2011 MINI MISSIVE #14


DEAD BALL FOULS BEFORE OR AT THE SNAP


A dead ball foul occurs prior to the snap and the play clock is stopped immediately. Officials must sort out what happened. It has been stated that, "the longer the officials confer, the more likely the call will be wrong".

#

PLAY

RULING

1
First and 10 on A's 40. B96 enters the neutral zone directly toward A66. A77, adjacent to A66, moves.
A 1/5 A45. Dead ball foul. Offside by B96. A66 and the two adjacent linemen are considered threatened. (A.R. 7-1-3-c)
2
First and 10 on A's 40. B96 steps forward directly in front of A66 but does not break the plane of the neutral zone. A66 moves.
A 1/15 A35. Dead ball foul. False start by A66. B96 did not enter the neutral zone.
(A.R. 7-1-3-c)
3
First and 10 on A's 40. B96 enters the neutral zone between A66 and A77. A77 moves.
A 1/5 A45. Dead ball foul. Offside by B96. Only A66 and A77 are considered threatened.
4
First and 10 on A's 40. B96 enters the neutral zone between A66 and A77. A74 moves.
A 1/15 A35. Dead ball foul. False start by A74. A74 is not a threatened player.
5
First and 10 on A's 40. B96 enters the neutral zone between A66 and A77. Back A33, legally lined up in the gap just behind A66 and A77, moves.
A 1/15 A35. Dead ball foul. False start by A33. A back can never be a threatened player.
(7-1-5-a-2)
6
First and 10 on A's 40. The snapper is set. A88 lines up in the neutral zone. B96 is lined up in the neutral zone.
A 1/15 A35. Dead ball foul. Encroachment by A88. B96 would foul at the snap. (7-1-3-c)
7
First and 10 on A's 40. A88 replaces A84 but does not get inside the 9-yard mark. B44 intercepts A17's legal forward pass and advances for a touchdown.
A 1/15 A35. Dead ball foul by A88. All action was with a dead ball. Adjust the clock.
(7-1-3-b)
8
First and 10 on A's 40. Team A sends in two substitutes and three "players" head for the sideline. A88 stops near the sideline and remains inbounds. B44 intercepts A17's legal forward pass and advances for a touchdown.
Touchdown. B try A3. Then, B f/k B45. All action was with a live ball. Team B usually has the penalty enforced on the free kick.
(Rule 9-2-2-b)(A.R. 9-2-2-III)
9
First and 10 on A's 40. A88 replaces A84 but does not get inside the 9-yard mark. A55 legally begins the snap. B96 bats the ball before A55 completes the snap.
A 1/5 A45. Dead ball foul by B96. B96 may not touch the ball until it has been snapped. It has been reported that the snap must be completed before A88 gets the flag. (A.R. 7-1-5-II)
10
First and 10 on A's 40. All Team A players are set for a second. A33 goes in motion. A65 is slowing dropping into a 3-point stance as the ball is snapped. B44 intercepts A16's legal forward pass and advances for a touchdown.
Touchdown. B try A3. Illegal shift is a live ball foul. This cannot be a false start since all Team A players were set for a second and A65 did not simulate action at the snap. (7-1-4-c)
11
First and 10 on A's 40. B96 enters the neutral zone between A66 and A77 and makes contact. At about the same time, A74 moves. The officials disagree on what happened first, B96's contact or A74's movement.
A 1/15 A35. The officials must make a decision. Offsetting fouls is not an option. Since the offense is getting all the breaks on intentional grounding, nail the offense.
Rom Gilbert / rom.gilbert@sfcollege.edu / August 2, 2011 / (p-1114)