"Personal Foul" classification - why do we have this?

[Fatso]

I realize it's a contact foul with the potential of injury, etc., but what's the purpose of categorizing as a personal foul? 

Just wondering what's the point....  discuss.

[dammitbobby]

I've always thought it was because it was a foul against a person/player, as opposed to something like a foul against the ball, such as illegal batting, etc. And it's more of a safety-type foul (hence 15 yards) than holding, which while against another player, usually doesn't have a safety element.

JMO.

[ElvisLives]

Yep, a personal is a foul against a player, i.e., a person (thus, “personal”), not a ‘procedural’ foul (offside, false start, etc.), or any other foul that does not involve contact between players (illegal passes, batting, kicking, UNS, etc.). Holding and illegal blocks in the back certainly involve player-to-player contact, but do not inherently involve player safety, so, those are not ‘major’ fouls. They were, at one time, but were reduced to 10-yard distance penalties to distinguish them from major (Personal) fouls.

For a very long time, we did not signal or announce ‘Personal Foul’ for many fouls that had their own signal (facemask, roughing the passer, roughing the kicker, etc.). But, for the very reason we identify these fouls as personal fouls, i.e., player safety, the powers that be asked us to use the personal foul signal for most (if not all) player safety fouls.

[Fatso]

Yep, a personal is a foul against a player, i.e., a person (thus, “personal”), not a ‘procedural’ foul (offside, false start, etc.), or any other foul that does not involve contact between players (illegal passes, batting, kicking, UNS, etc.). Holding and illegal blocks in the back certainly involve player-to-player contact, but do not inherently involve player safety, so, those are not ‘major’ fouls. They were, at one time, but were reduced to 10-yard distance penalties to distinguish them from major (Personal) fouls.

For a very long time, we did not signal or announce ‘Personal Foul’ for many fouls that had their own signal (facemask, roughing the passer, roughing the kicker, etc.). But, for the very reason we identify these fouls as personal fouls, i.e., player safety, the powers that be asked us to use the personal foul signal for most (if not all) player safety fouls.

So, basically it's just to call extra attention to it? 

[ElvisLives]

So, basically it's just to call extra attention to it?

I prefer the word “emphasize.” But, you can look at it that way.

[Ralph Damren]

With both facemask and running into/roughing the kicker/holder being of the 5 or 15 varity, adding personal foultells all that it was the big one.

[Fatso]

With both facemask and running into/roughing the kicker/holder being of the 5 or 15 varity, adding personal foultells all that it was the big one.

Now that makes sense..   

[bossman72]

Or, as Bernie Kukar used to say, "Personal Fole".

[lawdog]

safety fouls

[Ralph Damren]

IMHO, several signals that are rarely used or misunderstood can be preceded by PF (#38). those are: #30,34,39,40,41,45  & 46. I came to realize this after signaling a chop block several years ago and the PA dude announced : " Arr...it's OFFSIDE against the offense...and a guess it's now 15 yards  ."

IF you're mic'd or if you have a loud voice and a small crowd, I suggest : " PERSONAL FOUL, CHOP BLOCK..."

[sj]

IMHO, several signals that are rarely used or misunderstood can be preceded by PF (#38). those are: #30,34,39,40,41,45  & 46. I came to realize this after signaling a chop block several years ago and the PA dude announced : " Arr...it's OFFSIDE against the offense...and a guess it's now 15 yards  ."

IF you're mic'd or if you have a loud voice and a small crowd, I suggest : " PERSONAL FOUL, CHOP BLOCK..."

On time I was the R at a small school when I gave the signal for illegal substitution and the PA announcer said, "I don't know what that is. Illegal pledge of allegiance I guess."

[bossman72]

On time I was the R at a small school when I gave the signal for illegal substitution and the PA announcer said, "I don't know what that is. Illegal pledge of allegiance I guess."

Hahahaha!

[SCHSref]

What is the only non-contact personal foul?

[sczeebra]

What is the only non-contact personal foul?

There is more than one!

[NVFOA_Ump]

The only PF that I'm aware of that can be a "non-contact" PF is hurdling since hurdling does not require any contact to be called.

[SCHSref]

There is more than one!

I guess you mean throwing a helmet to trip an opponent? or swing and miss?

[NVFOA_Ump]

I guess you mean throwing a helmet to trip an opponent? or swing and miss?

But those are both USCs, no?

[SCHSref]

But those are both USCs, no?

No

[NVFOA_Ump]

No

Rule and or case book reference(s)/

[CalhounLJ]

Rule and or case book reference(s)/

Don't have my books handy, but I'm certain that fighting (including an attempt: e.g., swing and miss) is a personal foul and not UNS.

[lawdog]

Don't have my books handy, but I'm certain that fighting (including an attempt: e.g., swing and miss) is a personal foul and not UNS.

correct.

[GA Umpire]

Rule and or case book reference(s)/

2-11 for disqualification even if no contact is made.
9-4-2 for classification as a personal foul and disqualification.

[GoodScout]

Another way to look at it:

An incidental facemask (5 yards) is not really a safety foul, because just grabbing and immediately letting go of the mask is unlikely to call injury. It's a procedural foul, and thus 5 yards.

A full facemask foul is a personal foul against the player because it's a safety foul - the grasp and twist can cause injury. Thus you signal a personal foul first before you clarify it's for a facemask and costs 15 yards.