Just throwing it out there Im an Umpire. I would have used the right hash mark because thats the side where the play ended since it was a live ball foul and the penalty was enforced at the spot of the foul. I make things easier on everyone by using the hash mark where the play ended call it OCD but it works for me lol
By rule, the penalty is enforced from the specified enforcement spot. That spot is not only the yard line, but also the lateral location between the sidelines. After the distance penalty, if the ball is in a side zone, then it is transferred to the nearest hash mark.
Example 1:
1/10, 50, ball in the center of the field. A11 takes the snap and runs out of bounds at the B-40, at the right sideline. A77 held at the A-48, at the numbers in the right side zone. By rule, the penalty is enforced from the Previous Spot. The Umpire takes a ball, goes to the Previous Spot (50, in the middle of the field) and moves to the A-40, in the middle of the field, for 1/20, A-40.
Example 2:
1/10, 50, ball in the center of the field. A11 takes the snap and runs off tackle to the left, and is tackled at the B-40, near the left hash mark. A77 held at the B-48, half-way between the middle of the field and the the left hash mark. By rule, the penalty is enforced from the Spot Of The Foul. The Umpire takes a ball, goes to the Spot Of The Foul (B-48, half-way between the middle of the field and the left hash mark) and moves to the A-40, half-way between the middle of the field and the left hash mark, for 1/18, A-42.
Example 3:
1/10, 50, ball in the center of the field. A11 takes the snap, runs wide to the right, then, at the B-45, cuts back across the field and runs out of bounds at the B-35, at the left sideline. A77 held at the B-45, at the numbers in the right side zone. By rule, the penalty is enforced from the Spot Of The Foul. The Umpire takes a ball and goes the Spot Of The Foul (B-45, at the numbers in the right side zone) and moves to the A-45, at the numbers in the right side zone. After enforcement of the penalty, the ball is in a side zone, so the Umpire transfers the ball to the nearest (right) hash mark, for A, 1/15, A-45.
Calm down. Calm down. I'm telling you the technical procedure. As long as you end up in the correct spot, it doesn't really matter where the enforcement begins. If the enforcement spot is in a side zone, it is perfectly acceptable for the U to start at the nearest hash mark. Just end up at the correct spot. If you understand the proper technical procedure, and at least follow that procedure in your mind, then you'll be able to end up in the right spot. Personally, I'd just as soon have the U do the math from wherever he is standing, and just move straight to the spot where the penalty will leave the ball. But, most Us, quite rightly, prefer to go to the enforcement spot (or the proper hash mark), verify the distance with the H with 1, 2, or 3 fingers (each finger represents 5 yards), then move the proper distance.
But, it definitely ain't just always the hash mark to the side where the play ended.
