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NFL Digest of Rules
OFFICIAL'S JURISDICTIONS,
POSITIONS AND DUTIES
Referee — General oversight
and control of game. Gives signals for all fouls and is final
authority for rule interpretations. Takes a position in backfield
10 to 12 yards behind line of scrimmage, favors right side (if
quarterback is right-handed passer). Determines legality of
snap, observes deep back(s) for legal motion. On running play,
observes quarterback during and after handoff, remains with
him until action has cleared away, then proceeds downfield,
checking on runner and contact behind him. When runner is downed,
Referee determines forward progress from wing official and,
if necessary, adjusts final position of ball.
On pass plays, drops back as quarterback
begins to fade back, picks up legality of blocks by near linemen.
Changes to complete concentration on quarterback as defenders
approach. Primarily responsible to rule on possible roughing
action on passer and if ball becomes loose, rules whether ball
is free on a fumble or dead on an incomplete pass.
During kicking situations, Referee has primary
responsibility to rule on kicker's actions and whether or not
any subsequent contact by a defender is legal. The Referee will
announce on the microphone when each period is ended.
Umpire —
Primary responsibility to rule on players' equipment,
as well as their conduct and actions on scrimmage line. Lines
up approximately four to five yards downfield, varying position
from in front of weakside tackle to strongside guard. Looks
for possible false start by offensive linemen. Observes legality
of contact by both offensive linemen while blocking and by defensive
players while they attempt to ward off blockers. Is prepared
to call rule infractions if they occur on offense or defense.
Moves forward to line of scrimmage when pass play develops in
order to insure that interior linemen do not move illegally
downfield. If offensive linemen indicate screen pass is to be
attempted, Umpire shifts his attention toward screen side, picks
up potential receiver in order to insure that he will legally
be permitted to run his pattern and continues to rule on action
of blockers. Umpire is to assist in ruling on incomplete or
trapped passes when ball is thrown overhead or short. On punt
plays, Umpire positions himself opposite Referee in offensive
backfield-5 yards from kicker and parallel.
Head Linesman
— Primarily responsible for ruling on offside, encroachment,
and actions pertaining to scrimmage line prior to or at snap.
Keys on closest setback on his side of the field. On pass plays,
Linesman is responsible to clear his receiver approximately
seven yards downfield as he moves to a point five yards beyond
the line. Linesman's secondary responsibility is to rule on
any illegal action taken by defenders on any delay receiver
moving downfield. Has full responsibility for ruling on sideline
plays on his side, e.g., pass receiver or runner in or out of
bounds. Together with Referee, Linesman is responsible for keeping
track of number of downs and is in charge of mechanics of his
chain crew in connection with its duties.
Linesman must be prepared to assist in determining
forward progress by a runner on play directed toward middle
or into his side zone. He, in turn, is to signal Referee or
Umpire what forward point ball has reached. Linesman is also
responsible to rule on legality of action involving any receiver
who approaches his side zone. He is to call pass interference
when the infraction occurs and is to rule on legality of blockers
and defenders on plays involving ball carriers, whether it is
entirely a running play, a combination pass and run, or a play
involving a kick.
Line Judge —
Straddles line of scrimmage on side of field opposite Linesman.
Keeps time of game as a backup for clock operator. Along with
Linesman is responsible for offside, encroachment, and actions
pertaining to scrimmage line prior to or at snap. Line Judge
keys on closest setback on his side of field. Line Judge is
to observe his receiver until he moves at least seven yards
downfield. He then moves toward backfield side, being especially
alert to rule on any back in motion and on flight of ball when
pass is made (he must rule whether forward or backward). Line
Judge has primary responsibility to rule whether or not passer
is behind or beyond line of scrimmage when pass is made. He
also assists in observing actions by blockers and defenders
who are on his side of field. After pass is thrown, Line Judge
directs attention toward activities that occur in back of Umpire.
During punting situations, Line Judge remains at line of scrimmage
to be sure that only the end men move downfield until kick has
been made. He also rules whether or not the kick crossed line
and then observes action by members of the kicking team who
are moving downfield to cover the kick. The Line Judge will
advise the Referee when time has expired at the end of each
period.
Field Judge
— Operates on same side of field as Line Judge, 20 yards
deep. Keys on wide receiver on his side. Concentrates on path
of end or back, observing legality of his potential block(s)
or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule from deep
position on holding or illegal use of hands by end or back or
on defensive infractions committed by player guarding him. Has
primary responsibility to make decisions involving sideline
on his side of field, e.g., pass receiver or runner in or out
of bounds.
Field Judge makes decisions involving catching,
recovery, or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of
scrimmage; rules on plays involving pass receiver, including
legality of catch or pass interference; assists in covering
actions of runner, including blocks by teammates and that of
defenders; calls clipping on punt returns; and, together with
Back Judge, rules whether or not field goal attempts are successful.
Side Judge —
Operates on same side of field as Linesman, 20 yards deep. Keys
on wide receiver on his side. Concentrates on path of end or
back, observing legality of his potential block(s) or of actions
taken against him. Is prepared to rule from deep position on
holding or illegal use of hands by end or back or on defensive
infractions committed by player guarding him. Has primary responsibility
to make decisions involving sideline on his side of field, e.g.,
pass receiver or runner in or out of bounds.
Side Judge makes decisions involving catching,
recovery, or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of
scrimmage; rules on plays involving pass receiver, including
legality of catch or pass interference; assists in covering
actions of runner, including blocks by teammates and that of
defenders; and calls clipping on punt returns. On field goals
and point after touchdown attempts, he becomes a double umpire.
Back Judge —
Takes a position 25 yards downfield. In general, favors the
tight end's side of field. Keys on tight end, concentrates on
his path and observes legality of tight end's potential block(s)
or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule from deep
position on holding or illegal use of hands by end or back or
on defensive infractions committed by player guarding him.
Back Judge times interval between plays on
40/25-second clock plus intermission between two periods of
each half; makes decisions involving catching, recovery, or
illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage; is
responsible to rule on plays involving end line; calls pass
interference, fair catch infractions, and clipping on kick returns;
and, together with Field Judge, rules whether or not field goals
and conversions are successful.
Definitions
1. Chucking: Warding off an opponent
who is in front of a defender by contacting him with a quick
extension of arm or arms, followed by the return of arm(s) to
a flexed position, thereby breaking the original contact.
