Personal Fouls

Personal Fouls The rules provide that it is illegal to contact a player who is clearly out of the play or to make any other contact which is deemed unnecessary and which incites roughness. Also, unwarranted and unnecessary "punishing" of a ball carrier must be eliminated.

Personal Fouls Grasping the face mask, helmet opening, chin strap or tooth and mouth protector attached to the face mask is a foul. If there is twisting, turning or pulling of the face mask helmet opening, chin strap or tooth and mouth protector attached to a face mask, it is a 15-yard penalty; otherwise it is a 5-yard penalty. When in doubt, it is a 5-yard penalty.

Personal Fouls Striking blows are always illegal. This example of a "clothes lining" tactic by a defensive back must be penalized. The penalty of 15 yards will be measured from the end of the run and the offender shall be disqualified. Tactics such as this have no place in the game.

Personal Fouls A horse-collar is a foul. A horse-collar occurs when a defender grabs the runner by the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and subsequently pulls (backward or sideway's) that opponent to the ground, even if possession is lost. The penalty is 15 yards and is enforced as a live-ball foul.

Personal Fouls If one would-be tackler has grabbed the shoulder pads or collar of the runner, but that opponent is brought down as the result of a more conventional tackle by another player, there is no foul.

Personal Fouls If the horse-collar tackle is not completed until after the runner crosses B's goal line, it is enforced as a live-ball foul. Team A may choose enforcement of the 15-yard penalty on the try or on the subsequent kickoff.

Personal Fouls No defensive player may use the hand(s) to slap a blocker's head. If the slap is to the head while the ball is in the air on a pass receiver, it would be defensive pass interference.

Personal Fouls No. 44 receives one unsportsmanlike foul for spiking the ball as a player and a second for foul language as a non player in No. 44 is disqualified upon receiving the second unsportsmanlike foul which carries a 15-yard penalty. Game officials must keep accurate records of unsportsmanlike fouls..

Personal Fouls Players must be penalized for prolonged or excessive acts designed to focus attention on themselves Such displays must be penalized without hesitation. The unsportsmanlike act is penalized from the succeeding spot.