RULE 9: Conduct of Players and Others Subject to the Rules

Question 1

A player on defense sticks out his foot and trips an opponent. (a) The opponent is a wide receiver running a passing route. (b) The opponent is the ball carrier.

Answer 1

RULING: (a) and (b) Personal foul, Tripping. Penalty—15 yards, automatic first down

Question 2

A1, a ball carrier, strikes tackler B6 with his extended forearm just before being tackled.

Answer 2

RULING: Personal foul. Penalty—15 yards. Enforce
from the previous spot if foul occurs behind the neutral zone. Ejection if flagrant. Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line.

Question 3

A11 completes a forward pass to A88 who is tackled in the field of play. During the play defensive end B88 is flagged for a personal foul against A79.

Answer 3

RULING: The 15-yard penalty is enforced at the spot where A88 is tackled (Rules 7-3-12 and 9-1 Penalty).

Question 4

1/10 @ A-25. Defender B21 is in press coverage, and at the snap strikes wideout A88 in the face mask. A88 is initially disrupted from running the route. A12 is sacked for a 7-yard loss.

Answer 4

RULING: Personal foul by B21 for striking A88. Team A will have 1/10 @ A-40. With this type action, continuous contact to the opponent’s face, helmet (including the face mask) or neck is not a requirement to be a foul as per Rule 9-1-8-a.

Question 5

Passer A12 inside the tackle box is looking for an open receiver. Before or just as he releases the ball, A12 is hit from the side at the ribs, thigh or knee by B79, who dives forward and leads with the crown (top) of his helmet. This occurs in the (a) first half; (b) second half

Answer 5

RULING: Foul by B79 for targeting his opponent and initiating contact with the top of his helmet. 15
yards, first down. B79 is automatically disqualified (a) for the remainder of the game. (b) for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game.

Question 6

Player number 21 for the home team is disqualified late in the 3rd quarter for targeting with the crown of the helmet. This was number 21’s third targeting foul in the season.

Answer 6

RULING: Enforce the 15-yard penalty for targeting and number 21 is disqualified. That player may remain in the team area for the balance of the game. If a player receives a 3rd Targeting foul within the same season, in addition to being disqualified for that game, the player will receive a one-game suspension in that team’s next scheduled game. While serving this suspension, this player may not be in the team area nor in the playing enclosure. Note: The second half targeting foul may be appealed to the national coordinator for video review.

Question 7

Receiver A83 has just leaped and received a forward pass. As A83 is about to regain his balance, B45 launches and drives into A83 above the shoulder area with his helmet or shoulder. This occurs in the (a) first half; (b) second half

Answer 7

RULING: Foul by B45 for targeting and initiating contact with a defenseless opponent above the shoulders. 15 yards, first down. B45 is automatically disqualified (a) for the remainder of the game. (b) for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game

Question 8

As ball carrier A20 sweeps around the end and heads upfield, he lowers his head and contacts defensive end B89 who is trying to tackle him. B89’s head is up and the players meet helmet to helmet.

Answer 8

RULING: No foul. Neither A20 nor B89 is a defenseless player and neither has targeted his opponent in the sense of Rule 9-1-3.

Question 9

A44 is covering the kickoff that opens the second half. During the return as A44 is running at the Team B 45-yard line, B66 targets and launches into A44 from the side, a blind-side block. B66 first makes contact with his forearm at A44’s (a) neck; (b) upper arm or shoulder.

Answer 9

RULING: (a) Foul by B66 for an illegal blind-side block and targeting a defenseless player by initiating contact at the head or neck area. 15-yard penalty at the end of
the run. B66 is disqualified for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game. (b) Foul for illegal blind-side block. This is not a foul for targeting because the contact by B66 is not to the head or neck area. (Rule 2-27-14)

Question 10

A12 who normally plays quarterback is lined up as a wide receiver in the backfield and A33 is five yards behind the snapper in a shotgun formation. A33’s pass intended for A12 is intercepted. During the interception return B55 targets and launches at A33, striking him in the side of the helmet.

Answer 10

RULING: Foul by B55 for targeting and initiating contact at the head of a defenseless player. For purposes of Rule 2-27-14, A33 is a defenseless
player since he played the down in the role of the quarterback.

Question 11

End A81 is split far to the left of the formation, to the outside of defensive end B89. On a sweep play in B89’s direction he moves to his left to focus on the ball carrier, losing sight of A81. A81 then cuts to the inside, takes aim and launches at B89, forcibly contacting him with his forearm to B89’s neck

Answer 11

RULING: Foul for blind-side block with targeting. Under Rule 9-1- 4, 15 yard penalty, A81 is disqualified. B89 is a defenseless player as he is subject to the blind-side block. (Rule 2-27-14)

Question 12

Ball carrier A33 has gained several yards and is in the grasp of two defenders. A33’s forward progress has been stopped and is being driven back, but the ball has not been declared dead. Linebacker B55 crouches
and thrusts himself forward, driving his forearm into the side of A33’s helmet.

Answer 12

RULING: Targeting foul by B55. 15 yard penalty, B55 is
disqualified. A33 is a defenseless player since he is in the grasp of the opponents and his forward progress has been stopped. (Rule 2-27-14)

Question 13

Pass receiver A88 has just caught the ball when defender B55 launches and drives his shoulder and forearm into his upper body. The back judge flags B55 for targeting to the head-neck area and he is disqualified. The referee makes his announcement of the targeting foul, and the play goes to review.

