RULE 7: Snapping and Passing the Ball

Question 1

After a huddle or shift, all Team A players come to a stop and remain stationary for one second. Then, before the snap, two or more simultaneously change their positions.

Answer 1

RULING: All 11 Team A players must again stop for one second before the snap, otherwise it is a live-ball foul at the snap for an illegal shift. Penalty—Five yards from the previous spot (Rule 2-22-1).

Question 2

Ten Team A players shift while A1 remains stationary. A1 then starts moving backward before one second elapses and the ball is snapped.

Answer 2

RULING: If A1, who moved, did not halt with the other Team A players for one second before the snap, it is a dead-ball foul at the snap for a false start. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot.

Question 3

After the Team A players have stopped for one second, end A88 runs wide and stops, and before one second elapses, back A36 starts moving backward.

Answer 3

RULING: Legal. But if back A36 starts before end A88 stops, the simultaneous movement of two players constitutes a shift, and all Team A players must be stationary for one second before the snap (Rule 2-22 1).

Question 4

Team A is in a no-huddle offense and is moving to the line when the ball is made ready for play. Although some players settle into their positions and stop, at least one player never stops and is still moving when the ball is snapped.

Answer 4

RULING: Dead-ball foul: Illegal shift that converts to a false start. Team A never satisfied the one-second rule before the snap. Officials should shut the play down and penalize Team A five yards.

Question 5

Team A has 3rd and 3 at the B-40. QB A12 is in shotgun formation, (a) makes a fake clap standing in position; (b) makes a fake clap while chucking his shoulders and hands forward in an exaggerated motion simulating the start of the play

Answer 5

RULING: Rule 7-1-2-b-4-c states that it is a false start if the quarterback makes any quick, jerky movement that simulates the start of the play. In (a) no foul; (b) false start on A12.

Question 6

1/10 @ A-25. Defender B70 is lined up with his right hand and helmet in the neutral zone. As the play clock winds down, restricted lineman A77 reaches out and touches B70.

Answer 6

RULING: Dead ball foul, false start by A77 resulting in 1/15 @ A-20. In this play the defense is lined up in the neutral zone, and there is no immediate reaction by the offense, and then the offense subsequently moves to touch or contact the defender and is a false start on the offense (Rule 7-1-2-b-3).

Question 7

A21 is legally on the end of the line of scrimmage next to A88, who is in a three-point stance. Team A stops for one second while A21 and A88 are in the above positions, and then A21 moves to a legal backfield position and stops. Then A88 moves to a wider position on the line.

Answer 7

RULING: Legal if both A21 and A88 are stationary at the snap (Rules 2-22-1 and 7-1-4).

Question 8

A21 is legally on the end of the line of scrimmage next to A88, who is in the stance of a restricted lineman. Team A has stopped for one second when A21 leaves the line of scrimmage and goes in motion into the backfield. A88 moves to a wider position on the line.

Answer 8

RULING: A88 may break his three-point stance since he is now on the end of the line of scrimmage, but Team A must stop again for one second before the snap to
make the play legal (Rule 7-1-4).

Question 9

B71 crosses the neutral zone into the Team A backfield and does not threaten any Team A player. A23, legally in the backfield, intentionally reaches to contact B71.

Answer 9

RULING: Team A foul, false start. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot.

Question 10

Snapper A1 lifts or moves the ball forward before moving it backward to start the snap. B2 bats the ball, causing it to roll loose with B3 recovering.

Answer 10

RULING: Team A foul, illegal snap, ball remains dead. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot (Rule 4-1-1).

Question 11

A66, a restricted lineman between the snapper and the player on the end of the line, or A72, a restricted player on the end of the line of scrimmage: 1. Lifts a hand or hands from the ground immediately when threatened by B1, who is in the neutral zone.

Answer 11

RULING: Blow the whistle immediately. Team B dead-ball foul, offside. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot.

Question 12

A66, a restricted lineman between the snapper and the player on the end of the line, or A72, a restricted player on the end of the line of scrimmage: 2. Lifts a hand or hands from the ground upon initial charge by B1, who (a) does not enter the neutral zone or (b) enters the neutral zone but does not threaten the position of A66 or A72.

Answer 12

RULING: In both (a) and (b), blow the whistle immediately. Team A dead ball foul, false start. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot.
Note: Before the snap, a Team B player who enters the neutral zone may threaten a maximum of three Team A linemen. If the Team B player enters the neutral zone directly toward a Team A lineman, then that Team A player and the two adjacent linemen are considered to be threatened. If the Team B player enters the neutral zone toward a gap between two Team A linemen, then only those two Team A players are considered to be threatened.

Question 13

A80 on the end of the line, a nonrestricted interior lineman or a back, misses the snap count and makes a casual movement that is not abrupt, quick or jerky and does not simulate the start of a play.

