Case Rule 8

Rule 8 Scoring Plays and Touchbacks – With Case Plays

 

  SECTION 1 POINT VALUES  

The game is won by the team which accumulates the most points. Points are scored as follows for:

Table 8-1
Point values

Touchdown   6 points
Field Goal   3 points
Safety Points awarded to the opponent 2 points

Successful Try

  1. Touchdown
  2. Field Goal or Safety
  

 

2 points
1 point

Forfeited Game

Game score is: 
Offended Team: 1, Opponent: 0
But if offended team is ahead, the score stands

  
SCORING

8.2.1 SITUATION: Runner A10 dives into the pylon at the intersection of the goal line and sidelines and the ball breaks the plane of the goal line. RULING: Touchdown. Assuming the pylon was placed properly, the ball broke the plane of the goal line prior to the touching of the pylon.

  SECTION 2 TOUCHDOWN  

ART. 1 . . . Possession of a live ball in the opponent’s end zone is always a touchdown.

  1. It is a touchdown when a runner advances from the field of play so that the ball penetrates the vertical plane of the opponent’s goal line.
  2. It is a touchdown when a loose ball is caught or recovered by a player while the ball is on or behind his opponent’s goal line.
  3. It is a touchdown when a backward pass or fumble is declared dead in the end zone of the opponent of the player who threw the backward pass or fumbled while no player is in possession (other than because of an inadvertent whistle).

ART. 2 . . . If an opponent of the scoring team commits a foul (other than unsportsmanlike conduct or a nonplayer foul) during a down in which a touchdown is scored and there was not a change in possession during the down, A may accept the results of the play and choose enforcement of the PENALTY:

  1. On the try; or
  2. On the subsequent kickoff.
SCORING

8.2.2 SITUATION A: During (a) A9’s run for a touchdown, B2 holds A1, or (b) K1’s field goal, R2 holds K1. RULING: In (a), A will likely keep the score and may choose to enforce the penalty on the try or enforce the penalty on the subsequent kickoff. In (b), K may keep the points and have the penalty enforced from the succeeding spot, or have the penalty enforced from the previous spot and replay the down. (8-4-3)

8.2.2 SITUATION B: On the down in which time expired for the second period, Team A: (a) scores a field goal or (b) scores a touchdown. In both cases, the opponents of the scoring team commit a live-ball foul. RULING: In (a), the offended team has the option to keep the score, with the penalty assessed on the second half kickoff as this is the succeeding spot. In (b), the offended team has the option to keep the score, with penalty assessment on either the try or on the second half kickoff as this would be the subsequent kickoff.

8.2.2 SITUATION C: During the down in which time expires for the fourth period, the opponents of Team A foul on a play where Team A: (a) scores a touch-down that leaves Team A trailing by one point, (b) scores a field goal which ties the game, or (c) scores a touchdown that leaves team A trailing by one point and the opponents also foul on the try. RULING: In (a), Team A has the option to keep the score, with the penalty assessed on the try. The penalty cannot be assessed on the first play of overtime as there is no subsequent kickoff. In (b), Team A has the option to keep the score, with penalty assessment on the first play of overtime as the first play of overtime is the succeeding spot. In (c), Team A may only have the penalty for the opponent foul on the scoring play enforced on the try but cannot carry over the penalty to overtime; however, the foul by the opponent during the try could be enforced on the first play of overtime at Team A’s choice.

8.2.2 SITUATION D: A1 scores a touchdown. After the score, B commits a (a) dead-ball, (b) unsportsmanlike or (c) nonplayer foul prior to the initial ready-for- play on the try. RULING: In (a), (b) or (c), Team A may elect to enforce the foul at the succeeding spot or on the subsequent kickoff.

