QUIZ ANSWERS: 2016 WEEK #15


1. RULING: Safety. A f/k A20. The second forward pass by Team A is an illegal forward pass. Since the pass was from A's end zone, acceptance of the penalty results in a safety. Also, since the pass was from A's end zone, Team B may decline the penalty and accept the result of the play which is an incomplete forward pass. It would be A 4/18 A2; Snap. If Team B declines the penalty in anticipation of getting possession closer to A's goal line with a little more time to score a touchdown, Team A may take the 4th down snap and step on the end line for a safety anyway. This would take a few more valuable seconds off the clock. Team B will probably accept the penalty.


2. RULING: B 1/10 B32. Interference with opportunity foul by A86. The 15-yard penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul, B's 17. The contact by A86 would not be a foul if A86 contacts B44 as the result of a block by another Team B player. If a Team A player blocks a Team B player into B44, it does not result in an interference with opportunity foul, sometimes called kick catch interference.


3. RULING: A 1/10 A34. The block from behind is legal since A64 was on the line of scrimmage at the snap, within the blocking zone and did not leave the blocking zone. A similar block from the front of B56 outside the 10-2 clock face would be illegal. Thus, in this play, A64 may clip an opponent but may only block below the waist from the front within the 10-2 clock face. (9-1-6-a) NOTE: Likely rule and/or interpretation change in 2017.


4. RULING: B 1/10 B25; Snap. Game clock: 0:13. ZAP 10 no longer applies after a change of team possession. (3-4-4-a). The clock will start on the snap because Team B is awarded a first down and will next snap the ball (3-3-2-d-3).


5. RULING: A 1/10 A42; Snap. There is no indication of a foul by A89. The batting by A89 is legal since the ball had gone at least 10 yards and the batting was backwards. The ball becomes dead when recovered by A77. The game clock should start when A89 bats (legally touches) the ball. If A89 leaped from out of bounds, the ball would become dead when touched by A89 and the result of the play would be a free kick out of bounds foul.


6. RULING: Game ends. The final score is A24-B28. A85 became an ineligible receiver when he established his position inbounds after hitting the pylon. Thus, B44 did not commit a defensive pass interference foul. A85 commits an illegal touching foul. Since the penalty carries a loss of down, the period is not extended. NOTE: The Pigskin Page Rule Change Request would not change this ruling since Team B would elect not to extend the period.


7. RULING:  A 2rd/goal B13; Ready. Game clock reads 0:04. The 10-yard penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul, B's 3.  There is no ZAP 10 because there is another reason for stopping the clock (injury to A or another A helmet excepted) other than A66's helmet coming off.  THE REST OF THE STORY:  A7 kicks a 30-yard field goal to win the game as time expires.  A77 is awarded a gold helmet sticker for preventing the ZAP 10.


Rom Gilbert / pigskin@romgilbert.us / November 30, 2016 / (q-1615a)