Answer 13

RULING: No foul by Team A

Question 14

A30, lined up legally as a back, starts in motion legally. He then turns so that he still is legally in motion but is facing his line of scrimmage using a “side-step” motion. At the snap, A30 is bent slightly forward at the waist and is either continuing his “side-step” motion or is “marking time” in place.

Answer 14

RULING: Legal.

Question 15

A30, lined up legally as a back, starts in motion legally. He then turns so that he still is legally in motion but is facing his line of scrimmage using a “side-step” motion. At the snap, A30, still behind the neutral zone, is moving slightly forward from the waist up or his “side-step” motion has veered slightly toward the line of scrimmage.

Answer 15

RULING: Live-ball foul at the snap for illegal motion. Penalty—Five yards from the previous spot.

Question 16

Team A’s formation at the snap includes only 10 players: five players on the line of scrimmage numbered 50-79, one player on the line wearing
number 82, and four players in the backfield.

Answer 16

RULING: The formation is legal because Team A has no more than four players in the backfield and
the required number of players (five) on the line wearing 50-79.

Question 17

Team A, with fourth and eight, sends two substitutes numbered 21 and 33 into the game as exceptions to the mandatory numbering, and they are positioned legally on their line of scrimmage between the end players on the line of scrimmage. After the ball is snapped, a Team A player, 15 yards deep in a scrimmage kick formation, throws a legal forward pass to an eligible receiver for a 10-yard gain.

Answer 17

RULING: Legal play (Note: The same play from a field goal formation is legal).

Question 18

A33, an exception to the mandatory numbering rule, assumes a position on the line of scrimmage next to end A88. Before the snap, A88 moves to a backfield position and the flanker on the opposite side of the line moves to an end position on the line

Answer 18

RULING: Illegal formation. Since A33 is now an end, he is thus in an illegal position at the snap (live-ball foul).
Penalty—five yards, previous spot.

Question 19

A33, an exception to the mandatory numbering rule, assumes a position on the line of scrimmage to the left of snapper A85, who is on the end of the line. All other Team A players on the line are to A33’s left. After a one second stop, all players on the line except A85 legally shift to the other side of the ball, with A33 now positioned as an end.

Answer 19

RULING: If the ball is snapped with A33 in this position, it is a foul for an illegal formation. A33 may not legally be on the end of the line at the snap. Penalty—five yards, previous spot.

Question 20

At the B-45, Team A is in an alignment in which the snapper A88 is on the right end of the line. The linemen on his left are numbered 56, 63, 72, 22, 79, and 25. There are four players in the backfield. A44 is ten yards directly behind the snapper, and the other backs are to his left a few yards behind the line of scrimmage. No player is in position to hold for a place kick. After the snap, A44 completes a pass to snapper A88 for a touchdown. This happens on (a) first or second down; (b) third or fourth down.

Answer 20

RULING: Because there are only four offensive linemen numbered in the 50-79 range, the legality of the play depends on whether Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation. One of the requirements for such a formation is that “it is obvious that a kick will be attempted.” (a) Illegal formation: on first or second down, a team is very unlikely to punt, so it is not obvious that a kick will be attempted. (b) Legal play: touchdown. On third or fourth down a team may be likely to kick. (Rule 2-16-10)

Question 21

Team A lines up with A11 ten yards directly behind the snapper. The other three backs are split wide, all outside the tackle box. Only four Team A linemen have uniform numbers between 50 and 79. A11 receives the backward pass from the snapper with Team A in this formation.

Answer 21

RULING: Live-ball foul. Illegal formation, not enough players numbered 50-79 on the line of scrimmage. Team A is not is a scrimmage kick formation, because in this alignment it is not obvious that a kick will be attempted. (Rule 2-16-10)

Question 22

Team A lines up with six players on the line of scrimmage, five of whom are numbered in the range 50-79. A seventh player, A88, is in the normal location of an end, but he is positioned so that his feet and shoulders are clearly at a 45-degree angle with the line of scrimmage. The other four players are clearly in the backfield. The ball is snapped with Team A in this alignment

Answer 22

RULING: Live-ball foul, illegal formation. Every Team A
player must be either a lineman or a back; A88 is neither.

Question 23

Snapper A1 lifts the ball before passing it backward, B2 bats the ball away, and B3 recovers the ball.

Answer 23

RULING: Team A dead-ball foul, illegal snap. The ball remains dead because it was not put in play by a legal snap. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot. Team A retains possession

Question 24

Snapper A1 legally begins the snap, but B2 bats the ball before A1 completes the snap, and B3 recovers the ball.

Answer 24

RULING: Team B foul and the ball remains dead. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot. Team B may not touch the ball until it has been snapped. Team A retains possession.

