RULE 10 Penalty Enforcement

SECTION 1. Penalties Completed

How and When Completed

ARTICLE 1. a. A penalty is completed when it is accepted, declined or cancelled according to rule, or when the choice is obvious to the referee.

b. Any penalty may be declined, but a disqualified player must leave the game whether the penalty is accepted or declined.

c. When a foul is committed, the penalty shall be completed before the ball is declared ready for play for any ensuing down.

d. Penalties as stated are not enforced if in conflict with other rules (A.R. 9-4-1:XI)

Simultaneous with Snap

ARTICLE 2. A foul that occurs simultaneously with a snap or free kick is considered as occurring during that down (Exception: Rule 3-5-2-e).

Live-Ball Fouls by the Same Team

ARTICLE 3. When two or more live-ball fouls by the same team are reported to the referee, the referee shall explain the alternative penalties to the field captain of the offended team, who may then elect only one of these penalties [Exception: When a foul(s) occurs for unsportsmanlike conduct (Rule 9-2), the penalty(ies) is administered from the succeeding spot as established by the acceptance or declination of the penalty for any other foul] (A.R. 10-1-3:I)

Approved Ruling 10-1-3

Team A commits two or more live-ball fouls during a down. RULING: Team B may choose one of the penalties or decline all of them (Exception: Penalties for live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball fouls are enforced separately). [Cited by 10-1-3]

Offsetting Fouls

ARTICLE 4. If live-ball fouls by both teams are reported to the referee, the fouls offset and the down is replayed (A.R. 10-1-4:II, IX and X)

Exceptions:

1. When there is a change of team possession during a down, and the team last gaining possession had not fouled before last gaining possession, it may decline offsetting fouls and thereby retain possession after completion of the penalty for its foul (A.R. 10-1-4:I-VIII)

2. When Team B's foul is governed by postscrimmage kick rules, Team B may decline offsetting fouls and accept postscrimmage kick enforcement.

3. When a live-ball foul is administered as a dead-ball foul, it does not offset any other foul, and any penalties are enforced in order of occurrence.

