RULE 4
Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds
SECTION 1. Ball in Play - Dead Ball
Dead Ball Becomes Alive
ARTICLE 1.
After a dead ball is ready for play, it becomes a live ball when it is
legally snapped or legally free-kicked.
A ball snapped or free-kicked before it is ready for play remains dead.
(A.R. 2-16-4:I)
(A.R. 4-1-4:I and II)
(A.R. 7-1-3:IV)
(A.R. 7-1-5:I and II)
Live Ball Becomes Dead
ARTICLE 2.
a. A live ball becomes a dead ball as provided in the rules, or when an
official sounds his whistle (even though inadvertently), or otherwise
signals the ball dead.
(A.R. 4-2-1:II)
(A.R. 4-2-4:I)
b.
If an official sounds his whistle inadvertently or otherwise signals
the ball dead during a down (Rules 4-1-3-k, 4-1-3-m and
4-1-3-n)
(A.R. 4-1-2:I-V):
-
1. When the ball is in player possession,
the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where declared
dead or repeat the down.
2.
When the ball is loose from a fumble, backward pass or illegal pass,
the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where possession
was lost or repeat the down.
Exceptions:
-
-
(1) Rule 12.
(2)
If there is a clear catch, recovery or interception of a loose ball in
the immediate continuing action after the inadvertent whistle, then the
ball belongs to the recovering team at the spot of the recovery and any
advance is nullified.
3.
During a legal forward pass or a free or scrimmage kick, then
the ball is returned to the previous spot and the down repeated.
Exceptions:
-
-
(1) Rule 12.
(2)
If there is a clear catch, recovery or interception of the pass or kick
in the immediate continuing action after the inadvertent whistle, then
the ball belongs to the recovering team at the spot of the recovery and
any advance is nullified.
4. After Team B gains possession on the try or during an extra period,
then the try is over or the extra-period possession series is ended.
c. If a foul or violation occurs during any of the above downs, the
penalty or violation privilege shall be administered as in any other
play situation if not in conflict with other rules.
(A.R. 4-1-2:I and II)
Approved Ruling
4-1-2
-
Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30.
B44 is in position to receive the kick.
In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35.
The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching
the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it.
A88 chases the ball, and in the immediate continuing football action he
recovers it while grounded at the B-30.
B22 is flagged for holding during the kick.
RULING:
Inadvertent whistle.
Rule
4-1-2-b-3 Exception 2
applies.
Team A declines the penalty and will have the ball at the B-30, first
and 10.
[Cited by 4-1-2-b, 4-1-2-c]
-
Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30.
B44 is in position to receive the kick.
In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35.
The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching
the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it.
The ball disappears into a pile of players.
B22 is flagged for holding during the kick.
RULING:
Inadvertent whistle.
Since there is no clear recovery of the kick,
the ruling of the dead ball stands.
The holding penalty is enforced at the B-35, under postscrimmage kick
rules.
Team B's ball, first and 10 at the B-25.
[Cited by 4-1-2-b, 4-1-2-c]
-
First and 10 at the B-45.
Ball carrier A22 is tackled and is going to the ground, when he fumbles.
An official sounds his whistle inadvertently.
Players on both teams go after the ball, and B66 clearly recovers it
while grounded.
RULING:
Inadvertent whistle.
Rule
4-1-2-b-2 Exception 2
applies.
If it is determined
that A22 lost control of the ball before he was down, then the ball
belongs to Team B at the spot of the recovery by B66.
In the event that
it cannot be determined
which team recovers the ball,
Team A retains possession at the dead-ball
spot or may elect to repeat the down.
[Cited by 4-1-2-b]
-
Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30.
B44 is in position to receive the kick.
In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35.
The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching
the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it.
A88 chases the ball, and in the immediate continuing football action he
recovers it while grounded at the B-30.
RULING:
Inadvertent whistle.
Rule
4-1-2-b-3 Exception 2
applies.
Team A will have the ball at the B-30, first and 10.
[Cited by 4-1-2-b]
-
Team A punts on fourth and 15 at the A-30.
B44 is in position to receive the kick.
In attempting to catch the ball, B44 muffs it at the B-35.
The back judge blows his whistle when it appears that B44 is catching
the ball, but it rolls along the ground after B44 muffs it.
