PENALTY ENFORCEMENT John H. Fishel YACPFOC Rules Interpreter 2013
FUNDAMENTALS OF A PENALTY The distance penalty for any foul may be declined You will see this primarily on a Try Penalties are either 5, 10 or 15 yards fouls are penalized according to the ALL but One Principle Fouls committed by the Offense which occur behind the end of the run on run plays or Line of Scrimmage (LOS) on loose-ball (pass) plays are enforced from the spot of the foul Except: Fouls occurring simultaneously with the snap Fouls by the Defense on a successful try, field goal or touchdown when the score is accepted Non-Player or Unsportsmanlike fouls Roughing the passer when the dead ball spot is beyond the neutral zone and possession hasn t changed Kick Catching Interference when the Receiving Team doesn t accept the 15 yard penalty from the spot Fouls committed by the Defense are enforced from the end of the run on running plays or the LOS on loose-ball (passing/kicking) plays. No penalty directly results in a Safety, but a distance penalty which is enforced from the offensive goal line is a Safety
DOUBLE VS. MULTIPLE FOULS Double Fouls Both teams commit live ball fouls other than Unsportsmanlike or Non-Player Fouls No change of possession There is a change of possession and the team in final possession accepts the other s penalty All penalties off-set (it doesn t matter how many or if an equal number of Live Ball fouls were committed by either team) Dead ball fouls are enforced separate from Live ball fouls so they don t combine to create off-setting penalties. Multiple Fouls Two (2) or more live ball fouls are committed by the same team during one down Other than Unsportsmanlike or Non- Player fouls Only one penalty may be enforced The offended captain may choose which penalty to accept or decline all Again, dead ball fouls are enforced separately.
FOULS DURING A SCORE If the opponent of the scoring team commits a foul during a touchdown, the foul may be enforced on the Try or the succeeding Kickoff. If either team commits an Unsportsmanlike or Non-Player foul during a touchdown, the penalty may be enforced on the Try or succeeding Kickoff. If a foul by the opponent of the scoring team occurs during a successful Try, the penalty may be enforced immediately and the Try may be replayed or the enforcement may occur on the succeeding Kickoff. If a foul is committed by the scoring team on the Try and the Try was successful, the penalty will be enforced and the Try will be replayed however if the Try is unsuccessful, the penalty will be declined.
TYPES OF PLAYS Loose-Ball Free (Kickoffs) and Scrimmage Kicks (Punts, FGs and Tries) Legal forward pass Backward pass (including the snap), illegal kicks or fumbles made by the Offense in or behind the neutral zone and prior to a change of possession This is why it s not necessary to bean bag behind the LOS Penalty enforcement for a Loose-Ball play is the LOS unless it is a foul against the Offense behind the LOS which would be enforced from the spot of the foul. Enforcement on a kick depends on the type of kick (free or scrimmage), who (K or R) committed the foul and when (before or after) the change of possession. Running Play Any action not included above Penalty enforcement for a Run Play is the end of the run unless the foul is against the Offense behind the end of the run which would be enforced from the spot.
LIVE BALL VS. DEAD BALL FOULS Live Ball At the snap or Free Kick Until the end of the play or before the ball becomes dead by rule No Live Ball foul causes the play to become dead throw flag to the spot and continue to officiate Some Live Ball fouls are enforced like Dead Ball fouls Repeat the down (unless after the enforcement of the penalty the ball is beyond the line-to-gain) With a few exceptions, if the penalty for a Live Ball foul is accepted on the last timed down of a quarter, an untimed down shall be played (see 3-3-3/3-3-4). Dead Ball Before the snap, Free Kick OR After the play has ended or becomes dead by rule Dead Ball fouls are enforced before the ball becomes live and/or after the play has ended If before the snap, repeat the down If after the play has ended, the down counts Dead ball fouls are enforced in the order they occurred.
