Definitions of Football Terms Rule 2

Significance of Rule 2 Rule 4

Rule 5

Ball in Play

Series of Downs

Rule 3

Rule 6

Timing

Kicking Game

Rule 1 The Game

Rule 2 Definitions of Playing Terms

Rule 7 Handling the Ball

Rule 10

Rule 8

Penalty Enforcement

Scoring Plays Rule 9 Conduct of Players 1

Section 43 Team Designation • The Offense is the team which is in possession of the ball, the opponent is the Defense • Team “A” puts the ball in play. The opponent is, Team “B” • Team “K” is the team which legally kicks the ball during a down. The opponent is Team “R” • Team designations do not change during a down 2

Section 1-Ball • A Dead Ball is a ball not in play, interval between downs • A Live Ball is a ball in play, becomes live when legally snapped or free kicked • A Loose Ball: Pass, Fumble, Kick • Ball is Loose until a player secures possession or becomes dead • A loose ball in Flight has not touched the ground • A Grounded Ball has touched the ground 3

Section 34 Possession • A ball in player Possession is a live ball held or controlled by a player….. • A Loose Ball is a pass (forward or backward), fumble or kick • Team Possession is a live ball which is in player possession or which is loose following loss of such player possession • Change of possession occurs when the opponent gains player possession during a down

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Section 32-Player Designation • A Player is one of 22 team members who starts either half of the game or who subsequently replaces another player. • A player continues to be a player until replaced or until a substitute otherwise becomes a player • A Substitute is a team member who may replace a player or fill a player vacancy • He becomes a Player when he enters the field and: – – – –

Communicates with a teammate or official Enters the huddle Positioned in the formation Participates

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Section 21 Huddle • A Huddle is two or more players of the same team grouped together before a down

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Section 32-Player Designation • A Passer is a player that throws a forward pass • A Runner is a player who is in possession of a live ball (or is simulating possession of a live ball) 7

Section 25-Line of Scrimmage Section 28-Neutral Zone • Line of Scrimmage for each team is a vertical plane through the point of the ball nearest the team’s goal line • The Neutral Zone is the space between the lines during a scrimmage down – Free-kick down; 10 yards wide – Scrimmage down; length of the football

• It is determined when the ball is marked ready for play and remains until the next ready for play signal TEAM B Line of Scrimmage NEUTRAL

ZONE

TEAM A Line of Scrimmage 8

Section 28-Neutral Zone • Expanded neutral zone maximum of 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage, in the field of play, during any scrimmage down.

2 Yards TEAM B Line of Scrimmage

NEUTRAL

ZONE

TEAM A Line of Scrimmage

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Section 32-Player Designation • Lineman – faces opponent’s goal line, shoulders approximately parallel to the line • Breaking imaginary plane, parallel to the line of scrimmage through waist of the snapper. • Back - behind the plane drawn parallel, to the line of scrimmage through waist of the nearest lineman • Except player under the snapper, typically the Quarterback also a back.

Redding Study Guide by George Demetriou

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Section 25-Line of Scrimmage • Offensive player is on his line of scrimmage when he is lineman • Defensive player is on his line of scrimmage when he is within 1 yard of his scrimmage line at the snap.

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Section 7-Down • A Down is action which starts with a legal snap or when the ball is kicked • A down ends when the ball becomes Dead Ball • Loss of Down is the loss of the right to replay a down GAME TIME LINE READY FOR PLAY

DEAD BALL 25 Sec

SNAP

END OF PLAY

LIVE BALL

DEAD BALL

Duration of Down Redding Study Guide by George Demetriou

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Section 35-Ready for Play Section 38-Scrimmage • Ready for play referee has signaled the ball may be put in play by a snap or free kick and the 25-second count has begun • Scrimmage is the action of the two teams during a down which begins with a snap GAME TIME LINE READY FOR PLAY

DEAD BALL 25 Sec

SNAP

END OF PLAY

LIVE BALL

DEAD BALL

Scrimmage Redding Study Guide by George Demetriou

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Section 8-Encroachment • Encroachment occurs when a player is illegally in the neutral zone • An entering substitute is not considered to be a player until he is on his team's side of the neutral zone