Question 25

Before the snap, a Team B player crosses the neutral zone and, without making contact, continues his charge behind a Team A lineman and directly toward the quarterback or kicker

Answer 25

RULING: A Team B player who is on Team A’s side of the neutral zone and is moving in a direct path toward the quarterback or kicker while he is behind an offensive lineman is considered to be interfering with Team A’s formation. Penalty—Team B dead-ball foul, offside. Five yards from the succeeding spot

Question 26

Linebacker B56 is stationary within one yard beyond the neutral zone. As the offense is calling its snap signals, B56 feints toward the line in an obvious attempt to induce a false start by the offense

Answer 26

RULING: Dead-ball foul, delay of game. Five-yard penalty at the succeeding spot.

Question 27

Eligible receiver A83 is on the end of his scrimmage line and adjacent to the snapper in an unbalanced “T’’ formation. Quarterback A10 receives a handed snap and immediately conveys the ball to A83.

Answer 27

RULING: If the movement of the ball is forward and it left A10’s hand before having been touched by A83, it is a legal forward pass. A83 may have turned sufficiently to receive a backward pass or handoff (legal); but if the action immediately followed the snap, it is not likely that a handoff would have had time to comply with the “turn’’ and “two yards behind the line’’ requirement.

Question 28

B20 intercepts a legal forward pass (a) in his end zone, (b) on his three-yard line, and his momentum carries him into his end zone, or (c) in the field of play and retreats into his end zone (no momentum). In each instance, B20 fumbles in the end zone and the ball rolls forward and out of bounds on Team B’s two-yard line.

Answer 28

RULING: The ball belongs to Team B at the spot of the fumble (Team B’s end zone); (a) touchback, (b) Team B’s ball at the three-yard line, and (c) safety (Rules 8-5-1 and 8-6-1).

Question 29

On second down, A1 fumbles the ball, which strikes the ground and bounces high in the air. B2 receives the ball while off the ground and returns to the ground out of bounds (a) in advance of the spot of the fumble or (b) behind the spot of the fumble

Answer 29

RULING: (a) Team A’s ball at the spot of the fumble. (b) Team A’s ball at the spot where the ball crossed the sideline (Rules 4-2-4-d and 7-2-4).

Question 30

Quarterback A10, who is not outside the tackle box and is attempting to save yardage, intentionally throws a desperation forward pass that falls incomplete where there is no eligible Team A receiver.

Answer 30

RULING: Intentional grounding. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the foul. The clock starts on the snap (Rule 3-3-2-d-4) unless Rule 3-4-4 applies.

Question 31

After the Two-Minute Timeout in the fourth quarter, A10 is unable to locate an open receiver. To conserve time, he throws a forward pass that is incomplete where there is no eligible Team A player

Answer 31

RULING: Illegal forward pass, intentional grounding. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the foul. Because this play occurred after the Two-Minute Timeout, this foul comes under the 10-second runoff rule (Rule 3-4-4).

Question 32

On third down after the Two-Minute Timeout in the second quarter, potential field goal holder A4 muffs the snap and A4 or potential kicker A3 recovers the ball and immediately throws it forward to the ground.

Answer 32

RULING: Illegal forward pass for intentional grounding; not a valid attempt to conserve time. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the foul. Because this play occurred after the Two-Minute Timeout, this foul comes under the 10-second runoff rule (Rule 3-4-4).

Question 33

After the Two-Minute Timeout in the second quater, the ball is snapped over the head of quarterback A12, who is in the shotgun formation. A12 recovers the ball and immediately throws it forward into the ground to conserve time.

Answer 33

RULING: Illegal forward pass for intentional grounding; not a valid attempt to conserve time. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the foul. Because this play occurred after the Two-Minute Timeout, this foul comes under the 10-second runoff rule (Rule 3-4-4).

Question 34

Late in either half with more than one minute remaining, A10 is unable to locate an open receiver. To conserve time, he throws a forward pass that is incomplete where there is no eligible Team A player

Answer 34

RULING: Illegal forward pass, intentional grounding. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the foul. The clock will start on the ready-for-play signal (Rule 3-3-2-e-14 and 3-4-3).

Question 35

On third down near the end of either half, potential field goal holder A4 muffs the snap and A4 or potential kicker A3 recovers the ball and immediately throws it forward to the ground.

Answer 35

RULING: Illegal forward pass for intentional grounding; not a valid attempt to conserve time. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the foul. 10-second runoff option for Team B (Rule 3-4-4). Clock starts on the ready-for-play signal (Rules 3-3-2-e-14 and 3-4-3) if the 10-second runoff is accepted.

Question 36

The ball is snapped over the head of quarterback A12, who is in the “shotgun’’ formation. A12 recovers the ball and immediately throws it forward to the ground.

Answer 36

RULING: Illegal forward pass for intentional grounding; not a valid attempt to conserve time. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the foul. Clock starts on the ready-for-play signal (Rules 3-3-2-e-14 and 3-4-3).

