Declining enforcement

[centexsports]

Can a team accept a penalty and decline the enforcement?   

Example: On a try the kick is no good but defense is offside.   Can the kicking team replay the down but kick from the 3 yard line?

[TXMike]

Yes

"The snap will be midway between the hash marks on the opponent’s  three yard
line or from any other point on or between the hash marks on or behind
the opponent’s three-yard line if the position of the ball is selected by the
team designated to put the ball in play before the ready-for-play signal. The
ball may be relocated after a charged timeout to either team unless preceded
by a Team A foul or offsetting fouls (Rules 8-3-3-a and 8-3-3-c-1)."

[centexsports]

Ok, let's do this again.   4th and goal from the three.   "A" tries field goal and misses.  "B" flagged for offsides.   Can "A" accept the penalty to replay the down but decline the yardage enforcement because the coach thinks it will affect the kicker's angle?

[TXMike]

Oh, a regular play...not a try...Good question    My gut says no

[TxSkyBolt]

Mike,

Centex modified his play to a non-try down.

[TXMike]

Mike,

Centex modified his play to a non-try down.

No, he changed it to a regular play. 

[centexsports]

This was asked in our referee's meeting last night and there were mixed responses. 

It happened in a 6 man game I think.   

[JasonTX]

I say yes.  Notice the rule says "may" and not "must".

A penalty is a result imposed by rule against a team that has committed a foul
and may include one or more of the following: loss of yardage, loss of down,
automatic first down or disqualification (Rule 10-1-1-b).

[TXMike]

C'mon man!!! You gotta  better than that!  That section is not saying you can choose which parts you want, it is just saying that in generic terms, these are the various things which are included throughout the rules as possible penalties.  Some penalties include loss of down, some include game clock subtraction, etc etc etc.

[centexsports]

How about this.   A penalty is complete when it is accepted, declined or offset.   So since the penalty is complete when accepted, the enforcement can be seperately declined. 

[Kalle]

How about this.   A penalty is complete when it is accepted, declined or offset.   So since the penalty is complete when accepted, the enforcement can be seperately declined.

As I understand, penalty is enforcement, in this context. A foul results in a penalty. So, if you decline the penalty, you don't get to repeat the down (5-2-5).

I guess the coach needs to teach his long snapper to make 7-9 yard snaps.

[adaref]

Seems this would be the clear answer.
Fouls During a Try Before a Change of Team Possession
ARTICLE 3. b. 2. A repeat of the down after a penalty against Team B may be from any point on or
between the hash marks on or behind the yard line where the penalty leaves the ball.[/b]

[TXMike]

No doubt about it all on PATs  but what about regular scrimmage downs?

[El Macman]

Since the hash marks were narrowed some years ago, the 'angle' argument is very weak.

Take it or leave it. Get a better kicker.

[clearwall]

There is no rule requirement dictating the distance a kick must occur behind the snapper. If he's worried about angle, take a few extra yards back and kick from the same spot