| NF Rule 1 |
This section deals with Equipment |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action |
Foul |
Yardage |
Official's Signal(s) |
| 1-5-2 |
A player wears Auxiliary Equipment not sanctioned by the Umpire as being soft, non-abrasive, nonhardening material |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 1-5-3 |
Wearing of Illegal Equipment by a player |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 1-5-5 |
Failing to correct missing or required equipment
- or -
Failing to remove illegal equipment by a player prior to his participation |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 1-5-6 |
Failing to wear mandatory equipment (usually removing mandatory equipment) during a down.
|
Failure to wear required equipment during the down. |
5 |
27-23 |
| 1-6-1 |
Use of prohibited electronic communication (such as computers, film, television and video tape
or any type of still or moving pictures) during the game or between periods |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 1-6-2 |
Use of phones and/or headsets by players |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| NF Rule 3 | This section deals with Timing and Substitutions |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action
|
Foul
|
Yardage
|
Official's Signal(s)
|
| 3-6-2a |
Failing to snap or free kick the ball within 25 seconds after the ball is made ready for play |
Delay of Game |
5 |
7-21 |
| 3-6-2b |
Unnecessarily carrying the ball after it is has become dead
- or -
Consuming time in failing to unpile at the end of the down |
Delay of Game |
5 |
7-21 |
| 3-6-2c |
Requesting a Coach-Referee conference after all time-outs have been used and the ruling remains unchanged |
Delay of Game |
5 |
7-21 |
| 3-6-2d |
Failure by a player to wear legal or required equipment when the ball is about to become live |
Delay of Game |
5 |
7-21-23 |
| 3-6-2e |
Snapping or kicking the ball before the ready for play is made by the referee |
Delay of Game |
5 |
7-21 |
| 3-6-2f |
Any conduct which unduly prolongs the game |
Delay of Game |
5 |
7-21 |
| 3-6-4 |
Failure by a team to play within 2 minutes after being ordered to do so by the Referee |
Forfeiture of the Game |
Forfeiture |
|
| 3-6-5 |
Failure by game management
to clear the field of play and end zones at the beginning of each half so play
may begin at the scheduled time |
Delay of Game |
5 |
7-21 |
| 3-7-1 |
Failure of players to leave the field immediately |
Illegal Substitution |
5 |
7-22 |
| 3-7-2 |
Failure of player, replaced
player (or substitute unable to complete the substitution) fails to leave the field on his side of field and/or go directly to his team box |
Illegal Substitution |
5 |
7-22 |
| 3-7-3 |
Substitute becomes a player
and then withdraws from the field during the same dead ball interval - or -
Player withdraws from the field and then re-enters the field as a substitute during the same dead-ball interval |
Illegal Substitution |
5 |
7-22 |
| 3-7-4 |
A replaced player or substitute attempts to leave the field during the down but does not participate or affect the play
(participation is illegal participation as in 9-6) |
Illegal Substitution |
5 |
22 |
| 3-7-5 |
Failure of a substitute to be on his side of the neutral zone when the ball is snapped or free-kicked |
Illegal Substitution |
5 |
22 |
| NF Rule 6 |
This section deals with Kicks |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action
|
Foul
|
Yardage
|
Official's Signal(s)
|
| 6-1-2 |
Moving the ball to a new spot once it has been designated on a free kick
- or -
failing to kick the ball within one step of K's free-kick line if a punt is used after a safety. |
Illegal Procedure |
5 |
7-19 |
| 6-1-3 |
Other than the place holder and kicker, any player of either team is beyond the respective free-kick lines before the ball is kicked |
Encroachment |
5 |
7-18 |
| 6-1-8 |
Free Kick goes out of bounds either untouched by the receivers or last touched by the kickers |
Illegal Procedure |
OPTIONS:
1) 5 yds and re-kick
2) put the ball in play 25 yds beyond the free kick spot
3) Start new series at inbounds line on yd line where the kick went OOB |
19 |
| 6-2-1 |
Kicking the ball by a punt, drop kick or place kick beyond the neutral zone
- or -
kicking the ball after possession has changed during a down |
Illegal Kick |
15 |
31 |
| 6-5-1 |
A player gives a valid or invalid fair catch signal and then blocks an opponent before the kick has ended |
Illegal Block |
15 |
40 |
| 6-5-5 |
Advancing the ball after a valid or invalid signal has been given by any member of the receiving team |
Delay of Game |
5 |
21 |
| 6-5-6 |
Obstructing the receiver's path to a kick in flight;
