| Rules Changes or Emphasis for 2005 |
| 1. |
If during the last timed down of a period, A1 commits pass interference,
the period is not extended whether the penalty is accepted or declined.
True |
| 2. |
If a replaced player does not leave the field immediately, it is a
dead-ball, illegal-substitution foul.
True |
| 3. |
Illegal participation is a nonplayer foul.
False |
| 4. |
If a substitute or replaced player influences the play, it is illegal
participation.
True |
| 5. |
A substitute who goes on the field, but is unable to complete the
substitution prior to the ball becoming live, may return to his team
box legally, provided he leaves the field on his team box side and is
off the field when the ball is snapped.
True |
| 6. |
If 12 A players are in the formation at the snap, the foul occurs
simultaneously with the snap and the penalty is administered from the
previous spot.
True |
| 7. |
When an illegal forward pass is simultaneously caught by opponents,
it becomes dead.
True |
| 8. |
A forward pass is a pass thrown with its initial direction toward
the opponent's end line.
True |
| Dead Ball |
| 9. |
If K1's kick try is blocked and K2 recovers behind the neutral zone
and runs into the end zone, K is awarded two points.
False |
| 10. |
When a live ball in possession of A1 breaks the plane of B's goal
line, the ball becomes dead.
True |
| 11. |
The ball becomes dead when any loose ball is simultaneously caught
or recovered by opponents.
True |
| Definitions |
| 12. |
A down begins when the ball is marked ready-for-play.
False |
| 13. |
The succeeding spot is where the ball was last snapped or free kicked.
False |
| 14. |
An accidental kick is a muff.
True |
| 15. |
The neutral zone is established after the snapper has made final adjustment
of the ball.
False |
| 16. |
A player is in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is
in the zone at the snap.
True |
| 17. |
Only the runner can give an illegal fair-catch signal.
True |
| 18. |
The ball is live only during a down.
True |
| Encroachment |
| 19. |
Any act that is clearly intended to cause B to encroach is an unsportsmanlike
foul.
False |
| 20. |
It is encroachment when following the ready-for-play, interior lineman
A1 assumes a three-point stance with his head in the neutral zone and
the snapper has his hands on the ball.
True |
| Equipment: Field |
| 21. |
Supplementary equipment to aid in game administration may be used
if authorized by the referee.
False |
| 22. |
The pylon when properly placed on the goal line is out of bounds at
the intersection of the sideline and goal-line extended.
True |
| Equipment: Player |
| 23. |
Prior to the game, the head coach shall be responsible for verifying
- to the referee only - that all of his team's players are equipped
in compliance with the rules.
False |
| 24. |
The sleeves on the jersey must fully cover the required shoulder pads
and any hard surface auxiliary attachments.
True |
| 25. |
When any required equipment is missing, correction must be made before
participation.
True |
| 26. |
Receivers may legally apply sticky foreign material on their hands
as in an aid in catching the ball.
False |
| 27. |
If there is a question regarding legality of a player's equipment,
the referee makes the final decision.
False |
| 28. |
A tinted eye shield is illegal.
True |
| Extending a Period |
| 29. |
If time for any period expires during a down, play shall continue
until the down ends.
True |
| 30. |
The period must be extended if, during the last timed down, A1 is
illegally in motion and B1 roughs the passer, but B2 then intercepts
and scores.
True |
| 31. |
The period must be extended if during the last timed down there was
an inadvertent whistle.
True |
| 32. |
Nonplayer and unsportsmanlike fouls are considered when determining
if a period is ended or is to be extended.
False |
| Fair Catch |
| 33. |
Only the receiver who gives a valid fair catch signal is entitled
to protection.
True |
| 34. |
A signal given by R1 in or behind the neutral zone during a scrimmage
kick is an illegal fair-catch signal.
False |
| 35. |
Only the receiver who gives a valid fair-catch signal is entitled
to protection. (same as #33) True |
| 36. |
The penalty for an invalid signal by R1 is 5 yards and an automatic
first down for K.
False |
| 37. |
It is illegal for R1 to fair-catch a free kick in the neutral zone.
False |
| Field Goal |
| 38. |
During a field-goal attempt, the ball becomes dead if the kick is
blocked behind the neutral zone.
False |
| 39. |
If a try by place-kick does not break the plane of R's goal line,
R1 may recover and advance.
False |
| 40. |
It is a field goal even though part of the ball passes through the
line of the upright extended.
False |
| Forward Passes |
| 41. |
If an ineligible receiver catches, bats or muffs a forward pass while
he is in or behind the neutral zone, it is a foul.
True |
| 42. |
Interference by B may occur beyond, in or behind the neutral zone.
False |
| 43. |
During a scrimmage down, a backward pass from in or behind the neutral
zone by A is always part of the loose-ball play.
True |
| 44. |
The snapper cannot be an eligible pass receiver.
False |
| Fouls |
| 45. |
If a substitute leaves the team box during a fight, the unsportsmanlike
foul carries a 15-yard penalty; plus he shall be disqualified.
True |
| 46. |
After Team A has been set for at least one second, it is a foul if
back A1 moves to a new backfield position and sets for less than one
second before the snap.
True |
| 47. |
A player may be withdrawn and re-entered legally during the same dead-ball
interval if the period ends during the dead-ball interval.
True |
| 48. |
Tripping an opponent who is not the runner is legal.
False |
| 49. |
If there is no change of team possession, a foul other than unsportsmanlike
on each team during a down results in a double foul.
True |
| 50. |
All dead-ball fouls are enforced separately and in the order in which
they occurred.
True |
| Free Kick |
| 51. |
A free kick ends as soon as the ball is touched beyond the neutral
zone.
