3. RULES APPLICATION
3.1 – Introduction
To ensure crews consistently interpret rules, only call the following
fouls as described.
Note:
-
Our intention is for these interpretations to apply in full adult games.
-
A stricter interpretation
is appropriate in games involving junior/youth
players and/or where the players are all obviously inexperienced.
-
A stricter interpretation
is also
appropriate in games
where player conduct or attitude in general (i.e. not just one or two
players)
threatens to escalate the number or type of fouls committed.
This may include clamping down on "minor" fouls
when
frustration may lead to "major" fouls.
-
A less strict interpretation of the rules is appropriate in blowout
games when one team has a large lead and is obviously dominant.
However, this should not extend to ignoring safety-related or conspicuous
fouls.
-
Fouls in the open field are conspicuous enough to need calling whether
or not they affect the play.
-
It is likely that
you will lose credibility if you do not call these.
-
Our philosophy has moved from "did it affect the play?" to "was it
conspicuous?".
This reflects
×
that more and more people watch games on video and therefore see things
differently
than
if they are in the stands or on the side of the field.
-
A less conspicuous foul still merits consideration of whether or not it
affected the play.
Major fouls (those that carry a 15-yard penalty or similar) should always
be called.
-
If a flag is thrown for a foul where these principles indicate that it
should not have been, the penalty should still be enforced.
Generally, don't
§
wave a flag off, once thrown, if it signifies a foul by rule.
-
Also bear in mind section
5.2
on common sense officiating.
-
Where a rule is not mentioned in this chapter,
apply philosophy
consistent with the following principles:
-
Fouls affecting player safety should always be called.
-
Fouls that are conspicuous
should be called.
-
Fouls that give a team or a player a clear advantage should be called.
-
Fouls that are minor/technical and probably unrealised by the players
should result in a "talk to" for a first offence.
-
When we talk about gaining an advantage (or disadvantaging an opponent),
pragmatically you probably have to make that decision within a couple
of seconds of seeing the action.
Waiting longer means that you might miss other action that you are
responsible for and/or lose the spot of the foul.
§
3.2 – Definitions
-
Point of attack
is defined as follows:
-
on a running play, it is the area in advance of the ball carrier
- if they
change
direction the point of attack changes;
-
on a forward pass
play, it is anywhere in the vicinity of the passer or any player
attempting to reach the passer,
or in the vicinity of any eligible receiver running a pass route;
-
on a scrimmage kick
play, it is anywhere in the vicinity of the kicker or returner
or any player attempting to reach the kicker or returner
,
or block the kick.
-
Conspicuous:
An action is "conspicuous" if it would be visibly apparent to a spectator
who knew the rules or to an official observing the game live or watching
it on video
.
Generally, anything that takes place in the open field, or by a player
standing alone, is conspicuous; anything that takes place in close line
play or in a pile-up is not conspicuous.
Examples of conspicuous fouls that
should be called, even though they
might otherwise be disregarded as "not serious", include:
-
takedown holding
(especially in the tackle box);
-
blocks in the back
in the open field;
-
illegal substitution
when a player leaves the field other than across their own sideline;
-
illegal substitution
when a team has 12 or more players
in the huddle for more than 3 seconds (but don't nit pick the 3 second
limit);
-
intentional illegal touching
of a forward pass;
-
false start
by a back,
tight end or wide receiver;
-
offside
by Team B at their restraining line on a short
free kick;
-
free kick out of bounds.
-
Brick in hand:
We sometimes use this term to refer to a player who we want to watch
closely.
Its origin is that if you saw someone outside a jeweller's window with
a brick in their hand, you would be suspicious of what they would do
next, and you would want to keep watching them to see if they threw it.
Examples include: when you see an offensive player chasing a defensive
player, you might expect to see an illegal block in the back; when you
see a player approaching an opponent at speed, you might expect to see
an illegal blind-side block.
@
3.3 – Contact fouls
-
Offensive holding:
-
Only call it when
all
of the following conditions are met:
-
the foul
is visibly apparent,
i.e. if it wouldn't show up
on video, don't call it;
-
the foul
affects the play or is conspicuous,
i.e. if it is away from the point of attack and isn't conspicuous, don't
call it;
-
the action
is demonstrably restrictive,
i.e. if the player is not
illegally
slowed down or forced to take a longer route to their target, don't call
it;
-
the foul
disadvantages the opponent,
i.e. if it actually moves the player the way they
want
to go, don't call it.
-
Actions that constitute offensive holding include:
-
Grab and restrict
- grabbing the opponent's body or uniform in a manner that restricts
their ability to go in the direction they
wish
to go.
-
Hook and restrict
- hooking a hand or arm around the opponent's body (beyond the frame
of the body presented to the blocker) in a manner that restricts their
ability to go in the direction they
wish
to go.
-
Takedown
- taking an opponent to the ground (by grabbing or hooking) when they
don't
want to go to the ground.
Note that it is legal to block an opponent to the ground, provided the
hands or arms are used within the frame of the opponent's body (or in
the back in the free-blocking zone).
-
A player is
restricted
if:
-
They
are
unable to turn or change direction due to continued, restrictive
contact.
-
Their upper body is turned by the blocker having their arms around them.
-
They
are
unable to gain separation or to disengage from the opponent by
turning, twisting, stopping, etc.
-
Their balance is changed or their natural foot movement is taken away.
-
No advantage is gained so normally don't
call holding
if
any
of the following conditions are met, unless the foul is really
conspicuous:
-
the
held player
makes the tackle (behind the neutral zone or where there is no neutral
zone);
-
the
held
player knocks down or intercepts a pass;
-
the
held
player recovers a fumble;
-
at the point of attack on a run, the opponents are squared up, moving
with each other and none of the restrictions above are noted;
-
it happens at the same time as a tackle elsewhere on the field;
-
it is behind the neutral zone and a forward pass has already been
thrown, or is in the process of being thrown;
-
it is part of a double-team block (unless a takedown occurs, or the
defender breaks the double team and is pulled back);
-
it is the result of a defensive rip, i.e. the defensive player
raising the offensive player's arm;
-
the
held player
makes no effort to get free of the block, i.e. they "give up".
-
Holding an opponent's jersey is
not
the same as holding the opponent.
For a jersey pull to be a foul, there must be demonstrable restriction
to the player's movement.
-
Watching the
disengagement
of opponents is as important as watching their engagement.
If a defender slides off a block and is able to proceed normally in the
direction they
want
to travel (usually towards the ball), then it is
unlikely that holding has occurred.
-
Defensive holding:
-
Downfield on pass plays, everywhere is the
point of attack
- a foul on an eligible receiver can occur anywhere.
-
Always call fouls that prevent the passer throwing the ball and lead to
a sack.
-
Clotheslining
(forcibly contacting a receiver above the shoulders with a rigid arm)
should be called as a personal foul
(and perhaps as targeting).
§
-
Contact that does not demonstrably impede a receiver should be ignored.
-
A grab of the receiver's jersey that restricts the receiver and takes
away their feet should be called.