2. Clipping:
Throwing the body across the back of an opponent's leg or hitting
him from the back below the waist while moving up from behind
unless the opponent is a runner or the action is in close line
play.
3. Close Line
Play: The area between the positions normally occupied by the
offensive tackles, extending three yards on each side of the
line of scrimmage.
4. Crackback:
Eligible receivers who take or move to a position more than
two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent below
the waist if they then move back inside to block.
5. Dead Ball:
Ball not in play.
6. Double Foul:
A foul by each team during the same down.
7. Down: The
period of action that starts when the ball is put in play and
ends when it is dead.
8. Encroachment:
When a player enters the neutral zone and makes contact with
an opponent before the ball is snapped.
9. Fair Catch:
An unhindered catch of a kick by a member of the receiving team
who must raise one arm a full length above his head while the
kick is in flight.
10. Foul: Any
violation of a playing rule.
11. Free Kick:
A kickoff or safety kick. It may be a placekick, dropkick, or
punt, except a punt may not be used on a kickoff following a
touchdown, successful field goal, or to begin each half or overtime
period. A tee cannot be used on a fair-catch or safety kick.
12. Fumble:
The loss of possession of the ball.
13. Game Clock:
Scoreboard game clock.
14. Impetus:
The action of a player that gives momentum to the ball.
15. Live Ball:
A ball legally free kicked or snapped. It continues in play
until the down ends.
16. Loose Ball: A live ball not in possession
of any player.
17. Muff: The
touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt
to obtain possession.
18. Neutral Zone: The space the length of
a ball between the two scrimmage lines. The offensive team and
defensive team must remain behind their end of the ball.
Exception:
The offensive player who snaps the ball.
19. Offside:
A player is offside when any part of his body is beyond his
scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is snapped.
20. Own Goal:
The goal a team is guarding.
21. Play Clock:
40/25 second clock.
22. Pocket Area:
Applies from a point two yards outside of either offensive tackle
and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage
to pass protect. Pocket extends longitudinally behind the line
back to offensive team's own end line.
23. Possession:
When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly
touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than
his hand(s), to the ground inbounds.
24. Post-Possession
Foul: A foul by the receiving team that occurs after a ball
is legally kicked from scrimmage prior to possession changing.
The ball must cross the line of scrimmage and the receiving
team must retain possession of the kicked ball.
25. Punt: A
kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it
is in flight.
26. Safety:
The situation in which the ball is dead on or behind a team's
own goal if the impetus comes from a player on that team. Two
points are scored for the opposing team.
27. Shift: The
movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before
the snap.
28. Striking:
The act of swinging, clubbing, or propelling the arm or forearm
in contacting an opponent.
29. Sudden Death:
The continuation of a tied game into sudden death overtime in
which the team scoring first (by safety, field goal, or touchdown)
wins.
30. Touchback:
When a ball is dead on or behind a team's own goal line, provided
the impetus came from an opponent and provided it is not a touchdown
or a missed field goal.
31. Touchdown: When any part of the ball,
legally in possession of a player inbounds, breaks the plane
of the opponent's goal line, provided it is not a touchback.
32. Unsportsmanlike
Conduct: Any act contrary to the generally understood principles
of sportsmanship.
SUMMARY OF PENALTIES
Automatic First Down
1. Awarded to offensive team on
all defensive fouls with these exceptions:
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(a)
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Offside.
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(b)
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Encroachment.
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(c)
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Delay of game.
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(d)
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Illegal substitution.
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(e)
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Excessive time out(s).
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(f)
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Incidental grasp of facemask.
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(g)
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Neutral zone infraction.
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(h)
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Running into the kicker.
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(i)
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More than 11 players on the field
at the snap.
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Five yards
1. Defensive holding or illegal
use of hands (automatic first down).
2. Delay of
game on offense or defense.
3. Delay of
kickoff.
4. Encroachment.
5. Excessive
time out(s).
6. False start.
7. Illegal formation.
8. Illegal shift.
9. Illegal motion.
10. Illegal
substitution.
11. First onside
kickoff out of bounds between goal lines and not touched.
12. Invalid
fair catch signal.
13. More than
11 players on the field at snap for either team.
14. Less than
seven men on offensive line at snap.
15. Offside.
16. Failure
to pause one second after shift or huddle.
17. Running
into kicker.
18. More than
one man in motion at snap.
19. Grasping
facemask of the ball carrier or quarterback.
20. Player out
of bounds at snap.
21. Ineligible
member(s) of kicking team going beyond line of scrimmage before
ball is kicked.
22. Illegal
return.
23. Failure
to report change of eligibility.
24. Neutral
zone infraction.
25. Loss of
team time out(s) or five-yard penalty on the defense for excessive
crowd noise.
26. Ineligible
player downfield during passing down.
27. Second forward
pass behind the line.
28. Forward
pass is first touched by eligible receiver who has gone out
of bounds and returned.
29. Forward
pass touches or is caught by an ineligible receiver on or behind
line.
30. Forward
pass thrown from behind line of scrimmage after ball once crossed
the line.
10 Yards
1. Offensive pass interference.
2. Holding, illegal use of hands, arms, or
body by offense.
3. Tripping by a member of either team.
4. Helping the runner.
5. Deliberately batting or punching a loose
ball.
6. Deliberately kicking a loose ball.
7. Illegal block above the waist.
15 Yards
1. Chop block.
2. Clipping below the waist.
3. Fair catch interference.
4. Illegal crackback block by offense.
5. Piling on (automatic first down).
6. Roughing the kicker (automatic first down).
7. Roughing the passer (automatic first down).
8. Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent
by the facemask.
9. Unnecessary roughness.
10. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
11. Delay of game at start of either half.
12. Illegal low block.
13. A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear,
or ram an opponent.
14. Any player who uses the top of his helmet
unnecessarily.
15. A punter, placekicker, or holder who
simulates being roughed by a defensive player.
16. A defender who takes a running start
from beyond the line of scrimmage in an attempt to block a field
goal or point after touchdown and lands on players at the line
of scrimmage.
Five yards and loss
of down (Combination Penalty)
1. Forward pass thrown from beyond line of scrimmage.
10 Yards and loss
of down (Combination Penalty)
1. Intentional grounding of forward pass (safety if passer is
in own end zone). If foul occurs more than 10 yards behind line,
play results in loss of down at spot of foul.