Question 37

On third down near the end of the half, A1 muffs the snap. A1 or A4 catches the muffed ball and immediately throws it forward into the ground.

Answer 37

RULING: Legal play

Question 38

On third down near the end of the half, A1 positioned seven yards behind the snapper—catches the snap and immediately throws the ball forward to the ground.

Answer 38

RULING: Legal play

Question 39

With seconds remaining in a half and the ball ready for play, Team A quickly lines up and the ball is legally snapped to quarterback A12, who throws the ball forward directly to the ground. Team A’s formation was not legal at the snap. When the ball becomes dead, two seconds show on the game clock.

Answer 39

RULING: Illegal formation. Penalty—Five yards from the previous spot. The clock starts on the snap.

Question 40

Quarterback A10 sprints toward a sideline and is outside the tackle box when he throws a legal forward pass that is batted down by a defensive lineman and lands behind the neutral zone

Answer 40

RULING: Legal play. Without the batting the ball would have landed beyond the neutral zone, so A10 has satisfied the spirit of the rule

Question 41

Third and 5 at the A-40. QB A12 drops back in the pocket to pass. Under a heavy rush he throws a backward pass to back A22 who carries the ball outside the tackle box. About to be tackled, A22 at the A-35 throws a forward pass that crosses the neutral zone and lands in an area 20 yards away from the nearest Team A eligible receiver.

Answer 41

RULING: Foul, intentional grounding. The tackle-box rule exception applies only to the player who controls the snap or the resulting backward pass. Loss of down at the spot of the foul. Fourth and 10 at the A-35. (Rule 7-3-2-h-Exc.)

Question 42

Quarterback A12 is in a shotgun formation. He muffs the backward pass from the snapper and the ball is picked up by A63 inside the tackle box. Under a heavy rush, A63 gets outside the tackle box and throws the ball incomplete beyond the line of scrimmage.

Answer 42

RULING: Legal play. A63 controlled the backward pass that resulted from the snap. (Rule 7-3-2-hExc.)

Question 43

2/10 @ A-40. In a shotgun formation A11 takes the backward pass from the snapper and hands the ball off to back A44. A44 takes a few steps toward the line of scrimmage and then throws a backward pass to A11, who is still inside the tackle box. Avoiding tacklers, A11 scrambles outside the tackle box, and unable to find an open receiver, at the A-35 he throws the ball toward an area where there are no eligible receivers, and it lands out of bounds beyond the neutral zone

Answer 43

RULING: Illegal forward pass. Loss of down at the A-35; third and 15. A11 loses the right to throw the ball away legally because he relinquishes possession before passing it.

Question 44

3/10 @ A-30. Quarterback A11 drops back to pass. About to be tackled at the A-20, he throws the ball forward to an area where there are no eligible receivers. Tackle A77 catches the pass at the A-28 and is tackled at the A-32.

Answer 44

RULING: Illegal forward pass; loss of down at the spot of the pass. Fourth and 20 at the A-20. This is “intentional grounding” since A11 throws the ball into an area where there are no eligible Team A receivers. Note that this is not illegal touching by A77, because the rule for illegal touching applies only to a legal forward pass. (Rule 7-3-11)

Question 45

Quarterback A11 drops back to pass and scrambles outside the tackle box. He fumbles the ball, which bounces back up into his hands. He then passes the ball forward, and it lands beyond the neutral zone in an open area where there are no eligible receivers with an opportunity to make a catch.

Answer 45

RULING: Legal play, since A11 did not relinquish possession to another player

Question 46

Eligible A88 voluntarily goes out of bounds, returns inbounds, and is the first player to touch the legal forward pass. This touching by A88 occurs in Team B’s end zone.

Answer 46

RULING: Illegal touching. Penalty—Loss of down at the previous spot

Question 47

Eligible A88 voluntarily goes out of bounds during a down in which a legal forward pass is thrown. He returns to the field of play inbounds but does not touch the ball and is held by an opponent before the ball is touched by any player.

Answer 47

RULING: Not pass interference—A88 is not eligible to catch a legal forward pass. Penalty—Ten yards from the previous spot and automatic first down

Question 48

Wide receiver A88 is blocked out of bounds by B1 and then runs 20 yards before returning inbounds to the field of play. A88 catches a legal pass in Team B’s end zone

Answer 48

RULING: Foul for illegal touching due to A88’s failure to return inbounds immediately. Penalty—Loss of down at the previous spot.

Question 49

Eligible receiver A44 is running a pass pattern near the sideline. As a legal forward pass comes toward him, he accidentally steps on the sideline, leaps, muffs the pass into the air while airborne, returns to the ground inbounds, grabs the ball and lands on his knees inbounds with the ball firmly in his possession

Answer 49

RULING: Incomplete pass. A44 first touched the ball while airborne and thus out of bounds since he had not established in bounds. (Rule 2-27-15)

Question 50

Team B touches the legal forward pass near a sideline while originally eligible A1 is out of bounds. A1 comes inbounds and touches the pass.

