LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2015 FOOTBALL RULES STUDY QUESTIONS
LHSAA Study Guide Questions: The following questions are for study purposes only.
LHSAA test questions will come from the Rule Book, including rule changes, Points of
Emphasis and Fundamentals, as well as the Mechanics Manual and Case Book.
NOTE: In the following questions, “A” refers to the team which puts the ball in play (Offense),
and “B” refers to their opponents (Defense). “K” refers to the kicking team and “R”
refers to the receiving team. “A1”, “A2”...etc., “B1”…“K1”…and “R1” are players of
these teams. If team possession changes during a down, each team retains its identity.
In a kicking situation, it is not during a try and no fair catch signal has been given unless
so specified. Unless otherwise stated, acts occur while the ball is inbounds; a forward
pass is legal; any out-of-bounds is between the goal lines; “line” means scrimmage line;
reference to a foul is to a player foul which is not unsportsmanlike; there is no foul or
change of possession unless so stated; penalties are considered accepted.
1.
The game officials shall assume authority for the contest, including penalizing
unsportsmanlike acts, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time.
2.
Between the 1ST and 2ND periods and between the 3RD and 4TH periods, the teams have
the option of whether or not to change ends of the field.
3.
The period will not be extended if, during the last timed down, B1 commits an
‘unsportsmanlike’ foul and the penalty is accepted.
4.
R1 returns a punt but fumbles during his return. K2 dives to the ground and recovers the
fumble. RULING: New series for Team K, and the clock starts on the ‘ready-for-play’
signal.
5.
The ‘free-blocking zone’ disintegrates when the ball has left the zone.
6.
A replaced player or substitute who enters the field during a down always constitutes
‘illegal participation’.
7.
The down is replayed if an inadvertent whistle sounds during the snap.
8.
The score is A-28, B-7 midway through the 4TH quarter. With 2nd and 7 at A’s 28-yard
line, back A32 runs around end and breaks into the clear up Team B’s sideline and has
no one between him and the goal line. A frustrated substitute B44 runs out onto the field
and tackles A32 at Team B’s 18-yard line. RULING: Penalize Team B half the distance
to their 9-yard line. Team A will play 1st and goal from there.
9.
An entering ‘substitute’ on the opponents’ side of the ‘neutral zone’ when the ball is
snapped is guilty of ‘illegal substitution’.
1
10.
4th and 10 from K’s 45-yard line. The ball is snapped toward punter K1. K1 must
scramble for a bad snap, but eventually K1 punts. R1 ‘catches’ the punt at R’s 25-yard
line and advances to R’s 30-yard line where he is tackled. Prior to the ‘kick’, R2 blocked
K2 ‘below the waist’ at the 50-yard line. RULING: If accepted, R will play a 1st and 10
at R’s 12½-yard line.
11.
Lineman B63 charges into back A22 just after the snap and blocks him ‘below the waist’
to open a hole for B72. The action is in the ‘free-blocking zone’. RULING: Legal play.
12.
The Referee is the final judge as to the legality of the game ball.
13.
On 4th and 10 to go at the 50-yard line, just as QB A12 is being sacked for a 20-yard loss,
tackler B71 ‘inadvertently’ grabs A12's face mask. The ball becomes ‘dead’ there.
RULING: 4th and 25 to go for A.
14.
Runner A20 is advancing toward B19 when B19 attempts to tackle A20 by grabbing
A20’s ‘horse collar’ and then pulling A20 forward and toward B19 and the ground.
RULING: ‘Illegal horse-collar’ tackle.
15.
B2 intercepts at B’s 2-yard line and his actual ‘momentum’ carries him into B’s end zone
where B2 makes a brief run before being tackled in the end zone by A2’s ‘grabbing and
twisting’ B’s face mask. RULING: 1st and 10 for B at B's 15-yard line.
16.
Following a TV / Radio time-out, the clock will start on the ‘ready-for-play’ signal.
17.
Team A is in ‘punt formation’ at A's 20-yard line. The deep snap to potential punter A10
standing at A's 5-yard line is ‘muffed’ into the air where B1 ‘bats’ the ball ‘in flight’ into
and out of A's end zone. RULING: Safety  2 points for B.
18.
