Rule 4 Ball in Play, Dead Ball, and Out of Bounds – With Case Plays

SECTION 1 PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY

ART. 1 . . . To start each half and to resume play after a field goal or after a try, the ball shall be put in play by a kickoff.

ART. 2 . . . A free kick shall also put the ball in play:

After a safety.
When a free-kick down is replayed.
When a free kick is chosen following a fair catch, an awarded fair catch, the replay of a down which follows a fair catch or an awarded fair catch.

ART. 3 . . . A snap shall, if elected, put the ball in play when a free kick is not specified.

ART. 4 . . . A snap or free kick shall be made between the hash marks.

ART. 5 . . . After being put in play, the ball remains live until the down ends.

LIVE BALL STRIKES GAME OFFICIAL OR DOG INBOUNDS

4.1.5 SITUATION: A forward pass strikes: (a) a game official standing inbounds, after which it rebounds into the air and is caught by A1 or B1; or (b) a dog or a spectator inbounds. RULING: In (a), A1 or B1 has caught a live ball. Nothing has occurred to cause the ball to become dead. In (b), the ball becomes dead immediately and is administered under the provisions of the inadvertent-whistle rule with a replay of the down. (4-2-2e, 4-2-3a)

ART. 6 . . . The ball remains dead and a down is not begun if a snap or free kick is attempted before the ball is ready for play, or there is an illegal snap, other snap infraction or a dead-ball foul occurs.

SECTION 2 DEAD BALL AND END OF THE DOWN

ART. 1 . . . A game official shall indicate the ball remains dead by sounding his whistle immediately when a foul occurs before a snap or free kick.

ART. 2 . . . The ball becomes dead and the down is ended:

When a runner goes out of bounds, is held so his forward progress is stopped or allows any part of his person other than hand or foot to touch the ground.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. The ball remains live if, at the snap, a place-kick holder with his knee(s) on the ground and with a teammate in kicking position catches or recovers the snap while his knee(s) is on the ground and places the ball for a kick, or if he rises to advance, hand, kick or pass; or
2. The ball remains live if, at the snap, a place-kick holder with his knee(s) on the ground and with a teammate in kicking position rises and catches or recovers an errant snap and immediately returns his knee(s) to the ground and places the ball for a kick or again rises to advance, hand, kick or pass.
  NOTE: The ball becomes dead if the place-kick holder muffs the snap or fumbles and recovers after his knees have been off the ground, and he then touches the ground with other than hand or foot while in possession of the ball.
When a live ball goes out of bounds.
When any forward pass (legal or illegal) is incomplete or is simultaneously caught by opposing players.
When any legal free kick or scrimmage kick:
1. Which is not a scoring attempt or which is a grounded scoring attempt, breaks the plane of R’s goal line.
2. Which is a scoring attempt, while in flight touches a K player in R’s end zone, or after breaking the plane of R’s goal line has apparently failed.
  EXCEPTION: If a scoring attempt kick touches an upright, crossbar, a game official or R player in the end zone and caroms through the goal, the touching is ignored and the attempt is successful.
When any loose ball:
1. Is simultaneously caught or recovered by opposing players.
2. Is on the ground motionless and no player attempts to secure possession.
3. Touches, or is touched by, anything inbounds other than a player, substitute, replaced player, a game official, the ground or authorized equipment. In this case the ball will be put in play in accordance with the procedure for an inadvertent whistle as in 4-2-3b.
When the kickers catch or recover any free kick anywhere, and when the kickers catch or recover a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone and when the kickers are first (i.e., before any touching by the receivers) to touch a scrimmage kick after it has come to rest beyond the neutral zone and between the goal lines.
Following a valid or invalid fair-catch signal given by any R player when a scrimmage kick or free kick is caught or recovered by any R player beyond, in or behind the neutral zone.
When any score occurs.
During a try if B secures possession or as soon as it is apparent that a kick has failed to score.
When a game official sounds his/her whistle inadvertently.
When the helmet comes completely off the runner.
When a prosthetic limb comes completely off the runner.

