Proper Penalty Proper Penalty EnforcementEnforcement

Presented by:Presented by:Mike Sears and Tom MellorMike Sears and Tom Mellor

Bloomington-Normal Officials Bloomington-Normal Officials AssociationAssociation

It is Everyone’s Duty.It is Everyone’s Duty. Official who throws flag (or anyone who sees a flag) Official who throws flag (or anyone who sees a flag)

should signal timeout when ball is dead.should signal timeout when ball is dead. Get EVERYONE’S attention with short tweets of the Get EVERYONE’S attention with short tweets of the

whistle.whistle. Somebody should hold the dead ball spot!Somebody should hold the dead ball spot! Calling official should communicate with the referee and Calling official should communicate with the referee and

tell him EVERTHING.tell him EVERTHING. With multiple flags, both officials should get together With multiple flags, both officials should get together

before going to referee.before going to referee. Make sure flag is AT spot of foul.Make sure flag is AT spot of foul. Referee gives preliminary signal.Referee gives preliminary signal. Umpire gets captains for Referee.Umpire gets captains for Referee. Referee presents options to captain (do not rely upon R Referee presents options to captain (do not rely upon R

as the “all-knowing”).as the “all-knowing”).

It is Everyone’s Duty.It is Everyone’s Duty. Umpire listens to (and verifies) Referee’s options and Umpire listens to (and verifies) Referee’s options and

walks off yardage if penalty is accepted (suggest walks off yardage if penalty is accepted (suggest holding ball after enforcement until assured ball is at holding ball after enforcement until assured ball is at correct yard line).correct yard line).

Linesman should be at enforcement spot ahead of Linesman should be at enforcement spot ahead of Umpire.Umpire.

If Umpire and Linesman are not in same place, figure If Umpire and Linesman are not in same place, figure out why.out why.

Line Judge holds spot of enforcement (basic spot or Line Judge holds spot of enforcement (basic spot or spot of foul).spot of foul).

Back Judge does whatever else needs to be done. Back Judge does whatever else needs to be done. (Retrieving flag, holding spot of foul, relaying (Retrieving flag, holding spot of foul, relaying information to a sideline, etc.)information to a sideline, etc.)

Blows and goesBlows and goes

What Every Official Needs to What Every Official Needs to KnowKnow

Yardage assessed for every foul. (2004 Rulebook Yardage assessed for every foul. (2004 Rulebook pg.83)pg.83)

Loss of down or automatic first down aspect of every Loss of down or automatic first down aspect of every foul.foul. ““4” Automatic 14” Automatic 1stst down fouls down fouls ““4” loss of down fouls4” loss of down fouls

Signals for all fouls so you know the distance penalty Signals for all fouls so you know the distance penalty for the foul.for the foul.

The type of play (running or loose ball play).The type of play (running or loose ball play). Definition of Spots.Definition of Spots. The “all-but-one” principle.The “all-but-one” principle. The special penalty enforcements (i.e. exceptions)The special penalty enforcements (i.e. exceptions) When to start the clock (snap or ready-for-play).When to start the clock (snap or ready-for-play).

4 Automatic First Down 4 Automatic First Down FoulsFouls

Roughing SnapperRoughing Snapper Roughing PasserRoughing Passer Roughing Kicker/Place Kick HolderRoughing Kicker/Place Kick Holder Defensive Pass Interference.Defensive Pass Interference.

4 Loss of Down Fouls4 Loss of Down Fouls

Illegal forward pass (Pass from Illegal forward pass (Pass from beyond neutral zone or forward pass beyond neutral zone or forward pass after change of possession and after change of possession and intentional grounding)intentional grounding)

Illegal forward handingIllegal forward handing Offensive pass interferenceOffensive pass interference Illegal touchingIllegal touching

To Enforce Penalty Properly To Enforce Penalty Properly Know:Know:

Team that fouled (Offense or Team that fouled (Offense or Defense)Defense)

The basic spotThe basic spot The spot of the foul.The spot of the foul.

Spot of FoulSpot of Foul

The place where the foul occurs. The The place where the foul occurs. The penalty marker is used to mark this penalty marker is used to mark this spot.spot.

This is the spot of enforcement for This is the spot of enforcement for offensive fouls that occur behind the offensive fouls that occur behind the basic spot.basic spot.

For defensive fouls, this spot is For defensive fouls, this spot is insignificant.insignificant.

Basic SpotBasic Spot

2-40-1: The basic spot is a point of 2-40-1: The basic spot is a point of reference for penalty enforcement.reference for penalty enforcement.

It is determined by the action that It is determined by the action that occurs during the down.occurs during the down.