Answer 50

RULING: Legal play. Touching by Team B made all players eligible during the remainder of the down.

Question 51

Two opposing players receive a legal forward pass while both are off the ground, and both players return to the ground inbounds at the same time.

Answer 51

RULING: Simultaneous catch; the ball is awarded to the passing team (Rule 2-4-4).

Question 52

Two opposing players receive a ball while both are off the ground, and one player returns to the ground inbounds before the other.

Answer 52

RULING: No simultaneous catch. The legal forward pass is completed or intercepted by the player who first returned to the ground (Rule 2-4-4).

Question 53

An inbounds airborne player receives a legal forward pass. While still in the air, he is tackled by an opponent and obviously held for a moment before being carried in any direction. He then lands inbounds or out of bounds with the ball.

Answer 53

RULING: Completed pass. The ball is dead at the yard line where the receiver/interceptor was held in a manner that prevented him from immediately returning to the ground (Rule 4-1-3-p).

Question 54

Airborne A80 receives a legal forward pass at his 30-yard line. While still in the air, he is tackled by B40 and driven forward to Team A’s 34-yard line, where he is downed.

Answer 54

RULING: Team A’s ball at its 34-yard line (Rule 5-1-3-a).

Question 55

Airborne A80 receives a legal forward pass at his 30-yard line. While still in the air, he is tackled by B40 and driven backward to Team A’s 26-yard line, where the ball becomes dead.

Answer 55

RULING: Team A’s ball at the 30-yard line (Rule 5-1-3-a Exception).

Question 56

A86 is legally blocked out of bounds by B18 at Team B’s two-yard line. A86, while attempting an immediate return to the field of play, leaps from out of bounds and is airborne as he receives A16’s legal forward pass. He lands in Team B’s end zone with the ball in his grasp.

Answer 56

RULING: Incomplete pass. A86 did not establish in bounds before touching the pass, and hence he was still out of bounds. (Rule 2-27-15)

Question 57

B33 leaps from in bounds and is airborne as he receives Team A’s legal forward pass. He completes the interception by landing (a) in the field of play or (b) in Team B’s end zone, and is then tackled.

Answer 57

RULING: B33 is a ball carrier until he loses player possession or the ball becomes dead by rule. (a) First and 10 for Team B. (b) Touchback. (Rules 4-1-3-c, 4-2-3-a, 5-1-1-e and 7-3-4).

Question 58

While airborne and in bounds, eligible receiver A89 touches a forward pass when he propels it toward: (a) eligible receiver A80, who catches the pass; or (b) B27, who intercepts the pass.

Answer 58

RULING: Legal play, and the ball remains live in both (a) and (b). A89 has batted a forward pass (Rules 2-4-3, 2-11-3 and 9-4-1-a).

Question 59

Airborne receiver A85 grasps a forward pass and in the process of going to the ground, first contacts the ground with his left foot as he falls to the ground inbounds. Immediately upon A85 hitting the ground, the ball comes loose and touches the ground

Answer 59

RULING: Incomplete pass. An airborne receiver must maintain control of the ball while going to the ground in the process of completing a catch

Question 60

Airborne receiver A85 grasps a forward pass and in the process of going to the ground, first contacts the ground with his left foot as he falls to the ground inbounds. Immediately upon A85 hitting the ground, the ball comes loose but never touches the ground before he regains control.

Answer 60

RULING: Catch. If the receiver is inbounds and is going to the ground and loses control, as long as the player remains inbounds and the ball never touches the ground, it is a completed pass.

Question 61

Airborne receiver A85 grasps a forward pass and in the process of going to the ground, first contacts the ground with his left foot inbounds as he falls to the ground out of bounds. Immediately upon A85 hitting the ground out of bounds, the ball comes loose.

Answer 61

RULING: Incomplete pass regardless of whether or not the ball hits the ground because the receiver is out of bounds.

Question 62

Receiver A85 stretches out at the Team B two-yard line and grasps a forward pass and is going to the ground on his own as he is attempting to complete the catch. As A85 falls to the ground in the end zone, the ball immediately comes loose and falls to the ground.

Answer 62

RULING: Incomplete pass. Any receiver going to the ground on his own in the process of making a catch must maintain control of the ball when he hits the ground

Question 63

Receiver A85 is airborne and in bounds in the end zone and grasps a forward pass, but while airborne he is hit by a defender, which causes A85 to fall to the ground. Immediately upon A85 hitting the ground, the ball comes loose and strikes the ground.

Answer 63

RULING: Incomplete pass. An airborne receiver contacted before completing all the requirements of a catch must still maintain control of the ball after hitting the ground.