Kicking team member touching a kick in flight prior to R touching the ball. |
Kick Catching Interference |
OPTION:
15 yds and replay or
Awarded fair catch |
33 |
| 6-5-7 |
Any signal by a receiver before the
kick is caught or recovered that does not meet requirements of a valid signal - or -
Signal is given after the kick has
hit a receiver or after it has touched the ground |
Invalid Fair Catch Signal |
5 |
32 |
| 6-5-8 |
Runner
signals after the kick has been caught
or after it has been recovered |
Illegal Fair Catch Signal |
5 |
32 |
| NF Rule 7 |
This section deals with Snapping, Handing, Passing the ball, Numbering and Formations |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action
|
Foul |
Yardage |
Official's Signal(s) |
| 7-1-1 |
Snapper is beyond the
foremost point of the ball (except for his hand(s)) touching the ball |
Encroachment |
5 |
7-18 |
| 7-1-2 |
Snapper:
rotates the
ball end to end;
changes location
;
fails to keep the ball parallel to the sideline; |
Snap Infraction |
5 |
7-19 |
| 7-1-3 |
After the ready for play:
Snapper:
Removes both hands from the ball;
Makes any movement that simulates a snap;
Fails to clearly pause before the snap;
After adjustment, lifts or moves the ball other than to snap |
Snap Infraction |
5 |
7-19 |
| 7-1-5 |
After the ready for play:
Touching the ball, touching an opponent, or being in the neutral zone calling defensive signals |
Encroachment |
5 |
7-18 |
| 7-1-6 |
After the ready for play:
Any player breaks the plane of the neutral zone before the snap after the snapper has placed his hand(s) on the ball |
Encroachment |
5 |
7-18 |
| 7-1-7 |
After the ready for play:
A shift or feigned shift simulates action at the snap;
Any act that is clearly intended to cause B to encroach;
- and/or -
Any player between the snapper and the player at the end of the offensive line moves his hand or makes any quick movement after placing his hand(s) on or near the ground |
False Start |
5 |
7-19 |
| 7-2-1 |
After the ready for play: A Team A player does not get within 15 yards of the ball at any time after the ready for play and before the snap |
Illegal Procedure |
5 |
19 |
| 7-2-2 |
Team A lineman whose legs
are interlocked with any player other than the snapper and the players on each
side of and next to the snapper at the snap |
Illegal Formation |
5 |
19 |
| 7-2-3 |
More than one player is in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap,
- or -
The person who is breaking the plane of the waistline of the nearest lineman does not have his hands in position to receive the ball if the ball is snapped between the snapper's legs. |
Illegal Formation |
5 |
19 |
| 7-2-4 |
Snap fails to immediately leave the hand(s) of the snapper and touch a backfield
player
- or - Snap fails to immediately touch the ground before touching a Team A lineman |
Illegal Snap |
5 |
7-19 |
| 7-2-5 |
At the snap: Failure to have at least 7 offensive
players on the line of scrimmage - and -
Failure to have 5 offensive lineman wearing numbers that are 50 through 79 (except during a scrimmage kick formation)
Exception is during a scrimmage kick formation |
Illegal Numbering |
5 |
19 |
| 7-2-6 |
Failure of all 11 Team A Players to be stationary simultaneously (at the same time) without movement of hand, foot, head or body for at least one second prior to the snap after a huddle or shift |
Illegal Shift |
5 |
20 |
| 7-2-7 |
A team A player is in motion towards his opponents goal at the snap
- or -
The player in motion is not 5 yards behind the line if he started in motion from a position not clearly behind the line and did not stop for one second to establish himself as a back |
Illegal Motion |
5 |
20 |
| 7-2-8 |
A Team A lineman advances a planned loose ball without the referee having been notified prior to the snap that that play would be run during the down |
Planned Loose Ball Infraction |
5 |
19 |
| 7-3-2a |
Handing the ball forward to a lineman behind the line when the lineman has not moved his feet 180 degrees (faced his own goal) and/or is not 1 yard behind the line when receiving the ball |
Illegal Handing |
5 and loss of Down |
35-9 |
| 7-3-2b |
Handing the ball forward to a
back or teammate who, at the snap, was
not on the end of his line and was not the snapper or adjacent to the snapper |
Illegal Handing |
5 and loss of Down |
35-9 |
| 7-3-3 |
Handing the ball forward to any teammate after a change of possession |
Illegal Handing |
5 |
35 |
| 7-5-2a |
Any forward pass after team possession has changed |
Illegal Forward Pass |
5 |
35 |
| 7-5-2b |
A forward pass from beyond the neutral zone |
Illegal Forward Pass |
5 and loss of down |
35-9 |
| 7-5-2c |
A forward pass intentionally thrown into an area where there are no eligible receivers |
