Penalty Enforcement Jeff Wasserman, DFOA RULE 10 Penalty Enforcement Jeff Wasserman, DFOA

New for 2016: rule edits only 10-2-3-b-4 (Postscrimmage Kick Enforcement): now refers to the definition of the PSK spot in Rule 2-25-11. 10-2-4 (Fouls by Team A During Kicks): removed “between the goal lines”, and added that a foul in Team A’s end zone would be a safety if accepted, or at option of Team B penalty yardage could be added to Team B’s dead ball spot. 10-2-5-a (Fouls During or After A Touchdown, Field Goal, or Try): specified that 15-yard penalties by non-scoring team can be enforced on the try or carry over after a touchdown, but that 5 and 10-yard penalties are declined by rule. Edit to 10-2-4 is important..Team B can now accept yardage penalty as option when there is foul by Team A in its end zone. Previously Team B could not accept dead ball added yardage if Tea A foul was inside end zone

Basics All members of crew responsible for proper enforcement. Every official should know the rules, penalties, and enforcement procedures DON’T RUSH penalty enforcement ! Report and discuss fouls with referee: Describe the foul (credibility, coaching)  WHAT Which team fouled, and player # (if clearly seen)  WHO Location  WHERE Play and ball status  WHEN ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement Basics A penalty is completed when it is accepted, declined, canceled by rule, or when the choice is obvious. Any penalty may be declined, but some cannot be accepted (“declined by rule”) Disqualified player must leave even if penalty declined or offset Penalty is considered completed when ball is declared ready for the next play OK, let’s get into penalty enforcement. I am going to follow the basic outline used in the Rule book itself, then use illustrations and case plays to hammer home key points. I will try not tp spend too much time on more esoteric plays..like fouls after change of possession with goal line as basic spot, but we will discuss these for completeness. And hey, if you can master the more unusual penalty enforcement scenarios…you should be able to handle anything you see during the week or Friday night. A team can change its mind about how it wants a penalty enforced, but NOT after the ready for play. If coach decides to change his mind after the ready for play has been blown….no sir that’s not gonna happen A foul is an infraction of the rules; a penalty is the punishment imposed on a team for commiting the foul and can included yardage, loss of down, automatic first down, and/or DQ

Enforcement Basics SIMULTANEOUS WITH SNAP. A foul that occurs simultaneous with the snap or free kick is considered as occurring during that down. Exception 3-5-2-e (AR 3-5-2-V). Scenario: Team A subs, rushes up to ball, and snaps before umpire gets over ball. Shut down, reset play clock to 25 seconds, no foul, warn Team A coach. UNS if recurs MULTIPLE LIVE-BALL FOULS BY THE SAME TEAM. When 2 or more live-ball fouls from same team are reported, the offended team may elect only 1 of the penalties, but any player who commits a DQ penalty must leave the game. OFFSETTING FOULS. If live-ball fouls by both teams are reported, the fouls offset and the down is repeated. Number of fouls is irrelevant. DQ player must leave the game. Exceptions: If change of possession during down and team last gaining possession had not fouled before last possession, or for Team B fouls governed by PSK, it may refuse offsetting fouls and keep ball where placed after completion of penalty for its foul. “Clean hands” During a try (8-3-4-c) or extra periods (3-1-3-g-3) after Team B possession if Team B has “clean hands” Article 2 just implies that some fouls such as illegal formation, offisde, illegal shift, don’t become a foul until the ball is snapped…the team could correct a potential foul before the snap; however, once snapped, the foul is considered a live ball foul of THAT DOWN. For exception 3-5-2, if Team A subs, rushes up to line, and umpire cannot get over the ball before a snap..the play should be shut down. NO FOUL first occurrence! Play clock to 25 seconds, and game clock winds or starts on snap. Warn Team A. For #3, remember that this can refer to Team A as well after multiple COP..not just Team B. During a try or extra period, the try or possession series is usually over if Team B fouls after COP.

