Some oldies, but goodies, in this one.
1. 2/10 @ A-35. Back A41 is stationary at the snap directly behind the right tackle in a balanced line formation. His left shoulder is inside the tackle box. The quarterback hands the ball to back A22 who runs straight ahead and gains 10 yards. A41 blocks B52 who moves 1 yard into the offensive backfield to make a play on the ball carrier before A22 reaches the line of scrimmage. The block is below the waist, in the tackle box and from the side.
RULING:
A, 2/25, A-20, ready (25).
Illegal block below the waist. As a back with in the TB at the snap, A41 may only block opponents below the waist from the front.
2. 4/10 @ A-25. Team A is in scrimmage kick formation at the snap and A90 is lined up directly behind snapper A55. The snap sails directly over A90’s head and stays within the tackle box. A90 retreats to get to the ball, and while the ball is rolling along the ground 2 yards deep in in the end zone, A90 kicks the loose ball through the back of the end zone.
RULING:
A, free kick, A-20, free kick timing (25).
The natural result of the down is a safety, and the result of the penalty for illegally kicking the ball by A90 is also a safety. (2 points for Team B in either case.)
3. 4/10 @ A-25. Team A is in scrimmage kick formation at the snap and A90 is lined up directly behind snapper A55. The snap sails directly over A90’s head and stays within the tackle box. A90 retreats to get to the ball, and while the ball is rolling along the ground at the A-2, A90 kicks the loose ball through the back of the end zone.
RULING:
A, free kick, A-20, free kick timing (25), OR , B, 1/G, A-1, snap (25).
The natural result of the down is a safety. The penalty for illegally kicking the ball by A90 can be enforced ˝ the distance from the spot of the foul (A-2) taking the ball to the B-1, and the penalty includes LOD, thus, Team B is awarded a series at the A-1. (Most likely.)
4. 4/5 @ B-40. With the clock running, Team A is in scrimmage kick formation and snapper A55 moves the ball forward before moving it backward to start the snap. B50 bats the ball, causing it to roll loose with B70 recovering at the B-42.
RULING:
A, 4/10, B-45, ready (25).
Dead-ball foul by A55 foul for an illegal snap for moving the ball forward. The 5-yard penalty takes the ball to the B-45, and the down continues.
5. Free Kick @ A-35. Receiver B21 during the kick gives a waiving – get away motion, with the arms staying below his shoulders. B21 lets the ball go, but it bounces at the B-5, and stays in the field of play. B21 retreats and recovers the ball at the B-1 and advances back upfield to the B-10.
RULING:
B, 1/10, B-1/2 yard line, snap (25).
The waving signal, even though below the shoulders, is an invalid fair catch signal, and causes the ball to become dead when recovered by B21. B21’s advance after the catch is a delay of game foul (exceeding all ‘tolerance’ of forgiveness for such an advance).
6. Free Kick @ A-35. Receiver B21 during the kick gives the T signal with no waving motion and the arms do not get above B21’s shoulders. B21 catches the kick at the B-1 and returns the kick to the B-27 where he is downed.
RULING:
B, 1/10, B-27, snap (25).
The “T” signal (whatever that is), without any waving motion and below the shoulders, is not illegal, and affects nothing. The return by B21 is legal, and results in Team B being awarded a series at the B-27.
7. 4/5 @ B-35. A12’s legal forward pass is released when A55 is at the B-30. The pass touches A55 at the B-30 and falls to the ground at the B-28. A55 did not intentionally touch the pass.
RULING:
B, 1/10, B-35, snap (25).
Since the legally forward passed ball was not intentionally touched by anybody, there is no foul during this down. Since Team A failed to advance to/across their line to gain, Team B is awarded a series at the B-35. (Note that the ball is placed in the exact spot, and in the same orientation, as it was when it was snapped for the previous down; the down box is moved from the Team B end of the ball to the Team A end of the ball, and the chains are reset accordingly.)
Well, crap. I (unintentionally) ignored the IDP, but Team B would decline that anyway. But, gotta get those flags down, in case they offset something else.
8. 3/4 @ 50. With the clock running, after the ball is made ready for play and before the snap, B60 charges across the neutral zone and contacts snapper A50. A77 in retaliation for the contact fires out and contacts B60 and drives him into the ground.
RULING:
A, 1/10, A-40, ready (25).
DOF with contact by B60, and UNR by A77 for his contact on B60. Both penalties are enforced in the order of occurrence. B60’s 5-yard DOF penalty takes the ball to the B-45, and means that Team A is awarded a new series. Then A77’s 15 yard UNR penalty takes the ball to the A-40. Since both fouls occurred before the penalty for either one had been ‘completed,’ the line-to-gain is established after both penalties have been enforced, and the ball is declared ready for play.