8.2.2 SITUATION E: Prior to the ball being thrown during a play in which A1 catches a touchdown pass and advances for a touchdown, B1 holds A2 to prevent him from going out for a pass on the side away from the play. When given options, A elects to enforce the penalty for the defensive holding foul on the subsequent kickoff. During the successful two-point try, B1 is guilty of holding A1. Does A have the option of having the 10-yard penalty added on to the previous 10-yard penalty on the subsequent kickoff? RULING: Yes. The fouls did not occur during the same down, so these are not multiple fouls and, therefore, they may both be enforced on the subsequent kickoff. (8-3-5b, 10-2-4)

8.2.2 SITUATION F: (a) During a touchdown run by A1, B1 holds; (b) On the ensuing successful kick try, there is a foul by B2. RULING: In (a), the designated representative of A is given options for the foul during the touchdown run prior to the try. If A accepts the penalty for B’s holding foul during the touchdown run, A may accept the score and attempt the try from the 1½-yard line or accept the score and have the penalty enforced on the subsequent kickoff. In (b), after the try, A may accept and replay the try from the 3/4-yard line or accept the 1-point try and enforce the penalty for B’s try foul on the subsequent kickoff. It is within the rules for A to have both penalties enforced on the subsequent kickoff.

8.2.2 SITUATION G: A1 scores a touchdown. During the scoring play, (a) A commits an unsportsmanlike foul or (b) B commits an unsportsmanlike foul. RULING: In (a) and (b), the touchdown will be scored. The offended team will have the option to enforce the penalty on the try or carry it to the subsequent kickoff.

ART. 3 . . . If an opponent of the scoring team commits a foul (other than unsportsmanlike conduct or a nonplayer foul) during a down in which a touchdown is scored and there was a change of possession during the down, and such foul occurs after the change of possession, the scoring team may accept the results of the play and choose enforcement of the PENALTY:

  1. On the try; or
  2. On the subsequent kickoff.

ART. 4 . . . If either team commits an unsportsmanlike conduct or a nonplayer foul during a down in which a touchdown is scored, the opponent may accept the penalty and choose enforcement of the PENALTY:

  1. On the try; or
  2. On the subsequent kickoff.

ART. 5. . . If after a down in which a touchdown is scored, and prior to the initial ready-for-play signal for the try, either team commits any foul for which the basic spot is the succeeding spot, the offended team may accept the penalty and choose enforcement of the PENALTY:

  1. On the try; or
  2. On the subsequent kickoff. 

  SECTION 3 TRY  

ART. 1 . . . After a touchdown, the scoring team shall attempt a try during which the ball is snapped from a spot designated by A anywhere between the hash marks on B’s 3-yard line, unless moved by penalty. This involves a scrimmage down which is neither numbered nor timed.
EXCEPTION: If a touchdown is scored during the last down of the fourth period, the try shall not be attempted unless the point(s) would affect the outcome of the game or playoff qualifying.

 TRY 

8.3.1 SITUATION: A has a huge lead and scores another touchdown in the third period, and the captain of A informs the referee that his team does not wish to attempt the try. RULING: There is no choice. A shall attempt a try, or at least snap the ball.

ART. 2 . . . The try begins when the ball is ready for play. It ends when:

  1. B secures possession.
  2. It is apparent a drop kick or place kick will not score.
  3. The try is successful.
  4. The ball becomes dead for any other reason.
 TRY 

8.3.2 SITUATION A: Following a penalty, the try is from B’s 8. A1 advances to B’s 4 and fumbles. The fumble rolls into the end zone where B1 intentionally bats or kicks the ball across the end line. RULING: The measurement for the penalty for B1’s foul is from B’s 4 where A1’s run ended. The new try is from the 2-yard line anywhere between the hash marks. (9-7-1, 9-7-2, 10-3-2, 10-3-3, 10-4-3)

8.3.2 SITUATION B: During a try by place-kick, the kick by K1 is blocked by R1 and recovered by K2, who advances across R’s goal line. RULING: The try is unsuccessful. The try and down ended when the attempted place kick was blocked and it was obvious the kick would not score. The covering official should sound his whistle immediately when it is apparent the kick will not score. (4-2-2i)

8.3.2 SITUATION C: During a try, A1 completes a pass to A2 in the end zone and: (a) ineligible A3 was illegally beyond the neutral zone; or (b) A4 interfered with B1; or (c) B2 interfered with A2. RULING: In (a), if the 5-yard penalty is accepted, the try will be repeated. In (b), if the 15-yard penalty is accepted, the try will be repeated. In (c), A undoubtedly will accept the result of the play and enforce the penalty from the succeeding spot. (7-5-10 PENALTY, 7-5-12 PENALTY, 8-3-5)

ART. 3 . . . During a try, A may score two points from what would be a touchdown or one point for a field goal or safety by B under rules governing play at other times during the game. Only A may score during a try.