Case Play Team A is in an illegal formation at the snap. A12’s forward pass is intercepted by B18 who gains 5 yards and is tackled at the B35. B68 at the B40 clips during Team B’s run. Do fouls offset? If not, where is penalty enforced from? WHAT/WHO: 2 live ball fouls…. illegal formation Team A, Clip B68 WHEN/WHERE: Team A at snap, Team B after COP at B40 beyond end of run (basic spot) BASIC SPOT: Previous spot, end of run (3-and-1) ENFORCEMENT: Team B option, decline Team A penalty. B 1/10 B20

Basics DEAD-BALL FOULS. Administer dead-ball fouls separately, and in order of occurrence. Exception: when dead ball UNS or personal fouls by both teams reported before penalties have been completed…….fouls offset. Number of fouls irrelevant. DQ players must leave game. LIVE-BALL – DEAD-BALL FOULS. Live-ball fouls do not offset dead-ball fouls. When a live-ball foul is followed by dead-ball fouls (including live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball) by either team, penalties are administered separately and in order of occurrence. INTERVAL FOULS. Penalties for fouls that occur between end of 4th period and extra period, between possession series of extra periods, and between extra periods, are enforced from the spot of next possession series (25-yard line). Exceptions: Rule 10-2-5 (PF or UNS after a touchdown, or live-ball foul administered as dead-ball during touchdown, and there is no kickoff, can only be accepted on the try). AR 3-2-3-V

Case Play Second and goal at the B3. A14 is downed at the B1, and then B67 piles on. A14 retaliates by slugging B67 (AR 10-1-5-III). Do fouls offset? If so, what else needs to happen WHAT/WHO: 2 dead ball fouls…. PF on B67, flagrant PF A14 WHEN/WHERE: Team A and Team B during dead ball interval before enforcement BASIC SPOT: Succeeding spot ENFORCEMENT: fouls cancel, A14 disqualified, 3rd & goal B1

Enforcement Procedures DETERMINING ENFORCEMENT SPOTS For many fouls, the enforcement spot is specified in the rules (eg. Illegal forward pass, DPI). Offensive Team fouls behind the Neutral Zone: HIP fouls (Holding, Illegal use of hands and blocks, and Personal fouls), enforce from the previous spot Other fouls behind the NZ use 3-and-1 penalty enforcement with basic spot the previous spot (eg. illegal batting/kicking). Spot fouls Exception: if the foul occurs inside of Team A’s end zone the penalty is a safety Dead-Ball Fouls: The succeeding spot is always the spot for enforcement of the penalty. Non-HIP fouls behind the NZ use the previous spot as the basic spot…so they are basically SPOT fouls. Now we need to understand what the BASIC SPOT is exactly..so let’s go over that in fine detail

Enforcement Procedures For all other penalties, enforce using 3-and-1 Principle with the basic spot as a benchmark. When the team in possession commits a foul BEHIND the basic spot, enforce the penalty from the spot of the foul. Philosophy: Don’t give team yardage for what happened beyond the foul. When the team in possession commits a foul BEYOND the basic spot, enforce the penalty from the basic spot. When the team not in possession commits a foul BEHIND or BEYOND the basic spot, enforce the penalty from the basic spot.

THE BASIC SPOT THE BASIC SPOT RUNNING PLAYS: Location used for penalty enforcement governed by the 3-and-1 Principle NOT used for dead ball fouls (succeeding spot) NOT used when enforcement specified in the rules RUNNING PLAYS: Previous spot when run ends behind the neutral zone End of the run when run ends beyond the neutral zone End of the run when running plays have no neutral zone (eg. kick return or run after change of possession Momentum spot in rare cases RUNNING PLAYS when run ends in the end zone after change of possession (not on a try): 20-yard line when foul occurred after change of possession in end zone and play results in touchback Goal line when foul occurs after change of possession in the field of play, without momentum exception, and run ends in the end zone Goal line when foul occurs after change of possession in end zone, run ends in the end zone, and result of the play is NOT a touchback

THE BASIC SPOT PASS PLAYS: KICK PLAYS: Previous spot on legal forward pass plays KICK PLAYS: Previous spot unless foul governed by PSK Post-scrimmage kick spot if foul meets all criteria for PSK: TEAM B FOULS DURING LEGAL FORWARD PASS PLAYS: For personal fouls, end of last run when run ends beyond the neutral zone without change of possession during the down Previous spot for all other Team B penalties If a pass crosses neutral zone, and Team B fouls an eligible receiver beyond the neutral zone BEFORE ball is touched, the penalty also includes an automatic first down (Rule 9-3-4-c)

