Week 9 Answers

1. During a scrimmage kick, R1 signals for a fair catch by: (a) extending and holding one arm above his head; or (b) partially extending and waving one hand in front of his face; or (c) fully extending and laterally waving both hands above his head or in front of the body without extending one hand at arm’s length above his head; or (d) extending and laterally waving one arm at full length above his head.
   RULING: The signals in (a), (b) and (c) are invalid. In (d), the signal is valid. Giving an invalid signal is a foul for which the penalty is enforced under the post-scrimmage kick provision. COMMENT: When a receiver shades his eyes during a legal kick, he must do so in a manner which is clearly not an invalid fair-catch signal. The responsibility of shading the eyes with a bent arm and not waving it is completely and entirely upon the receiver. (2-9-3, 2-41-6, 6-5-1, 6-5-6)

2. End A1 sprints from the line and then cuts sharply toward the middle of the field. A1 makes no attempt to block defensive back B1. B1 pursues A1 and pushes him from the side using his open hands. Contact is made on A1's upper arm before the pass is thrown. A1 was moving away from B1 when the contact occurred.
   RULING: Illegal use of hands by B1. A defender may legally contact an eligible receiver beyond the neutral zone before the pass is in flight provided the receiver is a potential blocker. The contact may be a block or warding off the opponent who is attempting to block by pushing or pulling him. However, if the receiver is not attempting to block or has gone past the yard line occupied by the defender or is moving away, it is illegal for the defender to use hands in the manner described. In this situation, it is clear that A1 is no longer a potential blocker on B1. (2-3-5a, 7-5-7)

3. Fourth and five from K's 20-yard line, K is in an illegal formation at the snap. While K1's punt is in flight, beyond the expanded neutral zone, R2 blocks K8 in the back at the 50-yard line. R4 catches the kick at R's 36-yard line and returns it for a touchdown.
   RULING: This is a post-scrimmage kick foul by R. Therefore, R may decline the penalty for K's foul and keep the ball after enforcement of the 10-yard penalty for the block in the back, or it may accept the penalty against K, thereby creating a double foul in which case the down shall be replayed. (10-2-1b)

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 8 Answers

1. A kickoff by K1 from K’s 40 is muffed by R1 near his 20-yard line. The muff is caught by K2 at the 18 and he advances into R’s end zone.
   RULING: It will be K’s ball first and 10 from R’s 18. K2 may catch or recover the muffed kick, but may not advance. The ball is dead when K gains possession. The covering official should sound his whistle to stop play immediately when the ball becomes dead.

2. Team A sets with five players on its line numbered 50-79, while two teammates, both on the same side, are numbered 89 and 41. Number 41 is on the end and 89 is inside and next to him. Number 41 shifts to the backfield and Number 32, on the opposite side of the ball, shifts so he is on that end of the line. A touchdown pass is thrown to Number 89.
   RULING: The touchdown counts. The fact that A lined up with a player wearing an eligible receiver’s number in the interior line does not eliminate the possibility of this player being eligible to receive a pass following a shift. (7-5-6a)

3. Prior to the ball being thrown during a play in which A1 catches a touchdown pass and advances for a touchdown, B1 holds A2 to prevent him from going out for a pass on the side away from the play. When given options, A elects to enforce the penalty for the defensive holding foul on the subsequent kickoff. During the successful two-point try, B1 is guilty of holding A1. Does A have the option of having the 10-yard penalty added on to the previous 10-yard penalty on the subsequent kickoff?
   RULING: Yes. The fouls did not occur during the same down, so these are not multiple fouls and, therefore, they may both be enforced on the subsequent kickoff. (8-3-5b, 10-2-4)

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 7 Answers

1. Fourth and 10 on K’s 45-yard line. K1 punts the ball beyond the neutral zone. R1 muffs the ball back behind the neutral zone where K1 recovers and: (a) falls on the ball at K’s 40-yard line; or (b) throws a forward pass to K3 which is complete at the 50-yard line and R1 interferes with K3; or (c) K1 punts the ball and R1 fair catches at his 30-yard line.
   RULING: Since R1 touched the kick beyond the neutral zone, it will be first down for the team in possession in (a), (b) and (c). In (a), it is a first down for K at K’s 40-yard line. In (b), the pass is legal as there had been no change of team possession. If K accepts the penalty for pass interference, it will be K’s ball at R’s 40-yard line. In (c), the second punt is legal as there had been no change of team possession. The ball belongs to R first and 10 on its own 30-yard line. (5-1-3f, 6-2-1, 7-5-1)

