RULE 8. SCORING PLAYS AND TOUCHBACK
MERCY RULE
8.2.1 SITUATION A: With 2:10 remaining in the 4th period, women’s Team A trails women’s Team B by 22 points. QB A1 throws a pass to A2. B1 commits defensive pass interference. Pass falls incomplete. Game clock is at 2:00. RULING: Penalty is enforced and play continues. Mercy Rule is not applied until a down free of any accepted live ball fouls occurs. Game clock starts according to Rule 3.
8.2.1 SITUATION B: Men’s Team A trails men’s Team B by 26 points with 2:30 remaining on the clock in the 4th period. Team A scores a touchdown with 2:10 remaining. RULING: Team A must call a team time-out to stop the clock prior to the 2 minute warning in order to go for a 2 point Try. If Team A trails by 19 or more points when the Referee announces the 2 minute warning, the Mercy Rule is enforced and the game is over.
TRIES
8.4.2 SITUATION A: During a Try, A1’s pass is intercepted by B1. During the return, B1 throws a backward pass which is intercepted by A2. A2 runs across the goal line and scores. (a) The original Try was for 1 point from the 3 yard line; or (b) the original Try was for 2 points from the 10 yard line; or (c) the original Try was for 3 points from the 20 yard line. RULING: The Try continues until the ball becomes dead by rule. In (a) Team A scores 1 point; (b) Team A scores 2 points; or (c) Team A scores
3 points.
8.4.2 SITUATION B: Score: A 24 , B 25. Team A attempts a 1, 2 or 3 point Try. A1’s pass is intercepted by B2 in his/her end zone. B2 runs into the field of play, then back into his/her end zone to avoid a deflag. A3 then deflags B2 in the Team B end zone. RULING: One-point safety. Score A 25, B 25. B’s force put the ball into his/her own end zone. Next play, first and 6 on the B 14.
FOULS DURING A TRY BEFORE TEAM B POSSESSION
8.3.4 SITUATION: Team A during a Try throws two forward passes which results in a score. RULING: Since the penalty carries a loss of down, the team A Try has ended with no points scored.
SAFETY
8.6.1 SITUATION: A1 after receiving the snap in his/her end zone is deflagged/tagged with the ball above the goal line, it’s forward point in the field of play. RULING: Safety. The entire ball has to be in the field of play when taking it out of your own end zone.
TOUCHBACK
8.6.2 SITUATION A: B1 intercepts a pass in his/her end zone: (a) runs for a touchdown; or (b) runs around in his/her end zone and is deflagged or steps across the end line. RULING: In (a) Touchdown. A player can run the ball out of his/her end zone. In (b) Touchback. A’s force put the ball into B’s end zone.
8.6.2 SITUATION B: A1 running for an apparent touchdown fumbles the ball on the Team B 3 yard line. The ball lands in the Team B end zone. RULING: Touchback. The force which put the ball in the end zone was the fumble.
8.6.2 SITUATION C: A4 punts to B3, who touches the ball in flight at his/her 4 yard line. The ball bounces off his/her hands and lands in the end zone. RULING: Touchback. The initial force was imparted by the kicking team and the ball was never in possession of B3.