Penalty Enforcement Running Play Run ends beyond NZ, basic enforcement spot is end of run FMM Foul occurs by team in possession (Team A) behind basic spot is enforced from spot of foul (the “1” of the 3-and-1) Foul occurs by team not in possession (Team B) behind basic spot is enforced from basic spot (end of run) OH Neutral Zone Team A: Run ends behind neutral zone - previous spot OH, IBB, CHB, BBW, PF (HIP fouls) at previous spot, others 3-and-1 Safety if by Team A

Penalty Enforcement Running Play – No Neutral Zone When there is no NZ (INT, kick return, fumble) basic spot is end of run INT, fumble, or Kick return Foul occurs by team not in possession is enforced from end of run OH FMM Foul occurs by team in possession behind basic spot is enforced from spot of foul CLP Foul occurs by team in possession in advance of the basic spot – end of run End of run Neutral Zone

Penalty Enforcement Fouls During Downs with a Change of Possession in End Zone CLP 20 yd line CLP B28 intercepts pass (not a try) in his EZ, but does not get out of EZ. During the run, B17 clips A65 at B25 yard line. B28 intercepts pass (not a try) in his EZ, but does not get out of EZ. During the run, B17 clips A65 at B14 yard line. Result of play is touchback. Penalize from basic spot (20-yard line). B 1/10 B10. Result of play is touchback. Penalize from spot of the foul (B14). Basic spot 20-yard line. B 1/10 B7. COP COP

Penalty Enforcement Fouls During Downs with a Change of Possession and the Goal line B28 intercepts at B4 where his original momentum takes him into the EZ, where A80 tackles him by the facemask. Momentum applies. B 1/10 B19 Punt receiver B25 catches a punt at his 9-yard line, circles back into his EZ, where A82 tackles him by the facemask. Momentum does not apply. B 1/10 B15 INT FMM FMM

Case Play Team A throws a legal forward pass beyond the neutral zone, B40 intercepts the pass at the B3, runs into the end zone, and after running out to the 2-yard line, goes back into the end zone where he is tackled. During the run, A65 is flagged for grabbing and twisting a Team B player facemask. Does momentum rule apply? Momentum rule does not apply since B40 came back out across the goal line. Result of play is safety, but enforce A65’s penalty from goal line since there was change of possession in the field of play. B 1/10, B15

Postscrimmage Kick Enforcement Fouls by Team B that satisfy certain conditions during a scrimmage kick are treated as if Team B was in possession of the ball at the time of the foul, even though team possession had not changed. Note that a scrimmage kick begins when the ball is kicked, and ends when it is caught, recovered, or becomes dead by rule PSK criteria: Not a free kick, try, successful field goal, or within an extra period The ball crosses the neutral zone The foul occurs before the end of the kick Team B will next put the ball in play If ALL these conditions are met, Team B penalties are enforced according to 3-and-1 Principle with Team B keeping the ball, postscrimmage kick spot (PSK) as the basic spot PSK = spot where the kick ends, with a few exceptions (eg. Touchback, PSK = 20-yard line) PSK avoids the ball being turned back over to Team B for penalties the occur during the kick. However, note that if a Team B penalty occurs simultaneous with the snap (hitting the snapper before 1 sec, holding for “pull and shoot”, offside), it is still enforced from the previous spot.

