Violation of free kick formation (includes kickoff), i.e., kickers failing to be behind ball or inbounds (except placekick holder) 6-1-3, receivers failing to be inbounds or behind their free kick line 6-1-3, kicking team player (other than kicker) more than one yard behind restraining line 6-1-3, less than five kicking team players on each side of kicker 6-1-3, Illegally touching free kick (a) before it goes 10 yards or (b) after being out of bounds 6-2-4. Whether a field goal or Try attempt crossed above the crossbar and inside the uprights is reviewable, but only if the ball crosses the plane of the goal post below the top of the uprights, or if the ball touches anything. A loose ball that is not in player control is out of bounds when it touches a boundary line or anything that is on or outside such line, including a player, an official, or a pylon. Touching of a Loose Ball. If his opponent intercepts the illegal pass thrown from the end zone, the ball remains alive. A Yard Line is any line and its vertical plane parallel to the end line. Players, Substitutes, Equipment, General Rules6. Team B is identified as the receiving team during the entire down. Foul by Team B. Whenever a runner goes out of bounds on a play from scrimmage, the game clock is started when an official spots the ball at the inbounds spot, and the Referee gives the signal to start the game clock, except that the clock will start on the snap: after the two-minute warning of the first half; or. Exception: See 14-4-9-Item 3-exc. Basketball-type knee pads are permitted, but must be covered by the outer uniform. An attempt to call an excess team timeout or to call a second timeout in the same dead- ball period by Team B in an attempt to freeze a kicker, will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and will subject the offending team to a 15-yard penalty (See 12-3). If the offense snaps the ball before the defense has had an opportunity to complete its substitutions, and a defensive foul for too many players on the field results, no penalties will be enforced, except for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, and the down will be replayed. All players are prohibited from tripping an opponent, including the runner. If there is a foul by the offense which causes a play to be whistled dead prior to the snap, it shall be treated the same as if it had occurred prior to a scrimmage play. is on the field of play or the end zone when a snap, fair-catch kick, or free kick is made, or when a snap, fair-catch kick, or free kick is imminent. Impetus is the action of a player who carries the ball or provides the force (i.e., a pass, kick, snap, or fumble) that causes a ball in the field of play to touch or cross a goal line. If unable to schedule the game at the same site, the Commissioner will select an appropriate alternate site. from the previous spot if the ball was in play. running, diving into, or throwing the body against or on any player on the ground either before or after the ball is dead; throwing the runner to the ground after the ball is dead; unnecessarily running, diving into, cutting, or throwing the body against or on a player who (1) is out of the play or (2) should not have reasonably anticipated such contact by an opponent, before or after the ball is dead; using any part of a players helmet or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent (. All lines are to be four inches wide, with the exception of the goal line and yellow lines, which are to be eight inches wide. A Team B player is deemed not to have touched a kick if such touching occurs in the immediate vicinity of the line in an attempt to block the kick. Penalty: For tripping by either team: Loss of 10 yards. In League parks where ground rules are necessary, because of fixed conditions that cannot be changed, they will be made by the Commissioner. In such a case, the end of each bench shall start at the 45-yard line and continue towards the adjacent goal line. The play clock operator shall time the interval between plays upon signals from game officials. there is a double foul with a change of possession (clean hands rule, see. Note: When in question about a roughness call or potentially dangerous tactics, the covering official(s) should always call unnecessary roughness. He must participate in such eligible or ineligible position as long as he is continuously in the game, but prior to each play he must again report his status to the Referee, who will inform the defensive team. Each team is permitted to have a maximum of three active radio receivers to be used on offense by its quarterbacks, and a maximum of three active radio receivers to be used on defense by players who have been designated as a primary and backup users. An incomplete pass is a loss of down, and the ball returns to the previous spot. An Approved Ruling (A.R.) The Referee is to have general oversight and control of the game. During pregame team warm-ups, players may omit certain protective equipment at their option, except that helmets, shoulder pads, thigh pads, and knee pads must be worn. when any legal or illegal kick is caught or recovered by the kickers, except a scrimmage kick that is kicked from behind the line and is recovered behind the line (not a Try kick). The areas bounded by goal lines and lines parallel to, and 70 feet 9 inches inbounds, from each sideline, are known as