NFHS Football Case Plays - Rule 10
Exam-Graded A
10.1.1 SITUATION A:
Where is the ball spotted following penalty acceptance when it is snapped from the
right-side hash mark and the run ends in the left-side zone and the foul is:
(a) illegal motion by A1; or(b) holding by A1 in the middle of the field behind the end of
the run; or(c) grasping the face mask/helmet opening by B1 in making the tackle? -
ANS-RULING: In (a), it is spotted at the right-side hash mark. In (b), it is spotted in the
middle of the field since the enforcement spot was the spot of the foul. In (c), it is
spotted at the left hash mark.
10.1.1 SITUATION B:
B1 holds A1 during an unsuccessful try. A's designated representative wants to accept
the penalty and replay of the down, but wishes to decline the distance penalty because
A's kicker is more comfortable kicking from the previous distance. - ANS-RULING: This
is a legal request. The distance penalty for any foul may be declined.
*10.1.3 SITUATION:
With fourth and 10 at the 50-yard line, K2 illegally uses his hands at R's 45-yard line
during a scrimmage kick by K1. R1 signals for a fair catch at the R30. The ball is caught
by R2 who advances following the whistle. - ANS-RULING: R may accept the distance
penalty for K's illegal use of hands and have the yardage assessed from the previous
spot or the succeeding spot. At this point, K is given the options related to R's foul and
will likely accept the distance penalty for R's delay of game foul. (3-6-2b, 10-2-3, 10-4-2
EXCEPTION)
10.2.1 SITUATION A:
During a run by A1, A2 is holding B1. Thereafter, a fumble by A1 is recovered by B2
who advances for a touchdown. While the ball was loose during the fumble, B3 clipped
A3. - ANS-RULING: Double foul. Both fouls occurred before the change of team
possession and the action thus constitutes a double foul. The penalties cancel and the
down shall be replayed. (10-2-2)
10.2.1 SITUATION B:
K1 is in an illegal position and the scrimmage kick by K2 is caught by R1. During the
return by R1, there is clipping by R2 and a subsequent fumble by R1 is recovered by
K3. - ANS-RULING: Double foul. Even though there was a change of team possession
during the down, the team gaining final possession had fouled before gaining
possession. Both fouls occurred during the down and the result is a double foul. The
penalties cancel and the down shall be replayed. (10-2-2)
, 10.2.1 SITUATION C:
With fourth and 15 from midfield, K is called for illegal formation. R1 catches K1's punt,
but is tackled by the face mask/helmet opening by K2. R2 strikes K3 prior to the end of
the run. - ANS-RULING: If R accepts the penalty for either foul by K, it is a double foul.
R may decline the penalties and retain possession following enforcement of the penalty
for R2's foul. In either case, R2 shall be disqualified. (9-4-3h, 10-2-3)
10.2.1 SITUATION D:
Fourth and five from K's 20-yard line, K is in an illegal formation at the snap. While K1's
punt is in flight, beyond the expanded neutral zone, R2 blocks K8 in the back at the 50-
yard line. R4 catches the kick at R's 36-yard line and returns it for a touchdown. - ANS-
RULING: This is a post-scrimmage kick foul by R. Therefore, R may decline the penalty
for K's foul and keep the ball after enforcement of the 10-yard penalty for the block in
the back, or it may accept the penalty against K, thereby creating a double foul in which
case the down shall be replayed. (10-2-1b)
10.2.2 SITUATION A:
During a legal forward pass which crosses the neutral zone, A1 is illegally in motion at
the snap. B1 intercepts and during his return, B2 clips A2. - ANS-RULING: The illegal
motion by A1 and the clipping by B2 are both live-ball fouls, but because the foul by B2
followed a change of team possession, they do not automatically constitute a double
foul. The designated representative of B (last team in possession) may accept or
decline the penalty for A's foul. If accepted, this creates a double foul and the down is
replayed. If declined, then the penalty for B's foul is enforced if accepted by A. (10-1-3,
10-2-1b)
10.2.2 SITUATION B:
A1's pass is intercepted by B1 at B's 40-yard line. During B1's return, A1 and B2 begin
fighting at A's 40-yard line. B1 returns the ball to A's 2-yard line. - ANS-RULING: The
designated representative of B (last team in possession) may accept or decline the
penalty for A's foul. If B accepts the penalty for A1's foul, it creates a double foul. B may
retain possession by declining the penalty for A1's foul, in which case, it would be B's
ball at its own 45-yard line following enforcement of B's penalty (if accepted by A). Both
A1 and B2 will be disqualified for fighting.
COMMENT: Whenever both teams foul during a change of possession down and the
team in final possession gets the ball free of a foul (with "CLEAN HANDS") they have
the opportunity to retain possession. The fact that their opponent's foul occurred after
the change of possession has no bearing on the enforcement. However, when B, the
"clean hands" team, retains possession by declining the opponent's foul, the penalty for
B's foul may be enforced. (9-4-1 PENALTY, 10-2-1b)
10.4.4 SITUATION A:
Fourth and 5 for K from R's 49-yard line. R9 catches the kick on the 15-yard line and
returns the ball to R's 40-yard line, where he is downed. During the return, R3 holds K7
Exam-Graded A
10.1.1 SITUATION A:
Where is the ball spotted following penalty acceptance when it is snapped from the
right-side hash mark and the run ends in the left-side zone and the foul is:
(a) illegal motion by A1; or(b) holding by A1 in the middle of the field behind the end of
the run; or(c) grasping the face mask/helmet opening by B1 in making the tackle? -
ANS-RULING: In (a), it is spotted at the right-side hash mark. In (b), it is spotted in the
middle of the field since the enforcement spot was the spot of the foul. In (c), it is
spotted at the left hash mark.