A ‘nonplayer’ foul can be paired with an opponent’s ‘dead-ball’ foul to create ‘offsetting
fouls’.
19.
A2 ‘fumbles’ at A's 3-yard line. The ball is ‘at rest or nearly at rest’ at A’s 1-yard line
when B1 dives for it and ‘forces’ the ball into A's end zone by his ‘muff’. B1 attempts to
recover it, but A3 falls on the ball in his own end zone. RULING: A's ball, 1st and 10
from A's 20-yard line.
20.
Team A is on B’s 4-yard line. Quarterback A2 takes the snap and rolls right, tossing a
‘backward’ pass to A3. A3 ‘muffs’ the pass which rolls into B’s end zone. B3 falls on the
ball in the end zone. RULING: Touchback; ‘new series’ for B at B’s 20-yard line.
21.
2 teammates who may legally block below the waist in the ‘free-blocking zone’ against a
particular opponent do so by charging at that opponent for a simultaneous block with 1
teammate blocking the opponent just below the waist but above the knees and the other
teammate blocking ‘at or below’ the opponent’s knees. RULING: ‘Legal’ block since
there was no pause or delay.
2
22.
‘First touching’ applies to Team K only.
23.
The Referee has the authority to correct the number of the next down prior to the ball
becoming ‘live’ after a new series of downs is awarded.
24.
Any act that is clearly intended to cause B to ‘encroach’ is an ‘unsportsmanlike’ foul.
25.
If there was an inadvertent whistle during the last timed down of the period, the period will
be extended only if the penalty is accepted for a foul committed during the down.
26.
Pass eligibility rules apply equally to both ‘legal’ and ‘illegal’ forward passes as well as
backward passes.
27.
R1 ‘muffs’ K's ‘kickoff’ at R's 3-yard line. R1 then ‘bats’ the bouncing ‘kick’ at R’s 2-yard
line into R's end zone where K2 recovers. RULING: If K chooses to accept the penalty
for R’s foul, K will re-kick from R’s 45-yard line since declining the penalty results in a
touchback. No touchdown is possible.
28.
Following interceptions, fumbles and during kickoffs and punts, the returning team may
block ‘below the waist’.
29.
4th and 20 to go. The ball is snapped to apparent punter A2 in ‘scrimmage-kick
formation’. A2 advances for a 19-yard gain. During the snap, B3 ‘charged immediately’
directly into the snapper. RULING: After acceptance of the penalty, Team A will play a
1st and 10 to go, 15 yards in advance of the ‘previous spot’.
30.
3rd and 20 at A’s 10-yard line. A12 takes the snap and throws a ‘legal’ forward pass to
A33 near the left sideline. While the pass is ‘in flight’, B29 makes ‘illegal helmet contact’
with A44, who is near the opposite sideline, ‘beyond the neutral zone’. The pass is
incomplete. RULING: 3rd and 5 for A at A’s 25-yard line if accepted.
31.
‘Face tackling’ is an act by any player who initiates contact against an opponent at the
shoulders or below with the crown (top portion) of his helmet.
32.
An unofficial auxiliary down indicator may be used, but it must be operated 2 yards
outside the sideline (except in stadiums where the total playing enclosure does not
permit) opposite the official line-to-gain and down indicators.
33.
The ball must be put in play by a ‘free kick’ following a safety.
34.
3rd and 8 at midfield. During the play, A2 ‘taunts’ B2 as A3 throws an incomplete pass.
RULING: Officials should treat the penalty enforcement as though the foul happened
right after the play ended  4th down and 23 after the penalty.
35.
4th and 4 to go for Team A. Runner A22 is downed after a 2-yard gain but B53 ‘piles on’.
RULING: B's ball 1st and 10 to go after assessment of a 15-yard penalty against B.
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36.
Players B21 and A32 jump up and possess a ‘legal forward pass’ while airborne inside
B’s end zone near the end line. They come to the ground on their feet in joint
possession in bounds in the end zone and then fall to the ground over B’s end line where
B21 pulls the ball away. RULING: Touchdown.
37.
The Referee should notify the head coach after all of his team’s time-outs have been
used.
38.
Even though they may occur during the down, ‘unsportsmanlike’ fouls and ‘nonplayer’
fouls are enforced just like ‘dead-ball’ fouls occurring after the play.
