Definitions#

Section 1 — Approved Ruling (A.R.)#

An Approved Ruling (A.R.) is a written decision on a given statement of facts and serves to illustrate the intent and application of a rule. Supplemental Notes are used to amplify a rule. A Note is more specific and applies to a particular situation. It is also used to indicate pertinent references to other rules.

An Official Ruling (O.R.) is a ruling made in the interim between the annual rules meetings and is official only during the current season.

Technical Terms are such terms that have a fixed and defined meaning throughout the Playing Rules. Because of their alphabetical arrangement in Rule 3, certain ones are used prior to being defined.

Section 2 — The Ball and Possession of the Ball#

Article 1 — Dead Ball#

A dead ball is one that is not in play. The time period during which the ball is dead is between downs. This includes the interval during all timeouts, including intermission, and from the time the ball becomes dead until it is legally put in play.

Article 2 — Ball Ready for Play#

A dead ball is ready for play while the 40-second play clock is running when the ball is placed down by an official at the spot where the ball will next be put in play, or when the Referee signals for the 25-second play clock to start.

Article 3 — Live Ball#

A live ball is a ball that is in play. A dead ball becomes a live ball when it is:

(a) legally kicked on a free kick down (6-1-1; 6-1-3; 6-1-6);

(b) legally snapped on a scrimmage down (7-1-1; 7-6-1); or

(c) legally kicked on a fair catch kick down (10-2-4; 11-4-3).

It continues in play until the down ends (3-8-1).

Article 4 — Loose Ball#

A loose ball is a live ball that is not in player possession, i.e., any ball that has been kicked, passed, or fumbled. A loose ball is considered to be in possession of the team (offense) whose player kicked, passed, or fumbled it. It is a loose ball until a player secures possession or until the ball becomes dead. If it has not yet struck the ground, a loose ball is in flight.

Article 5 — Fumble#

A fumble is any act, other than passing, successful handing, or legally kicking the ball, which results in a loss of player possession. It is not a fumble if the player immediately regains control of the ball. A fumble ends when a player of

either team possesses the ball, or when the ball is dead. The use of the term fumble always means that the ball was in possession of a player when the act occurred (8-7-3).

Note: An intentional fumble that causes the ball to go forward is a forward pass and may be illegal (8-1).

Article 6 — Muff#

A muff is the touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession of it.

Note: Any ball intentionally muffed forward is a bat and may be a foul (3-3; 12-5-1; 3-14).

Touching the ball refers to any contact with the ball. There is no distinction between a player touching the ball with his hands, or with any other part of his body, including his hair, except as specifically provided for (9-2-2).

(a) See 6-1-4, 6-1-6 and 6-2-5 for touching a free kick.

(b) See 6-2-4 for touching a free kick before it goes out of bounds between the goal lines or in advance of the front yard line of the Landing Zone.

(c) See 8-1-8 for ineligible offensive player touching a forward pass on, behind, or beyond the line.

(d) See 9-2-1, 9-3-1 for touching a scrimmage kick on or behind the line, and 9-2-4 for being pushed into a kick by an opponent.

(e) See 11-4-2 for touching a kick during an attempted field goal.

(f) Simultaneous touching by two opponents in an attempt to establish possession of a ball that has been kicked is treated as a first touch by the kicking team.

Article 7 — Player Possession#

A player is in possession when he is inbounds and has control of the ball with his hands or arms.

To gain possession of a loose ball that has been caught, intercepted, or recovered, a player (a) must have complete control of the ball with his hands or arms and (b) have both feet or any other part of his body, other than his hands, completely on the ground inbounds, and, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, (c) clearly perform any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent). It is not necessary that he commits such an act, provided that he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so. This rule applies in the field of play, at the sideline, and in the end zone.

Notes:

(1) Movement of the ball does not automatically result in loss of control.