4. Rules 8-3-4-c and 3-1-3-g-3 (during a try or extra period after Team B possession).

Approved Ruling 10-1-4

Team A punts and is illegally in motion at the snap. The untouched ball goes out of bounds between the goal lines, after which Team B commits a personal foul. RULING: Possible options: (1) If Team B elects to replay the down, Team A will be penalized five yards at the previous spot followed by a 15-yard penalty against Team B, which includes an automatic first down. (2) Team B could decline the illegal-motion penalty and have the ball first and 10 after a 15-yard penalty from the out-of-bounds spot. (3) Team B could accept the five-yard penalty enforced at the out of bounds spot (Rule 6-3-13) followed by the 15-yard penalty against Team B (Rule 7-1-3-b). In all options, the clock starts on the snap (Rule 3-3-2-d-8). [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1]
On a Team A kickoff, Team B fouls before the untouched ball goes out of bounds between the goal lines. RULING: Offsetting fouls. Team A re-kicks at the previous spot. [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1, 10-1-4, 5-2-8]
On a Team A kickoff from its 30-yard line, Team B fouls after the untouched ball goes out of bounds between the goal lines. RULING: Team B may elect a replay with Team A free-kicking at its 40-yard line. If Team B retains the ball, it will be at its 25-yard line, after the 15-yard penalty from its 40-yard line, or 15 yards behind the spot where the five-yard penalty against Team A left the ball (Rules 6-1-8 and 10-1-6). [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1, 5-2-8]
Team A commits an illegal shift just before the snap. A1's forward pass is intercepted by B1, who advances five yards and is tackled. Team B clips during B1's run. RULING: Team B has the option to accept offsetting fouls and replay the down or to decline offsetting fouls and retain the ball after its penalty is completed. In the latter case Team A may accept the penalty for Team B's clipping foul. [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1, 5-2-8]
A1 throws an illegal forward pass and Team B is in the neutral zone at the snap. B23 intercepts the pass and B10 clips on the return. B23 is tackled in the field of play. RULING: No option. The fouls offset and the down is replayed. Team B may not decline offsetting fouls because it had fouled before getting possession of the ball. [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1, 5-2-8]
A1's forward pass is intercepted by B1, who advances and fumbles. B2 recovers and returns the ball five more yards. Team A fouls during or after the down, and Team B fouls during the return by B2 or during the fumble. RULING: If Team A's foul was a live-ball foul, Team B may select offsetting fouls and replay the down or select an option to retain the ball following the completion of its penalty. If Team A's foul was a dead-ball foul, Team B retains the ball after enforcement of both penalties. [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1, 5-2-8]
Team A's legal forward pass is intercepted by B45, who advances several yards. On the return, B23 clips and A78 tackles B45 by pulling and twisting his face mask. RULING: Since Team B had not fouled before the change of possession, it may decline offsetting fouls and retain possession after completion of the clipping penalty. [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1, 5-2-8]
Team A punts and commits a touching violation. B1 clips during the runback of the punt, which is fumbled by B2. A1 recovers the fumble and A2 fouls after the ball is dead. RULING: Team A has the option since it was the team last in possession and had not fouled before the change of possession. If Team A declines the penalty for Team B's foul, Team B will have the ball at the point of the violation, along with the option of accepting enforcement of the penalty for Team A's dead-ball foul. If Team A accepts the penalty for Team B's foul, the ball will belong to Team B after enforcement of the penalty for the live-ball foul followed by the penalty for the dead-ball foul. [Cited by 10-1-4-Exception-1, 5-2-8, 6-3-2-b]
B1 holds eligible A1 beyond the neutral zone before or during the flight of Team A's legal forward pass. During the down, eligible A2 voluntarily goes out of bounds but returns and is the first inbounds player to touch the pass. RULING: Offsetting fouls - no option. [Cited by 10-1-4, 5-2-8]
A1 receives the snap in his end zone. Team B was offside, and A1 stepped on the end line before the snap and received the ball when out of bounds. RULING: Team A's foul, out of bounds at the snap, offsets Team B's offside, and the down is repeated. [Note: If Team B had not been offside, Team B could accept the penalty for Team A's foul or a safety (Rule 8-5-1-a)]. [Cited by 10-1-4, 5-2-8]

Dead-Ball Fouls

ARTICLE 5. Penalties for dead-ball fouls are administered separately and in order of occurrence (A.R. 10-1-5:I-VI) [Exception: When unsportsmanlike or dead-ball personal fouls by both teams are reported to the referee and before any of the penalties have been completed, the fouls offset, the number or type of down established before the fouls occurred is unaffected, and the penalties are cancelled, except that any disqualified player must leave the game (Rules 5-2-6 and 10-2-2-a)].

Approved Ruling 10-1-5

A1 is downed beyond the line to gain. B1 piles on. The referee checks for other fouls, and when he has completed the penalty, A2 slugs B2. RULING: Disqualify A2 for fighting. A2's foul does not offset B1's foul. Unless one enforcement is within 30 yards of a goal line and toward that goal, the ball will be at the same point it would have been had the fouls cancelled. First and 10 for Team A (Rule 9-1-2-g). [Cited by 10-1-5, 5-2-6]
With fourth and eight, Team A gains four yards and the ball is declared dead, after which B1 is called for piling on. RULING: Team B personal foul. Penalty - 15 yards from the succeeding spot. First and 10 for Team B (Rule 5-1-1-c). The clock starts on the snap. [Cited by 10-1-5, 5-1-1-c, 5-2-6]
A1 is tackled on third down behind the neutral zone by B1. After the ball is dead, B2 piles on A1. RULING: Team B personal foul. Penalty - 15 yards from the succeeding spot. First and 10 for Team A (Rule 9-1-2-g). [Cited by 10-1-5, 5-2-6]
A personal or disqualifying personal foul occurs during action after a snap that was made before the ball was ready for play. RULING: Every effort should be made to prevent any such premature snap and resulting action, but if such a foul does occur, it is between downs. If both fouls are by Team A, both penalties are enforced. If the second foul was by Team B, both penalties are enforced with a probable net of 10 yards for Team A. The penalty for Team B's foul carries an automatic first down. [Cited by 10-1-5, 5-2-6]
Second and goal at the three-yard line. Ball carrier A14 is downed at the one-yard line and then B67 piles on. A14 retaliates by slugging B67. RULING: The penalties cancel since neither has been completed. A14 is disqualified for fighting. Third and goal (Rule 10-1-1). [Cited by 10-1-5]
Ball carrier B17 taunts pursuing A55 before scoring a touchdown on an intercepted pass. After B17 crosses the goal line, he is tackled by A55 five yards into the end zone. RULING: The penalties cancel since neither has been completed. The try will be at the three-yard line (Rule 10-1-1). B17's foul is for unsportsmanlike conduct and counts as one of two maximum such fouls by him. [Cited by 10-1-5]

