Penalty Enforcement (End of the Run or Related Run) (Rule 10-4-6)

Rules 10-2-2d through 10-2-2g identify the penalty enforcement basic spot as the previous spot when fouls occur behind the line of scrimmage and/or when the run or related run ends behind the line of scrimmage. The word behind is the primary word in each of the sub-articles.

In each of the Rule 10-4-6 sub-articles, the word beyond is the definitive word. The Rules Book wording is a little different, but the penalty enforcement is the same as in previous years (before the 2023 penalty enforcement changes).  

Before we talk about penalty enforcement, let’s define running play, run, and related run.

Rule 10-3-2 defines a running play as any action that is [not a free kick or scrimmage kick or a legal forward pass].

A run is the portion of a running play when the ball is in player possession. In most cases, one run comprises the entire running play.

If the runner involuntarily loses possession (fumble or muff) or if the runner voluntarily gives up possession (backward pass, illegal kick, illegal forward pass), the running play continues until a player regains possession (a new run begins) or the ball becomes dead. The end of the first run is the spot where possession was lost. The start of the second run is where possession is regained.

Multiple runs can occur and the ball can be loose multiple times during a running play. (A loose ball during a run should not be confused with a “loose ball play.”)

The related run for penalty enforcement is only significant if a foul occurs during the interval between the start of a run and the point where the ball is regained following a loose ball (the interval includes action while the ball is loose). Enforcement is from the spot where possession was lost (the end of the related run) and not from the end of the entire running play.

(In my opinion, it might be easier to remove “end of the run” from the 10-4 articles and just leave “end of the related run.” I think it would simplify the explanations.)

With those definitions in mind, let’s look at the Rule 10-4-6 sub-articles.

The basic spot for penalty enforcement is the end of the run or related run for:

a. A foul by Team B when the run or related run ends beyond the line of scrimmage.

    Play: 3/5 from the A-40. B77 tackles A41 by the facemask at the A-45. Ruling: The foul occurred beyond the line of scrimmage, so add the 15 yards to the end of the run. If the foul had occurred behind the line of scrimmage, the foul would be enforced from the previous spot.

    b. A foul that occurs beyond the end of the run or related run following a change of possession. When there is no line of scrimmage to consider, the crew will compare the spot of the foul to the end of the run or related run. In 10-4-6b, the run or related run is closer to the team in possession’s goal line than the spot of the foul, so the end of the run or related run will be the penalty enforcement spot. (This is not a change from the previous “All but One” principle.)

    c. A foul by A that occurs beyond the line of scrimmage during a running play when:

    • The run or related run ends beyond the line of scrimmage, and

    • The foul occurs in advance of (aka beyond) the end of the run or related run

    This is not a change from the previous “All but One” principle. If both the end of the run or related run and the spot of the foul occur beyond the line of scrimmage, we choose the spot closest to Team A’s goal line for penalty enforcement (spot comparison). Since the foul occurred beyond the end of the run or related run, the end of the run or related run will be the penalty enforcement spot.


    Quiz

    Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.

    B15 intercepts a pass at the B-10 and fumbles at the B-15. During the scramble for the loose ball, A17 grasps and twists B15’s facemask at the B-20. B34 picks up the ball and is downed at the B-25. Enforce the penalty from the ______.

    1. B-10
    2. B-15
    3. B-20
    4. B-25

    Review Rule 10-4-6b

    Click below to reveal the Quiz answer and accompanying explanations.