39.
After a play A2 takes himself out of the game and goes to the sideline while the officials
prepare for the next play. After the ‘ready’, Team A is granted a charged time-out. After
the time-out, A2 attempts to re-enter the game and the wing official questions whether
this is permissible. RULING: The Referee should allow the substitution since there was
no injury time-out charged to the officials.
40.
A’s ball, 1st and 10 from their own 10-yard line. QB A12 drops back into his own end
zone where he is tackled by the face mask and fumbles. The ball rolls out of bounds at
A’s 5-yard line. RULING: Following penalty administration, it will be:
a. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from their own 10-yard line.
b. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from their own 15-yard line.
c. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from their own 20-yard line.
d. A’s ball, 1st and 10 from their own 25-yard line.
41.
It is a touchdown for A if A10 fumbles into B’s end zone and A25 is the last to touch the
ball prior to its going out of bounds beyond the end line.
42.
Team A has a 3rd and 12 to go at their 45-yardline. A32 makes an over-the-shoulder
pass reception and heads toward the goal line. He is ahead of everyone when, at Team
B’s 10-yard line, he high-steps into the end zone. The covering official will rule:
a. No problem; A32 didn’t do it very far.
b. Touchdown for A, but a 15-yard penalty will be enforced on the Try or kickoff.
c. No score. It will be A’s ball, 1st and 10, at Team B’s 25-yard line.
43.
If a ‘free kick’, touched by R inbounds, subsequently goes out of bounds between the
goal lines, the ball will be put in play by R at the inbounds spot.
44.
Giving an ‘invalid’ fair-catch signal and then running with the ball carries a 15-yard
penalty for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’.
45.
4th and 20 at K’s 30-yard line. K’s punt is tipped ‘behind the neutral zone’ and travels to
K’s 35-yard line where R2 ‘muffs’ the kick. The ‘kick’ rebounds to K’s 25-yard line where
K3 recovers. K3 advances to K’s 45-yard line where K3 is tackled inbounds.
RULING: R’s ball, 1st and 10 at K’s 45-yard line.
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46.
A foul which occurs ‘simultaneously’ with the snap is an act which becomes a foul only if
and when the ball is snapped.
47.
The ‘field of play’ is the area within the boundary lines, including the end zones.
48.
4th and 3 for Team A from its own 27-yard line. After taking the snap, QB A15 throws a
backward pass toward A22. The ball bounces off A22’s chest but is recovered by A30,
who advances and is tackled at Team A’s 33-yard line. RULING:
a. Legal play under all circumstances > A will play a 1st and 10 at the 33-yard line.
b. The fourth-down fumble rule applies.
c. The ball should be blown dead when A33 recovers it.
49.
2nd and 7 for Team A. QB A10 drops back and throws an incomplete forward pass. Just
after the pass, B77 momentarily grasps A10’s face mask while attempting to tackle him.
The Referee tosses his flag, indicating B77’s foul. RULING: ‘Incidental face mask’ foul
on B77  A will play 2nd down and 2 after enforcement from the ‘previous spot’.
50.
An act by any player who initiates contact with the front of his helmet against an
opponent who is not a runner is:
a. Face tackling.
b. Spearing.
c. Butt blocking.
d. None of the above.
51.
When weather conditions are construed to be hazardous to life or limb of the participants,
the crew of game officials is authorized to:
a. Cancel the game.
b. Delay or suspend the game.
c. Forfeit the game.
d. None of the above.
52.
The ball becomes dead and the down ends when:
a. A game official sounds his/her whistle inadvertently.
b. The helmet comes completely off of a player who is in possession of the ball.
c. A runner crosses the opponent’s goal line.
d. Any of the above.
53.
K1 kicks off from the left hash mark at K's 40-yard line. K fouls at the 50-yard line during
the ‘kick’. R accepts the penalty. RULING: K must re-kick from the left hash mark of
the yard line where the penalty leaves the ball.
54.
An interior lineman may not receive a ‘forward’ handoff until and unless he has clearly
faced his goal line by moving both feet in a half turn and is at least 1 yard behind his line
when he receives the ball.
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55.