Answer 13

RULING: After review, Instant Replay rules that there was not forcible contact to the head-neck area, overturning the disqualification of B55. The referee announces that B55 is not disqualified and that there will be no 15-yard penalty

Question 14

Punt receiver B44 is in position to catch a punt. Gunner A88 races down the field and launches at B44, driving the side of his helmet and shoulder into B44’s upper body the instant before the ball arrives. The side judge and field judge throw their flags and report to the referee that A88 is charged with kick-catch interference and targeting to the head-neck area.
The referee makes his announcement of kick-catch interference with targeting to the head-neck area. The play goes to review

Answer 14

RULING: After review, Instant Replay rules that A88 did not make forcible contact to the head-neck area, overturning his disqualification. The referee announces that A88 is not disqualified and that the 15-yard penalty for interference with the opportunity to catch a kick will be enforced.

Question 15

In a game without instant replay, the conference or teams have agreed to use the halftime review process for first-half targeting fouls. During the first quarter, pass receiver A88 has just caught the ball when defender B55 launches and drives his shoulder and forearm into his upper body. The back judge flags B55 for targeting to the head-neck area. The referee makes his announcement of the targeting foul and that B55 is disqualified.

Answer 15

RULING: In the halftime review of the video, the referee and the crew determine that B55 did not make forcible contact to A88’s head-neck area,
overturning his disqualification. The referee informs both head coaches that B55 may return to the game in the second half. Before the kickoff for the second half, the referee announces to the stadium that after review, the disqualification of B55 is overturned and he may return to the game for the second half.

Question 16

On a punt return, B44 launches at A66 from the blind side and drives his shoulder into him. The force of the contact is at A66’s side below the shoulder

Answer 16

RULING: Foul for blind-side block. A66 is a defenseless player because B44 executes a blind-side block. However, this is not a targeting foul because the forcible contact is not to the head/neck area

Question 17

1/10 @ A-40. Back A44 in lined up just behind the RT, and has his left foot inside the RT’s outside foot. At the snap, A44 works back across the formation and blocks B77 below the waist from the side. B77 is inside the tackle box and 1 yard in the offensive backfield at the time of the block. During the play, A33 runs for a 12-yard gain

Answer 17

RULING: The block by A44 is an illegal block below the waist because it is not directed from the front.
Stationary backs lined up within the tackle box may block below the waist in the tackle box until the ball leaves the tackle box only if the force of the initial contact is directed from the front. The penalty is 15 yards and is enforced from the previous spot. Team A will have 1/25 @ A-25.

Question 18

1/10 @ A-40. Back A44 is stationary and lined up 4 yards deep and is just behind the RG. After the snap, QB A12 takes a deep drop, and remains in the tackle box looking downfield. Linebacker, B55 blitzes between the LG and LT, and A44 crosses over to the left side of the formation and blocks B55 below the waist at the A-36. The block is directed from the front. After the block, A12’s pass is completed to A88 for a gain of 15-yards.

Answer 18

RULING: There is no foul on the play. The block by back A44 is legal as a stationary back lined up within the tackle box may block below the waist in the tackle box until the ball leaves the tackle box only if the force of the initial contact is directed from the front. Team A will have 1/10 @ B-45.

Question 19

Back A41 is stationary at the snap directly behind the right tackle in a balanced line formation. His left shoulder is inside the tackle box. The quarterback hands the ball to back A22 who runs straight ahead. A41 blocks B2 who moves into the offensive backfield to make a play on the ball carrier before A22 reaches the line of scrimmage. The block is below the waist and clearly at the side.

Answer 19

RULING: Illegal block. A41 is partially inside the tackle box and behind the second lineman at the snap, but the block is not from the front.

Question 20

Defensive end B88 is lined up on the outside shoulder of tackle of A75. On the initial line charge, B88 blocks tackle A75 below the waist from the side inside the tackle box.

Answer 20

RULING: No foul for an illegal block below the
waist

Question 21

Back A22 is stationary inside the tackle box at the snap. After the snap A22 shoots between the tackle and the guard and blocks B55 below the waist directed from the front. The initial contact is three yards beyond the neutral zone

Answer 21

e. RULING: Illegal block below the waist. The block is directed from the front, but is beyond the neutral zone.

Question 22

3/7 @ A-30. The ball is at the left hash mark. Back A22 is split completely outside the frame of the tackle on the left side, and B40 moves out to cover him. The handoff goes to back A44 who sweeps around the right end. As the play develops B40 follows the play and A22 chases him. At the A-34 beyond the right hash mark A22 overtakes B40 and blocks him below the waist clearly and directly at the front (“10-to-2”). A44 is tackled at the B-45.

Answer 22

RULING: Illegal block below the waist. A22’s initial position is outside the tackle box, so A22 may not legally block below the waist.

Question 23

1/10 @ A-40. A12 takes the snap and starts on a sweep to his right. Guard A66 pulls and leads the play. As the play develops linebacker B55 blocks A66 from the front at the thigh at the A-39. A12 is driven out of bounds at the A-48.

Answer 23

RULING: Illegal block below the waist. B55 was not aligned in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage and therefore cannot block below the waist.

Question 24

At the snap tight end A85 is aligned six yards from the snapper. Before the ball has left the tackle box, A85 blocks tackle B77 below the waist at the side.

Answer 24

RULING: Illegal block below the waist. A85’s initial position is outside the tackle box at the snap, so A85 may not block below the waist. Fifteen-yard penalty

Question 25

1/10 @ A-45. Guard A66 is next to the snapper. Immediately after the snap, A66 blocks (a) nose guard B55 at the A-46, or (b) linebacker B33 at the A-48. In either case the block is below the waist at the side of the opponent

Answer 25

RULING: (a) Legal block. A66 has left the tackle box, but a block initiated one yard beyond the neutral zone is considered within the tackle box. (b) Foul, illegal block below the waist. In this case, A66 has left the tackle box and has gone to the second level to make this low block. To be legal this block may not be below the waist.

Question 26

After the ball is dead, a player throws himself onto an opponent lying on the ground.

Answer 26

RULING: Personal foul. Penalty—15 yards from the succeeding spot and first down if by a Team B player and not in conflict with other rules. “Piling on’’ applies to a ball carrier or to any other opponent who is prostrate when the ball becomes dead.