False |
| 52. |
A free kick may be recovered by K in R's end zone.
False |
| 53. |
After a free kick strikes the ground beyond R's free-kick line, the
players of either team may push or pull opponents in an actual attempt
to get at the ball.
True |
| 54. |
When R1 gains possession of a free kick, blocking below the waist
by teammates is legal.
False |
| Fundamental Statements |
| 55. |
Forward pass interference can occur behind, in or beyond the neutral
zone.
False |
| 56. |
A disqualifying foul during the down causes the official to sound
his whistle immediately.
False |
| 57. |
A foul that occurs simultaneously with the snap is an exception to
the all-but-one enforcement principle.
True |
| 58. |
No kick may be legally batted.
False |
| Illegal Participation |
| 59. |
It is illegal participation if any player intentionally goes out of
bounds during the down.
False |
| 60. |
If a player is blocked out of bounds by an opponent and returns inbounds,
at the first opportunity he may legally participate.
True |
| 61. |
If end A1 voluntarily goes out of bounds and immediately returns during
the down, it is illegal participation.
True |
| 62. |
The re-entry of a disqualified player is an illegal participation
foul.
True |
| Inadvertent Whistle |
| 63. |
In certain situations involving an inadvertent whistle, a team may
have a choice of accepting the play or replaying the down.
True |
| 64. |
If K's first touching of a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone
causes an official to blow his whistle inadvertently, it is R's ball
at the spot of the first touching.
False |
| Miscellaneous |
| 65. |
If an official stops the clock for a bleeding player and if the team
thereafter requests a time-out, the player may remain in the game.
False |
| 66. |
A physician may allow the return of a player who was rendered apparently
unconscious, but such authorization must be in writing.
True |
| Penalty Enforcement |
| 67. |
A loss of down is a part of some 15-yard penalties but not any 5-yard
penalties.
False |
| 68. |
It is a disqualifying foul for fighting when A1 kicks at B1 but makes
no contact.
True |
| 69. |
All multiple fouls are enforced in the order in which they occur.
False |
| 70. |
The penalty for a chop block is 5 yards.
False |
| 71. |
If during an unsuccessful try A1 fouls, there is no replay.
True |
| 72. |
In the case of a double foul, the captains are not consulted.
True |
| 73. |
The succeeding spot is the enforcement spot for a foul which occurs
simultaneously with the snap or free kick.
False |
| 74. |
The penalty for an unsportsmanlike foul is enforced from the spot
of the foul.
False |
| 75. |
The yardage penalties for all types of illegal helmet contact fouls
are the same.
True |
| 76. |
A foul by B1 during a down in which Team A scores a touchdown or 2-point
try may be penalized.
True |
| Periods |
| 77. |
The period must be extended if during the last timed down A1 scores
but A2's holding foul is accepted.
True |
| 78. |
Nonplayer and unsportsmanlike fouls are not considered when determining
if a period ends or must be extended.
True |
| 79. |
When the period ends during a free-kick down and the penalty for a
foul by K is accepted, the period is not over.
True |
| 80. |
If there is a double foul during the last timed down of a period,
the period is automatically extended.
True |
| Safety |
| 81. |
On kicks entering R's end zone, the determination of force dictates
whether it is a touchback or a safety.
False |
| 82. |
If A1 is in his own end zone when he intentionally grounds a forward
pass, it is a safety even if B declines the penalty.
True |
| 83. |
On a try, if A scores what would normally be a safety, it is awarded
one point.
True |
| 84. |
If B1 intercepts A's forward pass in B's end zone, it is a safety
if he is tackled there.
False |
| Time-outs |
| 85. |
During an authorized time-out held within 5 yards of the sideline,
only two coaches may participate.
False |
| 86. |
During an authorized time-out held within 5 yards of the sideline,
any number of team members may be involved.
True |
| 87. |
If the head coach is ejected, the privilege of a coach requesting
a time-out is forfeited.
True |
| 88. |
Successive charged time-outs may be granted during the same dead-ball
period.
True |
| Timing |
| 89. |
On all free kicks, the clock will start when the ball is marked ready-for-play.
False |
| 90. |
When the ball becomes dead following a fourth down, the clock must
be stopped.
True |
| 91. |
The clock will start with the snap following the enforcement of a
"delay of game" penalty.
True |
| 92. |
There is a one-minute intermission following a try, successful field
goal or safety and prior to a free kick.
True |
| Touchback |
| 93. |
If K's blocked punt strikes the ground and is then forced into K's
end zone by R2 and recovered there by R3, it is a touchback.
False |
| 94. |
If R1 blocks K1's kick on K's 8 and the ball rebounds into K's end
zone, the change of direction is a new force, and when K2 recovers it
there it is a touchback.
False |
| 95. |
It is a touchback when A1 fumbles on B's 2-yard line and the ball
goes into B's end zone and out of bounds there.
True |
| 96. |
If B1 intercepts a forward pass in B's end zone and begins to return,
but is tackled in the end zone, it is a touchback.
True |
| Touchdown |
| 97. |
If A1 fumbles on B's 2-yard line and the ball rolls through B's end
zone and over the end line, it is a touchdown for A.
False |
| 98. |
If receiver A1 controls the ball in B's end zone, but prior to touching
the ground inbounds, A1 brushes the upright, it is a touchdown.
False |
| 99. |
It is a touchdown for A if A1 fumbles into B's end zone and A2 is
the last to touch the ball prior to its going out of bounds beyond the
end line.
False |
| 100. |
It is a touchdown for A when a ball in A1's possession breaks the
vertical plane of B's goal line.
True |