5 YARD PENALTIES Dead ball, Live Ball and Loss of Down
5 YARD PENALTIES Failure to properly wear mandatory equipment during a down Foul at the snap (throw flag, but continue to officiate) Live ball If accepted, enforce from the previous Line of Scrimmage (LOS) Replay down Delay of game Foul before the snap (stop play immediately) Dead Ball Enforce from the LOS Replay down Failure to properly wear mandatory equipment just before the snap Foul before the snap (stop play immediately) Dead Ball Enforce from the LOS Replay down
5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal Substitution Substituted player must leave 3 seconds after being replaced Foul before the snap (stop play immediately) Dead ball Enforce from the LOS Replay the down Free Kick Infraction Failing to kick between the hashes, punting other than following a safety. Foul before the kick (stop play immediately) Dead ball Enforce from the Free Kick line Re-kick Encroachment Lining up in the neutral zone, entering the neutral zone after Ready for play (RFP), including entering/lining up in the neutral zone before a free kick. Foul before the snap (stop play immediately) Dead Ball Enforce from the LOS/Free Kick Line Replay the down/re-kick
5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Free Kick Out-of-bounds Foul after the kick (and at the spot if less than 25 yards in advance of the free kick line) Live ball (although, the clock is dead) Options: Enforce from the previous free kick line and re-kick OR accept possession 25 yards from the previous free kick line OR decline and accept at the in-bounds spot (if less than the 25 yards) Invalid or Illegal Fair Catch Signal Invalid doesn t meet the valid requirement, after the kick has touched R or the ground Illegal after the kick was caught or been recovered Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) Live ball If accepted, enforce from the end of the kick or the spot where the signal was given if behind the end of the kick (PSK Post Scrimmage Kick) 1 st and 10 for R.
5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Snap Infraction Snapper moves the ball other than in continuous motion to a back Foul before the snap (stop play immediately) Dead Ball Enforce from the LOS Replay the down False Start Foul before the snap (stop play immediately) Dead Ball Enforce from the LOS Replay the down Illegal Formation Less than seven (7) players on the offensive line or a numbering violation A numbering violation occurs if there are less than 5 players numbered 50-79 on the LOS. (Except for the snapper when the Offense is in scrimmage kick formation on 1 st, 2 nd or 3 rd down or any player when the Offense is in scrimmage kick formation on 4 th down.) Foul at the snap (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the previous LOS Replay the down
5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal Shift Two (2) or more players in motion at the same time who have not reset for one second. Illegal Motion A back who is in motion and turns up field too soon or an end who fails to establish themselves as a back before going in motion and motions less than 5 yards behind the LOS. Foul at the snap (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the previous LOS Replay the down Planned loose-ball infraction No offensive player who was on the LOS at the snap may advance the ball from the area of the snapper. Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) Live ball If accepted, enforce from the LOS unless the spot of the foul is behind Replay the down
5 YARD, LOSS OF DOWN PENALTIES Whenever a foul occurs in which the penalty results in a loss of down, the down counts it may not be replayed. If one of these fouls occurs on 4 th down, the penalty need not be declined by the Defense in order to obtain possession. If one of these fouls occurs on a Try, the Try is no good and may not be replayed. Illegal Handing Illegal Forward Pass Intentional Grounding Illegal Touching
Illegally handing the ball forward 5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal forward pass Foul beyond the LOS at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the spot of the foul and loss of down (the down counts) Intentional Grounding Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the spot of the foul and loss of down (the down counts) Illegal Touching When an ineligible receiver (touches, bats or muffs) the ball before the Defense. Foul where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the spot of the foul if behind the LOS or previous LOS and loss of down (the down counts)
5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal forward pass by the Defense Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the spot of the foul 1 st and 10 (for the Defense) Ineligible receiver illegally downfield Forward pass must go beyond the LOS Foul where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the previous LOS replay the down Helping runner Pushing the runner from behind in the back Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the spot of the foul replay the down
5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Incidental grasping of the Face Mask (including helmet opening, chin strap and mouth protector) Foul where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) Enforce from the end of the run replay the down. Running into the kicker/holder Foul when it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the previous LOS replay down unless distance penalty results in a 1 st down.
5 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Sideline Interference Non-player outside the team box, but not on the field Non-player (Coach) in the restricted area when the ball becomes live Foul at the snap (throw flag and continue to officiate) Enforced as a dead-ball foul from the succeeding (next down) spot the down counts. Attendant illegally on the field Foul when it occurs (stop play immediately) Dead Ball Enforce from the LOS
10 YARD PENALTIES Live Ball Only
Illegal blocking technique Interlocked blocking 10 YARD PENALTIES Runner grasping a teammate Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the spot of the foul UNLESS the foul occurred beyond the end of the run or beyond the previous LOS on a loose-ball (pass) play replay the down. Illegal block in the back Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, for a foul against the Offense - enforce from the spot of the foul when behind the end of the run or behind the LOS on loose-ball (pass) play. During a kick, enforce from the end of the kick if the foul occurs before the change of possession (PSK) or the spot of the foul after change of possession if behind the end of the return otherwise at the end of the return replay the down.