Live-Ball - Dead-Ball Fouls

ARTICLE 6. When a live-ball foul by one team is followed by one or more dead-ball fouls (including live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball fouls) by an opponent or by the same team, the penalties are administered separately and in the order of occurrence (A.R. 10-1-6:I-V)

Approved Ruling 10-1-6

Team A fouls during a down and after the down ends. RULING: Team B may accept either or both penalties, or decline both. [Cited by 10-1-6]
With second and five, Team A is illegally in motion at the snap. After the ball becomes dead, a Team B player is disqualified for fighting after striking an opponent. RULING: It is Team A's ball after a five yard penalty against Team A from the previous spot and a 15-yard penalty against Team B from the succeeding spot. Team A will have a first down because of the disqualifying personal foul for fighting. [Cited by 10-1-6]
B1 fouls during a down before B2 intercepts a legal forward pass. After the ball is declared dead, A1 piles on. RULING: Team A retains the ball after the penalty against Team B is enforced. Team A then will be penalized for the dead-ball foul (Rule 5-2-3). [Cited by 10-1-6, 5-2-3-b]
Team B is offside on the snap at its three-yard line (not a try) and Team A throws a legal forward pass into Team B's end zone. Team B intercepts and runs 101 yards to Team A's end zone, after which Team A clips. RULING: Repeat the down with Team A putting the ball in play at the Team B 16½-yard line. [Cited by 10-1-6]
No fouls have occurred when Team B intercepts Team A's legal forward pass. On the runback, a Team B player clips. When the ball becomes dead, a Team A player piles on. RULING: Team B retains possession. Penalize Team B for its clipping foul, followed by a penalty for Team A's dead-ball foul. The yardages will cancel unless one enforcement spot was inside the 30-yard line and enforcement was toward that goal. [Cited by 10-1-6]

Interval Fouls

ARTICLE 7. Penalties for fouls that occur between the end of the fourth period and the start of the extra period for overtime are enforced from the 25-yard line, the spot of the first possession series (Exception: Rule 10-2-5) (A.R. 10-2-5:I-XV)

SECTION 2. Enforcement Procedures

Enforcement Spots

ARTICLE 1. a. For many fouls, the enforcement spot is specified in the statement of the penalty. When the enforcement spot is not specified in the statement of the penalty, the enforcement spot is determined by the Three-and-One Principle (Rules 2-33 and 10-2-2-c).

b. Possible enforcement spots are: the previous spot, the spot of the foul, the succeeding spot, the spot where the run ends, and -- for scrimmage kicks only -- the postscrimmage kick spot.