Intentional Grounding |
5 and loss of down |
36-9 |
| 7-5-2d |
A forward pass thrown intentionally to save loss of yardage or to conserve time (except for the legal "spike" after an hand-to-hand snap) |
Intentional Grounding |
5 and loss of down |
36-9 |
| 7-5-2e |
A second or subsequent forward pass thrown
during a down |
Illegal Forward Pass |
5 and loss of down |
35-9 |
| 7-5-10
|
Any player of B who
is beyond
the neutral zone, interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to to move toward, catch or bat a legal forward pass
- or - hinders the opponent's vision without making an attempt to
catch, intercept or bat the ball, even though no contact is made beyond the neutral zone prior to the
legal forward pass being touched by any player
of B |
Pass Interference |
15 and Automatic 1st Down |
33-8 |
| 7-5-10
|
Any player of A who is beyond
the neutral zone, interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to to move
toward, catch or bat a legal forward pass - or - hinders the
opponent's vision without making an attempt to catch, intercept or bat the ball,
even though no contact is made beyond the neutral prior to the ball being touched by any player of B |
Pass Interference |
15 and loss of down |
33-9 |
| 7-5-10c |
Ineligible A player touches or is touched by a forward pass beyond the neutral zone before a
player of Team B touches it |
Pass Interference |
15 and loss of down |
33-9 |
| 7-12 |
An ineligible A player is beyond the expanded neutral zone before
a legal forward pass is thrown from behind the neutral zone to beyond the neutral zone |
Ineligible downfield |
5 |
37 |
| 7-13 |
An ineligible A player bats, muffs, or catches a forward pass while in or behind the neutral zone prior to the pass being touched by B |
Illegal Touching |
5 and loss of down |
16-9 |
| NF 9-1 thu 9-4 |
This section deals with Conduct of Players involving blocking, use of hands and Illegal Contact |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action |
Foul |
Yardage
|
Official's Signal(s)
|
| 9-1 |
Pushing, pulling or lifting the runner to aid his forward progress |
Helping the runner |
5 |
44 |
| 9-2-1a |
Using an illegal blocking technique (Rule 2-3-2,
3) |
Illegal use of hands |
10 |
43 |
| 9-2-1b |
Grasping or encircling a teammate to form interlocked blocking |
Illegal Use of hands |
10 |
43 |
| 9-2-1c |
Using hands, arms or legs to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold in an effort to restrain and opponent |
Holding |
10 |
42 |
| 9-2-2 |
Runner grasps a teammate |
Illegal Use of hands |
10 |
43 |
| 9-2-3-a |
Defensive player uses a illegal technique (Rule 2-3-2,
4) |
Illegal Use of Hands |
10 |
43 |
| 9-2-3-b |
Defensive player uses his hands to add to the charge of his teammate who is on the line |
Illegal Use of Hands |
10 |
43 |
| 9-2-3-c |
Defensive player uses hands, arms or legs to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold in an effort to restrain an opponent other than the runner |
Holding |
10 |
42 |
| 9-2-3d |
Defensive player contacts an eligible receiver who is no longer a potential blocker |
Illegal Use of Hands |
10 |
43 |
9-3-1
(see 6-5-6, 7-5-10, and 9-4) |
Blocking an opponent is
illegal when it is
Kick catching interference - or -
Forward pass interference - or -
A personal foul |
Kick Catching
Interference Forward Pass Interference Personal Foul |
15 |
40 |
| 9-3-2 |
Blocking an opponent below the waist, other than when the free blocking zone exists and its requirements are met
(Rule 2-17)
- or -
Blocking an opponent below the waist other than to tackle a runner or pretended runner |
Blocking below the waist |
15 |
40 |
9-3-3
(same as 6-5-1) |
A player who gives a valid or invalid fair catch signal and then blocks an opponent before the kick has ended |
Blocking after giving
a fair catch signal |
15 |
40 |
| 9-3-4 |
Blocking the kicker or placeholder of a free kick either before the ball has touched the ground or the opponent to be blocked has advanced 5 yards beyond the free-kick line |
Illegally blocking the kicker
/placekick holder |
15 |
40 |
| 9-3-5a |
Blocking an opponent when the
initial contact is from behind, at or below the waist -
and - not against a player who is a runner or pretending to be a runner |
Clipping |
15 |
39 |
| 9-3-5a |
Blocking an opponent when the initial contact is in the opponent's back,
inside the shoulders and below the helmet and above the waist - and - not against a player who is a runner or pretending to be a runner |
Blocking in the Back |
15 |
43 |
| 9-3-6 |
A delayed block at the knees or below of an opponent who is already in contact with a teammate in the free blocking zone |
Chop Block |
15 |
41 |
| 9-3-7 |