-
Holding should be called against defenders who clearly
illegally
restrict an offensive player from making a lead block for the ball
carrier
(this includes pulling linemen on trap and sweep plays), but not where
the offensive player is too far away from the play to become involved.
-
Defensive holding should
not
be called for contact that occurs after the pass is thrown to the
opposite side of the field (unless it is a clear attempt to restrict an
offensive player as in (f) above).
However, if the foul occurs anywhere while the quarterback still has the
ball and is looking to pass, then call it, even though the ball might
eventually be thrown elsewhere.
This could have had an effect on the play.
The timing of the hold is important.
-
Illegal use of hands:
Call it the same as for offensive holding.
However if the initial
contact in a block is on the opponent's helmet or facemask for more than
a brief second, it should always be called as a personal foul.
§
Make sure you see the initial contact: it is not a foul if a player's
hands slide up to a point above the opponent's shoulders.
-
Blocks below the waist and clipping:
-
When in question, the ball has not left the free-blocking
zone
(for blocks from the back).
-
For the first three seconds after the snap, when in question, the ball
has not left the tackle box
(for blocks from the front).
Thereafter,
when in question,
the ball has left the
tackle box.
×
-
To call clipping, you need to see
two things:
-
the blocker's last
stride before the contact (so that you are fairly certain you know which
direction they came from),
and
-
you need to have seen
the opponent they hit before the block (so that you know whether
the opponent
turned their back or not).
You must see the point of initial contact.
Remember that contact to the side is legal.
See the entire act.
-
Remember that it is the direction related to the opponent's area of
concentration (not the point of contact) that determines whether a block below
the waist is "directed from the front" or not.
-
It is not a foul for a block below the waist or clip if the contact occurs
because the blocker slips or falls down and the opponent runs into them.
§
-
Illegal block in the back:
-
Before calling this, apply the same conditions as you would apply for
holding, but also apply the conditions for calling clipping, particularly
the need to see the entire act.
-
If one hand is on the number and the other hand is on the side and the
initial force is on the number, it is a block in the back.
-
A block that starts in the side and ends up in the back is not a foul as long as
there is continuous contact.
-
Touching an opponent in the back
is not a foul
unless it results in them being knocked down or pushed off balance
sufficiently so that they
stumble
or
misstep
and
miss
making a tackle or block.
Remember, the foul is for illegal
block
in the back, not an illegal
touch
in the back.
-
Charging into a player's back away from the play may be called as
unnecessary roughness.
This may be called regardless of the timing of the block relative to
the end of the play.
-
Be particularly alert when you see an offensive player chasing a
defensive player (and vice versa when the defensive player is not
attempting to reach the ball).
Imagine they have a brick in their hand.
-
Roughing the passer:
-
If the defensive player's initial contact on the passer is at their head,
it is always a foul unless the passer ducks into it or the contact is
slight.
However, it is only targeting if the contact goes well beyond making a
legal tackle or
attempting
to block/deflect the pass.
-
Contact at the knee area or below on an offensive player in a passing
posture is enforced according to Rule 9-1-9-b.
Slight contact should be disregarded.
-
It is a foul if a defender (in front of the passer) takes two steps
before contacting the passer after the ball has been thrown/released.
A defender behind the passer is given a little more leeway.
-
Defensive players who make a legitimate attempt to avoid or reduce
contact are given the benefit of the doubt.
A soft hit can still be a foul, if it is really late.
(The later the hit, the lower the threshold of force needed to make it a
foul.)
§
-
When in doubt, it is roughing the passer if the defender's intent is to
punish.
-
When considering roughing the passer fouls, there are four
possibilities:
-
The contact is high (to the passer's head/neck area); timing doesn't
matter.
This will be a foul either for targeting (if the conditions for that are
met) or for roughing the passer (forcible contact to the head/neck that
doesn't rise to the level of targeting).
-
The contact is low; timing doesn't matter.
The player must be in passing posture.
Forcible contact to the knee area or below is a foul.
-
The contact is late; doesn't matter where on the passer's body.
Contact after the pass is released that is punishing or avoidable is a
foul.
-
Contact that is not punishing or forcible; even if high, low or late.
This is not a foul.
-
Roughing/running into the kicker:
-
Generally, contact with the kicker's kicking leg will be considered as
running
into the kicker, and contact with their plant leg
(even if it is off the ground)
will be considered as
roughing
the kicker.
-
Any time the kicker or holder are knocked off their feet it should be
called as
roughing.
-
Where the kicker makes a move before the kick that is not part of the
normal kicking motion, then it is no longer obvious that a kick will be
made and there will probably be no foul unless the defensive player is
out to punish them.
Note that "rugby-style" kickers (those who kick on the run) are entitled
to as much protection as conventional kickers after they have kicked
the ball.
But any
contact with a kicker before the kick is simply tackling a ball carrier.
-
Even if the snap is bad, a kick may still be obvious.
Provided the kicker or holder gathers the ball and straight away goes
into their normal motion, then they
are
entitled to protection (always assuming the ball is kicked).
-
Defensive pass interference:
-
Actions that constitute defensive pass interference include:
-
Not playing the ball -
Early contact by a defender (who is not playing
the ball) that impedes or restricts the receiver's opportunity to make
the catch.
-
Playing through an opponent -
Playing through the receiver (i.e. contacting them in the back or on
the side of them furthest from the ball),
whether or not the defender is
playing the ball.
-
Grab and restrict -
Grabbing the receiver's arm in a manner that restricts their opportunity
to catch a pass.
-
Arm bar -
Extending an arm across the receiver's body to impede their ability
to catch a pass, whether or not the defender is playing the ball.
-
Cut off -
Cutting off or riding a receiver out of the path to the ball by making
contact with them without playing the ball (i.e. before the defender
looks for the ball).
-
Hook and turn -
Hooking a receiver around the waist that causes their body to turn prior
to (or even slightly after) the ball arriving (even if the defender is
trying to get to the ball).
-
Actions that do
not
constitute defensive pass interference include:
-
Incidental contact by a defender's hands, arms or body in the act of
moving to the ball that does not materially affect the route of the
receiver.
If in doubt as to whether the route was materially affected, there is
no interference.
-
Inadvertent tangling of feet when both (or neither) players are playing
the ball.
-
Contact
occurring
during a pass that is clearly uncatchable by the involved players.
-
Laying a hand on the receiver that does not turn or impede them until
after the ball has arrived.
-
Contact on a "hail mary" pass unless it is clear and conspicuous
pass interference.
-
Further notes:
-
A stationary player (in position to catch the ball) who is displaced
from their position has been fouled.
-
It is never pass interference if the defensive player touches the
ball before contacting the opponent.
-
Interference must be conspicuous
to be called.
-
Remember that the defense has as much right to the ball as the offense.
-
It is crucial to identify which players are playing the ball and which
are not.
-
Normally, an offensive receiver will try to catch the ball with two hands.
Often, a defender will try to bat/deflect the ball with only one hand.