the Side Zones. It ends when a player of either team establishes possession of a kicked ball, or when the ball is dead by rule. A receiving team player is deemed to have not touched the ball if it is batted or illegally kicked into him by an opponent. Note: For purposes of a replay review, the momentum spot is the spot where the second foot (or other body part other than the hands) touched the ground. XFL overtime rules 2023 The XFL's overtime rules are vastly different than those employed in the NFL. If the first or third period is extended for any reason, or if a touchdown occurs during the last play of such a period, any additional play, including a Try attempt, shall be completed before the teams change goals. The blocker must work immediately to bring his hands inside the opponents frame, and as the play develops, the blocker is permitted to work for and maintain his position against an opponent, provided that he does not illegally clip or illegally push from behind. Non-player personnel of a club (e.g., management personnel, coaches, trainers, equipment personnel) are prohibited from making unnecessary physical contact with or directing abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures at opponents, game officials, or representatives of the League. Regardless of whether the foul is in the field of play or in the end zone, the result is a safety. Item 1. Clubs are not required to designate to the League office by July 1, the color of gloves that will be worn by their players. First touching is a violation, and the receivers shall have the option of taking possession of the ball at the spot of first touching, provided no live-ball penalty is accepted on the play, or at the spot where the ball is dead. In line with the Inbound Lines there shall be marks at 1-yard intervals between each distance of 5 yards for the full length of the field. No yardage penalty will be assessed for the first excess team timeout, but a 10-second runoff of the game clock may be applicable pursuant to Note 3 below. Contact by a player who has gained position on an opponent in an attempt to catch the ball. The Replay Official may consult with a designated member of the Officiating department at the League office regarding whether to challenge a play. Fair-catch interfering or running into maker of in receivers end zone 10-1-1, Ball in possession of team behind or out of bounds behind own goal line and impetus which sent it in touch came from player of that team 11-5-1, Receivers ball at inbounds spot when last touched by them 6-2-3, Receivers ball 25 yards from spot of kick 6-2-3, Snapping before Officials assume normal position 4-6-5-b, Committing acts designed to consume time 4-7-1, Kickers advancing after recovery of a scrimmage kick unless behind line other than a Try-kick (9-3-1) 9-3-2, Any kick touching receivers goal post or cross bar unless scoring field goal 6-1-5-c; 9-4-2; and 11-6-2-d, Official sounding whistle (even when inadvertent) 7-2-1-m, Any receiver catching after fair-catch signal unless first touched by kickers 10-2-3, Defense fouling and spot of enforcement is behind goal line of offense 14-2-2, Runner crosses opponents goal line and spot of enforcing foul by teammate during run is behind defense goal line 14-2-2, A team scoring and opponents commit a personal or unsportsmanlike conduct foul or a palpably unfair act, during down 14-2-3. A player is offside when any part of his body is in or beyond the neutral zone or beyond a restraining line when the ball is put in play. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down. Download a printable PDF of the 2023 NFL Rulebook. If there is a scrimmage kick, a Running Play begins when Team B establishes possession of the ball, or when Team A establishes possession of a kicked ball behind the line of scrimmage. If the first team to possess the ball scores a field goal or touchdown, after which the second team loses possession by an interception or fumble, the down will be permitted to run to its conclusion, and all rules of the game will be enforced as customary, including awarding points scored by either team during the down. No more than six Team B players may be on the line of scrimmage on either side of the snapper at the snap. The Field of Play is the rectangle formed by the Goal Lines and the Sidelines. A wedge block is not permitted by any players at any time. A foul can be created following a review if the reviewable aspect creates the foul, or if the Referee announced before the review that there was no foul on the play because of a specific ruling that is changed in the review. Penalty: For Unsportsmanlike Conduct after a warning: Loss of 15 yards from the succeeding spot. If any non-player, including photographers, reporters, employees, police or spectators, enters the field of play or end zones, and in the judgment of an official said party or parties interfere with the play, the Referee, after consulting the crew (13-1-7 and 19-1-3), shall enforce any such penalty or score as the interference warrants. Exception: If a runner intentionally fumbles forward, it is a forward pass (3-22). The Referee must blow the play dead as soon as the passer is clearly in the grasp and control of any tackler behind the line, and the passers safety is in jeopardy. Player Conduct13. The Referee shall also secure from the Line Judge the playing time remaining and record it.