Use the lower legs or foot to obstruct an opponent who is not the runner. |
Tripping |
15 |
46 |
| 9-4-1 |
Any player or non-player
attempts engage an opponent a combative manner unrelated to football, by such acts as attempting to strike the opponent with the arm(s), hand(s), leg(s), foot (feet) whether or not there is contact |
Fighting |
15 and disqualification |
38-47 |
| 9-4-2 |
Any player or non-player
intentionally contacts an official |
Fighting |
15 and disqualification |
38-47 |
| 9-4-3a |
Swing the foot, shin or knee into a an opponent or extend a knee to meet a blocker |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3b |
Charge into an opponent after he is clearly out of the play or after the ball is clearly dead |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3c |
Pile onto any player who is lying on the ground |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3d |
Hurdle an opponent |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3e |
Position on the shoulders or body of a teammate or opponent to gain an advantage |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3f |
Throw a helmet to trip an opponent |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3g |
Make any contact which is deemed unnecessary and which incites roughness |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3h |
Incidental grasping an opponent's face mask or any edge of a helmet opening |
Face Mask |
5 |
45 |
| 9-4-3h |
Grasping and twisting,
turning or pulling an opponent's face mask or any edge of a helmet opening |
Face Mask |
15 |
38-45 |
| 9-4-3i |
Butt block, face tackle or spear |
Illegal Helmet Contact |
15 |
24 |
| 9-4-3j |
Intentionally use the helmet to butt or ram |
Illegal Helmet Contact |
15 |
24 |
| 9-4-3k |
Hide the ball under a jersey |
Personal Foul |
15 |
38 |
| 9-4-3l |
Strike with a fist, locked hand, forearm or elbow or kick or knee an opponent |
Striking or kneeing |
15 and disqualification |
38-47 |
| 9-4-4 |
Roughing the passer |
Roughing the passer |
15 and Automatic 1st down;
disqualification if flagrant |
34 |
| 9-4-5 |
Running into the kicker or the holder |
Running the kicker or holder |
5 |
30 |
| 9-4-5 |
Roughing the kicker or the holder |
Roughing the kicker or holder |
15 and Automatic 1st down; |
38-30 |
| 9-4-6 |
Charge directly into the snapper when offense is in a scrimmage kick formation |
Roughing the snapper |
15 and Automatic 1st down;
disqualification if flagrant |
38; 47 |
| 9-4-7 |
Defensive player uses his hand(s) to slap the blocker's head |
Slap to the Head |
15 |
38 |
| NF 9-5 |
This section deal with Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Players |
9-5-1a |
Bait or taunt through acts, words or insignia which engender ill will |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-1b |
Use profanity, insulting or vulgar language or gestures |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-1c |
Any delayed, excessive or prolonged act attempting to bring attention upon one's self |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-1d |
Use of disconcerting acts or words prior to the snap to interfere with A's signals or movements |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-1e |
Intentionally kicking at the ball other than during a legal kick |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-1f |
Leaving the field between downs to gain an advantage unless: replaced
or with permission of official |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-1g |
Refusing to comply with an official's request |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-1h |
Use of tobacco or smokeless tobacco |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-2a |
A player who after the ball is dead in his possession:
Intentionally kicks the ball |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-2b |
A player who after the ball is dead in his possession:
Spikes the ball |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-2c |
A player who after the ball is dead in his possession:
Throws the ball high into the air or from the field of play |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| 9-5-2d |
A player who after the ball is dead in his possession:
Intentionally fails to place the ball on the ground or return it to a nearby official |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15;
disqualification if flagrant |
27; 47 |
| NF 9-6 |
This section deal with Illegal Participation |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action
|
Foul
|
Yardage
|
Official's Signal(s)
|
| 9-6-1 |
Except when blocked out by an opponent, any player of A or K goes out of bounds and returns during the down prior to any change of possession or if there is no change of possession |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| 9-6-2 |