(2) If a player who has completed the first two, but not the third requirement for possession, contacts the ground and loses control of the ball, there is no possession if the ball hits the ground before he regains control, or if he regains control out of bounds. If a player would have caught, intercepted, or recovered a ball inbounds, but is carried out of bounds, player possession will be granted (8-1-3-Note 5).

(3) If any part of the foot hits out of bounds during the normal continuous motion of taking a step (heel-toe or toe-heel), then the foot is out of bounds. A player is inbounds if he drags his foot, or if there is a delay between the heel-toe or toe-heel touching the ground.

The terms catch, intercept, recover, advance, and fumble denote player possession (as distinguished from touching or muffing). A catch is made when a player inbounds secures possession of a pass, kick, or fumble that is in flight. An interception is made when an opponent who is inbounds catches a forward or backward pass or a fumble that has not touched the ground.

Notes:

(1) It is a catch, or an interception, if, in the process of attempting to possess the ball, a player secures control of the ball prior to it touching the ground, and that control is maintained during and after the ball has touched the ground.

(2) In the field of play, if a catch or interception has been completed, and the ball comes loose before the player is down by contact, it is a fumble, and the ball remains alive. It is also a fumble if the action occurs in the end zone of the player who caught the loose ball. If the action occurs in the opponent’s end zone, it is a touchdown or a touchback.

A recovery is made when a player inbounds secures possession of a loose ball after it has touched the ground.

If a loose ball is controlled simultaneously by two opponents, and both players retain it, it is simultaneous possession, and the ball belongs to the team last in possession, or to the receiving team when there has been a free kick, scrimmage kick, or fair catch kick. It is not simultaneous possession if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control.

Section 3 — Bat#

A bat is the intentional striking of the ball with any part of the hand or arm. See 12-5-1.

Section 4 — Blocking#

Blocking is the act of obstructing or impeding an opponent by contacting him with a part of the blocker’s body. A block in the back is a block that is delivered from behind an opponent above his waist. It is not a block in the back:

(a) if a player is making a personal attempt to recover a loose ball;

(b) if the opponent turns away from the blocker when contact is imminent; or

(c) if both of the blocker’s hands are on the opponent’s side.

A block below the waist is when the initial contact with any part of the blocker’s body is below the waist of an opponent, other than the runner, who has one or both feet on the ground. A blocker who makes contact above the waist and then slides below the waist has not blocked below the waist. If an opponent uses his hands to ward off a block creating contact below the waist, it is not a block below the waist.

Section 5 — Chucking#

Chucking is intentionally contacting an eligible receiver who is in front of a defender.

Section 6 — Close-Line Play#

Close-line play is contact that occurs in an area extending between the outside edges of the normal tackle positions and three yards on either side of the line of scrimmage. Close-line play no longer exists after the ball leaves that area.

Section 7 — Disqualified Player#

A disqualified player is one who is prohibited from further participation in the game. He must return to his dressing room within a reasonable period of time and is not permitted to reappear in his team uniform or return to any area other than to which spectators have access.

Section 8 — Down#

Article 1 — Down#

A down is a period of action that starts when the ball is put in play (3-2-3) and ends when the ball is declared dead (7-2-1).
A down that starts with a snap is a scrimmage down (3-29).
A down that starts with a free kick is a free kick down (6-1-1).
A down that starts with a fair catch kick is a fair catch kick down (10-2-4; 11-4-3).

Article 2 — Series of Downs#

A series of downs is the four consecutive charged scrimmage downs allotted to the offensive team during which it must advance the ball to a yard line called “the line to gain” in order to retain possession.

Article 3 — Line to Gain#

The line to gain is the spot 10 yards in advance of the spot of the snap that starts a series, except when a goal line is less than 10 yards from this spot. In that case, the line to gain is the goal line.

Article 4 — Charged Down#

A charged down is a scrimmage down that is not nullified by a penalty, or during which there is not a change of possession. It counts as a down in a series of downs.