Not “Offsides” 14

Section 4-Catch Section 36-Recover • A Catch is securing possession of a live ball in flight and first contacting the ground inbounds • A Recovery is gaining possession of a live ball after it strikes the ground • Simultaneous Catch or Recovery – Joint possession of a live ball by opposing players who are in bounds – Goes to the offense 15

Section 18-Fumble Section 27-Muff • A Fumble is the loss of player possession (other than by handing, passing or a legal kick) • Accidental loss of player possession • A Muff is touching a loose ball in an unsuccessful attempt at gaining possession of a loose ball

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Section 31-Pass • Passing the ball is throwing a ball that is in player possession • The initial direction of the pass determines its status • Forward Pass - initial direction towards the opponents goal line • Backward Pass - parallel with or toward the runner’s end line

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Section 31-Pass • Forward pass ends when it is caught, touches the ground or goes out of bounds • Backward Pass ends when it is caught, recovered or goes out of bounds – Treated as a fumble

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Section 44-Touching • Touching refers to any contact with the ball – As in touching it or being touched by it

• Catching is always preceded by touching the ball; thus, if touching causes the ball to become dead, securing possession of the ball has no significance.

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Section 23-Interception Section 2-Batting • An Interception is the catch of an opponent’s fumble or pass

• Batting is intentionally slapping or striking the ball with the arm or hand.

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Section 19-Handing • Transferring player possession, the ball is still in contact with the first player when it is touched by the teammate. – Forward handing, entire ball is beyond the yard line where the runner is positioned. – Backward handing, any part of the ball is on or behind the yard line where the runner is positioned.

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Section 39-Shift • Shift - Action by one or more players who after the huddle or after taking set positions, move to a new set position before the ensuing shift. • Must be set for 1 Sec or Illegal Shift • Only one Player may be in Motion at the snap and not towards opponent’s goal line (Rule 72-7)

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Section 40-Snap • Passing or handing the ball backward from a position on the ground • Begins when the snapper first moves the ball - quick and continuous backward motion • Must immediately leave his hands, or touches a back or the ground before it touches an A lineman.

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Section 32-Player Designation • A Snapper is the player who is facing his opponent's goal line with his shoulders approximately parallel thereto and who snaps the ball. • A Holder is a player who controls the ball on the ground or on a kicking tee.

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Section 32-Player Designation • A Kicker is any player who legally punts, drop kicks or place kicks • A player becomes a kicker when his knee, lower leg or foot makes contact with the ball. • He continues to be the kicker until he has had reasonable opportunity to gain his balance or until after a free kick, he has advanced 5 yards beyond his free kick line or the kick has touched the ground or any other player • The snapper remains a snapper until he has had a reasonable opportunity to regain his balance and protect himself or until he blocks or moves to otherwise participate in the play.

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Section 24-Kicks • A Kick is the intentional striking of the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot • A kick ends when a player gains possession or when the ball becomes dead

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Section 24-Kicks • A free kick puts the ball in play to start a free-kick down for a kickoff or for a kick following a safety

– A kickoff puts the ball in play at the beginning of each half of the game, after a successful field goal and after any try – A place kick or a drop kick shall be used for the kickoff

• A scrimmage kick is any legal kick from in or behind the neutral zone • Types of Kicks: – A drop kick kicker drops the ball and kicks it when it touches the ground or as it is rising from the ground – A place kick a kick made while the ball is in a fixed position on the ground or on a kicking tee – A punt kicker drops the ball and kicks it before it has touched the ground.

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Section 24-Kicks • An illegal kick is any intentional striking of the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot which does not comply with Articles 3 and 4 • When the ball is loose following an illegal kick, it is treated as a fumble

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Section 9-Fair Catch • Fair catch-receiver forfeits the right to advance the ball in return for protection from being blocked or tackled by an opponent.