The ball disappears into a pile of players.
RULING:
Inadvertent whistle.
Since there is no clear recovery of the kick,
the ruling of the dead ball stands.
Repeat the down at the previous spot.
[Cited by 4-1-2-b]
-
What is meant by "otherwise signals the ball dead" in Rule
4-1-2-b?
RULING:
It means an official giving one of the following signals:
stop the clock (S3); touchdown/field goal (S5); safety (S6); dead ball
(S7); incomplete pass (S10).
Such a signal interrupted before the official's arms are held or moved in
the correct position is not regarded as a signal.
Ball Declared Dead
ARTICLE 3.
A live ball becomes dead and an official shall sound his whistle or
declare it dead:
a.
When it goes out of bounds other than a kick that scores a field goal
after touching
only
the uprights or crossbar; when a ball carrier is out
of bounds; or when a ball carrier is so held that his forward progress
is stopped.
When in question, the ball is dead.
(A.R. 4-2-1:II)
(A.R. 4-1-3:IX and X)
b.
When any part of the ball carrier's body, except his hand or foot,
touches the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise
falls and loses possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with
any part of his body, except his hand or foot.
(Exception:
The ball remains alive when an offensive player has simulated a kick
or at the snap is in position to kick the ball held for a place kick by
a teammate.
The ball may be kicked, passed or advanced by rule.)
(A.R. 4-1-3:I)
c.
When a touchdown, touchback, safety, field goal, or successful try
occurs;
or when a free kick or a scrimmage kick that is untouched by Team B beyond
the neutral zone touches the ground in Team B's end zone
(Rules 6-1-7 and 6-3-9).
(A.R. 6-3-9:I)
d. When, during a try, a dead-ball rule applies (Rule 8-3-2-d-5).
e.
When a player of the kicking team catches or recovers any free kick or a
scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone.
f.
When a free kick, scrimmage kick or any other loose ball comes to rest
and no player attempts to secure it.
g.
When a scrimmage kick
or a free kick is caught or recovered by any player after a valid or
invalid fair catch signal; or when an invalid fair catch signal is made
after a catch or recovery by Team B (Rules 2-8-1, 2-8-2
and 2-8-3).
h. When
there is
a return kick or
a
scrimmage kick
is made
beyond the neutral
zone.
i.
When a forward pass is ruled incomplete.
j. When, before a change of team possession on fourth down or a try, a Team
A fumble is caught or recovered by a Team A player other than the fumbler
(Rules 7-2-2-a, 7-2-2-b and 8-3-2-d-5).
k.
When a live ball not in player possession touches anything inbounds
other than a player, a player's equipment, an official, an official's
equipment or the ground (inadvertent whistle provisions apply).
l.
When
there is
a simultaneous catch or recovery of a live
ball.
m.
When the ball becomes illegal while in play (inadvertent whistle
provisions apply).
n.
When a live ball
comes into
possession of an official (inadvertent whistle provisions apply).
o.
When a ball carrier simulates placing his knee on the ground.
p.
When an airborne pass receiver from either team is held so
that he is prevented from immediately returning to the ground.
(A.R. 7-3-6:III)
q.
When a ball carrier's helmet comes completely off.
r. When a ball carrier obviously begins a feet-first slide.
(A.R. 4-1-3:III)
s.
When all players in the vicinity of the ball stop playing and/or believe
it to be dead.
Approved Ruling
4-1-3
-
While A1 is holding the ball for a place kick, Team B plays the ball by
(a) recovering a loose ball, (b) snatching it from A1 or (c) batting it
from his hands.
RULING:
(a), (b) and (c) The ball remains alive.
In (c), the batting by Team B is legal and results in a fumble.
[Cited by 2-11-1, 4-1-3-b]
-
Team A is in formation to attempt a field goal.
At the snap A22 is in position to execute a right-footed place kick and
A33 is in position as the holder.
The snap goes to A33 who has a knee on the ground.
Just after the snap A22 breaks to his left and toward the neutral zone,
and A33, while still on his knee, flips a forward pass to A22 who carries
the ball beyond the line to gain before he is tackled.
RULING:
Legal play, because at the snap A22 was in position to attempt a place
kick.
First and 10 for Team A.
-
Third and 10 at the A-35.
Quarterback A11 sweeps to his right and goes into a feet-first slide to
give himself up.