Question 64

Eligible A80 is airborne when he receives a legal forward pass. He grasps the ball firmly in his hands, and as he is returning toward the ground, the nose of the football touches the ground before any part of his body. A80 retains his firm control of the ball and it does not move during this action. A80’s knees then touch the ground and he maintains control of the ball.

Answer 64

RULING: Completed pass.

Question 65

Eligible A80 is airborne near the sideline when he receives a legal forward pass. As he comes to the ground facing the field of play, his toe (a) clearly drags the ground inbounds before he falls out of bounds; (b) touches the ground inbounds and then his heel comes down on the sideline in a continuous motion. He maintains firm control of the ball in both cases.

Answer 65

RULING: (a) Complete pass. (b) Incomplete pass. The continuous toe-heel touching is part of a single process and by interpretation he has landed out of bounds, thus not executing a catch

Question 66

Defender B21 is airborne near the sideline when he gains firm control of a legal forward pass and lands with both feet inbounds and is down. When B21 jumped from the sideline area, his left heel was out of bounds, and he jumped with a single process with the heel coming off the ground just before the toes.

Answer 66

RULING: Incomplete pass as airborne B21 remains an out of bounds player until he touches the ground inbounds without simultaneously being out of bounds. If the toe or heel is out of bounds when a player starts a continuous heel-toe or toe-heel process of jumping, the player is out of bounds and has not re-established inbounds.

Question 67

A player touches a legal forward pass (a) while he is contacting a boundary line; (b) while airborne after having leaped from out of bounds

Answer 67

RULING: (a) and (b) The ball is out of bounds, the pass is incomplete, and the down counts. The player loses his eligibility when he goes out of bounds (Rules2-27-15, 4-2-3-a, and 7-3-3).

Question 68

Fourth and nine on Team A’s six-yard line. A1 intentionally grounds a forward pass in his end zone to save loss of yardage

Answer 68

RULING: Team B may accept the penalty for a safety. If they decline the penalty, it is Team B’s ball, first and goal on the six-yard line.

Question 69

Third and nine on Team A’s six-yard line. A1 throws a second forward pass from his end zone. B2 intercepts and is downed on Team A’s 20-yard line.

Answer 69

RULING: Team B may accept the penalty which results in a safety, or take the result of the play, retaining the ball for a first down on Team A’s 20-yard line.

Question 70

B33, defending against a legal forward pass beyond the neutral zone, has his back to the ball and is waving his arms in the face of eligible A88, but does not make contact

Answer 70

RULING: No foul. There is no foul for defensive pass interference if there is no contact.

Question 71

Wide receiver A80, 15 yards beyond the neutral zone, turns his back toward the neutral zone. The passer throws the ball high over A80’s hands, which are extended above his head. The ball is overthrown and beyond the receiver (uncatchable pass) when B2 pulls A80 down by the facemask

Answer 71

RULING: Personal foul (Rule 9-1-12-a), not pass interference. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot. First and 10 for Team A. Flagrant offenders shall be ejected

Question 72

A83, a wide receiver 10 yards from the nearest interior lineman, slants toward the middle of the field. Before the ball is thrown, B1, a back, legally blocks him and knocks him down

Answer 72

RULING: Legal unless the block was below the waist (Rule 9-1-6).

Question 73

At the snap, A88 is on the end of the line of scrimmage 10 yards from the tackle position and A44 is in the backfield, four yards to his inside. Just before the Team A passer releases the ball, A88 contacts B1 five yards beyond the neutral zone. The pass is thrown to A44, who has moved in front and to the outside of the spot where A88 had contacted B1.

Answer 73

RULING: Team A foul, offensive pass interference. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot.

Question 74

Before the ball is thrown, wide receiver A88 moves four yards downfield directly toward and in front of the defender, B1. At this spot, B1 pushes A88, who then uses his hands to contact B1.

Answer 74

RULING: Team A foul, offensive pass interference, if the legal forward pass is beyond the neutral zone. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot.

Question 75

Before the ball is thrown, wide receiver A88 slants to the inside where linebacker B1 attempts to block him. A88 uses his hands to shove B1 away

Answer 75

RULING: Team A foul, offensive pass interference, if the legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone. If B1’s initial contact was below the waist and beyond the neutral zone, Team B also has fouled and the live-ball fouls offset

Question 76

A88, a spread receiver, runs a 10-yard route and cuts 90 degrees to the sideline. After the ball is thrown, B2 contacts A88 with a tackle, block, grasp or push before A88 touches the ball, a catchable forward pass

Answer 76

RULING: Team B foul, defensive pass interference. Penalty—Spot foul and first down

Question 77

A80, a tight end, runs 10 yards into the secondary and cuts toward the goal posts. B1 is one step behind and to the outside when he recovers. After the legal forward pass has been thrown, B1 contacts A80 with a tackle, block, grasp or push as the ball goes over A80’s outstretched hands.

