Fourth-and-18 at the A27 or 3-28-A17. If the illegal forward pass foul is enforced, it is a five-yard penalty
from the spot of the pass, and a loss of down. If the personal foul facemask is enforced, it is from the end of the run,
as this is deemed to be a running play. Pass interference is not an option, since the pass was thrown from beyond
the line of scrimmage.

Question 26

KICKOFF—DOUBLE FOUL DURING KICK
Kickoff from the A35. A1 is offside and B2 blocks low at the B25 while the kick is in the air. B2 catches the ball on
the B5 and returns it to the B30.

Answer 26

Ruling: Re-kick from the A35. Double foul. Offside by Team A, and illegal low block by Team B. Both fouls happened
before the change of possession, so the penalties offset and the kickoff is repeated. Post possession enforcements
do not apply on free kicks.

Question 27

KICKOFF—DOUBLE FOUL WITH A CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Kickoff from the A35. A1 is offside, and B1 catches the ball at the B6 and returns it to the B30. B2 blocks low at the
B10 during the return.

Answer 27

Ruling: Rekick A35 or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B5. This is a double foul with a change of possession, so the offside
is declined, and Team B’s illegal low block is enforced from the spot of the foul; or B has the option to replay the
down, which is the option B would likely choose

Question 28

KICKOFF—FOUL BY TEAM A DURING KICK/RETURN
Kickoff from the A35. A2 pins B2’s head back with an open hand at the B45 during the (a) kick; or (b) return. B1
returns the kick to the B23.

Answer 28

Rulings:
(a) Re-kick A25 or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B33. Illegal use of hands. The foul during the kick is enforced from the
previous spot or from the dead-ball spot. The penalty for illegal blocking or use of hands by either team is loss
of 10 yards.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B28. Illegal use of hands. During the return, Team A has become the defense, so illegal
use of hands by Team A is a five-yard penalty.

Question 29

KICKOFF—FOUL BY TEAM A DURING KICK
As an onside kick from the A35 is rolling at the A46, A1 blocks B1 on the A43. After A1’s block, B2 picks up the ball
on the A44 and runs it back to the A20.

Answer 29

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-goal on A10. Illegal blocking or use of hands during a free kick. Team A may not block
within 10 yards of its restraining line until the ball is legally touched. The location of the ball at the time of the block
is irrelevant. Team A fouls before the change of possession on a free kick can be enforced from the dead-ball spot,
as long as Team B retains possession throughout the down.
Note: Additional plays involving penalty enforcement during free kick plays are in Rule 6 of the Casebook

Question 30

DOUBLE FOUL—TEAM A FAILURE TO REPORT/TEAM B OFFSIDE
Fourth-and-10 on A30. Tackle A3 enters the game, goes into the huddle without reporting, and takes a wingback
position in a punt formation. After the punt, B1 muffs the ball on the B30 and A2 recovers it there. B2 was offside.

Answer 30

Ruling: Fourth-and-10 on A30. Illegal formation by Team A for a player wearing an ineligible number playing an
eligible position without reporting. Also, defensive offside. The penalties offset.

Question 31

FIRST TOUCH—TEAM B FOUL—DURING KICK/RETURN
Fourth-and-6 on A40. A1 is the first to touch the punt on the B24. B1 recovers at the B18 and runs to the B30. B2
held on the B45: (a) during the punt; or (b) during the run by B1.

Answer 31

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B9. Offensive holding. The post-possession foul is enforced from the end of the kick,
because that is behind the spot of B’s foul. The enforcement of B’s foul negates the first touch.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B20. Offensive holding. The penalty is enforced from the dead-ball spot, since the foul
occurred during the run, and the run ended behind the spot of the foul.

Question 32

FIRST TOUCH—TEAM B FOUL—OFFSIDE/PUSHING TEAMMATE
Fourth-and-10 on A45. A1 first touches and downs the punt on the B10: (a) B1 was offside; or (b) B2 pushed his
teammate from behind into the right guard at the snap.