Approved Ruling 10-2-1

A legal forward pass is completed behind the neutral zone, and the receiver avoids tacklers for a considerable time but finally is downed beyond the neutral zone. The player who passed the ball is roughed behind the neutral zone while the pass is in flight. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the end of the run and a first down (Rules 2-27-5 and 9-1-2-l). [Cited by 2-27-5, 9-1-2-l]
Team B intercepts a legal forward pass, and the player who threw the pass is fouled before the interception. RULING: Team A's ball, first down after the penalty from the previous spot (Rules 2-27-5 and 9-1-2-l). [Cited by 9-1-2-l]

Determining the Enforcement Spot

ARTICLE 2. a. Dead-ball fouls. The enforcement spot for a foul committed when the ball is dead is the succeeding spot (A.R. 10-2-2:VI, X, XII and XVI)

b. Fouls by Team A behind the neutral zone. For the following fouls committed by Team A behind the neutral zone, the penalty is enforced at the previous spot: illegal use of hands, holding, illegal block and personal fouls (Exception: If the foul occurs in Team A's end zone the penalty is a safety).

c. The Three-and-One Principle (Rule 2-33) is as follows:

1. When the team in possession commits a foul behind the basic spot, the penalty is enforced at the spot of the foul.

2. When the team in possession commits a foul beyond the basic spot, the penalty is enforced at the basic spot.

3. When the team not in possession commits a foul either behind or beyond the basic spot, the penalty is enforced at the basic spot.

d. The following are basic spots for the various categories of plays:

1. Running plays.

(a) Previous spot, when the related run ends behind the neutral zone.

(b) End of the related run, when the related run ends beyond the neutral zone.

2. Running plays when the run ends in the end zone after change of team possession (not on a try).

(a) 20-yard line, when a foul occurs after a change of team possession in the end zone and the result of the play is a touchback.

(b) Goal line, when a foul occurs after a change of team possession in the field of play and the related run ends in the end zone (Exception: Rule 8-5-1-Exceptions).

(c) Goal line, when a foul occurs after a change of team possession in the end zone, the related run ends in the end zone, and the result of the play is not a touchback.

3. Pass plays.

: Previous spot, on legal forward pass plays.

4. Kick plays.

(a) Previous spot, on legal kick plays unless the foul is governed by postscrimmage kick rules.

(b) Postscrimmage kick spot, if the foul is governed by postscrimmage kick rules.

