Football Rules Test and Answers
Verified
During A2's run for a touchdown, B2 grabs A2's facemask. RULING: The touchdown counts. If Team A
accepts the penalty it may be enforced on the kickoff from A's 40 yard line. - Answer [ True : 8-2-2; 9-4-
3h Penalty; Case Book 8.2.2 A(a) ]
B1 intercepts. During B1's return, A2 grabs B1's face mask. B1 spins free and advances for a touchdown.
Ruling: Team B may elect to Try from A's 1 ½ yard line or may enforce on the kickoff. - Answer [ True : 2-
16-2d; 8-2-3; 9-4-3h Penalty; 10-1-5; 10-5-1f ]
Team A scores a touchdown. During the scoring play B1 held A88. RULING: Team A may keep the points
and have the penalty assessed on either the Try or succeeding kickoff. - Answer True - 2-16-2d; 8-2-2; 9-
2-3c; 10-5-1f
Team A is illegally in motion at the snap. B1 intercepts and returns for a touchdown. Ruling: Team B may
elect to Try from A's 1 ½ yard line. - Answer [ False : 2-16-2i; 2-41-7; 10-4-2a ]
• The foul occurred simultaneously with the snap. Therefore, it would be enforced from
the previous spot (snap) if accepted. B must decline the penalty in order for the
touchdown to count.
Runner A2 is about to score a touchdown when he taunts an opponent at B's 2. Ruling: Touchdown
scores. If B accepts, B's only option is for Team A to Try from B's 18. - Answer [ False : 2-41-10; 8-2-4; 9-
5-1a Penalty; 10-4-5a (NOTE); 10-5-1f ]
• The 2010 rule change now allows for unportsmanlike or non-player fouls committed by
either team during a touchdown-scoring play to be penalized on either the Try or on
the 'subsequent kickoff'.
Several substitutes enter Team A's huddle between downs. One of the replaced players does not leave
the huddle until after the play is called and the huddle breaks five seconds later with players moving to
their positions. Thereafter, the replaced player immediately leaves the field across his own sideline.
RULING: Legal substitution since the outgoing substitute left immediately after the huddle broke. -
Answer [ False : 3-7-1; Case Book 3.7 COMMENT 2; 3.7.1 A ]
,• The 2010 rule clarification specifies a timeframe of 3 seconds for a replaced player to
begin his exit from the field once he is notified by his replacement. It pertains to both
teams and is not impacted by whether a team huddles or not. In H.S. football there is
NO FOUL for 'breaking the huddle with 12 players'
Third and 10 on A's 35 yard line. A2 completes a pass to A3 at midfield. A3 advances to B's end zone.
During the run an excited team A coach is observed standing just inbounds at team A's 25 without
affecting the play. Ruling: the score stands. Enforce A's penalty on A's Try attempt or subsequent kickoff,
at B's option. - Answer True - 2-41-10; 9-8-1; 10-4-5c; 10-5-1f
Runner A2 advances for a touchdown and then B3 deliberately hits him late to draw a flag. Team A
elects the penalty on the subsequent kickoff. Then, after the ready for the Try but before the snap, team
B commits an unsportsmanlike act. Ruling: A's option to Try from the 1½ or to kick off from B's 30. -
Answer [ False : 2-16-2a; 4-2-2h; 8-2-5; 9-4-3b,5-1 Penalty; 10-1-5 ] (09-367)
• Had B's unsportsmanlike foul occurred before the 'ready' signal for the Try, A could
have chosen to enforce both penalties on the 'subsequent kick-off'. Since it occurred
after the 'ready' signal, A can only have it enforced on the Try and kick off from
B's 45-yard line following the 15-yard penalty for B's 'late hit'. (2009 Changes)
During the first quarter, the Line Judge bumps into a home team substitute who is standing in the
restricted area near the sideline during a play. A 15 yard succeeding spot foul is administered. Early in
the fourth quarter, the Line Judge bumps into an assistant coach of the home team in the same area
during play. Ruling: A fifteen yard penalty is administered at the succeeding spot and the assistant coach
must be ejected since it was the second such team foul. - Answer [ False : 9-4-8 Penalty; 10-4-5c; Case
Book 9.4.8 A ]
• The 2010 rule addition states that on the 2nd 'unintentional non-player contact with an
official' offense, the head coach is the one who will be ejected because he is
expected to ensure compliance with the 'restricted area' provisions.