Answer 77

RULING: Team B foul for defensive pass interference. Penalty—Spot foul and a first down if the infraction occurs less than 15 yards from the previous spot; 15-yard penalty from the previous spot and a first down if the foul is more than 15 yards beyond the neutral zone

Question 78

A88 and B2 are running closely together before or after the ball has been thrown. Either A88 or B2 or both fall when their feet become entangled. Neither player was tripped intentionally.

Answer 78

RULING: No foul.

Question 79

Before the pass is thrown, wide receiver A88 and defender B1 are running shoulder to shoulder and side by side 15 yards beyond the neutral zone. A88 is nearest to the sideline, and B1 is nearest to the hash mark. A88 breaks to the inside. B1 does not move, and A88 collides with him.

Answer 79

RULING: No foul because the ball has not been thrown

Question 80

Wide receiver A88 and defender B1 are running shoulder to shoulder and side by side 15 yards beyond the neutral zone. A88 is nearest to the sideline, and B1 is nearest to the hash mark. A legal forward pass is thrown toward the goal post. While the ball is in the air, A88 breaks to the inside toward the catchable forward pass. B1 does not move and makes no attempt to go for the pass, and A88 collides with him

Answer 80

RULING: Team B foul, defensive pass interference. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot and a first down.

Question 81

A44, a slot back, runs a pattern 25 yards downfield toward the goal line pylon. B1, a safety, is positioned between A44 and the pylon when the ball is thrown. B1 obviously reduces his speed and collides with A44 before the catchable ball touches the ground.

Answer 81

RULING: Team B foul, defensive pass interference. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot and first down.

Question 82

A80, a tight end, moves across the formation on a pass pattern at a depth of 25 yards where he contacts B1, a safety, before or after the ball has been thrown. A88, a wide receiver positioned on the opposite side from the tight end at the snap, crosses behind the contact of A80 and B1 and catches the legal forward pass

Answer 82

RULING: Team A foul, offensive pass interference. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot.

Question 83

Fourth and goal for Team A on Team B’s five-yard line. Team A’s legal forward pass is incomplete, but Team B interfered on its one-yard line or in its end zone.

Answer 83

RULING: First and goal for Team A on Team B’s two-yard line.

Question 84

A80 and B60 are attempting to catch a forward pass thrown toward A80’s position, which is beyond the neutral zone. The pass is high and ruled uncatchable. As the ball passes overhead, A80 pushes B60 in the chest.

Answer 84

RULING: Not offensive pass interference

Question 85

On a legal forward pass beyond the neutral zone, A80 and B60 are attempting to catch the pass thrown to A80’s position. A14, who is not attempting to catch the pass, blocks B65 downfield, either before the pass is thrown or while the uncatchable pass is in flight.

Answer 85

RULING: Team A foul, offensive pass interference. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot.

Question 86

A legal forward pass beyond the neutral zone is tipped or muffed by an eligible receiver of either team or glances off an official. Then, while the pass is still in flight, either Team A or Team B holds or otherwise fouls an eligible opponent who is beyond the neutral zone

Answer 86

RULING: Interference rules do not apply after the pass has been touched. Penalize as a foul during a loose ball. Penalty—10 yards from the previous spot and Team B fouls will include an automatic first down. (Rule 9-3-4).

Question 87

On a legal forward pass behind the neutral zone, eligible A1 “has position” on B1 and is about to touch the pass when B1 pushes A1 and the pass is incomplete

Answer 87

RULING: Legal. Interference rules do not apply behind the neutral zone (Rules 7-3-9-d, 9-1-5 Exception 4 and 9-3-6 Exception 5).

Question 88

Running a pattern near the sideline, end A88 touches the sideline just before a defender jumps into him and bats the ball to the ground.

Answer 88

RULING: Not defensive pass interference. A88 became ineligible when he stepped out of bounds. (Rule 7-3-3)

Question 89

Ineligible lineman A70 runs more than three yards beyond the neutral zone and does not make contact with an opponent. He circles toward the flank and returns across the neutral zone before A10 throws a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone.

Answer 89

RULING: Team A foul, offensive pass interference. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot (Rule 7-3-8-b)

Question 90

First and 10 at the A-37. Ineligible lineman A70 releases at the snap and starts downfield. When the passer releases the ball, the top of A70’s helmet is penetrating the plane of the A-40. The pass crosses the neutral zone and falls incomplete at the A-39.

Answer 90

RULING: Foul, ineligible receiver downfield. Some part of A70’s body was more than three yards beyond the neutral zone when the pass was released.

Question 91

After the Two-Minute Timeout in the second quarter, quarterback A10, who has not been outside the tackle box, throws a desperation pass that falls incomplete after ineligible A58 touches the ball in an attempt to catch it.

Answer 91

RULING: Foul for intentional grounding. No foul for illegal touching since the pass is illegal. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the pass. Because this play occurred after the Two-Minute Timeout, this foul comes under the 10-second runoff rule (Rule 3-4-4). If time expires in the quarter the quarter is not extended.