Holding 10 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal use of the hands or arms Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, for a foul against the Offense - enforce from the spot of the foul when behind the end of the run or behind the LOS on a loose-ball (pass) play. For a foul against the Defense - at the end of the run on a run play or previous LOS on a looseball (pass) play replay the down. During a kick, enforce from the end of the kick if the foul occurs before the change of possession (PSK) or the spot of the foul after the change of possession if behind the end of the return replay the down. Illegal block on free kicks Blocking by the kicking team before the ball travels 10 yards, or the ball touches a R player or without a R player making initial contact in the neutral zone. Foul when it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the previous free kick line and re-kick.
15 YARD PENALTIES Dead Ball, Live Ball and Automatic First Downs
15 YARD PENALTIES Illegally kicking or batting the ball Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, for a foul against the Offense, enforce from the spot of the foul if behind the end of the run or behind the LOS on a loose-ball (pass) play otherwise at the previous LOS replay the down Illegal block after a valid or invalid fair catch signal The player who gives a valid or invalid fair catch signal may not block until the end of the kick. Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the end of the kick (PSK) or the spot of the foul if behind the end of the kick 1 st and 10 for R
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal Block below the waist Blocking below the waist (cut) anywhere outside of the free blocking zone or when the ball is not in the free blocking zone Chop Block A combination block (one below the knee, one above the knee) by two or more players Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the spot of the foul if behind the end of the run or behind the LOS on a loose-ball (pass) play otherwise at the previous LOS replay the down
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Horse Collar Grabbing the inside back collar of the shirt or shoulder pad and pulling the runner down backward or to the side. Foul at the spot where it occurs Enforce from the end of the run replay the down unless the distance penalty results in a 1 st down. Face Mask Grabbing the face mask, helmet opening, mouth protector or chin strap and pulling or turning the head. Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) Enforce from the end of the run replay the down unless the distance penalty results in a 1 st down. replay the down unless the distance penalty results in a 1 st down.
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Kick Catching Interference (KCI) Interfering with the ability of a Receiver to catch a punt or kickoff which has not touched the ground Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) Options: Decline and accept the result of the play, enforce from the spot of the foul OR the previous LOS and re-kick. Forward Pass Interference (DPI or OPI) Foul where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) If accepted, enforce from the previous LOS replay the down.
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Sideline Interference 3 rd and subsequent restricted area violation Illegal contact in the restricted area Unintentional contact between a game official and non-player Illegal contact outside the restricted area Foul when it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) Enforce as a dead-ball foul from the succeeding (next down) spot the down counts.
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal Participation Twelve or more players on the field after the snap, to deceive an opponent immediately before the snap, etc. Participating without a helmet beyond immediate action Foul at the snap (throw flag and continue to officiate) Enforce from the previous LOS replay the down.
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Spearing Offensive or Defensive player who initiates contact with the top of the helmet Butt-Blocking Offensive or Defensive player who initiates contact (not the runner) with the front of the helmet (see Simplified and Illustrated Book for play pic) Face Tackling Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) or Dead Ball - if accepted, for a foul against the Offense, enforce from the spot of the foul when behind the end of the run or behind the LOS on a loose-ball (pass) play. When against the Defense, enforce at the end of the run on a run play or the previous LOS on a loose-ball (pass) play replay the down. During a kick, enforce from the end of the kick if the foul occurs before the change of possession (PSK) or the spot of the foul after change of possession if behind the end of the return. Dead Ball - enforce from the succeeding (next down) spot the down counts.
15 YARD, AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN PENALTIES Whenever one of these fouls occur, in addition to the yardage the penalty results in an automatic first down. If one of these fouls occurs on a Try, the Try is replayed. Roughing the passer Roughing the kicker Roughing the holder Roughing the snapper Foul when it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) Roughing the passer - enforce at the succeeding (next) dead ball spot. Roughing the kicker, holder and snapper enforced from the previous LOS.