15 Yards and loss
of coin toss option
1. Team's late arrival on the field prior to scheduled kickoff.
2. Captains not appearing for coin toss.
15 Yards (and disqualification
if flagrant)
1. Striking opponent with fist.
2. Kicking or kneeing opponent.
3. Striking opponent on head or neck with
forearm, elbow, or hands whether or not the initial contact
is made below the neck area.
4. Roughing kicker.
5. Roughing passer.
6. Malicious unnecessary roughness.
7. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
8. Palpably unfair act. (Distance penalty
determined by the Referee after consultation with other officials.)
15 Yards and automatic
disqualification
1. Using a helmet (not worn) as a weapon.
2. Striking or purposely shoving a game official.
Suspension from
game for one down
1. Illegal equipment. (Player may return after one down when
legally equipped.)
Touchdown awarded
(palpably unfair act)
1. When Referee determines a palpably unfair act deprived a
team of a touchdown. (Example: Player comes off bench and tackles
runner apparently en route to touchdown.)
Field
1. Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. The goal line
is actually in the end zone. A player with the ball in his possession
scores when the ball is on, above, or over the goal line.
2. The field is rimmed by a white border,
six feet wide, along the sidelines. All of this is out of bounds.
3. The hashmarks (inbound lines) are 70 feet,
9 inches from each sideline.
4. Goal posts must be single-standard type,
offset from the end line and painted bright gold. The goal posts
must be 18 feet, 6 inches wide and the top face of the crossbar
must be 10 feet above the ground. Vertical posts extend at least
30 feet above the crossbar. A ribbon 4 inches by 42 inches long
is to be attached to the top of each post. The actual goal is
the plane extending indefinitely above the crossbar and between
the outer edges of the posts.
5. The field is 360 feet long and 160 feet
wide. The end zones are 30 feet deep. The line used in try-for-point
plays is two yards out from the goal line.
6. Chain crew members and ball boys must
be uniformly identifiable.
7. All clubs must use standardized sideline
markers. Pylons must be used for goal line and end line markings.
8. End zone markings and club identification
at 50 yard line must be approved by the Commissioner to avoid
any confusion as to delineation of goal lines, sidelines, and
end lines.
Ball
1. Thirty-six approved footballs will be used in games played
outdoors (24 indoors).
Coin toss
1. The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of
kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting
captain. The winner may choose one of two privileges and the
loser gets the other:
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(a)
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Receive or kick
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(b)
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Goal his team will
defend
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2. Immediately prior to the start of the
second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials
of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin
toss gets first choice.
Timing
1. The stadium game clock is official. In case it stops or is
operating incorrectly, the Line Judge takes over the official
timing on the field.
2. Each period is 15 minutes. The intermission
between the periods is two minutes. Halftime is 12 minutes,
unless otherwise specified.
3. On charged team time outs, the Field Judge
starts watch and blows whistle after 1 minute 50 seconds, unless
television does not utilize the time for commercial. In this
case the length of the time out is reduced to 40 seconds.
4. The Referee will allow necessary time
to attend to an injured player, or repair a legal player's equipment.
5. Each team is allowed three time outs each
half.
6. Time between plays will be 40 seconds
from the end of a given play until the snap of the ball for
the next play, or a 25-second interval after certain administrative
stoppages and game delays.
7. Clock will start running when ball is
snapped following all changes of team possession.
8. With the exception of the last two minutes
of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half,
the game clock will be restarted following a kickoff return,
a player going out of bounds on a play from scrimmage, or after
declined penalties when appropriate on the referee's signal.
9. Consecutive team time outs can be taken
by opposing teams but the length of the second time out will
be reduced to 40 seconds.
10. When, in the judgment of the Referee,
the level of crowd noise prevents the offense from hearing its
signals, he can institute a series of procedures which can result
in a loss of team time outs or a five-yard penalty against the
defensive team.
Sudden death
1. The sudden death system of determining the winner shall prevail
when score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time
of all NFL games. The team scoring first during overtime play
shall be the winner and the game automatically ends upon any
score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score
is awarded by Referee for a palpably unfair act.
2. At the end of regulation time the Referee
will immediately toss coin at center of field in accordance
with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain
of the visiting team will call the toss.
3. Following a three-minute intermission
after the end of the regulation game, play will be continued
in 15-minute periods or until there is a score. There is a two-minute
intermission between subsequent periods. The teams change goals
at the start of each period. Each team has three time outs per
half and all general timing provisions apply as during a regular
game. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.
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Exception:
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In preseason and
regular season games there shall be a maximum of 15
minutes of sudden death with two time outs instead of
three. General provisions that apply for the fourth
quarter will prevail. Try not attempted if touchdown
scored.
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Timing in final
two minutes of each half
1. On kickoff, clock does not start until the ball has been
legally touched by player of either team in the field of play.
(In all other cases, clock starts with kickoff.)
2. A team cannot buy an excess time out for
a penalty. However, a fourth time out is allowed without penalty
for an injured player, who must be removed immediately. A fifth
time out or more is allowed for an injury and a five-yard penalty
is assessed if the clock was running. Additionally, if the clock
was running and the score is tied or the team in possession
is losing, the ball cannot be put in play for at least 10 seconds
on the fourth or more time out. The half or game can end while
those 10 seconds are run off on the clock.
3. If the defensive team is behind in the
score and commits a foul when it has no time outs left in the
final 30 seconds of either half, the offensive team can decline
the penalty for the foul and have the time on the clock expire.
4. Fouls that occur in the last five minutes
of the fourth quarter as well as the last two minutes of the
first half will result in the clock starting on the snap.
Try
1. After a touchdown, the scoring team is allowed a try during
one scrimmage down. The ball may be spotted anywhere between
the inbounds lines, two or more yards from the goal line. The
successful conversion counts one point by kick; two points for
a successful conversion by touchdown; or one point for a safety.
2. The defensive team never can score on
a try. As soon as defense gets possession or the kick is blocked
or a touchdown is not scored, the try is over.
3. Any distance penalty for fouls committed
by the defense that prevent the try from being attempted can
be enforced on the succeeding try or succeeding kickoff. Any
foul committed on a successful try will result in a distance
penalty being assessed on the ensuing kickoff.
4. Only the fumbling player can recover and
advance a fumble during a try.