Question 27

On a sweep play toward the sideline, linebacker B55 goes out of bounds to avoid a block. Guard A66 is leading the play, and just as he steps on the sideline with his front foot he drives his shoulder in the waist at the front of B55 who is still out of bounds.

Answer 27

RULING: Legal block. A66 does not have both feet out of bounds.

Question 28

After passer A17 releases the ball, B68 takes two strides and charges into A17, showing no attempt to avoid contact

Answer 28

RULING: Roughing the passer. The passer is a defenseless player who is vulnerable to injury and must be fully protected. After taking two strides, B68 should be aware that A17 has released the ball and be able to avoid contacting him

Question 29

Quarterback A11 drops back in the pocket and sets up to pass. Just as he releases the ball he is hit by end B88 who drives his shoulder into A11’s knee. The pass is (a) incomplete; (b) caught by A44 who is tackled after a 12-yard gain to the B-40.

Answer 29

RULING: Foul by B88 for forcibly hitting the passer at the knee or below, in violation of Rule 9-1-9-b. Automatic first down and 15-yard penalty enforced at (a) the previous spot; (b) at the B-40, the end of the run by A44.

Question 30

Quarterback A11 drops back in the pocket and sets up to pass. He then scrambles to his right, sets up again and is in the passing posture when he is hit by end B88 who drives his shoulder into A11’s knee. A11 then pulls the ball in and goes to the ground because of being tackled by B88.

Answer 30

RULING: Foul by B88, violation of Rule 9-1-9-b. While A11 is technically not a passer because he did not release the ball, the action by B88 is a foul under 9-1-9-b because of the vulnerability of A11 as a potential passer in a passing posture.

Question 31

On a forward pass play, A75 is blocking B66 at the waist behind the neutral zone. While A75 maintains contact, A47 subsequently blocks B66 at his thigh

Answer 31

RULING: Chop block, 15 yards from the previous spot

Question 32

As the flow of the play moves to the left, right tackle A77 is disengaging from his block above the thigh with B50 when A27 blocks B50 at his knee.

Answer 32

RULING: Chop block, 15 yards. Previous-spot enforcement if the foul occurs behind the neutral zone.

Question 33

Immediately after the snap, left guard A65 and left tackle A79 simultaneously block B66, who is in the neutral zone. (a) Both blocks are at the thigh. (b) One contact is at the waist and the other at the knee

Answer 33

RULING: (a) Legal blocks for a low-low combination. (b) Foul, chop block

Question 34

Tight end A87 and wingback A43 are leading the play when both simultaneously block linebacker B17, who is three yards beyond the neutral zone. (a) Both blocks are above the waist. (b) One block is above the waist and the other at the knee

Answer 34

RULING: (a) Legal blocks. (b) Foul, chop block.

Question 35

After snapping the ball, snapper A54 brushes by nose guard B62 on his way to block a linebacker. A54 makes slight contact with B62, or B62 reaches out and uses his arm to initiate contact with A54. While B62 and A54 are in contact, right guard A68 blocks B62 at the knee from the front.

Answer 35

RULING: Legal. A54 is not blocking B62. The incidental contact or B62’s initiating contact does not constitute part of a combination block, and hence there is no chop block

Question 36

A10 is in a shotgun-type formation 7-1/2 yards behind the snapper, who has his head down and is looking backward through his legs. Immediately after the snap, nose guard B55 charges directly at the snapper and contacts him by pushing him backward.

Answer 36

RULING: Legal. The snapper is not afforded any special protection because Team A is not in a scrimmage kick formation, since A10 is not at least 10 yards deep (Rule 2-16-10). The snapper does have the usual protection against any personal foul for unnecessary roughness.

Question 37

Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation with the punter 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Immediately after the snap, nose guard B55 charges directly at the snapper, contacts him, and drives him backward. The ball is snapped to an upback three yards behind the scrimmage line or to the potential kicker, who instead runs with or passes the ball.

Answer 37

RULING: Foul. Penalty—15 yards and automatic first down. The snapper may not be contacted until one second has elapsed after the snap when Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation.

Question 38

Immediately after the snap, with Team A in a scrimmage kick formation, B71 is lined up within one yard of the line of scrimmage and is outside of the frame of the snapper. B71 attempts to “shoot the gap” between the snapper and the adjacent lineman. B71’s initial legal contact is with the lineman next to the snapper

Answer 38

RULING: Legal. Incidental contact with the snapper after this initial legal contact is not a foul (Rule 2-16-10).

Question 39

As ball carrier A20 races down field near the sideline, defender B56 grabs him from behind by the back of the jersey at the collar or by the collar of his shoulder pad. B56 continues with this contact for several yards but A20 does not go to the ground until tackled by another defender

Answer 39

RULING: Legal play. B56 did not foul because he did not abruptly pull A20 down.

Question 40

A1 catches a long snap and plans to punt from behind his line of scrimmage but misses the ball, which falls to the ground. A1 is then contacted by B1.

Answer 40

RULING: Team A fumble. No foul by B1. There is no kicker until the ball is kicked

Question 41

A1 kicks the ball, after which B1, unable to stop his attempt to block the kick, makes contact with the kicker or holder.

Answer 41

RULING: This action could be either “Roughing” or “Running into” the kicker or holder. When in question, the ruling is to be “roughing,” which carries a penalty of 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Question 42

A1, from a nonscrimmage kick formation, makes a quick, unexpected kick so suddenly that B1 cannot avoid contact

Answer 42

RULING: This is not roughing or running into the kicker since the rule applies only when it is obvious that a kick will be made.

Question 43

B1 runs into player A1, who has kicked the ball and has had a reasonable time to regain his balance.

Answer 43

RULING: Not a foul by B1 unless ruled as running into or throwing himself against an opponent obviously out of the play (Rule 9-1-12).