Team A is trailing by 8 points. On a down in which time has expired for the fourth quarter, Team A
scores a touchdown. B2 held during the TD play. Ruling: Team A has the option of taking this penalty in
overtime. - Answer [ False : 2-16-2d; 8-2-2; Case Book 8.2.2 C(a) ]
• The 2008 rule change allowed this penalty to be enforced on the PAT try or on the
,'subsequent kickoff'. However, since there is no 'kickoff' to start OT, the
NATIONAL FEDERATION interpretation states that this foul (end of 4th Qtr.) can
ONLY be enforced on the PAT try, NOT at the start of the OT
Team A scores a touchdown as time for the fourth quarter expires. Team A ties the score with a
successful two point pass play but B2 is guilty of roughing the passer on the conversion. Ruling: A may
accept the penalty at the start of overtime. It will be first and goal at the 5 if A is on offense first or goal
to go at the 25 if B is on offense first. - Answer True - 8-3-5b; 9-4-4
Penalties which may carry over to the succeeding spot may carry over to overtime from the previous
play, but a penalty by the defense which skips a down in enforcement (the Try) to the subsequent
kickoff, cannot carry over to overtime. - Answer True - 8-2-2,3,4; 8-3-5b; 8-4-3b; 10-4-5
On a touchdown play the defense was guilty of roughing the passer and the offense elected the penalty
on the subsequent kickoff. On the following successful kick Try, the defense roughed the kicker and the
offense elected to keep the point. Ruling: On the subsequent kickoff, K will be kicking from R's 45 yard
line. - Answer [ False : 2-16-2e; 8-2-2; 8-3-5b; 9-4-4,5 Penalty; 10-2-4; Case Book 8.2.2 F ]
• Previously, in the above situation, only 1 penalty could be chosen for enforcement on
the 'subsequent kickoff' as the NATIONAL FEDERATION interpreted this to be a
'multiple foul'. A 2008 rule change currently allows for a foul by the defense during a
touchdown-scoring play AND a foul by the defense during the PAT try to both be
penalized on the 'subsequent kickoff'. This play K will kick from R's 30-yard line.
On a down in which time expires for the second quarter, Team A scores a touchdown. B2 held during the
TD play. Team A has the option of taking this penalty on the Try or second half kickoff. - Answer True - 2-
16-2d; 8-2-2
Runner A2 is advancing the football when B3 reaches out and grabs A2's horse-collar with one hand. B3
then immediately grasps A2 around the chest area with his free hand and releases the horse-collar
before making the tackle. Ruling: personal foul on B3 for grabbing the horse-collar. - Answer FALSE NEW
RULE True 9-4-3k
An official's time-out can be called by the referee for unusual heat or humidity. - Answer True 3-5-7g
, The covering official shall drop a bean bag to mark where K touches a grounded free kick that has not
gone 10 yards nor been touched by R. - Answer True 6-1-6
B1 intercepts at the 50. The covering official must bean bag this spot. - Answer [ False : 10-3-3c; La.
Officials Manual: ]
• This spot is not a possible momentum (inside the 5-yard line) or enforcement spot
NO BEAN BAG NEEDED.
Any official may stop the clock for an apparently injured player. - Answer True 3-5-10a
The referee is the official who shall order the clock stopped for a measurement. - Answer True 3-5-7a
Wing officials should always feel free on pass plays to call intentional grounding without any assistance
from another official. - Answer [ False : La. Officials Manual: ]
• Determining whether or not the passer has 'intentionally grounded' the ball is the sole
judgment of the Referee. (Consultation with other officials is permissible.)
The referee should notify the head coach after all of his team's timeouts have been used. - Answer True
-Louisiana Officials Manual
After third down, the referee should delay the 'ready' when fourth down substitutes are entering or
leaving the field to prepare for a punt or field goal attempt. - Answer [ False : La. Officials Manual: ] (09-
43)
• The Referee should mark the ball 'ready for play' with a consistent cadence
throughout the game.