 TRY 

8.3.3 SITUATION A: During a try, a fumble by A1 is nearly at rest on the 3-yard line when a muff by B1 is judged by the game official to be a new force causing the ball to go into B’s end zone where B2 recovers and: (a) downs the ball in the end zone; or (b) advances to his 10-yard line. RULING: The try ends and the ball becomes dead when B2 recovers. In any ordinary down, such a dead ball in the end zone would be a safety, therefore, one point is scored for A in both (a) and (b). (4-2-2i, 8-1, 8-5-2b)

8.3.3 SITUATION B: During a non-kick try, A1 fumbles the ball, and in scram- bling to recover the ball and avoid defenders, retreats into his own end zone where he is tackled in possession of the ball. RULING: The ball is dead and no points are awarded. B cannot score on a try.

ART. 4 . . . If during a successful try, a loss of down foul by A occurs, there is no score and no replay.

ART. 5 . . . If during a successful try, a foul by B occurs, A is given the choice of:

  1. Accepting the penalty and replaying the down following enforcement; or
  2. Accepting the result of the play and enforcement of the penalty from the succeeding spot.
 TRY 

8.3.5 SITUATION A: During a kick try: (a) B1 holds and the try is successful; or (b) A1 holds and the try is successful; or (c) B1 roughs the kicker/holder and the try is unsuccessful. RULING: In (a), A may accept the score and have the penalty enforced from the succeeding spot or enforce it from the previous spot and replay the down. In (b), B undoubtedly will accept the penalty and replay. In (c), A obviously would accept the penalty and replay. (8-3-7, 10-5-2)

8.3.5 SITUATION B: During a successful two-point try: (a) B1 roughs the passer; or (b) B2 holds tight end A8. RULING: In both (a) and (b), A may accept the score and have the penalty assessed from the succeeding spot.

8.3.5 SITUATION C: During a successful two-point try, B1 is flagged for pass interference against A1. After the untimed down is over, A1 taunts B1. RULING: A may accept the score and have the penalty enforced at the succeeding spot. However, B may accept the penalty for the dead ball foul by A, and have 15 yards marked off from the spot where the ball is placed after enforcement of B’s penalty. The ball would then be free-kicked from K’s 40-yard line.

ART. 6 . . . If during an unsuccessful try:

  1. A foul by A/K occurs, the penalty is obviously declined, the results of the play stand and there is no replay.
  2. A foul by B/R occurs, and the penalty is accepted, the down is replayed after enforcement.

ART. 7 . . . If a double foul occurs, the down shall be replayed.

ART. 8 . . . When a try is replayed, the snap may be from any point between the hash marks on the yard line through the spot of the ball.

ART. 9 . . . After a try, the opponent of the scoring team shall designate which team will kick off. 

  SECTION 4 FIELD GOAL  

ART. 1 . . . A field goal is scored as follows:

  1. The field-goal attempt shall be a place kick or a drop kick from scrimmage, or from a free kick following a fair catch, or an awarded fair catch.
  2. The kicked ball shall not touch any player of K beyond the expanded neutral zone or the ground before passing through the goal.
  3. The kicked ball shall pass between the vertical uprights or the inside of the uprights extended and above the crossbar of the opponent’s goal.
 FIELD GOAL 

8.4.1 SITUATION A: The field-goal attempt: (a) goes directly over an upright; or (b) is clearly over the crossbar between the uprights. In (a) and (b), the ball is blown back by the wind so that it drops into B’s end zone. RULING: In (a), it is an unsuccessful attempt because the ball did not penetrate the plane of the goal between the inside of the uprights extended. It is a legal field goal in (b) and it doesn’t matter if the ball comes back above or below the crossbar. (8-4-1c)

8.4.1 SITUATION B: K has the ball on R’s 40-yard line for a free kick. The ball is in this position following: (a) a fair catch; or (b) an awarded fair catch; or (c) a safety followed by a couple of dead-ball penalties. In all three cases, K1 place kicks the ball between the uprights and over the crossbar. RULING: Field goal in (a) and (b), and touchback in (c). [8-4-1, 8-4-2, 8-5-3a(1)]

ART. 2 . . . After a field goal, the opponent of the scoring team shall designate which team will kick off.