Article 5 — First Down#

The initial down in each series is the first down. If it is a charged down, subsequent charged downs are numbered consecutively (i.e., second down, third down, or fourth down) until a new series is declared for either team (7-3).

Section 9 — Fair Catch#

A fair catch is an unhindered catch of a scrimmage kick that has crossed the line of scrimmage and has not touched the ground or of a free kick that has not touched the ground, by a player of the receiving team who has given a valid fair catch signal. A fair catch may be followed by a fair catch kick (See 10-2-4 and 11-4-3).

Section 10 — Field Goal#

A field goal is made by kicking the ball from the field of play through the plane of the opponent’s goal, which is an area either between the goal posts and above the crossbar, or, if above the goal posts, between the outside edges of the goal posts. A field goal is made by a drop kick or a place kick from (a) on or behind the line on a play from scrimmage or (b) during a fair catch kick (See 3-17-1-Item 1-2; 10-2-4; and 11-4-3).

Section 11 — The Field#

Article 1 — Boundary Lines#

The boundary lines are the end lines and the sidelines and enclose the field upon which the game is played.

Article 2 — End Lines#

The end lines are the lines at each end of the field and are perpendicular to the sidelines. The end line is 10 yards from the goal line and at the back of the end zone.

Article 3 — End Zone#

The end zone is the rectangle formed by the goal line, the end line, and the sidelines. The goal line and the pylons are in the end zone.

Article 4 — Field of Play#

The field of play is the rectangle formed by the goal lines and the sidelines. It does not include the end zone.

Article 5 — Goal#

The goal is the area above the crossbar between the uprights, or, if above the uprights, the area between the outside edges of the uprights. A team’s own goal is the one it is defending. The adjacent goal line is known as its goal line.

Article 6 — Goal Lines#

The goal lines are the lines between the sidelines that separate the end zone from the field of play. The goal lines are vertical planes that are parallel to and 10 yards from the end lines.

Article 7 — Inbounds Lines#

The inbounds lines are hash marks on the field of play that are 70 feet, 9 inches from and parallel to each sideline and intersect each yard line marking at right angles.

Article 8 — Sidelines#

The sidelines are the lines on each side of the field and are perpendicular to the end lines. The sidelines separate the field of play from the area that is out of bounds.

Article 9 — Yard Line#

A yard line is any line and its vertical plane parallel to the end line. The yard lines (marked or unmarked) in the field of play are named by number in yards from a team’s goal line to the center of the field. By way of example, the yard line 19 yards from Team A’s goal line is called A’s 19-yard line. The yard line 51 yards from A’s goal line is called B’s 49-yard line. For brevity, these are referred to as A’s 19 and B’s 49 or A19 and B49 or A-19 and B-49.

Section 12 — Forward Progress#

Article 1 — Forward Progress#

The forward progress of a runner or airborne receiver is the point at which his advance toward his opponent’s goal ends and is the spot at which the ball is declared dead by rule, irrespective of the runner or receiver being pushed or carried backward by an opponent.

Article 2 — Forward, Beyond, or in Advance#

Forward, beyond, or in advance of are terms that designate a point nearer the goal line of the defense. Backward or behind designate a point nearer the goal line of the offense. A pass parallel to a yard line, or an offensive player moving parallel to it at the snap, is considered backward.

Section 13 — Fouls and Spots of Enforcement, Violation#

Article 1 — Types of Fouls#

A foul is any infraction of a playing rule for which a penalty is prescribed.

(a) A live ball foul is a foul that occurs during the period after the snap until the ball is dead.

(b) A dead ball foul is a foul that occurs in the continuing action after a down ends, or a taunting foul that occurs at any time.

(c) A foul between downs is a foul that occurs after the end of the down and after any continuing action resulting from the down, but prior to the next snap or free kick.

(d) A multiple foul is one of two or more fouls by the same team during the same down (14-1-3), including dead ball fouls.

(e) A double foul is a foul by either team during the same down during which both teams commit at least one foul, including dead ball fouls.

