Rule 4 Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds 2015

Ball must be legally snapped or kicked If he snaps it early: Dead ball, delay of game, 5 yards

Snapper A55 snaps the ball before the ready for play. QB A2 muffs the snap. B76 recovers the ball… Ruling??? Dead ball Penalize A for delay of game. A’s ball 5 yards back.

When should we blow the whistle? Any part of ball carrier’s body (other than hand or foot) touches the ground. –Exception? Holder for a kick (or simulation of one) Kick, untouched by B beyond neutral zone, touches the ground in B’s end-zone Team A player catches or recovers a kick beyond neutral zone After valid OR INVALID fair catch signal Kick beyond neutral zone

When should we blow the whistle? Kick or loose ball comes to rest and no one attempts to secure it… Return kick is made Team A player other than the fumbler recovers a fumble on 4 th down or try. Dog runs on and touches the ball Ref catches the ball to save his/her stomach Ball carrier’s helmet comes completely off Ball carrier simulates placing his knee on the ground

Inadvertent whistle! During a run play: –Choice of team with ball – replay or take at spot During a pass: –Must replay the down During a kick: –Must replay the down During a punt if ball not touched by A: –Must replay the down During a punt if illegal touch by A: –Replay –OR- Point of illegal touch

Inadvertent whistle! During a try after a turnover, B with ball: –Try is over During a fumble: –Replay *OR*: –Spot of fumble! Do penalties get enforced? –YES! 2fbbd0d2ca9af9c0db1ece0798ac2ac1_crop_north.jpg?w=630&h=420&q=75

Penalties plays that end with inadvertent whistles During a run: –Spot could be whistle or previous During a pass or kickoff: –Must be previous On a fumble: –Could be previous or spot of fumble

Situation 1 4 th and 17 at the A-45. During the punt, team B blocks below the waist at the 50-yard-line. An inadvertent whistle is blown while the ball is still in the air: –Go to previous spot, 15 yards against B & automatic first down.

Situation 2 2 nd and 5 at the team A-38. Team A lineman holds at the line of scrimmage. The pass is intercepted by B89 at the 50 yard-line. B97 blocks below the waist at the A-45. B89 runs to the A-40 where he fumbles. When the rolling ball is on the A-35, a toddler runs on the field to grab the ball: –B will decline A’s penalty. –Enforce B’s penalty from spot of foul. –B’s ball 1 st & 10 from the B-40.