If the defender goes up with only one hand, know what the other one is
doing.
-
When judging whether a pass is catchable, imagine how far the receiver
could have run, and how high or wide they could have jumped, if they had
not been impeded.
-
There is no foul when contact is simultaneous with the ball being
touched ("bang-bang").
When in doubt, contact is simultaneous with the ball being touched.
-
Offensive pass interference:
-
Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include:
-
Pushing off -
Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off, thus
creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.
-
Driving through -
Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.
-
Blocking -
Before the pass is thrown, blocking that occurs anywhere down field.
After the pass is thrown, blocking that occurs down field within
approximately 20 yards (more if the pass is delayed) of where the pass
is thrown to.
-
Pick -
Picking off
(initiating contact with)
a defender who is attempting to cover a receiver.
It is not a foul if the contact occurred
at the same time as the pass was touched.
-
Actions that do
not
constitute offensive pass interference include:
-
Incidental contact by a receiver's hands, arms or body in the act of
moving to the ball that does not materially affect the route of the
defender.
If in doubt as to whether the route was materially affected, there is
no interference.
-
Inadvertent tangling of feet when both (or neither) players are playing
the ball.
-
Contact occurring during a pass that is clearly uncatchable by the
involved players.
×
-
Blocking downfield when the pass is legally grounded out of bounds or
near the sideline.
-
Contact on a pick play when the defensive player is already blocking
the offensive player.
-
Contact on a "hail mary" pass unless it is clear and conspicuous
pass interference.
-
Further notes:
-
Non-flagrant contact well away from the play should not be called.
-
Blocking downfield can still be called if the passer is legally
grounding the ball
other than out of bounds or near the sideline
(Mechanic
3.3.9.b.iv).
-
If in doubt as to which player initiated a block, the initiator will be
the one who is upright or leaning forward and the player blocked will
be knocked back.
-
Late hit:
-
The
later
the hit, the less forcible the contact needs to be to warrant a flag.
The
earlier
the hit, the more forcible the contact needs to be to warrant a flag.
Be more likely to call it the later the hit or the more severe the
contact.
Slight contact immediately after the ball is dead should not be called.
The more badly-behaved either team has been earlier in the game, the
more likely you should be to call a foul to maintain game control.
-
Any deliberate push against a ball carrier out of bounds is a foul.
×
-
When a ball carrier is near the sideline, contact that occurs before the
ball carrier has a foot down out of bounds is a legal hit.
-
When a ball carrier is out of bounds but continues running down the sideline
in bounds, any subsequent hit is legal provided they
have
not eased up and the whistle has not blown.
-
Facemask:
×
Remember that a facemask foul involves
grasping
the helmet or facemask, not simply
touching
it.
-
Unnecessary roughness:
-
An act that occurs well away from the play may be classed as a personal
foul even though the act itself is legal.
In other words, it is the location of the players with respect to the
play that causes the foul, not the legality of the contact.
-
Be certain that the act wasn't justified by the play situation (e.g. an
interception or fumble return or a broken play).
If a player is in position to influence the play
or moving towards it, they
are
a fair target: if they
are
standing still,
they
are
not.
-
It is not a foul if two players are each blocking each other - only
contact against a player off their guard needs to be penalised.
-
For unnecessary hits away from the ball near the end of a play, make
them dead-ball fouls rather than live-ball ones.
-
When a player is hit after giving themself up, a foul is warranted.
-
After a touchdown, if there is forcible contact on the ball carrier that
is obviously late and intentional, a foul must be called.
-
Roughing the snapper:
-
This foul can only occur when it is reasonably obvious that a scrimmage
kick will be
made: i.e.
only on field goal and PAT attempts, or when a team
lines up in a punting formation on 4th down.
-
Don't be picky about the one second interval.
If the snapper is upright before the one second has elapsed then permit
contact, but if they
take
longer to recover then allow them more protection.
-
Don't call a foul if a defensive player contacts the snapper after being
blocked by an adjacent offensive lineman.
-
Disqualify any player who attempts to punish by contact to the snapper's
helmet or spears using the defender's own helmet.
-
Targeting:
-
The definition of a defenseless player is per
Rule 2-27-14, plus the following:
(i)
a player attempting to recover a fumble;
(ii)
a long snapper protected by Rule 9-1-14.
§
If in doubt, a player is defenseless.
-
If a hit isn't late, then the ball carrier cannot be defenceless with
respect to targeting.
A hit that is simultaneous with (or a fraction of a second after) a ball
carrier's knee down, is not late.
§
×
-
Checklist for targeting fouls (adapted from Dean Blandino presentation,
August 2021):
-
Is the player being hit defenseless (Rule 2-27-14)?
If yes, then Rule 9-1-4 is in scope.
If no, then only Rule 9-1-3 is in scope.
-
Is an indicator of targeting present (Rule 2-35)?
Did the initiator lower their head to make contact with the crown?
Did they launch to attack the head/neck area?
Did they crouch followed by a thrust to attack the head/neck area?
Did they lead with the helmet, shoulder, forearm, first, hand or elbow?
-
[IN F4 FORMATION (CREW OF 4)]
What was the body posture of the initiator?
If their head stays up then there is less chance of it being an
indicator than if they
lower
it.
What body part
are
they leading with?
Is their trajectory upward (indicator) or
do
they just run through (not)?
-
[IN F4 FORMATION (CREW OF 4)]
Was the initiator attacking with force?
An attack involves forward, upward or downward movement.
If they
are
stationary, they
are
absorbing contact.
-
Was the contact with the initiator's crown or at the opponent's
head/neck area?
-
Was the contact forcible?
§
-
Horse collar tackle:
-
The two requirements for this to be called are that (i) the defender
grabs the collar or name plate area; and (ii) the
ball carrier or simulated ball carrier
is pulled towards the ground.
-
As with other safety related fouls, if in doubt as to whether it is a
foul or not, call it.
-
However, just grabbing another part of the jersey and pulling a
ball carrier or simulated ball carrier
down is not a foul.
-
Chop block:
-
It is not a foul if either the high or low player involved simply brushes
past or makes only slight contact with the opponent.
There must be force enough in each block to change the velocity of the
relevant part of the opponent's body.
-
By rule it is not a foul if the defensive player initiates the contact.
-
Blind-side block:
-
"Forcible contact" requires a build up of momentum.
It is less likely to occur if a player is moving slowly.
It is more likely to occur the further a player has run at high speed.
®
-
When a blocker contacts an opponent with outstretched hands or arms,
their elbows and shoulders will inevitably cushion the impact, so making
the force less.
®
-
A player who is standing still or moving slowly cannot be "attacking an
opponent" and therefore can't be guilty of an illegal blind-side block.
®
-
An "open field" block generally (i) is outside the tackle box or after the
tackle box has disintegrated or after the O-line disperses; (ii) is more
than 2 seconds after the snap; and (iii) involves players who typically
were more than 5 yards from each other 2 or more seconds before the block.
§
-
Be particularly alert when you see a player approaching an opponent at
speed from the side or behind.