The referee's penalty signal for 'holding' or 'illegal use of the hands' is the same signal. - Answer True
signal 42
Verified
During A2's run for a touchdown, B2 grabs A2's facemask. RULING: The touchdown counts. If Team A
accepts the penalty it may be enforced on the kickoff from A's 40 yard line. - Answer [ True : 8-2-2; 9-4-
3h Penalty; Case Book 8.2.2 A(a) ]
B1 intercepts. During B1's return, A2 grabs B1's face mask. B1 spins free and advances for a touchdown.
Ruling: Team B may elect to Try from A's 1 ½ yard line or may enforce on the kickoff. - Answer [ True : 2-
16-2d; 8-2-3; 9-4-3h Penalty; 10-1-5; 10-5-1f ]
Team A scores a touchdown. During the scoring play B1 held A88. RULING: Team A may keep the points
and have the penalty assessed on either the Try or succeeding kickoff. - Answer True - 2-16-2d; 8-2-2; 9-
2-3c; 10-5-1f
Team A is illegally in motion at the snap. B1 intercepts and returns for a touchdown. Ruling: Team B may
elect to Try from A's 1 ½ yard line. - Answer [ False : 2-16-2i; 2-41-7; 10-4-2a ]
• The foul occurred simultaneously with the snap. Therefore, it would be enforced from
the previous spot (snap) if accepted. B must decline the penalty in order for the
touchdown to count.
Runner A2 is about to score a touchdown when he taunts an opponent at B's 2. Ruling: Touchdown
scores. If B accepts, B's only option is for Team A to Try from B's 18. - Answer [ False : 2-41-10; 8-2-4; 9-
5-1a Penalty; 10-4-5a (NOTE); 10-5-1f ]
• The 2010 rule change now allows for unportsmanlike or non-player fouls committed by
either team during a touchdown-scoring play to be penalized on either the Try or on
the 'subsequent kickoff'.
Several substitutes enter Team A's huddle between downs. One of the replaced players does not leave
the huddle until after the play is called and the huddle breaks five seconds later with players moving to
their positions. Thereafter, the replaced player immediately leaves the field across his own sideline.
RULING: Legal substitution since the outgoing substitute left immediately after the huddle broke. -
Answer [ False : 3-7-1; Case Book 3.7 COMMENT 2; 3.7.1 A ]
,• The 2010 rule clarification specifies a timeframe of 3 seconds for a replaced player to
begin his exit from the field once he is notified by his replacement. It pertains to both
teams and is not impacted by whether a team huddles or not. In H.S. football there is
NO FOUL for 'breaking the huddle with 12 players'
Third and 10 on A's 35 yard line. A2 completes a pass to A3 at midfield. A3 advances to B's end zone.
During the run an excited team A coach is observed standing just inbounds at team A's 25 without
affecting the play. Ruling: the score stands. Enforce A's penalty on A's Try attempt or subsequent kickoff,
at B's option. - Answer True - 2-41-10; 9-8-1; 10-4-5c; 10-5-1f
Runner A2 advances for a touchdown and then B3 deliberately hits him late to draw a flag. Team A
elects the penalty on the subsequent kickoff. Then, after the ready for the Try but before the snap, team
B commits an unsportsmanlike act. Ruling: A's option to Try from the 1½ or to kick off from B's 30. -
Answer [ False : 2-16-2a; 4-2-2h; 8-2-5; 9-4-3b,5-1 Penalty; 10-1-5 ] (09-367)
• Had B's unsportsmanlike foul occurred before the 'ready' signal for the Try, A could
have chosen to enforce both penalties on the 'subsequent kick-off'. Since it occurred
after the 'ready' signal, A can only have it enforced on the Try and kick off from
B's 45-yard line following the 15-yard penalty for B's 'late hit'. (2009 Changes)
During the first quarter, the Line Judge bumps into a home team substitute who is standing in the
restricted area near the sideline during a play. A 15 yard succeeding spot foul is administered. Early in
the fourth quarter, the Line Judge bumps into an assistant coach of the home team in the same area
during play. Ruling: A fifteen yard penalty is administered at the succeeding spot and the assistant coach
must be ejected since it was the second such team foul. - Answer [ False : 9-4-8 Penalty; 10-4-5c; Case
Book 9.4.8 A ]
• The 2010 rule addition states that on the 2nd 'unintentional non-player contact with an
official' offense, the head coach is the one who will be ejected because he is
expected to ensure compliance with the 'restricted area' provisions.