Players-substitutions
1. Each team is permitted 11 men on the field at the snap.
2. Unlimited substitution is permitted. However,
players may enter the field only when the ball is dead. Players
who have been substituted for are not permitted to linger on
the field. Such lingering will be interpreted as unsportsmanlike
conduct.
3. 12 men delayed in huddle-illegal substitution.
4. Players leaving the game must be out of
bounds on their own side, clearing the field between the end
lines, before a snap or free kick. If player crosses end line
leaving field, it is delay of game (five-yard penalty).
5. Substitutes who remain in the game must
move onto the field as far as the inside of the field numerals
before moving to a wide position.
6. With the exception of the last two minutes
of either half, the offensive team, while in the process of
substitution or simulated substitution, is prohibited from rushing
quickly to the line and snapping the ball with the obvious attempt
to cause a defensive foul; i.e., too many men on the field.
Kickoff
1. The kickoff shall be from the kicking team's 30-yard line
at the start of each half and after a field goal and try-for-point.
A kickoff is one type of free kick.
2. A one-inch tee may be used (no tee permitted
for field goal or try attempt) on a kickoff. The ball is put
in play by a placekick or dropkick.
3. If the kickoff clears the opponent's goal
posts it is not a field goal.
4. A kickoff is illegal unless it travels
10 yards OR is touched by the receiving team. Once the ball
is touched by the receiving team it is a free ball. Receivers
may recover and advance. Kicking team may recover but NOT advance
UNLESS receiver had possession and lost the ball.
5. When a kickoff goes out of bounds between
the goal lines without being touched by the receiving team,
the ball belongs to the receivers 30 yards from the spot of
the kick or at the out-of-bounds spot unless the ball went out-of-bounds
the first time an onside kick was attempted. In this case the
kicking team is to be penalized five yards and the ball must
be kicked again.
6. When a kickoff goes out of bounds between
the goal lines and is touched last by receiving team, it is
receiver's ball at out-of-bounds spot.
Safety
1. In addition to a kickoff, the other free kick is a kick after
a safety (safety kick). A punt may be used (a punt may not be
used on a kickoff).
2. On a safety kick, the team scored upon
puts ball in play by a punt, dropkick, or placekick without
tee. No score can be made on a free kick following a safety,
even if a series of penalties places team in position. (A field
goal can be scored only on a play from scrimmage or a free kick
after a fair catch.)
Fair catch kick
1. After a fair catch, the receiving team has the option to
put the ball in play by a snap or a fair catch kick (field goal
attempt), with fair catch kick lines established ten yards apart.
All general rules apply as for a field goal attempt from scrimmage.
The clock starts when the ball is kicked. (No tee permitted.)
Field goal
1. All field goals attempted (kicker) and missed from beyond
the 20-yard line will result in the defensive team taking possession
of the ball at the spot of the kick. On any field goal attempted
and missed where the spot of the kick is on or inside the 20-yard
line, ball will revert to defensive team at the 20-yard line.
Safety
1. The important factor in a safety is impetus. Two points are
scored for the opposing team when the ball is dead on or behind
a team's own goal line if the impetus came from a player on
that team.
Examples of Safety:
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(a)
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Blocked punt goes
out of kicking team's end zone. Impetus was provided
by punting team. The block only changes direction of
ball, not impetus.
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(b)
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Ball carrier retreats
from field of play into his own end zone and is downed.
Ball carrier provides impetus.
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(c)
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Offensive team
commits a foul and spot of enforcement is behind its
own goal line.
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(d)
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Player on receiving
team muffs punt and, trying to get ball, forces or illegally
kicks (creating new impetus) it into end zone where
it goes out of the end zone or is recovered by a member
of the receiving team in the end zone.
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Examples of Non-Safety:
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(a)
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Player intercepts
a pass with both feet inbounds in the field of play
and his momentum carries him into his own end zone.
Ball is put in play at spot of interception.
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(b)
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Player intercepts
a pass in his own end zone and is downed in the end
zone, even after recovering in the end zone. Impetus
came from passing team, not from defense. (Touchback)
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(c)
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Player passes from
behind his own goal line. Opponent bats down ball in
end zone. (Incomplete pass)
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Measuring
1. The forward point of the ball is used when measuring.
Position of players
at snap
1. Offensive team must have at least seven players on line.
2. Offensive players, not on line, must be
at least one yard back at snap. (Exception: player who takes
snap.)
3. No interior lineman may move after taking
or simulating a three-point stance.
4. No player of either team may invade neutral
zone before snap.
5. No player of offensive team may charge
or move, after assuming set position, in such manner as to lead
defense to believe snap has started. No player of the defensive
team within one yard of the line of scrimmage may make an abrupt
movement in an attempt to cause the offense to false start.
6. If a player changes his eligibility, the
Referee must alert the defensive captain after player has reported
to him.
7. All players of offensive team must be
stationary at snap, except one back who may be in motion parallel
to scrimmage line or backward (not forward).
8. After a shift or huddle all players on
offensive team must come to an absolute stop for at least one
second with no movement of hands, feet, head, or swaying of
body.
9. Quarterbacks can be called for a false
start penalty (five yards) if their actions are judged to be
an obvious attempt to draw an opponent offside.
Use of hands, arms,
and body
1. No player on offense may assist a runner except by blocking
for him. There shall be no interlocking interference.
2. A runner may ward off opponents with his
hands and arms but no other player on offense may use hands
or arms to obstruct an opponent by grasping with hands, pushing,
or encircling any part of his body during a block. Hands (open
or closed) can be thrust forward to initially contact an opponent
on or outside the opponent's frame, but the blocker must work
to bring his hands on or inside the frame.
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Note:
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Pass blocking:
Hand(s) thrust forward that slip outside the body of
the defender will be legal if blocker worked to bring
them back inside. Hand(s) or arm(s) that encircle a
defender-i.e., hook an opponent-are to be considered
illegal and officials are to call a foul for holding.
|
Blocker cannot use his hands or arms to push
from behind, hang onto, or encircle an opponent in a manner
that restricts his movement as the play develops.
