1. 4/4 @ A-40. Team A is in scrimmage kick formation, and A90 is set to punt. A90’s punt is blocked, and the ball does not cross the neutral zone. A90 bats the ball at the A-35 and the ball goes directly out of bounds at the A-45.
RULING: B, 1/10, A-25, snap (25).
Illegal forward batting by A90. The 10-yard penalty is enforced per 3&1 at the Basic Spot, and the Basic spot is the previous spot. The spot of the foul is behind the Basic Spot, so the penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul (A-35), taking the ball to the A-25. The penalty also contains Loss of Down, thus, ending Team A’s series. Team B is awarded a series at the A-25.
2. 3/10 @ A-40. QB A12 drops back to the A-34 and throws a swing pass to A21 who is at the A-35. While the ball is in the air almost to A21, B54 pushes A21 in the back just below the waistline and then intercepts the pass at the A-35. B54 returns it to the A-20 where he goes out of bounds.
RULING: B, 1/10, A-20, snap (25).
B54 is eligible to touch a legal forward pass; thus, while attempting to get to the pass, he may block an opponent in the back at, or to, the buttocks. Legal action. B is awarded a series at the A-20.
3. 3/10 @ B-40. On the last play of the half, the home team throws a pass complete for a TD and the kick try is successful. The score is 56-0, and the home team is set to receive the 2nd half kickoff. During the halftime intermission the coaches and the referee agree that the third and fourth quarters should be shortened to 12 minutes each. The coaches also request that the second half be played with a “running clock,” i.e., that the game clock not be stopped.
RULING: The periods will be 12 minutes each; but the referee does not have the authority to alter any other game timing rule. The game shall be completed following all timing rules.
4. 1/10 @ B-25. The score is tied, and during the second possession series of the 1st overtime period, B25 intercepts a pass and carries the ball across Team A’s goal line. During the run, B79 blocks below the waist at midfield.
RULING: 1/10, 25-yard line of the selected end of the field.
Penalties for fouls by either team after a change of team possession in an extra period are declined by rule, and a score by the fouling team is canceled. Since the score remains tied, the game proceeds to a second extra period.
5. Free Kick @ A-35. While a free kick is in the air, B21 gives a waving signal that does not meet all the requirements of a valid fair catch signal. The ball is caught by B21 at the B-5.
RULING: B, 1/10, B-25, snap (40 and running).
By rule, following a catch of a legally free-kicked ball by a player that gives a valid or invalid fair catch signal, Team B will be awarded a series at the B-25 yard line.
6. Free Kick @ A-35. While a free kick is in the air, B21 gives a waving signal that does not meet all the requirements of a valid fair catch signal. The ball is caught by B44 at the B-5.
RULING: B, 1/10, B-5, snap (40 and running).
By rule, when a B player OTHER than a player that gives a signal catches a legally free-kicked ball, the ball is dead and belongs to B at the spot of the catch (B-5), where Team B is awarded a series.
7. 3/10 @ B-45. QB A12 throws a pass to A88 near the sideline at the B-25. A88 is airborne and secures firm control of A12’s forward pass. A88’s right foot lands inbounds, and he maintains firm control of the ball as he contacts the ground. B28, who is standing out of bounds, has his hand touching the ball while A88 was in control of the ball but still airborne.
RULING: Insufficient information for a complete ruling. However, the pass is complete to A88. By interpretation, B28’s touching of the ball while out of bounds and prior to A88’s return to the ground does NOT constitute the ball being out of bounds. The pass is completed when A88 first returns to the ground inbounds, with control of the ball. The question does not provide information that would allow us to determine when and where the ball became dead, and, thus, information for the next down.
8. Free Kick @ A-35. A90 kicks a low rolling kick that is untouched by Team B. The ball goes out of bounds at the B-33. Team A was offside on the play.
RULING: B, 1/10, B-38, snap (25), OR A, kickoff, A-30, free kick timing (25).
Team B has four options:
1) Decline all penalties (which they would not do)
2) Decline the offside penalty and accept the illegal kick out of bounds penalty (which they would not do)
3) Decline the illegal kick out of bounds penalty and accept the 5-yard offside penalty at the previous spot and repeat the kickoff (plausible, depending on time & score)
4) Decline the illegal kick out of bounds penalty and accept the 5-yard offside penalty at the spot where the dead-ball belongs to Team B (B-33), taking the ball to the B-38, where Team B is awarded a series (this is the most likely option)