When he starts his slide, the forward-most point of the ball is at the
A-44, and when he comes to a stop the forward-most point of the ball is
at the A-46.
RULING:
Fourth and one at the A-44.
The ball is dead at its forward-most point when he starts his slide.
[Cited by 4-1-3-r]
-
B23 catches a kick but does not advance.
No Team A player attempts to tackle B23.
(i) B23 places the ball on the ground and walks away from it, or (ii)
tosses the ball to an official.
RULING:
The ball is dead when it is clear B23 is not going to advance it (Rule
4-1-3-s).
-
Team A punts the ball downfield and no Team B player attempts to catch or
recover it.
A40 touches the ball and stops it rolling but does not secure possession
of it.
A40 walks away from the ball and no Team B player moves to recover
the ball.
RULING:
The ball is dead when it is clear that players in the vicinity of the
ball show no interest in recovering it (Rule 4-1-3-f).
-
Team A punts the ball downfield and no Team B player attempts to catch or
recover it.
A40 touches the ball and stops it rolling but does not secure possession
of it.
A40 walks away from the ball and no nearby Team B player moves to recover
the ball.
After 2 seconds, B33 shouts "it's still live" and starts running towards
the ball, picks it up and advances with it.
RULING:
The ball is dead when it is clear that players in the vicinity of the
ball show no interest in recovering it.
B33's action occurred after the ball became dead (Rule 4-1-3-f).
-
4th and 10 on Team B's 15-yard line.
Team A attempts a field goal but the kick is partially blocked.
The ball rolls to a stop at Team B's 2-yard line where B15 picks it up
but does not advance.
A24 stops next to B15 but does not tackle him.
After a pause, B15 hands the ball to A24 who advances into the end zone.
RULING:
The ball is dead when it is clear that B15 is not going to advance the
ball.
Handing the ball to an opponent shows that B15 believes the ball to be
dead.
Not tackling an opponent shows that A24 believes the ball to be dead.
Team B's ball 1st and 10 at their 2-yard line (Rules 4-1-3-s
and 5-1-1-e-1).
-
4th and 10 on Team A's 40-yard line.
Team A's punt is blocked and does not cross the neutral zone.
A84 recovers the ball behind the neutral zone at Team A's 45-yard line,
but does not advance.
Team B players start leaving the field.
RULING:
The ball is dead when it is clear that A84 is not going to advance it.
Team B's ball 1st and 10 at Team A's 45-yard line (Rules 4-1-3-s
and 5-1-1-c).
-
A2's place kick is driven low and strikes the crossbar.
The ball bounces off the crossbar directly onto the helmet of B80 who
is standing in the end zone.
The ball ricochets off B80's helmet over the crossbar and between the posts.
RULING:
No score.
The ball is dead when it hits the crossbar.
By interpretation, if it continues on through the uprights after striking
the crossbar, it is good, but the attempt in this play is no good because
it touches something else before going through the goal.
[Cited by 4-1-3-a]
-
A2's place kick is driven low and strikes the crossbar.
The ball bounces off the crossbar, bounces directly up before hitting
the crossbar again and then going through the uprights.
RULING:
Field goal.
As long as the ball does not touch anything other than the uprights or
crossbar before going through, the score is good.
[Cited by 4-1-3-a]
Ball Ready for Play
ARTICLE 4.
No player shall put the ball in play before it is ready for play.
(A.R. 4-1-4:I and II)
- PENALTY -
-
Dead-ball foul.
Five yards from the succeeding spot
[S7 and S19: IPR].
Approved Ruling
4-1-4
-
Snapper A1 snaps the ball before the ball is made ready for play.
A2 muffs the snap and B1 recovers the ball.
RULING:
Dead ball foul, Team A
illegal procedure.
Penalty - Five-yards from the succeeding spot, Team A's ball.
The ball does not become alive, and all action should be stopped
immediately by the game officials.
[Cited by 2-2-4-b, 4-1-1, 4-1-4, 7-1-1-a, 7-1-1-b]
-
Kicker A1 kicks off before the referee has declared the ball ready for
play.
RULING:
Dead ball foul.
Penalty - Five yards from the succeeding spot.
The ball does not become alive, and all action should be stopped
immediately by the game officials.
