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Football Officiating => NCAA Discussion => Topic started by: ElvisLives on May 01, 2026, 03:36:27 PM
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Try this quiz. You might find the questions a bit unusual, but, actually quite easy. Everyone should get 10/10 on this one.
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1. 1/10, A-30, 3:30 (1), running (10/40), A=7, B=7.
At the snap, Team A has 7 linemen, with four numbered 50-79. Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-40, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds, at 3:23 (1).
RULING:
2. 1/10, A-30, 11:00 (2), running (15/40), A=14, B=7.
Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-40, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds, at 10:52 (2). During the tackle, B99 grasped and pulled the facemask of A33.
RULING:
3. Kickoff, A-35, 8:00 (4), free kick timing (5/25), A=35, B=0.
B88 catches the legal place kick at the B-5 and advances to the B-30, where he runs out of bounds at 7:50 (4). During B88’s run, A99 shoved B66 in the back at the B-25, in his effort to reach B88.
RULING:
4. 4/10, A-30, 1:30 (4), snap (5/40), A=0, B=35.
Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-35, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds by several Team B players at 1:25 (4).
RULING:
5. 1/10, A-30, 7:30 (2), running (10/40), A=10, B=7.
Ball carrier A-33 advances to the A-45, where he runs out of bounds at 7:22 (2). B99 was stationary with a hand clearly well into the neutral zone at the snap.
RULING:
6. 2/33, A-33, 3:33 (3), running (33/40), A=10, B=7.
Without making any substitutions, Team A snaps the ball as quickly as it can be made ready for play. A3 possesses the snap and throws a quick pass from the A-33 to end A33, who catches the pass at the A-33 and is immediately tackled and brought to the ground at the A-33, at 3:29 (3).
RULING:
7. 4/10, A-30, 12:50 (1), running (3/40), A=0, B=0.
A11 legally punts the ball. During the flight of the ball, all 11 Team B players make valid fair catch signals, and then stand in place while the Team A players run past them toward B99, who is in position to catch the ball at the B-40. All Team A players remain at least 1-yard in front of B99, or remain to either side of B99. B99 completes the catch at the B-40, at 12:42 (1).
RULING:
8. 1/10, A-30, 2:00 (1), running (12/40), A=0, B=7.
A12 possesses the snap and throws a legal forward pass to end A88 at the A-45. A88 catches the pass and advances out of bounds at the 50 at 1:42 (1). Before the pass was released, A66 moved to the A-34 and blocked B99, then retreated to the A-29 after the pass was released. After being blocked, B99 followed A66 to the A-29 where he threw himself on the back of A66’s legs just before A88 advanced out of bounds.
RULING:
9. Free Kick after a safety, A-20, 9:00 (3), free kick timing (25), A=3, B=12.
During the flight of the legal punt, A88 runs out bounds, un-contacted, at the A-35, then returns inbounds immediately at the A-38. The ball lands at the B-40, and bounces toward the 50. A88 bats the previously untouched ball at the 50, to prevent B99 from recovering it, causing the ball to travel to the A-47. A88 then blocks B99 from the front, above the waist, to further prevent B99’s recovery attempt. A88 then falls on the ball at the A-47, fully recovering it, at 8:50 (3).
RULING:
10. 4/10, A-35, 6:00 (4), running (5/40), A=7, B=7.
A11 possesses the snapped ball at the A-28, and throws a pass which is caught by A88 at the A-31. After advancing to the A-33, A88 is contacted by B99, causing A88 to fumble the ball, which deflects off of player’s bodies and lands on the ground at the A-30, where A11 recovers the it “on the run,” and moves laterally. Unable to get away from opponents to advance the ball, A11 suddenly punts it at the A-31. The ball flies to the B-40, where it lands on the ground near the sideline and bounces out of bounds, at 5:48 (4). Immediately after he punted the ball, A11 was contacted by B99 on his kicking leg, causing A11 to fall to the ground.
RULING:
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Oops. Initially, I inadvertently posted the full version with answers. If you saw that version please don't 'spoil' the answers - at least for a few days. Let others work through these. They really are quite simple.
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Try this quiz. You might find the questions a bit unusual, but, actually quite easy. Everyone should get 10/10 on this one.
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1. 1/10, A-30, 3:30 (1), running (10/40), A=7, B=7.
At the snap, Team A has 7 linemen, with four numbered 50-79. Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-40, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds, at 3:23 (1).