Approved Ruling 10-2-2

A kickoff untouched by Team B goes out of bounds after illegal touching by Team A. Team A commits a personal or holding foul during the kick. RULING: Team B has these options: It may snap the ball at the spot of the illegal touching; accept a five-, 10- or 15-yard penalty from the previous spot with Team A re-kicking; snap the ball five, 10 or 15 yards beyond the spot where the ball went out of bounds; or snap the ball 30 yards beyond Team A's restraining line.
A Team A fumble or backward pass is loose in Team A's end zone, where the ball is kicked or batted illegally by Team A. RULING: Penalty - Safety (Rule 8-5-1-b). [Cited by 9-4-1-c]
A Team A player clips in Team B's end zone before a fumbled ball in the field of play goes out of bounds between the goal lines. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards.
A Team A player clips in Team B's end zone when a scrimmage kick has touched a Team B player in the field of play and the loose ball is still a kick. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards. Enforcement is either at the previous spot (Team A retaining possession) or at the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B.
Team A punts from its end zone and the ball is returned to the A-30. A23 clips B35 in Team A's end zone during the return. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the basic spot, which is the end of the run (Team A's 30-yard line). Team B's ball, first and 10.
Team A punts from its end zone and the ball is returned to the A-30. A23 clips B35 in Team A's end zone after the ball has become dead in Team B's possession. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Team B's ball, first and 10. [Cited by 10-2-2-a]
Team A punts from its end zone and the ball is returned to the A-30. A23 clips B35 in Team A's end zone during the loose ball after Team B has fumbled. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the basic spot, which is the spot of the fumble. Team B's ball, first and 10.
Team A's untouched punt from its end zone goes out of bounds at Team A's 40-yard line. A2, in his end zone, clips Team B before the ball is kicked. RULING: Penalty - Safety (Rule 9-1-2 penalty) or Team B may snap the ball at the Team A 25-yard line after enforcement of the penalty from where the ball went out of bounds. [Cited by 8-5-1-b]
Team A's untouched punt from its end zone goes out of bounds at Team A's 40-yard line. A2, in his end zone, clips Team B during the kick. RULING: Penalty - Safety (Rule 9-1-2 penalty) or Team B may snap the ball at the Team A 25-yard line after enforcement of the penalty from where the ball went out of bounds. [Cited by 8-5-1-b]
Team A's untouched punt from its end zone goes out of bounds at Team A's 40-yard line. A2, in his end zone, clips Team B after the ball is out of bounds. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the succeeding spot. First and 10 for Team B on Team A's 25-yard line. [Cited by 10-2-2-a]
Team A snaps at its one-yard line, and ball carrier A1 is downed on his five-yard line. Team B commits a personal foul in the end zone while the ball is in play. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the basic spot (five-yard line).
Team A snaps at its one-yard line, and ball carrier A1 is downed on his five-yard line. Team B fouls in the end zone after the ball is dead. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the succeeding spot. [Cited by 10-2-2-a]
A1, on his 40-yard line, punts from behind his neutral zone. B1 holds A2 behind or within three yards beyond the neutral zone after the kick crosses the neutral zone and before it has touched Team B. RULING: Penalty - 10 yards from the previous spot. Team A retains possession.
A1, on his 40-yard line, punts from behind his neutral zone. B1 holds A2 behind or within three yards beyond the neutral zone after the kick has been touched by Team B beyond the neutral zone and is still loose. RULING: Penalty - 10 yards from the previous spot. Team A retains possession.
During Team A's free kick, the ball remains inbounds and Team B holds. RULING: Penalty - 10 yards from the previous spot, and Team A repeats the free kick.
Second and goal. After A1 is downed on the three-yard line, B79 slugs A22 behind Team B's goal line. RULING: First down for Team A on Team B's 1½-yard line. B79 is disqualified for fighting. [Cited by 10-2-2-a]
Fourth and goal. B1 fouls eligible A3 in Team B's end zone while A1 attempts to locate a receiver, and A1 is then downed behind his line. RULING: Not pass interference since the ball was not thrown. Enforce the penalty for B1's foul from the previous spot which is the basic spot.
During A1's run, B25 fouls 10 yards beyond the neutral zone. After advancing 30 yards, A1 fumbles and the ball is recovered by B48, who carries the ball across Team A's goal line. RULING: Penalize Team B from the basic spot, which is the spot of the fumble. Team A retains possession of the ball (Rule 5-2-3).
First and 10 at the A-30. A1 advances the ball to the B-40, where he is downed. During the run, B1 clips on Team A's 45-yard line. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards. First and 10 at the B-25.
First and 10 at the A-40. A1 advances to the B-40, where he fumbles. B1 recovers and returns the ball across Team A's goal line. During A1's run, B2 commits a personal foul at the 50-yard line. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the basic spot, which is the end of the related run (Team B's 40-yard line) and first down for Team A.
First and 10 at the A-40. A1 advances the ball the B-40, where he is downed. During the run, B1 clips at the A-30. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards. Team A's ball, first and 10, at the B-25.
During the return of a scrimmage kick, B40 blocks A80 in the back above the waist at the B-25. Team B's ball carrier is downed with the ball in his possession at Team B's 40-yard line. RULING: Team B foul, illegal block in the back. Penalty - 10 yards from the spot of the foul. Team B's ball, first and 10, from its 15-yard line. [Cited by 2-3-4-a, 9-3-3-c]
Team B intercepts a legal forward pass, and the player who threw the pass is fouled during the return. RULING: Team B's ball, first down and 10, after enforcement of the penalty (Rules 2-27-5, 5-2-4 and 9-1-2). [Cited by 9-1-2-l]
B1 intercepts a legal forward pass (not a try) deep in his end zone and is unable to get out of the end zone, where he is downed. During the run, B2 clips A1 on the A-14. RULING: Team B's 20-yard line is the basic spot. Penalize Team B from the 14-yard line to the seven-yard line. First and 10 (Rules 8-6-1-a and 10-2-2-d-2-a). [Cited by 7-3-9-d]
B1 intercepts a legal forward pass (not a try) deep in his end zone and is unable to get out of the end zone, where he is downed. During the run, B2 clips A1 on the A-25. RULING: Penalise Team B from the 20-yard line (the basic spot) to the 10-yard line. First and 10 (Rules 8-6-1-a and 10-2-2-d-2-a). [Cited by 8-6-1-a]
B1 intercepts a legal forward pass (not a try) deep in his end zone and is unable to get out of the end zone, where he is downed. During the run, B2 clips A1 in the end zone. RULING: Penalty - Safety. The 20-yard line is the basic spot (Rules 8-5-1-b and 10-2-2-d-2-a).
B17 intercepts a legal forward pass (not a try) deep in the end zone and, as he attempts to run the ball out, A19 clips in the end zone. After the foul and before B17 leaves the end zone, B17 fumbles with A26 recovering on the two-yard line. RULING: Penalty - 15 yards from the goal line. Team B's ball, first and 10 at its 15-yard line (Rule 10-2-2-d-2-c).
After a safety, Team A punts the ball at Team A's 20-yard line. The ball goes out of bounds untouched by Team B. RULING: Team B captain has the choice of Team A kicking again from the A-15, or of putting the ball in play at the 50-yard line, or five yards beyond the inbounds spot.
Team A punts the ball and commits a touching violation as A2 recovers the ball. While the kick is in the air, B1 clips more than 3 yards beyond the neutral zone. RULING: Team A's possession at the end of the down is not legal. If Team A accepts the penalty it will be B's ball 15 yards from the post-scrimmage kick enforcement spot (where A2 recovers the ball). If Team A does not accept the penalty, B can take the ball at the spot of illegal touching.