Postscrimmage Kick Enforcement Special Exceptions On unsuccessful field goal attempt, if ball untouched by Team B and is declared dead beyond the neutral zone, PSK spot is: The previous spot if previous spot is outside the team 20-yard line 20-yard line if previous spot inside the Team B 20-yard line Team A player batting a ball untouched by Team B that crosses goal line during scrimmage kick. Not a foul (violation). Basic spot for penalties by Team B the 20-yard line Fair catch play when Team B player makes a valid signal, muffs the kick, and then completes the catch. The PSK is the spot where the receiver first touched the kick

Case Play Team A’s untouched, unsuccessful field goal attempt is snapped from Team B’s 30-yard line. Team B fouls at the B15-yard line during the kick (AR 10-2-3-V). PSK? Basic spot? Team B’s ball, enforce the penalty from the 15 yard line (behind the basic spot) with PSK spot at the B30. B 1/10, B 71/2

Team A Fouls During Kicks Penalties for all fouls by the kicking team during a free/scrimmage kick that crosses the neutral zone are enforced either at the previous spot, or where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B Exceptions: Kick-catch interference Field goal attempts For fouls by Team A inside its end zone, safety is also an option

Case Play Team A, 4th and 10 at the A35. A12’s punt is blocked and is recovered by A70 at the A25. A60 was flagged for holding during the scramble for the loose ball. Team B options? Team B cannot get 10 yards added to succeeding spot since kick did not cross NZ. They will also not want to have previous spot enforcement since they get the ball. B 1/10 A25

Fouls During or After a Touchdown Fouls by non-scoring team during a down that ends in a touchdown (not on the try) 15-yard penalties for personal fouls or UNS are enforced on the try or succeeding kick-off. If no kick-off, enforce on the try only 5 and 10-yard penalties are declined by rule unless made possible by illegal touching on the kick When foul occurs AFTER a touchdown but before next ready for play, (including live-ball foul treated as dead-ball foul during touchdown), enforce on try or succeeding kick-off. If no kick-off, enforce on the try only.

Case Play Time expires in the first half during play in which A12 is beyond the neutral zone when he completes a pass to A88 in Team B’s end zone (AR 3-2-3-VIII). Team A score? Is period extended? Team B will accept penalty to nullify the score. Period not extended since penalty included loss of down Team A’s punt goes beyond the neutral zone and is first touched by A80, then picked up by B40 who runs five yards and fumbles. B70 holds during B40’s run. A20 picks up the fumble and scores (AR 6-3-2-IV). Score does not count. Because of illegal touching, the penalty for Team B’s foul may be enforced ! The ball belongs to Team B either at spot of illegal touching if Team A declines penalty, or at spot of enforcement if penalty accepted. Team B had the ball when it fouled.

Fouls During or After a Field Goal After a successful field goal, Team A must decline any Team B penalty to accept the points. Any accepted penalty would be enforced from previous spot. Team A can’t get the points and the penalty, even for PF and UNS

Fouls During or After a Try DPI on a try from 3-yard line is enforced ½ distance to goal line. If try successful, DPI declined by rule. Fouls BEFORE change of possession: Team B foul: If try successful, Team A can decline and accept score, or accept penalty and repeat try after enforcement. If personal foul or UNS, Team A can accept score and have penalty enforced on succeeding kickoff or spot in extra periods. If failed try, can only repeat down (no carry over) Team A foul: if try successful, retry after enforcement, but if penalty includes loss of down, the try is over and any score canceled Offset and replay down at previous spot if both teams foul and Team B fouled before change of possession

Fouls During or After a Try Fouls AFTER change of possession during a try Penalties against either team are declined by rule Score by team committing a foul is canceled If both teams foul and Team B had not fouled before change of possession, fouls offset, and down is over Exception: flagrant personal fouls, UNS, live-balls fouls treated as dead-ball, and dead-ball fouls are enforced on succeeding kick-off or spot in extra periods Fouls AFTER a try Enforce PF or UNS penalties at succeeding kick-off or extra period spot If try repeated, enforce on the try (no option)

Case Play During a 2-point try attempt, Team A is flagged for an illegal shift. B21 recovers a fumble and on the return, B45 clips and A80 slugs an opponent. B21 carries the ball across the goal line (AR 8-3-4-III). Does the flagrant PF on A80 carry-over? Cancel score, DQ A80, do not enforce penalty on kick off since the PF’s offset

Half-distance Enforcement No distance penalty, including tries from on or inside the 3-yard line, shall exceed half the distance from the enforcement spot to the offending team’s goal line Exceptions: DPI on scrimmage downs other than the try On the try, DPI when the ball is snapped from outside the 3-yard line