3. Hands cannot be thrust forward above the
frame to contact an opponent on the neck, face or head.
|
Note:
|
The frame is defined
as the part of the opponent's body below the neck that
is presented to the blocker.
|
4. A defensive player may not tackle or hold
an opponent other than a runner. Otherwise, he may use his hands,
arms, or body only:
|
(a)
|
To defend or protect
himself against an obstructing opponent.
|
|
Exception:
|
An eligible receiver
is considered to be an obstructing opponent ONLY to
a point five yards beyond the line of scrimmage unless
the player who receives the snap clearly demonstrates
no further intention to pass the ball. Within this five-yard
zone, a defensive player may make contact with an eligible
receiver that may be maintained as long as it is continuous
and unbroken up until a point when the receiver is beyond
the defender. The defensive player cannot use his hands
or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle
an eligible receiver in a manner that restricts movement
as the play develops. Beyond this five-yard limitation,
a defender may use his hands or arms ONLY to defend
or protect himself against impending contact caused
by a receiver. In such reaction, the defender may not
contact a receiver who attempts to take a path to evade
him.
|
|
(b)
|
To push or pull
opponent out of the way on line of scrimmage.
|
|
(c)
|
In actual attempt
to get at or tackle runner.
|
|
(d)
|
To push or pull
opponent out of the way in a legal attempt to recover
a loose ball.
|
|
(e)
|
During a legal
block on an opponent who is not an eligible pass receiver.
|
|
(f)
|
When legally blocking
an eligible pass receiver above the waist.
|
|
Exception:
|
Eligible receivers
lined up within two yards of the tackle, whether on
or immediately behind the line, may be blocked below
the waist at or behind the line of scrimmage. NO eligible
receiver may be blocked below the waist after he goes
beyond the line. (Illegal cut)
|
|
Note:
|
Once the quarterback
hands off or pitches the ball to a back, or if the quarterback
leaves the pocket area, the restrictions (illegal chuck,
illegal cut) on the defensive team relative to the offensive
receivers will end, provided the ball is not in the
air.
|
5. A defensive player may not contact an
opponent above the shoulders with the palm of his hand except
to ward him off on the line. This exception is permitted only
if it is not a repeated act against the same opponent during
any one contact. In all other cases the palms may be used on
head, neck, or face only to ward off or push an opponent in
legal attempt to get at the ball.
6. Any offensive player who pretends to possess
the ball or to whom a teammate pretends to give the ball may
be tackled provided he is crossing his scrimmage line between
the ends of a normal tight offensive line.
7. An offensive player who lines up more
than two yards outside his own tackle or a player who, at the
snap, is in a backfield position and subsequently takes a position
more than two yards outside a tackle may not clip an opponent
anywhere nor may he contact an opponent below the waist if the
blocker is moving toward the ball and if contact is made within
an area five yards on either side of the line.
8. A player of either team may block at any
time provided it is not pass interference, fair catch interference,
or unnecessary roughness.
9. A player may not bat or punch:
|
(a)
|
A loose ball (in
field of play) toward his opponent's goal line or in
any direction in either end zone.
|
|
(b)
|
A ball in player
possession.
|
|
Note:
|
If there is any
question as to whether a defender is stripping or batting
a ball in player possession, the official(s) will rule
the action as a legal act (stripping the ball).
|
|
Exception:
|
A forward or backward
pass may be batted, tipped, or deflected in any direction
at any time by either the offense or the defense.
|
|
Note:
|
A pass in flight
that is controlled or caught may only be thrown backward,
if it is thrown forward it is considered an illegal
bat.
|
10. No player may deliberately kick any ball
except as a punt, dropkick, or placekick.
Forward pass
1. A forward pass may be touched or caught by any eligible receiver.
All members of the defensive team are eligible. Eligible receivers
on the offensive team are players on either end of line (other
than center, guard, or tackle) or players at least one yard
behind the line at the snap. A T-formation quarterback is not
eligible to receive a forward pass during a play from scrimmage.
|
Exception:
|
T-formation quarterback
becomes eligible if pass is previously touched by an
eligible receiver.
|
2. An offensive team may make only one forward
pass during each play from scrimmage (Loss of 5 yards).
3. The passer must be behind his line of
scrimmage (Loss of down and five yards, enforced from the spot
of pass).
4. Any eligible offensive player may catch
a forward pass. If a pass is touched by one eligible offensive
player and touched or caught by a second offensive player, pass
completion is legal. Further, all offensive players become eligible
once a pass is touched by an eligible receiver or any defensive
player.
5. The rules concerning a forward pass and
ineligible receivers:
|
(a)
|
If ball is touched
accidentally by an ineligible receiver on or behind
his line: loss of five yards.
|
|
(b)
|
If ineligible receiver
is illegally downfield: loss of five yards.
|
|
(c)
|
If touched or caught
(intentionally or accidentally) by ineligible receiver
beyond the line: loss of 5 yards.
|
6. The player who first controls and continues
to maintain control of a pass will be awarded the ball even
though his opponent later establishes joint control of the ball.
7. Any forward pass becomes incomplete and
ball is dead if:
|
(a)
|
Pass hits the ground
or goes out of bounds.
|
|
(b)
|
Pass hits the goal
post or the crossbar of either team.
|
|
(c)
|
Pass is caught
by offensive player after touching ineligible receiver.
|
|
(d)
|
An illegal pass
is caught by an offensive player.
|
8. A forward pass is complete when a receiver
clearly possesses the pass and touches the ground with both
feet inbounds while in possession of the ball. If a receiver
would have landed inbounds with both feet but is carried or
pushed out of bounds while maintaining possession of the ball,
pass is complete at the out-of-bounds spot.
9. If an eligible receiver goes out of bounds
accidentally or is legally forced out by a defender and returns
to first touch and catch a pass, the play is regarded as an
incomplete pass. Loss of 5 yards.
10. On a fourth down pass-when the offensive
team is inside the opposition's 20-yard line-an incomplete pass
results in a loss of down at the line of scrimmage.
11. If a personal foul is committed by the
defense prior to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15
yards from the spot where ball becomes dead.
12. If a personal foul is committed by the
offense prior to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15
yards from the previous line of scrimmage.
INTENTIONAL GROUNDING
OF FORWARD PASS
1. Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: loss of
down and 10 yards from previous spot if passer is in the field
of play or loss of down at the spot of the foul if it occurs
more than 10 yards behind the line or safety if passer is in
his own end zone when ball is released.
2. Intentional grounding will be called when
a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure
from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic
chance of completion.
3. Intentional grounding will not be called
when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent
loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line
of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic
chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of
bounds over the sideline or end line).
PROTECTION OF PASSER
1. By interpretation, a pass begins when the passer-with possession
of ball-starts to bring his hand forward. If ball strikes ground
after this action has begun, play is ruled an incomplete pass.