Postscrimmage Kick Enforcement

ARTICLE 3. During a scrimmage kick play, postscrimmage kick enforcement applies only to fouls by Team B and only under the following conditions:

a. The kick is not during a try, a successful field goal, or in an extra period.

b. The ball crosses the neutral zone.

c. The foul occurs three or more yards beyond the neutral zone.

d. The foul occurs before the end of the kick (A.R. 10-2-3:I, II and V)

e. Team A is not in legal possession of the ball when it is declared dead.

If these conditions are all met, the penalty is enforced according to the Three-and-One Principle with the postscrimmage kick spot as the basic spot.

Approved Ruling 10-2-3

Either team fouls during a scrimmage kick after the ball has been touched beyond the neutral zone. The foul is more than three yards beyond the neutral zone, and Team A is not in legal possession when the ball is declared dead. RULING: For fouls by Team B, penalty enforcement will be by the Three-and-One Principle with the postscrimmage kick spot as the basic spot (Rule 2-25-11). Team B's ball first and 10. For fouls by Team A, penalty enforcement is either from the previous spot or from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B (Rule 6-3-13). [Cited by 10-2-3-d, 5-2-3-b]
Team A's punt is blocked, crosses the neutral zone and is untouched by Team B beyond the neutral zone. It rebounds behind the neutral zone before clipping or holding by Team B occurs. The ball is loose at the time of the foul. RULING: If the holding or clipping occurs more than three yards beyond the neutral zone and Team B has possession when the down ends, enforcement is according to postscrimmage kick rules. Team B will have the ball, first down and 10. If the foul occurs behind or fewer than three yards beyond the neutral zone, Team A retains the ball after the penalty is enforced from the previous spot. [Cited by 10-2-3-d]
Team A's kick from behind its line is blocked behind the neutral zone before clipping or holding by Team B occurs more than three yards beyond the neutral zone. The ball never crosses the neutral zone during the play. RULING: Rule 10-2-3 applies only when a scrimmage kick crosses the neutral zone. Team A retains possession after the penalty is enforced at the previous spot.
Team A's successful field goal attempt is snapped from Team B's 30-yard line, and a Team B player fouls at the 20-yard line during the kick. RULING: Team A may decline the penalty and accept the score or void the score and have Team B penalised at the previous spot (Rule 10-2-3-a). [Cited by 10-2-5-d]
Team A's untouched, unsuccessful field goal attempt is snapped from Team B's 30-yard line. Team B fouls at the 15-yard line during the kick. RULING: Team B's ball. The postscrimmage kick spot is at the 30-yard line and the enforcement is from the 15-yard line, the spot of the foul, with no possible replay (Rules 2-25-11 and 8-4-2-b). [Cited by 10-2-3-d, 2-25-11-b-1-b, 8-4-2-b]

