1. A, 2/8, A-30. A16 is back to pass at the A-20. As his arm is moving forward, he is hit from behind by B82 and fumbles the ball. It is recovered by B63 at the A-18.
Answer: C. Incomplete pass, A, 3/8, A-30
2. Due to injuries and a couple of ejections, Team A has only seven players remaining to play.
Answer: B. May continue the game as long as there are at least five players on the line of scrimmage, numbered between 50 – 79, and no more than 4 backs.
3. K, 4/6, K-30. K18 kicks a low scrimmage kick, which is deflected by R88 at the K-32. The ball is touched by K88 at the K-46 and recovered by K22 at the K-49.
Answer: C. First touching. R, 1/10, K-46
4. A, 1/10, A-38. A14 is standing behind the snapper. As A14 places his hands under the snapper, A-23 goes in motion. A14 hands the ball to A32 who runs to the A-44.
Answer: A. Live ball foul, illegal shift, 5-yard penalty, previous spot. A, 1/15, A-33
5. A, 2/5, A-28. A26 is in motion at the snap behind the guard within the free blocking zone and blocks B87 below the waist within the free blocking zone at the A-28. A11 runs to the A-35.
6. During the pregame conference, the head coach verifies that all his players are legally equipped. In the first quarter, B44 is discovered without hip pads.
Answer: C. Officials timeout. B44 must leave the game for at least one down until his missing equipment is properly worn.
7. A, 1/10, A-33. At the snap, A67 blocks down on B62 below the waist and from behind at the A-34 in the free blocking zone. A44 runs to the A-40.
Answer: B. Clipping, 15-yard penalty, previous spot. A, 1/25, A-18
8. K, 4/12, K-25. K52 punts the ball from the K-12. R44, thinking his team has only 10 players, enters the field at the K-40 as the 12th player and legally blocks K87 at the K-42. R21 catches the kick at the R-45 and returns it to the K-40 where he is tackled.
Answer: B. Illegal participation, 15-yard penalty, succeeding spot. R, 1/10, R-30.
Open hand technique I understand. The Closed or cupped technique is confusing. Would this mean it's more like a strike or punch with the arms extended 45 degrees? Of course inside the shoulders below the head.
Context (part of rule or case): a. Closed or cupped hand technique: 1. The elbows may be inside or outside the shoulders. 2. The hands must be closed or cupped with the palms not facing the opponent. 3. The forearms are extended no more than 45 degrees from the body.
Can a player pull a player down on a tipped ball while the ball is loose?
Assuming a legal forward pass it would depend on who tipped the ball. If A tips the ball, then all restrictions still apply. If B tips the ball, then there is no foul for PI.
Context (part of rule or case): Pulling player
When a player is carrying out a fake, any attempts to tackle them are ok. We will see this in read option and triple option offenses.
That is correct provided it is not a personal foul.
Context (part of rule or case): NOTE: When a player simulates possession of the ball, reasonable allowance may be made for failure of the defense to discover the deception. This does not cancel the responsibility of any defensive player to exercise reasonable caution in avoiding any unnecessary contact.
Is it not a chop block if the defender attempts to hurdle a legal cut block while simultaneously gets contacted by another player from A?
If contact is made below the knees by one player and contact made high by another player it is a chop block. No exceptions to the rule. Plus you would have hurdling which is a foul.
Context (part of rule or case): Chop Block
The A player had better possession of the ball then B did as they fell to the ground. Is the offensive player usually favored?
It is not based on better possession it is who possessed first. If you can't tell, then it would go to the offense.
Context (part of rule or case): A simultaneous catch or recovery is a catch or recovery in which there is joint possession of a live ball by opposing players who are inbounds.
When time-outs are taken and the teams are below the 25 yd line we need to direct the players up to the 25 yd line and over to the numbers.
Let's not get too technical on this. As long as they are on the field near the numbers we are good. They just can't be by the sideline. They can conference on injury timeouts too.
Context (part of rule or case): a. Outside 9-Yard Mark Conference – One or more team members and one or more coaches directly in front of the team box within 9 yards of the sideline,
So by rule, when a wide receiver breaks from the huddle and lines up in the neutral zone it is encroachment?
Preventive officiating. Talk to the players, get the coach and the Referee involved. They will listen if not it is a foul. But fix it early.
Per the mechanic's book. The HL has no fair catch responsibilities on deep kicks. He checks the flight of the ball and then looks at the blocks going to the receiver. If there is one receiver deep, The BJ should take the receiver, fair catch and ball. The LJ should be looking at the blocks coming towards the receiver. There is no need to have three officials watching for the fair catch.