‘Roughing the passer’ is called on B61. During the play, A12's pass was complete to
A23 who is tackled at B’s 40-yard line. RULING: Penalize 15 yards from the ‘end of
A23's run’ and award A an ‘automatic first down’.
56.
Lineman/guard A72 and linebacker B52, who was 2½ yards off the ball ‘at the snap’, are
each clearly inside the ‘free-blocking zone’ at the snap. After runner A25 takes the snap
from center and immediately fakes left, A72 pushes B52 ‘in the back above the waist’ in
the ‘free-blocking zone’ before the ball has left the ‘free-blocking zone’. A25 then runs
right for a gain of yardage past the block. RULING: Legal play.
57.
A12 throws a high ‘legal forward pass’ while under pressure. The pass appears to be
coming down clearly over the out-of-bounds plane while B29 is running to attempt an
interception. B29, seeing that he cannot intercept, instead dives airborne over the out-ofbounds plane, and while airborne B29 ‘bats’ the pass such that it flies back inbounds and
is caught by B38 who is tackled inbounds. RULING: Legal play by B29 and interception
by B38.
58.
At the end of a down, with action near his area, the Linesman hears what may be the
head coach requesting a time-out. RULING: Until, and unless, the Linesman can
actually determine that it is the head coach who made the request, he shall continue his
duties and not grant the time-out.
59.
The penalty for ‘illegally kicking or batting’ a loose ball includes ‘loss of down’.
60.
Team K is in punt formation on 4th down at Team R’s 40-yard line, using the numbering
exception (not having 5 players on the line numbered 50-79). K players assume their
initial positions with K25 to the left at tight end and K23 at left tackle. After the snapper
touches the ball, K25 shifts back off the line uncovering K23. At the snap, K23 pauses,
then goes downfield and catches a touchdown pass. RULING: Legal play since K23
was on the end of the line at the snap.
61.
3rd and 3 at Team A’s 30-yard line. QB A12 hands the ball off to running back A33 who
fumbles. The ball is ‘in flight’ when A44 ‘bats’ it forward and it goes out of bounds at
Team A’s 35-yard line. RULING:
a. Legal play > A will play a 1st and 10 at the 35-yard line.
b. Foul > The 10-yard penalty is enforced at the spot of the foul and includes
‘loss of down’.
c. Foul > The 10-yard penalty is enforced at the spot of the foul and the down is
re-played.
62.
On a touchdown-scoring play, the defense was guilty of ‘roughing the passer’ and the
offense elected to take the penalty on the ‘subsequent kickoff’. On the following
successful kick Try, the defense ‘roughed the kicker’ and the offense elected to keep the
point. RULING: On the ‘subsequent kickoff’, K will be kicking from R’s 30-yard line.
63.
In order to be legally positioned in ‘in the backfield’, an offensive player cannot be
numbered 50 - 79.
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64.
Prior to the snap, officials must be aware of whether the ball will be snapped hand-tohand or to a back in ‘shotgun formation’ in order to correctly rule on the legality of blocks
below the waist.
65.
It is not necessary for the game-clock operator to have a count-down stopwatch in his
possession because all fields have functioning reliable clocks.
66.
Team A scores a touchdown on the first possession of an extra period. During the try,
Team B is flagged for ‘roughing the kicker’. The kick is successful. RULING:
a. The penalty must be declined in order to count the point.
b. Team A may accept the point and have the penalty enforced at the start of Team
B’s overtime session.
c. Team A may choose to have the penalty enforced from the previous spot with the
down repeated.
d. Either b or c.
67.
A player who is ineligible at the start of the down always remains ineligible throughout the
down.
68.
It is possible to have several ‘running plays’ or ‘loose-ball plays’ during a down.
69.
Possession of a ‘live’ ball in the opponent’s end zone is always a touchdown.
70.
3rd and 7 for Team A at Team B’s 12-yard line. Following a 2-yard run by A33, B52 ‘piles
on’ and A33 retaliates by ‘slugging’ B52. RULING: Following enforcement, Team A will
play 4th and 5 at Team B’s 10-yard line. A33 will be ejected.
71.
‘Free-kick formation’ fouls by the kicking team occur when the ball is kicked and are
classified as ‘encroachment’. The play should be whistled ‘dead’ at that point.
72.