Answer 32

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B10, if Team A declines the defense offside; or A’s ball, fourth-and-5 on 50.
(b) A’s ball, first-and-10 on B40. Unnecessary roughness for pushing a teammate into the offensive formation on a
scrimmage kick or Try. This foul is enforced from the previous spot.

Question 33

FIRST TOUCH—TEAM B FOUL—DURING PUNT/RETURN—FUMBLE
Fourth-and-15 on A10. A3 first touches the punt at the 50. B1 recovers at the B40 and fumbles at the A35, where
A2 recovers. B2 held on the A30: (a) during the punt; or (b) during the run by B1.

Answer 33

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, fourth-and-5 on A20. Since Team B lost possession during the down, this is not a post possession foul.
The holding penalty is therefore enforced from the previous spot, and with the enforcement of a foul, the first
touch violation is eliminated. The holding foul is a 10-yard penalty (with no automatic first down) because it
occurred during a kick that went beyond the line (9-1-4(d)). Team A can also decline the penalty, thus giving
Team B the ball at the spot of first touch.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on 50 (spot of first touch). As this foul was during the return, it is a foul on a running play,
with enforcement from the spot of the foul, (A30), or the end of the run, (A35). If Team A accepts B’s holding
penalty, it will be enforced from the A35, resulting in B’s ball, first-and-10 on A45. Team A will therefore decline
the penalty, and B will take the ball at the first touch spot, the 50.

Question 34

FIRST TOUCH—RUN AND FUMBLE—TEAM B FOULS—BEFORE/AFTER TOUCHDOWN BY TEAM A
Fourth-and-3 on A45. A1 first touches the punt on the B10. B1 recovers on the B4 and fumbles on the B8. A2
recovers and runs into B’s end zone. During A2’s run, B2 grabbed and twisted A2’s facemask on the B6: (a) before;
or (b) after A2 crossed the goal line.

Answer 34

Rulings:
(a) Touchdown Team A. Team A has the option to enforce the foul on the Try or the kickoff. When A accepts the
live ball foul, the first touching violation is negated by the foul. If B’s foul was not a personal foul or
unsportsmanlike conduct foul, there would be no enforcement option for the non-major foul because the deadball spot is in the end zone, so the foul would be declined by rule and Team B would be awarded the ball at the
first touch spot.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B5. Facemask. When Team A crosses the goal line, and there hasn’t been a live-ball
foul on the play, the first touch spot is used to give B the ball. The dead-ball foul is then enforced from the
succeeding spot, the B10 (the first touch spot).

Question 35

SCRIMMAGE KICK – FIRST TOUCH – TEAM B ADVANCES – DEAD BALL FOUL BY TEAM B
Fourth-and-10 on A40. A1’s punt is rolling at the B20 where it is touched by A3, B1 picks up the punt on the B15 and
runs to the B12 where he is tackled. Immediately after the play is over, B2 shoves A4 to the ground.

Answer 35

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 B10. First touch and unnecessary roughness. Since there was a “first touch” by Team
A, B has the option of taking the ball at that spot of first touching, with the dead ball foul enforced from that spot.
While the enforcement of a live ball foul eliminates the ability to take the ball at the first touch spot, the enforcement
of dead ball fouls, (by either team), does not eliminate that option.

Question 36

DOUBLE FOUL—INVALID FAIR CATCH SIGNAL/KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE—CHANGE OF POSSESSION
Fourth-and-10 on A40. A1 punts the ball, and B1 gives an invalid fair-catch signal at the B20. B1 is in position to
catch the ball when it hits A2 in the air at the B21. B1 then picks up the ball at the B15 and runs to the B40 where
he fumbles and A2 recovers.

Answer 36

Ruling: A’s ball, fourth-and-10 on A40. Invalid fair catch signal and interference with the opportunity to catch a kick.
Since Team B did not retain possession, the fouls offset and the down is replayed.