If passer loses control of ball prior to his bringing his hand
forward, play is ruled a fumble.
2. No defensive player may run into a passer
of a legal forward pass after the ball has left his hand (15
yards). The Referee must determine whether opponent had a reasonable
chance to stop his momentum during an attempt to block the pass
or tackle the passer while he still had the ball.
3. No defensive player who has an unrestricted
path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of
the knee(s) when approaching in any direction.
4. Officials are to blow the play dead as
soon as the quarterback is clearly in the grasp and control
of any tackler, and his safety is in jeopardy.
PASS INTERFERENCE
1. There shall be no interference with a forward pass thrown
from behind the line. The restriction for the passing team starts
with the snap. The restriction on the defensive team starts
when the ball leaves the passer's hand. Both restrictions end
when the ball is touched by anyone.
2. The penalty for defensive pass interference
is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. If interference
is in the end zone, it is first down for the offense on the
defense's 1-yard line. If previous spot was inside the defense's
1-yard line, penalty is half the distance to the goal line.
3. The penalty for offensive pass interference
is 10 yards from the previous spot.
4. It is pass interference by either team
when any player movement beyond the offensive line significantly
hinders the progress of an eligible player or such player's
opportunity to catch the ball during a legal forward pass. When
players are competing for position to make a play on the ball,
any contact by hands, arms, or body shall be considered incidental
unless prohibited. Prohibited conduct shall be when a player
physically restricts or impedes the opponent in such a manner
that is visually evident and materially affects the opponent's
opportunity to gain position or retain his position to catch
the ball. If a player has gained position, he shall not be considered
to have impeded or restricted his opponent in a prohibited manner
if all of his actions are a bona fide effort to go to and catch
the ball. Provided an eligible player is not interfered with
in such a manner, the following exceptions to pass interference
will prevail:
|
(a)
|
If neither player
is looking for the ball and there is incidental contact
in the act of moving to the ball that does not materially
affect the route of an eligible player, there is no
interference. If there is any question whether the incidental
contact materially affects the route, the ruling shall
be no interference.
|
|
Note:
|
Inadvertent tripping
is not a foul in this situation.
|
|
(b)
|
Any eligible player
looking for and intent on playing the ball who initiates
contact, however severe, while attempting to move to
the spot of comple tion or interception will not be
called for interference.
|
|
(c)
|
Any eligible player
who makes contact, however severe, with one or more
eligible players while looking for and making a genuine
attempt to catch or bat a reachable ball, will not be
called for interference.
|
|
(d)
|
It must be remembered
that defensive players have as much right to the ball
as offensive eligible receivers.
|
|
(e)
|
Pass interference
by the defense is not to be called when the forward
pass is clearly uncatchable.
|
|
(f)
|
Note: There is
no defensive pass interference behind the line.
|
Backward pass
1. Any pass not forward is regarded as a backward pass. A pass
parallel to the line is a backward pass. A runner may pass backward
at any time. Any player on either team may catch the pass or
recover the ball after it touches the ground.
2. A backward pass that strikes the ground
can be recovered and advanced by either team.
3. A backward pass caught in the air can
be advanced by either team.
4. A backward pass in flight may not be batted
forward by an offensive player.
Fumble
1. The distinction between a fumble and a muff should be kept
in mind in considering rules about fumbles. A fumble is the
loss of player possession of the ball. A muff is the touching
of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain
possession.
2. A fumble may be advanced by any player
on either team regardless of whether recovered before or after
ball hits the ground.
3. A fumble that goes forward and out of
bounds will return to the fumbling team at the spot of the fumble
unless the ball goes out of bounds in the opponent's end zone.
In this case, it is a touchback.
4. On a play from scrimmage, if an offensive
player fumbles anywhere on the field during fourth down, only
the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the
ball. If any player fumbles after the two-minute warning in
a half, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or
advance the ball. If recovered by any other offensive player,
the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble unless it is recovered
behind the spot of the fumble. In that case, the ball is dead
at the spot of recovery. Any defensive player may recover and/or
advance any fumble at any time.
Kicks from scrimmage
1. Any kick from scrimmage must be made from behind the line
to be legal.
2. Any punt or missed field goal that touches
a goal post is dead.
3. During a kick from scrimmage, only the
end men, as eligible receivers on the line of scrimmage at the
time of the snap, are permitted to go beyond the line before
the ball is kicked.
|
Exception:
|
An eligible receiver
who, at the snap, is aligned or in motion behind the
line and more than one yard outside the end man on his
side of the line, clearly making him the outside receiver,
replaces that end man as the player eligible to go downfield
after the snap. All other members of the kicking team
must remain at the line of scrimmage until the ball
has been kicked.
|
4. Any punt that is blocked and does not
cross the line of scrimmage can be recovered and advanced by
either team. However, if offensive team recovers it must make
the yardage necessary for its first down to retain possession
if punt was on fourth down.
5. The kicking team may never advance its
own kick even though legal recovery is made beyond the line
of scrimmage. Possession only.
6. A member of the receiving team may not
run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind his line unless
contact is:
|
(a)
|
Incidental to and
after he had touched ball in flight.
|
|
(b)
|
Caused by kicker's
own motions.
|
|
(c)
|
Occurs during a
quick kick, or a kick made after a run, or after kicker
recovers a loose ball. Ball is loose when kicker muffs
snap or snap hits ground.
|
|
(d)
|
Defender is blocked
into kicker.
|
The penalty for running into the kicker is
5 yards. For roughing the kicker: 15 yards, an automatic first
down and disqualification if flagrant.
7. If a member of the kicking team attempting
to down the ball on or inside opponent's 5-yard line carries
the ball into the end zone, it is a touchback.
8. Fouls during a punt are enforced from
the previous spot (line of scrimmage).
|
Exception:
|
Illegal touching,
illegal fair catch, invalid fair catch signal, and fouls
by the receiving team during loose ball after ball is
kicked.
|
9. While the ball is in the air or rolling
on the ground following a punt or field goal attempt and receiving
team commits a foul before gaining possession, receiving team
will retain possession and will be penalized for its foul.
10. It will be illegal for a defensive player
to jump or stand on any player, or be picked up by a teammate
or to use a hand or hands on a teammate to gain additional height
in an attempt to block a kick (Penalty: 15 yards, unsportsmanlike
conduct).