RULING: Illegal formation. 1/15 @ A-25, PC 25, wind.
2. 1/10, A-30, 11:00 (2), running (15/40), A=14, B=7.
Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-40, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds, at 10:52 (2). During the tackle, B99 grasped and pulled the facemask of A33.
RULING: Enforce B's PF from the end of the related run. 1/10 @ B-45, PC 25, wind.
3. Kickoff, A-35, 8:00 (4), free kick timing (5/25), A=35, B=0.
B88 catches the legal place kick at the B-5 and advances to the B-30, where he runs out of bounds at 7:50 (4). During B88’s run, A99 shoved B66 in the back at the B-25, in his effort to reach B88.
RULING: Legal. B's @ B-30, PC 40, snap.
4. 4/10, A-30, 1:30 (4), snap (5/40), A=0, B=35.
Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-35, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds by several Team B players at 1:25 (4).
RULING: Turnover on downs. B's @ A-35, PC 25, snap.
5. 1/10, A-30, 7:30 (2), running (10/40), A=10, B=7.
Ball carrier A-33 advances to the A-45, where he runs out of bounds at 7:22 (2). B99 was stationary with a hand clearly well into the neutral zone at the snap.
RULING: A declines B's live-ball foul at the snap since it is enforced from the previous spot, not 3&1. 1/10 @ A-45, pc 25, wind.
6. 2/33, A-33, 3:33 (3), running (33/40), A=10, B=7.
Without making any substitutions, Team A snaps the ball as quickly as it can be made ready for play. A3 possesses the snap and throws a quick pass from the A-33 to end A33, who catches the pass at the A-33 and is immediately tackled and brought to the ground at the A-33, at 3:29 (3).
RULING: Legal even if the pass is an inch forward, since A3 is not completely beyond the NZ. 3/33 @ A-33, PC 40, running.
7. 4/10, A-30, 12:50 (1), running (3/40), A=0, B=0.
A11 legally punts the ball. During the flight of the ball, all 11 Team B players make valid fair catch signals, and then stand in place while the Team A players run past them toward B99, who is in position to catch the ball at the B-40. All Team A players remain at least 1-yard in front of B99, or remain to either side of B99. B99 completes the catch at the B-40, at 12:42 (1).
RULING: Legal. B's @ B-40, PC 25, snap.
8. 1/10, A-30, 2:00 (1), running (12/40), A=0, B=7.
A12 possesses the snap and throws a legal forward pass to end A88 at the A-45. A88 catches the pass and advances out of bounds at the 50 at 1:42 (1). Before the pass was released, A66 moved to the A-34 and blocked B99, then retreated to the A-29 after the pass was released. After being blocked, B99 followed A66 to the A-29 where he threw himself on the back of A66’s legs just before A88 advanced out of bounds.
RULING: A66 commits pass interference and is illegally downfield. B99 commits clipping. Offsetting fouls. 1/10 @ A-30, PC 25, wind.
9. Free Kick after a safety, A-20, 9:00 (3), free kick timing (25), A=3, B=12.
During the flight of the legal punt, A88 runs out bounds, un-contacted, at the A-35, then returns inbounds immediately at the A-38. The ball lands at the B-40, and bounces toward the 50. A88 bats the previously untouched ball at the 50, to prevent B99 from recovering it, causing the ball to travel to the A-47. A88 then blocks B99 from the front, above the waist, to further prevent B99’s recovery attempt. A88 then falls on the ball at the A-47, fully recovering it, at 8:50 (3).
RULING: A88 fouls when he returns inbounds. His bat is backward and legal. No KTO enforcement since A is in legal possession at the end. FK @ A-15, PC 25, free kick timing.
10. 4/10, A-35, 6:00 (4), running (5/40), A=7, B=7.
A11 possesses the snapped ball at the A-28, and throws a pass which is caught by A88 at the A-31. After advancing to the A-33, A88 is contacted by B99, causing A88 to fumble the ball, which deflects off of player’s bodies and lands on the ground at the A-30, where A11 recovers the it “on the run,” and moves laterally. Unable to get away from opponents to advance the ball, A11 suddenly punts it at the A-31. The ball flies to the B-40, where it lands on the ground near the sideline and bounces out of bounds, at 5:48 (4). Immediately after he punted the ball, A11 was contacted by B99 on his kicking leg, causing A11 to fall to the ground.