[Cited by 2-2-4-b, 4-1-1, 4-1-4, 7-1-1-a, 7-1-1-b]
Play-Clock Count
ARTICLE 5.
The ball shall be put in play within 40 or 25 seconds after it is made
ready for play (Rule 3-2-4), unless, during that interval,
play is suspended.
If play is suspended, the play-clock count will start again.
- PENALTY -
-
Dead-ball foul for delay of game.
Five yards from the succeeding spot
[S21: DOG].
SECTION 2. Out of Bounds
Player Out of Bounds
ARTICLE 1.
a. A player
is out of bounds when any part of his person touches anything, other
than another player or game official, on or outside a boundary line
(Rule 2-27-15).
(A.R. 4-2-1:I and II)
b. An out-of-bounds player who becomes airborne remains out of bounds until
he touches the ground in bounds without simultaneously being out of
bounds.
c. A player
who touches a pylon is out of bounds.
Approved Ruling
4-2-1
-
An inbounds ball carrier bumps into or is touched by a player or game
official on the sideline.
RULING:
The ball carrier is not out of bounds.
[Cited by 4-2-1-a]
-
Ball carrier A1 is running inbounds near the sideline when he is contacted
by a squad member of Team B, who is on the sideline.
RULING:
Rule 4-2-1 states a player is out of bounds when any
part of his person touches anything other than a player or an official.
Penalty - 15 yards or other unfair-action game
administration-interference penalties (Rules 9-2-3 and
9-2-5).
[Cited by 4-1-2-a, 4-1-3-a, 4-2-1-a, 9-2-3-c]
-
Team A executes an on-side kick at the A-35.
A33 is running near the sideline and steps out of bounds at the A-45.
At the A-47 he leaps and bats the ball forward, and it rolls out of
bounds at the A-49.
RULING:
Foul against Team A for free kick out of bounds at the A-47.
Airborne A33 is out of bounds when he touches the ball because he has
not established himself in bounds after going out of bounds.
Not a foul for batting the ball forward because the ball is dead as soon
as A33 touches it (Rule 4-2-3-a).
[Cited by 6-2-1]
Held Ball Out of Bounds
ARTICLE 2.
A ball in player possession is out of bounds when either the ball or any
part of the ball carrier touches the ground or anything else that is out
of bounds, or that is on or outside a boundary
line,
except another player or game official.
Loose Ball Out of Bounds
ARTICLE 3.
a.
A ball not in player possession, other than a kick that scores a field
goal, is out of bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a game official
or anything else that is out of bounds, or that is on or outside a
boundary line.
b.
A ball that touches a pylon is out of bounds behind the goal line.
c. If a live ball not in player possession crosses a boundary line and then
is declared out of bounds, it is out of bounds at the crossing point.
Out of Bounds at Forward Point
ARTICLE 4.
a.
If a live ball is declared out of bounds and the ball does not cross a
boundary line, it is out of bounds at the ball's most forward point when
it was declared dead.
(A.R. 4-2-4:I)
(Exception:
Rule 8-5-1-a,
(A.R. 8-5-1:I).)
b. A touchdown is scored if the ball is inbounds and has broken the plane
of the goal line (Rule 2-12-2) before or simultaneous
with
the ball carrier going out of bounds.
c. A receiver who is in the opponent's end zone and contacting
the ground is credited with a completion if he reaches over the sideline
or end line and catches a legal pass.
d.
The most forward point of the ball when declared out of bounds between
the goal lines is the point of forward progress.
(A.R. 8-2-1:I)
(A.R. 8-5-1:VII)
(Exception:
When a ball carrier is airborne as he crosses the sideline, forward
progress is determined by the position of the ball as it crosses the
sideline.
(A.R. 8-2-1:II-III and V-IX))
Approved Ruling
4-2-4
-
A player with one foot out of bounds behind a goal line touches a loose
ball in the field of play.
RULING:
Ball is out of bounds and dead at its most forward point in the field of
play.
If this loose ball was an untouched free kick, it is a free kick out of
bounds and a foul.
Penalty - Five yards from the previous spot or Team B's ball 30 yards beyond
Team A's free kick line.
[Cited by 4-1-2-a, 4-2-4-a]
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Editor: Jim Briggs, BAFA/BAFRA Rules Committee
rules@bafra.org