HOLDER WITH KNEE ON GROUND

4.2.2 SITUATION A: K1 has one knee on the ground to hold for an apparent field-goal attempt. K2 is in position to kick. K1 catches the snap and: (a) places the ball which is kicked by K2; or (b) rises and either runs or passes; or (c) without rising, flips the ball to K2 who attempts to run. RULING: Legal in (a) and (b). In (c), the ball becomes dead immediately when K1 tosses it to K2 while K1 has his knee on the ground. (4-2-2a EXCEPTION)

4.2.2 SITUATION B: During a try K1, who is apparently a place-kick holder, receives the snap with one knee on the ground and places the ball for a kick. Just as K2 comes forward to kick the ball, K1 lifts the ball, rises and: (a) throws a forward pass to K3 in the end zone; or (b) carries the ball into the end zone; or (c) starts to run, fumbles and the ball is recovered by K4 who advances into the end zone; or (d) fumbles and it is recovered by R1; or (e) takes several steps and then drops to one knee to place it for a kick. RULING: Successful try in (a), (b) and (c). The ball remains live and may be advanced since the place-kick holder had his knee in contact with the ground at the time of the snap and a teammate was in position to kick. In (d), the try ended with the recovery and R1 may not advance. In (e), the ball is dead immediately when K1’s knee touches the ground after rising with the ball in his possession. (4-2-2a)

4.2.2 SITUATION C: At the snap, K1 is in position to kick and K2 is in position to hold for a place kick with one knee on the ground. The snap is high or bounces once and it is necessary for K2 to lift his knee off the ground in order to catch or recover the ball. K2 catches the snap and: (a) immediately drops to one knee and places the ball for a kick; or (b) immediately drops to his knees and then rises and passes the ball; or (c) takes several steps and then drops to his knees to place the ball; or (d) takes several steps and fumbles the ball which is subsequently recovered and advanced by K1 or K2. RULING: The ball remains live in (a), (b) and (d). In (c), the ball is dead when K2’s knee touches the ground, because he did not go back down immediately after catching or recovering the errant snap. In (d), the advance by K1 or K2 is legal. (4-2-2a EXCEPTION)

KICK BECOMES DEAD

4.2.2 SITUATION D: K1’s free kick or scrimmage kick hits the ground at R’s 10-yard line and bounces into R’s end zone. RULING: The ball became dead immediately when it broke the plane of R’s goal line.

4.2.2 SITUATION E: With fourth and goal from R’s 20-yard line, K1 attempts a field goal. The attempt is above the crossbar level, but is just wide of the left upright. RULING: The ball becomes dead immediately when the covering official determines the attempt is unsuccessful and the ball has broken the plane of R’s goal line. [4-2-2d(2)]

FAIR-CATCH SIGNAL

4.2.2 SITUATION F: K1 punts from midfield and R1 gives a fair-catch signal at R’s 10-yard line. R1 muffs the catch and the ball bounces toward R’s end zone. (a) R2 recovers at the 1-yard line and his momentum takes him into the end zone where he is tackled; or (b) R3 recovers and is downed on R’s 2-yard line; or (c) K2 recovers and is downed on R’s 5. RULING: In (a), it is R’s ball on the 1-yard line because the ball became dead when R2 recovered following the fair-catch signal. In (b), it is R’s ball on the 2 and in (c) it is K’s ball on the 5-yard line.

4.2.2 SITUATION G: K1’s punt on fourth and 10 is from his own 20-yard line. The kick is high and short. R1 gives a valid signal beyond the neutral zone and muffs the kick. The ball rebounds behind the neutral zone where: (a) K1 recovers the ball and advances to his 18-yard line; or (b) K1 falls on the ball at his 15-yard line; or (c) R2 falls on the ball at K’s 9-yard line; or (d) R2 recovers the ball at K’s 9-yard line and is tackled immediately. RULING: Legal advance by K1 in (a). It will be an automatic first down for K in both (a) and (b) because R1 touched the kick beyond the neutral zone. In (c), it is R’s ball first and goal at K’s 9-yard line. In (d), the signal by R1 causes the ball to become dead at the spot of recovery. The covering official should sound his whistle as soon as R2 or any other receiver recovers the ball. (4-2-2g, 6-1-5, 6-2-2, 6-2-3, 6-5-5)