Question 37

DOUBLE FOUL WITH A CHANGE—INVALID FAIR CATCH SIGNAL/KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE
Fourth-and-10 on 50. B1 gives an invalid fair-catch signal as he waits to catch the punt at the B20. A1 bumps B1
before the punted ball arrives, but B1 catches the ball anyway at the B20.

Answer 37

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B15, or Team B has the option to replay. Invalid fair catch signal and interference
with the opportunity to catch a kick. Double foul with a change of possession.

Question 38

TEAM B FOUL DURING KICK—TOUCHBACK
Fourth-and-10 on A40. The punt rolls out of bounds in the end zone. During the punt, there is a foul by B1 at the
B12. The foul is: (a) clipping by B1 at the B12; or (b) blocking by B1 at the B12 after giving a fair-catch signal at the
B14.

Answer 38

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B6. Clipping. Since the foul was inside the B20, it is enforced from the spot of the foul.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B6. Blocking after giving a fair catch signal is a spot foul.

Question 39

TEAM B FOUL DURING PUNT—KICK ENDS IN END ZONE
Fourth-and-10 on 50. During the punt, B1 commits an illegal block in the back at the B40. B2 catches the punt in the
end zone and returns it to the 50 where he is tackled.

Answer 39

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B10. Illegal block in the back. Since the kick ended in the end zone, the foul is
enforced from the end of the kick (B20), as that is behind the spot of the foul.

Question 40

TEAM B FOUL IN END ZONE DURING PUNT
Fourth-and-10 on 50. During the punt, B1 clips A2 in the end zone. The punt goes out of bounds at the B6

Answer 40

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B3. Clipping. This is not a safety because Team B did not run with the ball. When a
post-possession foul occurs in the endzone, it is deemed to have occurred at the 20-yard line if Team A is responsible
for the ball entering Team B’s end zone. The penalty is enforced from the end of the kick, as that spot is behind the
spot of the foul.

Question 41

TEAM A ILLEGALLY KICKING A BLOCKED PUNT—IN FIELD OF PLAY/END ZONE
Fourth-and-10 on A10. A1’s punt is blocked, and A1 kicks the rolling ball off the ground: (a) at the A2; or (b) from
three yards deep in the end zone. The ball goes out of bounds at the A25.

Answer 41

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball, first-and-goal on A5. Illegally kicking a loose ball. Since the penalty occurred behind the line of
scrimmage, in the field of play, it is enforced from the previous spot, with a loss of down.
(b) Safety, safety kick A20, or B’s ball, first-and-10 on A25 (declining the penalty). There is no option to enforce
from the dead-ball spot unless it is a personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

Question 42

PUNT—INVALID FAIR-CATCH SIGNAL—KICKER OUT OF BOUNDS
Fourth-and-15 on B48. B1 gives an invalid fair-catch signal at the B10-yard line. The punted ball is rolling on the
ground near the sideline at the B1. Flyer A1 avoids blocker B2 at the 15-yard line by going out of bounds. A1 reestablishes and downs the ball at the B1.

Answer 42

Ruling: A’s ball, fourth-and-15 on B48, or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B5. Invalid fair catch signal by B1 (clean hands)
and Team A fouls for illegal touching of a kick and player going out of bounds during a punt. This is a double foul
with a change of possession, so Team B would most likely elect to replay the down.

Question 43

TEAM B FOUL—BLOCKED KICK
Fourth-and-15 on A35. A1’s punt is blocked behind the line of scrimmage and is recovered by B1 at the A30. During
the kick, B2 tackled flyer A2 at the line of scrimmage.

Answer 43

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A40. The foul by B2 is enforced as a defensive hold because the kick did not cross
the line of scrimmage.
Note: Additional plays involving penalty enforcement during scrimmage kick plays are in Rule 9 of the Casebook.