Article 2 — Basic Spot#

The basic spot is a reference point for specific types of plays that is used to determine the spot of enforcement.

Article 3 — Spots of Enforcement#

The spot of enforcement is the spot at which a penalty is enforced. The spots of enforcement are as follows:

(a) The previous spot: The spot at which the ball was last put in play.

(b) The spot of the foul: The spot at which a foul was committed or, by rule, is considered to have been committed.

(c) The spot of a backward pass or a fumble: The spot at which the backward pass or fumble occurred during the down in which there was a foul.

(d) The dead ball spot: The spot at which the ball became dead.

(e) The succeeding spot: The spot at which the ball will next be put in play (i.e., the spot of the ball after enforcement for a foul, or, if there has been no foul, the spot at which the ball became dead).

(f) The other Try spot. The yard line of the other Try option, as determined by any previously enforced penalties, if applicable.

(g) The spot of a change of possession: The spot at which possession is gained by or awarded to the opponent.

Article 4 — Violation#

A violation is an infraction of a playing rule for which a penalty is not prescribed. A violation does not offset a foul.

Section 14 — Handing the Ball#

Handing the ball is transferring player possession from one teammate to another without passing or kicking it.

(a) Except where permitted by rule, handing the ball forward to a teammate is illegal.

(b) Loss of player possession by unsuccessful execution of attempted handing is a fumble charged to the player that last had possession. A muffed handoff (legal or illegal) is a fumble, unless either player immediately regains control of the ball, and the ball remains alive.

(c) A forward handoff occurs when the ball is handed (regardless of the direction of the movement of the ball) to a player who is in advance of a teammate from whose hands he takes or receives it.

Section 15 — Huddle#

A huddle is the action of two or more players in the field of play or in the end zone who, instead of assuming their normal position for the snap, free kick, or fair catch kick, form a group for receiving instructions for the next play or for any other reason.

Section 16 — Impetus#

Impetus is the action of a player who carries the ball or provides the force (i.e., a pass, kick, snap, or fumble) that causes a ball in the field of play to touch or cross a goal line. If a loose ball touches or crosses a goal line, the impetus is attributed to the team whose player passed, kicked, snapped, or fumbled the ball, unless an opponent:

(a) muffs a ball that is at rest, or nearly at rest;

(b) bats a ball that has been kicked or fumbled;

(c) bats a backward pass after it has struck the ground; or

(d) illegally kicks any ball (see 12-5-2).

Note:

(1) A loose ball retains its original status (as a pass, kick, fumble, etc.) even if a new impetus is added.

(2) The impetus is always attributed to the offense, unless the defense creates a new force that sends the ball behind its own goal line by muffing a ball which is at rest or nearly at rest, or by batting a loose ball on the ground or kicking any loose ball.

(3) If a passive player is pushed or blocked into any kicked or fumbled ball or into a backward pass after it has struck the ground, causing the loose ball to touch a goal line or anything on or behind a goal line, the impetus is attributed to the pusher or blocker, provided that the pushed (blocked) player was not making an attempt to block an opponent.

Section 17 — Kicks#

Article 1 — Kick#

A kick is intentionally striking the ball with the knee, lower leg, or foot. A kick ends when a player of either team possesses the ball, or when the ball is dead.

Item 1. Drop Kick. A drop kick is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground.

Item 2. Place Kick. A place kick is a kick made by a player while the ball is in a fixed position on the ground. The ball may be held in position by a teammate. If it is a free kick, it is permissible to use an approved manufactured tee.

Item 3. Punt. A punt is a kick made by a player who drops the ball and kicks it before it strikes the ground.

Article 2 — Kicker#

A kicker is the player of Team A who legally drop kicks, place kicks, or punts the ball. Team A is identified as the kicking team or kickers during a down in which there is a scrimmage kick, free kick, or fair catch kick.