Team A is trailing by 8 points. On a down in which time has expired for the fourth quarter, Team A
scores a touchdown. B2 held during the TD play. Ruling: Team A has the option of taking this penalty in
overtime. - Answer [ False : 2-16-2d; 8-2-2; Case Book 8.2.2 C(a) ]
• The 2008 rule change allowed this penalty to be enforced on the PAT try or on the
,'subsequent kickoff'. However, since there is no 'kickoff' to start OT, the
NATIONAL FEDERATION interpretation states that this foul (end of 4th Qtr.) can
ONLY be enforced on the PAT try, NOT at the start of the OT
Team A scores a touchdown as time for the fourth quarter expires. Team A ties the score with a
successful two point pass play but B2 is guilty of roughing the passer on the conversion. Ruling: A may
accept the penalty at the start of overtime. It will be first and goal at the 5 if A is on offense first or goal
to go at the 25 if B is on offense first. - Answer True - 8-3-5b; 9-4-4
Penalties which may carry over to the succeeding spot may carry over to overtime from the previous
play, but a penalty by the defense which skips a down in enforcement (the Try) to the subsequent
kickoff, cannot carry over to overtime. - Answer True - 8-2-2,3,4; 8-3-5b; 8-4-3b; 10-4-5
On a touchdown play the defense was guilty of roughing the passer and the offense elected the penalty
on the subsequent kickoff. On the following successful kick Try, the defense roughed the kicker and the
offense elected to keep the point. Ruling: On the subsequent kickoff, K will be kicking from R's 45 yard
line. - Answer [ False : 2-16-2e; 8-2-2; 8-3-5b; 9-4-4,5 Penalty; 10-2-4; Case Book 8.2.2 F ]
• Previously, in the above situation, only 1 penalty could be chosen for enforcement on
the 'subsequent kickoff' as the NATIONAL FEDERATION interpreted this to be a
'multiple foul'. A 2008 rule change currently allows for a foul by the defense during a
touchdown-scoring play AND a foul by the defense during the PAT try to both be
penalized on the 'subsequent kickoff'. This play K will kick from R's 30-yard line.
On a down in which time expires for the second quarter, Team A scores a touchdown. B2 held during the
TD play. Team A has the option of taking this penalty on the Try or second half kickoff. - Answer True - 2-
16-2d; 8-2-2
Runner A2 is advancing the football when B3 reaches out and grabs A2's horse-collar with one hand. B3
then immediately grasps A2 around the chest area with his free hand and releases the horse-collar
before making the tackle. Ruling: personal foul on B3 for grabbing the horse-collar. - Answer FALSE NEW
RULE True 9-4-3k
An official's time-out can be called by the referee for unusual heat or humidity. - Answer True 3-5-7g
, The covering official shall drop a bean bag to mark where K touches a grounded free kick that has not
gone 10 yards nor been touched by R. - Answer True 6-1-6
B1 intercepts at the 50. The covering official must bean bag this spot. - Answer [ False : 10-3-3c; La.
Officials Manual: ]
• This spot is not a possible momentum (inside the 5-yard line) or enforcement spot
NO BEAN BAG NEEDED.
Any official may stop the clock for an apparently injured player. - Answer True 3-5-10a
The referee is the official who shall order the clock stopped for a measurement. - Answer True 3-5-7a
Wing officials should always feel free on pass plays to call intentional grounding without any assistance
from another official. - Answer [ False : La. Officials Manual: ]
• Determining whether or not the passer has 'intentionally grounded' the ball is the sole
judgment of the Referee. (Consultation with other officials is permissible.)
The referee should notify the head coach after all of his team's timeouts have been used. - Answer True
-Louisiana Officials Manual
After third down, the referee should delay the 'ready' when fourth down substitutes are entering or
leaving the field to prepare for a punt or field goal attempt. - Answer [ False : La. Officials Manual: ] (09-
43)
• The Referee should mark the ball 'ready for play' with a consistent cadence
throughout the game.
The referee's penalty signal for 'holding' or 'illegal use of the hands' is the same signal. - Answer True
signal 42