RULING: Fourth down fumble, backward. Turnover on downs. Disregard B99's running into the kicker since it occurred after the down should have ended and is not a PF/UNS. B's @ A-30, PC 25, snap.
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Well, they were easy, except number 8, which I butchered enormously.
I intended for A66 to have been downfield illegally, but I intended for him to return to the A-30 (not the B-30), to block B99, so no OPI. And B99’s clipping foul was also meant to be at the A-30. But, as (poorly) written as the question was, your answer would be correct.
I may change up a couple of those to create some interesting scenarios. Just for fun. ;D
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Actually upon re-reading, I made an inaccurate statement on #10. B99 *never* commits RIK because A11 has no punter's protection as 1) he has moved laterally and 2) regardless of whether he's in the tackle box, it is *anything but obvious* that a kick will be attempted.
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Actually upon re-reading, I made an inaccurate statement on #10. B99 *never* commits RIK because A11 has no punter's protection as 1) he has moved laterally and 2) regardless of whether he's in the tackle box, it is *anything but obvious* that a kick will be attempted.
Correct.
Try the questions I just put out.
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Here are my complete answers to the questions:
1. 1/10, A-30, 3:30 (1), running (10/40), A=7, B=7.
At the snap, Team A has 7 linemen, with four numbered 50-79. Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-40, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds, at 3:23 (1).
RULING: A, 1/15, A-25, 3:23 (1), ready (25). Team A committed an Illegal Formation foul by not having at least 5 linemen numbered 50-79 at the snap. The 5-yard penalty is enforced at the Previous Spot, taking the ball to the A-25, and second down is repeated. Due to the completion of the penalty, the play clock is set to 25-seconds, and both clocks will start on the referee’s signal.
2. 1/10, A-30, 11:00 (2), running (15/40), A=14, B=7.
Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-40, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds, at 10:52 (2). During the tackle, B99 grasped and pulled the facemask of A33.
RULING: A, 1/10, B-45, 10:52 (2), ready (25). B99 committed a Facemask foul against A33. The 15-yard penalty is enforced from the Basic Spot (A-40, end of the related (A33’s) run), taking the ball to the B-45, and includes an automatic first down. Due to the completion of the penalty, the play clock is set to 25-seconds, and both clocks will start on the referee’s signal.
3. Kickoff, A-35, 8:00 (4), free kick timing (5/25), A=35, B=0.
B88 catches the legal place kick at the B-5 and advances to the B-30, where he runs out of bounds at 7:50 (4). During B88’s run, A99 shoved B66 in the back at the B-25, in his effort to reach B88.
RULING: B, 1/10, B-30, 7:50 (4), snap (40). A99’s contact with B66 is legal, by rule, because it was a legitimate effort to reach the ball carrier. Team B will next put the ball in play for a scrimmage series at the dead-ball spot. The play clock is set to 40-seconds and begins when the ball becomes dead following the kickoff down, and the game clock will next start on the succeeding snap.
4. 4/10, A-30, 1:30 (4), snap (5/40), A=0, B=35.
Ball carrier A33 advances to the A-35, where he is tackled and brought to the ground inbounds by several Team B players at 1:25 (4).
RULING: B, 1/10, A-35, 1:25 (4), snap (25). Team A failed to reach the line-to-gain after 4th down, thus, Team B is awarded a scrimmage series at the dead-ball spot. The play clock is set to 25-seconds and will start on the referee’s signal, and the game clock will start on the succeeding snap.
5. 1/10, A-30, 7:30 (2), running (10/40), A=10, B=7.
Ball carrier A-33 advances to the A-45, where he runs out of bounds at 7:22 (2). B99 was stationary with both hands on the ground and clearly well into the neutral zone at the snap.
RULING: A, 1/10, A-45, 7:22 (2), ready (25). B99 committed a foul for Offside. The 5-yard penalty at the previous spot will be declined by Team A, and Team A will next snap the ball with a new scrimmage series at the A-45. Due to the completion of the penalty, the play clock is set to 25-seconds, and, both, the play clock and the game clock will start on the referee’s signal.
6. 2/33, A-33, 3:33 (3), running (33/40), A=10, B=7.
Without making any substitutions, Team A snaps the ball as quickly as it can be made ready for play by the game officials. A3 possesses the snap and quickly throws a pass from the A-33 to end A33, who catches the pass at the A-33 and is immediately tackled and brought to the ground at the A-33, at 3:29 (3).