11. A punted ball remains a kicked ball until
it is declared dead or in possession of either team.
12. Any member of the punting team may down
the ball anywhere in the field of play. However, it is illegal
touching (Official's time out and receiver's ball at spot of
illegal touching). This foul does not offset any foul by receivers
during the down.
13. Defensive team may advance all kicks
from scrimmage (including unsuccessful field goal) whether or
not ball crosses defensive team's goal line. Rules pertaining
to kicks from scrimmage apply until defensive team gains possession.
Fair catch
1. The member of the receiving team must raise one arm a full
length above his head and wave it from side to side while kick
is in flight. (Failure to give proper sign: receivers' ball
five yards behind spot of signal.)
|
Note:
|
It is legal for
the receiver to shield his eyes from the sun by raising
one hand no higher than the helmet.
|
2. No opponent may interfere with the fair
catcher, the ball, or his path to the ball. Penalty: 15 yards
from spot of foul and fair catch is awarded.
3. A player who signals for a fair catch
is not required to catch the ball. However, if a player signals
for a fair catch, he may not block or initiate contact with
any player on the kicking team until the ball touches a player.
Penalty: snap 15 yards behind spot of foul.
4. If ball hits ground or is touched by member
of kicking team in flight, fair catch signal is off and all
rules for a kicked ball apply.
5. Any undue advance by a fair catch receiver
is delay of game. No specific distance is specified for undue
advance as ball is dead at spot of catch. If player comes to
a reasonable stop, no penalty. For violation, five yards.
6. If time expires while ball is in play
and a fair catch is awarded, receiving team may choose to extend
the period with one fair catch kick down. However, placekicker
may not use tee.
Foul on last play
of half or game
1. On a foul by defense on last play of half or game, the down
is replayed if penalty is accepted.
2. On a foul by the offense on last play
of half or game, the down is not replayed and the play in which
the foul is committed is nullified.
|
Exception:
|
Fair catch interference,
foul following change of possession, illegal touching.
No score by offense counts.
|
Spot of enforcement
of foul
1. There are four basic spots at which a penalty for a foul
is enforced:
|
(a)
|
Spot of foul: The
spot where the foul is committed.
|
|
(b)
|
Previous spot:
The spot where the ball was put in play.
|
|
(c)
|
Spot of snap, pass,
fumble, return kick, or free kick: The spot where the
act connected with the foul occurred.
|
|
(d)
|
Succeeding spot:
The spot where the ball next would be put in play if
no distance penalty were to be enforced.
|
|
Exception:
|
If foul occurs
after a touchdown and before the whistle for a try-for-point,
succeeding spot is spot of next kickoff.
|
2. All fouls committed by offensive team
behind the line of scrimmage and in the field of play shall
be penalized from the previous spot.
3. When spot of enforcement for fouls involving
defensive holding or illegal use of hands by the defense is
behind the line of scrimmage, any penalty yardage to be assessed
on that play shall be measured from the line if the foul occurred
beyond the line.
Double foul
1. If there is a double foul during a down in which there is
a change of possession, the team last gaining possession may
keep the ball unless its foul was committed prior to the change
of possession.
2. If double foul occurs after a change of
possession, the defensive team retains the ball at the spot
of its foul or dead ball spot.
3. If one of the fouls of a double foul involves
disqualification, that player must be removed, but no penalty
yardage is to be assessed.
4. If the kickers foul during a kick before
possession changes and the receivers foul after possession changes,
the receivers will retain the ball after enforce-ment of its
foul.
Penalty enforced
on following kickoff
1. When a team scores by touchdown, field goal, extra point,
or safety and either team commits a personal foul, unsportsmanlike
conduct, or obvious unfair act during the down, the penalty
will be assessed on the following kickoff.
EMERGENCIES AND
UNFAIR ACTS
Emergencies-Policy
The National Football League requires all League personnel,
including game officials, League office employees, players,
coaches, and other club employees to use best effort to see
that each game-preseason, regular season, and postseason-is
played to its conclusion. The League recognizes, however, that
emergencies may arise that make a game's completion impossible
or inadvisable. Such circumstances may include, but are not
limited to, severely inclement weather, natural or manmade disaster,
power failure, and spectator interference. Games should be suspended,
cancelled, postponed, or terminated when circumstances exist
such that comencement or continuation of play would pose a threat
to the safety of participants or spectators.
Authority of Commissioner's
Office
1. Authority to cancel, postpone, or terminate games is vested
only in the Commissioner and the League President (other League
office representatives and referees may suspend play temporarily;
see point No. 3 under this section and point No. 1 under "Authority
of Referee" below). The following definitions apply:
Cancel: To cancel a game is to nullify it
either before or after it begins and to make no provision for
rescheduling it or for including its score or other performance
statistics in League records.
Postpone: To postpone a game is (a) to defer
its starting time to a later date, or (b) to suspend it after
play has begun and to make provision to resume at a later date
with all scores and other performance statistics up to the point
of postponement added to those achieved in the resumed portion
of the game.
Terminate: To terminate a game is to end
it short of a full 60 minutes of play, to record it officially
as a completed game, and to make no provision to resume it at
a later date. The Commissioner or League President may terminate
a game in an emergency if, in his opinion, it is reasonable
to project that its resumption (a) would not change its ultimate
result or (b) would not adversely affect any other interteam
competitive issue.
Forfeit: The Commissioner, (except in cases
of disciplinary action; see last section on "Removing Team from
Field"), League President, and their representatives, including
referees, are not authorized unilaterally to declare forfeits.
A forfeit occurs only when a game is not played because of the
failure or refusal of one team to participate. In that event,
the other team, if ready and willing to play, is the winner
by a score of 2-0.
2. If an emergency arises that may require
cancellation, postponement, or termination (see above), the
highest ranking representative from the Commissioner's office
working the game in a "control" capacity will consult with the
Commissioner, League President, or game-day duty officer designated
by the League (by telephone, if that person is not in attendance)
concerning such decision. If circumstances warrant, the League
representative should also attempt to consult with the weather
bureau and with appropriate security personnel of the League,
club, stadium, and local authorities. If no representative from
the Commissioner's office is working the game in a "control"
capacity, the referee will be in charge (see "Authority of Referee"
below).
