Week 1 Answers
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Between downs, quarterback A1 informs the referee via a "pre-arranged" confidential signal that the next timed down A will run its trick play involving a planned loose ball. (a) Snapper A2 does not release the ball and guard A3 takes it and begins to advance; or (b) A1 takes the snap and places the ball on the ground after which guard A3, who has legally turned and faced his own goal line, scoops it up and advances; or (c) A1 takes the snap and hands the ball to guard A3, who has legally turned to face his own goal line.
RULING: In (a), it is a snap-infraction, dead ball foul whether or not the referee was informed. In (b), it is an illegal planned loose ball, even though the referee was notified (7-2-8). In (c), it is a legal play. COMMENT: in all cases, the referee should inform A1 immediately that a planned loose ball play is not legal and thus attempt to prevent a foul. -
K1 attempts an onside kick from its own 40, but instead of causing the ball to strike the ground and bounce, he pops it up into the air. R1 signals for a fair catch while the kick is in flight and catches the ball: (a) before it crosses R's free-kick line; or (b) after it has gone beyond R's free-kick line.
RULING: R1 has made a fair catch in both (a) and (b). A fair catch is permitted from in or beyond the neutral zone to R's goal line during a free kick. (2-9-1) -
K1's field-goal attempt is partially blocked behind the neutral zone, but deflects beyond the neutral zone and is then muffed by R1. The muffed ball is recovered: (a) behind, or (b) beyond the neutral zone by K2.
RULING: In both (a) and (b), it is a first down for K. In (a), K2 could have advanced after recovering. (5-1-3f)
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Week 2 Answers
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At the snap, A has eight players on the line of scrimmage. A1, who is on the end of the line, shifts and becomes a back. A2, who prior to A1's position change was an interior lineman, is now on the end of the line. A2 ruses from his three-point stance and moves to a new position 5 yards further out on the line of scrimmage where he again assumes a three-point stance.
RULING: A legal shift by A2. Restrictions that apply to interior lineman no longer apply to A2 after A1 moved off the line and assumed a position as a back, thus making A2 an end. (2-3-9) -
R1 is running near a sideline as he attempts to catch a free kick in flight. R1 has: (a) both fee inbounds; or (b) one foot on the sideline, when he reaches through the plane o the sideline. The ball bounces off his hands and lands out of bounds.
RULING: In (a), the ball is not yet out of bounds until it hit the ground there. Since R1 touched it, he caused it to go out of bounds and R will have the ball at the inbounds spot. In (b), since R1 is out of bounds when the ball is touched, the kicker has caused the ball to be out of bounds. -
When the ball is dead after a running play that ends in the side zone, the game officials have difficulty getting the ball in to the hash marks. As the play clock nears 25, the umpire places the ball on the ground, and by the time the game officials are ready, the play clock is below 25 when the Umpire steps away.
RULING: Without stopping the game clock, the Referee gives the "one-armed pump" signal to indicate that the play clock is to be set to 25. If the play clock is reset to 25 without any delay, the game clock does not stop. Only if the clock operator does not quickly respond to the Referee's "pump" signal does the Referee declare a time-out, signal for the play clock to be reset to 25, and then signal to start the game clock and the play clock.
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Week 3 Answers
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Snapper A1 is positioned over the ball following the ready for play signal, but has not yet placed his hand(s) on it. Either :(a) A2; or (b) B1, breaks the plane of the neutral zone. Both players adjust their position and get behind the neutral zone.; or (c) A1 has a hand on the ground and then stands erect to call out a blocking assignment.
RULING: No infraction in either (a), (b), or (c). In (c), the snapper is not restricted as are other lineman after placing a hand on or near the ground (7-1-7c) -
Ineligible receiver A2 is behind, in or beyond the neutral zone and has committed no act against a defender that could be ruled pass interference when a forward pass by A1: (a) accidentally strikes him in the back; or (b) is muffed by him; or (c) is caught by him.
RULING: In (a), there is no foul for illegal touching. In (b) and (c), it is illegal touching. The acts in both (b) and (c) are intentional and not accidental as in (a). -
As the offensive lineman charge on the snap of the ball, B1: (a) grasps guard A1 by the jersey and controls him until he sees where the ball is going; or (b) slaps A1 on the side of the helmet with an open hand and forces his head to the side with what is commonly called a "bell ringer," or (c) contacts A1 with one hand and his shoulder pad and the other on his helmet fighting off the block; or (d) pulls A1's shoulders to one side and charges through in an effort to get to the runner; or (e) pulls A1's shoulders to one side so B2 may charge through to the runner.
RULING: It is holding in (a) which will result in a 10-yard penalty administered in accordance with the all-but-one principle, if accepted. In (b), it is illegal personal contact, and (e), it is illegal use of the hands by B1, which also carries a 10-yard penalty. The action by B1 in (c) and (d) is legal.
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Week 4 Answers
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A1 throws a forward pass beyond the neutral zone which is touched by A2 and is muffed high into the air. While the muffed ball is in the air: (a) ineligible A3 blocks B1 away from the ball; or (b) ineligible A3 touches the ball in an attempt to catch it.
RULING: Legal action in (a), but illegal touching in (b). After A2 touches the ball, eligible offensive players may use hands or arms. Pass interference restrictions for eligibles have ended. However, an ineligible Team A player may not touch the pass until after a Team B player has touched it. The ineligibles, however, may block an opponent to keep him from getting to the ball or to help a teammate secure possession. (2-3-4c, 7-5-9b, 7-5-13) -
As A1 is advancing for a touchdown from Bs 10-yard line, B1 commits a block with open hands against A2 who is obviously out of the play at B's 15-yard line. The covering official rules that not only was the contact unnecessarily rough, it was judged by the game official to be flagrant.
RULING: The penalty for the foul may be enforced from the succeeding spot or the succeeding kickoff and A's touchdown stands. B1 is disqualified because the foul was judged by the game official to be flagrant. COMMENT: Game officials should be alert for flagrant fouls and enforce the disqualification portion of the penalty if necessary. (9-4-3g PENALTY, 10-5-1) -
With first and 10 from A's 5-yard line, A1 drops back into his end zone, where he is tackled by the face mask/helmet opening and fumbles. The ball rolls out of bounds at A's 3-yard line.
RULING: The fumble by A1 is a loose ball play behind the neutral zone which would be enforced from the previous spot. Following penalty administration, it will be A's ball, first and 10, at A's 20-yard line.
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Week 7 Answers
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During a play during the first period, B1 is detected wearing; (a) an earring; (b) a necklace; (c) a ring; (d) a medical alert bracelet; or (e) a religious medallion.
RULING: In (a), (b), and (c), an official's time-out is declared and the player must be replaced for at least one down unless the halftime intermission or an overtime intermission occurs. B1 must comply with the rules before further participation. COMMENT: Any time the play clock is interrupted for improperly worn equipment by a player, the player is to be removed from the contest for a lest one play. In (d), legal if securely attached to the body and visible, if necessary, and judged by the game official to not present a hazard to the wearer or other players. In (e), the medallion must be taped to the body [1-5-3c(6)] -
A11 runs straight up the field and after the ball has left the passer's hand, B9 illegally blocks A11 and throws him off his pattern. The pass is completed to A10 who is clearly on the opposite side of the field.
RULING: There is no pass interference call on B9; however, a flag should have been dropped for the illegal block. - 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.
