2015 New AR's

[TXMike]

The document is attached but this is a good one:

Sideline Interference
9-2-5-I
On the opening kickoff, B22 catches the kick at his goal line and returns the ball down the sideline on Team B’s side of the field. As he moves down the sideline officiating the play, the side judge either runs into or must run around a Team B coach or squad member in the restricted area (“the white”). B22 is driven out of bounds at the A-20. RULING: Either situation is physical interference with an official during the play. No warning. Team B foul for unsportsmanlike conduct administered as a dead-ball foul. After the 15-yard penalty, Team B will have first and 10 at the A-35.


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[Legacy Zebra]

I'd like an explanation on this one:

Unsuccessful Field Goal Attempt
8-4-2-VII
Team A snaps the ball at the B-15 to attempt a field goal. The kick is blocked, crosses
the neutral zone and lands at the B-12. Before any player touches it beyond the neutral
zone, the ball rebounds behind the neutral zone and goes out of bounds at the (a) B-17;
(b) B-25. RULING: (a) Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the B-17; (b) Team B’s ball, first and
10 at the B-25.

If it was an unsuccessful field goal attempt that was untouched beyond the neutral zone, why would Team B lose 3 yards because the ball went out at the B-17? Why would it not still go back to the B-20? Is this AR trying to say that the expanded neutral zone for players trying to block a kick also applies to kicks that hit the ground within three yards of the NZ?

[Andrew McCarthy]

I'd like an explanation on this one:

Unsuccessful Field Goal Attempt
8-4-2-VII
Team A snaps the ball at the B-15 to attempt a field goal. The kick is blocked, crosses
the neutral zone and lands at the B-12. Before any player touches it beyond the neutral
zone, the ball rebounds behind the neutral zone and goes out of bounds at the (a) B-17;
(b) B-25. RULING: (a) Team B’s ball, first and 10 at the B-17; (b) Team B’s ball, first and
10 at the B-25.

If it was an unsuccessful field goal attempt that was untouched beyond the neutral zone, why would Team B lose 3 yards because the ball went out at the B-17? Why would it not still go back to the B-20? Is this AR trying to say that the expanded neutral zone for players trying to block a kick also applies to kicks that hit the ground within three yards of the NZ?

It's clarifying that 8-4-2-b-1 truly applies only "when the ball is declared dead beyond the neutral zone".

[Legacy Zebra]

Aah. Missed that part. Much appreciated.

[Andrew McCarthy]

We were discussing the illegal equipment rule prior to a recent scrimmage and I was scratching my head when we threw out a couple scenarios.  The rule as written doesn't say we are to give them time to fix the situation once we discover it. 

If an official discovers illegal equipment, the player must leave the game for at least one down and is not allowed to return until the equipment is made legal.

I'm not sure the ARs help us with these...

(1) A player enters the game from the sideline with his tailpad exposed.  I'm assuming if he doesn't cover it we make him leave the game for a down.  Do we even give him an opportunity to cover it?

(2) We discover an exposed pad which has become exposed through play.  So we know he's not required to leave the game but the pad must be covered by the jersey before the ball is next put into play.  Simple enough.  QUESTION: what if he doesn't cover the pad- do we shut things down and make him leave for a down?  If so, when do we shut it down- when the snap is imminent? 

(3) The QB comes to the line with only two of his 4-point chinstraps snapped.  Again, what is the procedure?  Shut it down and make him leave for a down?  Any opportunity to fix it?

And maybe I'm overthinking this one but it seems like a way for a team to get themselves a free timeout.  In the past we would charge a timeout (or enforce a DOG if they were out).

[Morningrise]

It's clarifying that 8-4-2-b-1 truly applies only "when the ball is declared dead beyond the neutral zone".

8-4-2-b-2 doesn't seem to apply either, because the kick did cross the neutral zone. But thanks to the AR, we see "all rules pertaining to scrimmage kicks" are applying nonetheless.

[dvasques]

I thought the change on 3-2-4 was to give the officials 5 more seconds to place the ball on the ground before reseting the play clock to 25.
But this confused me... Do we reset the clock with 15 seconds left on the play clock or with 25?

"RULING: If the play clock reads 25 or less before the correct ball is in from the sideline and ready for play, the Referee declares a timeout and signals to reset the play clock to 25 seconds. When the correct ball is ready for play he signals to start the play clock and the game clock."

[Andrew McCarthy]

I thought the change on 3-2-4 was to give the officials 5 more seconds to place the ball on the ground before reseting the play clock to 25.
But this confused me... Do we reset the clock with 15 seconds left on the play clock or with 25?

"RULING: If the play clock reads 25 or less before the correct ball is in from the sideline and ready for play, the Referee declares a timeout and signals to reset the play clock to 25 seconds. When the correct ball is ready for play he signals to start the play clock and the game clock."

25. It gives us less time before we'd have to reset.