A ‘dead’ ball may become ‘live’ only by a legal snap or free kick.
73.
Following a change of possession, if an ‘inadvertent whistle’ is sounded, the down must
be re-played.
74.
At the 5:00 mark of the 3RD quarter the coach of Team B informs the Referee that his
wireless headset is not functioning and he has no communication with his coaches in the
press box. RULING: The Referee correctly rules that Team A must now also turn off
their headset communication with the press box until the problem can be fixed.
75.
Team A accepts a penalty for ‘defensive holding’ with 18 seconds remaining in the
1ST quarter. Since the clock was running, the Referee orders the clock started. After a
subsequent huddle, and while quarterback A2 is calling signals at the line, time for the
period runs out. RULING: The quarter is ended and officials shall reverse field direction
before further play.
76.
An official’s time-out can be called by the Referee for unusual heat or humidity.
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77.
The game-clock and play-clock operators should both attend and participate in the
officials’ pre-game conference.
78.
Nonplayers include coaches, team attendants, substitutes and replaced players who do
not participate or hinder / influence the play. Fouls by nonplayers are penalized from the
‘spot of the foul’.
79.
During a down in which time for the 1ST quarter expires, B19 intercepts a pass and B32
‘blocks below the waist’ on the return. If A accepts the penalty, B will play an untimed
down after enforcement then the teams will switch ends of the field to start the 2ND
quarter.
80.
When an incoming ‘substitute’ fails to wear ‘required equipment’ or if ‘illegal’ equipment is
found, correction must be made before he can participate.
81.
Only the player who signals for a ‘fair catch’ is prohibited from advancing the ball if he or
a teammate gains possession.
82.
2nd down and 10 for A. During the down, A76 ‘held’ and B24 committed ‘pass
interference’ after which B38 intercepted and was immediately downed. RULING: This
is a ‘double foul’. A will replay 2nd down and 10 from the ‘previous spot’  no options.
83.
Once the ‘ready-for-play’ signal has been given for the upcoming down, it is too late to
correct the number of that down.
84.
During a down in which a forward pass is thrown, it is legal for a pass receiver to step out
of bounds, either accidentally or intentionally, as long as he returns inbounds before the
pass is thrown.
85.
‘Spearing’ is an act by any player who initiates contact against an opponent at the
shoulders or below with the crown (top portion) of his helmet.
86.
QB A12 rolls to his right while under a heavy rush, desperately searching for a receiver.
Finding none, he intentionally throws the ball out of bounds to save a substantial loss of
yardage. While the pass is in flight, B58 deliberately rams A12 with the top of his helmet,
knocking A12 to the ground. RULING: The only foul committed was ‘intentional
grounding’.
87.
B38 intercepts a pass in his end zone and makes a brief run before being tackled there.
During this run, B22 ‘slugs’ A40 at B’s 12-yard line. RULING: After B22’s ejection,
Team B will play 1st and 10 from their 10-yard line.
88.
When a team commits 2 fouls during the down, it results in a ‘double foul’.
89.
The privilege of requesting and being granted a time-out belongs solely to the head
coach in the team-box area.
90.
‘Unsportsmanlike’ fouls are penalized from the ‘succeeding spot’.
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91.
During the last timed down of the 1ST quarter, B31 intercepts a pass and then hands the
ball ‘forward’ to B29. If A accepts the penalty, it will be B’s ball to start the 2ND quarter
after enforcement of the 5-yard penalty against B.
92.
4th down. K1 receives the snap and, under a heavy rush, barely gets off a punt from the
side of his foot. The ‘kick’ goes high and toward the opposite sideline. It bounces 8
yards beyond the ‘neutral zone’ and caroms ‘backwards’ to 5 yards behind the ‘neutral
zone’ where K2 picks up the ball and looks around as if desiring to throw it to an official
or his coach nearby on the sideline. Some players of each team start toward their team
benches. K2 places the ball on the ground and leaves the field. RULING: Even though
play was ‘live’, officials must eventually blow the ‘loose ball’ dead after being certain that
no player of either team is attempting to play the ball.
93.
