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2017
CPFL
Rules Application Philosophy
Aiding the Runner
 A foul if the runner is “picked up” by teammates or if he is “pulled” into the end zone by a
teammate.
 A foul if “driven” into the end zone by his teammates.
Backward Pass (Also see snapping the ball)
 A pass is backward if it hits a player or the ground either parallel or behind the spot from which it
was thrown. The initial direction in which it is thrown will have no factor in this determination.
1. The only exceptions would be if a QB is attempting to “tuck” a pass in which his initial
arm movement is forward and the ball subsequently goes backward or if the QB has
begun a forward throwing motion and a defenders action against him causes the pass to
go backward. In both of these situations, a forward pass will be ruled.
Chin Straps
 Officials should be active with regard to work with players and warn, and warn, and warn players
about keeping all 4 snaps fastened.
Coin Toss
 The team that wins the toss may defer their choice of options to the second half.
 A team captain’s “first choice” is not the “final choice” and a Head Coach could be consulted in
order to finalize a decision about the toss.
 Toss will begin at 5 minutes prior to kickoff.
Crack-back Block
 A player who is in motion may not legally crack-back.
Encroachment
 If during a “hurry up”, a defender is attempting to get back onside and knocks an offensive player
off of his stance or to the ground and he can’t reset prior to the snap, this in ENC.
End of the Game
 If at the end of a game, an Offensive Team goes into a “victory” formation, the officials will use
“common sense” officiating.
False Start
 Ineligible’s going from a 2 point stance to a 3 point stance as the ball is snapped will be penalized
as a FST throughout the entire game.
 If an eligible offensive player goes from a 2 point stance to a 3 point stance as the ball is being
snapped, it will be penalized as FST.
 If a back “rolls” at the snap this will be penalized as a FST.
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False Start (continued)
 If the Quarterback is in a shotgun formation, any quick and abrupt movement that draws a
reaction from the defense is a FST.
 If the Quarterback is in a shotgun formation, he will be given “certain allowances” and not be
penalized with regard to his movement that are not given to other backs; i.e. the shifting of his
feet.
 A flinch is a flinch and a penalty for a FST.
 The Center must stop prior to the snap. If he is swaying, head goes up and down, quick jerk of
the head or body, or moving his hand or wiggle of this fingers and he doesn’t stop prior to the
snap, it is a FST. .
 If the ‘Personal Protector’ uses an arm movement (wave) there is No FOUL unless he is
obviously using it to create DOF.
 If an offensive player is in motion and makes an “abrupt” turn up-field prior to the snap, this
should be penalized as a FST whereas “shaving” is being in motion and changing direction to go
slightly forward at the snap and is a foul for ILM.
 If a receiver breaks his stance and steps forward at the same time a defender steps into the neutral
zone, this is a FST (consider the fact that the receiver missed the snap count). It must be clear
that the defense stepped into the neutral zone first to be an NZI.
 When action by both the offense and defense occur at approximately the same time (you can’t tell
which occurred first), charge the offense with a FST rather than penalize the defense with a NZI.
 In order to penalize the Offense for a FST, it must be “visual” (obvious to the eye). Do not
become so technical that it could only be detected by a “frame by frame” evaluation.
 If an offensive player in a 3 point stance “rocks back” missing the snap count, a FST should be
called on this player.
 While in a position to snap the ball, if the Center quickly removes one of his hands from the ball,
this is a FST. “Tricks” to draw the defense offside.
 A great deal of latitude will be given to the movement of the Center’s head when in a shotgun
formation, but any abrupt movement of the Center’s head while the Quarterback is under-center
will be considered a FST. TT #14 2008
Formations on the line of scrimmage(Offensive)
Linemen must have their head break the waistline of the snapper to be legally on the line of scrimmage.
If they are “close or marginal” but slightly off the line of scrimmage a warning will be given. A warning
(a blanket warning) for 1 is a warning for all. If he is completely “off “, no warning will be given and this
player will be penalized for ILF.
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If warnings are given, the Referee should enter the offensive huddle and remind the entire
offensive team that a warning has been given and that they need to move themselves up to the
line of scrimmage. Reminders should be given periodically thereafter before fouls occur.
Formations on the line of scrimmage (Defensive)
 A defender is considered to be on the line of scrimmage if any part of his body is inside the rearmost part of a ‘down” lineman’s body.
Goal Line and Pylon
 When an airborne player reaches the ball it must go inside, over or touch the pylon to award a
score.
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Holding -Offensive
 To have a penalty for OH there must be a clear and visible (material) restriction; a yank,
pull or jerk.
