ARTICLE 13.Penalties for all fouls by the kicking team other than kick catch interference (Rule 6-4) during a scrimmage kick play (except field-goal attempts) in which the ball crosses the neutral zone may be enforced by rule either at the previous spot as the basic spot with the down repeated (Exception:Penalty option is a safety for fouls in Team A’s end zone.) or at the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B, at the option of Team B.
Approved Ruling 6-3-13 I. Team A punts on fourth and seven at the A-35. At the snap Team A has five players in the backfield. The kick is partially blocked and goes out kicks of bounds at the A-45. RULING: Foul for illegal formation. Team B may have the ball, first and 10 at the A-40 after the five-yard penalty is enforced at the A-45 (the dead-ball spot) or have the penalty enforced at the previous spot with fourth down repeated at the A-30.
Approved Ruling 6-3-13 II. Team A punts on fourth and seven at the A-35. At the snap Team A has five players in the backfield. The kick is partially blocked, does not cross the neutral zone and is returned by B88 to the A-28 where he is tackled. RULING: Team B may decline the penalty and have the ball at the A-28 or have the penalty enforced at the previous spot with fourth down repeated at the A-30.
Approved Ruling 6-3-13 III. Team A punts on fourth and seven at the A-35. At the snap Team A has five players in the backfield. The kick is partially blocked, crosses the neutral zone, goes back behind the neutral zone and rolls out of bounds at the A-32. RULING: Team B may have the ball, first and 10 at the A-27 after the five-yard penalty is enforced at the A-32 (the dead-ball spot) or have the penalty enforced at the previous spot with fourth down repeated at the A-30.
Approved Ruling 6-3-13 IV. Fourth and 15 at the A-5. Punter A88 from Team A’s end zone kicks the ball. Tackle A77 is flagged for holding in the end zone. Team B returns the ball to the B-45. RULING: Team B has the option of having possession after the penalty is enforced at the B-45 or accepting the penalty for a safety. (Rule 10-2-4)