2. Quarterback A1 drops back and throws a forward pass toward the sideline to A2 who is behind the neutral zone. A2 then throws a forward pass to A3 15 yards downfield. (a) B1 blocks A2 behind the line prior to A2 touching the ball; or (b) B1 tackles A2 prior to A2 touching the pass; or (c) B1 pushes A3 prior to A3 touching the pass, and B1 intercepts.
   RULING: Legal block in (a) since pass interference restrictions for B do not apply to a forward pass that does not cross the neutral zone. In (b), it is a holding foul by B1. Legal contact in (c) since there are no pass interference restrictions on an illegal forward pass. It should be noted that A2 has also committed a foul for an illegal forward pass.

3. On third and 10 from B’s 40-yard line, A1 runs out of bounds at B’s 35-yard line. After A1 is out of bounds, B1 charges into A1, knocking him to the ground. A2 retaliates by shoving B1. B1 then swears at A2. A’s coach swears at the wing official: (a) before the referee has determined the appropriate enforcement of the penalties; or (b) after the referee is giving his signals and the umpire begins marking off the enforcement.
   RULING: In (a), since penalty enforcement had not yet been determined, the penalties for A's two fouls will offset the penalties for B's two fouls, resulting in fourth and 5 from B’s 35-yard line. In (b), because the foul on Team A’s coach occurred after determination of penalty enforcement, that penalty will be enforced separately. Since there were initially two fouls by Team B and one foul by Team A, the referee would have already determined that the penalty for only one of B’s fouls would be enforced 15 yards to B's 20-yard line, giving Team A a first down. Team A will then be penalized 15 yards for the last foul from B’s 20-yard line to B’s 35-yard line, where it will be first and 10 for Team A.

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 6 Answers

1. K1’s punt is high but short. R2, from well down field, runs toward the ball to get in position to attempt to catch it. K2 is also moving toward the ball or just standing there when: (a) K2 is contacted by R2; or (b) K2 causes R2 to veer away from the ball but there is no contact by K2. The ball strikes the ground and is recovered by R3.
   RULING: K2 has committed kick-catching interference in both (a) and (b) since K2 did not provide R2 an unobstructed opportunity to catch the ball. R may choose to take the results of the play, or accept the 15-yard penalty for kick-catching interference. If the distance penalty is accepted, it is R’s choice to have the penalty enforced from the spot of the foul or to have it enforced from the previous spot and require K to replay the down.

2. A8, in B’s end zone, leaps in the air to catch a pass and is contacted by B2 forcing A8 to come down inbounds on B’s 1-yard line where he is downed.
   RULING: Touchdown, since A8’s forward progress was stopped over B’s end zone by B2’s contact. Even though the catch was not made until A8 came down inbounds, his forward progress was stopped by B2’s contact resulting in A possessing the live ball in its opponent’s end zone, hence, a touchdown.

3. Blocker A1 has his hands and arms in legal position with the elbows outside the body and: (a) when B1 attempts to penetrate his block in an upright position, he contacts B1 above the shoulders with his forearm; or (b) as B2 ducks or submarines, A1 contacts him above the shoulder with his cupped hands.
   RULING: In (a), it is an illegal blocking technique because contact was made above the defensive player’s shoulders while he was in a normal upright position. In (b), the responsibility for the contact on the head of B2 is that of B2, because he has taken evasive action to avoid the block. It is assumed contact by A1 in (b) does not violate the provision of striking or contacting above the shoulders. (2-3-2)

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 5 Answers

1. From his 40-yard line, K1 kicks the ball laterally and short on a kickoff, hoping his team can recover just beyond R’s free-kick line. The ball bounces immediately after being kicked. K1 is blocked by R1: (a) on his 42-yard line; or (b) on his 43-yard line, 5 yards from the sideline. RULING: Legal block in both (a) and (b) if the contact is above the waist. As soon as the ball touches the ground, the kicker/holder may be contacted with a legal block.