Context (part of rule or case): This is an example of a game I watched this year where the receiver called for a fair catch, but muffed the catch; however, the Flank Official (HL) blew an early/inadvertent whistle. I just bring this up as HL are often in a position (5-man mechanics) to blow the whistle on a Fair Catch for a scrimmage kick.
How much leeway do we give players on what defines a swing?
"Whether or not there is contact" - so a swing and a miss would be considered a foul.
There is no leeway if you want to keep control of the game. It is a foul and a possible DQ.
Context (part of rule or case): Fighting is any attempt by a player or nonplayer to strike or engage a player or nonplayer in a combative manner unrelated to football. Such acts include, but are not limited to, attempts to strike an opponent(s) with the arm(s), hand(s), leg(s) or foot (feet), whether or not there is contact.
Feels like this is called out for a reason. Would like more information on why this is important.
Look at the website rule book under 2-13-1. There is a diagram that details out this rule.
Context (part of rule or case): The muffing or batting of a pass, kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new force.
Can we get more clarification on 2.13.4.b please?
Look at the website rule book under 2-13-1. There is a diagram that details out this rule.
Context (part of rule or case): Force
When a ball is fumbled out of bounds the point of the ball is the dead ball spot. Now in the field of play we talk about giving the runner everything he earns. So does the point of the ball apply?
The ball is placed where the forward part of the ball is when the runner stepped out of bounds. If we are a little generous then we would be placing the ball where it should be.
Context (part of rule or case): Forward progress is the end of advancement of the ball, toward the opponent's goal
in a runner's possession or the forward-most point of the ball when it is fumbled out of bounds and it determines the dead-ball spot.
b. Is it 1 for 1 offset or 1 for n that offset? (KO) eg. Team A commits 1 live ball foul and Tem B commits 2 live ball fouls, all offset or one of Team B's fouls count?
Yes all penalties would offset regardless of how many are called against one team over the other. This applies when there is no change of possession. Read Rule 10-2-1 for more.
h. It says for a PSK foul, other than an Illegal Substitution or Participation foul that occurs at the snap; what does at the snap mean? Does this mean only Substitution fouls that are considered live ball fouls as some of the substitution fouls can be dead ball or live ball fouls? On the website rulebook has a diagram that explains it better. 12-16-2h-5. Basically if the defense has 12 players on the field or the 12 player doesn't get off the field at the snap. Then PSK doesn't apply. The foul would be enforced from the previous spot. If a 12 player comes on after the snap and the ball is kicked then PSK would apply.
Foul on scrimmage kick, is it PSK?
Then, how do you enforce PSK foul? End of the kick.
Give him the info. I have R, during the play, illegal participation. Referee will then ask where the end of the kick was.
Context (part of rule or case): b. Double—one or more live-ball fouls (other than nonplayer or unsportsmanlike) are committed by each team at such a time that the penalties offset. h. Post scrimmage kick—A foul by R (other than an illegal substitution or illegal participation foul that occurs at the snap) when the foul occurs...
If a defensive player is stunting and turning his back it's not a foul. Can a offensive player still go low behind a defender?
Defender cannot initiate a foul by turning his back to the blocker. If the blocker is engaged with the defense and the defense turns his back. You would still have a legal block even though it is in the back or below the waist. If the blocker disengages the block and then blocks in the back or below the waist. then it would be a foul for BIB or clipping. It is important you see the WHOLE ACTION before throwing a flag.
Context (part of rule or case): Blocking in the back is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: a. By offensive lineman who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. b. Against defensive players who are in the zone at the snap. c. The contact is in the zone.
My confirmation question is this; once the FBZ disintegrates, and the ball then returns to the FBZ can the FBZ be re-established?
No once the FBZ disintegrates it is for the rest of the down.
Context (part of rule or case): The free-blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for an offensive lineman to block in the back is not to continue after the ball has left the zone.
How strictly, butt blocking and face tackling should be enforced; e.g., a defensive player wraps up a runner but puts his facemask directly in his chest when doing so?
Basically what we are looking for is spearing. Leading with the helmet. Remember the key phrase in the rule "initiates contact". In your example it appears the defender first action is to wrap up and subsequently makes contact with the helmet. This action would be legal.
Context (part of rule or case): a. Butt blocking is an act by any player who initiates contact against an opponent who is not a ball carrier with the front of his helmet. b. Face tackling is an act by a defensive player who initiates contact against a runner with the front of his helmet.
