In the previous Ready for Play article, we examined Rule 10-4-2 (previous spot enforcement). In Rules 10-4-2d through 10-4-2g, we discovered that penalty enforcement is from the previous spot when the foul or run/related run is behind the line of scrimmage. Now let’s look at some exceptions to those rules.
Rule 10-4-4 says the basic spot is the spot of the foul for:
- Illegal batting or illegal kicking when the foul occurs behind the end of the run or related run. (Note, illegal touching is not listed in this rule. A foul for illegal touching is enforced from the previous spot because it occurs during a loose ball play.)
- Illegal participation as in 9-6-4a (a player enters and participates during a down) and 9-6-4g (a player whose helmet comes completely off continues to participate beyond the immediate action in which he is engaged).
- An illegal forward pass and intentional grounding.
Those are three exceptions to previous spot enforcement if the foul or run/related run ends behind the LOS. In 10-4-4a through c, the penalties can be enforced from behind the line of scrimmage.
Play: 3/5 from the B-40. A12 throws a backward pass from the B-42. A39 muffs the pass and kicks the grounded ball at the B-43. The ball goes out of bounds at the B-40. Ruling: A39 is guilty of illegal kicking. The end of the run is the B-42 (where A12 released the pass). If Team B accepts the penalty, it will be enforced from the spot of the foul (B-43), which is behind the run. Team B could decline the foul and take the result of the play (4/5 from the B-40).
Play: 3/5 from the B-40. While blocking B63, A77’s helmet comes completely off. A12 retreats with the ball and runs to the right side of the field. A77 disengages with B63 and blocks B12 at the B-47. B12 does not initiate a block on A77. A12 throws an incomplete pass. Ruling: A77 is guilty of illegal participation. The spot of the foul is where A77 “continues to participate beyond the immediate action in which he is engaged.”
Let’s continue with 10-4-4:
d. A foul by Team A that occurs beyond the LOS during a running play when the run/related runs ends beyond the LOS and the foul occurs behind the end of the run/related run. (This is also the “spot comparison” procedure we discussed in a previous RFP article.)
e. Following a change of possession, the team in possession fouls behind the end of the run or related run. (This is the “spot comparison” procedure we discussed in a previous RFP article.)
f. When A commits any foul in his end zone for which the penalty is accepted (results in a safety – Rule 8-5-2c).
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
3/5 from the A-40. A12 pitches the ball backward from the A-38. A17 muffs the pitch and bats the ball forward at the A-36. The ball goes out of bounds at the A-39. Enforce the foul from the _____.
- A-40 (previous spot)
- A-39 (out of bounds spot)
- A-38 (spot of the pitch)
- A-36 (spot of the bat)
Review Rule 10-4-4a