– Free kick in or beyond the neutral zone to the receiver's goal line – Scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone to the receiver's goal line

• Valid Signal

– Extending and lateral waving of one arm – Full arm's length above the head

• Invalid Signal

– Not a valid signal – After the kick has touched a receiver or the ground

• Illegal Signal

– After the kick has been caught or recovered

• Awarded fair catch

– Spot of the kick-catching interference

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Section 12-First Touching • Free kick – Touching by K player before it crosses R's freekick line before it is touched by an R player

• Scrimmage kick – Touching by any K player beyond the expanded neutral zone before it is touched by R and before the ball has come to rest

• Not a foul, mark it with a bean bag, let play continue 30

Section 14-Formations • Scrimmage: Typical play formation, requires 7 A players on the line at the snap • Scrimmage kick: No player in position for hand-to-hand snap – A player 7 or more yards behind LOS with knee on ground to receive long snap and another player in position to attempt a place kick – A player 10 or more yards behind LOS to receive long snap

• Free kick: Formation used for Kickoff 31

Section 32-Player Designation Section 30-Particpation • An offensive blocker is a player who is blocking or in position to block by being between the potential tackler and the runner • A captain of a team is a player designated to represent his team • Participation is any act or action by a player or non-player that has an influence on play • A nonplayer is a coach, trainer, other attendant, a substitute or a replaced player who does not participate by touching the ball, hindering an opponent or influencing the play • A disqualified player is a player barred from further participation in a game 32

Section 3-Blocking Section 42-Tackling • Blocking is obstructing an opponent by contacting him with any part of the blocker’s body • Tackling is the use of hands, arms, legs or body by a defensive player in his attempt to hold a runner or to bring him to the ground 33

Section 3-Blocking

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Free Blocking Zone • Rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage • A player is in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap • Disintegrates after the ball has left the zone

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Blocking Techniques • Closed (Cupped) Hand – Elbows inside or outside the shoulders – Hands closed or cupped, facing the blocker – Forearms no more than 45 degrees to body

36

Blocking Techniques • Open Hand – – – – – –

Hands in advance of elbow Hands open and facing opponent’s frame Forearms greater than 45 degrees from body Contact must be inside blocker’s frame Contact must be inside opponent’s frame Contact at or below the shoulders of both players

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Section 3-Blocking • Blocking below the waist initial contact below the waist from the front or side – Applies only when the opponent has one or both feet on the ground.

• Chop block is a combination block by two or more teammates against an opponent other than the runner, with or without delay, where one of the blocks is low (at the knee or below) and one of the blocks is high (above the knee) • Interlocked blocking occurs when one player grasps or encircles a teammate just prior to or while blocking an opponent. • Crack Back- Not Defined 38

Section 5-Clipping, Blocking in the Back • Clipping when the initial contact is from behind, at or below the waist • Blocking in the back when the initial contact is in the opponent's back, inside the shoulders and below the helmet and above the waist • Not against a player who is a runner or pretending to be a runner

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Section 3-Clipping, Blocking in the Back • See the initial contact • When in doubt, the contact is legal and not from the back • When the contact is ruled to be from the back, and the official has question as to the initial point of contact, it shall be ruled clipping

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Section 17-Free Blocking Zone Section 3-Blocking Below the Waist • Blocking Below the Waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: – All players involved where are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap – The contact is in the zone

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Section 17-Free Blocking Zone Section 3Blocking in the Back • Blocking in the Back is permitted in the freeblocking zone when the following conditions are met: – By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap; – Against defensive players who are in the zone at the snap; and – The contact is in the zone

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Section 17-Free Blocking Zone Section 3-Clipping • Clipping is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: – By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap; – Against defensive players who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap; and – The contact is in the zone

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Section 20-Helmet Contact • Initiating contact with the helmet against an opponent.