2nd and 5 at the 50-yard line. ‘Roughing the passer’ is called on B61. During the play,
A12's pass was complete to A23 who advanced to B's 10-yard line where A23 ‘fumbled’
the ball which then rolled out of bounds ‘through’ B's end zone. RULING: If accepted,
Team A would play 1st and goal at B’s 5-yard line.
94.
B32 intercepts but, during his return, is hit and fumbles. A21 falls on the ground and
recovers the fumble. RULING: New series (1st & 10) for Team A, and the clock starts
on the ‘ready-for-play’ signal.
95.
Team A advances the ball past the line to gain to B's 16-yard line. After the ball becomes
‘dead’ and after the ‘ready-for-play’ signal, B3 is flagged for ‘taunting’.
RULING: 1st down and 2 for A from B's 8-yard line.
96.
2nd and 10 at A’s 15-yard line. A12 takes the snap and eventually fades deep into A’s
end zone. A12 is about to be sacked 8 yards deep in the end zone by B36 when B36
‘inadvertently and momentarily grasps’ A12’s helmet opening in making the tackle.
RULING: 2nd down and 20 at A’s 5-yard line after acceptance.
97.
4th and 20 at the 50-yard line. R42, attempting to block the kick by kicker K18, dives
directly into K18, ‘knocking’ K18 down. RULING: 1st down and 10 for K at R’s 35-yard
line if the penalty is accepted.
98.
3rd and 14 at the 50-yard line. A12 takes the snap, scrambles, and then throws an
interception to B23 who is tackled inbounds. B52 had ‘roughed’ passer A12. A accepts
the penalty. RULING: 1st down and 10 for A at B’s 35-yard line. The clock starts on
the ‘ready-for-play’ signal.
99.
When the ball is loose following an ‘illegal kick’, it is treated the same as a fumble.
100.
On 4th down, in apparent punt formation, Team A lines up with tackle A88 in a three-point
stance. End A89 is adjacent. Team A has 5 players numbered 50-79 on the line.
Shortly prior to the snap, A89 shifts making A88 an ‘end’. Team A completes an
‘untouched’ pass to A88 beyond the ‘neutral zone’ for a first down.
RULING: Legal play; 1st down for Team A.
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101.
The punter becomes a ‘kicker’ when his knee, lower leg or foot makes contact with the
ball. He is afforded ‘kicker protection’ until the ball crosses the expanded neutral zone.
102.
4th and 9 at the 50-yard line. At the snap, end K80 advances to R’s 46-yard line where
R28 ‘holds’ him. Punter K13’s ‘kick’ is blocked and caroms directly out of bounds at K’s
45-yard line. RULING: If the penalty is accepted, Team K will play 1st down and 10 at
R’s 40-yard line.
103.
‘Initial force’ results from a carry, fumble, kick, pass, snap or muff.
104.
During any ‘free kick’, at least 4 K players must be on each side of the kicker at the time
the ball is kicked.
105.
4th and 10 from R’s 22-yard line. Team K kicks a ‘successful’ field goal. During the play,
R42 blocked back K23 ‘below the waist’. RULING: Team K may accept the penalty
from the ‘succeeding spot’ (the kickoff), or play a ‘new series’ at R’s 11-yard line.
106.
When working with a 7-official crew, the Field Judge and Side Judge are responsible
for ruling on the success of extra-point tries and field-goal attempts.
107.
Whether the halftime intermission will be extended to 20 minutes will be determined by
the home game management.
108.
A ‘handed’ ball is treated the same as a ‘pass’.
109.
No series can ever start on a down other than first.
110.
Each team will have only 1 time-out during any overtime period regardless of any
remaining from the 2nd half or prior overtime periods.
111.
After K has scored a ‘successful’ field goal or touchdown, the captain of Team R requests
that his team kick-off. RULING: Request granted. R will kick-off from their 40-yard line.
112.
The rules governing the 3 ‘free kicks’ are the same except that a ‘kickoff’ or a ‘free kick’
following a safety cannot score a field goal.
113.
‘Targeting’ is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent with the helmet,
forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders; regardless of the location of the contact.
114.
An airborne player who possesses a forward pass must land inbounds to establish a
‘catch’, except if he is carried out of bounds, while still airborne, by an opponent.
115.
If snapper A57 makes an ‘illegal snap’ which A10 ‘muffs’ and B70 recovers, Team B may
keep the ball if B declines the penalty.