ART. 3 . . . If during a successful field goal, a foul by R occurs, K is given the choice of:

  1. Accepting the penalty and replaying the down following enforcement; or
  2. Accepting the result of the play and enforcement of the penalty from the succeeding spot.
 FIELD GOAL 

8.4.3 SITUATION: With fourth and 5 from B’s 18, K1’s field-goal attempt is successful. B1 roughs the kicker/holder. RULING: K may accept the result of the play (3 points) and have the penalty enforced from the succeeding spot, or accept the penalty. If the penalty is accepted and K retains possession, it will be first and goal from R’s 9-yard line. (9-4-5, 10-5-1f)

  SECTION 5 FORCE, SAFETY, AND TOUCHBACK  

ART. 1 . . . Responsibility for forcing the ball from the field of play across a goal line is attributed to the player who carries, snaps, passes, fumbles or kicks the ball, unless a new force is applied to a grounded backward pass, kick or fumble.

  1. The muffing or batting of a pass, kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new force; and
  2. The accidental touching of a loose ball by a player who was blocked into the ball is ignored and does not constitute a new force.
 FORCE, NEW FORCE, SAFETY, TOUCHBACK, TOUCHDOWN 

8.5.1 SITUATION A: R1 returns the second half kickoff to K’s 10 and fumbles: (a) the ball rolls into K’s end zone; or (b) K1 attempts to recover and forces the ball into his own end zone. In both cases, the ball is in K’s end zone and no player of either team attempts to recover. The referee, after waiting a few seconds, sounds his whistle. RULING: It is a touchdown for R both in (a) and (b) as the fumbling team retains possession. (8-2-1c, 8-5-2b)

8.5.1 SITUATION B: It is first down and 10 on A’s 12. A fumble by A1 is still rolling slowly on A’s 4-yard line. During an attempt to recover the ball, A2 pushes B1 into the ball causing the ball to roll across the goal line where it is recovered by: (a) A3 who is downed there; or (b) A4 who advances to A’s 15; or (c) B2 who is downed immediately. RULING: Safety in (a). In (b), it is A’s ball on the 15 and the next down is second and 7. In (c), it is a touchdown. (2-13-1, 7-4-2, 8-5-2b)

8.5.1 SITUATION C: A scrimmage kick by K1 from his own end zone is muffed in flight beyond the neutral zone by R1 and rebounds into the end zone where it is recovered by K2. The ball becomes dead in the end zone when K2 is tackled there. RULING: This is a safety because the force which put the ball into the end zone was still the kick by K1. R will be awarded 2 points and K will free kick from K’s 20-yard line. (8-5-2b)

8.5.1 SITUATION D: It is first down and 10 on A’s 3. Runner A1 fumbles on his 2-yard line. B1 intentionally kicks the loose ball which is: (a) on A’s 2; or (b) in the end zone. The ball then goes out of bounds behind the goal line. RULING: Undoubtedly, Team A will decline the penalty in (a) and take the touchback. A will accept the penalty in (b), because declining it would give B a safety. (8-5-2b, 8-5-3c, 9-7-1)

8.5.1 SITUATION E: A1’s forward pass is intercepted in B’s end zone by B1 who attempts to advance, but is downed there. B2 clips at B’s 3: (a) during B1’s run, or (b) after B1 is downed. RULING: It is a touchback in both (a) and (b) and the basic spot is the succeeding spot. In (a), it is first and 10 for B from B’s 1½-yard line. In (b), the dead-ball foul will be penalized from B’s 20 resulting in first and 10 from B’s 10-yard line. (8-5-3d, 10-4-5d)

ART. 2 . . . It is a safety when:

  1. A runner carries the ball from the field of play to or across his own goal line, and it becomes dead there in his team’s possession.
    EXCEPTION: When a defensive player intercepts an opponent’s forward pass; intercepts or recovers an opponent’s fumble or backward pass; or an R player catches or recovers a scrimmage kick or free kick between his 5-yard line and the goal line, and his original momentum carries him into the end zone where the ball remains in the end zone and is declared dead in the end zone in his team’s possession or it goes out of bounds in the end zone, the ball belongs to the team in possession at the spot where the pass or fumble was intercepted or recovered or the kick was caught or recovered.
  2. A player who is either in the field of play or in his end zone, forces a loose ball from the field of play to or across his goal line by his kick, pass, fumble, snap or by a new force to a grounded loose ball with his muff or bat or illegal kick (when the penalty is declined), provided the ball becomes dead there in his team’s possession (including when the ball is declared dead with no player in possession), or the ball is out of bounds when it becomes dead on or behind their goal line. This does not apply to a legal forward pass which becomes incomplete.
  3. A player on offense commits any foul for which the penalty is accepted and enforcement is from a spot in his end zone; or throws an illegal forward pass from his end zone and the penalty is declined in a situation which leaves him in possession at the spot of the illegal pass and with the ball having been forced into the end zone by the passing team.
 FORCE, NEW FORCE, SAFETY, TOUCHBACK, TOUCHDOWN 

8.5.2 SITUATION A: R1 makes an over-the-shoulder catch of a scrimmage kick on his own 2-yard line, running full speed in the direction of his own goal line. His momentum carries him into the end zone with the ball. RULING: Since the momentum of R1 carried him into his own end zone, if the ball becomes dead in his possession in the end zone, it will be R’s ball at the spot of the catch. This also would be true if the ball went out of bounds behind the goal line after R1’s momentum carried him there and he was last in possession of the ball. (8-5-2a EXCEPTION)

8.5.2 SITUATION B: With fourth and 3 from his own 10-yard line, the scrim- mage kick by K1 is blocked so that it rebounds into K’s end zone and: (a) is muffed out of bounds in the end zone by either K or R; or (b) is simultaneously recovered in the end zone by K2 and R1. RULING: In (a), it is a safety. R will be awarded 2 points and K will put the ball in play by a free kick from its 20-yard line. It is a touchdown for R in (b). (2-36-2 , 8-2-1b, 8-5-1, 8-5-2b)

8.5.2 SITUATION C: K1’s punt is blocked on K’s 5-yard line and the ball is slowly rolling near the goal line. R1 attempts to recover and just barely touches the ball. The ball then rolls into the end zone where K2 falls on it. RULING: The covering official will have to judge whether or not a new force resulted from R1’s touch. The covering official must decide whether the original force was such that the ball could have gone into the end zone regardless of the muff. If the covering official has doubt, he will rule that the force was supplied by the kick, thus resulting in a safety. If the covering official rules R1 supplied the force, it is a touchback. (8-5-2b)

8.5.2 SITUATION D: Fourth and 15 for A from its own 8-yard line. A1 is in punt formation and receives the snap in his end zone, but fumbles the ball. A1 quickly recovers and throws a forward pass to ineligible A2, who is also in the end zone. A2 muffs the ball and it falls incomplete. RULING: If B accepts the penalty for A2’s illegal touching, it results in a safety. If B declines the penalty for the foul by A2, the result is B’s ball first and goal from A’s 8-yard line. (5-1- 3c, 7-5-13 PENALTY, 8-5-2c, 10-5-4)

8.5.2 SITUATION E: B1 intercepts a pass on B’s 4-yard line with his momentum taking him directly toward his goal line: (a) B1 fumbles on the 1-yard line, or (b) B1 is contacted by A2 and the ball comes loose on the 2-yard line. In both cases B2 recovers the ball in B’s end zone and is downed there. RULING: It is a safety in both (a) and (b). Once B1 gained possession in the field of play, he is responsible for the fumble which is the force which put the ball into the end zone. Had B1 not fumbled, the momentum exception would have been in effect.

8.5.2 SITUATION F: B1 intercepts on his own 4-yard line and his momentum takes him into B’s end zone. (a) B1 advances out of the end zone and runs to his own 35-yard line; or (b) B1 runs out of the end zone then circles back into it and is downed there; or (c) B1 is hit and fumbles and A1 falls on the loose ball in the end zone; or (d) B2 holds A1 in the end zone as B1 is downed there. RULING: Legal advance in (a). In (b), it is a safety. Once B1 advances out of the end zone as in (a) or (b), the exception is canceled and action thereafter dictates the result of the play. Touchdown for A in (c). In (d), the foul by B2 occurred in the end zone behind the basic spot resulting in a safety. (7-5-4, 8-2-1, 8-5-2a EXCEPTION, 10-4-2)

8.5.2 SITUATION G: B1, while in full stride at B’s 2-yard line (a) intercepts a back- ward pass; (b) intercepts a fumble; or (c) recovers a grounded fumble or backward pass and his momentum carries him into his end zone where he is downed. RULING: In (a),(b) and (c) the ball would belong to B at the spot where the backward pass or fumble was intercepted or recovered as the momentum exception applies.