– Butt Blocking is an act by an offensive or defensive player who initiates contact against an opponent who is not a ball carrier with the front of his helmet. – Face Tackling is an act by a defensive player who initiates contact with a ball carrier with the front of his helmet. – Spearing is an act by an offensive or defensive player who initiates contact against any opponent with the top of his helmet. 44

Section 15-Forward Progress • Forward progress: forward-most point of the ball in runner's possession or the when it is fumbled out of bounds • Airborne player makes a catch, the furthest point of advancement after he possesses the ball if contacted by a defender Foremost Point of the Ball

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Section 45-Tripping • Tripping is the use of the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent who is not a runner below the knee

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Section 22-Hurdling • Hurdling is an attempt by a player to jump (hurdle) with one or both feet or knees foremost over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of his body except one or both feet Yes

No?

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Section 26-Lines

End Line

Boundary Lines

Goal Line

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Section 26-Lines Restraining Lines

Yard Lines

Inbounds Lines

Side Lines

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Section 10-Field Areas

Field-Area within Boundary Lines

Field of Play

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Section 10-Field Areas

End Zones

End Zones

Side Zones

Side Zones

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Section 29-Out of Bounds • A player or the ball in player possession is out of bounds when any part of the person or the ball is touching anything, other than another player or game official that is on or outside the sideline or end line • A loose ball is out of bounds when it touches anything, including a player or game official that is out of bounds

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Section 6-Conferences • During time outs • Coach-Referee Conference –at the sideline in front of his team box in the field of play. • Authorized Team Conference

– Outside Nine Yard Mark Conference – One or more team members and one or more coaches directly in front of the team box within 9 yards of the sideline OR – Between Nine Yard Mark Conference - One coach, no more than 11 players between the inbounds marks

• Injuries

– Not a Conference – Move players to inside the numbers in front of the bench if lengthy delay 9 Yard Mark is Top of the Numbers

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Section 13-Force • Force is the result of energy exerted by a player which provides movement of the ball • Force is used only in connection with the goal line and only in one direction, from the field of play towards the goal line • A New Force can not be added to a ball in flight • Force is never a factor on kicks going into “R’s” end zone-Touchback 54

Section 13-Force

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Section 33-Plays For Penalty Enforcement • A loose-ball play is action during:

– A free kick or scrimmage kick – A legal forward pass – Made by A from in or behind the neutral zone prior to a change of team possession • A backward pass (including the snap) • An illegal kick • Fumble

– The run or runs which precedes

• A running play action that is not a loose-ball play 56

Section 37-Rule Section 16-Fouls and Penalties • A Rule is one of the groups of regulations which govern the game – Sometimes states what a player may do – It is assumed a player may do what is not prohibited

• A Foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed

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Section 16-Fouls and Penalties • Types of Fouls – – – –

Dead: After down ends and before next live Live Ball: During a down Player Non Player or Unsportsmanlike

• Non Contact foul while ball is dead • During down which is not illegal participation and does not influence the play

– Simultaneous with snap

Dead Ball Fouls Live Ball Fouls Nonplayer & Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Personal Fouls

Simultaneous with Snap Redding Study Guide by George Demetriou

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Section 16-Fouls and Penalties • Types of Fouls – Double: one or more live-ball fouls committed by each team – Multiple: two or more live-ball fouls committed during the same down by the same team – Post-Scrimmage Kick: Discuss during Rule 6 – Flagrant: a foul so severe or extreme that it places an opponent in danger of serious injury, and/or involves violations that are extremely or persistently vulgar or abusive conduct 59

Section 41-Spots • Dead-ball: foremost point of the ball when it becomes dead • Previous: where the ball was last snapped or free kicked • End of the run: where the runner loses player possession or where the ball becomes dead in his possession. • Succeeding: where the ball would next be snapped or free kicked – Dead ball fouls administration point.

• Basic:

– Point of reference for penalty enforcement – Previous spot for a loose-ball play – End of the run for a running play

• Inbounds • Out-of-bounds • Post-scrimmage kick: where the kick ends

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Resources • Articles available for review – 100 Helpful Hints – Axioms of Football Officiating – Image is everything – Pitfalls of a Young Inexperienced Official

• Rule 2 Exercises • Rule 2 Notes • Case Book

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