4.2.2 SITUATION H: R1 gives a fair-catch signal immediately following his catch of a kick. RULING: Illegal fair-catch signal, because it was given after the kick was caught and R1 had become a runner. The signal does not cause the down to end. If accepted, the 5-yard penalty is enforced from the basic spot de- fined in Rule 10-4. (2-9-5, 3-4-2c, 4-2-2g, 6-5-8, 10-4)

TOUCHING IGNORED

4.2.2 SITUATION I: During a try, K1’s place kick hits lineman K2 who is be- hind the neutral zone, and caroms between the uprights and above the crossbar. RULING: The try is successful. Touching a kick is ignored if the touching is in the neutral-zone expanded, or on K’s side of it. It is important to remember the neutral zone does not expand into the end zone. If the same touching occurs beyond the plane of the goal line, the ball becomes dead and the try is ended. (2-28-2, 6-2-6)

HELMET COMES OFF RUNNER

4.2.2 SITUATION J: With fourth down and 8 from the 50, A1 runs to B’s 45-yard line where: (a) B1, in attempting to tackle A1, unsnaps A1’s chin strap and play continues to the 40-yard line where A1 is finally downed; or (b) B1, in attempting to tackle A1, grasps the face mask/helmet opening and A1’s helmet comes off; or (c) B1 contacts A1 at B’s 46 and A1’s helmet comes off and he subsequently fumbles the ball. RULING: In (a), play continues and it is a first down for A after enforcement of the face mask foul. In (b), the ball becomes dead at the spot A1’s helmet came off and B is penalized for the face-mask/helmet opening violation. In (c), the ball becomes dead at the spot where A1’s helmet came off and because it was fourth down and the line to gain was not obtained, the ball goes over to B. The fumble is disregarded because it happened after the ball became dead and A1 must leave the field for one play. (3-5-10d, 4-2-2k)

4.2.2 SITUATION K: In attempting to tackle A1, B1’s helmet comes completely off. A1 does not go down and he runs for a touchdown. RULING: The score stands. Play is not stopped and the ball does not become dead if the helmet comes off any player other than the runner. B1 must leave the field for one play. (3-5-10d, 4-2-2k)

ART. 3 . . . An inadvertent whistle ends the down. Inadvertent whistles are administered as follows:

The down shall be replayed if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an inadvertent whistle is sounded while a legal forward pass or snap is in flight, or during a legal kick.
The team last in possession may choose to either put the ball in play where possession was lost or replay the down if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an inadvertent whistle is sounded while the ball is loose following a backward pass, fumble, illegal forward pass or illegal kick.
The team in possession may choose to either accept the results of the play at the dead-ball spot or replay the down if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an inadvertent whistle is sounded while the ball is in player possession.
The penalty shall be administered as determined by the basic spot and takes precedence over inadvertent whistle administration if, during a down, a live- ball foul occurs prior to the inadvertent whistle and the penalty is accepted.

INADVERTENT WHISTLE

4.2.3 SITUATION A: With fourth and 2 from K’s 38-yard line, a scrimmage kick by K1 is muffed beyond the neutral zone by R1 following his signal for a fair catch. While the ball is loose following the muff, the covering official sounds his whistle inadvertently. RULING: Because the whistle was inadvertently sounded during a kick, the down will be replayed even though R1 was first to touch the scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone. The game clock will start on the ready-for-play signal. (3-4-2c)

4.2.3 SITUATION B: While a legal forward pass is in flight: (a) B1 interferes with eligible A1 and then there is an inadvertent whistle; or (b) a whistle is inadvertently sounded after which B2 contacts A2 while the ball is still in flight. RULING: In (a), if the designated representative accepts the penalty for a foul which occurred prior to the inadvertent whistle, the penalty takes precedence. In (b), the contact by B2 occurred during a dead-ball period and unless it is a personal foul, will be ignored. Because the whistle was inadvertently sounded while a legal forward pass was in flight, the down shall be replayed. (7-5-10a)

