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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: ImfromVirginia on November 12, 2025, 02:57:58 PM

Title: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: ImfromVirginia on November 12, 2025, 02:57:58 PM
First off, I'm not an official but know quite a few and have been watching the great input on this board for quite a while. In a couple of recent games, I've been baffled at the a few penalty mark offs. Here's what I saw recently:
1. QB is sacked for about a 12-yards loss but is brought down by a horse collar tackle. The infraction was marked off from the previous spot. Is that correct or should it be from the spot of the foul.
2. RB gains 30 yards from his 20 to midfield, but a flag is down at the RB team's 40 for a holding infraction. I did not see any other flags on the field. That penalty was marked off from the previous spot ie RB's 20.
3. In same game, RB goes from midfield to end zone but flag is thrown at the 15. This one was marked off from the spot of the foul which I know is correct but unlike the previous infraction I described
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: NVFOA_Ump on November 12, 2025, 03:41:17 PM
First off, I'm not an official but know quite a few and have been watching the great input on this board for quite a while. In a couple of recent games, I've been baffled at the a few penalty mark offs. Here's what I saw recently:
1. QB is sacked for about a 12-yards loss but is brought down by a horse collar tackle. The infraction was marked off from the previous spot. Is that correct or should it be from the spot of the foul.
2. RB gains 30 yards from his 20 to midfield, but a flag is down at the RB team's 40 for a holding infraction. I did not see any other flags on the field. That penalty was marked off from the previous spot ie RB's 20.
3. In same game, RB goes from midfield to end zone but flag is thrown at the 15. This one was marked off from the spot of the foul which I know is correct but unlike the previous infraction I described


1.  Previous spot is correct. Ref. 10-4-2e
2.  Incorrect, enforcement for a foul behind the end of the run during a run beyond the LOS should be from the spot of the foul. Ref. 10-4-4d
3.  This is correct, it is a spot foul as noted in 2. above. Ref 10-4-4d
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: zebrastripes on November 12, 2025, 03:45:56 PM
#1 is the enforcement that changed a few years ago mainly due to a widespread desire to not have such punitive penalties for offensive holding fouls behind the LOS in HS football. Unfortunately, it goes both ways.
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: ImfromVirginia on November 12, 2025, 10:10:26 PM
Thanks so much for the clarifications!
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: Ralph Damren on November 13, 2025, 07:06:17 AM
Welcome, Virginia, to our froum. May you find it both enjoyable and informative. NVFOA supplied the answers and Zebrastripes mentioned the recient changes to B behind the LOS, the prior rule treated your #1 as a running play with spot of foul enforcement while, IF THE QB FUMBLED , IT WAS CONSIDERED A LOOSE BALL PLAY with previous spot enforcement. This certainly didn't make sence and I was a strong proponnent for change.

Virginia, your rule interest goes far beyond the average football fan. With friends that are officials, if able, you should consider becoming an official. It's a great hobby and one of the few that you get paid for.  :)
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: NVFOA_Ump on November 13, 2025, 07:22:56 AM
Virginia, your rule interest goes far beyond the average football fan. With friends that are officials, if able, you should consider becoming an official. It's a great hobby and one of the few that you get paid for.  :)


 :thumbup
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: ilyazhito on November 13, 2025, 08:36:16 AM
It might be too late for this season, but I'd love to see ImfromVirginia on the field next year.
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: Willis on November 17, 2025, 03:58:43 PM
Even though holding behind the LOS is no longer a spot foul, holding in the end zone is still treated as a spot foul for the purposes of awarding a safety, correct?
Title: Re: Spot of Penalty questions
Post by: ncwingman on November 17, 2025, 06:43:40 PM
Even though holding behind the LOS is no longer a spot foul, holding in the end zone is still treated as a spot foul for the purposes of awarding a safety, correct?

Yes. Any penalty that occurs in a team's own end zone is a safety.