How to Determine Basic How to Determine Basic SpotSpot

Basic spot is previous spot for a loose-ball playBasic spot is previous spot for a loose-ball play Basic spot is the end of the run for a running Basic spot is the end of the run for a running

play.play. Basic spot is the previous spot for fouls that Basic spot is the previous spot for fouls that

occur simultaneously with the snap.occur simultaneously with the snap. Basic spot is the succeeding spot for dead ball Basic spot is the succeeding spot for dead ball

fouls, unsportsmanlike fouls (no matter when fouls, unsportsmanlike fouls (no matter when they occur), a non-player foul, and when the they occur), a non-player foul, and when the results of the play is a touchback.results of the play is a touchback.

Basic spot is the end of the kick for a PSK foul.Basic spot is the end of the kick for a PSK foul.

Types of PlaysTypes of Plays

Loose ball play is action that occurs:Loose ball play is action that occurs: During a free kick or scrimmage kick (unless post-scrimmage During a free kick or scrimmage kick (unless post-scrimmage

kick enforcement is used).kick enforcement is used). A A LEGALLEGAL forward pass. forward pass. A backward pass (including snap), an illegal kick, or fumble A backward pass (including snap), an illegal kick, or fumble

by team A that originates from in or behind the neutral zone.by team A that originates from in or behind the neutral zone. All runs the precede any of those action listed above All runs the precede any of those action listed above Note: Ball must become loose from in or behind the neutral Note: Ball must become loose from in or behind the neutral

zone for a play to be considered a loose-ball play.zone for a play to be considered a loose-ball play. No need to bag a loose ball behind the line of scrimmage.No need to bag a loose ball behind the line of scrimmage.

Running plays are anything that is not covered as a Running plays are anything that is not covered as a loose-ball play (or by Post Scrimmage Kick loose-ball play (or by Post Scrimmage Kick enforcement)enforcement)

Previous SpotPrevious Spot

2-40-7: The previous spot is where 2-40-7: The previous spot is where the ball was last snapped or free-the ball was last snapped or free-kicked.kicked.

This is the basic spot for a loose-ball This is the basic spot for a loose-ball play.play.

Succeeding SpotSucceeding Spot

This is the spot where the ball would This is the spot where the ball would next be snapped had a foul not next be snapped had a foul not occurred.occurred.

This is the enforcement spot for dead This is the enforcement spot for dead ball fouls, all unsportsmanlike ball fouls, all unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, and non-player fouls.conduct fouls, and non-player fouls. Includes fouls that occur before the snap Includes fouls that occur before the snap

like False Start and Encroachmentlike False Start and Encroachment

End of the RunEnd of the Run

2-40-9: The spot where a run ends is 2-40-9: The spot where a run ends is where a runner loses player where a runner loses player possession or where the ball possession or where the ball becomes dead in his possession.becomes dead in his possession.

This is the basic spot for a running This is the basic spot for a running play.play.

This is why we bag fumbles that This is why we bag fumbles that occur beyond the line of scrimmage.occur beyond the line of scrimmage.

Post Scrimmage Kick SpotPost Scrimmage Kick Spot

This is the spot where a scrimmage This is the spot where a scrimmage kick ends.kick ends.

When does a kick end?When does a kick end? This is the basic spot for post This is the basic spot for post

scrimmage kick (PSK) foulsscrimmage kick (PSK) fouls

Enforcement SpotEnforcement Spot

The spot from which a penalty will be The spot from which a penalty will be enforced. This will be EITHER the enforced. This will be EITHER the basic spot or the spot of the foul basic spot or the spot of the foul (unless covered by special (unless covered by special enforcement).enforcement).

All But One PrincipleAll But One Principle

Fouls are enforced from the basic Fouls are enforced from the basic spot.spot.

The only exception is a foul by the The only exception is a foul by the offense that occurs behind the basic offense that occurs behind the basic spot. These are enforced from the spot. These are enforced from the spot of the foul.spot of the foul.

PSK fouls behind the basic spot are PSK fouls behind the basic spot are enforced from the spot of the foul.enforced from the spot of the foul.

Post Scrimmage Kick FoulsPost Scrimmage Kick Fouls

All conditions must be met.All conditions must be met. Foul is by R (AND)Foul is by R (AND) Foul occurs on R’s side of the expanded Foul occurs on R’s side of the expanded

neutral zone (AND)neutral zone (AND) Foul occurs prior to end of the kick (AND)Foul occurs prior to end of the kick (AND) The kick crosses the neutral zone (AND).The kick crosses the neutral zone (AND). R would be the team to next put the ball into R would be the team to next put the ball into

play absent of the foul (AND)play absent of the foul (AND) The play does not involve a successful field The play does not involve a successful field

goal or kick try.goal or kick try.

Special EnforcementsSpecial Enforcements

Free kick out of boundsFree kick out of bounds Kick catching interference.Kick catching interference. Unfair Acts.Unfair Acts. Foul by opponent of the scoring team Foul by opponent of the scoring team

during successful field goal, try, or during successful field goal, try, or touchdown.touchdown.