Question 44

After B1 runs into the kicker, kicker A25 simulates being roughed

Answer 44

RULING: Offsetting fouls.

Question 45

Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation. Punter A1 moves laterally two or three steps to recover a faulty snap, or recovers a snap that went over his head, and then kicks the ball. B2 contacts A1 in an unsuccessful attempt to block the kick

Answer 45

RULING: A1 does not automatically lose his protection in either case unless he carries or possesses the ball outside the tackle box or more than five yards behind his original position at the snap . While in the tackle box A1 is entitled to protection as in any other kicking situation. When it becomes obvious that A1 intends to kick in a normal punting position, defensive players must avoid him after he kicks the ball.

Question 46

Punter A22 is 15 yards behind the neutral zone when he catches the long snap, sprints to his right at an angle toward the line of scrimmage, and runs outside the tackle box. He then stops and punts the ball, and (a) is immediately hit by a diving B89; or (b) is immediately hit by B89, and B89 is guilty of targeting

Answer 46

RULING: (a) Legal play, no foul by B89. A22 loses his roughing or running-into protection by carrying the ball outside the tackle box. (b) Even though the kicker is outside the tackle box, targeting is a personal foul and the penalty will be enforced at the previous spot.

Question 47

During a down B55’s helmet comes off without a helmet foul by Team A. B55 immediately picks up his helmet, puts it on and continues to chase the ball carrier

Answer 47

RULING: Personal foul by B55 for continuing to participate after losing his helmet. The clock stops at the end of the down and B55 must leave the game for the next down. (Rule 3-3-9)

Question 48

B44 intercepts the pass of A12 at the B-20 and turns back up-field on the return. During the return, B21 approaches A88 at midfield from the blind side and blocks A88 (a) with extended hands; (b) with a screen type block; (c) by attacking with forcible contact with his shoulder into the chest of A88; (d) by attacking with forcible contact with the shoulder into the head of A88. B44 returns the pass to the A-20

Answer 48

RULING: (a) No foul. (b) No foul. (c) Personal Foul, blind-side block, 15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul. (d) Personal Foul, Blind-Side Block with Targeting, 15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul and B21 is disqualified.

Question 49

Team B scores a touchdown on a kickoff return, and substitutes from the Team B area, with no intention of entering the game, run to the end zone to congratulate the ball carrier.

Answer 49

RULING: Unsportsmanlike act. Penalty—15 yards, enforced on the try, the succeeding kickoff or from the succeeding spot in extra periods. Officials should note the numbers of the offending players, for possible ejection later in the game upon committing a second unsportsmanlike conduct foul (9-2-1-a-Penalty).

Question 50

Third and 15 at the B-20. Eligible A88 catches a pass at the B-18 and heads for the goal line. At the B-10 he goes into a “goose step” and continues this action as he crosses the goal line.

Answer 50

RULING: Live-ball foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Fifteen-yard penalty enforced at the spot of the foul, which is the B-10, and repeat third down. Third and 20 at the B-25.

Question 51

Second and 5 at the B-40. Back A22 takes a backward pass from the quarterback, circles right end, and heads for the goal line. Guard A66, who had pulled out to lead the play, legally blocks B90 to the ground and then stands over him at the B-30 taunting and screaming obscenities. This draws a flag from the head linesman, when A22 is at the B-10 before continuing into the end zone.

Answer 51

RULING: Live-ball foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Fifteen-yard penalty enforced at the spot of the foul, which is the B-30, and repeat second down. Second and 10 at the B-45.

Question 52

Third and 15 at the B-20. Eligible A88 catches a pass at the B-18 and heads for the goal line. Very close to the goal line he dives into the end zone, with no Team B player closer than about 10 yards. The field judge is uncertain of the exact spot where A88 started his diving action.

Answer 52

RULING: Foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Administer as a dead-ball foul: The touchdown counts and the penalty is enforced on the try, the succeeding kickoff, or from the succeeding spot in extra periods.

Question 53

Second and seven at the B-30. Nose guard B55 is lined up in the neutral zone at the snap. Back A22 takes the ball on a quick play up the middle, bursts into the open, and at the B-10 he turns around prances backward into the end zone. The head linesman and the line judge both have flags for the offside foul, and the back judge drops his flag for the action by A22

Answer 53

RULING: Offsetting fouls, repeat the down. Second and seven at the B-30.

Question 54

First and 10 at the 50. The quarterback pitches out to running back A44 who circles right end and races toward the goal line. The line judge trailing the play flags linebacker B57 for screaming obscenities at him, complaining that he was held by the tight end. A44 scores a touchdown.

Answer 54

RULING: Live–ball unsportsmanlike conduct against B57. The penalty carries over to either the try or the kickoff, at the option of Team A.

Question 55

Third and 15 at the A-45. A12 drops back to pass and is sacked by tackle B77 for a 10-yard loss. B77 leaps to his feet, beats his chest, stands over A12 and taunts him, and showboats to the crowd, drawing flags from the referee and the line judge.

Answer 55

RULING: Dead-ball unsportsmanlike conduct by B77. Fifteen-yard penalty at the dead-ball spot plus automatic first down. First and 10 for Team A at the 50.