4.2.3 SITUATION C: With fourth and goal on B’s 4-yard line, A1 is hit and fumbles, and as the ball rolls into the end zone, an inadvertent whistle is sounded. The fumble occurs: (a) at the 5-yard line, or (b) at the 3-yard line. RULING: In (a) and (b), A will have a choice of taking the play at the spot of the fumble or replaying the down. If A takes the play, it is B’s ball at the 5 in (a), and at the 3 in (b). COMMENT: Whenever an inadvertent whistle sounds while the ball is loose following a fumble, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble or spot of last possession. Theoretically, this is where the ball becomes dead. Regardless of where the ball is fumbled, the team last in possession may choose to have the ball put in play where possession was lost and count the down or choose to replay the down. (4-2-3b)

4.2.3 SITUATION D: A1 throws a forward pass from his own 40-yard line. B1 intercepts on his 2-yard line and circles back into his end zone. While B1 is in the end zone, the covering official inadvertently sounds his whistle. RULING: Since B1 is in possession, B has the option of accepting the results of the play at the time of the whistle or asking for a replay of the down. Since the result of the play would be a safety, B would normally chose to replay the down. (4-2-3c, 8-5-2a)

4.2.3 SITUATION E: K’s ball, fourth and 12, on R’s 45-yard line. K8’s punt is rolling on R’s 16 when an inadvertent whistle sounds. R76 blocks K84 in the back on R’s 22-yard line during the down prior to the whistle. RULING: By rule, an inadvertent whistle during the kick (loose-ball play) and declination of all fouls, stipulates a replay of the down. However, if the penalty for R’s illegal block is accepted, the penalty is enforced from the previous spot and K will replay fourth down, fourth and 2 from R’s 35-yard line. (2-16-2h, 4-2-2j, 4-2-3a, 4-2-3d, 6-2-7, 10-4-3)

4.2.3 SITUATION F: A1 is in scrimmage-kick formation with his back heel near the end line in the end zone. On a high snap, the potential kicker jumps and is able to keep the ball from going out of the end zone. It falls to the ground and is rolling around 5 yards into the end zone. In a panic, A1 then kicks the ball off the ground and it rolls to the A25 and is bounding around when there is an inadvertent whistle. The ball rolls dead at the A27. RULING: B has a choice of accepting the penalty for an illegal kick, which if accepted, results in a safety against A. If the penalty is declined, the inadvertent whistle rule allows for A to ask for a replay of the down since the ball was not in player possession at the time of the whistle.

4.2.3 SITUATION G: A’s ball, third and 8 on A’s 30-yard line. A1’s pass is intercepted by B2. Prior to the interception, B1 is flagged for defensive pass interference. After the ball is intercepted by B2, the covering official blows an inadvertent whistle with B2 in possession at the B40. RULING: If A accepts B’s penalty for pass interference, it is A’s ball, first and 10 at A’s 45-yard line as the inadvertent whistle aspect is ignored. If A declines B’s penalty for pass interference, B will accept the ball at B’s 40-yard line. (4-2-3c)

SECTION 3 OUT-OF-BOUNDS AND INBOUNDS SPOTS

ART. 1 . . . When a loose ball goes out of bounds, the out-of-bounds spot is fixed by the yard line where the foremost point of the ball crossed the sideline. When the ball becomes dead in the field of play because of touching a person who is out of bounds, the out-of-bounds spot is fixed by the yard line through the foremost point of the ball.

ART. 2 . . . When the out-of-bounds spot is between the goal lines, the ball shall be put in play at the nearest inbounds spot unless a forward pass is involved. If the out-of-bounds spot is behind a goal line, it is a safety, field goal or touchback. If the ball touches a pylon, it is out of bounds behind the goal line.

ART. 3 . . . When a runner goes out of bounds, the nearest hash mark is fixed by the yard line through the foremost point of the ball at the time the runner crosses the plane of the sideline.