Article 3 — Receiver#

A receiver is any Team B player during a down in which there is a scrimmage kick, free kick, or fair catch kick. Team B is identified as the receiving team or receivers during the entire down.

Article 4 — Fair Catch Kick#

A fair catch kick is a drop kick or place kick without a tee from the spot of a fair catch in an attempt to score a field goal.

Article 5 — Free Kick#

A free kick is a kickoff, safety kick, or onside kick that puts the ball in play to start a free kick down.

Item 1. Kickoff. A kickoff is a kick that puts the ball in play at the start of each half, after a try, and after a successful field goal.

Item 2. Safety Kick. A safety kick is a kick that puts the ball in play after a safety.

Item 3. Onside Kick. An onside kick is a free kick that the kicking team attempts to legally recover from the kicking team’s restraining line to the furthest point downfield within the onside kick setup zone.

Article 6 — Restraining Lines#

The restraining lines are lines which restrict the alignment of the kicking and receiving teams during a free kick and fair catch kick.

Article 7 — Scrimmage Kick#

A scrimmage kick is a punt, drop kick, or place kick from on or behind the line of scrimmage.

Item 1. Scrimmage Kick Formation. A scrimmage kick formation is a formation with no player in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap and;

(a) Punt formation: at least one player 10 or more yards behind the neutral zone; or

(b) Field Goal or Try Kick formation: a potential holder and potential kicker seven or more yards behind the neutral zone in position for a place kick.

For either (a) or (b) to qualify as a scrimmage kick formation, it must be obvious that a kick may be attempted. If Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation at the snap, any action by Team A during the down is deemed to be from a scrimmage kick formation.

Article 8 — Tee#

A tee is an approved device that is used to elevate the ball for a place kick during any free kick.

Section 18 — Line of Scrimmage, Neutral Zone#

Article 1 — Scrimmage Line#

The line of scrimmage is the vertical plane of the yard line that passes through the forward point of the ball after it has been made ready for play. The term scrimmage line, or line, implies a play from scrimmage.

Article 2 — Neutral Zone#

The neutral zone is the space between the forward and backward points of the ball (planes) and extends to the sidelines. It starts when the ball is ready for play (See neutral zone infraction, 7-4-4).

Article 3 — Player on Line of Scrimmage#

A player of Team A, who is on the line of scrimmage, must have his shoulders facing Team B’s goal line.

Item 1. Non-Snapper. If he is not the snapper, no part of his body is permitted to be in the neutral zone at the snap, and his helmet must break a vertical plane that passes through the beltline of the snapper.

Item 2. Snapper. If he is the snapper, no part of his body may be beyond the neutral zone.

Item 3. Team B. A Team B player is considered to be on the line of scrimmage if he is within one yard of the neutral zone.

Article 4 — Encroaching#

A player is encroaching (7-4-3) on the neutral zone when any part of his body is in it, and he contacts an offensive player or the ball prior to the snap.

Article 5 — Loose Ball Crosses Line of Scrimmage#

A loose ball has crossed the line of scrimmage when, as the result of a fumble, pass, or legal kick by a Team A player, it touches the ground or any player or official beyond the neutral zone.

Section 19 — Offside#

A player is offside when any part of his body or his person is in the neutral zone, or is beyond his team’s restraining line for an onside kick or fair catch kick line when the ball is put in play, unless he is a holder of a place kick for an onside kick (6-1-6-d-1) or fair catch kick (11-4-3), or a kicker for an onside kick (6-1-6-d-2). The snapper is offside if any part of his body is beyond the neutral zone. The kicker is not offside unless his kicking foot is beyond his restraining line when the ball is kicked.

Section 20 — Out of Bounds, Inbounds, and Inbounds Spot#

Article 1 — Player or Official Out of Bounds#

A player or an official is out of bounds when he touches a boundary line, or when he touches anything that is on or outside a boundary line, except a player, an official, or a pylon.