Question 56

Safety B33 intercepts a pass at the B-10 and returns for a touchdown. As he is coming down the sideline covering the play the line judge drops his flag after he runs into the Team B head coach who is just on the field of play near the B-40

Answer 56

RULING: Although this is a foul that takes place while the ball is alive, it is treated as a dead-ball foul against the team because it is committed by a non-player. The touchdown counts and the 15-yard penalty is enforced on the try, the succeeding kickoff, or from the succeeding spot in extra periods

Question 57

Second and five at the A-45. Ball carrier A33 breaks out into the open and has a clear path to the goal line. At the B-2 he suddenly makes a sharp left turn and trots along the B-2 as the Team B players begin to catch up to him. He then carries the ball into the end zone. A33 next runs to the stands and begins to exchange “high-fives” with the fans

Answer 57

RULING: No score. A33 is charged with two fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct, one live-ball and the other dead-ball. Both 15-yard penalties are enforced and A33 is ejected from the game. First and 10 for Team A at the B-32. (Rule 9-2-6)

Question 58

After the ball carrier is tackled, A55 and B73 engage in a scuffle such that officials have to separate them and throw flags. Both A55 and B73 are charged with dead-ball personal fouls.

Answer 58

RULING: Offsetting dead-ball fouls. Each player is also charged with an unsportsmanlike conduct foul which counts toward the two such fouls leading to automatic ejection. The referee announces either the first or second unsportsmanlike conduct foul for A55 and B73.

Question 59

During the play, the ball carrier fumbles and several players dive for the ball. B55 grabs A33 and slings him off the pile.

Answer 59

RULING: B55 is charged with a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. 15 yards and automatic first down. The referee announces that this is either the first or second unsportsmanlike conduct foul against B55. If it is the second, B55 is ejected from the game.

Question 60

During a dead-ball time, a head coach or an assistant coach is flagged for coming out to the numbers and cursing the officials in a loud and abusive manner.

Answer 60

RULING: The officials charge either the head coach or the assistant coach with a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. The referee announces that this is either the first or second unsportsmanlike conduct foul against the coach in question. If it is the second, the coach in question is ejected from the game.

Question 61

After the ball is ready for play, Team A goes into a formation with two players split wide on both sides of the snapper and two other Team A linemen adjacent to the snapper. No more than four players are legally in the backfield. Team A sends in two substitutes, who take positions on the line of scrimmage adjacent to the two split offensive linemen on the opposite side of the field of play from their team bench. This leaves Team A with nine players on the line of scrimmage and four backfield players all legally in position. Immediately and before the snap, two Team A linemen nearest their team’s bench leave the field of play and are off at the snap. Seven players are on the line of scrimmage, five of whom are Team A linemen numbered 50 to 79

Answer 61

RULING: Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot. This is a simulated replacement of a player to confuse the opponents.

Question 62

On fourth down at Team B’s 12-yard line, A1 enters the field of play with a kicking shoe while his 11 teammates are in the huddle. A1 kneels and measures the distance from the neutral zone to the kicking spot. While his teammates are leaving the huddle, A1 leaves the field of play with the shoe. Team A quickly runs a play from scrimmage.

Answer 62

RULING: Team A foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot. There shall be no simulated replacement of a player to confuse the opponents, and a player who communicates must remain in the game for one down

Question 63

A1 leaves the field of play during a down. Team A huddles with 10 players. Substitute A12 enters, and A2 simulates leaving the field but sets near the sideline for a “hide-out’’ pass.

Answer 63

RULING: Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot. This is a simulated replacement of a player to confuse opponents.

Question 64

While a team is legally set to attempt a field goal, the potential holder for the kick goes toward his team area asking for a shoe. A shoe is thrown on the field and the player, in motion toward his team area, turns toward the goal line. The ball is snapped to the player in the kicking position, who throws a pass to the player who had turned up field after asking for a shoe.

Answer 64

RULING: Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot.

Question 65

Team A is lined up in scrimmage kick formation and has been set for one second. One of the offensive backs shouts to and motions to A40, the blocker on the right wing, to get off the field. At the snap, A40 is in legal motion toward his sideline. A40 turns downfield and becomes a pass receiver.

Answer 65

RULING: Penalty—15 yards from the previous spot. This is a tactic associated with the substitution process to deceive opponents.

Question 66

After the down is over, Team A sends in three substitutes, and three players begin to leave the field. A88, who participated in the previous play, trails the three replaced players toward the Team A sideline. The three replaced players continue into the team area, but A88 stops and sets up on the line of scrimmage very close to the sideline. After the ball is snapped A88 runs down the sideline and catches a forward pass.

Answer 66

RULING: Team A foul at the snap, unsportsmanlike conduct for unfair tactics: using the substitution process to deceive the opponents. Live-ball foul. Penalty: 15 yards at the previous spot.

Question 67

4/10 @ A-35. As Team A begins substitutions for a potential punt, it is discovered that Team A has assigned three players wearing the number 2.

Answer 67

RULING: Unsportsmanlike Conduct charged against the head coach. After enforcement, 4/25 @ A-20. This counts toward the two Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls that leads to automatic ejection

Question 68

4/1 @ B-40. QB A12 moves from shotgun formation to under center and barks signals in an unsuccessful attempt to draw Team B offside. With 10 seconds remaining on the play clock, A12 backs away from the center and jogs toward the sideline being very demonstrative with his arms and waiving to the bench. As A12 approaches the sideline, the ball is snapped directly to back A44 just before the play clock expires and A44 runs to the B-38.

Answer 68

RULING: A, 4/16 @ A-45 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct by A12, penalize Team A 15 yards from the previous spot. The action by A12 is in violation of the spirit of Rule 9-2-2-b.