INBOUNDS SPOT

4.3.3 SITUATION A: It is fourth down and the line to gain is B’s 45-yard line. A1, running near the sideline, is blocked by B1 on the 46 and he: (a) travels several feet in the air landing out of bounds opposite B’s 44½-yard line; or (b) lands inbounds on B’s 44 and slides out of bounds. RULING: In (a), the covering official must locate the spot where the ball crossed the sideline and then determine whether the foremost point of the ball was behind or beyond the line to gain when A1 crossed the plane of the sideline. In (b), it is first down and 10 for A from B’s 44-yard line.

4.3.3 SITUATION B: A has third down and seven yards to gain at B’s 30. A1 leaps near the sideline to attempt to catch a pass near B’s 30-yard line. A1 is: (a) airborne trying to make the catch and is knocked backwards by B2 attempting to make the tackle and A1 lands outside the sideline at B’s 32 or (b) airborne when he controls the ball attempting to complete the catch and is carried off the field by B2 landing out of bounds. RULING: In (a), the pass is incomplete and the game clock should start on the snap. In (b), it is a catch and the game clock should not stop. If the game clock was stopped inadvertently by the covering official, it should be immediately restarted. (2-15-1, 2-15-2, 4-3-2)

ART. 4 . . . When the ball becomes dead between the hash marks, play is resumed at the dead-ball spot, unless it is a legal forward-pass incompletion in which case the ball is returned to the previous spot.

ART. 5 . . . When the ball becomes dead in a side zone or is awarded to a team there or is left there by a penalty, play is resumed at the nearest hash mark. This does not apply to:

A legal forward-pass incompletion.
A replay due to an inadvertent whistle.
A replayed try. d. A free kick or snap which follows a fair catch or awarded fair catch in a side zone.
In (a) and (b), the ball is returned to the previous spot.

ART. 6 . . . Before the ready-for-play, A may designate the spot from which the ball is put in play anywhere between the hash marks:

For a try.
For a kickoff.
Following a safety.
Following a fair catch.
Following an awarded fair catch.
Following a touchback.
For the start of each series using an overtime procedure.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE ON PLACING BALL

4.3.6 SITUATION: Prior to the ready-for-play on a try, A’s captain requests the ball be placed on the right side hash mark. A then deploys in a spread formation. (a) A1 does not like the defensive coverage and requests a time-out; or (b) a dead- ball foul occurs. The captain of A then asks the referee to move the ball to a position midway between the uprights. RULING: The request is denied in (a) and honored in (b). The captain may, in seven situations, ask that the ball be placed at a certain point between the hash marks. However, once spotted the ball may not be moved because of a second request. If a dead-ball foul occurs, or a foul occurs during the down and the penalty is accepted, the captain again will be given an opportunity to pick a spot for the replay. The request for placement of the ball is permissible for a try or kickoff, after a safety, fair catch, awarded fair catch, touchback, or the start of each series, using the 10-Yard Line Overtime Procedure. (8-3-1)

ART. 7 . . . When a team may designate the spot along the proper yard line from which the ball is to be put in play, it shall have the same privilege if the down is to be replayed or a dead-ball foul occurs.

CHOICE TO SNAP OR FREE KICK

4.3.7 SITUATION: With the score tied near the end of the fourth period, R1 signals for a fair catch and catches the kick at K’s 40. After a time-out, the captain of R advises the referee that he wishes to put the ball in play by snap. A1 throws a pass intended for A2. B1 interferes with A2 and the pass is incomplete. Following administration of the penalty, the captain of R decides to put the ball in play by free kick from K’s 25 as a field-goal attempt. RULING: This is permissible and the game clock will not start until the kick is touched, other than first touching by K. This is one of the times a field goal may be scored by a free kick. The captain may request a time-out prior to making the decision on whether to snap or free kick. In putting the ball in play in this situation, the captain of R is privileged to designate the point on K’s 25, anywhere between the hash marks he wishes the ball to be placed. (1-4-1, 5-2-4, 6-5-4)