Question 92

Late in the half, quarterback A10, who has not been outside the tackle box, throws a desperation pass to intentionally save yardage that falls incomplete after ineligible A58 touches the ball in an attempt to catch it.

Answer 92

RULING: Foul for intentional grounding. No foul for illegal touching since the pass is illegal. Penalty—Loss of down at the spot of the pass. The clock starts on the snap (Rules 3-3-2-d-4 and 7-3-2-h). Rule 3-4-4 applies if less than one minute remains on the game clock. If time expires in the quarter the quarter is not extended.

Question 93

Team A snaps on its 10-yard line. A10 retreats and then passes forward to ineligible A70 who, while in his end zone, (a) touches the ball as he attempts to catch the pass, and the pass is incomplete; (b) catches the pass and is downed in the end zone; or (c) catches the pass and is downed after having advanced to his three-yard line

Answer 93

RULING: (a) Team B may accept the five-yard penalty from the previous spot that includes loss of down, so the down will count. (b) The ball is dead in the end zone with impetus by Team A, and Team B may elect the safety or the penalty at the previous spot with loss of down. (c) Five-yard penalty from the previous spot and loss of down. The down counts if the penalty is declined; the dead-ball spot might be deemed more advantageous to Team B than the penalty [Note: (a), (b) and (c) could be intentional grounding depending on the location of an eligible Team A player or the location of A10 when the ball is thrown] (Rule 10-1-1-b). If intentional grounding is warranted, there is no illegal touching.]

Question 94

A11 throws a forward pass intended for A88. During the play defensive end B88 is flagged for a head-slap to tackle A79. The pass to A88 is (a) complete for a 10-yard gain to the A-30 where A88 is tackled. (b) incomplete or intercepted.

Answer 94

RULING: (a) The penalty is enforced at the end of the run, which is the A-30; first and 10 for Team A at the A-45. (b) The penalty is enforced at the previous spot, first and 10 for Team A at the A-35. (Rule 9-1 Penalty)

Question 95

A11 throws a forward pass intended for A88. During the pass defensive end B88 is flagged for a unsportsmanlike conduct. The pass to A88 is (a) complete for a 10-yard gain to the A-30 where A88 is tackled. (b) incomplete or intercepted.

Answer 95

RULING: (a) The penalty is enforced at the end of the run, which is the A-30; first and 10 for Team A at the A-45. (b) The penalty is enforced at the previous spot, first and 10 for Team A at the A-35. (Rule 9-2-1-a-1 Penalty)

Question 96

3/2 @ B-45. Team A is in formation and the snap is imminent. Team A QB is in shotgun formation and is using a clap as a starting signal. Team B (a) squad member; (b) assistant coach claps causing the Team A wideout to false start or the snapper to snap the ball.

Answer 96

RULING: Dead-ball foul, delay of game for disconcerting signals [S21] for both (a) and (b). Team A will have 1/10 @ B-40. The rule states that no player may call defensive signals that simulate the sound or cadence of, or otherwise interfere with, offensive starting signals. The spirit of the rule would include squad members or coaches that clap when the snap is imminent and could cause the offense to false start.

Question 97

1/10 @ A-25. QB A12 is in shotgun formation and slot receiver A80, who is lined up to the wide side of the field, starts back in motion toward A12 before the snap. At the snap A80 heads toward A12 to run the jet sweep. A12 flips the ball up into the air and A80 (a) catches the ball as he crosses in front of A12 and A80 turns upfield and is out of bounds at the A-40, or (b) muffs the ball and the ball drops to the ground.

Answer 97

RULING: The short flip of the ball by A12 is considered a legal forward pass unless it is clearly and obviously thrown backward: (a) Completed forward pass to A80 and the run upfield results in a 1st down for the offense. (b) When the ball strikes the ground, it is ruled an incomplete forward pass and the play is dead.

Question 98

1/10 @ A-25. QB A12 is in shotgun formation and slot receiver A80, who is lined up to the wide side of the field, starts back in motion toward A12 before the snap. At the snap A80 heads toward A12 to run the jet sweep. A12 flips the ball up into the air but it is a fake jet sweep and A80 passes by and does not touch the ball. A12 catches the ball and: (a) runs upfield and is out of bounds at the A-40, or (b) then throws a forward pass to A88 who makes the catch at the A-40 and is downed at that spot.

Answer 98

RULING: The short flip of the ball by A12 is considered a legal forward pass unless it is clearly and obviously thrown backward: (a) The catch of the forward pass by A12 is legal and the advance results in a 1st down for the offense. (b) The catch of the forward pass by A12 is legal, but A12’s pass to A88 is the second forward pass during the same down and is an Illegal Forward Pass as per Rule 7-3-2-d.