116.
After 3rd down, the Referee should delay the ‘ready-for-play’ signal when 4th down
substitutes are entering or leaving the field to prepare for a punt or field-goal attempt.
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117.
No player or nonplayer shall make any other contact with an opponent, including a
defenseless player, which is deemed unnecessary or excessive and which incites
roughness.
118.
The distance penalties for ‘unsportsmanlike’, ‘nonplayer’ or ‘dead-ball’ personal fouls
committed by teams can ‘offset’.
119.
1st and 10 at the 50-yard line. QB A10 takes the snap and fades back 10 yards
attempting to pass. While A10 is in this position, linebacker B52 blitzes and back A44
pushes B52 squarely in B52's ‘back’ at A’s 48-yard line. A10 then runs out of bounds at
A’s 46-yard line without loss of possession. RULING: If accepted, 1st down and 24 at
A’s 36-yard line.
120.
4th and 10 from R’s 26-yard line. Team K attempts a field goal which goes wide right
beyond the end line. During the play, K23 ran to R’s 21-yard line. At the 21-yard line,
and while the ‘kick’ was in flight, R23 blocked K82 ‘below the waist’. RULING: If the
penalty is accepted, R will play 1st and 10 at R’s 10-yard line.
121.
All ‘personal fouls’ committed against the ‘passer’ include the award of an ‘automatic first
down’, except a 5-yard ‘incidental’ face-mask foul.
122.
The penalty for failure to properly wear mandatory equipment during the down is:
a. 5 yards, succeeding spot.
b. 5 yards, previous spot.
c. 10 yards, previous spot.
d. 15 yards, basic spot.
123.
The penalty for any one of the 5 illegal passes is:
a. Count the down at the spot of the foul.
b. 5 yards and loss of down from the spot of the foul.
c. Loss of 5 yards only from the spot of the foul if after team possession changes
during the down.
d. b and c.
124.
The batting of a pass, kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new force for judging
whether a touchback or safety results on the play.
125.
2nd and 4 at Team B’s 13-yard line. After A53 ‘false starts’, B79 reacts by charging
through the neutral zone and knocking down quarterback A17. Guard A66 then punches
B79. RULING: The officials should ‘offset’ the ‘personal fouls’ and enforce A53’s ‘false
start’. After disqualifying A66, Team A will play 2nd down and 9 at Team B’s 18-yard line.
126.
A56 snaps the ball to quarterback A19. The ball touches A19’s hands but A56 simply
holds the ball as A19 fakes having it. Running back A37 cuts in, grabs the ball from A56
and advances. RULING: Legal play as long as an interior offensive lineman is not the
player who gets the ball.
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127.
The Umpire is the final judge as to the legality of player equipment.
128.
The accidental touching of a ‘loose ball’ by a player who was ‘blocked’ into the ball would
constitute a ‘new force’ if the ball has contacted the ground.
129.
On 2nd down and 5 from their own 30-yard line, A68 commits a ‘false start’ followed by
B78 coming across and clearly contacting the quarterback with a ‘late hit’.
RULING: The 2 ‘dead-ball’ fouls cancel each other. Team A will play 2nd down and 5
from the 30-yard line.
130.
Time expires at the end of the 3RD period during a scrimmage kick. K80 ‘piles on’ and
R34 strikes K50 with his fist. K50 retaliates immediately. RULING: The fouls by R34
and K50 will cancel but they will both be disqualified. The foul by K80 will be enforced
and Team R will play a 1st down after changing ends of the field.
131.
In a 5-official crew, the Back Judge is always responsible for tracking the 25-second
count.
132.
Following the ‘ready-for-play’ signal on a kickoff, Team K has 3 players lined up to the left
of the kicker and 7 players to the kicker’s right. As the kicker advances toward the ball,
one of the players on his right moves to his left just prior to the kick. RULING: The
officials should immediately kill the play and penalize K 5 yards for ‘encroachment’.
133.
If it is discovered that a player does not have a helmet that meets NOCSAE test
standards when manufactured, he will be allowed to participate but a 15-yard penalty will
be enforced.
134.
R1 may legally make a ‘fair catch’ of a free kick in the ‘neutral zone’.
135.