Question 69

1/10 @ A40. Team A snaps from the left hash, opposite their team area. A81 is flanked out to the left side of the formation and goes in motion back toward the ball. After the snap, A21 takes the handoff and runs for 3-yards behind the left tackle. A81 never breaks stride and is inside the hash when the ball is declared dead and continues toward the Team A team area simulating leaving the field. A81 sets near the sideline for a “hide-out” pass. Team A does not substitute and just after the next snap, A12 throws a TD pass to A81 who is running just inside the boundary

Answer 69

RULING: Team A foul at the snap, unsportsmanlike conduct for unfair tactics: using the substitution process to confuse opponents. Live-ball foul. Penalty: 15 yards from the previous spot

Question 70

After the ball is ready for play and the umpire (or center judge) is in his regular position, Team A quickly replaces some players with substitutes, gets set for the required one second and snaps the ball. The umpire (or center judge) is attempting to get to the ball to allow the defense to match up, but he is unable to prevent the snap

Answer 70

RULING: The play is shut down, the game clock is stopped and the defense is allowed to substitute in response to Team A’s late substitutions. No foul. The play clock is set to 25 seconds and starts on the ready-for-play signal. The game clock starts on the ready-for-play signal or the snap, depending on its condition when play was stopped. The referee informs the Team A head coach that any subsequent such actions will result in a foul against the team for unsportsmanlike conduct. (Rule 3-5-2)

Question 71

Team A, trailing by nine points, has 1st-and-10 on the B-22 with 0:35 showing on the game clock. At the snap, B21, B40 and B44 blatantly hold, wrapping both arms around Team A’s wideouts and take them to the ground. Quarterback A12 has no receiver in the route, scrambles and then legally throws the ball away. After the play, the game clock reads 0:26. The back judge, field judge and side judge have a flag down for Team B holding on each of their keys.

Answer 71

RULING: This is a blatant and obvious unfair act designed to take time off the clock. The referee will convert the holding fouls to an unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. Penalize half the distance to the goal. Team A will have 1st and 10 at the B-11. The game clock is reset to 0:35 and starts on the next snap. B21, B40 and B44 each have one unsportsmanlike foul counter.

Question 72

Team A, ahead in the score by four points, has 4th-and-10 at the A-30 with 0:14 seconds remaining in the game. From a shotgun formation, A12 receives the snap, retreats back toward his own goal line, and moves out of the tackle box. At the snap, each Team A lineman blatantly holds the Team B player in front of them, preventing the defensive linemen from immediately rushing the passer. When rushers approach A12 he throws the ball high so that it lands beyond the line of scrimmage and out of bounds. When the pass hits the ground, the game clock reads 0:00. The umpire, center judge (if applicable) and referee each have a flag on the ground for holding on Team A.

Answer 72

RULING: This is a blatant and obvious unfair act designed to take time off of the clock. The referee will convert the holding fouls to unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. Penalize Team A 15 yards from the previous spot. Team A will have 4th and 25 at the A-15. The game clock is reset to 0:14 and starts on the next snap. Each Team A lineman guilty of holding will have one unsportsmanlike foul counter

Question 73

1/10 @ A-25 with 0:01 remaining in the game and Team A trails by 5 points. A12 throws a pass that is complete to A88 at midfield. After the catch by A88, there are a series of legal backwards passes keeping the ball alive in Team A possession. Eventually A21 laterals the ball toward teammate A44, and the ball hits the ground with no recovery. The Team B bench thinking that the ball is dead rushes the field and many squad members are on the field. A44 recovers the ball and begins running and encounters heavy traffic with the Team B squad members on the field, reverses field and is finally tackled by B50 at the B-30

Answer 73

RULING: No substitute, coach or any person subject to the rules, other than a player or official may interfere in any way with the ball or a player while the ball is in play. This unfair act will be penalized 15 yards as a live ball foul. The Referee may enforce any penalty that they consider equitable, including awarding a score

Question 74

On the opening kickoff, B22 catches the kick at his goal line and returns the ball down the sideline on Team B’s side of the field. As he moves down the sideline officiating the play, the side judge either runs into or must run around a Team B coach or squad member in the restricted area (“the white”). B22 is driven out of bounds at the A-20.

Answer 74

RULING: Either situation is physical interference with an official during the play. No warning. Team B foul for unsportsmanlike conduct administered as a dead-ball foul. After the 15-yard penalty, Team B will have first and 10 at the A-35.

Question 75

During a long kickoff return, the Side Judge has to stop and run around the head coach who is out of the coaching box in the restricted area or on the field of play near the sideline.

Answer 75

RULING: Team foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Administer as a dead-ball foul. Penalize 15 yards at the succeeding spot. This is a team foul, and is not charged as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul against the head coach.

Question 76

During a long kickoff return, the head coach and/or other coaches are outside the coaching box and are in the restricted area or on the field of play near the sideline. No physical interference is made with an official during the play

Answer 76

RULING: Administer as a dead-ball foul. First infraction: Warning for sideline interference. No yardage penalty. Second and third infractions: Delay of game for sideline interference, five yards from the succeeding spot. Fourth and subsequent infractions: Team unsportsmanlike conduct foul for sideline interference. Penalize 15 yards at the succeeding spot. This is a team foul, and is not charged as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul against any coach.

Question 77

During a long kickoff return, the head coach of the kicking team comes onto the field of play, vigorously and angrily protesting that there should have been a flag for holding by the receiving team during the return

Answer 77

RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct foul against the head coach. Administer as a dead-ball foul. Penalize 15 yards at the succeeding spot. This counts as one of the unsportsmanlike conduct fouls against the head coach. If this were his second foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, the head coach would be ejected from the game. A head coach ejected from the game may designate a new head coach.

Question 78

3/10 @ B-40. Late in the 3rd quarter in a very chippy game, QB A12 scrambles down the sideline and turns toward the boundary at the B-15, steps out of bounds at that point and then is hit hard by B21. All players from both benches empty and there is a large scrum with much pushing, shoving, etc. Officials work to restore order, and after some time, both teams return to their team areas. The officials huddle after order is restored and identify B21, B55, A44 and A54 as fighting. Additionally, the crew charges every Team A and Team B player with an Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul. A88 (a) was penalized for Unsportsmanlike Conduct previously in the game; (b) is penalized for Unsportsmanlike Conduct early in the 4th quarter.

