1. Classification of Plays and The Three & One Principle
Tony Dutton

2. Play Classification (2-30)
Forward Pass Play.
Free Kick Play.
Scrimmage Kick Play.
Running Play.

3. Forward Pass Play (2-30-1)
Interval between the snap and when a legal forward pass is complete, incomplete or intercepted: Basic spot = Previous spot.
Running Play
Snap QB
Pass complete
incomplete or
intercepted.

4. But Remember Defensive pass interference: May be a Spot Foul.
Roughing the passer, pass complete, run ends beyond the neutral zone, no change of team possession: End of last Run.
Offensive fouls behind neutral zone: Previous Spot (not Basic Spot). Safety if in A’s end zone.

5. Legal Forward Pass PlayQB
Running play X
A79 Chop
block during
the pass.
Enforcement spot =
Previous spot (not
basic spot enforcement).

6. Legal Forward Pass PlayQB X
A79 Chop
block during
the pass.
Running play
Basic spot =
Previous spot.

7. Legal Forward Pass Play
A81 fumbles,
A recovers. QB
B Roughing
the passer.
Pass
complete
to A81.
Roughing the passer, pass complete,
run ends beyond the neutral zone, &
no change of team possession:
Penalize from end of last run.

8. Legal Forward Pass Play
A81 fumbles,
B recovers. QB
B Roughing
the passer.
Pass
complete
to A81.
Change of team possession:
Basic spot = Previous spot.

9. Legal Forward Pass PlayQB X
Defensive
Pass interference
Defensive pass interference
less than 15 yards:
Spot foul.
3 5
2 0

10. Legal Forward Pass PlayQB X
Defensive
Pass interference
Defensive pass interference
more than 15 yards:
Previous spot.
3 5
2 0

11. Free Kick Play (2-30-2)
Interval from the time the ball is legally kicked until it comes into player possession or declared dead by rule: Basic spot = Previous spot.
Running Play
Player possession
or declared dead.
Legal
kick.

12. But remember: Out of bounds, untouched by B, three options:
Previous spot and rekick, or
30 yards beyond previous spot, or
5 yards from where subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B.
Kick-catch interference: Spot foul or, if behind goal line, touchback and penalize from succeeding spot.
Block or foul by B player who signals and does not touch the ball: Spot foul.
Team A fouls (except kick-catch interference): May be previous spot or spot where subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B.

13. Free Kick Play Free Kick out of bounds Untouched by Team B:
Three options:
5 yards from Previous spot & rekick.
B’s ball 5 yards from subsequent dead ball spot.
B’s ball 30 yards from previous spot.
Free Kick Play

14. Free Kick Play During the kick: Previous spot. During the run:X
B block
below the
waist.
During the kick:
Previous spot.
During the run:
Basic spot: End of the run.
Free Kick Play

15. Free Kick Play During the kick: Basic Spot: End of the run.X
Team A
Personal foul.
During the run:
During the kick:
Basic Spot:
End of the run.
Previous Spot or
penalize from where
subsequent dead ball
belongs to Team B.

16. Scrimmage Kick Play (2-30-3)
Interval between the snap and when a scrimmage kick comes into player possession or ball declared dead by rule. Basic spot = Previous spot.
Player
possession or
ball declared
dead
by rule. K
Snap
Running
Play

17. But remember: If foul is governed by post scrimmage kick rules:
Applies only to fouls by Team B.
Not during a try, successful field goal, or in an extra period.
Ball crosses the neutral zone.
Foul occurs 3 or more yards beyond the neutral zone.
Foul occurs before the end of the kick.
Team A is not in legal possession when the ball is declared dead.
Basic Spot: Post scrimmage kick spot.

18. Remember also:
Kick-catch interference: Spot foul or, if behind goal line, touchback and penalize from succeeding spot.
Block or foul by B player who signals and does not touch the ball: Spot foul.
Team A bats loose ball untouched by B behind B’s goal line: Violation and B may elect touchback.
Offensive team fouls behind the neutral zone: Previous spot (not basic spot). Safety if behind Team A’s goal line.
Team A fouls (except for kick-catch interference): May be previous spot or spot where subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B.

19. A.R. 10-2-2-IV RULING: 15 yards, previous
B recovers X
A clip
B muffs and
A clips in B’s
end zone during
the loose ball. K
RULING: 15 yards, previous
spot (A retaining possession) or
15 yards from spot where
subsequent dead ball belongs
to Team B.