Roughing the passer on a completed Roughing the passer on a completed pass.pass.

Dead Ball FoulsDead Ball Fouls

Fouls that occur after a down has ended and before the ball Fouls that occur after a down has ended and before the ball is next snapped or free-kicked.is next snapped or free-kicked.

Once the ball is dead, any foul committed by either team is Once the ball is dead, any foul committed by either team is a dead ball foul.a dead ball foul.

Live ball – A foul that occurs during the down (that is not Live ball – A foul that occurs during the down (that is not unsportsmanlike conduct).unsportsmanlike conduct).

Multiple – two or more fouls by the SAME team (other the Multiple – two or more fouls by the SAME team (other the unsportsmanlike or non-player fouls). Offended team may unsportsmanlike or non-player fouls). Offended team may choose ONE of the penalties to enforce.choose ONE of the penalties to enforce.

Non-player or unsportsmanlike – a NON-CONTACT foul while Non-player or unsportsmanlike – a NON-CONTACT foul while the ball is dead or DURING the down which is not illegal the ball is dead or DURING the down which is not illegal participation and does not influence the play in progress.participation and does not influence the play in progress.

Double FoulsDouble Fouls

One or more live ball fouls committed by each One or more live ball fouls committed by each team at such a time that the penalties offset.team at such a time that the penalties offset.

If both teams commit fouls, it is a double foul if:If both teams commit fouls, it is a double foul if: There is no change of possession during the down There is no change of possession during the down

(excludes PSK fouls).(excludes PSK fouls). There IS a change of possession, and the team in final There IS a change of possession, and the team in final

possession fouled PRIOR to gaining final possession possession fouled PRIOR to gaining final possession (excludes PSK fouls). Team did not get ball with “clean (excludes PSK fouls). Team did not get ball with “clean hands”.hands”.

There IS a change of possession during the down, and There IS a change of possession during the down, and the team in final possession accepts the penalty for its the team in final possession accepts the penalty for its opponent’s foul.opponent’s foul.

Fouls by opponents that are Fouls by opponents that are not double foulsnot double fouls

It is NOT a double-foul if both teams foul (AND) It is NOT a double-foul if both teams foul (AND) there is a change of possession (AND) the team in there is a change of possession (AND) the team in final possession fouls after gaining final final possession fouls after gaining final possession. The team in final possession may possession. The team in final possession may keep the ball but they must decline their keep the ball but they must decline their opponents foul and have their foul enforced. opponents foul and have their foul enforced. (Often referred to as “Clean Hands”)(Often referred to as “Clean Hands”)

Unsportsmanlike fouls, non-player fouls, and dead Unsportsmanlike fouls, non-player fouls, and dead ball fouls are not paired with live-ball fouls to ball fouls are not paired with live-ball fouls to create double fouls. Do not “offset” these.create double fouls. Do not “offset” these.

Fouls during a try are not paired with a dead-ball Fouls during a try are not paired with a dead-ball foul to create double or multiple-fouls.foul to create double or multiple-fouls.

Dead ball and Unsportsmanlike Dead ball and Unsportsmanlike Conduct FoulsConduct Fouls

Always enforced from succeeding spot.Always enforced from succeeding spot. Double and Multiple dead ball, unsporting, Double and Multiple dead ball, unsporting,

or non-player fouls are enforced in the or non-player fouls are enforced in the order of occurrence.order of occurrence.

Down counts.Down counts. First down awarded if line-to-gain is First down awarded if line-to-gain is

reached before ball became dead. Penalty reached before ball became dead. Penalty is then enforced and then chains are set is then enforced and then chains are set (No 1(No 1stst and 25). and 25).

Personal Foul or Personal Foul or Unsportsmanlike?Unsportsmanlike?

Personal fouls are contact fouls. Two Personal fouls are contact fouls. Two players fighting each other are charged players fighting each other are charged with personal fouls, not unsportsmanlike with personal fouls, not unsportsmanlike fouls. Both players are STILL ejected but it fouls. Both players are STILL ejected but it isn’t classified as UC.isn’t classified as UC.

Unsportsmanlike fouls are NON-CONTACT Unsportsmanlike fouls are NON-CONTACT fouls. Two unsportsmanlike fouls and a fouls. Two unsportsmanlike fouls and a player is ejected. Players CAN be ejected player is ejected. Players CAN be ejected after the first unsportsmanlike.after the first unsportsmanlike.

Goofy PlaysGoofy Plays

Roughing passer enforced from end Roughing passer enforced from end of last runof last run

Multiple change of possessions – Multiple change of possessions – more than 2 fumbles on a playmore than 2 fumbles on a play

Multiple and double fouls on the Multiple and double fouls on the same playsame play

Others???Others???

Questions?Questions?

Questions about Penalty Questions about Penalty Enforcement?Enforcement?