A1/10@A-20. Immediately at the snap, B88 holds an offensive receiver. The QB steps into the pocket, and then is flushed out to his right. As he approaches the sideline, he is hit and fumbles at the A-18. A65 recovers the loose ball and runs to the A-32 where he runs OB.
Forgive me if I am patronizing, but let's remind ourselves of Basic Spots. For any and all runs that end behind the NZ, the Basic Spot is the previous spot. The snap is the first running play on any scrimmage down (even if hand-to-hand). Where the ball gets loose is the end of a run. If the ball gets handed, passed, or fumbled behind the NZ, every one of those is, technically, the end of a run. But, since the the Basic Spot for any/all of them is the Previous Spot, then, effectively, until the ball is across the NZ in possession, the Basic Spot is the Previous spot (no matter how many runs there may be until that time).
So, when the QB fumbles, the end of his run is the A-18 (behind the NZ). The Basic Spot for fouls that occur during his run is the Previous Spot. When A65 recovers the ball, his run begins. His run ends when he runs OB at the A-32.
The Holding foul occurred during the QB's run, thus, the penalty would be enforced at the Basic Spot for that run, i.e., the Previous Spot. The 10-yard penalty would place the ball at the A-30, and the yardage would yield a first down.
However, the result of the down is A's ball at the A-32, which is beyond the LTG, and two yards beyond the spot where the penalty would leave the ball.
Team A would obviously decline the penalty. A, 1/10, A-32. Play clock = 25, Game Clock starts on the RFP (assuming this is not within the last two minutes of the 2nd or 4th periods).
A wrinkle:
A, 3/10, B-30, left hash mark, 0:15 (4), Team A = 17, Team B = 20. (Team A's place kicker is right footed.) A11 fumbles at the B-33. A49 recovers the ball on his feet and advances to the B-18, where he runs OB at the right sideline, with 0:04 on the game clock.
If you were Team A's coach, would you accept or decline the penalty? Why?
Edit
OOOOOOOPS. Forgot to include a holding foul by B during A11’s run. That’s the penalty to be accepted or declined. Sorry.