Article 2 — Player Inbounds#

A player who has been out of bounds reestablishes himself as an inbounds player when both feet, or any part of his body other than his hands, touch the ground within the boundary lines, provided that no part of his body is touching a boundary line or anything other than a player, an official, or a pylon on or outside a boundary line.

Article 3 — Ball Out of Bounds#

Item 1. Ball in Player Possession. A ball that is in player possession is out of bounds when the runner is out of bounds, or when the ball touches a boundary line or anything that is on or outside such line, except another player or an official.

Item 2. Loose Ball. A loose ball that is not in player control is out of bounds when it touches a boundary line or anything that is on or outside such line, including a player, an official, or a pylon.

Article 4 — Out of Bounds Spot#

Item 1. Loose Ball. If a loose ball touches anything on or outside a boundary line, the out of bounds spot is the forward point of the ball when the ball crosses the sideline.

Item 2. Runner Out of Bounds. If the ball is in player possession when that player goes out of bounds, the out of bounds spot is the forward point of the ball when the ball crosses the sideline, or, if the ball does not cross the sideline, the forward point of the ball at the instant the player is out of bounds.

Item 3. Runner Inbounds. If the ball, while in possession of a player who is inbounds, is declared out of bounds because of touching anything that is out of bounds, the out of bounds spot is the yard line through the forward point of the ball at the instant of such touching.

Article 5 — Inbounds Spot#

The inbounds spot is a spot on the inbounds line (the hash marks) that passes through the spot where the ball went out of bounds between the goal lines.

Article 6 — Player Inside the Landing Zone#

A player who has been outside the front yard line of the Landing Zone reestablishes himself as a player inside the Landing Zone when both feet or any part of his body, other than his hands, touch the ground within the Landing Zone, provided that no part of his body is touching outside the Landing Zone or anything other than a player outside the Landing Zone.

Article 7 — Loose Ball Out of Landing Zone#

A loose ball on a kickoff or safety kick is outside the Landing Zone when it first touches the ground or anything that is outside the front yard line of the Landing Zone, including a player.

Section 21 — Pass#

Article 1 — Pass#

A pass is the movement caused by a player intentionally throwing, or shoveling/pushing (shovel pass) the ball.

Article 2 — Passer and Passing Team#

A player who makes a legal forward pass is known as the passer until the play ends. The teammates of any player who passes the ball forward (legally or illegally) are known collectively as the passing team or passers.

Article 3 — Forward Pass#

It is a forward pass if:

(a) the ball initially moves forward (to a point nearer the opponent’s goal line) after leaving the passer’s hand(s);

(b) the ball first touches the ground, a player, an official, or anything else at a point that is nearer the opponent’s goal line than the point at which the ball leaves the passer’s hand(s); or

(c) when a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional movement forward of his hand starts a forward pass.

Item 1. Contact by Team B Player. If contact by an opponent materially affects a passer after the passer begins his throwing motion, it is a forward pass if he passes the ball, regardless of where the ball strikes the ground, a player, an official, or anything else. When this occurs, intentional grounding rules do not apply.

When a passer is contacted by an opponent before beginning his throwing motion, the direction of the pass is the responsibility of the passer, and intentional grounding rules apply.

Item 2. Passer Tucks Ball. If the player loses possession of the ball during an attempt to bring it back toward his body, or if the player loses possession after he has tucked the ball into his body, it is a fumble.

Item 3. Passer Re-Cocks His Arm. If the player loses possession of the ball while attempting to re-cock his arm, it is a fumble.

Item 4. Fumbled or Muffed Ball Goes Forward. The fact that a fumbled or muffed ball goes forward is disregarded, unless the act is ruled intentional. If it is intentional, a fumbled ball that goes forward is a forward pass (8-1-1), and a muff is a bat (12-5-1).

Article 4 — Backward Pass#

It is a backward pass if the yard line at which the ball is first touched by a player, or the ground is parallel to or behind the yard line at which the ball leaves the passer’s hand. A snap becomes a backward pass when the snapper releases the ball.