Imagine they have a brick in their hand.
-
Summary:
When considering personal fouls, ask whether the potential offender had
options.
Could they have chosen to do something differently with respect to the
contact?
Penalise players who choose the bad option.
3.4 – Non-contact fouls
-
Delay of game:
-
If Team A is still in the huddle, or moving into formation, with 10 seconds
to go, warn them verbally that there are 10 seconds remaining.
Always throw the flag when the count reaches zero, unless the snap is
very imminent (i.e. the quarterback is calling out "huts"), in which
case they can have an extra second.
-
If there is a visible play clock, when it reaches zero, look and see if the
ball has been snapped.
If it has not, throw a flag.
§
-
After a score, it is a delay of game if either team is not on the field
(or on the field but still in the huddle) within one minute regardless
of whether the ready for play has been given or not.
For a first
offence
warn the Head Coach of the team rather than throw a flag.
-
If no players from Team B are ready to play
anytime when Team A is set to snap the ball,
§
penalise Team B for delay of game.
Do
not
give Team A a free play.
Near the end of a timeout (usually 15 seconds before the end), the
officials on the sideline are responsible for ensuring that the captain
or coach of the team knows that the timeout is about to end.
-
If Team A makes last second substitutions (rushing to the line of
scrimmage while in the process of substituting), Team B must be given
an opportunity to "match-up".
If the play clock expires prior to the snap, the officials must determine
whether Team B was given ample opportunity to react to the "rushed"
substitution.
If Team B reacted promptly but the play clock expired, Team A will be
assessed a delay of game foul.
If all players sprint or jog on/off the field, then Team B is reacting
promptly; if any walk, it is not.
§
If Team B delayed in their substitution then Team B will be assessed a
delay of game foul.
(Rule 3-5-2-e.)
-
If Team A snaps the ball in a situation where they have been asked not
to (e.g. while Team B are being allowed to make matching substitutions),
for a first offence shut down the play and issue a warning.
Penalise for Delay of Game on the second or subsequent instance.
(Rule 3-5-2-e)
-
Players not within the nine-yard marks:
Don't call this
if Team B reacts to the offending player, e.g. by a
Team B player lining up opposite them.
-
False start:
Movement by an offensive player is not a false start unless
it:
(i)
is movement of
one or both feet; (ii) is sudden; or (iii) causes a defensive player to
move in
immediate
reaction
and this is the first time such movement has been observed.
§
If a running back misses the snap count, makes a sudden movement and
then stops abruptly,
it is a false start.
(If they
were
genuinely going into motion, they wouldn't stop.)
Don't be picky:
if in doubt as to whether movement was prior to the snap or not, it was
not.
-
Offside:
-
When a defensive player, before the snap, moves and an offensive player
subsequently moves, a conference between the Umpire and the wing officials
is mandatory.
This is to determine if the defensive player was in the neutral zone
and if the offensive player was threatened.
When in question, the offensive player
is
threatened.
If the Team A player who first moves is not threatened, it is a false
start.
-
When a defensive player, before the snap, crosses the neutral zone and
charges towards a Team A back, it is a dead-ball offside foul.
The time to call this as a foul is when the defender passes the hip of
the nearest Team A lineman.
-
Don't rule a defensive player offside if they
are
stationary and only intruding on the neutral zone by a trivial amount.
-
Don't be picky about offside, particularly on fields that are not marked
perfectly.
-
Don't call offside if the defensive player is moving forward at the
snap but is not actually in the neutral zone.
-
Disconcerting signals:
Rule 7-1-5-a-5 prohibits defensive players from using
words or signals that may interfere with offensive starting signals.
This includes claps or any other noise that mimics offensive signals.
-
Illegal motion:
A player is in illegal motion only if their forward movement is
conspicuous.
A motion man angling forward while in motion at the snap has committed
a live-ball
foul, not a false start.
-
Ineligible receiver downfield:
-
Call it only if it is conspicuous.
-
An ineligible receiver must be clearly more than 3 yards down field at
the time the pass is
thrown - don't be picky if the player is just at 3 yards.
Be cautious that
if
a player is seen 5 yards downfield and moving downfield as the ball
passes them, they
were
probably not more than 3 yards downfield when the ball was thrown.
-
If a lineman blocks downfield, call it as ineligible downfield
unless they
go
far enough to block a linebacker or defensive back in pass coverage in
which case call it as offensive pass interference.
-
Only regard a wide receiver as covering
an inside receiver
on the line of scrimmage if there is no stagger between their alignments.
If in doubt, the
inside receiver
is
not
covered up.
-
Don't call it if the offense
is
legally throwing the ball beyond the neutral zone to save a loss of
yardage.
-
Don't call it if a screen pass is overthrown and lands beyond the neutral
zone, unless the presence of the ineligible receiver prevents a defensive
player from catching the ball.
-
Kick-catch interference:
-
Anything that impedes the receiver from the opportunity to catch the
ball should be called a foul. This includes:
-
contact with the receiver (however incidental);
-
running menacingly close to the receiver;
-
standing too close to the receiver;
-
yelling
or making other intentional noise
§
while close to the receiver;
-
waving arms in front of the receiver;
-
forcing the receiver
to step around the opponent or change path in an effort to
catch the ball.
-
It is not a foul where:
-
a Team A player runs past the receiver without touching them or making them
change course;
-
the receiver "gives up" their attempt to catch the kick too easily;
-
the receiver catches the ball and there was no contact and the extent
of any non-contact interference is slight or in doubt:
don't award cheap 15-yard penalties.
-
A player who viciously contacts a potential kick receiver has committed
a flagrant personal foul and should be disqualified.
Give only the personal foul signal (not the signal for kick-catch
interference) in this case.
-
A player who is in the process of catching a kick must be given an
unimpeded opportunity to complete the catch before being contacted.
This protection terminates if the player muffs the ball, unless they
have
given a valid fair catch signal and still
have
an opportunity to complete the catch
(Rule 6-5-1-b).
-
Intentional grounding:
-
Don't call it if the passer was contacted
clearly
after
they
have
started the act of throwing the ball, or if the ball
was
touched.
Under these circumstances, you must assume the passer intended to throw
the ball to a receiver.
-
Do call it if the passer was contacted
before
they
have
started their throwing motion.
They
are
not allowed to throw the ball away to avoid a sack.
In some circumstances it may be appropriate to rule the ball dead
(rather than penalise for intentional grounding) because they
were
held and their forward progress stopped.
-
Do not call intentional grounding if the passer throws the ball away
(except straight down) when not under defensive pressure.
They
are
entitled to waste a down if they
are
in no danger of being sacked.
The clock is not a factor.
-
There is no need to call it if the pass is intercepted
and
this would be the only foul called.
-
Getting the ball to within one yard of the neutral zone is to be
regarded as close enough.
Don't be technical on this.
-
If a pass is touched by an ineligible receiver, it will normally just
be a foul for illegal touching.
However, if the passer does this in an
obviously deliberate manner to avoid a loss of yardage, then a foul for
intentional grounding is justified.
