2016 WEEK 5 RULES QUIZ (Sept. 19-25)
1. First and 10 at the B-35. Team A has seven players on the line of scrimmage, only four
of whom are wearing uniform numbers 50-79. A89 is on the end of the line. A11 is lined
up in the backfield 11 yards from the line of scrimmage and the other three backs are
arrayed in front of him in a shield-protection alignment. A11 receives the ball from the
snapper and completes a forward pass to A89 who is tackled at the B-20. Ruling: Legal
Numbering 5 yds. (Rule 7-2-5b -01 page 58: On 1st, 2nd, 3rd down the offense may use
a snapper with a number other than 50-79 along with 4 lineman numbered 50-79 and the
offense starts or shifts into scrimmage kick formation.
2. Fourth and 10 at the A-5. Punter A44 is standing very close to his end-line. He receives
the ball from the snapper and punts the ball. B22 catches the kick at the A-45 and is
tackled at the A-40. Personal protector A83 is flagged for holding in Team A’s end zone.
Ruling: Options for R, (1) Decline foul and take result of the play or (2) accept penalty
which would be enforced from previous spot. In (1) R ball, 1st and 10 at A45, snap (2)
10-yard penalty from the A5 (1/2 distance to the goal) and replay the down which would
be A ball, 4th and 12 ½ from the A 2 ½, snap. (Rule 10.4.2d page 59)
3. Quarterback A11 drops back to pass. Under a heavy rush, he scrambles outside the
tackle box to avoid the defensive pressure. He drops the ball, which hits the ground and
bounces back into his hands. He then throws the ball away, into an area devoid of
eligible receivers. Ruling: Illegal Forward Pass (Intentional Grounding), 5 yds. From
spot of foul & loss of down (Rule 7-5-2d pg. 59, An illegal forward pass is a foul. Illegal
forward passes include: A pass intentionally thrown into an area not occupied by an
eligible offensive receiver, Snap.)
4. Back A33 is lined up in the backfield directly behind the right guard and is stationary at
the snap. After the ball is snapped, he runs to his right, loops around the end and behind
the defensive line, and blocks linebacker B55 below the waist. At the time of the block,
both the ball and the ball carrier was still in the free blocking zone. Ruling: Illegal Block
Below the Waist, 15 yds. From basic spot (Rule 2-3-7 Blocking below the waist is
making initial contact below the waist from the front or side against an opponent other
than a runner. /
Rule 2-17-2, pg. 30, Blocking below the waist is permitted in the freeblocking zone when the following conditions are met: A. All players involved in the
blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. B. The contact is in
the zone.)
5. Receiver B35 is near the left sideline to receive a kickoff. With his left foot on the sideline
and his right foot in the field of play, B35 reaches out with his right hand and touches the
kick at the B-10. The ball does not cross the sideline. Ruling: Options for R (1) have K
re-kick after adding 5 yard penalty from previous spot. (2) Decline the penalty and put
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Cite Rule # used to support ruling.
ball in play 25 yards from previous spot. Rule 2.29.3, pg. 33, for Out of Bounds and Rule
6.1.9, page 53 for penalty.
6. At the B-25, punt receiver B44 makes a valid fair catch signal. The ball hits the top of his
shoulder pad and bounces slightly into the air, well within his reach. Before B44 can get
control of the ball, A86 tackles him with a wrap-up tackle at the waist. A33 recovers the
loose ball at the B-30. Ruling: Legal, A 33 maintains possession. No foul for KCI,
Protection ends when R touches ball. (Rule 6.5.6 pg. 56. (Rule 2-27, A muff is the
touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to secure possession.)
7. B25 intercepts a legal forward pass at his three-yard line. His momentum carries him
into his end zone. Believing that he must get the ball out of the end zone, B25
desperately tries to do so, but cannot. He fumbles, and the ball rolls forward into the field
of play and out of bounds at the B-2. Ruling: New series awarded to B, 1st & 10 at the
A2-yard line. (Rule 8.5.2a, pg. 66, for Momentum Exception and Rule 4.3.1., pg. 48 for
loose ball out of bounds. When the out-of-bounds spot is between the goal lines, the ball
shall be put in play at nearest inbounds spot unless a forward pass is involved.)
8. On a free kick, B34 is the first to touch the ball when he muffs it at the B-8. The ball rolls
into Team B’s end zone. B34 recovers the ball in the end zone and carries it over the
end line. Ruling: Touchback (Rule 8-5-3-a1, pg. 67) It is a touchback when any free kick
or scrimmage kick which is not a scoring attempt or which is a grounded three-point-field
goal attempt, breaks the plane of R’s goal line unless R chooses a spot of first touching
by K.
9. On the opening kickoff, B22 catches the kick at the one-yard 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 runs into a Team B coach or squad member in the
restricted area. B22 is driven out of bounds at the A-20. Ruling: Illegal Personal Contact
(Sideline Interference) 15 yards from the end of the run for Team B. After penalty, ball
spotted at A-35, 1st and 10. (Rule 9-8-3, pg. 73 for UNS and Rule 10.4.5, pg.77 for
enforcement spot. Unintentional contact between a non-player and a game official in the
restricted area while the ball is live.)
10. During a try, the scissor lift, used to video the game, located behind the end zone cranks
up with headlights shining directly into the place kickers eyes. The kick for try is no good.
Ruling: This is outside the field of play. Referee should notify home team management
of issue and give them opportunity to handle any issues outside of the official’s
jurisdiction pertaining to facility before taking drastic measures.

Cite Rule # used to support ruling.