RULING: A, 3/33, A-33, 3:29 (3), running (40). All action is legal, and Team A will next snap the ball for third down at the A-33.
7. 4/10, A-30, 12:50 (1), running (3/40), A=0, B=0.
A11 legally punts the ball. During the flight of the ball, all 11 Team B players make valid fair catch signals, and then stand in place while the Team A players run past them toward B99, who is in position to catch the ball at the B-40. All Team A players remain at least 1-yard in front of B99, or remain to either side of B99. B99 completes the catch at the B-40, just outside the right hash mark, at 12:42 (1).
RULING: B, 1/10, B-40, right hash mark, 12:42 (1), snap (25). All action is legal, and Team B is awarded a scrimmage series at the B-30.
(Note that, for 2026, in lieu of being awarded a scrimmage series, Team B may notify the game officials of their desire to attempt a Fair Catch Kick at the succeeding spot. In this case, Team B is not likely to have this desire, but they do have that option.)
*8. 1/10, A-30, 2:00 (1), running (12/40), A=0, B=7.
A12 possesses the snap and throws a legal forward pass to end A88 at the A-45. A88 catches the pass and advances out of bounds at the 50 at 1:42 (1). Before the pass was released, A66 moved to the A-34 looking for an opponent to block; unsuccessful, he then returned to the A-30 and blocked B99. B99 then threw himself on the back of A66’s legs at the A-30, just before A88 advanced out of bounds.
RULING: A, 1/10, A-30, 1:42 (1), ready (25). A66 committed an Ineligible Downfield foul, and B99 committed a Clipping foul, both live-ball fouls during the down. The penalties offset, and first down is repeated at the previous spot. Due to the penalty completion, the play clock is set to 25-seconds, and both clocks will start on the referee’s signal.
*Corrected 5/13, for locations of fouls. Morningrise answered the original question correctly, for how it was written. However, I incorrectly identified the yard lines of the fouls. My intent was NOT to have a foul for OPI.
9. Free Kick after a safety, A-20, 9:00 (3), free kick timing (25), A=3, B=12.
During the flight of the legal punt, A88 runs out bounds, un-contacted, at the A-35, then returns inbounds immediately at the A-38. The ball lands at the B-40, and bounces toward the 50. A88 bats the previously untouched ball at the 50, to prevent B99 from recovering it, causing the ball to travel to the A-47. A88 then blocks B99 from the front, above the waist, to further prevent B99’s recovery attempt. A88 then falls on the ball at the A-47, fully recovering it, at 8:50 (3).
RULING: A, free kick after a safety, A-25, 8:50 (3), free kick timing (25). A88 committed a foul for an Illegal Return during a free kick, after having been out of bounds voluntarily during the kick. His backward batting of the ball was legal, and, also, constituted legal touching of the ball, for which the covering officials correctly started the game clock. A88’s blocking of B99 was fully legal. A88’s recovery of the ball was fully legal. Officially, Team A was in legal possession of the ball at the end of the down; thus, the 5-yard penalty for A88’s Illegal Return can only be penalized at the Previous Spot, taking the ball to the A-15, with the down repeated (free kick after a safety).
10. 4/10, A-35, 6:00 (4), running (5/40), A=7, B=7.
A11 possesses the snapped ball at the A-28, and throws a pass which is caught by A88 at the A-31. After advancing to the A-33, A88 is contacted by B99, causing A88 to fumble the ball, which deflects off of player’s bodies and lands on the ground at the A-30, where A11 recovers the it “on the run,” and moves laterally. Unable to get away from opponents to advance the ball, A11 suddenly punts it at the A-31. The ball flies to the B-40, where it lands on the ground near the sideline and bounces out of bounds, at 5:48 (4). Immediately after he punted the ball, A11 was contacted by B99 on his kicking leg, causing A11 to fall to the ground.
RULING: B, 1/10, B-40, 5:48 (4), snap (25). All action was legal, and Team B will next put the ball in play at the B-40 for a scrimmage series. Until the ball and a Team A ball carrier are, or have been, completely beyond the neutral zone, the ball may be legally kicked or legally passed from in/behind the neutral zone. There is no foul for Running into (or Roughing) the Kicker, because it was not obvious that a scrimmage kick would be made.