Case Plays Team B is offside on the snap at the B3 and Team A throws a legal forward pass into Team B’s end zone. Team B intercepts and runs 101 yards to Team A’s end zone, after which Team A clips (AR 10-1-6-IV). WHAT/WHO: 2 fouls, live-ball/dead-ball…. Team B offside, Team A clip WHEN/WHERE: Team B at snap, Team A dead ball interval BASIC SPOT: Previous spot, succeeding spot after Team B penalty enforced ENFORCEMENT: Team A option, ½ distance from previous spot, then 15 yards back for personal foul. A 161/2, repeat the down Team A scores a touchdown during a down in which time expires. After the touchdown, before the try, either team fouls (AR 3-2-3-V). WHAT/WHO: Team A/B PF or UNS WHEN/WHERE: After touchdown BASIC SPOT: Succeeding spot for the try or kickoff, NOT in extra period ENFORCEMENT: 15 yards, extend period for try only

Case Plays 3/10 on B40. Quarterback A10 is hit and fumbles the ball at the B48. A50 kicks the loose ball at the A48 in an obvious attempt to stop Team B from recovering it and it goes out of bounds at A45. Not a HIP foul. Foul is by team in possession behind the basic spot, so enforce penalty at spot of the foul. Penalty also includes loss of down, A 4/32 on A38 B55 intercepts a pass on the B2 and his momentum carries him into the end zone where he is tackled. During the run, 1) A70 holds in the end zone, or 2) B50 holds in the end zone. Momentum rule applies. 1) enforce from B2, B 1/10, B12 2) safety

Case Plays B1 catches a punt at the B20, and returns it to the B38. While the punt was still in the air, B65 clipped at the B33. PSK rules apply, penalize ½ distance from the B20 . B 1/10 B10 Team A’s successful field goal attempt is snapped at Team B’s 30-yard line and a Team B player fouls at the 20-yard line during the kick (AR 10-2-3-IV). Team A can take the score, or accept penalty at the previous spot 4th and 10 at the A40, Team A punts. Team A is flagged for illegal motion. Receiver B35 makes the catch at the B20 and runs to the B38 where he is tackled. During the kick, B75 blocked below the waist at the B15 Team B has the option to accept off-setting fouls. If they decline the penalty on Team A, Team 1st and 10 at the B 71/2

Case Plays Receiver B80 catches a punt that crosses the neutral zone and returns it to the B40. During the play, A65 was flagged for holding. 10 yard penalty from previous spot, or Team B at the 50-yard line Team A punts from A10. Receiver B88 returns the ball to the A25. During the play, A65 holds inside the end zone. Team B ball at the A15, or safety. Previous spot enforcement not an option Team A attempts a field goal from the B25. The kick falls short and is picked up by B1 who runs to the B40 where he is tackled. During the play, A50 was flagged for holding during the kick Decline and Team B 1st and 10 at B40, or have penalty enforced at previous spot. Team B cannot get 10 yards added to succeeding spot on a field goal attempt

Case Plays Team A’s punt goes beyond the neutral zone and is first touched by A80, then picked up by B40 who runs five yards and fumbles. B70 blocks below the waist during B40’s run. A20 picks up the fumble and scores. Score counts, and PF penalty enforced on the try of succeeding spot. The accepted penalty on Team B nullifies the illegal touching by Team A Team A scores a touchdown during a down in which time expires. After the touchdown, but before the try, either team fouls (AR 3-2-3-V). Period extended only for the try. If penalty enforced on kickoff, this will be in next period

Case Plays Team A scores a touchdown during a down in which time expires. During Team A’s successful try, Team B fouls (AR 3-2-3-VI). Period not extended for kick-off. Team A can accept penalty and repeat the try, or decline and accept the score. If the penalties are PF or UNS, can enforce on the subsequent kick-off or succeeding spot in extra periods Team A scores a touchdown during a down in which time expires. After the try ends, either team commits a dead-ball foul (AR 3-2-3-VII). Period not extended to enforce a penalty for the dead-ball foul. If accepted, enforce on the kick-off to start next period or at succeeding spot in extra period