ARTICLE 4.If live-ball fouls by both teams are reported to the referee, the fouls offset and the down is repeated. Any player who commits a foul that mandates disqualification or ejection must leave the game.
Approved Ruling 10-1-4 I. On a Team A kickoff, Team B fouls before the untouched ball goes out of bounds between the goal lines. RULING: Offsetting fouls. Team A re-kicks at the previous spot.
Approved Ruling 10-1-4 II. On a Team A kickoff from its 35-yard line, Team B fouls after the untouched ball goes out of bounds between the goal lines. RULING: Team B may elect a replay with Team A free-kicking at its 45-yard line. If Team B retains the ball, it will be at its 20-yard line, after the 15-yard penalty from its 35-yard line, or 15 yards behind the spot where the five-yard penalty against Team A left the ball (Rules 6-1-8and 10-1-6).
Approved Ruling 10-1-4 III. Team A is an illegal formation at the snap. A1’s forward pass is intercepted by B1, who advances five yards and is tackled. Team B clips during B1’s run. RULING: Team B has the option to accept offsetting fouls and repeat the down or to decline offsetting fouls and retain the ball after its penalty is completed. In the latter case Team A may accept or decline the penalty for Team B’s clipping foul.
Approved Ruling 10-1-4 IV. A1 throws an illegal forward pass and Team B is in the neutral zone at the snap. B23 intercepts the pass and B10 clips on the return. B23 is tackled in the field of play. RULING: No option. The fouls offset and the down is replayed. Team B may not decline offsetting fouls because it had fouled before getting possession of the ball.
Approved Ruling 10-1-4 V. A1’s forward pass is intercepted by B1, who advances and fumbles. B2 recovers and returns the ball five more yards. Team A fouls during or after the down, and Team B fouls during the fumble or during return by B2. RULING: If Team A’s foul was a live-ball foul, Team B may select offsetting fouls and replay the down or select an option to retain the ball following the completion of the penalty for its foul. If Team A’s foul was a dead-ball foul, Team B retains the ball after enforcement of both penalties.
Approved Ruling 10-1-4 VI. Team A’s legal forward pass is intercepted by B45, who advances several yards. On the return, B23 clips and A78 tackles B45 by pulling and twisting his face mask. RULING: Since Team B had not fouled before the change of possession, it may decline offsetting fouls and retain possession after completion of the clipping penalty.
Approved Ruling 10-1-4 VII. A1 receives the snap while standing on his end line. Team B is offside at the snap. RULING: Team A’s foul, out of bounds at the snap, offsets Team B’s offside, and the down is repeated [Note: If Team B had not been offside, Team B could accept the penalty for Team A’s foul or a safety (Rule 8-5-1a)].
Exceptions:
1. When there is a change of team possession during a down, and the team last gaining possession had not fouled before last gaining possession, it may refuse offsetting fouls and thereby retain possession after completion of the penalty for its foul.
2. When all Team B fouls that occur before possession changes are governed by post-scrimmage kick rules, Team B may refuse offsetting fouls and accept post-scrimmage kick enforcement.
3. Rules 8-3-4c and 3-1-3g-3 (during a try or extra period after Team B possession).