 4 Categories
1. Grab and Restrict
 May occur during either a run or a pass
 Occurs when a player grabs the jersey, shoulder (etc.) of his opponent and restricts his
ability to get at the runner or alters his angle of pursuit.
 If the Offensive player grabs to the outside prior to a “rip” by a Defensive player, and the
grab by the Offensive players feet get beat and he then “materially restricts” the
Defensive players path to the ball-carrier, then a foul for OH is should be made.
2. Hook and Restrict
 Occurs when an Offensive player (as his feet get beat) “hooks” his arm around the chest
area or around the waist of a defender and materially restricts his ability or alters his
angle of pursuit to the ball-carrier.
3. Take Down
 Occurs when an Offensive player actually tackles his opponent or actually hooks so that
it actually takes the player to the ground. Although this usually occurs when the when
the feet of an Offensive player are beat, it can occur when the Offensive player maintains
a frontal position, within the frame of his opponent and he then pulls the Defender down
on top of him in a “reverse” manner (a reverse take down).
4. Grab and Turn
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When “holding” is not a foul due to the special circumstances at the time of the action.
1. When there is no “material restriction.” This means that the grab, twist or turn did not
interrupt the defenders path or deviate him from his intended assignment.
2. When an Offensive player grabs the jersey of his opponent (hands inside) and “overpowers”
him.
3. When an Offensive player has his “feet beat” and “rides” his opponent beyond the ball-carrier
(Passer) or grabs then shoves the Defender past the ball-carrier.
4. When the Runner is being tackled simultaneously by another Defensive player.
5. When it occurs after the pass has been thrown.
6. When a “Double-team block” occurs, no foul will be called unless the Defender is actually
taken to the ground by one or both of the Offensive players even if there is a restriction.
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With a Bull Rush
1. Hands are to the inside and a “snatch, pull or jerk” to the ground = FOUL
2. Hands are on the shoulders and a “snatch, pull or jerk” to the ground = FOUL
3. Hands are on the shoulders and a “push” to the ground = NO FOUL
4. Hands are “in the back” and pushes the defender to the ground as he gets by the Blocker
= NO FOUL
If a hold occurs at the same time the Quarterback is being sacked by another player, this is not a
foul.
A player who has been knocked to the ground may be legally blocked again when he is
attempting to get up. He may not be punished by the blocker while on the ground. This would be
considered UNR.
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Holding (Defense)
 Pull and shoot: If a defender grabs an opponent and pulls him aside to allow a teammate to
penetrate through the vacated zone, a foul will be called whether or not penetrating defender is
blocked or unblocked by another offensive player.
. Defensive Holding against an Eligible Receiver
 If there is a grab of the receiver’s jersey beyond the line of scrimmage, and there is a stretch or
extension of the jersey, this is a foul for DH.
 If while in press coverage there is a quick extension (stretch) of the jersey coming off of the line
of scrimmage, this is not a foul. Look for the one after the receiver makes a break. If while in
press coverage, the defender grabs the collar of the jersey and there is a quick jerk or spin, this is
a foul for DH.
Horse Collar Tackle
 The defender must have grabbed inside the back or side collar (he doesn’t have to have a hold of
the shoulder pad) and immediately takes the runner to the ground. Even on a long breakaway
run, the Grab, pull and take to the ground must be all part of the same act.
Illegal Blocks in the Back
 If an IBW occurs against the player involved in making the tackle, this is a foul.
 On kicks, these blocks occur from a chase or trail position. This can be a ‘turn of the shoulder’
type block or a push or shove clearly in the back.
 If a player is engaged or being “chipped” by one opponent and another player pushes him in the
back and knocks him to the ground a foul should be called.
IBW on Pass Blocking
 If a lineman is pass blocking, is beaten, loses contact, and then pushes that defender in the back
past the QB, do not call IBW…Remember, this involves action against the player he was
originally blocking. If he goes after somebody else’s man and shoves him in the back, this is a
foul. We are assuming this is outside of close line play…Once the QB takes off and becomes a
runner, usual rules apply.
Illegal Contact
 If the official detects ICT and looks back and the QB is in his throwing motion (even to another
area) it is a foul for ICT.
 If the official detects ICT and looks back and the QB is being sacked, it is a foul for ICT.
 If the first defensive contact occurs at the line of scrimmage, this will be counted as the 1st chuck.
It will not be DPI if the ball is in the air.
 If the contact occurs and it is “close” to the release of the pass, make it the lesser foul, ICT and
not DPI.
 Use the principle of “a healthy 5” when applying the ICT rule. If the contact occurs so close to 5
yards that you can’t determine that the contact occurred beyond 5 yards, then do not penalize as
ICT.