RULE 9. CONDUCT OF PLAYERS AND OTHERS
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
9.1.1 SITUATION: B1 calls defensive signals loudly: (a) before Team A gets set; or (b) while Team A is yelling cadence or audibles. In both cases B1 is not using words similar to Team A’s cadence or audibles. RULING: Legal in (a) and (b)
9.1.3 SITUATION: Team A nonplayers voice their disapproval using abusive language concerning a judgment call by the Back Judge. RULING: The Referee should call on “official’s time-out.” Inform the Team A captain that such behavior is unacceptable and tell the captain to communicate this information to his/her bench. If such behavior is exhibited again during the game, penalize 10 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. NOTE: It is imperative that the officials stop such behavior the first time it occurs.
Team A and B are present to play the game, not to officiate it. When the officials accept the game assignment, they must be strong and ready to take control.
UNFAIR ACTS
9.2.2 SITUATION A: Center A2 shouts to the Referee “wet ball, wet ball” in an attempt to have Team B relax. A2 then snaps the ball and play begins. RULING: Unfair Act. Use of words or acts to gain an unfair advantage. Penalize using All-But-One.
9.2.2 SITUATION B: Center A2 snaps the ball but only one person leaves the scrimmage line. All other teammates stand up and yell at the person that the snap count was on 2. When Team B relaxes, A1 throws the ball to the person who left the scrimmage line. RULING: Unfair Act. Use of words or acts to gain an unfair advantage. Penalize using All-But-One.
PERSONAL FOULS
9.3.1 SITUATION A: B2, moving toward A1 who has the ball in his/her possession: (a) grabs/strips the ball from A1; or (b) tries to knock the ball out of A1’s hands. RULING: In (a) and (b) this is a personal foul for stripping the ball. B must go for the flag belt or the tag.
9.3.1 SITUATION B: A1, running for a score, dives into the end zone: (a) breaks the plane with the ball without contacting any Team B player; (b) charges into B3 at the 1 yard line; or (c) charges into B4 in the end zone after crossing the goal line. RULING: In (a) the score counts. In (b) a 10 yard penalty is assessed against Team A from the 1 yard line. In (c) the score counts and Team A will be assessed a 10 yard dead ball penalty on the Try.
ROUGHING THE PASSER
9.3.2 SITUATION: Rusher B3, jumps to block a pass thrown by A1 from behind the scrimmage line and: (a) blocks the ball and, avoiding unnecessary contact, brushes A1; (b) is unsuccessful in blocking the pass and charges into A1; (c) blocks the ball and charges into A1; or (d) contacts passer A1’s hand or arm. RULING: In (a), no foul; in (b), (c) and (d) roughing the passer, 10 yards and an automatic first down. If the rusher contacts the passer’s hand or arm, whether or not he/she touches the pass, it is roughing the passer.
NOTE: Roughness by an opponent beyond the scrimmage line could be illegal contact against a player who throws an illegal pass beyond the line of scrimmage.
DEFLAG OR NOT
9.4.1 SITUATION: A1 carries the ball when B1 and B2 attempt to deflag the runner. B1 and B2 touch or grasp the flag belt momentarily. A1 continues to run a few steps and the flag belt falls to the ground. RULING: A1 is down where the original deflag was attempted. B1 and B2 are deemed to have caused the deflag.
FLAG GUARDING
9.4.2 SITUATION: A1 catches the snap from center A2, fakes a handoff to A3, then places the ball on his/her hip (bootleg), rolls out, and throws a forward pass. RULING: If B1 could not reach the flag belt because A1 had placed the ball on the belt, then penalize; however, if a B player was not close enough to deflag A1, then do not penalize. Advantage versus disadvantage is the key.
CHARGE
9.4.6 SITUATION: A1 running toward B1, who is attempting to deflag A1: (a) goes around B2 to avoid being deflagged; (b) deliberately runs through B2 making no attempt to avoid contact; or (c) ducks his/her head while contacting B2. RULING: In (a) legal play. In (b) or (c), Team A personal foul, 10 yards. If B2 is stationary, A1 must go around. The charge/block principles used in basketball apply.
ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION
9.6.1 SITUATION: QB A1 throws a legal forward pass to A2. A2 steps on the sideline, returns inbounds, and catches the pass. RULING: Completed pass, Illegal Participation, 10 yards.