10.1.1 SITUATION B:
B1 holds A1 during an unsuccessful try. A's designated representative wants to accept
the penalty and replay of the down, but wishes to decline the distance penalty because
A's kicker is more comfortable kicking from the previous distance. - ANS-RULING: This
is a legal request. The distance penalty for any foul may be declined.
*10.1.3 SITUATION:
With fourth and 10 at the 50-yard line, K2 illegally uses his hands at R's 45-yard line
during a scrimmage kick by K1. R1 signals for a fair catch at the R30. The ball is caught
by R2 who advances following the whistle. - ANS-RULING: R may accept the distance
penalty for K's illegal use of hands and have the yardage assessed from the previous
spot or the succeeding spot. At this point, K is given the options related to R's foul and
will likely accept the distance penalty for R's delay of game foul. (3-6-2b, 10-2-3, 10-4-2
EXCEPTION)
10.2.1 SITUATION A:
During a run by A1, A2 is holding B1. Thereafter, a fumble by A1 is recovered by B2
who advances for a touchdown. While the ball was loose during the fumble, B3 clipped
A3. - ANS-RULING: Double foul. Both fouls occurred before the change of team
possession and the action thus constitutes a double foul. The penalties cancel and the
down shall be replayed. (10-2-2)
10.2.1 SITUATION B:
K1 is in an illegal position and the scrimmage kick by K2 is caught by R1. During the
return by R1, there is clipping by R2 and a subsequent fumble by R1 is recovered by
K3. - ANS-RULING: Double foul. Even though there was a change of team possession
during the down, the team gaining final possession had fouled before gaining
possession. Both fouls occurred during the down and the result is a double foul. The
penalties cancel and the down shall be replayed. (10-2-2)
, 10.2.1 SITUATION C:
With fourth and 15 from midfield, K is called for illegal formation. R1 catches K1's punt,
but is tackled by the face mask/helmet opening by K2. R2 strikes K3 prior to the end of
the run. - ANS-RULING: If R accepts the penalty for either foul by K, it is a double foul.
R may decline the penalties and retain possession following enforcement of the penalty
for R2's foul. In either case, R2 shall be disqualified. (9-4-3h, 10-2-3)
10.2.1 SITUATION D:
Fourth and five from K's 20-yard line, K is in an illegal formation at the snap. While K1's
punt is in flight, beyond the expanded neutral zone, R2 blocks K8 in the back at the 50-
yard line. R4 catches the kick at R's 36-yard line and returns it for a touchdown. - ANS-
RULING: This is a post-scrimmage kick foul by R. Therefore, R may decline the penalty
for K's foul and keep the ball after enforcement of the 10-yard penalty for the block in
the back, or it may accept the penalty against K, thereby creating a double foul in which
case the down shall be replayed. (10-2-1b)
10.2.2 SITUATION A:
During a legal forward pass which crosses the neutral zone, A1 is illegally in motion at
the snap. B1 intercepts and during his return, B2 clips A2. - ANS-RULING: The illegal
motion by A1 and the clipping by B2 are both live-ball fouls, but because the foul by B2
followed a change of team possession, they do not automatically constitute a double
foul. The designated representative of B (last team in possession) may accept or
decline the penalty for A's foul. If accepted, this creates a double foul and the down is
replayed. If declined, then the penalty for B's foul is enforced if accepted by A. (10-1-3,
10-2-1b)
10.2.2 SITUATION B:
A1's pass is intercepted by B1 at B's 40-yard line. During B1's return, A1 and B2 begin
fighting at A's 40-yard line. B1 returns the ball to A's 2-yard line. - ANS-RULING: The
designated representative of B (last team in possession) may accept or decline the
penalty for A's foul. If B accepts the penalty for A1's foul, it creates a double foul. B may
retain possession by declining the penalty for A1's foul, in which case, it would be B's
ball at its own 45-yard line following enforcement of B's penalty (if accepted by A). Both
A1 and B2 will be disqualified for fighting.
COMMENT: Whenever both teams foul during a change of possession down and the
team in final possession gets the ball free of a foul (with "CLEAN HANDS") they have
the opportunity to retain possession. The fact that their opponent's foul occurred after
the change of possession has no bearing on the enforcement. However, when B, the
"clean hands" team, retains possession by declining the opponent's foul, the penalty for
B's foul may be enforced. (9-4-1 PENALTY, 10-2-1b)
10.4.4 SITUATION A:
Fourth and 5 for K from R's 49-yard line. R9 catches the kick on the 15-yard line and
returns the ball to R's 40-yard line, where he is downed. During the return, R3 holds K7