Fouls by Team A During Kicks

ARTICLE 4. Penalties for all fouls by the kicking team other than kick-catch interference (Rule 6-4) during a free kick play or a scrimmage kick play (except field goal attempts) are enforced either at the previous spot or at the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B, at the option of Team B. (Rules 6-1-8 and 6-3-13)

Fouls During or After a Touchdown, Field Goal or Try

ARTICLE 5. a. Fouls by the nonscoring team during a down that ends in a touchdown.

1. Penalties for personal fouls are enforced on the try or the succeeding kickoff, at the option of the scoring team. If there is no kickoff, the accepted penalty is enforced on the try.

2. Penalties for all other fouls are not enforced on the try or the succeeding kickoff. Such penalties are declined by rule unless enforcement is made possible by illegal touching of a kick during the down (A.R. 6-3-2:V and VII)

b. Penalties for defensive pass interference fouls on a try from the three-yard line are enforced one-half the distance to the goal line. If the try is successful, the penalty is declined by rule.

c. When a foul(s) occurs after a touchdown and before the ball is ready for play on the try or there was a live-ball foul treated as a dead-ball foul on the touchdown play, enforcement is on the try or the succeeding kickoff, at the option of the offended team (A.R. 3-2-3:VI)

d. Penalties for live-ball fouls during field goal plays are administered by rule. To accept points on a successful field goal, Team A must decline penalties for Team B live-ball fouls. By accepting the penalty for a Team B live-ball foul, Team A elects to cancel the score and have the penalty enforced at the previous spot. Penalties for live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball fouls and those for dead-ball fouls after a field goal down are enforced at the succeeding spot. (A.R. 10-2-3:IV)

e. Penalties for fouls during and after a try down are administered under Rules 8-3-3, 8-3-4, 8-3-5 and 10-2-5-b (A.R. 3-2-3:VII-VIII)

f. Distance penalties for fouls by either team may not extend a team's free kick restraining line behind its 5-yard line. Penalties that would otherwise place the free kick restraining line behind a team's 5-yard line are enforced from the next succeeding spot.

Approved Ruling 10-2-5

Fouls during a touchdown or field goal by Team A:

During a touchdown run Team B clips in the field of play or the end zone. RULING: Team A has the option of the penalty being enforced on the try or the succeeding kickoff (Rule 10-2-5-a-1). [Cited by 10-1-7]
Team B commits a personal foul during a down when Team A scores a touchdown, and then Team A fouls after the score and before the ready-for-play signal on the try. RULING: Allow the score. Team A has the option of enforcement on the try or the succeeding kickoff. Team B then also has the option of Team A being penalised on the try or the succeeding kickoff. The yardage assessed on the live-ball/dead-ball penalties may cancel (Rule 10-2-5). [Cited by 10-1-7]
Team B holds during Team A's touchdown run. Team A fouls after the score. RULING: Allow the score. The penalty for Team B's holding foul is declined by rule. Team B has the option of Team A being penalised on the try or the succeeding kickoff (Rule 10-2-5-a-2 and 10-2-5-c). [Cited by 10-1-7]
A Team B player slugs an opponent during or after Team A's touchdown run. Team B is offside on the successful try. RULING: Allow the touchdown. Disqualify the Team B player for fighting. Team A has the option of a penalty against Team B on the try or the succeeding kickoff. After the successful try, Team A has the option of repeating the try with the offside penalty enforced on the try (Rules 10-2-5 and 8-3-5). [Cited by 10-1-7]
Team B roughs the passer during a touchdown pass play. RULING: Allow the touchdown. Team A has the option of enforcement on the try or on the succeeding kickoff. [Cited by 10-1-7]
Team B is offside during a successful field goal down. RULING: Team A has the option of accepting the penalty at the previous spot and replaying the down or keeping the points by declining the penalty. [Cited by 10-1-7]
First and 10 at the A-40. A1 carries the ball across Team B's goal line. During the run, B1 clips at the B-30. RULING: Touchdown counts. Penalty enforced on the try or the succeeding kickoff. [Cited by 10-1-7]