3. In circumstances where safety is of immediate
concern, the Commissioner's-office representative may, after
consulting with the referee, authorize a temporary suspension
in play and, if warranted, removal of the participants from
the playing field. The representative should be mindful of the
safety of spectators, players, game officials, nonplayer personnel
in the bench areas, and other field-level personnel such as
photographers and cheerleaders.
4. If possible, the League-office representative
should consult with authorized re- presentatives of the two
participating clubs before any decision involving cancellation,
postponement, or termination is made by the Commissioner or
League President.
5. If the Commissioner or League President
decides to cancel, postpone, or terminate a game, his representative
at the game or the game-day duty officer will then determine
the method(s) for announcing such decision, e.g., by public-address
announcement over referee's wireless microphone, by public-address
announcement by home club, or by communication to radio, television,
and other news media.
Authority of referee
1. If a referee determines that an emergency warrants immediate
removal of participants from the playing field for safety reasons,
he may do so on his own authority. If, however, circumstances
allow him the time, he must reach the highest ranking full-time
League office representative working at the game in a "control"
capacity or the game-day duty officer designated by the League
(by telephone, if that person is not in attendance) and discuss
the actual or potential emergency with such representative or
duty officer. That representative or duty officer then will
make the final decision on removal of participants from the
field or obtain a decision from the Commissioner or League President.
2. If a referee removes participants from
the playing field under No. 1 above, he may order them to their
respective bench areas or to their locker rooms, whichever is
appropriate in the circumstances.
3. After appropriate consultation under No.
1 above, the referee must advise the two participating head
coaches of the nature of the emergency and the action contemplated
(if the decision has not yet been reached) or of the final decision.
4. The referee must not, before a decision
is reached, make an announcement on his microphone concerning
the possibility of a cancellation, postponement, or termination
unless instructed to do so by an appropriate representative
of the Commissioner's office.
5. The referee must not discuss a forfeit
with head coaches or club personnel and must not use that term
over the referee's microphone (see definition of forfeit under
No. 1 of "Authority of Commissioner's Office" above).
6. The referee must not assess an unsportsmanlike-conduct
penalty on the home team for actions of fans that cause or contribute
to an emergency.
7. The referee should be mindful of the safety
of not only players and officials, but also of the spectators
and other nonparticipants.
8. If an emergency involves spectator interference
(for example, nonparticipants on the field or thrown objects),
the referee immediately should contact the appropriate club
or League representative for additional security assistance,
including, if applicable, involvement of the League's security
representative(s) assigned to the game.
9. The referee may order the resumption of
play when he deems conditions safe for all concerned and, if
circumstances warrant, after consultation with appropriate representatives
of the Commissioner's office.
10. Under no circumstances is the referee
authorized to cancel, postpone, terminate, or declare forfeiture
of a game unilaterally.
PROCEDURES FOR STARTING
AND RESUMING GAMES
Subject to the points of authority listed above, League personnel
and referees will be guided by the following procedures for
starting and resuming games that are affected by emergencies.
1. If, because of an emergency, a regular-season or postseason
game is not started at its scheduled time and cannot be played
at any later time that same day, the game nevertheless must
be played on a subsequent date to be determined by the Commissioner.
2. If an emergency threatens to occur during
the playing of a game (for example, an incoming tropical storm),
the starting time of the game will not be moved to an earlier
time unless there is clearly sufficient time to make an orderly
change.
3. All games that are suspended temporarily
and resumed on the same day, and all suspended games that are
postponed to a later date, will be resumed at the point of suspension.
On suspension, the referee will call timeout and make a record
of the following: team possessing the ball, direction in which
its offense was headed, position of the ball on the field, down,
distance, period, time remaining in the period, and any other
pertinent information required for an orderly and equitable
resumption of play.
4. For regular-season postponements, the
Commissioner will make every effort to set the game for no later
than two days after its originally scheduled date and at the
same site. If unable to schedule at the same site, he will select
an appropriate alternative site. If it is impossible to schedule
the game within two days after its original date, the Commissioner
will attempt to schedule it on the Tuesday of the next calendar
week. The Commissioner will keep in mind the potential for competitive
inequities if one or both of the involved clubs has already
been scheduled for a game close to the Tuesday of that week
(for example, a Thursday game).
5. For postseason postponements, the Commissioner
will make every effort to set the game as soon as possible after
its originally scheduled date and at the same site. If unable
to schedule at the same site, he will select an appropriate
alternative site.
6. Whenever postponement is attributable
to negligence by a club, the negligent club is responsible for
all home club costs and expenses, including, subject to approval
by the Commissioner, gate receipts and television-contract income.
[See Section 19.11 (C) of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws.]
7. Each home club is strictly responsible
for having the playing surface of its stadium well maintained
and suitable for NFL play.
UNFAIR ACTS
Commissioner's authority
The Commissioner has sole authority to investigate and to take
appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures if any club
action, nonparticipant interference, or emergency occurs in
an NFL game which he deems so unfair or outside the accepted
tactics encountered in professional football that such action
has a major effect on the result of a game.
No club protests
The authority and measures provided for in this section (UNFAIR
ACTS) do not constitute a protest machinery for NFL clubs to
dispute the result of a game. The Commissioner will conduct
an investigation under this section only to review an act or
occurrence that he deems so unfair that the result of the game
in question may be inequitable to one of the participating teams.
The Commissioner will not apply his authority under this section
when a club registers a complaint concerning judgmental errors
or routine errors of omission by game officials. Games involving
such complaints will continue to stand as completed.
Penalties for unfair
acts
The Commissioner's powers under this section (UNFAIR ACTS) include
the imposition of monetary fines and draft choice forfeitures,
suspension of persons involved, and, if appropriate, the reversal
of a game's result or the rescheduling of a game, either from
the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary act
occurred. In the event of rescheduling a game, the Commissioner
will be guided by the procedures specified above ("Procedures
for Starting and Resuming Games" under EMERGENCIES). In all
cases, the Commissioner will conduct a full investigation, including
the opportunity for hearings, use of game videotape, and any
other procedures he deems appropriate.
Removing team from
field
No player, coach, or other person affiliated
with a club may remove that club's team from the field during
the playing of any game, including preseason, except at the
direction of the referee. Any club violating this rule will
be subject to disciplinary action by the Commissioner, including
possible game forfeiture and sole liability for financial losses
suffered by the opposing club and any other affected member
clubs of the League. [See Section 9.1 (E) of the NFL Constitution
and Bylaws.]
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