Note: If a pass is batted, muffed, punched, or kicked in any direction, its original designation as a forward pass or a backward pass does not change.

Section 22 — Penalty#

Article 1 — Penalty#

A penalty is imposed upon a team that has committed a foul and may result in loss of down, loss of yardage, an automatic first down, a charged timeout, a loss of playing time, withdrawal or disqualification of a player, extension of a period, the award of a score, or a combination thereof.

Article 2 — Loss of Down#

The phrase loss of down indicates that a team committing a foul will not have the opportunity to repeat the down after enforcement of any yardage penalty.

Section 23 — Player#

A player is a participant of either team who is in the game.

Section 24 — Plays#

Article 1 — Free Kick Play#

A free kick play begins with a legal or illegal free kick and ends when a player of either team establishes possession of the ball, or when the ball is dead by rule. A running play begins when a player of Team B establishes possession.

Article 2 — Passing Play#

A passing play begins with the snap and ends when a forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage is caught by a player of either team or is incomplete. At the instant that a pass is caught, a running play begins.

Article 3 — Running Play#

A running play begins in the following situations:

(a) If there is not a subsequent kick or legal or illegal forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage, a running play begins with the snap.

(b) If there is a legal or illegal forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, a running play begins when the forward pass is caught by a player of either team.

(c) If there is a running play followed by an illegal forward pass thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage, or by an illegal forward pass not from scrimmage, a new running play begins when the pass is caught by a player of either team.

(d) If there is a free kick, a running play begins when Team B establishes possession of the ball.

(e) If there is a scrimmage kick, a running play begins when Team B establishes possession of the ball, or when Team A establishes possession of a kicked ball behind the line of scrimmage.

(f) If there is a running play followed by a fumble or a backward pass, a new running play begins when a player of either team establishes possession of the ball.

A running play ends:

(a) When the ball is declared dead;

(b) When a runner loses or relinquishes possession by a fumble or a backward pass; or

(c) When a player of either team throws an illegal forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage or when there is not a line of scrimmage.

Note: The running play includes the loose ball action before a player gains or regains possession or the ball is declared dead.

Article 4 — Scrimmage Kick Play#

A scrimmage kick play begins with the snap. It ends when a player of either team establishes possession of a kicked ball, or when the ball is dead by rule.

Article 5 — Fair Catch Kick Play#

A fair catch kick play begins when the ball is kicked. It ends when a player of either team establishes possession of the ball, or when the ball is dead by rule.

Article 6 — Combinations of Plays#

There may be a combination of a running play and a passing play, free kick play, scrimmage kick play, or fair catch kick play during the same down, and there may be more than one running play or scrimmage kick play during the same down.

Section 25 — Pocket Area#

The pocket area is the area between the outside edges of the normal tackle positions on each side of the center extending backward to the offensive team’s end line. A player who is in possession of the ball is out of the pocket area, and the pocket area no longer exists, if any part of his body or the ball is outside of the pocket area.

Section 26 — Post-Possession Foul#

A foul by the receiving team is a post-possession foul if it occurs during a scrimmage kick that crosses the line of scrimmage, provided that the receiving team does not lose possession during the rest of the down. See 9-5-1-Exc. 4.

Section 27 — Runner#

A runner is the offensive player who is in possession of a live ball (3-2-7), i.e., holding the ball or carrying it in any direction.

Section 28 — Safety#

It is a safety, if the ball is dead in possession of a team on or behind its own goal line when the impetus (3-16) comes from the team defending that goal line. If the offense commits a foul behind its own goal line, it is a safety if the defense elects to enforce the penalty at that spot.

Section 29 — Scrimmage Down, From / Not From Scrimmage#

A scrimmage down is one that starts with a snap (3-31). From scrimmage refers to any action from the start of the snap until the down ends or until Team B secures possession. Any action that occurs during the down after a change of team possession is not from scrimmage.