2. An offensive and defensive player simultaneously gain possession of a live ball which is a: (a) legal forward pass and both players are touching inbounds; or (b) scrimmage kick muffed by R beyond the neutral zone; or (c) fumble by A1 on a running play.
   RULING: The down is ended in each situation. In (a), complete pass and the ball belongs to A at the spot of completion. In (b), the ball belongs to R at the spot of recovery, and in (c), the ball belongs to A at the spot of recovery. (6-2-6, 7-5-4)

3. K’s free kick is bouncing on the ground in the neutral zone where R1 and K1 are engaged in blocking one another. K2 muffs the ball and the ball touches R1 on the leg and K3 recovers the ball.
   RULING: The touching by R is ignored and R will be awarded possession of the ball at the spot of first touching or at the dead-ball spot.

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 4 Answers

1. Fourth and 15 for A from its own 8-yard line. A1 is in punt formation and receives the snap in his end zone, but fumbles the ball. A1 quickly recovers and throws a forward pass to ineligible A2, who is also in the end zone. A2 muffs the ball and it falls incomplete.
   RULING: If B accepts the penalty for A2’s illegal touching, it results in a safety. If B declines the penalty for the foul by A2, the result is B’s ball first and goal from A’s 8-yard line. (5-1-3c, 7-5-13 PENALTY, 8-5-2c, 10-5-6)

2. K1 in scrimmage-kick formation, muffs the snap, but quickly recovers and begins to run. However, K1 changes his mind and: (a) punts on the run; or (b) abruptly stops and punts. R1 is unable to stop his charge and forcibly contacts K1. R1 did not touch the kick.
   RULING: No foul in either (a) or (b) because it was not reasonably certain K1 was going to punt the ball. COMMENT: It is always roughing the kicker if the contact could have been avoided regardless of whether or not it was apparent a kick would be made. Only unavoidable contact is ignored if it is not reasonably certain a kick will be made.

3. K1 kicks off to start the second half. The ball is rolling on R’s 7-yard line when R1: (a) accidentally, or (b) intentionally kicks the ball into his own end zone where R2 recovers. Is the kick by R1 in either (a) or (b) a new force? If the action is a foul, where is it penalized from? RULING: It is not a new force in either (a) or (b), as force is not a consideration on kicks going into R’s end zone. Even though the ball was kicked by R1, the kick had not ended. The contact in (a) is ignored, because it was not an intentional act. In (b), the kick is illegal, and if the penalty is accepted, it is enforced from the previous spot. If the penalty is declined, it is a touchback by rule. In both (a) and (b), the ball becomes dead when the kick breaks the plane of R’s goal line. (2-13-4, 9-7-1, 10-6)

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 3 Answers

1. It is third and 3 on A’s 30 and A1 is downed short of the line to gain on his 28. Specialized kicker A12 immediately enters the field to replace A3 when the whistle is sounded, but prior to the referee signaling a time-out, because he had detected holding by B1. The captain of A accepts the penalty which results in first and 10 for A from its 38. Realizing the change of status: (a) A12 returns to his team box and is replaced by A3; or (b) A4 requests and is granted a charged time-out during which A12 returns to the team box.
   RULING: In (a), A12 may return as a penalty has been accepted for a foul which occurred during the down. In (b), A12 may be replaced without penalty because the substitution was made during a charged time-out.

