SITUATION 1 (6.1.6): With 4th and 5 from K’s 30-yard line, K9 punts the ball downfield where it is grounded and touched by K88 (first touching) at R’s 30. The ball continues rolling and is picked up by R35 at R’s 25-yard line. R 35 is subsequently hit and fumbles at R’s 28. The loose ball is recovered by K88 on the ground at R’s 26. During the kick, R55 is flagged for holding. RULING: If K accepts R’s foul for holding, then it is enforced from the previous spot with a re-kick since post-scrimmage kick cannot apply as K is next to put the ball in play as a result of the play. If K accepts the foul, the awarded spot for illegal touching is not applied. If K declines R’s foul, R will take the ball at the spot of first touching. (2-12-1, 2; 2-16-2h)
SITUATION 2 (9.4.8): A1 is illegally in motion at the snap. The play goes to the sideline where one of B’s coaches makes unintentional contact with a game official (9-4-8). RULING: Both fouls will be penalized, first the live-ball foul for A’s illegal motion, then the 15 yards for unintentional contact in the restricted area. The 9-4-8 foul is a nonplayer foul and is therefore penalized as a dead-ball foul, even though the contact occurred during a live ball. (2-16-2f; 10-4-5c)
SITUATION 3 (9.6.2): K1 free-kicks the ball toward the sideline. R1 runs to a sideline and intentionally steps out of bounds. While R1 is still out of bounds, he intentionally touches the ball as it nears the sideline. The ball is declared dead by the covering official. RULING: Illegal participation by R1. This is not a kick out of bounds as the ball was touched by an R player and the ball became dead when it was touched. (4-3-1; 6-1-8)
2011 NFHS Football Rules Book Clarifications
(Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.):
Page 64, RULE 8-2-2: ...(other than unsportsmanlike conduct on or a nonplayer foul)…; Page 64, RULE 8-2-3: ...(other than unsportsmanlike conduct on or a nonplayer foul)… .
2011 NFHS Football Rules PowerPoint Clarification
(Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.):
Slide #44 under 2011 Football Rules Reminders. Need to make a change in the text on the slide below the pictures: If a player, coach or nonplayer is in the restricted zone while the ball is live but does not contact a game official, a warning is issued for the first offense. The second instance results in a five-yard penalty and the third offense results in a 15-yard penalty and disqualification of the head coach.
