b. If an official sounds their whistle inadvertently or otherwise signals the ball dead during a down (Rules 4-1-3k, 4-1-3m and 4-1-3n):
2. When the ball is loose from a fumble, backward pass or illegal pass, the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where possession was lost or repeat the down (Exception:Rule 12-3-3d).
Approved Ruling 4-1-2 I. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. A88 chases the ball, and in the immediate continuing football action he recovers it while grounded at the B-30. B22 is flagged for holding during the kick. RULING: For games without Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2b-3 applies. The ball is returned to the previous spot and the 10-yard holding penalty is enforced. Team A retains possession and will have 1/10 at the A-40. For games with Instant Replay. Inadvertent whistle. Team A declines the penalty and will have the ball at the B-30, first and 10.
Approved Ruling 4-1-2 II. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. The ball disappears into a pile of players. B22 is flagged for holding during the kick. RULING: For games without Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2b-3 applies. The ball is returned to the previous spot and the 10-yard holding penalty is enforced. Team A retains possession and will have 1/10 at the A-40. For games with Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 12-3-3-l applies. Since the Instant Replay official does not have indisputable video evidence as to which team recovers, the ruling of the dead ball stands. The holding penalty is enforced at the B-35, under post-scrimmage kick rules. Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the B-25.
Approved Ruling 4-1-2 III. First and 10 at the B-45. Ball carrier A22 is tackled and is going to the ground, when he fumbles. An official sounds his whistle inadvertently. Players on both teams go after the ball, and B66 clearly recovers it while grounded. RULING: For games without Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2b-2 applies. Team A will choose to repeat the down at the previous spot. For games with Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 12-3-3d applies. If the replay official determines that A22 lost control of the ball before he was down, then the ball belongs to Team B at the spot of the recovery by B66. In the event that the replay official is not able to determine which team recovers the ball, the ruling that the ball carrier was down before losing control of the ball stands, and Team A retains possession at the dead-ball spot.
Approved Ruling 4-1-2 IV. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. A88 chases the ball, and in the immediate continuing football action he recovers it while grounded at the B-30. RULING: For games without Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2b-3 applies. The ball is returned to the previous spot and the down repeated. Team A, fourth and 15 at the A-30. For games with Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Team A will have the ball at the B-30, first and 10.
Approved Ruling 4-1-2 V. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. The ball disappears into a pile of players. RULING: For games without Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2b-3 applies. The ball is returned to the previous spot and the down repeated. Team A, fourth and 15 at the A-30. For games with Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Since the Instant Replay official does not have indisputable video evidence as to which team recovers, the ruling of the dead ball stands. Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the B-35.
c. If a foul or violation occurs during any of the above downs, the penalty or violation privilege shall be administered as in any other play situation if not in conflict with other rules.
Approved Ruling 4-1-2 I. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. A88 chases the ball, and in the immediate continuing football action he recovers it while grounded at the B-30. B22 is flagged for holding during the kick. RULING: For games without Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2b-3 applies. The ball is returned to the previous spot and the 10-yard holding penalty is enforced. Team A retains possession and will have 1/10 at the A-40. For games with Instant Replay. Inadvertent whistle. Team A declines the penalty and will have the ball at the B-30, first and 10.
Approved Ruling 4-1-2 II. Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30. B44 is in position to receive the kick. In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35. The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it. The ball disappears into a pile of players. B22 is flagged for holding during the kick. RULING: For games without Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Rule 4-1-2b-3 applies. The ball is returned to the previous spot and the 10-yard holding penalty is enforced. Team A retains possession and will have 1/10 at the A-40. For games with Instant Replay: Inadvertent whistle. Since the Instant Replay official does not have indisputable video evidence as to which team recovers, the ruling of the dead ball stands. The holding penalty is enforced at the B-35, under post-scrimmage kick rules. Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the B-25.