8.5.2 SITUATION H: R1, while in full stride at his 2-yard line (a) catches a punt over his shoulder; or (b) recovers a grounded punt. His momentum carries him into his end zone where he is downed. RULING: In (a) and (b) the ball would belong to R at the spot where the punt was caught or recovered as the momentum exception applies. 

ART. 3 . . . It is a touchback when:

  1. Any free kick or scrimmage kick:
    1. Which is not a scoring attempt or which is a grounded three-point field-goal attempt, breaks the plane of R’s goal line unless R chooses a spot of first touching by K.
    2. Which is a three-point field-goal attempt, in flight touches a K player in R’s end zone, or after breaking the plane of R’s goal line is unsuccessful.
  2. Any scrimmage kick or free kick becomes dead on or behind K’s goal line with the ball in possession of K (including when the ball is declared dead with no player in possession) and the new force is R’s muff or bat of the kick after it has touched the ground.
  3. A fumble is the force, or a muff or bat of a backward pass or a fumble after either has touched the ground is the new force, which sends the ball to or across the opponent’s goal line and provided such opponent is in team possession or the ball is out of bounds when it becomes dead on or behind its goal line.
  4. A forward pass is intercepted in B’s end zone and becomes dead there in B’s possession.
 FORCE, NEW FORCE, SAFETY, TOUCHBACK, TOUCHDOWN 

8.5.3 SITUATION A: With fourth down and 7 from K’s 10, K1 punts from the end zone. The kick is partially blocked and is just barely moving at K’s 2-yard line when R1’s muff provides a new force which moves the ball into, and out of, the end zone. RULING: Touchback. Because it was the new force by R1 which caused the ball to go out of K’s end zone, the result is a touchback instead of a safety. (2-13-1, 8-5-3b)

8.5.3 SITUATION B: K1 kicks off to start the second half. The ball is rolling on R’s 7-yard line when R1: (a) accidentally, or (b) intentionally kicks the ball into his own end zone where R2 recovers. Is the kick by R1 in either (a) or (b) a new force? If the action is a foul, where is it penalized from? RULING: It is not a new force in either (a) or (b), as force is not a consideration on kicks going into R’s end zone. Even though the ball was kicked by R1, the kick had not ended. The contact in (a) is ignored, because it was not an intentional act. In (b), the kick is illegal, and if the penalty is accepted, it is enforced from the previous spot. If the penalty is declined, it is a touchback by rule. In both (a) and (b), the ball becomes dead when the kick breaks the plane of R’s goal line. (2-13-4, 9-7-1)

8.5.3 SITUATION C: B1 intercepts a forward pass in his end zone and then passes backward to B2 who: (a) muffs the ball so that it goes out of bounds across the sideline behind the goal line; or (b) bats the ball over the end line. RULING: In both (a) and (b), the force which put the ball into the end zone was the pass by A1. When B2 muffed the backward pass out of bounds in the end zone or batted the backward pass in flight so that it went over the end line, the result is a touchback. It will be first and 10 for B from its 20-yard line. (8-5-3c, 9-7-2)

8.5.3 SITUATION D: A1 is running on an attempted two-point conversion. Immediately prior to reaching the goal line, B1 contacts A1, who fumbles the ball forward into B’s end zone and the ball touches the ground and continues to roll. In order to prevent recovery, B2 bats/kicks the ball over the end line. RULING: B has committed a foul for illegal kicking or batting. The result of the play is a touchback as A1’s fumble is the force that put the ball into the end zone. The end of the run is where player possession was lost by A1. If A accepts the batting/kicking foul, it is enforced from the spot where possession was lost and A will replay the try.

ART. 4 . . . The team whose goal line is involved shall put the ball in play anywhere between the hash marks on its 20-yard line by a snap after a touchback and by a free kick after a safety.