The A2 runner for hurdling a B defender as he fell to the ground. The coach was irate said it wasn't a foul. In High school you can hurdle a player correct?
To add to this question; it is permitted to "hurdle" an
opponent if he is kneeling, has a hand on the ground, etc.?
This is a safety foul. The rule is to prevent the runner from a possible uncontrolled flip and the defender from being kicked or kneed in the head/neck area. If you feel that both were a factor then it is a foul. The defender should be laying on the ground for no foul. That is my opinion.
Context (part of rule or case): Hurdling is an attempt by a player to jump ( hurdle) with one or both feet or knee foremost over a n opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of his body except one or both feet.
A kick is a kick until it is no longer a kick. Strange situations happen when involving kicks.
Have a good pre-snap routine on kicks. Strange situations happen on kick plays. Read and know Rule 6.
Context (part of rule or case): A kick ends when a player gains possession or when the ball becomes dead while not in player possession.
How often do we see drop kicks?
It is seldom used but be ready for it.
Context (part of rule or case): A drop kick
Thought this was good to call out and for us to remember.
These plays usually occur on bad snaps over the QB/Punters head in relation to the goal line/end zone. It is rare that it happens in the field of play. Remember it must be intentional kick.
Context (part of rule or case): When the ball is loose following an illegal kick, it retains the same status as prior to the illegal kick.
In this case A1 was very near the side so he is still in the field of play. Still trying to get a grasp he is holding the ball on the outside the sideline plane. So with his body in the end zone that's the difference, correct?
Look at 2-26-3 Goal Line Extension and 2.26.3 Situation-A. If a runner is inbounds, has the ball in his left hand, outside the pylon as he breaks the goal line plane. The runner would get goal line extended and would be a touchdown.
Context (part of rule or case): SITUATION: Runner A1 advances into B's goal line and is very near the sideline. (a) A1 advances into B's end zone while holding the ball outside the sideline plane. In this case the ball breaks the plane of B's goal -line extended.
There is a set number of coaches that could be in the restricted area between the sideline and the box. Just try to make sure the box is clear about 15 yds in either direction.
The rule it states only for dead ball. The restricted area must be clear from all coaches and non-players during live ball.
Context (part of rule or case): A maximum of three coaches as well as permitted non-players are allowed within the restraining line in front of the team box, as provided for in Rule 9-8-3.
Is this regarding illegal man downfield?
Yes and relates to scrimmage kicks too. See Rule 6-2.
Context (part of rule or case): Neutral Zone Expansion
Why is section 3 is "including the snap" included as part of a backward pass? Why is the snap not included in all of the other action(s)?
Snap by definition it is a backward pass and the snap ends once the ball is possessed.
Context (part of rule or case): A loose ball play is action during:
a. A free kick or scrimmage kick other than post-scrimmage kick.
b. A legal forward pass.
c. A backward pass (including the snap), an illegal kick or fumble made by A from in
or behind the neutral zone prior to a change of team possession.
d. The run or runs which precedes such legal or illegal kick, legal forward pass, backward pass or fumble.
Another interesting detail that we should be aware of/have in our back pocket.
Context (part of rule or case): A rule sometimes states what a player may do, but if there is no such statement for a given act (such as faking a kick), it is assumed that he may do what is not prohibited.
QB Cannot run behind center and simultaneously receive a snap for a QB Sneak; warn coach and QB early. If they do it again, we flag.
It would depend on the situation. 1st and ten they gain two yards then yes warn them. If the team gets a first down then it is a foul no warning. It also depends on the game situation. If it is in a critical part of the game it is a foul with no warning.
Context (part of rule or case): Case Book Question
Thought this was interesting especially since there aren't that many spot fouls in HS.
Spot fouls occur when the runner and foul is beyond the LOS. Spot fouls also occur on any returns from any kicks or changes of possession.
Context (part of rule or case): Fouls by R behind the post-scrimmage kick spot are spot fouls.
Good to know the options so we can offer coaches their options.
Game awareness. Most times it is a quick decision, and they will take it on the kickoff. There is a chance depending on game time and the score where the 15 yards on the kickoff won't matter. If the offense is down by 2 and they can take the penalty to the 1 1/2 or the defense is up by 1 and want to make the PAT tougher and enforce the penalty to the 18.
Context (part of rule or case): When a foul occurs during a down in which a touchdown is scored, as in Rules 8-2-2, 8-2-3, 8-2-4 and 8-2-5, the succeeding spot may, at the option of the offended team, be the subsequent kickoff.
