Fouls During Plays With a Change of Possession

Fouls During Plays Witha Change of Possession July 26, 2004 John Hoffmann referee@bellsouth.net (321) 676-2844

Definitions • COP = “change of possession” • Team A is the team which puts the ball in play, and Team B is their opponent. • These team designations are retained until the ball is next declared ready for play. • The offense is the team which is in possession of the ball. Their opponent is the defense.

Ground Rules • Plays are… • Not scoring plays • Not kicking plays • Fouls are… • Live ball • Not nonplayer • Not unsportsmanlike • Don’t involve a loss of down by Team A • Penalties are… • Accepted (when practical)

“All-But-One” Principle • When the foul is by the team not in possession (whether behind or beyond the basic spot), the penalty is enforced from the basic spot. • When the foul is by the team in possession and it occurs beyond the basic spot, the penalty is enforced from the basic spot. • When the foul is by the team in possession and it occurs behind the basic spot, the penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul.

“All-But-One” Principle Basic Spot Defensive Foul Behind Basic Spot Defensive Foul Beyond Basic Spot Offensive Foul Beyond Basic Spot Offensive Foul Behind Basic Spot Team Direction

Basic Spot • The basic spot is either the end of the related run or the previous spot. • The spot of the foul is never (hardly) a basic spot. • The basic spot is the end of the related run on running plays. • The end of the related run is… • Where the ball becomes dead in runner’s possession. • Where the runner loses possession if his run is followed by a loose ball. • The spot of the catch when the momentum rule is in effect. • The basic spot is the previous spot on loose-ball plays.

Plays • Loose-Ball Play [10-3-1] is action during a • Legal forward pass • Free kick or scrimmage kick • Act made behind the neutral zone prior to a COP • Backward pass (including the snap) • Illegal kick • Fumble • The run or runs that precede any of the above • Running Play [10-3-2] is all live ball action • which is not included in a loose-ball play above

Scenarios of Interest • Single Foul • Foul by Abefore COP • Foul by Bbefore COP • Foul by Aafter COP • Foul by Bafter COP • Two Fouls • Both teams foul before COP • Foul by Abefore COP, foul by Bafter COP • Foul by Bbefore COP, foul by Aafter COP • Both teams foul after COP • Two Fouls and Two COP

Single Foul - Simplification • If the penalty is accepted, the ball belongs to the team in possession when the foul occurred.

Foul by Abefore COP • It is probably in B’s best interest to decline the foul by A. The results of the play stand and B will keep the ball. • If B accepts A’s foul, the penalty will be enforced as normal. Replay the down and A still has the ball.

Foul by Bbefore COP • It is probably in A’s best interest to accept the foul by B. The penalty will be enforced as normal. Replay the down and A still has the ball. • If A declines the foul by B, the results of the play stand and B will keep the ball. • Depending on the scenario, this may be more advantageous to A. • Roughing the passer can still be enforced even if A does not end up with the ball. • Previous spot (fumble or interception)

Foul by Aafter COP • It is probably in B’s best interest to accept the foul by A. Team B will keep the ball and the penalty will be enforced as a running play using the “all-but-one” principle. • This is now a foul by the defense and the basic spot is the end of the run. • If B declines the foul by A, the results of the play stand and B will keep the ball. • If B was ahead, this might be advantageous to prevent extending the period with an untimed down.

Foul by Bafter COP • It is probably in A’s best interest to accept the foul by B. Team B will keep the ball and the penalty will be enforced as a running play using the “all-but-one” principle. • This is now a foul by the offense and the basic spot is the end of the run. • If A declines the foul by B, the results of the play stand and B will keep the ball. • If A was ahead, this would be advantageous to prevent extending the period with an untimed down.

COP and the Goal Line • If A fouls after a COP and during a run which would result in a safety, the penalty is enforced from the goal line. • If B fouls after a COP and during the run which results in a safety, accepting the penalty is still a safety since it is enforced from the end of the run in the end zone. • If either team fouls after a COP and during a run which results in a touchback, “all-but-one” enforcement is used and the basic spot is the 20-yard line.

Two Fouls - Simplification • If each team fouls during a down in which there is a COP, the team last gaining possession may retain the ball, provided its foul is not prior to the final COP and it declines the penalty for its opponents foul. In this case, the team not last in possession has no penalty options. [10-2-2] • This is also known as the “clean hands” rule. • In case of a double foul, the captains are not consulted since the penalties offset. [10-1-1]

Both teams foul before COP • This is a double foul. The penalties cancel and the down is replayed. • It is a double foul if both teams commit fouls during the same live-ball period in which there is a change of possession, and the team in possession at the end of the down fouls prior to final change of possession. [10-2-1b] {See 10.2.1 Sit. A, page 80}

Foul by Abefore COP, foul by Bafter COP • If B accepts A’s foul… • This is a double foul. The penalties cancel and the down is replayed. • It is a double foul if both teams commit fouls during the same live ball period in which there is a COP and the team in final possession accepts the penalty for its opponent’s foul. [10-2-1c] • If B declines A’s foul… • B may retain the ball and A has no penalty option. [10-2-2] • B’s foul will be enforced as a running play using the “all-but-one” principle. {See 10.2.2 Sit. A, page 80 and 10.2.2 Sit. D, page 81}

Foul by Bbefore COP, foul by Aafter COP • This is a double foul. The penalties cancel and the down is replayed. • It is a double foul if both teams commit fouls during the same live-ball period in which there is a change of possession, and the team in possession at the end of the down fouls prior to final change of possession. [10-2-1b]

Both teams foul after COP • If B accepts A’s foul… • This is a double foul. The penalties cancel and the down is replayed. • It is a double foul if both teams commit fouls during the same live ball period in which there is a COP and the team in final possession accepts the penalty for its opponent’s foul. [10-2-1c] • If B declines A’s foul… • B may retain the ball and A has no penalty option. [10-2-2] • B’s foul will be enforced as a running play using the “all-but-one” principle. {See 10.2.2 Sit. B, page 80 and 10.2.2 Sit. C, page 81}

Two Fouls with Two COP SITUATION: A1 is in illegal position and the pass by A2 is intercepted by B1. During the return by B1, there is clipping by B2 and a subsequent fumble by B1 is recovered by A3. SUMMARY: Foul by A1, COP, foul by B2, COP. RULING: Double foul. Even though there was a COP during the down, the team gaining final possession had fouled before gaining final possession. Both fouls occurred during the live-ball period and the result is a double foul. The penalties cancel and the down is replayed.

Fouls During Plays With a Change of Possession