Fouls after a touchdown by Team A:
Team A fouls after it scores a touchdown, and Team B fouls on the successful try. RULING: Allow the touchdown. Team B has the option of Team A being penalised on the try or the succeeding kickoff. Team A then has the option of Team B being penalised on a replay of the try. Team B personal-foul penalties may be enforced on the subsequent kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods. Yardages assessed on the succeeding kickoff may cancel. [Cited by 10-1-7]
Team A fouls after it scores a touchdown, and Team B fouls after a successful try. RULING: Allow the score. Team B has the option of Team A being penalised on the try or the succeeding kickoff. For the foul after the try, Team B is penalized on the kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods. [Cited by 10-1-7]

Fouls during a try with no change of team possession (this does not include live-ball fouls treated as dead-ball fouls or loss-of-down fouls):
Team A fouls during a successful try. RULING: The penalty is enforced, and the try is repeated (Rule 8-3-3). [Cited by 10-1-7, 8-3-1]
Team A fouls during an unsuccessful try. RULING: The penalty is obviously declined (Rule 8-3-3). [Cited by 10-1-7, 8-3-1]
Team B fouls during an unsuccessful try. RULING: Team B is penalized, and the try is repeated. The try is exempt from postscrimmage kick enforcement (Rule 10-2-3). [Cited by 10-1-7, 8-3-1, 8-3-3-b-1]
Team B fouls during a successful try. RULING: Replay the down after enforcement or the penalty is declined by rule. Penalties for personal fouls may be enforced on the succeeding kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods (Rule 8-3-3-b-1). [Cited by 10-1-7, 8-3-1, 8-3-3-b-1]
During a successful kick try from the three-yard line, Team B is offside. After the ball is dead, Team B commits a personal foul. RULING: If Team A elects to replay the try, both penalties against Team B are enforced before the snap (Rule 10-1-6). If Team A declines the offside penalty and accepts the point, the penalty for Team B's dead-ball foul is then enforced on the kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods. [Cited by 10-1-7, 8-3-1, 8-3-3-b-1]
During an unsuccessful kick try from the three-yard line, Team A commits an illegal motion foul. After the ball becomes dead, Team B fouls. RULING: Team B obviously will refuse the penalty for the Team A foul. Team B is penalized on the kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods. [Cited by 10-1-7, 8-3-1]

Fouls after a try and before the succeeding kickoff:
Either team fouls. RULING: Enforce the penalty on the kickoff unless the try is the last down of the game. [Cited by 8-3-1, 8-3-5]
Both teams foul before either penalty is completed. RULING: The fouls cancel. [Cited by 8-3-1, 8-3-5]
The penalty for Team B's foul after a successful try is accepted and will be enforced on the free kick; then:

1.

Team A fouls after the try. RULING: Enforce the penalties in occurrence order on the kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods.
2.

Team B fouls after the try. RULING: Enforce both Team B penalties in occurrence order on the kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods.
3.

Both teams foul before either penalty is completed. RULING: These fouls cancel. The penalty for Team B's original foul is enforced on the kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods. [Cited by 8-3-1]

Half-Distance Enforcement Procedures

ARTICLE 6. No distance penalty, including tries from on or inside the three-yard line, shall exceed half the distance from the enforcement spot to the offending team's goal line [Exceptions: (1) Defensive pass interference on scrimmage downs, other than the try (Rules 7-3-8 and 10-2-5-b); and (2) On the try, defensive pass interference when the ball is snapped from outside the three-yard line].

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Editor: Jim Briggs, BAFA/BAFRA Rules Committee
rules@britishamericanfootball.org