By rule, you cannot have illegal touching on an illegal pass.
-
Illegal substitution:
-
If a replaced player is leaving the field of play or end zone but is
still clearly on the field of play at the snap, then it should be called
as a foul.
®
-
A replaced player who re-enters the field after leaving it has fouled.
However, a player who leaves the field believing they
are
being replaced, but who is not in fact replaced, should be allowed to
re-enter without penalty (provided this is not a deception).
-
If substitutes enter the field
thinking the ball
§
is dead but
don't interfere with play, then don't call it.
-
If the offense breaks its huddle with more than 11 players on the field,
this confuses the opposition and should be penalised.
However, there can be a foul only if the ball has been declared ready
for play (Rule 2-14)
or the 12th man does not leave the huddle immediately.
-
If the defense has more than 11 players on the field when the snap is
imminent (or has just occurred),
there is no foul until the ball is snapped.
®
-
Fouls associated with the substitution process and having more
than 11 players on the field will normally be violations of Rule
3-5.
However, an intentional attempt to confuse opponents will be penalised
for unfair tactics (Rule 9-2-2-b).
-
Failure to wear mandatory equipment:
-
Regard failure to have a mouthpiece or to secure all points of a chinstrap
as seriously as failure to wear a helmet.
If you observe a player leaving the huddle without a mouthpiece or
chinstraps, remind them to secure their equipment.
Players who ignore the reminder must be dealt with by rule (Rule
1-4-8),
but give quarterbacks and other players calling signals more time to
do so.
The same procedure applies to players wearing opaque
or mirrored
§
eye shields.
-
Do not stop either the game clock or play clock.
It is therefore important to try to deal with equipment issues early
enough that the team has time to make an appropriate substitution.
If Team A cannot substitute a player quickly enough, then it will suffer
a Delay of Game penalty.
If a restricted lineman needs to be replaced, it will be a False Start
when they
stand
up.
-
For other non-critical mandatory equipment, instruct the player to remedy
the problem the next time they
are
off the field.
If they
ignore
the instruction, when they
return
to the field tell them to
go off and fix the problem immediately.
If they
do
so, then fine.
If their team replaces them immediately, do not penalise for an illegal
substitution.
If their team takes a timeout or suffers a delay of game penalty, that is
their choice.
If they
stay
and
attempt
to participate in a play, deal with them by rule (Rule
1-4-8).
-
Illegal equipment:
Anything that might be a risk to participant safety must be dealt with
before the ball is next put in play.
Other infringements may be left for the player to rectify next time they
leave
the field, but must be rectified before they can
legally return.
-
Illegally kicking the ball:
If a player intentionally contacts the ball with knee, lower leg or
foot with the objective of propelling the ball in any direction, they
are
kicking it.
If it touches their knee, lower leg or foot incidentally or as part
of an attempt to obtain possession of the ball, this is not regarded as
a kick and there is no foul.
-
Illegal wedge:
For a wedge to be illegal
(Rule 6-1-10),
it has to form
before the end of the kick
and continue during the beginning of the return.
If they touch/hold hands, this is a dead giveaway.
§
It is
not
an illegal wedge if they are moving towards their own end line.
§
Once the return gets upfield, players will come together as a
consequence of the play - this is
not
considered as an illegal wedge.
3.5 – Unsportsmanlike conduct and fighting
-
Celebration:
-
Celebration is different from taunting - be more tolerant of it.
-
A "sack dance" over a tackled opponent should always be penalised.
-
Only
penalise
spiking after a score if it taunts an opponent.
It need not be intentional, but does have to be in the direction of
an opponent.
-
A celebration should be penalised if it involves:
-
any of the 20+ specific prohibitions in Rule 9-2-1;
-
the ball (other than spiking it);
-
player equipment;
-
field equipment (including a goal);
-
any object taken from another person;
-
any prop;
-
a player going to the ground in a delayed (not
immediately after the score) and unnecessary manner.
-
An act that isn't on the above list is probably legal, so be tolerant of
it, unless you believe it is abusive, threatening or obscene, provokes
ill will, or demeans the game.
Don't be a prude (one who is excessively concerned with being or
appearing to be proper, modest, or righteous; or a person who is easily
shocked or offended by things that do not shock or offend other people).
-
If an illegal celebration occurs near the goal line, assume that it
occurred
after
the score unless an official was in an excellent position to rule on
its exact location.
-
"Choreographed" means that one or more players have clearly pre-decided,
pre-arranged or rehearsed how they will move (as in a dance).
-
Dissent:
-
Players play with passion and emotion - coaches share the same
traits.
At various times, players and coaches can be happy or sad, joyous or
disappointed, satisfied or frustrated.
These are normal human emotions (officials have them as well), but need
self-control.
-
Players and coaches are entitled to be disappointed.
It is only when it is excessive or challenges an official's authority
that it becomes dissent.
-
Dissent is when players, coaches or other persons subject to the rules:
-
speak in an abusive, aggressive or denigrating
manner to an official;
-
assert as true something that it is contrary to rule or an official's
ruling, or assert as false something that is true;
-
continue to argue a proposition after being informed that it is
incorrect, or asked to stop;
-
make denigrating
comments about an official or a decision while speaking to each other;
-
make gestures (with hands or otherwise) that signify frustration or lack
of respect at an official;
-
throw/kick the ball or equipment in disgust;
-
move aggressively towards an official to argue or complain.
Dissent differs from a player or coach asking a genuine question.
-
If a player or coach shows the official respect, then the official will
show them the same level of respect in return.
-
We distinguish between overt dissent and covert dissent.
The former is conspicuous,
usually because the speech is loud enough for
many people to hear, or the gestures are clear and in the open.
Covert dissent is where only the official hears it and can be treated
slightly differently.
-
There are six levels of response to dissent:
-
Ignore it.
If the dissent is minor, and is the first example of its kind from that
player or team, then it
can
be ignored.
It might be an isolated incident, never to happen again.
However, there is always a risk that ignoring dissent will give
encouragement to the participants to repeat it.
Ignoring it is certainly not the appropriate response to repeated dissent.
-
Pretend you didn't hear it.
Ask the player or coach to repeat their comment ("what did you say?").
If it was inappropriate, they will likely not repeat it.
If they do, then there is no doubt that you must respond firmly,
professionally and rapidly.
-
Quiet word.
A quiet word with a player or coach is often more beneficial than an
immediate penalty.
It shows your commitment to resolving the issue without recourse to a
strict application of the rules of the game.
-
Public rebuke.
Sometimes, the player or coach needs to be spoken to loudly enough that
their teammates are aware.
This may be necessary in order to solicit their help in controlling their
emotions.
-
Penalty.
If dissent is conspicuous to spectators,
then it needs to be penalised as unsportsmanlike conduct.
Conspicuous dissent includes
all actions that involve audible abusive language, thrown equipment,
or running towards an official.
Verbal dissent also certainly needs to be penalised if it is said a third time
(or more).
-
Disqualification.