20. A.R. 10-2-2-VIII 4 0 RULING: Safety or 15 yards from spot
where subsequent dead ball belongs
to Team B (A’s 25-yard line). K X
A clips in
the end
zone
before
the ball
is kicked.
4 0

21. A.R. 10-2-2-XIII RULING: 10 yards from previous spot.
After the kick crosses
the neutral zone, B1 holds
A2 behind or within 3 yards beyond
the neutral zone. K
RULING: 10 yards
from previous spot.
Team A retains possession.

22. A.R. 10-2-2-XIV X RULING: 10 yards from previous spot.
B muffs
the kick. X
After B touches the kick and
while the ball is still loose, B1 holds
A2 behind or within 3 yards beyond
the neutral zone. K
RULING: 10 yards
from previous spot.
Team A retains possession.

23. ASU vs. SWOSU 9-12-09 4 0 RULING: PSK Enforcement. 15 yards from
During the kick,
SWOSU blocks
below the waist. X
ASU vs. SWOSU
ASU punts from its
15 yard line. K
RULING: PSK
Enforcement.
15 yards from
The PSK spot
(end of the kick).
SWOSU catches at
the 45 and returns to
the 35 yard line.
4 0

24. 4 0 RULING: Previous spot and rekick or B’s ball 10 yards From the
A punts from its
15 yard line.
During the kick,
A holds X K
RULING: Previous
spot and rekick or
B’s ball 10 yards
From the
subsequent spot
where ball
belongs to B.
B catches at
the 45 and returns to
the 35 yard line.
4 0

25. Dallas vs. Tampa Bay 9-13-09 RULING: Post Scrimmage
Dallas kicks X
the ball
out of bounds.
Dallas vs.
Tampa Bay
Dallas muffs
the kick. K
Tampa
punts.
RULING: Post Scrimmage
Kick enforcement. Dallas ball
after 15 yard penalty from
the PKS spot (end of the kick).

26. RULING: Illegally kicking the ball 15 yards from previous spot; A
A kicks X
the ball
out of bounds.
B muffs
the kick. K
A punts.
RULING: Illegally kicking the ball
15 yards from previous spot; A
retains possession, or B’s ball, 15 yards
from spot where subsequent dead ball
belongs to B.

27. 4th & 10 RULING:Illegally kicking the ball.X K
A ‘s punt is
blocked and
kicker kicks
the ball out
of bounds in
the end zone.
RULING:Illegally kicking the ball.
Safety or 15 yards from the
previous spot and loss of down.
Goal Line

28. 4th & 10 RULING:Illegally kicking the ball.X K
K muffs the
snap and
then kicks
the ball out
of bounds in
the end zone.
RULING:Illegally kicking the ball.
Safety or 15 yards from the
previous spot and loss of down.
Goal Line

29. Running Play (2-30-4)
Any live-ball action other than during a free kick play, a scrimmage kick play or a legal forward pass play.
A run is when a ball carrier has possession.
If ball carrier loses possession by a fumble, backward pass or illegal forward pass, the running play includes the spot where the run ends and the loose ball interval before possession is regained or the ball is declared dead.
A new running play begins when a player gains or regains possession.

30. If ball carrier looses possession by a fumble, backward pass,
or illegal forward pass, the running play includes the spot
where the run ends and the loose-ball interval before
possession is regained or the ball is declared dead. ( c)

31. Kinds of Running Plays Without a neutral zone (10-2-2-d-1-c):
Completed pass and run.
Interception runbacks.
Kick runbacks (free or scrimmage kick).
Fumble advances (either team).
With a neutral zone, that is when the play starts with a snap ( d-1-a &b).
After a change of team possession, the run ends in the end zone ( d-2).

32. Running Plays Without a Neutral Zone
Basic Spot = End of the related run ( d-1-c).

33. Running Play Without a neutral zone. Running playQB X
A clips
during
the run.
Pass
complete.
Basic spot = End of the run.
Foul by team in possession
beyond the basic spot =
Enforce from the basic spot.

34. Running Play Without a neutral zone. Running playQB
Pass
complete. X
A clips
during
the run.
Basic spot = End of the run.
Foul by team in possession
behind the basic spot =
Enforce from the spot of the foul.

35. Running Play Without a neutral zone. Running playQB
Pass
intercepted. X
B clips
during
the run.
Basic spot = End of the run.
Foul by team in possession
beyond the basic spot =
Enforce from the basic spot.

36. Running Play Without a neutral zone. Running playX
B clips
during
the run. QB
Pass
intercepted.
Basic spot = End of the run.
Foul by team in possession
behind the basic spot =
Enforce from the spot of the foul.

37. a neutral zone (free kick return).X
B block below
the waist
during the run.
Running Play Without
a neutral zone (free kick return).
Basic spot = End of the run.
Foul by team in possession,
beyond the basic spot:
Enforce from the basic spot.