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Illegal Personal Foul Subject another player to unnecessary physical contact or roughness who is clearly out of the play or pile on any player who is lying on the ground after the ball is clearly dead. Hurdle an opponent Position on the shoulders of a teammate or opponent to gain an advantage i.e. jump on someone s back to block a kick Illegal helmet contact or Initiating contact with a helmet-less opponent Slapping the helmet of a blocker Foul at the spot where it occurs (throw flag and continue to officiate) or Dead Ball - if accepted, for a foul against the Offense, enforce from the spot of the foul when behind the end of the run or loose-ball (pass) play. When against the Defense, at the end of the run on a run play or previous LOS on a loose-ball (pass) play replay the down. During a kick, enforce from the end of the kick if the foul occurs before the change of possession (PSK) or the spot of the foul after change of possession if behind the end of the return. Dead Ball enforce from the succeeding (next) dead ball spot.
15 YARD PENALTIES (CONT.) Unsportsmanlike Conduct by player or Non-Player This includes Fighting (throwing a punch, kicking/kneeing or hitting a player with a foreign object), intentional contact with a game official, taunting, continued use of profanity or gestures to another, excessive or prolonged act focusing attention on themselves, using disconcerting acts or words prior to the snap to interfere with the offensive signals, refusing to comply with an official s repeated request and use of tobacco. A Non-Player (Coach, etc.) who uses continued profanity or gestures at an official/spectator/player, disrespects and continually attempts to influence decisions of the official, etc. Foul when it occurs exact location does not matter or Dead Ball Enforced from the succeeding (next) dead ball spot the down counts.
15 YARD PENALTIES INVOLVING DISQUALIFICATION Dead Ball and Live Ball
15 YARD PENALTIES WITH DISQUALIFICATION Two (2) or more Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls for separate and distinct acts by a player or non-player. Fighting by a player or non-player A substitute who leaves the team box during a fight Flagrant Fouls (as defined in the Case Book) Illegal helmet contact to a player lying on the ground Helmet-to-helmet contact against a Defenseless player Defenseless Players A player who is obviously out of the play A kick receiver whose attention is on the downward flight of the ball A pass receiver whose concentration is on the ball and the contact by the defender is unrelated to attempting to catch the ball (playing the player and not the ball.) A Kicker who has not had an reasonable opportunity to regain his balance after the kick.
SPECIAL NOTES If after you enforce of a Live Ball foul, the ball is spotted beyond the line-to-gain, it is a 1 st down. Ex. 4 th down and 10, the Offense gains 22 yards by running the ball and a holding foul occurs by the Offense 2 yards before the end of the play. After you enforce the 10 yard penalty, the Offense has still obtained a 1 st down so you don t replay the down. Ex. 4 th down and 1, the QB runs 6 yards beyond the LOS and throws an incomplete pass downfield. The illegal forward pass is enforced 5 yards from the end of the run (the spot of the foul) and the Offense still has a 1 st down. The loss of down provision of the penalty has no effect. When it s not a 1 st down Ex. 4 th down and 10, the Offense gains 14 yards by running the ball and a holding foul occurs by the Offense 2 yards behind the end of the run. After enforcement, the down will be repeated 4 th down and 8. (Even though the ball was beyond the lineto-gain and the foul occurred beyond the line-to-gain, after the enforcement of a LIVE ball foul, the ball ends up spotted behind the line-to-gain so therefore the down is repeated. Note: it would be a 1 st down if the foul was enforced as a dead ball penalty.)
SPECIAL NOTES The Offense commits a Chop Block against the Defense. On the same play, the Defense commits Roughing the Passer and Defensive Pass Interference. All fouls are Live ball fouls, therefore they off-set as double fouls. (Even though one team commits more live balls fouls than the other, unless one commits a dead-ball foul, the penalties off-set and the down is replayed. When enforcing the distance portion of a live-ball penalty, the spot of the ball for the next down is determined by the location of where the foul occurred on the field. Ex. 2 nd and 10, the ball is spotted on the left hash. During the play, holding is committed by the right tackle on the LOS in the middle of the field. If accepted, the ball shall be spotted in the middle of the field (-10 yards) on the succeeding (next) down (2 nd and 20) On a Try (PAT), the Offense is in scrimmage kick formation. The holder mishandles the snap, rises, scrambles and passes the ball which is caught by a wide open teammate in the end zone who turns out to be the Left Guard. The foul is Illegal Touching which results in a loss of down. Therefore, the Try has failed and may not be replayed.