If a player or coach
is penalised for dissent twice, then they will be disqualified
under Rule 9-2-1.
In extreme cases, an act of dissent may be so flagrant as to require
immediate disqualification.
There is no need to go through these levels in order.
A serious (and conspicuous)
act of dissent may require immediate penalty, and possibly even
disqualification.
-
The following acts by a participant should
always
result in a foul being called:
-
making an aggressive gesture towards an official;
-
speaking in an abusive, aggressive or denigrating
manner to an official
that can be heard clearly by spectators;
-
making "demonstrative disagreement", such as raising hands in
incredulity;
-
smacking themselves to demonstrate how they were fouled;
-
running directly at an official to complain about a call;
-
making excessive enquiries about a call, even in a civilised tone
(as in
3.5.2.f.v
above).
-
Failing to deal with dissent is letting your colleagues and the sport
down.
Not only does dissent undermine officials, it can also severely disrupt
the atmosphere and flow of a game.
If you think you are unconcerned by dissent and ignore it, remember that
the same player may make the same comment to a less imperturbable
official next week, but that may be the straw that breaks the camel's
back and causes that official to quit.
§
-
If you hear dissent directed at another official,
you
deal with it.
An important part of officiating teamwork is to back up your colleagues
in this way.
-
Engage with the captain(s) and coach(es) to make clear it is their
responsibility to control their players, to prevent dissent or to stamp
it out at first sign.
Doing this shows that the official is attempting to work
with
the teams rather than penalise.
-
Where appropriate, advise coaches and players to ask genuine questions
rather than make assertions about what is true or false.
-
If left unchecked, dissent is like a disease that will grow and undermine
your authority.
-
Flagrant unsportsmanlike acts requiring disqualification:
The following acts of unsportsmanlike conduct normally
are flagrant and
require disqualification:
-
Spitting at an opponent or official.
-
Any abusive language that involves derogatory reference to an opponent
or official's ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality (except in the
context of international competition), religion/belief,
sex/gender identity, age, class or social background, political belief,
sexual orientation, disability or any other speech intended to demean
or brutalize.
-
Any other act of unsportsmanlike conduct which, by its nature or prolonged
duration, is extremely objectionable, conspicuous, unnecessary, avoidable,
or gratuitous.
-
Any action specifically directed at one or more officials, officials
assistants or spectators is generally more extreme than the same action
directed at an opponent.
§
-
Multiple fouls:
-
Do not penalise a player or team twice for the same
unsportsmanlike
act.
-
However, where there are multiple, distinct acts by the same player or
by different players, it is appropriate to penalise them separately.
Two unsportsmanlike acts by the same player will result in them
disqualifying themself.
-
Examples of separate acts include:
-
a prohibited celebration followed by dissent at an official's call;
-
taunting an opponent followed by bowing to spectators;
-
shoving after the ball is dead followed by removing a helmet;
-
a prohibited celebration followed by one or more substitutes entering
the field to join the celebration;
-
a player or coach reacting in an unsportsmanlike manner following being
informed of the circumstances of a prior foul.
§
-
Examples of acts that normally would NOT be regarded as separate include:
-
more than one player participating in a delayed, excessive, prolonged
or choreographed celebration;
-
a player taunting more than one opponent;
-
a player bowing in more than one direction;
-
a player making one unsportsmanlike comment or gesture and then another
one a few seconds later.
§
-
Other points regarding unsportsmanlike conduct:
-
Live or dead:
If in doubt whether an unsportsmanlike conduct foul occurred while the
ball was live or dead, it was dead.
-
Who to penalise:
Do not
penalise
the conduct of anyone other than a player or coach.
If someone else is giving you a problem, ask the team or game management
to deal with it.
-
Simulating being roughed:
Normally a kicker who simulates being roughed should be ignored.
A penalty should only be administered if necessary to exert proper game
control.
-
Removing helmets on the field:
Players who unthinkingly remove their helmets on the field of play
should not be penalised unless they are (i) directing anger or
criticism at an opponent or an official; or (ii) celebrating.
Remind them to keep their helmets on.
A player removing their helmet in the vicinity of the sideline just
prior to entering the team area should be ignored.
-
Unusual technical fouls:
When a participant inadvertently breaches an unusual rule (e.g. Rule
1-4-10), a first offence can usually be dealt with
by a warning and an immediate requirement to rectify the breach.
A penalty is only necessary when the breach has been intentional.
§
-
Sideline interference:
-
While the ball is dead:
-
Provided participants in the team area respond reasonably promptly to
requests to get back from the sideline, there is no need to warn or
penalise them, no matter how many times it happens.
-
Give a sideline interference
foul (Rule 9-2-5)
only if a Head Coach repeatedly (i.e. more than once) ignores requests
(made
while the ball is dead) to keep their team back from the sideline
while the ball is alive or in continuing action after it is dead.
-
While the ball is in play:
-
Coaches, substitutes and other non-players
on
the field should always be flagged for sideline
interference (Rule 9-2-5).
An exception is not to be too bothered if the ball is near Team B's goal
line and the personnel are still near their team area.
-
If they are
between
the sideline and the coaching box line, use your discretion and issue
a verbal warning if they did not actually cause any problem.
-
Any contact between an official and a team member on the field or between
the sideline and the coaching box line should be called as a team
unsportsmanlike act (Rule 9-2-5-b)
(with normally a 15-yard penalty from the succeeding spot)
even for a first offence.
This also applies if there is no physical contact but the official is
forced to change direction either to avoid contact or to maintain their
view of what they are observing.
-
Fighting:
-
Three rules talk about "striking" an opponent: how do you decide which
to call?
-
Personal foul
(Rule 9-1-2-a):
Normally use this for action that occurs while the ball is live.
Unless the action could cause catastrophic injury, don't regard it as
flagrant.
-
Unsportsmanlike conduct
(Rule 9-2-1-a-1-j):
Normally use this for action that occurs in the aftermath of a play.
-
Fighting
(Rules 2-32-1 and 9-5-1):
Normally reserve this for more serious, more severe, more prolonged
action.
It is unlikely that a single strike constitutes a fight.
-
If action is deemed to be "fighting" then the player must be disqualified.
It is
not
fighting
if players are merely pushing each other (i.e. no deliberate punches,
kicks or blows are struck or aimed).
If in doubt, it is
not
fighting.
Don't use the term "punch" to describe roughness to a player or coach
unless it is associated with a disqualification.
-
During a fight, try to distinguish between those players (on the field
at the start of the fight), substitutes and coaches who actively
participate in a fight and those who are trying only to separate the
combatants.
The latter should not be disqualified.
-
Only disqualify a player if you are certain of their number.
If two opposing players are fighting with each other,
don't disqualify one unless you know the identity of the other.
-
Unnecessary roughness when Team B has no chance to win
and Team A has
clearly indicated its intention to "take a knee" should normally result
in disqualification of the player committing the foul.
-
If in doubt as to whether a player has intentionally elbowed an
opponent, look at the player's hand.
It is a natural reaction to make a fist before striking with the elbow.