Answer 78

RULING: Team A will have 1/10 @ B-15 as all the dead ball personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct foul penalties cancel and B21, B55, A44, and A54 are ejected (Rule 10-1-5). Every remaining player for each team will have an unsportsmanlike conduct counter. Officials should use the “all players are issued a UNS” situation very sparingly and only in situations where we cannot identify specific players involved in action and when there is danger of losing control of the game. A88 (a) is ejected following the play as this becomes his second Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul for the game; (b) is ejected after the play in the 4th quarter as this becomes his second Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul for the game.

Question 79

In trying to gain yardage, ball carrier A44 is slowed by defensive players attempting to make the tackle. Back A22 (a) puts his hands on the buttocks of A44 and pushes him forward; (b) pushes the pile of teammates who begin to surround A44; (c) grabs the arm of A44 and tries to pull him forward for more yardage.

Answer 79

RULING: (a) and (b) Legal. It is not a foul to push the ball carrier or the pile. (c) Foul for assisting the runner. Five-yard penalty with three-and-one enforcement. (Rule 9-3-2-b)

Question 80

A6 is advancing the ball. During the run, A12 vigorously blocks B2 with a rough push in the back above the waist.

Answer 80

RULING: Illegal block in the back. Penalty—10 yards.

Question 81

A teammate of the passer or ball carrier, while charging across the neutral zone, contacts an opponent with his hands and arms not parallel to the ground or his hands cupped or closed but with the palms not facing the opponent

Answer 81

RULING: Legal use of hands

Question 82

A teammate of the passer or ball carrier, behind the neutral zone, has his arms parallel to the ground and contacts an opponent above the shoulders.

Answer 82

RULING: Illegal use of hands. Penalty—10 yards or 15 yards for personal foul, previous-spot enforcement. Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line

Question 83

A teammate of the passer or ball carrier delivers a blow with the hand(s) closed to an opponent below the shoulders.

Answer 83

RULING: Personal foul. Penalty—15 yards. Enforce at the previous spot if foul occurs behind the neutral zone. Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line.

Question 84

A2’s hands contact defensive player B2 in a legal block. B2 spins to avoid blocker A2, whose hands then contact B2’s back.

Answer 84

RULING: Legal block

Question 85

A2’s hands contact defensive player B2’s back when B2 spins to avoid A2. A2 keeps his hands on B2’s back while B2 advances toward the passer.

Answer 85

RULING: Legal block.

Question 86

A2’s hands contact defensive player B2 when B2 spins to avoid blocker A2, whose hands then contact B2’s back. After A2’s hands lose contact with B2, A2 advances and pushes B2 in the back.

Answer 86

RULING: Illegal block in the back. Penalty—10 yards. Enforce at the previous spot if foul occurs behind the neutral zone (Rule 2-3-4). Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line.

Question 87

A1 in, beyond or behind the neutral zone contacts an opponent with an open hand or with hands closed or cupped and palms not facing the opponent.

Answer 87

RULING: Legal block

Question 88

A12 takes the snap and retreats to pass. Defensive end B95 gets past A75 and is about to tackle A12, who is still inside the tackle box. A75 pushes B95 in the back at the numbers to prevent him from making the tackle. A12’s pass is complete for a touchdown.

Answer 88

RULING: Touchdown counts. No foul by A75. Such continuing action involving pass protection while the passer remains inside the tackle box are within the spirit of the exception to Rule 9-3-6 and are thus legal. However, if this is a totally separate action and a new block outside the blocking zone, it is a foul for a block in the back.

Question 89

Before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is thrown, Team B holds eligible A1, who is beyond the neutral zone

Answer 89

RULING: Team B foul, holding. Penalty—10 yards and automatic first down, previous-spot enforcement.

Question 90

3/15 @ B-45. QB A12 drops back and looks downfield for A88 who is the primary receiver and defender B21 is holding A88 at the B-35. A12 throws a forward pass to his checkdown receiver A44 but the ball falls incomplete at the B-46.

Answer 90

RULING: A, 1/10, B-35, Snap. The penalty for B21’s holding foul is enforced 10 yards from the previous spot and an automatic 1st down. Holding by defense carries an automatic first down.

Question 91

Team A attempts a field goal from Team B’s 30-yard line. A Team B player in the end zone leaps above the crossbar and bats the ball in flight. The ball goes into the end zone and is recovered by Team A

Answer 91

RULING: Foul for batting the ball in the end zone. The result of the play is a touchdown.

Question 92

Team A attempts a field goal from Team B’s 30-yard line. A Team B player in the end zone leaps above the crossbar and bats the ball in flight. The ball goes into the end zone and is recovered by Team B.

Answer 92

RULING: Foul for batting the ball in the end zone. The result of the play is a touchback. Safety if penalty is accepted

Question 93

Team A attempts a field goal from Team B’s 30-yard line. A Team B player in the end zone leaps above the crossbar and bats the ball in flight. The ball goes into the field of play

Answer 93

RULING: Foul for batting the ball in the end zone. During regulation play, postscrimmage kick enforcement gives a safety by penalty. The ball remains alive, and normal scrimmage kick rules apply. Team A may elect the result of the play. If Team A recovers, does not score and accepts the penalty, or if the play occurs in an extra period, enforcement is at the previous spot.

Question 94

Team A attempts a place kick on the try. A Team B player in the end zone leaps above the crossbar and bats the ball in flight. The ball goes out of bounds in the end zone.

Answer 94

RULING: Foul for batting the ball in the end zone. Penalty—Half the distance from the previous spot. Postscrimmage kick rules do not apply on the try (Rule 10-2-3).

Question 95

Team A attempts a place kick on the try. A Team B player in the end zone leaps above the crossbar and bats the ball in flight. The ball goes into the end zone and is recovered by Team A

Answer 95

RULING: Foul for batting the ball in the end zone. Team A may decline the penalty and scores two points

Question 96

Team A attempts a field goal, and B23, in the end zone, goes above the crossbar and catches the ball.