If a down that begins with a snap ends because of an ‘inadvertent whistle’, the clock will
start on the ‘ready-for-play’ signal if the down is replayed.
136.
K18’s punt is partially blocked in the neutral zone by R56. The kick goes beyond the
neutral zone where R24 ‘muffs’ it back behind the neutral zone. K44 recovers the ball
there and advances across R’s goal line. RULING: Touchdown for Team K.
137.
A ‘free kick’ is not repeated unless:
a. A foul occurs prior to a change of possession and the penalty acceptance requires
a replay of the down.
b. There is a double foul.
c. There is an inadvertent whistle during the kick.
d. Any of the above.
138.
The only defensive penalties which automatically grant a first down are roughing
specialist players such as the passer, kicker, holder or deep snapper in a scrimmage-kick
formation.
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139.
1st and 10 for Team A at their 30-yard line. B66 is flagged for ‘roughing the passer’ after
which B29 intercepts but fumbles during his return. A19 recovers the ball and is tackled
inbounds at Team A’s 35-yardline. RULING:
a. 1st and 10 for Team A at A’s 45-yard line; clock starts on the snap.
b. 1st and 10 for Team A at the 50-yard line; clock starts on the ‘ready’.
c. 1st and 10 for Team A at A’s 45-yard line; clock starts on the ‘ready’.
d. 1st and 10 for Team A at the 50-yard line; clock starts on the snap.
140.
R34 ‘muffs’ a free kick at his 15-yard line. As the ball is rolling at the 20-yard line, K25
pushes R34 in the back above the waist and subsequently recovers the ball while
grounded at the 15-yard line. RULING: ‘Illegal block in the back’ by K25. If R accepts,
penalize B 10 yards from the ‘previous spot’ and re-kick. Otherwise, 1st down for K at the
15-yard line.
141.
Only 15-yard penalties for ‘unsportsmanlike’, ‘nonplayer’ and ‘dead-ball’ personal fouls
will cancel if the numbers are equal.
142.
The down marker erroneously shows 4th down instead of 3rd down. Following the punt,
the officials conferred, decided that an error was committed and brought the ball back so
A could run their 3rd down play. This was done before the Referee awarded Team B a
new series. RULING: The Referee was correct in this situation.
143.
Hip pads with a tailbone protector, unaltered knee pads, tooth/mouth guards of any
readily visible color other than completely white or clear, pants which completely cover
the knees and shoes are all ‘mandatory equipment’.
144.
Team K is in a legal kick-off formation with all players clearly between K’s 35 and
40-yard lines except potential kicker K1 who is lined up at his 32-yard line. After the
ready for play, K1 approaches the ball but slows up and one of the other players kicks
the ball instead. RULING: Legal play since all K players other than the potential kicker
were within 5 yards of their restraining line (40-yard line).
145.
Only if B55 is in the ‘free-blocking zone’ and within 1 yard of the ‘neutral zone’ at the
snap, may B55 legally block ‘below the waist’ or be blocked ‘below the waist’.
146.
The kickers may, in certain situations, legally ‘catch or recover’, and keep possession of a
kick; but the kickers may NEVER advance a ‘free kick’, or ‘scrimmage kick’ which is
‘beyond the neutral zone’.
147.
4th and 10 at K’s 44-yard line. Team K’s punt rolls dead at R’s 23-yard line with no
player attempting to recover. K was ‘illegally in motion’. The penalty is accepted.
RULING: 4th & 15 for K. The clock will start on the snap.
148.
If time for a period expires during a down which ends because of an ‘inadvertent whistle’,
the period must be extended, regardless of any team choices taken.
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149.
Tight end A88 goes in motion prior to the snap. He is still in motion and 6 yards behind
the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. RULING: Foul on A88 for ‘illegal shift’
since he did not ‘set’ for 1 second and establish himself as a ‘back’.
150.
K’s punt is caught by R21 at his own 1-yard line. R21 runs to his 4-yard line where he is
hit and fumbles. The ball rolls into Team R’s end zone where K33 and R45 dive for the
ball and simultaneously recover it. RULING:
a. Team K scores a touchdown.
b. Team K scores a safety.
c. It’s a touchback; Team R will play 1st down and 10 at its own 20-yard line.
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