An open hand probably indicates unintentional contact.
-
Retaliation:
-
For the purposes of this section, we define retaliation as when a player
commits an aggressive
act in direct response to an aggressive act by an opponent on themself
or a teammate.
Retaliation may be by physical contact or by unsportsmanlike word or
deed.
Retaliation normally occurs within a few seconds of the original act,
but could in theory be delayed.
-
Normally, we want to impose the most severe punishment on the participant
who started the incident (the "instigator").
The "punishment" in this context, may be a warning (for a minor
infringement), a penalty (for a significant infringement) or
disqualification (for a serious infringement).
-
If the retaliation is of less seriousness than the original act, the
retaliator should normally receive a lesser punishment than the
instigator.
For example, if A31 commits an unnecessary roughness foul on B45, and
B45 retaliates by (a) pushing A31 away; or (b) swearing at A31, then in
both cases we would likely not penalise B45, but simply warn them.
This would also apply if A31 spat on B45 (a mandatory disqualification
according to
3.5.3)
and B45 retaliated by pushing A31.
A31 would be disqualified, but B45 may only be penalised or warned.
-
However, if the retaliation prolongs or escalates the incident by being
as (or more) severe than the original act, then normally the retaliator
should receive the same or a higher punishment than the instigator.
For example, if B45 responds by (a) committing an equally unnecessary
act of roughness on A31; or (b) starting a fight with A31, then both
would be severely penalised.
In the case of a fight, Rules 2-32-1 and 9-5-1 together
mandate disqualification of both players.
-
In any case where retaliation is delayed (to the next play or later) and
deliberate, disqualification of the retaliator alone is normally
required.
This includes cases where the retaliator is a teammate of the player who
was the victim of the original attack.
-
Apply a zero tolerance policy to acts of unsportsmanlike conduct and
fighting in junior/youth
football.
-
Any foul in Section 9-2 attributed to an
individual counts towards disqualification under Rule 9-2-6-a.
§
3.6 – Fouls that always involve advantage
The following fouls always involve advantage,
even if it doesn't appear so, and shall be called:
-
Illegal formation:
-
It is always a foul when Team A has five (or more) players
in the backfield at the snap.
Team A gains a blocking advantage by being further away from the defense.
-
It is still a foul for five players
in the backfield even if Team A has only 10 (or fewer) players
on the field at the snap.
-
Only call the foul if the fifth player
is conspicuously
off the line
(e.g. their head is clearly behind the rear end of the snapper) or has
ignored repeated warnings (i.e. at least 2 warnings).
-
Give more leeway to wide receivers and slot backs in determining whether
they are on or off the line of scrimmage than you do to interior linemen
or tight ends.
Be particularly generous on fields that are not well marked out.
-
On a trick or unusual play, formations should have the highest degree
of scrutiny and should be penalised unless they are completely legal.
-
Offensive pass interference:
Blocking downfield by the offense (against a player in pass coverage)
on a forward pass play before the ball is thrown is always offensive
pass interference.
The defense (particularly the safeties) may see a block and read the
play as a run, so drawing coverage away from the destination of the
subsequent pass.
(See paragraph
3.3.9
for how to call offensive pass interference while the ball is in flight.)
-
Handing the ball forward illegally:
Handing the ball forward (except where allowed by rule) is always a foul.
A team can gain significant yardage (as well as the benefits of deception)
from this illegal play.
-
Offside on free kick:
-
Officiate the Team A restraining line as a plane.
-
On an onside or other short kickoff (deliberate or unintentional), any
player (other than the kicker or holder) breaking the plane before the
ball is kicked is offside.
-
On a deep kickoff, do not be too technical.
-
Only call a foul if a kicking team player (other than the kicker)
obviously takes a run up of more than 5 yards on a free kick.
Players who simply adjust their position or stance should not be penalised
for being temporarily more than 5 yards behind.
The aim of the rule is to reduce a player's momentum at kickoff.
-
Team A player out of bounds:
-
Whenever any Team A player returns inbounds after voluntarily going out
of bounds during a kick play, or an eligible receiver touches the ball
illegally after voluntarily going out of bounds during a pass play,
it is always a foul.
A Team A player leaving the field of play gains an advantage by avoiding
being blocked.
Remember that a player is out of bounds even if only one foot touches
the sideline or end line - this must be called.
-
Any contact by a Team B player that causes a Team A player to go out of
bounds should be regarded as the cause of it,
provided the Team A player attempts to come back in bounds immediately.
-
Kick-catch interference:
It is always a foul when contact, however slight,
is made with a player in position (or moving to position) to catch a
kick in flight.
Their balance will have been disturbed, so hindering their
ability to catch the ball cleanly.
(See also paragraph
3.4.8.)
3.7 – Catches and fumbles
-
If the ball moves from the control of one player to another (whether
teammate or opponent) during the act of gaining possession, the ball
belongs to the player in final control (provided they had control inbounds).
This is not a simultaneous possession.
If the last player in control did not have control inbounds, or any
player was out of bounds at the same time as they touched the ball,
the ball is loose out of bounds.
If in doubt as to whether a player had control inbounds, they did not.
-
If the receiver gets their toe inbounds but their heel comes down a fraction
later out of bounds (or vice versa) then the pass is incomplete.
If the whole foot touches the ground, it all has to be inbounds for the
catch to be completed.
This principle does not extend to the foot and leg/knee, nor to the hand
and arm/elbow - these are regarded as separate parts of the body and
only the first contact with the ground is relevant.
-
It is not a fumble if the ball is stripped after the ball carrier has been
driven
back.
The ball is dead once the ball carrier is so held that their forward
progress is stopped.
-
A player has the ball long enough to become a ball carrier when, after their
foot is on the ground, they
do
one of the following (sometimes
known as "acts common to the game")
(Rule 2-4-3):
-
avoiding or warding off impending contact by an opponent;
-
tucking the ball away;
-
advancing the ball (or retreating with it);
or extending it towards the goal line or line to gain;
§
-
taking additional steps while upright (i.e. not while falling to the
ground);
-
passing the ball or handing it off.
-
Do not try to be too technical on ruling a catch.
We do not want officials who try to have "the greatest eyes in the
history of the game" and rule too many times the receiver has completed
the process of the catch and fumbled the ball when it should be an
incomplete pass.
The most important principle is "when in doubt, incomplete".
-
We use exactly the same approach, whether the catch is in the end zone
or in the field of play.
-
In ruling whether a Team A player has passed or fumbled the ball, bear
in mind the following:
-
Any action by the player's hand moving forward and the ball coming out
should be ruled a forward pass.
-
If the player is able to see the defender approaching, they
are
likely to be able
to move their hand or arm forward before they
are
contacted.
When they
do
not see the hit coming, the chances are greater that a fumble occurred.
-
After the player was hit, if the ball lands behind them it is more likely
that a fumble occurred.
-
Checklist for possession (adapted from Dean Blandino presentation,
August 2021):
-
Is control established with hand(s) or arm(s)?