A player intentionally goes out of bounds and then returns |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| 9-6-3 |
A replaced, player or a substitute hinders an opponent, touches the ball or influences the play |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| 9-6-4a |
Any player, replaced player or
substitute enters during a down |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| 9-6-4b |
Have 12 or more players participating at the snap or free kick |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| 9-6-4c |
When an injured player returns not having been replaced for one down (except after halftime or overtime intermission) |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| 9-6-4d |
Use a replaced player or a substitute in a substitution or pretended substitution to deceive the opponents at or immediately before the snap or free kick |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
|
9-6-4e |
A player lies on the ground to deceive the opponents at or immediately before the snap or free kick |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| 9-6-4f |
A disqualified player re-enters the game |
Illegal Participation |
15 |
28 |
| NF 9-7 |
This section deals with Illegal Batting and Illegal Kicking |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action |
Foul |
Yardage |
Official's Signal(s) |
| 9-7-1 |
Intentionally kicking the ball other than as a free or scrimmage kick |
Illegal Kicking |
15 |
31 |
| 9-7-2 |
Batting a loose ball other than a pass or fumble in flight or a low scrimmage kick in flight in an attempt to block it in or behind the neutral zone |
Illegal Batting |
15 |
31 |
| 9-7-3 |
Batting a backwards pass forward by the passing team |
Illegal Batting |
15 |
31 |
| 9-7-4 |
Batting a ball forward in player possession by a member of the team in possession |
Illegal Batting |
15 |
31 |
| NF 9-8 |
This section deals with Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Non-Players |
| NF Rule |
Illegal Action |
Foul |
Yardage |
Official's Signal(s) |
| 9-8-1a |
Use profanity, insulting or vulgar language or gestures |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1b |
Attempt to influence an official's decision |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1c |
Disrespectfully address an official |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1e |
Use illegal communication equipment
as outlined in 1-5-3b and 1-6 |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1f |
Holding an unauthorized conference |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1g |
Fail to be ready at the start of either half |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1h |
Following verification, the head coach fails to have his players wearing legal and required equipment |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1i |
Being on the field except as a substitute or a replaced player |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1j |
Use tobacco or smokeless tobacco |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 |
27 |
| 9-8-1k |
Being outside the team box, but not on the field |
1st) Sideline Warning
2nd) Sideline Interference
3rd+) Sideline Interference & Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
1st Time) Warning
2nd Time) 5 yards
3rd or more) - 15 yds |
15
7-29
7-29-27 |
| 9-8-1l |
A substitute leaves the team box during a fight |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
15 and disqualification |
27-47 |
| 9-8-2 |
During an authorized conference, more than 3 attendants enter the field;
- and/or -
any other non-player (other than a substitute) enters the field without the referee's permission |
Illegal Procedure
Unsportsmanlike Conduct |
1st time - 5 yards
2nd or more 15 yards |
19
7-29 |
| 9-8-3 |
A non-player is outside the team box who is not becoming a player nor returning as a replaced player
- and/or-
more than 3 coaches are in the coaches' area. |
1) Sideline Warning
2) Sideline Interference
3+) Sideline Interference/UC |
1st Time) Warning
2nd Time) 5 yards
3rd or more) - 15 yds |
15
7-29
7-29-27 |
| NF 9-9 |
This section deals with Unfair Acts |
9-9-1
9-9-2
9-9-3 |
A player or non-player or anyone not subject to the rules hinders play by an unfair act not specifically covered by a rule
A team repeatedly commits fouls that halve the distance to the goal
Either team commits an act which in the opinion of the Referee tends to make a travesty of the game
|
Unfair Act
The Referee enforces any penalty that he considers equitable, including the award of a score; for repeated fouls, the game may be forfeited |