2. Following a third-down play, the game officials do not measure as the referee judges the line to gain clearly has not been reached. A lines up in punt formation. Just before assuming his set position, the captain of A requests a measurement.
   RULING: The request is denied for two reasons. The captain must make a request for measurement before the ball is marked ready for play and no measurement is made if it is obvious the line to gain has not been reached. COMMENT: In any situation where there is doubt, game officials should measure. Following measurement in a side zone, the chain should be used to place the ball at the hash mark. (5-3-2 Note)

3. At the snap, A1 is in a position which is neither on the line of scrimmage nor clearly in the backfield. A1 is not on the line because neither his head nor his foot is breaking the plane through the waist of the snapper, and he is not a back because he is penetrating the plane through the waist of his nearest teammate, end A2, who is on the line. The position of A1 is inside that of end A2, who is clearly on the line of scrimmage. When the ball is snapped, both A1 and A2 go downfield and A1 catches a pass.
   RULING: The position of A1 is illegal when the ball is snapped. A1 is an ineligible receiver because he was not clearly a back. His advance beyond the neutral zone is illegal and when he touches the pass, it is illegal touching. This is a multiple foul and B has a choice of which penalty to accept. (7-5-6a, 7-5-13)

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 2 Answers

1. Quarterback A1 is in position for a direct hand-to-hand snap. (a) A1 muffs the snap, but is able to take the ball from the ground and spike it forward; or (b) A1 receives the snap, but his spike attempt hits snapper A2's leg and ricochets into the air. A1 catches the ball and immediately spikes it forward.
   RULING: An illegal forward pass in both (a) and (b). Once the ball touches the ground , a player or the spike attempt is unsuccessful, it may not be grounded legally thereafter using this exception. In order to be a "direct snap" and therefore meet the allowance within the exception, the ball must go completely from the snapper to the person in position to take the hand-to-hand snap without being muffed, fumbled or otherwise mishandled.
   
   
2. The ball is free kicked from K's 40-yard line and in flight it crosses the 50-yard line before a strong wind blows it back to K's 45 where it (a) is touched in flight by K1, or (b) touches the ground and is recovered by K2.
   RULING: Kick-catching interference in (a), first and 10 for K in (b). Comment: The free-kick lines marking the neutral zone for K and R are vertical planes. When the free kick penetrates R's free-kick line in flight, it is considered to have gone the required 10 yards. If it also touched the ground, before or after going 10 yards, it can be recovered, but not advanced by K. (6-1-6)
   
   
3. Runner A1 advances 5 yards beyond the neutral zone to B's 3-yard line where he is tackled. As he is going down, A1 simulates a fumble by tossing the ball forward into the end zone where A2 downs it.
   RULING: Illegal forward pass by A1. The penalty is 5 yards from the spot of the pass, plus loss of down. If A1 is contacted after releasing the ball, it is not roughing the passer since he lost that protection when he threw the pass from beyond the neutral zone. (9-4-4)

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays

Week 1 Answers

1. After the ready for play and prior to the ball being kicked, Team K has 5 players to the left of the kicker and 5 players to the right of the kicker with the ball spotted at the K40.  The potential kicker K1, is lined up at the K32 to begin his kick and all other K players are clearly outside of the K35.  As K1 approaches the kick, he suddenly slows down and K2 kicks the onside kick that is recovered by R. 
   RULING:  Team K has committed a free kick infraction and the ball is blown dead immediately.  R1 is given the option to accept the distance penalty of 5 yards for the dead ball foul.
   
   
2. On fourth and four from A’s 35-yard line, K comes to the line in a scrimmage kick formation.  After calling a few signals, A1 says “shift.”  All 11 players then make a movement.  Some players move to a new position for a scrimmage-kick formation, while four interior lineman remain in place and move from a hands-on-thighs position to an upright position and finally to a three-point-stance.
   RULING:  This could be called a false start if the covering official(s) determine that it was designed to cause B to encroach.  In judging the offensive team’s intent, the game officials should consider whether players move to a new position, the speed and abruptness of movement, down and distance and if any player pretends to have the ball or otherwise simulate action at the snap with the start of the play. (7-1-7, 7-2-6)
   
   
3. Quarterback A1 takes the snap and hands the ball forward to back A2.  The handing is done: (a) behind; or (b) in; or (c) beyond the neutral zone.
   RULING:  Legal in (a) and (b), but a foul in (c).  COMMENT:  The position of the ball determines whether it is behind, in or beyond the neutral zone, however, the position of the player recovering the ball determines whether or not is forward handing.  (2-19-2, 1-19-3).

Back to 2018 Football Case Plays