38. a neutral zone (free kick return).X
B block below
the waist
during the run.
Running Play Without
a neutral zone (free kick return).
Basic spot = End of the run.
Foul by team in possession,
behind the basic spot:
Enforce from the spot of the foul.

39. Running Play Without a neutral zone (fumble advance).X
B2 blocks below
the waist
during B1’s advance. QB
QB fumbles; B1
recovers and advances.
Basic spot = End of the run.
Foul by team in possession,
behind the basic spot:
Enforce from the spot of the foul.

40. Running Play Without a neutral zone (fumble advance).X
A1 fouls during
B1’s advance. QB
QB fumbles; B1
recovers and advances.
Basic spot = End of the related run. (B1)
Foul by team not in possession:
Enforce from the basic spot.

41. Running Plays With a Neutral Zone
Run ends behind the neutral zone: Basic spot = Previous spot.
Run ends beyond the neutral zone: Basic Spot = End of the related run ( d-1-a & b).

42. ends beyond neutral zone).
Running Play With
a neutral zone (run
ends beyond neutral zone). X
B2 fouls during
the loose ball. QB
QB fumbles; B1
recovers and advances.
Basic spot = End of the related run. (QB)
Foul by team not in possession:
Enforce from the basic spot. A retains
possession.

43. ends behind neutral zone).
Running Play With
a neutral zone (run
ends behind neutral zone). X
B2 fouls during
the loose ball. QB
QB fumbles; B1
recovers and advances.
Basic spot = Previous spot.
Foul by team not in possession:
Enforce from the basic spot. A retains
possession.

44. ends behind neutral zone).
Running Play With
a neutral zone (run
ends behind neutral zone). X
A1 fouls during
the loose ball. QB
QB fumbles; B1
recovers and advances.
Basic spot = End of the related run. (QB)
Foul by team in possession:
Enforce from the basic spot, or
B may decline and keep the ball.

45. Only TwoThings Really to Remember
Team in possession fouls behind the basic spot: Spot foul.
Anything else: Basic spot.

46. Behind the
Basic Spot
Beyond the
Basic Spot
Team in
Possession X X
Spot
Foul
BASIC
SPOT
Team not
in possession X X

47. If ball carrier looses possession by a fumble, backward pass,
or illegal forward pass, the running play includes the spot
where the run ends and the loose-ball interval before
possession is regained or the ball is declared dead. ( c)

48. Change of Team Possession and Run Ends in End Zone
A foul occurs after a change of team possession in the end zone, the related run ends in the end zone, and the result of the play is a touchback ( d-2-a).
Basic Spot = 20-yard line.

49. The 20-yard line. Penalize B half the distance from X
B1 intercepts in
the end zone
is tackled in
the end zone. X
B fouls
after the
interception
on the
5-yard
Line.
RULING: Basic spot is
The 20-yard line. Penalize
B half the distance from
the 5. B’s ball 1st & 10 on
the 2½. G

50. The 20-yard line. Penalize B from the spot of the foul. Safety.X
B1 intercepts in
the end zone
is tackled in
the end zone. X
B fouls
in the end
zone.
RULING: Basic spot is
The 20-yard line. Penalize
B from the spot of the foul.
Safety. G

51. RULING: Basic spot is The 20-yard line. B’s ball 1st & 10 on the 35. X
B1 intercepts in
the end zone
is tackled in
the end zone.
A1 tackles
by pulling the
facemask.
RULING: Basic spot is
The 20-yard line. B’s ball
1st & 10 on the 35. G

52. Change of Team Possession and Run Ends in End Zone
A foul occurs after a change of team possession in the end zone, the related run ends in the end zone, and the result of the play is not a touchback ( d-2-c).
Basic Spot = Goal line.

53. A.R. 10-2-2-XXVII RULING: Penalize 15 yards
A26 recovers
On the two.
A.R XXVII X
B1 intercepts in
the end zone,
attempts to run
and fumbles. X
A1 clips in the
end zone during
B1’s advance.
RULING: Penalize 15 yards
from the goal line. B’s ball
1st & 10 on the 15. G

54. Change of Team Possession and Run Ends in End Zone
A foul occurs after a change of team possession in the field of play, and the related run ends in the end zone ( d-2-b).
Basic Spot = Goal line.

55. goal line. Foul by the team in possession behind the X
B1 intercepts and
runs the ball into
the end zone.
RULING: Basic spot is
goal line. Foul by the team
in possession behind the
basic spot. Penalize B
15 yards from the spot
of the foul. B’s ball
1st & 10 on the 22. X
B2 blocks
below the
waist on
the 7. G