Was control established before the ball touches the ground (catch only)?
Slight movement is not a loss of control but a bobble, juggle, bounce or
the hands coming off the ball would be.
-
Establish which body part touched the ground (or pylon) first.
Was it completely in bounds?
-
How long did the player have control of the ball?
-
If upright, when did they transition from receiver to ball carrier?
Did they have the ability to ward off or avoid an opponent?
Did they tuck the ball away, turn upfield and/or take additional steps?
Did they extend the ball for additional yardage (goal line or line to
gain)?
-
If going to ground, did they maintain control when they touched
the ground?
Or, did they perform an act common to the game (e.g. extending for
additional yardage) on their way to the ground?
3.8 – Other rules applications
-
Fair catch signals:
-
Don't be picky about fair catch signals.
Any waving signal or raising a single arm above the head is sufficient
to indicate that a fair catch has been called for.
-
Players obviously shading their eyes from the sun have
not
signalled for a fair catch.
-
Any "get away" signal before or after the ball touches the ground is an
invalid signal.
-
A receiver who points at the ball and keeps their hands below their shoulders
with no waving motion has made no signal and can advance the ball.
A receiver who keeps their hands below their shoulders and has a
waving motion, or one who has their hands just above the shoulders with no waving
motion, has made an invalid signal.
-
Onside kick on poor field markings:
If in doubt on a poorly marked field, the chain can be used following
a free kick to measure whether a spot of first touching is illegal or not.
-
Change of possession close to goal line:
If an interception, kick catch or recovery
is made inside the one-yard line
and immediately carried into the end zone,
try to make the play a touchback rather
than a momentum exception.
Where Team A illegally touches a kick near the goal line, try to rule
the touching as being in the end zone, particularly if they carry the
ball into the end zone.
-
Ball coming out of end zone:
If there is a change of possession in the end zone (or the momentum
exception rule applies), when in doubt during the return the ball has
NOT left the end zone.
-
Timing in the last few seconds of a period:
§
-
One second can be enough to make the ball live.
If the clock starts on the ready, the Referee should wait until Team A
is set before declaring the ball ready.
-
Two seconds are not long enough for the ball to become live and then
dead again (Rule 3-2-5).
-
With five seconds or less remaining when the ball is snapped, a normal
field goal attempt will end the period.
-
No time will run off the clock if a free kick is recovered cleanly by
a player who is on the ground or has signalled for a fair catch.
At least one second will run off if they muff the ball and then catch or
recover it.
-
Coach requesting a timeout:
Officials should not be distracted from their game duties by the
possibility that a Head Coach may request a timeout.
-
When a snap or free kick is imminent (i.e. when Team A is in its
formation), wing officials must not turn their eyes away from the field
of play.
In these circumstances, the Head Coach may need to attract the attention
of one of the officials in the middle of the field (Referee, Umpire,
Back Judge), or even the wing official on the opposite sideline, who is
facing them.
A "T" hand signal
(like signal Sup45)
and
verbalising the word "timeout" are both necessary under these
circumstances.
-
When the ball is dead and there is no threat of action on the field, a
verbal request to the nearest official will be sufficient.
-
Under no circumstances shall an official stop the clock unless they
are
certain that the request comes from the
Head
Coach.
If the official is unsure whose voice requested the timeout, and is
unable to turn round to find out, no timeout will be granted.
-
Before the snap, anticipate a coach asking for a timeout when you know
their team is a player short or looking confused.
At the end of a play, anticipate a coach or player asking for a timeout
when the game clock is running and their team wants to conserve time.
§
-
Coaches on the field during timeout:
During a charged timeout, coaches who come on to the field less than 9
yards from the sideline and do not go beyond the
20-yard lines
®
are not normally to be regarded as a problem unless their behaviour
draws attention to themselves.
-
Trick plays:
Be very strict in penalising trick plays that constitute unfair tactics.
Such plays include (but are not limited to):
-
trick plays depending on the ball being concealed or substituted
(Rule 9-2-2-a);
-
trick plays associated with simulated substitutions
(Rule 9-2-2-b);
-
trick plays involving players' equipment
(Rule 9-2-2-c);
-
trick plays where Team A runs a "normal" play having informed the
opponents that it would be "taking a knee"
(see also
3.8.9.c
below)
(Rule 9-2-2-d);
§
-
trick plays with actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defense into
believing the snap is not imminent
(Rule 9-2-2-d)
- this includes pretending to have a problem with the play that has
been called, an equipment problem with a shoe, the ball, etc. and feigning
an injury
(Rule 9-2-2-e);
it also includes assuming the role or functions of an official.
A good rule of thumb to follow is that if an unusual act appears to be
unfair, it is probably contrary to the rules.
-
Take a knee plays:
When Team A informs the officials that they intend to "take a knee"
(sometimes known as the "victory formation"):
-
Ensure that Team B is informed.
-
Remind Team A that Team B will still be able to stop the clock if they
have timeouts remaining.
-
Remind Team A that they will be penalised
(under Rule 9-2-2-d)
if they subsequently run a "normal" play after having declared their
intention to "take a knee"
(see also
3.8.8.d
above).
This includes not taking a knee immediately (less than 2 seconds) after
controlling the snap.
§
-
Remind Team B of Team A's declared intention on each subsequent play,
unless Team A informs you that they will run a normal play, in which case
inform Team B of that.
-
Warn Team B not to "punish" opponents or otherwise attempt to interfere
with the process (other than in a legitimate attempt to gain possession
of a loose ball).
-
Penalise players from either team who try to take advantage of the
situation to either gain yards (Team A) or punish an opponent (Team
B normally).
If Team A consumes time unfairly, Rule 3-4-3 may
be used to restore time to the game clock.
§
-
If the score is close, then Team B has a legitimate right to attempt to gain
possession.
However, if the margin in the score is wider than could reasonably be overcome
in the time available, Team B should not instigate any forcible contact.
-
If Team A line up in a "victory formation" but do not inform the
officials or Team B that they intend to take a knee, this guidance does
not apply and Team A may equally legally run a "normal" play or take a
knee (at their risk).
§
-
Continuing action:
After an inadvertent whistle,
if players in the vicinity of the ball continue to play the ball,
regardless of the time, then that is the immediate continuing action.
This period stretches as long as those players in the vicinity continue
to play the ball, regardless of what other players do on the field.
§
-
Dealing with disqualifications:
A disqualified participant must leave the playing enclosure (Rule
9-2-6-b) within a reasonable amount of time.
Provided they are making progress towards leaving at a reasonable rate,
the game should continue.
However, the game may need to be suspended if the disqualified participant
attracts attention or delays their departure.
The offending team is responsible for escorting their participant away
and may be penalised (for delay of game) if this is not achieved.
If the disqualified participant or the person(s) responsible for
them commits a (possibly further) unsportsmanlike act, this should
be penalised.
§
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Editor: Jim Briggs, Editor, IAFOA Manual of Football Officiating
jim.briggs@acm.org
Generated: 5/3/2023, 1800