Answer 96

RULING: Legal play

Question 97

Team A’s fumble in flight is batted forward by B1, and the ball goes out of bounds behind Team A’s goal line

Answer 97

RULING: Safety. Batting a fumble in flight does not add a new impetus (Rule 8-7-2-b). Team B foul. Penalty—10 yards.

Question 98

Team A’s backward pass in flight is batted by B1, and the ball goes out of bounds behind Team A’s goal line.

Answer 98

RULING: Safety. A pass may be batted in any direction and the impetus is charged to Team A’s pass (Rule 8-5-1-a).

Question 99

A free kick is muffed in flight by a Team B player in his end zone. While the ball is loose in the end zone, a Team B player bats the ball out of the end zone.

Answer 99

RULING: The result of the play is a touchback. Team B foul for illegally batting a ball in the end zone. Penalty—10 yards from the previous spot

Question 100

After intercepting a legal forward pass at the B-20, B1 fumbles at the B-38. At the B-30, B2 illegally bats the loose ball, which goes forward and out of bounds

Answer 100

RULING: Team B foul. Penalty—10 yards from the spot of the foul. Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the 20-yard line. No loss of down is included in the penalty since Team B is awarded a new series after the penalty enforcement (Rule 5-1-1-e-1).

Question 101

Team A is prepared to kick off. The ball is on the tee and the referee has signaled it ready for play. As the kicker approaches the ball it begins to roll off the tee just as he starts his kicking motion. The kicker follows through and kicks the ball as it continues to roll off or near the tee.

Answer 101

RULING: No foul. This is not a violation of either 9-4-4 or 9-2-1-a-2-a. The officials should stop play and have the teams line up for a new kickoff. If weather conditions dictate, Team A should have a player hold the ball on the tee.

Question 102

4/8 @ A-48. From a scrimmage kick formation, A32 punts the ball to the B-7 where it hits B25 on the leg. As the ball rolls along the ground, B25 then kicks it at the B-4 to prevent Team A from recovering. The ball bounces into Team B’s end zone and over the end line.

Answer 102

RULING: The result of the play is a safety, as B25’s kicking the ball provides new impetus. Foul by B25 for illegally kicking the ball. Team A may decline the penalty and take the two points, or accept the penalty. The foul by B25 is governed by postscrimmage kick rules, so the accepted penalty would give Team B the ball at the B-2, first down and 10. (Rules 8-5-1-a and 8-7-2-b)

Question 103

3/10 @ A-25. Back A21 is stationary and is lined up in the tackle box. Just after the snap A21 immediately releases outside the tackle box. QB A12 is in the pocket to pass and A21 sees linebacker B54 blitzing. A21 returns into the tackle box and before A12 throws the pass, blocks B54 below the waist in the tackle box and the block is directed from the front.

Answer 103

RULING: Foul by A21 for an illegal block below the waist. Once a player leaves the tackle box during the play, that player is considered outside the tackle box for the remainder of the down. A21 may not block below the waist once considered outside the tackle box.

Question 104

3/10 @ A-25. Left tackle A77 is line up inside the tackle box and defender B55 is an edge rusher and is lined up near the line of scrimmage and just outside of A77. At the snap, A77 kicks back into pass protection and B55 comes straight up the field rushing the passer. During the initial line charge of B55, A77 blocks B55 below the waist and the block is directed from the side well behind the neutral zone. A77 has one foot in the tackle box as the block is initiated.

Answer 104

RULING: Legal block by A77. This action is considered part of the initial line charge and A77 can block below the waist and is not restricted to only blocking below the waist from the front. After the initial line charge, and if it is clearly a second act, then A77 is restricted to blocking below the waist in the tackle box and the block then must be directed from the front.

Question 105

3/10 @ A-25. Left tackle A77 is lined up inside the tackle box and defender B60 is lined up near the line of scrimmage and inside of A77 and is head up on left guard. The play is a toss sweep to the right and as B60 on his initial line charge starts his pursuit, A77 releases to the right and blocks B60 below the waist from the side

Answer 105

RULING: Legal block by A77. This action is considered part of the initial line charge and A77 can block below the waist and is not restricted to only blocking below the waist from the front. There is no step count for initial line charge, just a judgement if the action becomes a second act. After the initial line charge, and if it is clearly a second act, then A77’s block below the waist in the tackle box must be directed from the front

Question 106

3/10 @ A-25. Back A21 is stationary and is lined up in the tackle box. Just after the snap, A21 immediately steps up and blocks blitzing linebacker 1-yard beyond the neutral zone. The block is below the waist and directed from the front.

Answer 106

RULING: Legal block by A21. A block initiated 1-yard to the Rules beyond the neutral zone is considered within the tackle box for both a lineman and back assuming that block meets all the other requirements for a legal block below the waist.

Question 107

4/12 @ A-35. Team A lines up in scrimmage kick formation and intends to punt. Immediately after the snap, B55 grabs RT A77 and pulls him to the side and B21 shoots the gap in an attempt to block the punt. The punter gets the punt away and the ball is downed at the B-35

Answer 107

RULING: Holding by B55. This foul occurred before the kick and the penalty is not governed by Postscrimmage Kick Enforcement. The 10-yard penalty will be enforced from the previous spot and includes an automatic first down. Team A will have 1/10 @ A-45.

Question 108

4/12 @ A-35. Team A lines up in scrimmage kick formation with gunner A88 flanked out to the right side of the formation. After the snap, B21 jams gunner A88 and then holds him as A88 tries to work free down the field during the kick. The punt is downed at the B-35

Answer 108

RULING: Holding by B21. The penalty for this foul is governed by Postscrimmage Kick Enforcement and the postscrimmage kick spot serves as the basic spot for enforcement. The 10-yard penalty will be enforced from the end of the kick. Team B will have 1/10 @ B-25.