Section 30 — Shift#

A shift is any simultaneous change of position or stance by two or more offensive players before the snap after the ball has been made ready for play for a scrimmage down, including movement to the line of scrimmage by the offensive team prior to the snap (7-4-7).

Section 31 — Snap and the Snapper#

A snap is a backward pass that puts the ball in play to start a scrimmage down, either by handing it or passing it backward from its position on the ground. The snapper is the offensive player who initiates this action.

Section 32 — Suspended Player#

A suspended player is one who must be withdrawn, in accordance with Rule 5, for correction of illegal equipment (5-4).

Section 33 — Tight End Box#

The tight end box is a rectangle that is enclosed by imaginary lines two yards outside the normal tackle positions and five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage. The tight end box continues to exist after the ball leaves the area.

Section 34 — Tackling#

Tackling is an attempt by a defensive player to hold a runner to halt his advance or bring him to the ground.

Section 35 — Team a and B, Offense and Defense#

Article 1 — Offense and Defense#

Whenever a team is in possession of the ball (3-2-7), it is the offense, and its opponent is the defense. When there is a change of possession during the down, the team that is the offense becomes the defense.

Article 2 — Team a and Team B#

The team that puts the ball in play is Team A, and its opponent is Team B. They remain Team A and Team B until a down ends, even though there may be one or more changes of possession during the down. Team A is always the offense when a down starts but becomes the defense if Team B secures possession during the down. A player of Team A is referred to as A1 and his teammates as A2, A3, etc. The opponents are B1, B2, etc.

Article 3 — Change of Possession#

A change of possession occurs when a player of the defensive team secures possession of a ball that has been kicked, passed, or fumbled by a player of the offensive team, or when the ball is awarded to the opposing team by rule. A change of possession includes, but is not limited to:

(a) An interception of a forward pass;

(b) A catch or recovery of a fumble or backward pass;

(c) A catch or recovery of a scrimmage kick, free kick, or fair catch kick;

(d) When the offensive team fails to reach the line to gain on fourth down; or

(e) When the offensive team misses a field goal attempt.

Section 36 — Timeout or Time In#

Article 1 — Timeout#

A timeout is any interval during which the game clock is stopped (4-4) and includes the intermission (4-1-2 and 4-1-3). During any timeout, including an intermission, all playing rules continue in effect. Representatives of either team are prohibited from entering the field, unless they are incoming substitutes, or team attendants or trainers entering to provide for the welfare of a player, and any game-type activities are prohibited on the field of play. The head coach may enter the field to check on the welfare of a player who is injured, but no assistant coach may enter the field.

Article 2 — Charged Team Timeout#

A charged team timeout is an interval during which the game clock is stopped and play is suspended at the request of one of the teams or when it is charged to one of the teams by rule. A timeout may be granted only when the ball is dead.

Article 3 — Time In#

Time In is any interval during which the game clock is running (4-3).

Section 37 — Touchback#

It is a touchback if the ball is dead on or behind the goal line a team is defending, provided that the impetus comes from an opponent, and that it is not a touchdown or an incomplete pass.

Section 38 — Touchdown#

It is a touchdown if any part of the ball is on, above, or behind the opponent’s goal line while legally in possession of an inbounds player, provided it is not a touchback.

Section 39 — Tripping#

Tripping is the use of the leg or foot to obstruct any opponent, including a runner (12-2-14).

Section 40 — Try#

A Try is the attempt by a team that has scored a touchdown to add one point (by a field goal) or two points (by a touchdown) during one untimed scrimmage down (11-3).

Section 41 — Two-Minute Warning#

The two-minute warning is an automatic timeout that occurs at the conclusion of the last down for which the ball is legally snapped or kicked prior to two minutes remaining on the game clock in the second and fourth periods.

Section 42 — T-Formation Quarterback#

A “T-Formation Quarterback” is defined as a player aligned one yard or less behind the snapper.